First Time on a Track Day

**McJim** · 31st October 2006, 10:39

There's certainly a load of info about the track days to digest. This sunday (5th Nov) will be my first and I must admit I'm a bit aprehensive about the whole thing - I intend to use it as an opportunity to learn how to control my bike better (not just an excuse to twist the crap out of the throttle!).

I'd be keen to hear from other KBers about their first track experience so I can get an idea of what to expect - it's a bit unknown and therefore daunting - maybe I'm soft but I've always liked to go into things with both eyes open.

I definately intend on being in the Slowest Group on the day!

**Maverick** · 31st October 2006, 10:50

Originally Posted by McJim

maybe I'm soft .....

Im not sure if soft is the term, well padded maybe?..

**MattRSK** · 31st October 2006, 10:55

Hey McJim.

I had my first track day a couple of weeks ago. I can honestly say its the best thing I have ever done. It helped me to have people there who supported me. I was quite aprehensive about the whole idea, but they kicked my butt and told me to get out there.

Just take it easy, if you think you going to be slow. Just let people get ahead of you. Try not to do anything crazy. But most of all have fun. I improved heaps throughout the whole day. I have never grinned so much in my life.

Rock on.

- Matt

**McJim** · 31st October 2006, 10:55

Originally Posted by Maverick

Im not sure if soft is the term, well padded maybe?..

As I've said before - if you have nothing nice to say...........post it on KB!

anyway - it's all muscle, not fat.

**Maverick** · 31st October 2006, 10:58

Originally Posted by McJim

rofl:anyway - it's all muscle, not fat.

Really? I've never seen muscle jiggle like that before... must be the strong V Twin Vibrations.

**MSTRS:Me** · 31st October 2006, 11:02

McJim - fear not the TattyBogle for tis nothing mare than a cheeky wee besom. Oor Wullie wlill be fine. See you there.

**McJim** · 31st October 2006, 11:04

Thanks Matt - both of you!

**Str8 Jacket** · 31st October 2006, 11:04

I had my first track day at Manfeild about this time last year. It was awesome! I was sooo nervous I almost didnt register! But once I got out there I took it quite slow to start with as I found that there was alot to take in, especially other bikes flying past... By the 2nd or 3rd time I went out I had started scraping my pegs and my boots and I was so full of adrenaline, it was such a rush. By the time I got out for my last run around the track I noticed how much later I was braking into corners and it was then that I managed to find out the top speed of the KR. Since Ive been on the track my confidence improved immensly. Just get out there, have a blast and enjoy every moment of it. You WILL want to get back on a track after your first turn, I promise!!

**McJim** · 31st October 2006, 11:26

Thanks for the encouragement folks. Hopefully some other first timers will see this and take encouragement too.

My main concern is having someone ride into my back wheel (no mirrors!) s'gonna be weird.

**Keystone19** · 31st October 2006, 11:28

My first time on the track I'd had my license all of 6 weeks and Frosty offered me a spin on his SV650 - well a few things have happened since then and I blame him for all of it!

That aside, some good advice I was given and still follow:

1) Hold your line. You may not know you are about to be overtaken so don't do any sudden line changes or movements. The biker behind you wants you to be predictable.

2) Don't freak out when someone does go past you. You won't have your mirrors on and it will surprise you. It will continue to surprise you for a long time to come but don't let it put you off or change your line.

3) When entering the track wait until there is a clear space for you to pull out.

4) When leaving the track signal that you are doing so by raising your arm or waving your leg well before you get to the exit point. At Taupo short track you will want to take the last corner before the exit wide and to the right and indicate that you will be exiting well before the last corner.

5) If you are slowing down for some reason other than leaving the track, e.g. bike problems, signal in the same manner as above and move to the outside of the track.

6) If you fall off (heaven forbid but it can happen), stand up and move away from the track if possible - indicate that you are ok to the marshalls if you are ok. Do not attempt to cross the track until the session has ended and it is safe to do so - wait for a marshall if in doubt.

There are probably a few other things and others will add them.

Main thing is to:

HAVE FUN!

**Str8 Jacket** · 31st October 2006, 11:28

Originally Posted by McJim

My main concern is having someone ride into my back wheel (no mirrors!) s'gonna be weird.

Yeah, that was my main concern too! But I quickly learnt that all you have to worry about is yourself. Just look straight ahead and concentrate on what YOUR doing, everyone else will just go around you. Or flying off the track in front of you. Your gonna have a blast.... Im jealous!

**Kinje** · 31st October 2006, 11:29

I had my first track day at Manfield and loved it. I too was pretty aprehensive, and the rain riding up made it worse. By the time I got there the track was drying up, and after a briefing and familiarisation session I was feeling pretty good.

I stayed in the slow group and learnt heaps through the course of the day. Makes ya feel pretty good braking late into a corner, blasting through and out quicker than some of the bigger bikes (but then they powered away down the straight! Let them pass)

What a buzz, I got really tired out after each session, but so much fun.

Enjoy it McJim

**MikeyG** · 31st October 2006, 11:32

Did my first track day last sat at Taupo, now I want to move there to be close to the track.

Being my first track day and riding a GN I was probably the slowest guy out there and was a bit worried beforehand, especially seeing 600 and 1000cc bikes in the slow group. Once on the track I just focussed on my riding and didn't think at all about the other bikes.

There were a couple of times when I felt like I was going into a corner a bit fast so stood the bike up and hit the brakes, this didn't seem to cause any problems.

Tips I would make are:
For the first session let everone in your group go out before you then for the first lap or two you know there is noone trying to pass you while you are learning the track

Don't think about the corner you've just been through too much, there is another corner coming up.

Loose Bruce has offered to help out with showing people lines etc. Fire him a PM and you can set up to do some laps with him leading to show you lines and following to look at how you are riding.

Strart stretching your cheek muscles now, on sunday they'll be sore from having a mile wide grin all day

**SlowHand** · 31st October 2006, 12:06

Originally Posted by Keystone19

My first time on the track I'd had my license all of 6 weeks

Pah, I was 4 weeks

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Strart stretching your cheek muscles now, on sunday they'll be sore from having a mile wide grin all day

Gawd i hope you mean start, not strat, and cheeks on the face!

I'm hardly the expert, but from my mistakes and others I can say:

1. Don't go gung-ho on first lap, let them round things warm up.

2. Don't pass while in a corner unless you're sure where the rider in front is going to go..