Trackday FAQ

[Silver]

There's normally a post asking general questions about trackdays popping up every now and again, so I thought I'd knock up a brief FAQ. This covers everything I can think of off-hand, but is by no means exhaustive. Please feel free to add to them. These are based on my experiences (11 trackdays thus far), so not to be taken as gospel, just advice!

Do you need a full licence or is 33bhp okay?
This varies from trackday company to trackday company. Some specify yes and others not. I've been on trackdays where I haven't even been asked to produce my licence at all. Others have checked it very thoroughly. Don't assume you will be okay; check, because you won't get your money back if you get it wrong.

What do I need on the day?
A bike (pretty obvious this one), a helmet (which must bear the British Standards kitemark), gloves, boots, and one or two-piece (zipped) leathers. Hire bikes can be had from a few places like Lady Snoots, or Focused Events. Oh, and you'll need a licence too.

If you're riding to the track and you know someone taking a car then a tool kit is also a good idea, and spares like levers and such if you have them.

What can I expect on the day?
Expect sign-on to take place from around 7:30am. This will involve you showing that you're there, signing disclaimers and liability forms and collecting your wrist band (which gets checked before heading onto the track). Generally speaking there will then be a briefing at around 8:30ish. Here, someone from the organiser will talk about the track, about track etiquette, the timetable for the day etc. He will also run through the different flags and what they mean. The briefing is compulsary, no matter if you are Valentino Rossi.

Normally you have three groups; novice, intermediate and fast. If you're making notes on this then it'll be your first trackday and you should really have booked into novice. Generally speaking you'll be last out on track. Don't worry, if you do turn out to be a track-god you will get moved into a faster group. Likewise if you think that lapping the local roundabout makes you Kevin Schwantz, but in the real world you hold up five bikes on every corner in the fast group. You'll soon get moved. The groups are annouced normally over a PA system and will go out for 15-20 minute sessions. This means that you'll get 30-40 minutes break in between your sessions out on track. Save for an hours break for lunch this will continue until about 5pm (or failing light, depending on time of year). Expect to get somewhere in the region of five sessions during a day. It may not sound a lot, but you will be tired when you leave. On a day last year at Donington I managed 160 miles on track, although that was unusual.

Normally there will be instructors on hand for free advice. If you're quick enough (I mean running, not on the track) you can grab one for some free tuition. He'll follow you round, watch your lines and offer advice where you can improve. You can then follow him and learn the lines. There will normally be a tyre guy on site, offering a tyre fitting service and sometimes a suspension bloke offering customised adjustments for you. Finally (aside from the medics and marshalls) there will be a photographer so that when you get your kneedown you can email the picture to everyone you've ever met and post it with infinite smugness on BCF.

My biggest advice on the day? Relax and enjoy yourself. You won't break any lap records and you won't be the fastest person there, so don't try. You'll either end up frustrated or in A&E. If someone passes you, let them go, they're faster. If you give chase you run the severe risk of outstretching your ability and crashing.

Will there be fuel available onsite?
Tricky one, and one that needs to be checked. Some tracks have onsite petrol stations (which are not always open) and some don't. Someone will be able to direct you to the nearest petrol station should you need some during the day and there isn't any onsite. Bear in mind it can be a pain in the arse to reattach mirrors, numberplates etc. If you can, fill up as close to the track as possible in the morning. The other option (if you have a car-driving friend going) is to fill a jerry can.

Will there be refreshments?
Undoubtably. The scale will vary from a burger van to a full canteen setup, but there will be something. Don't eat so much that you're lethargic and bloated (especially at lunch) but do keep yourself hydrated.

Do I need to "track-prep" my bike?
You don't need to do anything. However, I would advise that firstly you remove or tape up your mirrors; you don't need them. There is absolutely no need for you to be looking behind you. If someone wants to overtake it is their responsibility to do so safely and without impeding, or unsettling you - this is not racing. Looking behind you will only draw your attention from what is in front of you, which cannot be a good thing. Removing the mirrors (rather than taping them) means one less thing to replace should you stack it!

Some people remove or tape up their numberplates. Why? Well, maybe they want to be in a position to claim from insurance should they crash and don't need evidence popping up at a later date showing that they actually crashed on a trackday and therefore the claim is fraudulent. There are also rumours that people from insurance companies visit trackdays for this very reason and make notes on bikes. It could be that you could have an entirely legitimate claim turned down if the company saw you on a trackday a couple of days before your real accident. It's unlikely, but why risk it?

The other favourite it to tape up lights and indicators. This stops glass/plastic showering the track should you come off. The real reason, however, is that it makes you look like a racer!

