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| myvision |
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myvision
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Joined: 26 May 2016
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 Posted: 11:17 - 28 Aug 2019  Post subject: First track day booking |
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I'm looking at booking Cadwell Park on the 25th October now i've got a set of full leathers and all the other safety gear. (Only had flipup helmets before as well).
I'm under no illusion that i can book any higher than the novice group so i'm after advice on a couple of things as below,
1, I'll be going on the bike so can only take what i need what will i need? A few tools, change of pants?
2, Can i leave the backbox rack on?
3, Is it worth strapping some petrol cans on or just buy it at the track?
4, Do i need to remove mirrors and tape up headlights?
5, How fast are the novice groups?
6, Is it worth paying the extra £25 for 20 minutes following a professional?
Any advice appreciated.
Booking the day of work now so hopefully booking the day ASAP.
____________________
VFR800FI, YZF600R Thundercat and FZS 1000 |
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
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Posted: 11:26 - 28 Aug 2019  Post subject: |
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| myvision wrote: | 1, I'll be going on the bike so can only take what i need what will i need? A few tools, change of pants? |
Food, drink, tools if you think you'll need them, but I probably wouldn't bother unless I was trailering or using a van.
| myvision wrote: | 2, Can i leave the backbox rack on? |
Don't see why not.
| myvision wrote: | 3, Is it worth strapping some petrol cans on or just buy it at the track? |
You'll certainly need more than one tank of fuel, which you can buy at the circuit but it's VERY expensive. There used to be a petrol station down the road in Scamblesby but that has now shut down sadly.
| myvision wrote: | 4, Do i need to remove mirrors and tape up headlights? |
You're supposed to, but you can probably just fold in mirrors. I'd also tape up my number plate too though.
| myvision wrote: | 5, How fast are the novice groups? |
Depends. The pace has widened over the years, with people who should be in inters booking novice, and people who have barely passed their bike tests also booking in novice. You'll be fine though, the pace is not important, what is important is that people pass you with respect.
| myvision wrote: | 6, Is it worth paying the extra £25 for 20 minutes following a professional? |
Maybe? You should have booked with No Limits who give free instruction. Personally I'd do a couple of sessions without first and then try an instructor. The key thing about Cadwell is learning the lines (same with most circuits) then learning which gear to take each corner. Once you have that you should get faster. Hopefully they'll have cones out to guide the turn in points and the apexes.
Warning: It's addictive.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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myvision
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| Whosthedaddy |
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Whosthedaddy
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| Posted: 18:07 - 28 Aug 2019 Post subject: |
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It is great, I did one 10 years ago and again this summer. I would like to try and do some more if possible*
I rode the bike to the track, made sure I had a full tank and apart from folding in the mirrors, taping the speedo and adjusting the tyre pressures a little, that's it?
I was pretty much one of the slowest riders in my novice group by choice more than anything? I was more trying to concentrate on the lines and gears as it is sensory overload when on track.
Relax and enjoy yourself.
It is addictive and very very safe
* I've since booked a i2i kneedown session and a Premier session with the Ron Haslem Race school
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy |
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| Pigeon |
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Pigeon
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| Posted: 19:47 - 28 Aug 2019 Post subject: |
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| Whosthedaddy wrote: | It is addictive and very very safe |
Not to be too much doom and gloom, it's not "very very safe", especially the Novice sessions.
Novice group contains a really wide spectrum of abilities, partly because people don't know themselves, but you also get the guys who like buzzing noobs.
Also, once a couple of sessions are under their belt, then over confidence kicks in with some and overtakes become more interesting. In the inter and advanced group, generally people are more self aware and don't get carried away.
Bikes vary in novice group too. You get the R1's on Maxton shocks and cartridge forks, then you get (sometimes) a dude on a Royal Enfield or a Rossi on a GS. Varying bikes and abilities means a wider range of speeds on track.
Theres a reason why insurance companies and recovery companies don't cover track days. It's because they know it's not "very very safe".
But yeah, it is a lot of fun and safer than doing track speeds on road (generally). And given all of the above, as long as you do things incrementally, be predictable / smooth. Should have a mega time. Instructors and spotters are supposed to keep an eye on people who are riding like dicks, so it shouldn't be something to overly worry about.
Tyre pressures are definitely worth playing with (pump + gauge needed). But don't go crazy (plus its October). Start off maybe down 10% and see how it goes (so if road are 36/42 then try 33/38). The sessions are short so getting heat into them may take a while as you learn the track etc
EDIT:
Topbox rack will be fine, but leave luggage off.
Have exhaust baffle in (and check in advance the DB limits, if you have a racing can you may not be allowed to proceed).
Tape up lights and mirrors. It may not help you much, but if they do have to clear your bike off the the track in bits, at least the session won't be closed for as long for everyone else as they sweep up bits of glass all over the place. |
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| Whosthedaddy |
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Whosthedaddy
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| Posted: 19:55 - 28 Aug 2019 Post subject: |
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| Pigeon wrote: | | Whosthedaddy wrote: | It is addictive and very very safe |
Not to be too much doom and gloom, it's not "very very safe", especially the Novice sessions.
Novice group contains a really wide spectrum of abilities, partly because people don't know themselves, but you also get the guys who like buzzing noobs.
Also, once a couple of sessions are under their belt, then over confidence kicks in with some and overtakes become more interesting. In the inter and advanced group, generally people are more self aware and don't get carried away.
Bikes vary in novice group too. You get the R1's on Maxton shocks and cartridge forks, then you get (sometimes) a dude on a Royal Enfield or a Rossi on a GS. Varying bikes and abilities means a wider range of speeds on track.
Theres a reason why insurance companies and recovery companies don't cover track days. It's because they know it's not "very very safe".
