Track Day

[sweepdoggydog]

Having passed my DAS nearly a year ago and ridden my SV nearly every day, I’ve decided it time to do a track day so I’m going to book myself in for a day at Brands Hatch (nearest track too me)in June/July sometime when hopefully the weathers a bit better. I’m sure I’ll be one of the slowest out there, but I suppose you have to start somewhere. I’ve only got a leather jacket at the moment, so I will need to get some jeans too, do they have to have knee sliders as well? Any advice would be much appreciated, as I’ve never done a track day before and I don’t know anybody who has!

[thor]

Check with the organisers, but I think all of them require you to have leathers that zip together. Knee sliders? Dunno.

[northwind]

Knee sliders aren't compulsory at any trackday I've heard of- apart form the knee-down schools of course! But they might not be a bad idea.

[DanAbnormal]

Hi mate. I think most trackday organisers insist that you have one or two peice leathers, they will not allow you to go on track with jeans. Sliders are not a pre-requisite either but if you want to get your kneedown then you will need them. Hanging off the bike also means you can corner much faster but this maybe something to think about after some practice. Anyway, enjoy.

Dan

[johnnyrod]

Yep, two-piece leathers need a long zip to join them, not just the short tail one. No boots with laces. Sliders are up to you but a lot of people go for several track days without getting their knees down at all. Helmet usually needs an ACU gold star. No scrutineering for the bike, but they can pull you if it looks dodgy - you sign a for to say that everything is your fault. Urban myths about insurance companies taking photos of number plates, most people remove them. Tape up lights etc, remove or tape back mirrors. Your insurance won't cover you either for any spills - has anyone taken track day insurance? Any ideas of cost?

Eat lots, get plenty of sleep, and above all enjoy yourself.

PS Northwind, what happened to your avatar? Is there nothing you can't break?

[keithd]

Yep, two-piece leathers need a long zip to join them, not just the short tail one. No boots with laces. Sliders are up to you but a lot of people go for several track days without getting their knees down at all. Helmet usually needs an ACU gold star. No scrutineering for the bike, but they can pull you if it looks dodgy - you sign a for to say that everything is your fault. Urban myths about insurance companies taking photos of number plates, most people remove them. Tape up lights etc, remove or tape back mirrors. Your insurance won't cover you either for any spills - has anyone taken track day insurance? Any ideas of cost?

Eat lots, get plenty of sleep, and above all enjoy yourself.

PS Northwind, what happened to your avatar? Is there nothing you can't break?

echo everything said here. summed up perfectly

and drink lots too

Brands is fairly expensive for food and drink, but not the nightmare i was expecting, if you can take a rucksack full of refreshment to save a few bob

enjoy! let us know how it goes

ps you'll LOVE paddock hill ! just awesome :D

[Balky001]

and drink lots too

:D

a couple of bottles of wine should do?

[keithd]

and drink lots too

:D

a couple of bottles of wine should do?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

hmmm maybe more along the lines of water for the fluid intake! :D

[Daimo]

Having passed my DAS nearly a year ago and ridden my SV nearly every day, I’ve decided it time to do a track day so I’m going to book myself in for a day at Brands Hatch (nearest track too me)in June/July sometime when hopefully the weathers a bit better. I’m sure I’ll be one of the slowest out there, but I suppose you have to start somewhere. I’ve only got a leather jacket at the moment, so I will need to get some jeans too, do they have to have knee sliders as well? Any advice would be much appreciated, as I’ve never done a track day before and I don’t know anybody who has!

Whats the pricing like fella? While mines naked and needing repairs, it seems the obvious time to get out on track. And seeing that Brands is aobut 15 min away (used to be about 3 minutes lol) it again makes sense.

[sweepdoggydog]

What will happen on the day? just turn up and get on the track or are there briefings, etc? How long does the day last for?
I understand that there are often 3 groups, novice, intermediate and advanced, How is it all arranged, does each group go out separately, or is everyone on there together?
Sorry about all the questions but I dont really know what to expect, but would like to turn up prepared, cheers

[sharriso74]

You turn up and before everyone goes out you have a briefing. All the groups are seperate thank god!!! The one I went on you had an option of wearing an orange bib if it was your first track day so other riders would know and give you more space.

who are you doing it through could be tempted. Padock Hill is awesome you leave your stomach at the top

[stewboy]

ill be up for this,


its not too far form me .........