Check, and drop the tyre pressures. Normally there will be a tyre van at the track and you can generally ask them (or an instructor) for some free advice. Expect to drop the tyre pressures to about 31 psi when cold (it will vary between bikes), the reason being that the tyres will be working a lot harder and getting a lot warmer than they ever do on the road. As they get warm the pressure will increase, and you don't want over inflated tyres. Someone will have a pressure gauge if you don't. Don't be afraid to ask around.

It goes without saying that you should have checked your oil levels, tyre wear, chain etc before the day.

What happens if it rains?
You'll get wet. It takes a lot for the entire day to be cancelled (I've only known it when there was snow and ice on the track) so the chances are you'll be allowed on track. Whether you go out is up to you, many people don't. If it gets really bad during the day they might stop letting people out until it clears (this will vary greatly between organisers and tracks). If the day goes ahead that's the end of it; no refund, no rebooking.

Will I get laughed at for being slow?
There will always be someone slower than you. If you are that guy, I'm sorry, what can I say? I have seen people at trackdays on bikes never designed to go anywhere near a track and riding with three inch chicken strips. Are they slow? Yes. Do they hold people up? Of course not. It's a race track, there is so much room in most places you won't believe. Donington Park is 10m wide. If someone can't get past you it's not your problem.

Flags
Not essential that you know these as they should go through them on the day (although not all people go through all the flags, so it can't hurt to know them beforehand).

https://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7861/green4au.jpg
Green: Everything is okay - carry on.

https://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8165/yellow1um.jpg
Yellow: There has been an incident; slow down, observe and no overtaking. Maybe someone has fallen off around the next corner and is lying in the middle of the track. Do not assume that if you pass one crash that it is all clear - there could be another. Wait for a green flag before proceeding as normal.

https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/6584/red0il.jpg
Red: The session has been stopped prematurely. This means that an incident has occured that is serious enough for the circuit control to end the session. Slow right down and head straight back into the pits. Strictly no overtaking. The longer that bikes are out on track, the longer it could be taking to get an ambulance out to a downed rider.

https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/47/yellowred6cx.jpg
Yellow/Red Stripes: Slipperly surface. Only normally used in certain areas where the hazzard occurs. Maybe somebody went down earlier and left a trail of oil, or maybe it's rained at one part of the track. Check the track for the hazzard when you see the flag and continue cautiously.

https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/4338/black0dz.jpg
Black: This will be waved at one particular rider. That rider must come into the pits. It could be that you're riding dangerously and the circuit control want a word about your behaviour. It could be that there's something wrong with your bike (e.g. rear brake dragging up the road behind you!). If you think it might be you they're pointing to, come in, they'll soon send you back out if not. Repeated black flags for dangerous riding will get you kicked off for good.

https://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8972/chequered8cp.jpg
Chequered: End of the session, waved at the finish line. Finish that lap and then come back into the pits.

Finally, some useful Links
I won't list every trackday company, simply using the two links below will show you most days on offer currently and their details:
https://www.uktrackdays.co.uk/
https://www.biketrackdays.co.uk/

Circuit information:
https://www.racingcircuits.net/[img][/img]

[Bendy]

A couple of additions I thought of...

Sighting Laps
The first session in the novice group usually has several sighting laps (may even be the whole session behind the instructor, depending on the company). If you're new to the track, the best thing to do is to line up right at the front of the queue so you're right behind the instructor - that way you can watch their lines and learn a bit about the track. I find if you hang to the back of the group you tend to spend more time trying to keep up with the pack as it gets elongated round corners and straights and you won't really get the same benefit.


Etiquette
You should ride for yourself, but also remember that you are partly responsible for the safety of everyone else who's out there with you. If you're a complete newbie, pick up novice vest so other people know you might do something unlikely. If you're not, cut the folk in the vests some slack and pass them with plenty of room. It's not a race, it's a trackday - be nice!
If you're on a big bike, try not to be a straightline warrior - it won't kill you to go easy on the power now and then and let the folk who've been up your arse through the corners get by.


Eek
A good trackday briefing will cover this, but I'll mention it anyway. If you think you've gone into a corner too fast and you're not gonna make it round, try anyway. Chances are that you actually will get round it and even if you don't, an elegant lowside is far better than standing it up on the brakes halfway through the corner and falling off in a more random fashion. Remember to look at where you want to be, not at what you want to hit (so through the corner to the empty tarmac, not at the kerb you feel you're heading for).

Remember, you've got all day to get faster. You've got seven sessions on an average trackday so you don't have to go hell for leather first thing. Work on gradually getting quicker through the day, push your braking points back gradually, get on the power a little bit sooner. The folk who try and go fast straight out are the ones who bin at the first corner of the first green flag lap of their first trackday (naming no names of course ).


