Track Days

Never done a TD, I was tempted by the CSS courses, but some training on better cornering would be good :)
 
The CSS school gets some great write ups and is well worth doing but don't feel you need the CSS before going on a track day. It's not racing and the novice group will be a gentle introduction to track riding. Don't expect to be Rossi and don't try to go faster than you feel comfortable.

If you start getting scared on track at any time then something is wrong. You may be on the wrong line, too tense, looking in the wrong place or not giving enough room to those around you. The key is to back off when you encounter a problem and think about it. Having a more experienced rider follow you round and look at what you are doing is an excellent way of learning. A quick debrief in the paddock afterwards will teach you loads.

As long as you bring your brain with you you'l get loads out of a day on track, instruction or not.
 
Castle Coombe is a good first track day, I did my first one there probably back in 1996 it was awesome and the back staright was well err... still straight. They are pretty tight on the noise so no race cans but defo a good first track.
 
They are even worse on noise regs now, most sportsbikes 2007 onwards struggle as standard to pass the noise regs for track days :(
Its definitely on my one to do asap though.
 
Trackdays are fun fun fun. 105db is still quite load, most bikes with normal race cans will pass that, my Honda SP1 passes with unbaffled race cans (102db) but best to take a baffle just incase.

Most tracks are mid country way, so be prepared to travel. Most of them have free camp sites on site so just camp overnight (or sleep in the back of the van).

Some tracks are harder to learn that others, but just go for Novice and you'll be fine. Theres always some fairly quick ones sharking in Novice but always some real slow ones too, you'll probably surprise yourself. If you're riding on the road at a nice pace but only using a tiny bit of your ability due to fear of crashing/road conditions etc, you may find you start to fly around the track.

It's no where near as scary you think you. Before the first session you will be scared but after the first session you'll feel more comfortable than you've never been on a bike.

I've currently got booked
Llandow 4th June
Cadwell 10th June
Pembrey 3rd July
Cadwell 4th Aug

http://www.ukracecircuitevents.com/events.asp?event_type=1&sort=1 is a good site for trackdays.
 
IIRC when I was first at Castle Coombe it was something like 95db. I had a micron can and they wouldn't let me on. Ended up taking a jubilee clip off the bike cutting a can of coke in half, making some holes in the end and jamming some wadding in it then securing with said clip on the end of the exhaust.

Got through the noise meter but on about the third lap it would disintergrate and fly off, they didn't make me stop though :D
 
MouseMat2004 said:
Trackdays are fun fun fun. 105db is still quite load, most bikes with normal race cans will pass that, my Honda SP1 passes with unbaffled race cans (102db) but best to take a baffle just incase.

Most tracks are mid country way, so be prepared to travel. Most of them have free camp sites on site so just camp overnight (or sleep in the back of the van).

Some tracks are harder to learn that others, but just go for Novice and you'll be fine. Theres always some fairly quick ones sharking in Novice but always some real slow ones too, you'll probably surprise yourself. If you're riding on the road at a nice pace but only using a tiny bit of your ability due to fear of crashing/road conditions etc, you may find you start to fly around the track.

It's no where near as scary you think you. Before the first session you will be scared but after the first session you'll feel more comfortable than you've never been on a bike.

I've currently got booked
Llandow 4th June
Cadwell 10th June
Pembrey 3rd July
Cadwell 4th Aug

http://www.ukracecircuitevents.com/events.asp?event_type=1&sort=1 is a good site for trackdays.
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no trac mon? one of the best but keep it quiet :P

(do it if you didnt yet)
 
Anglesey? Did it in April. Lovely track, but it takes 6.5hrs to get there, so not exactly a weekly event :) In April there was still snow on the mountains.

IMG_0227.jpg

IMG_0137.jpg
 
Anglesey is awesome, definately my favourite so far even though theres still quite a few sections I could be much faster on :D
 
Fireskull said:
Anglesey is awesome, definately my favourite so far even though theres still quite a few sections I could be much faster on :D
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Isnt that always the case :D although you only realise the next day.

Anglesey was surprisingly easy to learn, extremely grippy and confidence inspiring. I'd say it is a good track to start on.
 
Definatelly just for the grip its good for beginners!

The place I was slowest was the entry to the right hand bend after the first hairpin, I just could not get it right, as soon as I tipped in I was straight back on the power but I could not get the right entry speed to carry more.
The other place I think I could improve was the downhill corkscew :p
Maybe next time I will go fast group so I can follow someone there.
 
It's a very fast corner, but just seems tighter when you enter, although its not. My favourite corner was the first left hander after the pit wall, and although I didnt enjoy it, I found I was quite quick through the off camber left (International GP track, so the corner you wouldn't actually take on the other layout) before the final hairpin. People seemed to be running in there with zero throttle causing the bike to run wide.
 
Nice one st0rmer let us know how you got on!

MouseMat2004 said:
It's a very fast corner, but just seems tighter when you enter, although its not. My favourite corner was the first left hander after the pit wall, and although I didnt enjoy it, I found I was quite quick through the off camber left (International GP track, so the corner you wouldn't actually take on the other layout) before the final hairpin. People seemed to be running in there with zero throttle causing the bike to run wide.
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Thats definately one of my favourite corners too, that left hander before the pits and after I will say so myself I was flying around there, the grip is just really good, where I got this lovely pic :D haha

JH4Q1678.jpg


And ive only ever done the coastal circuit I love the corkscrew too much :p
 
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