Random track visits

[IRONLUNG]

Hey I was wondering from all the more experienced track people out there if you guys do the track days specifically to race or can someone just on a random day, just drive in with their bike (or trailer), and pay, and do a few laps just for fun? Not to race others, just to go on the track without the worry of a pace, just to learn to lean, and take turns properly something I feel I cannot learn riding on the streets etc.. I know there are courses available, but what I am looking for is a place I can freely practice on my own (after paying to use the track).

I also read in the beginners guide that you can rent race prepped bikes already at the track, is that something that is worth doing, or should I just go out and buy myself a race specific bike?

Now that I got my truck and my bike together again, I am very much hoping for something like that somewhere..

[caboose483]

Lots of people ride at the track with no intentions of racing. Thats what 'track days' are. There is no actual racing.

Generally you have to pay for a full day though, not just a few laps. How many laps you choose to do is entirely up to you.

[smergy]

yes, you can do that. Nearly all track providers allow you to show up on the day and pay the fee. Verify with the provider first. i.e. pro6 lets you do this. You will pay a bit more, 15-40%, depending on the provider, you also run the risk of driving all the way to the track and finding out the novice group is full. The plus side of doing this is you can see what the weather is like. Riding in drizzle isn't as fun, but you do have the ability to learn the limits of your bike in the wet. Typically pre-registration ends 1 week before the track day, too far in advance to know what the weather is going to be.

You can rent bikes through schools like FAST, not usually at a regular track day, but its pricey (they argue otherwise, but at a beginner level where your not shredding expensive slicks, IMO it's a bit pricey). The insurance and the deductable are high. Most crashes are 50 to a few hundred bucks to fix (if you don't care too much about what your fairings look like), assuming its not a severer crash.

Read the bike prep carefully, each provider is slightly different, and lists the tech requirements on their website. There is a sticky in this thread about what you need for your first track day.

My advice, take the plunge, but be prepared for the addiction and cost.

EDIT: heres the link http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...rio-Track-Days

[meme]

Pro 6 does trackdays and also rents bikes. Be prepared for a deposit

http://www.pro6cycle.com/Default.aspx

http://www.pro6cycle.com/TrackDays/BikeRentals.aspx

[Fiery254]

Not a comprehensive list but a great start point;

http://www.motorcycletrackdays.ca/

And to pre-empt your next question;

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...irst-track-day

[IRONLUNG]

Lots of people ride at the track with no intentions of racing. Thats what 'track days' are. There is no actual racing.

Generally you have to pay for a full day though, not just a few laps. How many laps you choose to do is entirely up to you.

I had no idea. I had always thought that going to the track meant automatically= racing. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

yes, you can do that. Nearly all track providers allow you to show up on the day and pay the fee. Verify with the provider first. i.e. pro6 lets you do this. You will pay a bit more, 15-40%, depending on the provider, you also run the risk of driving all the way to the track and finding out the novice group is full. The plus side of doing this is you can see what the weather is like. Riding in drizzle isn't as fun, but you do have the ability to learn the limits of your bike in the wet. Typically pre-registration ends 1 week before the track day, too far in advance to know what the weather is going to be.

So I wouldn't be paying the actual "track", I would be paying someone who rents the track and sets up a "track day"? Do all tracks work like this (track providers)?
Since I am just starting out, and may actually use my street bike, until I can find a track-only bike, which provider would you recommend I begin with? You mentioned that Pro6 lets you verify if there are open spots or that they let you be spontaneous?

Pro 6 does trackdays and also rents bikes. Be prepared for a deposit

http://www.pro6cycle.com/Default.aspx

http://www.pro6cycle.com/TrackDays/BikeRentals.aspx

Ooooh.. that is pricey. I am for sure going to use my street bike or get my own track bike. I am sure I can find a good cheap track bike soon enough. I mean I only want to learn to be a better rider, not to actually race anyone.

Not a comprehensive list but a great start point;

http://www.motorcycletrackdays.ca/

And to pre-empt your next question;

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...irst-track-day

That calendar is actually a great help, at least I know ahead of time whats coming up. I actually started reading those stickies already..