But yeah, it is a lot of fun and safer than doing track speeds on road (generally). And given all of the above, as long as you do things incrementally, be predictable / smooth. Should have a mega time. Instructors and spotters are supposed to keep an eye on people who are riding like dicks, so it shouldn't be something to overly worry about.
Tyre pressures are definitely worth playing with (pump + gauge needed). But don't go crazy (plus its October). Start off maybe down 10% and see how it goes (so if road are 36/42 then try 33/38). The sessions are short so getting heat into them may take a while as you learn the track etc
EDIT:
Topbox rack will be fine, but leave luggage off.
Have exhaust baffle in (and check in advance the DB limits, if you have a racing can you may not be allowed to proceed).
Tape up lights and mirrors. It may not help you much, but if they do have to clear your bike off the the track in bits, at least the session won't be closed for as long for everyone else as they sweep up bits of glass all over the place. |
Sorry should have stated the environmental factor is certainly a lot better than on the road and the conditions and size of the track. This makes it a safer environment
In the novice only groups there were track bikes and some very spirited riders whom were carving up the riders when bunching happens.
There is no accounting for knob heads of course.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy |
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
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| Posted: 20:02 - 28 Aug 2019 Post subject: |
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| Pigeon wrote: |
Not to be too much doom and gloom, it's not "very very safe", especially the Novice sessions.
Novice group contains a really wide spectrum of abilities, partly because people don't know themselves, but you also get the guys who like buzzing noobs.
Also, once a couple of sessions are under their belt, then over confidence kicks in with some and overtakes become more interesting. In the inter and advanced group, generally people are more self aware and don't get carried away.
Bikes vary in novice group too. You get the R1's on Maxton shocks and cartridge forks, then you get (sometimes) a dude on a Royal Enfield or a Rossi on a GS. Varying bikes and abilities means a wider range of speeds on track.
Theres a reason why insurance companies and recovery companies don't cover track days. It's because they know it's not "very very safe".
But yeah, it is a lot of fun and safer than doing track speeds on road (generally). And given all of the above, as long as you do things incrementally, be predictable / smooth. Should have a mega time. Instructors and spotters are supposed to keep an eye on people who are riding like dicks, so it shouldn't be something to overly worry about.
Tyre pressures are definitely worth playing with (pump + gauge needed). But don't go crazy (plus its October). Start off maybe down 10% and see how it goes (so if road are 36/42 then try 33/38). The sessions are short so getting heat into them may take a while as you learn the track etc
EDIT:
Topbox rack will be fine, but leave luggage off.
Have exhaust baffle in (and check in advance the DB limits, if you have a racing can you may not be allowed to proceed).
Tape up lights and mirrors. It may not help you much, but if they do have to clear your bike off the the track in bits, at least the session won't be closed for as long for everyone else as they sweep up bits of glass all over the place. |
I sort of see a nugget of truth in what you're saying but totally disagree with the essence. There has been a period in the last 15 years where track days have certainly gotten a lot more serious, the pace of inters and fast, and some sections of Novice have increased, but I've seen nothing but courteous riding on the twelve or so trackdays I've done in the last two years. I remember about ten years ago when the entire Bandit 1200 forum booked into Novice at Cadwell Park and you had about a dozen 16 stone blokes on 250kg metallic bronze bikes with gold knuckle duster heel plates diving up the inside of each and every rider in the group. This doesn't seem to happen these days.
Road bike only days are also an option, as part of the speed differential comes from people with all the gear and no idea, but I'd certainly say that the miles I do on track are a lot safer than the miles I do on the road, at least from other track users rather than my own skill or lack of.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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1198
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| Posted: 06:35 - 29 Aug 2019 Post subject: Re: First track day booking |
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| myvision wrote: | I'm looking at booking Cadwell Park on the 25th October now i've got a set of full leathers and all the other safety gear. (Only had flipup helmets before as well).
I'm under no illusion that i can book any higher than the novice group so i'm after advice on a couple of things as below,
1, I'll be going on the bike so can only take what i need what will i need? A few tools, change of pants?
2, Can i leave the backbox rack on?
3, Is it worth strapping some petrol cans on or just buy it at the track?
4, Do i need to remove mirrors and tape up headlights?
5, How fast are the novice groups?
6, Is it worth paying the extra £25 for 20 minutes following a professional?
Any advice appreciated.
Booking the day of work now so hopefully booking the day ASAP.
|
1. Drinks / sandwiches if you have space. Not sure about tools, I never bother. If it’s even a reasonably warm day you will most likely get warm so drink plenty. Food and drinks should available from the clubhouse if you wish instead.
2. If it’s soundly secured / standard fit I would imagine so.
3. If you have the space, probably. The fuel there is expensive. You can go out to get more if you wish either between / or by missing a session or at lunch, but there’s none immediately local. Also bear in mind your bike won’t be returning the same mpg it did on the M180. (If it did either you had it pinned wide open past Brigg on your way or you are taking it really easy on track!)
4. No. Some recommend folding mirrors in so you’re not distracted by who / what’s behind, but that’s up to you.
5. The novice group ranges from slow (dude wobbling round on a Harley because he’s always wanted to, to a feller practicing on a track prepped GSX-R750 because he couldn’t get in the intermediate or fast set. Neither are a problem in my experience.
6. Never done it, but probably.
Don’t be fazed by the others, and don’t worry about what’s behind you. Take it easy and build up pace as you’re comfortable. If for any reason you want to miss a session, do it. I’ve missed sessions because it suddenly threw it down really heavily. I felt my deduction was correct when I saw a feller pushing a bike that had previously looked identical to mine back to the pits looking very sorry for himself, covered in mud with a very second hand looking bike! Most of all, enjoy it! |
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myvision
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