[johnnyrod]

The day is typically 9-5 with an hour for lunch. Three groups get 20min/hour each, often the novices go third. There is a general briefing first thing, you must attend this as you usually get a wristband that you have to wear all day, and a sticker for your bike to show which group you're in. Afterwards the novices get more briefing which is why sometimes they go later (i.e. not first of the day - but not always). There'll be a hooter 5min before each session for you to get your **** on and form up. If there is a crash and the session stops, the time is lost. First thing and after lunch they'll probably take you on a sighting lap or two led by instructors, to relax you and show you lines. If you don't really get lines then try to be tucked up behind the instructor, cos if you're too far back you'll end up following someone who has as little clue as you do. you can always collar the instructors later and ask them to ride around with you, depending on what you don't feel comfortable with. You can wear an orange bib if you want, in the novice group unfortunately peoples' lines can be a bit unpredictable, so don't go in too hard in case you get run onto the grass, or they hit the brakes ten tenths at 400 yards out, etc.

Prices vary a lot, Brands Indy on a Saturday I guess is abotu £150? Weekdays are cheaper, so is winter. If you can do a weekday they tend not to be full, so you can keep an eye on the weather leading up to it then sign up on the day or just before.

If you can fill up just before you enter the circuit, fuel supplies can be tricky or you would have to go out between sessions or at lunch (1h40 - 1h for lunch plus your usual 40min off). A full tank should just last the day, though this is a fast track so you will use a bit more.

Finally there will be lots of people on serious-looking machinery that will put the wind up you. Fact is anyone can pay for it, but no one can tell who will go home with the biggest grin!

[Warren]

what about the photos?
where do you guys get them from ?


im gonna do an evening track day first at brands,
mabe next month.

what sort of things do they check for with your machine?

[northwind]

PS Northwind, what happened to your avatar? Is there nothing you can't break?

Not got any photos of V3 of the bike just yet, my avatar broke for reasons unknown and it seems weird to put an out of date photo back up. But me and the red cross seem to go well together ;)

[keithd]

what about the photos?
where do you guys get them from ?


im gonna do an evening track day first at brands,
mabe next month.

what sort of things do they check for with your machine?

they didnt check my machine at all, other than me producing a current MOT.

as for photos, thee is a resident photographer there who takes snaps throughout the day. towards the end of the penultimate session he'll hoist a flag or something similar saying photo's are available to view. you chose you pay you get the pics in a few days time. his handiwork can be seen below, thats me exiting Druids!

http://www.britishsportphotography.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=83110

[Daimo]

Maybe I could look at arranging a track day for the SV lot at Brands towards July/August time?

Currently arranging the Santa Pod day out, depends what kind of response I get on the day as to whether i'll arrange a group day out?

I have to say, im itching to have a crack round brands though. Think a Bikes the only thing i've not been round it on :lol:

[northwind]

At Knockhill they usually do self-certification... You fill in a wee form to say it's all safe and legal. Lsat time I was there I inadvertantly ticked that one of my tyres was bald, they didn't notice ;)

[xj/frosty]

I run trackdays over here.
To make you guys n gals sick mine cost $100 which I think is about 30 quid
Any hoo below are the rules for the trackdays I run-probably similar to over there
ALL ATTENDING TRACK DAY PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
I want one and all to have a bloody good time so there are some points that are NON negotiable.

1) Bike setup/gear setup.
ALL BIKES/RIDERS going on the track will be scrutineered.
basicly bike needs to be able to pass a WOF (mot) but below are some specifics.
No sharp/edges/loose parts
Tyres must be road legal for road bikes.
ball ends on all levers to be in place.
.Mirrors removed or taped up.
No leaking fluids.
GLASS headlights to be removed or taped up to prevent glass flying if you crash .
Pack rack uppers to be removed -L arms to be taped over-preferably plugged.(again those w
No open tube ends on handlebars. (PLASTIC WINE CORKS MAKE GOOD PLUGS)
Brakes to work propperly front and rear.
Its preferable to have you tape over your speedo.(Its just a distraction) .
Riding gear-A full face helmet good fitting with no damage into the shell.
gloves,bike boots,,leather one piece or two piece.suit.cudura 2 piece for slow group only
A back protector isn't compulsary but VERY strongly suggested

THE ONUS IS ON YOU TO MAKE SURE YOUR BIKE/GEAR IS UP TO SCRATCH
-weepy fork seals (oil not running down the fork leg) ,slightly worn swing arm bearings and similar may not stop you getting on the track -BUT as a couple of members have discovered it really mucks up your handling and spoils your enjoyment of the day.Its a great excuse to get those niggly little issues sorted.

-2 RULES FOR THE DAY
1 Show concideration for everybody else out there
2 Stick to your line -Dont try to get out of anybodys way or deliberately block.
3 when overtaking make sure you can do so safely.If in doubt -DON'T
4 if you see a RED flag waving anywhere on the track SLOW TO CRUISING SPEED THEN pull into the pits via the pits exit straight away -the clock will be stopped on your session so ya aint gonna miss out on laps. ANYONE trying to sneak an extra lap will miss out on the rest of that session.
5 If a slower rider is holding you up either use rule 3 or ride slowly through the pits and let em get ahead. -again--it aint a race.
6 when leaving the track pull to the far right side of the track and nearing pits exit hold your left hand up to let other riders know you are leaving the track.
7 if you are unlucky enough to run off the track raise your hand in the air to let us know you're ok.
8)dont look back -the onus is on anyone passing you to do so safely
9) if you are unfortunate enough to crash (it wont happen but just in case)
Your bike and gear needs to be rescrutineered before you can go back on the track.
10) obey the group passing rules to be explained on the day
11)Dangerous riding has a zero tolerance.You will be sitting out the rest of the day.
12) NO alchohol to be consumed in the pits area untill end of day.-by riders or spectators.-
Again guys N gals I really want one and all to have a good time so these rules are to protect us all.

[sweepdoggydog]

cheers for all the advice its much appreciated. I still haven't booked the day yet, but I'm already getting excited, I've got a couple more questions though - I think I'm gonna need to get some new tyres before the day, Diablo's have been recommended, as long as the track day goes well i will intend to do more over the summer, so the tyres need to be able to handle both track and road action, anyone got any advice? Next question is the Brands Hatch Indy circuit a good first time track or are there better ones (close to London)?

Cheers

[mburnstead]

cheers for all the advice its much appreciated. I still haven't booked the day yet, but I'm already getting excited, I've got a couple more questions though - I think I'm gonna need to get some new tyres before the day, Diablo's have been recommended, as long as the track day goes well i will intend to do more over the summer, so the tyres need to be able to handle both track and road action, anyone got any advice? Next question is the Brands Hatch Indy circuit a good first time track or are there better ones (close to London)?

Cheers

Diablos are generally well thought of - there is a section on the forum for tyres (Hardware, Tyres) where you'll get the latest thoughts of people on all sorts of tyres. If you plan on doing several track days you'll be best off with a tyre at the sporty end of the spectrum rather than the road variants (eg 208RR rather than 208, Pilot Power rather than Pilot Road, or Diablo Corsa rather than plain Diablo).

As for tracks, there aren't many close to London, though if you're in the far north of the city then the tracks in the Midlands may not be much farther away than Brands. The indy track is very short (1.2 miles) and the proper superbike riders get round in less than 50 seconds a lap. But if you want to just try out a track environment, then have a look at Lydden. It's down off the A2 near Dover, is only a 1 mile lap, but it's extremely cheap (I paid just 70 quid for a Saturday last July) so it's a good place to check out if track riding is for you!

[xj/frosty]

If you are using the bike for trackdays Id strongly suggest you go to the Metzler combo A rennsport rear (med compound) and a soft compound racetech.
You'll go through 2 rears to every front.
They are basicly a slick on the last 1.1/2 inchof the tyre.
I'd recomend them over the pirelli's because the pirelli's tend to get a bit unpredictable when they reach the 2/3 worn mark.
Pressure wise I run 29 rear 27 front on a 25 degree day

That said if most of your track days are on a damp or wet track I'd suggest a swap to the michelen piliot powers. My r4easoning is i use them as an intermediate and was quite happy with them --they slide predictably

[northwind]

I think most folks will be lucky if they outride a Sportec or Diablo (non-corsa) unless they take things very seriously... And they'll not have to worry so much about tyre temperature on short-session days either. They'll also have a much less interesting ride home if it rains ;) If you're going to have a second set of wheel,s or change the tyres, then that's one thing, but those superstickies frankly suck ass for everyday riding...

[Warren]

I think most folks will be lucky if they outride a Sportec or Diablo (non-corsa) unless they take things very seriously... And they'll not have to worry so much about tyre temperature on short-session days either. They'll also have a much less interesting ride home if it rains ;) If you're going to have a second set of wheel,s or change the tyres, then that's one thing, but those superstickies frankly suck ass for everyday riding...

yep.

id go as far to say that the BT014 (a sticky road tyre) sucks ass for everyday riding,
esp in the wet or cold (this is england remember)

a BT020 (a touring tyre) will offer much more grip than most people on here would use on the road,

dont forget that the ashsalt of a track is super sticky anyway,

so i dont think it will matter what tyre you use, esp if this is your first time on the track.