| Author | Message | ||
     Hugie03flhr |
I see dates & times for trackdays but I have never gone. What is involved too go race around the track? Do you just show up and get in line  | ||
| P_squared |
I don't recommend showing up at a trackday the morning of without having already enrolled/paid. If you do that here, it's VERY likely you won't ride since all the slots are full. Typically, contact the organization running the track day prior to the date & enroll/pay for a slot. After that, read all their information (how to prep the bike, what gear they do/don't allow, etc., etc.), sign a waiver, then show up in time on the day of the event to have your bike & gear inspected, get your #/sticker, etc., etc. This is obviously the VERY condensed version (there are actually hardbound books on the subject), but this is the general info to get you started. My $0.02, for what it's worth & YMMV, trackdays are DA BOMB! If they rent leathers, you may want to do that for your 1st event. If you find you like it & wish to continue doing trackdays, then time to invest in your own leathers (1 piece suit) & back protector, as well as all the ancilliary gear that you will soon find you NEED.  Have fun, call the organization running an event at a track near you, talk their ear off with all of your questions. I've run an X1, M2L, XB9SX and will be running an 1125R this year. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Thanks P squared. I'm trying too find out as much info as I can. I didn't want to talk someones ear off on the phone to just getting the feel for it, To see if its worth the effort. I had a bad track experience years ago w/ a tech insp. telling me my seat belt was frayed (looked fuzzy)and he wouldn't let me run the 1/4 mile. I may have run a 13.5 if I was lucky! I hear that everything has to be safety wired, tires have too be almost new, tethered kill switch, fuel safety shut off, ect.... If it is crazy mods. and work then, F-it but if it is simple leathers, helmet, safety wire a few things and sign a waiver I'm their!!! | ||
| P_squared |
I look at it this way, if they're gonna charge you $150+, they can put up with me talking their ears off in regards to how they run it & how they expect me to have my bike prep'd. As for tires, you'll see below, which is fairly consistent. A track, leaned over, is not the place to be running ragged rubber. Here's the info for this year's Buell Inside Pass event (https://www.buell.com/en_us/news_events/insidepass /requirements.asp) for Bike Prep & Gear to give you an idea: BIKE PREP: -All bikes MUST pass technical inspection prior to admittance to the track. If your bike DOES NOT pass tech inspection, you will NOT receive a refund. -Tires and brakes must be in good condition. Tires should be at least 75% of new condition. Any tires that are bluing from excessive wear will be disallowed. Slicks are allowed in 85% plus condition. We will have on site tire service at each track day, so if your tires don't pass, you will have the opportunity to put on replacement tires to pass tech. -All glass, headlight, turn signals, and plastic lenses must be taped over or removed. Side mirrors must be removed for the advanced group and at least taped over for all other groups. -We recommend, but do not require removal of center stands for Novice and Intermediate. No bikes with center stands will be allowed in the Advanced/Racer Group due to the ground clearance issue. -All machines must have an operational handlebar mounted kill switch/button and self-closing throttle in good working condition. -Advanced and Intermediate group riders MUST use water or water wetter or a non-ethyl glycol based anti-freeze/coolant. Approved Poly Glycol brands are: Evans, 7th Gear, Liquid Performance, and Engine Ice. NO AUTOMOTIVE ETHYL GLYCOL BASED COOLANTS ARE ALLOWED. -All valve stems must have caps. -Wheel balance weights must be well-secured. -License plates must have bolts taped or be removed. -Advanced riders are required to safety wire drain plugs, oil filter and oil caps. GEAR REQUIREMENTS: -Damage free BSI, DOT or SNELL full-face helmet with face shield. (Modular helmets are approved in the Novice group only) -Riding boots that fully cover the ankle. -Gauntlet style gloves with full wrist coverage. -One or two piece leathers. Two piece leather suits must zip together for Novice, Intermediate or Advanced groups. Ballistic nylon suits such as Joe Rocket, AeroStitch etc. are acceptable in the Novice and Intermediate Group only provided they are either one piece or two piece that zip together with 50% zipper contact, reinforced and padded shoulders, elbows, hips, and knee areas. No chaps. -Advanced group riders ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A BACK PROTECTOR. Soft back pads sewn into suits are not enough. No back protector = no track time!!! -We recommend the use of chest protectors. Hope this helps you out and gives you a base to start asking your questions for the organizer(s). | ||
| Reepicheep |
It depends on the organization running the track day, and the track days goals. Last years inside pass at Mid Ohio was pretty soft. No safety wire, synthetic gear OK, didn't enforce the "pants must zip to jacket" on two piece gear. I think they want 70% new tires as well. This years inside pass events (novice full already) sound like they will be a *bit* more strict, and will be enforcing the "zip together" rule. Wonder if Vanson will be there again? I'm covered for everything except the zip together part... which given the nature of the rest of my gear (tall armored pants, back protector, and jacket has a belt that cinches down right above the hips) seems like overkill for novice. That jacket isn't going to move far enough to expose anything that doesn't have another layer of armor on it... the place where I put the zipper is the same place that waist cinch strap will hold everything. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Thanks P squared, for the time it took for that post. You gave me some info to think about. I guess I'm going to keep my eyes open for racing leathers | ||
| P_squared |
If you can, rent leathers the 1st time. If you find you are then HOOKED on doing trackdays, then you can budget so you can buy a good set of leathers of your own. Just my $0.02, but it doesn't make sense to me to spend anywhere from $400 - $1,000+ on a leather suit unless I KNOW I'm going to use it on a regular basis. If you find you do become addicted, make sure you budget for the best quality you can afford. A good leather suit can run $1,500+, especially if you start looking at getting things custom tailored, etc. "Hi, my name is Phil, and I'm a TrackDay Addict"  | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Do most trackdays offer leather rental? | ||
| Smoke |
check the racetracks in your area that have motorcycle lapping days or track days. here we have a local track day organization that is pretty easy going on the novice group as it is all about exposing others to the fun. tigertrackdays.com - try to stay away from race type trackdays initially as they will have stricter setup rules. i have been running a 98S1W and a SV650 for the last couple of years and have started taking the 1125R. ebay is a good place to get your first set of zip together leathers for a reasonable price, especially if you aren't concerned about the newer color schemes. you can also use newenough.com - if you like spirited riding then you will get hooked. have fun, tim | ||
| P_squared |
Some do, some don't. Just another reason to talk their ear off before spending the $$$. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Smoke, I was a lunatic in my younger days and I am turning 40 in 3 weeks. So I parked the Roadking and got a Buell too see if I still got it  Some hot laps in the mountains, dragging my toes in the turns and I'm feeling confident enough that I may want to try the track. | ||
| Smoke |
hugie, i got started late on the track, turn 55 this year but started riding at 13. last year i participated in 16 track days and i am on track again this year for the same. i don't keep up with the fast guys but i sure have a good time. have fun, tim  | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
SMOKE, which bike is you? | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Hugie03flhr, Riding on the track would be a good way to get ready for mountain riding but I'm not sure about the other way around. Mountain riding is much more demanding and dangerous than track riding. I was a club-level roadracer in the midwest in the 70s and 80s, then moved to Pasadena, CA where I rode on Angeles Crest on Sunday mornings. Some guys were riding 10/10ths up there and that scene was much more dangerous than Brainerd International Raceway ever was. If I had not had prior raodracing experience, I might not have survived. My advice: Be real careful on the street but go as fast as you want to on the track. Good luck, Dave | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Smoke is the "slow guy" with 222 on the plate. "i don't keep up with the fast guys..." ... whatever Smoke!!! LOL | ||
| P_squared |
Tim (Smoke) can whip that S1 around a track in the Expert class just fine. I've seen it with my own eyes. Maybe someday I'll be as "slow" as he is too! lol |
