To track day or not

Grimeric · Nova Slayer Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Karma :

Hi all.

I've only been riding on a full licence since early March this year but I am already thinking about track days.
I live about ten minutes from Cadwell so that would be my first track on a bike.
I would probably be looking to do one sometime this summer.
So do you guys think that it's too early in my riding career to even think about getting on the track or could it go a little way to add to my riding skills?
I know that they get bashed a lot but would my 97 b6 be acceptable at the track or would I likely get snubbed by track day pros who can afford a more expensive bike?

I've had a read of the FAQ and stickies but would appreciate any advice from you guys.

Cheers
Grim

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

You'd be fine and so would the bike.

MattJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Karma :

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

You'll be fine. Go in novice, and you'll not be the slowest. Track days are super friendly, and they'll be all sorts of machinery. Thumbs Up

Track day's aren't cliquey IME, and no one will be bothered what bike you're on at all.
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lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

They won't care about your bike, people will be pissed off if you throw the bike down every session though and waste people's track time.

Stay comfortable, and don't crash it, you'll get on fine.

Grimeric · Nova Slayer Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Karma :

Thanks for that. I will get one booked in this summer then. Do most of you prep your bikes like take off mirrors and tape things up etc or do you just arrive and ride?

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Grimeric · Nova Slayer Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Karma :

As easy as it sounds then. I will probably ride there as I'm not all that far from Cadwell. And and then hopefully ride home!!!

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I always used to take a spare brake and clutch lever (which you should have at home anyway) - never actually needed them for my bike but sold them to someone else plenty of times. Simple thing that can make getting home a lot easier if you do have a drop. And duct tape.

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

I just throw a roll of gaffa tape, and use the rest of the space in my bag for food and drink (you'll need a lot of fluids especially). No over priced shitty flaky sausage roll for me!
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Grimeric · Nova Slayer Joined: 30 Jul 2013 Karma :

MattJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Karma :

Take a spare clutch and throttle cable too. At my first and only trackday at Donington last year my clutch cable snapped after 5 out of 7 sessions which was a bit shit as I missed out on 40 minutes of track time. It also meant I had to ride the 60 miles home without a clutch which wasn't bad but just a bit annoying as I had to come to a stop twice.

Snorty · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Oct 2010 Karma :

Just ride to your abilities and build up your speed. I was slow on the first two sessions then on the third session I was passing people easily who had passed me in 1 & 2.

Sometimes you'll get the odd dickhead on an S1000RR or something shooting past you on the straight within less than a foot, but most of the time it's great.
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UK-Badger · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Jan 2014 Karma :

I did my DAS in May and a track day at Cadwell in October - I loved every second of it.

Go in the novice group and do your own thing. You'll get a briefing before going on track and typically follow an organiser in the first few laps.
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