Tired
Pay attention to how you feel. As Silver said, it might not seem like a lot of time on track but you will be absolutely knackered cos you're probably riding your bike harder than you ever thought possible. Drink plenty through the day and if you feel tired, don't be afraid to miss a sesssion - the last one of the day is often pretty quiet. If you're out on track and feel you're making stupid mistakes, come in - it's better than binning cos your brain's not working right.

[Korn]

What is the track going to be like?
If you're doing your trackday at one of the major UK circuits you'll probably find an on-board video of a lap in this thread. Watch it a few times to get a rough idea of what you're in for, and what the circuit is like.
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3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[Davo]

What's the weather forecast for the trackday?

Weather Site Links

Nice one Silver!

[mod661]

I'd just like to say, Awesome FAQ. Really helpful for a first-timer like me.

Your first question was mine really. Regarding restriction, and licenses. My mate wants to come on a track day that I've booked at Donington on the 11th of August, but he's had his license revoked from him.

I guess I'll have to phone the organisers up. You reckon there's a good way to put it to them?
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Nick - 56 R6 in Red/White

[Gazdaman]

No licence, no trackday. Simple as.

Phrase it however you want, if he doesn't have a valid UK bike licence or ACU licence he's not leaving the paddock.

Gaz

[mod661]

However with a 33bhp 'restricted license' you should be okay getting out on the track on a de-restricted bike I expect?

Cheers.
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Nick - 56 R6 in Red/White

[jay12329]

[Kickstart]

[mod661]

[Gazdaman]

Yeah technically you need to be licenced for the type of bike you're going to ride.

But in reality a full power bike on a 33bhp licence won't ever be queried.

Gaz

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I know for a fact that Hottrax and Silverstone and both cool about it. I'm going up to silvers next week for my first TD.
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My Flickr

[Visitor Q]

Cool guide

A couple of other things i wouldn't mind clarified.

How arsey do they get about the condition of the bike? I figure they arent asking for a showroom condition bike (ala MOT worries when people faff about ducktaped fairings etc) but what about mismatched tyres (bt020 front, pirelli supercorsa rear) or my new toy... pointy bar ends (mad moment, and i may take a file to the tips as i didn't expect them to be fully lathed to a point )

Do they get arsey about sparky sliders? I was thinking of acquiring some for full on poser pictures to make up for probably holding up the novices.

Also, do they have any onsite mechs for if something goes abit tits up? I guessed you could go make friends with those who look like they know whats going on but people selling spare bits (pads, fluids etc)

Lockwire? I remember people saying you should lockwire just about everything (especially oil filler cap) down, which seems expensive. Is that just a bonus, pessimistic portend of doom or to make you feel like a racer?

Noise limits? Some tracks operate them, but is it just avoiding pisstake noisiness?
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[Kickstart]

Hi

They are not too worried about condition. No inspections but if your (for example) brake torque arm falls off then expect to get pulled up (and I have seen that). Almost certainly they will not care abotu mismatched tyres.

There may be someone there selling some spares, but not much. Almost certainly someone selling tyres.

A lot of tracks will not allow you on with sparkly sliders.

Noise tests vary between tracks and days. Some tracks you will struggle to get some standard bikes through the noise tests.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Silver]

[Ste]

Lockwiring is a requirement for racing but its not needed for trackdays.

[Quickly]

Okay, with all the bollocks I can muster I ask... what about doing one on a 125?
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Quickly]

It's a derestricted '91 TZR.

'Providing you're not riding dangerously it should be safe...'

But what about speed? Am I automatically consigning myself to being the slowest person on the circuit?
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Kickstart]

Hi

You are not, but the 125s do rely on corner speed.

Bit of a difficult situation as if you are just starting out you will certainly be in the novice group, and your only place to make up space will be on the corners, when the other novices will get very unsettled if you cut past (added to which with little or no track experience you will not naturally make up much distance there).

I have seen an Aprila RS125 holding its own in the fast group, and another that was the fastest bike in the intermediate group. However on both occasions they were Superteen racers with a fair amount of track experience and on dedicated track bikes. Also they were relying on fairly agressive riding (outbraking half a dozen people at a time into the Cadwell hairpin for example).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[G]

Gas did his first track day on a MZ250, which is probably similar power. At snetterton too.
I'd still advise against it probably, but it is 'do able' at least .

[krebsy]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have seen Aprilia RS125 superteen riders holding their own in the fast group (Mallory), and also at Cadwell seen one who was the fastest thing in the intermediate group.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing