Track-days for posers
Discussion
Alright, eye roll time etc as someone new to track-days asks a bunch of stupid questions. I’ve read the Wiki at the top of this thread and some very helpful info in there but still some outstanding questions.
1. Do you need a pit/garage/gazebo? Do tracks provide them? It sounds like from the Wiki you share one with other people, is this what most people do or just hang about in their van?
2. Can anyone recommend a company or individual that offers track day tuition for the totally ill-informed? I’m in Yorkshire but happy to travel as long as it’s not Lands End, so North of England preferred.
3. And most importantly, I’m an experienced road rider with an S1000RR, am I going to look like a nob rolling up on that to the beginners day? All the gear no idea etc.
1. Do you need a pit/garage/gazebo? Do tracks provide them? It sounds like from the Wiki you share one with other people, is this what most people do or just hang about in their van?
2. Can anyone recommend a company or individual that offers track day tuition for the totally ill-informed? I’m in Yorkshire but happy to travel as long as it’s not Lands End, so North of England preferred.
3. And most importantly, I’m an experienced road rider with an S1000RR, am I going to look like a nob rolling up on that to the beginners day? All the gear no idea etc.
1. Do you need a pit/garage/gazebo? Do tracks provide them? It sounds like from the Wiki you share one with other people, is this what most people do or just hang about in their van?
Hi, we all start somewhere. garages are dependent on circuits, some like Silverstone have loads and somewhere like Mallory not so much, most solo riders can find a slot somewhere in a garage, they are rarely occupied by a big group where eveyrone knows eachother and are usually small groups or solo riders that then just chat amongst eachother all day, If its a nice day and you don't need warmers and all that stufff then plenty do just pitch up in the paddock, if you are riding to and from, just find a corner in a garage although if its sunny leave the bike out in the sun, will help with tyre temps.
2. Can anyone recommend a company or individual that offers track day tuition for the totally ill-informed? I’m in Yorkshire but happy to travel as long as it’s not Lands End, so North of England preferred.
No Limits offer free instruction at all their trackdays, they also run a number of road bike only days to make it less daunting and keep the track day warriors out.
3. And most importantly, I’m an experienced road rider with an S1000RR, am I going to look like a nob rolling up on that to the beginners day? All the gear no idea etc.
No, you have a bike, you'll need proper full zip 2 piece leathers or a one piece, back protector and brake lever guard, everyone iwll have the same, no one is taking much notice to be honest.
Hi, we all start somewhere. garages are dependent on circuits, some like Silverstone have loads and somewhere like Mallory not so much, most solo riders can find a slot somewhere in a garage, they are rarely occupied by a big group where eveyrone knows eachother and are usually small groups or solo riders that then just chat amongst eachother all day, If its a nice day and you don't need warmers and all that stufff then plenty do just pitch up in the paddock, if you are riding to and from, just find a corner in a garage although if its sunny leave the bike out in the sun, will help with tyre temps.
2. Can anyone recommend a company or individual that offers track day tuition for the totally ill-informed? I’m in Yorkshire but happy to travel as long as it’s not Lands End, so North of England preferred.
No Limits offer free instruction at all their trackdays, they also run a number of road bike only days to make it less daunting and keep the track day warriors out.
3. And most importantly, I’m an experienced road rider with an S1000RR, am I going to look like a nob rolling up on that to the beginners day? All the gear no idea etc.
No, you have a bike, you'll need proper full zip 2 piece leathers or a one piece, back protector and brake lever guard, everyone iwll have the same, no one is taking much notice to be honest.
Haven't attended one but I was looking at these for myself: MSV Novice Only Trackdays
1. Nope you don’t have to have any of them. You could literally just rock up on your bike and park outside of the garages in between sessions.
2. James Whitham does track days at Croft and you have the option of being a group of say 10 or so riders with 2 instructors out with you all throughout the days sessions and they give you feedback at the end of each session.
Alternatively you can book what they call the intensive training which is basically the same as the above, except you get a dedicated rider with you and 1 other rider for the entire day, they also use GoPros to record each session so you can watch some footage back during the end of session debriefs and they also email the footage to you at the end of the day.
I’ve done the intensive at Croft before and had Dan Linfoot with me for the day, so you get a good calibre of instructors.
3. Don’t worry about looking like all the gear no idea, they are generally prettt friendly days and people will help you out where they can.
2. James Whitham does track days at Croft and you have the option of being a group of say 10 or so riders with 2 instructors out with you all throughout the days sessions and they give you feedback at the end of each session.
Alternatively you can book what they call the intensive training which is basically the same as the above, except you get a dedicated rider with you and 1 other rider for the entire day, they also use GoPros to record each session so you can watch some footage back during the end of session debriefs and they also email the footage to you at the end of the day.
I’ve done the intensive at Croft before and had Dan Linfoot with me for the day, so you get a good calibre of instructors.
3. Don’t worry about looking like all the gear no idea, they are generally prettt friendly days and people will help you out where they can.
1. No you most certainly don’t need a garage or gazebo.
Some track days can look like a BSB meet with fancy setups and motor homes which can be a little intimidating for a first timer.
I believe some tracks/TD providers will charge for a garage and some are on first come basis.
Most of my track days have been with NoLimits and I’ve never been charged for a garage.
2. Not trying to sound like a salesperson but NoLimits have free instructors at their days but you’ll need to get your name down early on the day.
Alternatively you could pay to do a California Superbike School day or similar.
3. Wouldn’t worry about looking like a ‘all the gear, no idea’ rider. There are plenty of wobblers on track so as long as you don’t ride like a tit you’ll be fine.
There are plenty of crashes in all groups so if you make it to the end of the day without causing a session to be stopped then you’re a winner.
Start in novice and build slow and steady. Given you’re on an S1000rr, try not to wobble around the corners and then pin it on the straights, that’s a bit irritating for fellow riders.
Evening trackdays are potentially a good option.
I find them far more laid back and generally finding garage space is a piece of cake.
They’re a good way of getting a bit of experience and obviously cheaper.
Some track days can look like a BSB meet with fancy setups and motor homes which can be a little intimidating for a first timer.
I believe some tracks/TD providers will charge for a garage and some are on first come basis.
Most of my track days have been with NoLimits and I’ve never been charged for a garage.
2. Not trying to sound like a salesperson but NoLimits have free instructors at their days but you’ll need to get your name down early on the day.
Alternatively you could pay to do a California Superbike School day or similar.
3. Wouldn’t worry about looking like a ‘all the gear, no idea’ rider. There are plenty of wobblers on track so as long as you don’t ride like a tit you’ll be fine.
There are plenty of crashes in all groups so if you make it to the end of the day without causing a session to be stopped then you’re a winner.
Start in novice and build slow and steady. Given you’re on an S1000rr, try not to wobble around the corners and then pin it on the straights, that’s a bit irritating for fellow riders.
Evening trackdays are potentially a good option.
I find them far more laid back and generally finding garage space is a piece of cake.
They’re a good way of getting a bit of experience and obviously cheaper.
Edited by Nick928 on Thursday 21st July 17:04
Cheers all, helpful. Good point re not pinning it in the straights after I’ve wobbled round a bend. Tongue-in-cheek really about looking like a poser, I was just looking at the carbon wheel’d Gen 4s as an upgrade and thought better of it. The evening stuff did seem like it’d be the more relaxed atmosphere, so good to know.
It’ll probably be next year at this rate having just had a bairn but if anyone is Yorkshire way and wants to try with a fellow first timer HMU.
It’ll probably be next year at this rate having just had a bairn but if anyone is Yorkshire way and wants to try with a fellow first timer HMU.
Another recommendation for James Whitham especially as you are in Yorkshire.
Venues are Anglesey, Mallory, Croft and Knockhill
Be careful with the noise limits wherever you decide to go.
https://www.jameswhitham.com/track-training#introd...
Venues are Anglesey, Mallory, Croft and Knockhill
Be careful with the noise limits wherever you decide to go.
https://www.jameswhitham.com/track-training#introd...
I started track days in 2016 on an old K1 750 that cost me £1600
Rock up with a trailer and ideally a small generator with tyre warmers and more track focused tyres. I say this because you say you are a experienced road rider and if I had a quid for every time I see someone tuck it with M7RRs or similar where they post on FB about how great they are pushing inters and then bam they crash with 'no idea how that happened'
For me my priorities were;
Good tyres - I'm not talking slick but an R11 vs an S22 if you are inters/fast should you want longterm feedback, grip and control
Good front brake which includes the pads, the fluid, the master and lines (assuming discs are ok)
Setting up the suspension a smidge harder and giving the rear preload so it doesnt deck
As for all the other stuff - honestly you pickup bits as you go along. Taking essential tools to whip a wheel out. Tyre warmers for £100ish and even a cheap tool station 2 stroke £100 generator which will run one set (+paddock stands). That way you know the tyres are 90% ready rather than tiptoe for the first lap or two
Gazebo, motorhome etc isnt important unless you get the bug and want to do a lot. A few of us have old school 7.5t lorries/3.5t modern motorhomes and do the whole bbq stay over, weekender etc but it comes in time
I run a 4x4 and big box trailer with all the essentials I need in there. Diesel heater, gas, 3k inverter, solar panels, side awning etc and then a roof tent that goes on the Alfa when I'm staying at track. Its all stuff I accumulated over a few years
Rock up with a trailer and ideally a small generator with tyre warmers and more track focused tyres. I say this because you say you are a experienced road rider and if I had a quid for every time I see someone tuck it with M7RRs or similar where they post on FB about how great they are pushing inters and then bam they crash with 'no idea how that happened'
For me my priorities were;
Good tyres - I'm not talking slick but an R11 vs an S22 if you are inters/fast should you want longterm feedback, grip and control
Good front brake which includes the pads, the fluid, the master and lines (assuming discs are ok)
Setting up the suspension a smidge harder and giving the rear preload so it doesnt deck
As for all the other stuff - honestly you pickup bits as you go along. Taking essential tools to whip a wheel out. Tyre warmers for £100ish and even a cheap tool station 2 stroke £100 generator which will run one set (+paddock stands). That way you know the tyres are 90% ready rather than tiptoe for the first lap or two
Gazebo, motorhome etc isnt important unless you get the bug and want to do a lot. A few of us have old school 7.5t lorries/3.5t modern motorhomes and do the whole bbq stay over, weekender etc but it comes in time
I run a 4x4 and big box trailer with all the essentials I need in there. Diesel heater, gas, 3k inverter, solar panels, side awning etc and then a roof tent that goes on the Alfa when I'm staying at track. Its all stuff I accumulated over a few years
On my first track day I rode 45 minutes to Bedford on my GSX-R, removed my number plate and mirrors with a few bits I’d put in a rucksack, lapped all day and then rode home. It was great and I was on Michelin Pilot Road tyres with no warmers. It was pretty cool and a touch damp in the morning so my nerves were slightly eased by having the tyres I had on. Dried up in the afternoon, by which time I was having ridiculous fun and had zero issues with rubber.
I’d taken my bike to MSG Racing a few days before for Gav to give it the once over and he’d said that I’d be fine on the Michelins. He was right.
There was plenty of space in the garages with tea and coffee and an airline. Other than a few tools, most of the space in my rucksack was taken up by food.
I’ll admit to being properly nervous going out for the first time and then feeling a wave of excited relief when I realised that there’s nobody really watching and there’s acres of space when the bikes spread out for you to learn and find your rhythm. There’s also f
k all to hit at Bedford and no gravel traps, which helps.
I’d taken my bike to MSG Racing a few days before for Gav to give it the once over and he’d said that I’d be fine on the Michelins. He was right.
There was plenty of space in the garages with tea and coffee and an airline. Other than a few tools, most of the space in my rucksack was taken up by food.
I’ll admit to being properly nervous going out for the first time and then feeling a wave of excited relief when I realised that there’s nobody really watching and there’s acres of space when the bikes spread out for you to learn and find your rhythm. There’s also f
k all to hit at Bedford and no gravel traps, which helps. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff