First Time on a Track Day

[R6_kid:Me]

you'll love it scotty!

just go do your thing, you can always ask the 'faster' people to watch you for some free advice if you feel that your not learning enough yourself.

[Leong]

I did my first trackday in January this year with the Honda Riders Club. Have done another four since and am booked to do another four before the end of the year!! Um.... and I've done a couple of open days at Puke too.

Don't worry about it..... take the advice given by Jill above like everyone else has said, you'll enjoy it.

If you are wanting to improve your riding more, I have found the Honda Riders Club "Rider Development Days" to be very helpful. The help I got from Hayden Fitzgerald and Aaron Slight last time was invaluable. There is one of these on 28 November that I have registered for.... PM me if you're interested.

I wrote an essay about my first trackday (more a trip report)here.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=23725

[sugilite:Me]

You will have heaps of fun! Your nerves will be gone by 2nd gear replaced by excitement and adrenaline

I'll add one thing to the list and from my point of view as a racer (not that there should be any racers in your group), it's a biggie. It's never look behind you. If a faster rider sees you looking at them, they think uh oh, what are they going to do now? As mentioned just look ahead and stick to your lines.
Don't forget to bring a crow bar, so you can "attempt" to get that grin off your face!

[boomer]

Nice post Jill, i'll add

1. find someone in your group who's able and knows the track ( or been on one before ) and follow them around, they can show you the lines and right speed for you.
   
2. like Jill said, once you've found the lines, try and stick to 'em, no irrate movements ( like the dick head on the blade at puke this weekend, .. i spent 2 laps sat behind him cos he was all over the bastard shop )
   
3. Ride at your own pace and don't worry what others think or say .. DO YOUR thing !
   
4. Ride at your own pace and ONLY look ahead.. thats where ALL your concentration should be ( unless your comin off the track ) ; if you hear someone behind you.. ignore it.. focus ahead; it's upto THEM to pass YOU SAFELY
   
5. If you get tired, come in for a rest, don't push it
   

HAVE FUN... thats a GIVEN !

[McJim]

Good sage advice from you all - thanks - might bring the missus' RG150 down too for her to pootle round the streets of Taupo while I babysit the kids (I'll not be on the track all day) was toying with the idea of taking her bike for a blat on the track too (coz it's faster) but then thought that would defeat the purpose of the exercise which is for ME to get the hang of MY bike and not to fart around changing bikes while still a noob.

[Squeak the Rat]

If you spent as much time riding as you do posting you wouldn't be a noob

Re the RG150 - you might change your mind after a session or two so keep it as an option. And don't worry you wont be the only track day noob assuming i can get my bike back together before the weekend.....

Regards, Pot.

[McJim]

If you spent as much time riding as you do posting you wouldn't be a noob

Re the RG150 - you might change your mind after a session or two so keep it as an option. And don't worry you wont be the only track day noob assuming i can get my bike back together before the weekend.....

Regards, Pot.

I've managed to rack up about 8,000 kms in 6 months which is more than I was doing in the cage - only posting when I'm stuck in one place.

All the best, Kettle.

[Clivoris]

I absolutely endorse what has gone before on this thread. Ride your own ride and treat it like the first hit of a long addiction. Save the Rossi impressions for the second track day and you will have fun for sure. See you there.

[El Dopa]

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!

Apprehensive? you and me both. We can hang around at the back and keep each other company.

[SuperDave]

I didn't read everyone elses comments yet so I'm possibly gonna just repeat a lot of what has already been said.

Your first session will most probably be shit, well mine was but be assured it just gets better and better once you're in the zone of it all.

Don't worry about the other riders and stop thinking about keeping up or getting in anyones way. Once you get this right you'll find it a lot easier to get into the zone. Just ride the track as if it's only you out there. Work on your lines and don't over analyze stuff to the point that it puts you off.

Braking, entry speeds and acceleration out of corners are other things that the track provides a perfect place to work on. I started out thinking about each separately but after my 2nd Taupo trackday I've gained a better understanding of how they as well as many other aspects of riding are all interelated. But there's still so much to learn.

Another thing that worked wonders for me is working on my target fixation whilst negotiating a corner. I noticed a great improvement on my cornering between my first and second time at Taupo which I'm sure if most definately due to this.

[yungatart]

You'll be fine McJim, just relax and enjoy your ride... this from she who is far too chicken to even do the trackday...
Look forward to the t/d report

[Croft]

Some GREAT advise here, cheers!!!

WOOHOOOOOOOooo!!! Bring on Sunday!!!

[duckaddict]

See you there McJim!

This will be my third TD and am counting down the days. Like Leong said, you should consider the HRC Rider Development/Track Day, I learnt heaps from it.

Good luck and good fun!

[FROSTY:Me]

mcjim---done worry dude Ill be kind to you.
best advice mate--RELAX --then go have a nervous piss
I do a riders breif before we start
There will be two sighting laps to sorta figure out which way the track goes.-sighting laps are at a VERY slow pace
Im going to ask each group to sort themselves into fastest out first slowest last
I make it really clear right from the get go that its not a RACE meeting

[McJim]

mcjim---done worry dude Ill be kind to you.
best advice mate--RELAX --then go have a nervous piss
I do a riders breif before we start
There will be two sighting laps to sorta figure out which way the track goes.-sighting laps are at a VERY slow pace
Im going to ask each group to sort themselves into fastest out first slowest last
I make it really clear right from the get go that its not a RACE meeting

Thanks Frosty.