Novice track days?

[h20boy]

So I've just gone from a 60hp kawa twin to a GSXR750 with double that, and i'm thinking I'd really like to do a track day to build up my confidence with the new bike in a controlled environment...

Are there track days run, preferably at pukekohe, for slow-pokes like me where I won't be a danger to faster riders?

[Kiwi Graham]

ART track day 30th August. Go to the AMCC web site for details. Have fun :niceone:

[discotex]

So I've just gone from a 60hp kawa twin to a GSXR750 with double that, and i'm thinking I'd really like to do a track day to build up my confidence with the new bike in a controlled environment...

Are there track days run, preferably at pukekohe, for slow-pokes like me where I won't be a danger to faster riders?

I know you'd prefer Puke but if you want corners you're much better off at Taupo. Makes for a nice ride down (unless you trailer) but you're best off staying overnight the night before.

MotoTT group 4 is well suited to a trackday novice and they take extra time to brief newbies at the start. July 24th is their next one.

http://motott.co.nz/

Would be happy to show you the ropes but I won't be heading down until August or September.

Otherwise wait a little longer and Hampton Downs will be opening for bikes. Sounds like it'll be $200/day but it'll be well worth it.

[p.dath]

So I've just gone from a 60hp kawa twin to a GSXR750 with double that, and i'm thinking I'd really like to do a track day to build up my confidence with the new bike in a controlled environment...

Are there track days run, preferably at pukekohe, for slow-pokes like me where I won't be a danger to faster riders?

+1 to the Auckland Motor Cycle Club (AMCC) Advanced Rider Training (ART) day at Pukekohe.

It's not just a track day. They also have instructors there to help you.

http://www.amcc.co.nz/

Next one is August 30th. This is the entry form:
http://www.amcc.co.nz/entry_forms/ARTAug2009Entry.pdf

[h20boy]

+1 to the Auckland Motor Cycle Club (AMCC) Advanced Rider Training (ART) day at Pukekohe.

It's not just a track day. They also have instructors there to help you.

http://www.amcc.co.nz/

Next one is August 30th. This is the entry form:
http://www.amcc.co.nz/entry_forms/ARTAug2009Entry.pdf

Thanks Chaps...think thats a bit of me then

[kudos@xtra.co.nz]

California superbike school at hampton Downs, nothing comes close.

[Dirty_Harri]

California superbike school at hampton Downs, nothing comes close.

Can you attend this if you're a noob on your learners? I'd be keen!

[p.dath]

Can you attend this if you're a noob on your learners? I'd be keen!

I hear this is quite expensive ...

[discotex]

Can you attend this if you're a noob on your learners? I'd be keen!

Should be allowed but whether you feel you get value for money is the real issue.

I'd guess you'd want to be a fairly confident open road rider before putting down the minimum of $500 for entry.

[prettybillie]

Definitely the AMCC ART day on 30 August or the MotoTT track days. Both will provide help and advice. The ART day is aimed at training though - hence it is an Advance Rider Training Day not a track day, so might be ther place to start with. The guys at MotoTT are really supportive as well though. It's a choice of Puke or Taupo you have to make. As an attendee of both, I can recommend both :Punk:

[Dirty_Harri]

Definitely the AMCC ART day on 30 August or the MotoTT track days. Both will provide help and advice. The ART day is aimed at training though - hence it is an Advance Rider Training Day not a track day, so might be ther place to start with. The guys at MotoTT are really supportive as well though. It's a choice of Puke or Taupo you have to make. As an attendee of both, I can recommend both :Punk:

Okay cool! Sounds like the place to be. I might just get a bit more experience on the road first i think. Did you find Taupo an easier track to handle? I've raced (cars) at puke and I can imagine the front straight and the hair pin/s to be pretty scary on a bike :eek5:

[prettybillie]

Okay cool! Sounds like the place to be. I might just get a bit more experience on the road first i think. Did you find Taupo an easier track to handle? I've raced (cars) at puke and I can imagine the front straight and the hair pin/s to be pretty scary on a bike :eek5:

I LOVE PUKEKOHE!!!!! The other tracks are cool - but I LOVE PUKEKOHE!!!

[kudos@xtra.co.nz]

CSS is expensive but not as expensive as repairs after falling off! and much cheaper than a funeral.

On a more cheery but provocative topic I would keep off Taupo until they fix the slippery parts of the track and IMO Manfeild is the best track in NZ. Its a fast flowing track and the turns are banked which makes you feel like u are really leaned over (which is not true of course). Its recently been resealed and rewards skill. A 600cc can beat a litre bike around that track.

Puke is just dangerous.

[MaxCannon]

I've never been to Manfield so can't comment there.
Last time I was at Taupo I didn't have any issues with the repairs. It's a nice track, just a bit of a trek from Auckland.
Pukekohe is dangerous but then all racetracks are dangerous.
The main issue is over the hill and into turn 1.
Remeber it's not a race, look where you want the bike to go and you'll be sweet.
I think any properly run trackday / training day is 100 times safer than riding on the road.
A few weeks back I did 300kms riding around the back of beyond.
Opposing traffic, blind corners, washouts etc
Add to that the fact that If I did crash it would could take hours for emergency services to get there.

[BiK3RChiK]

Why is Pukekohe so dangerous as opposed to Taupo? Just wondering as the Son is booked in to do a day there........

[Kiwi Graham]

Why is Pukekohe so dangerous as opposed to Taupo? Just wondering as the Son is booked in to do a day there........

There is very limited 'run off' from the left hander after the hairpin through to the front straight (Taupo has a similar issue coming onto the front straight) They put straw filled bags infront of the armco to 'cushion' the impact if anybody falls of.

The ART track days are more of a training day rather than a full blown track day. The emphasis being on improving indervidual skill in various aspects of riding a motorcycle.
Despite the shortcomings of Pukekohe it is still safer to ride around than the public roads.
Riding on any circuit has an element of risk but doing it in the more controlled environment of an organised track day reduces that risk. There are several instructors circulating whilst bikes are on the track and feed back is given to those that request it or in the opinion of the instructors need it.

[Biggles08]

A 600cc can beat a litre bike around that track.

Puke is just dangerous.

Not if you have two riders of equal skill...a 600 has no chance against a 1000 around manfield! I agree about puke being dangerous though.

[discotex]

On a more cheery but provocative topic I would keep off Taupo until they fix the slippery parts of the track and IMO Manfeild is the best track in NZ.

It's not that hard to stay off the the patches and novice speed isn't going to be an issue. Fingers crossed they fix them soon tho!

Only reason I haven't done Manfield is it's so far from Auckland. I'm going to have to make the trip at some point though :)

[h20boy]

I've just splashed out on bike to bike comms and a helmet cam and I'm happy to share these around with other riders who plan on doing the ART on the 30th. I'm thinking an instructor with one set of comms and then a video review of laps would be pretty useful for training purposes.

[kudos@xtra.co.nz]

the concrete is much closer at puke. This is more of an issue with cars as leaving the track on a bike usually means falling off. I have not seen as much damage for mistakes at Taupo or Manfeild compared to Puke. One small mistake at Puke damaged my car to the tune of $50,000. never had a problem at Taupo or Manfeild besides being embarrassed at being towed out of the kitty litter.

[kudos@xtra.co.nz]

that's fair comment but there were a large number of 600cc entrants in the superbike race last week at Manfeild for the winter series meeting, and many finished ahead of 1000cc bikes. Also look at the supersport times around the Misano circuit last week.