Trackday recommendations for the complete novice!
Discussion
Hi
Its my birthday today and as one of my pressies I have got a trackday paid for! But I need to book it etc but there are so many companies I don't really know where to go! As the title says I have never been on the track on the bike, I have in cars, and I'm nervous!!!
Any suggestions would be most welcome!!!!
Cheers!
Its my birthday today and as one of my pressies I have got a trackday paid for! But I need to book it etc but there are so many companies I don't really know where to go! As the title says I have never been on the track on the bike, I have in cars, and I'm nervous!!!
Any suggestions would be most welcome!!!!
Cheers!
I did my first day last October , 100% Bikes (I think thats the name).Lydden Hill , near Folkstone. I think the good thing about it for beginners is that its quite a slow circuit , you don't want to be hanging off round corners at 120mph on your first go.
The track felt nice and grippy , I'm not the biggest daredevil on a bike , but after a few sessions was getting the footpeg of the Z1000 down without much hassle.
Yeah , i'd recommend the track and the firm.
The track felt nice and grippy , I'm not the biggest daredevil on a bike , but after a few sessions was getting the footpeg of the Z1000 down without much hassle.
Yeah , i'd recommend the track and the firm.
I'd recommend 100% bikes as well. Paul and the team are really good. They'll have instructors there to show you round if you feel particularly nervous. I wouldn't recommend Lydden though. There are a couple of bumps on the circuit that could potentially cause problems. Also, the grip level is far less than Brands Hatch for example. If it's in your vicinity, I'd go for Brands Hatch instead. Have fun.
Not Lydden Hill if I were in your boots, as has been mentioned a couple of strange dips are in this track. You may also find that even in the novice group a few much faster riders are about.You may be confronted with being lapped quite soon until you are comphy on your bike. Its a very short circuit with some areas limited in run off.
Having said that once you are on track you won't want to leave it at just one track day.
Having said that once you are on track you won't want to leave it at just one track day.
Best for a novice has to be Hopp Rider Training. More instruction than a standard track day, plenty of control, no pseudo-racers and all the instructors are there to instruct rather than pose or get free/cheap race practice. Only available at Cadwell Park, generally last Tuesday of the month April-September. I've used them for IAM and private introductions to track days for the last 4 years. Well worth it!!
Like Diddly, I'd also start with one of the more instructional days, such as Hopp, Rapid or the California Superbike School. I've done the latter as a novice on the bike, as well as several car sessions with Rapid, and would highly recommend them both 
Check 'em out:
www.hoppridertraining.co.uk/
www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/home.htm
www.superbikeschool.co.uk/
In the car, despite having done numerous track days and a few days ice driving, I still get more out of instructional sessions than regular track days. Also, I've also seen some first timers on track days who've never had instruction and either been dangerous to the rest of us or not had a great time.
Check 'em out:
www.hoppridertraining.co.uk/
www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/home.htm
www.superbikeschool.co.uk/
In the car, despite having done numerous track days and a few days ice driving, I still get more out of instructional sessions than regular track days. Also, I've also seen some first timers on track days who've never had instruction and either been dangerous to the rest of us or not had a great time.
Logistically try and use a track as close to home as possible for your first outing, You will be tired at the end and a long drive home is a pain. If you can trailer the bike there all the better. No need too do any school courses before a trackday if you are reasonably confident on you bike (that doesn't nessesarily mean fast) book into the novice/slow/steady group and go out and play. If you think after the first session you need some help then ask one of the instructors for guidance, it's what they are there for. Set your own pace and enjoy.
Donnington Park was my first track and (inspite of seeing three high siders and ambulances) it was a great day. There were three groups. No Limits were the organisers. I was sad enough to learn the track on my son's PS2 first which made it a litle esier.
There's nothing sweeter than blue skies, smooth tarmac and an empty track!
There's nothing sweeter than blue skies, smooth tarmac and an empty track!
Don't do Rockingham as your first. When you join the banking from the infield there's a hell of a bump that has everything decking out. It's not pleasant at all.
You could do donington as your first day. That's a very smooth track. Snetterton is not that far from you, but it's a bit of a straight line circuit. Donington would be better since there are longer more consistent corners.
Also, have a look at a book called twist of the wrist 2.
[url]www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965045021/qid%3D1112695596/026-1366931-1749252[/url]
This tells you very technically how to get a bike through a corner in the fastest possible way.
You could do donington as your first day. That's a very smooth track. Snetterton is not that far from you, but it's a bit of a straight line circuit. Donington would be better since there are longer more consistent corners.
Also, have a look at a book called twist of the wrist 2.
[url]www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965045021/qid%3D1112695596/026-1366931-1749252[/url]
This tells you very technically how to get a bike through a corner in the fastest possible way.
stooz said:
benny, doing rockingham next week, any other pointers? its the NATIONAL circuit apparantly. I didnt think that went up the banking?
any canteen there or do I need to take sandwiches and a flask of soup?
Check their website but I think the National circuit is the infield circuit. I've done that twice and thought it was very nice. It has plenty of grip. For that reason I wouldn't do Donington as a first trackday as the grip levels are low although it is smooth.
As for refreshments they are available in the paddock/pits area.
Brands Hatch Indy 
First one for me last year (same as Incorrigable & Stooz.....oh & Fergus was there too). No knee down heroics, but with only about 4 corners and a kink to learn it gives you a bit of time to look at other riding matters.......like cornering confidence.......at least it did for me
It was with No Limits who IMHO were excellent especially for newbies
First one for me last year (same as Incorrigable & Stooz.....oh & Fergus was there too). No knee down heroics, but with only about 4 corners and a kink to learn it gives you a bit of time to look at other riding matters.......like cornering confidence.......at least it did for me
It was with No Limits who IMHO were excellent especially for newbies
fergus said:
Stooz,
Which Rockingham Nat days are you doing? I'm doing this sunday and Sun 24th(?) of April with 100%
twit/fergus take note!!!!!
***CALLING ALL NOVICE RIDERS***
WE HAVE LIMITED AVAILABILITY
AT A SPECIAL NOVICE RATE
ROCKINGHAM
NATIONAL CIRCUIT
SUNDAY 10TH APRIL
£79
TO BOOK CALL THE
100% HOTLINE ON
0870 8722532!!!
You in the novice lesson then fergus?
Im going on the 17th and august 14th! darn it, will miss you fergus.
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