Novice rider day - extention from NASS?

**FROSTY:Me** · 10th March 2009, 13:30

Folks another thought on the trackday situation.
Id like to know the interest in having a NOVICE riders day.
Although it would be held at Taupo racetrack the focus is 100% aimed at learner riders.
It would be run on the basis of being to improve road ride skills wholey and soley.
In essence it will be 4.0km of road but with no oil or cars to worry about.
For some exersizes we might run a section of track backwards or indeed for one exersize in particular might be using the nice gravel carpark
The sort of skills Im thinking of is
hard braking on wet and dry surfaces.
Cornering in different situations.
100km/h riding for those not used to it
riding on a loose gravel surface.
clutch control
Different lines round the same corner and their effect.

Id suggest that experienced riders wouldn't get much out of it but by doing a bit of theory then an instructor demonstrating then putting the theory to the test novice riders will gain a lot from it.

Theres a few folks Ive got in mind to help out with this one but before bothering I'd like to know who would be keen.

I as always want to keep costs as low as possible but Im thinking itll be around $100 per rider

**quackquack** · 10th March 2009, 13:54

I'd be interested when are you look at doing this.

**MotoGirl** · 10th March 2009, 15:50

Frosty, this is a fantastic idea and certainly something that will give many riders a huge amount of benefit.

I have done several days like the one you are considering. Even now, the most practical one ever was the rider training day with Freddie Merkyl and Brian Bernard back in '02. I learnt a phenomenal amount and increased my speed ten-fold just because they showed us the correct lines and allowed us to build everything else on that.

Some of the exercises were similar to what you're thinking and it was also done in a fun way. For example, the emergency braking practice started with two lines of bikes where we dragged each other then had to brake at a certain point.

Another useful exercise they made us do was no brake drills. It's amazing to learn how fast you can go round a corner when you're not allowed to use your brakes (obviously you could use them if it was the difference between killing yourself and not

). Most of the riders were scraping footpegs and all that jazz, yet no one was using brakes.

Back in the days where BRM mag used to do track days, they often had rider training happening in the pits while a group was out on the track. These sessions always covered braking and stuff like weaving in and out of cones. Hell, I never knew I was capable of doing a U-turn in a single lane until they made our "lane" more and more narrow.

To anyone thinking whether it'll be worth it, these days have more value than a straight track day because (IMO) you need good foundations before you can ride fast.

**FROSTY:Me** · 11th March 2009, 16:32

thanks motogirl --The concept is exactly what you are talking about.
BUT one point here I need to emphasise--this "track" day isn't about going fast in any way shape or form.
Its about being able to simulate real world road experiences in a safe enviroment.
In my mind id like the students to go away from the day feeling they are better in control of their bikes at the speed they currently ride at.
Not that their sir name has suddenly changed to Stroud,Bugdon or Rossi

**Squiggles** · 13th March 2009, 11:00

You can actually apply for grants for these sorts of things...

**FROSTY:Me** · 15th March 2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by Squiggles

You can actually apply for grants for these sorts of things...

Do tell--what sort of grant?

**Reido** · 15th March 2009, 18:22

i'd been keen to take part,
except i wouldnt want to do it on my bike.. im too paranoid i'll drop it etc when practicing hard braking etc

**Candle** · 19th March 2009, 16:40

id be real keen for that but mainly cuz i don't think id be able to do a proper track day with out pushing it to hard and coming off so any build up to it would be greate

**Devil** · 31st March 2009, 15:16

I'd be keen on helping out (err on the caveat that I can fit it around work).

**Grant`** · 5th April 2009, 17:41

This is something i would be really interested in attending

**FROSTY:Me** · 6th April 2009, 14:44

Im gonna hafta put this on hold for a couple of months. Van blow up then burglary then slight deficit on last day has left the wallet a tadd thin

**CookMySock** · 6th April 2009, 15:03

It's a good idea Frosty. I worry about the carnage when moving people beyond their own limits on their expensive road bike. It's probably something all newbies should do.

Originally Posted by FROSTY

slight deficit on last day has left the wallet a tadd thin

Pass the hat around mate. Just do it.

Steve