The last question I have is simply how much on average does it cost for a day at the track then with the different providers? Is it stagnant or does the price change based on something?

Thanks for your quick replies everyone..

Edit: I just registered at Pro6 website so I can register for track days online, and see the average price for a day. Awesome. Now I'm excited.

[smergy]

many novice riders use their street bike as their track bike. Just be aware of the prep work, it can be be a PITA if you start going to a lot of track days. I use my street bike as my track bike its a pain to convert, but I love the track and my wife won't let me have 2.

Just be aware that you cannot run coolant at a track. Coolant is slippery and hard to clean up in the event of a crash. You must run water (with the option of adding water wetter). You need to take care of flushing your cooling system BEFORE you get to the track (along with the other technical requirements).

For pro 6 you can see right on their website how many spots are left, but they are the only ones that show you this information (as far as I know). If you pre-register you will have a confirmed spot. Some tracks, i.e. shannonville, grand bend and cayuga have a number of their "own" track days, its the same concept. I don't think mosport does this.

[Fiery254]

The last question I have is simply how much on average does it cost for a day at the track then with the different providers? Is it stagnant or does the price change based on something?

I've paid anything from $90 (Cayuga Thursday) up to $260 (Calabogie with Turn 2). Price depends on day of week, track and organiser. A realistic budget price would be between $125 and $240 a day plus taxes dependent on track.

[murf]

I had no idea. I had always thought that going to the track meant automatically= racing. Thanks for clearing that up for me.






Ooooh.. that is pricey. I am for sure going to use my street bike or get my own track bike. I am sure I can find a good cheap track bike soon enough. I mean I only want to learn to be a better rider, not to actually race anyone.



That calendar is actually a great help, at least I know ahead of time whats coming up. I actually started reading those stickies already..

The last question I have is simply how much on average does it cost for a day at the track then with the different providers? Is it stagnant or does the price change based on something?

Thanks for your quick replies everyone..

Edit: I just registered at Pro6 website so I can register for track days online, and see the average price for a day. Awesome. Now I'm excited.

Most people crash during their first or second track day.

[fastar1]

How do you figure most? I'd say least.

People crash once they get a little comfortable and decide to start pushing their comfort level, which doesn't happen the 1st or 2nd day out. Or instead of looking at it in terms of WHEN people crash in their learning progression, looking at it as a proportion of all those who do crash, even then the very beginner riders don't stand out to me as being common crashers at track days.

[Gpz900]

If you are going to "performance" ride, you're going to crash. It is part of the game.
If you don't crash, you're not trying hard enough.

On race day it is either win, blow up or crash.
Winning is the cheapest.

Not sure about this philosophy. Sure crashes can happen at the track. But track days aren't for racing or "winning". They offer a chance to improve riding skills as well as to ride closer to one's limit. How far one goes to the edge of their limit just depends on the individual, their bike, and their comfort zone. I don't think crashing at a trackday is expected or required in order to be considered riding hard enough.

[R1Guy]

^^ agreed
I never crashed until I reached Red Group and got real comfortable there, started pushing the bike and my personal limits. It's also important to point out that if your going to crash a bike it's better that it happens at a track for numerous reasons.

[Fiery254]

Me and a mate watched this guy turn up late to a trackday last April at Jennings. He rushed to unload a 2008 GSXR1000 in full street trim and a 2009 R1 again in full street trim. He was running late and panicking all over the place. He went out for his first session (third of the day) on the GSXR and crashed as he came into turn 1 after his out lap. He snapped the frame. That was his day done. He just about completed 1 ful lap and totalled about $7000 worth of bike.

His mate turned up the next morning and took out the R1. He proceeded to crash heading into turn 1 at the beginning of his second full lap. He didn't snap his frame but bent forks, totalled most of the street plastics + all the other stuff which bends and breaks when a bike cartwheels across tarmac and hard, dry infield.

Three full laps between them and about $15000 worth of damage. So **** does happen and sometimes it comes along like buses. Sometimes it doens't happen for ages. For some people it never happens. But last time I looked there aren't any crash quotas handed out by trackday organisers.

[Shaman]

Damn.

[fastar1]

That belongs in the stupid people thread.