Track days for slow riders

[Garybee]

Does anyone have any suggestions of a trackday suitable for slow riders?

Although I've spent a lot of time on tracks I'm new to bikes. I'm keen to avoid being a mobile chicane for the fast guys and would rather avoid the crowd who are out to prove something on a track day. I live very close to Cadwell and Blyton Park is also fairly local. Are there any particular organisers to avoid? I'm guessing It would also be a good idea to avoid anything shortly before a race meeting. I don't mind paying a bit more for the day if it means reduced numbers and a better suited group.

Appreciate any advice or comments from people who were recently in a similar position. I know I could just turn up and go into the novice group but I'm keen to find out if anyone knows of something better.

Ta in advance.

[MotorsportTom]

On trackdays.co.uk (I think it is) they sometimes come up with Novice only days.

Also the pace on nolimits road bike only day, providing you have a road bike, is comparatively slower.

My opinion? Just go in the Novice group and be done with it, there will be faster people, there will be slower. The only way to learn is to do it!

My missus having ridden a bike approx 10 times did a track day at Pembrey and was pretty dog slow, point is she did it and had no issues. Just stick to the line you are on, keep looking forwards and be predictable. You'll be fine!

[RemaL]

Novice Group and enjoy, what i did

[supercommuter]

Just go in Novice, you will be fine.

We had a couple of guys next to us in Novice at Pembrey last time we went. They were (by their own admission) very very slow and had a great time.

[Dakkon]

Depending on your budget, there are schools like Ron Haslam and the Californian Superbike school that can ease you onto track with tuition?

Or you can book an instructor on a trackday and put yourself in the novice group.

Another option is via IAM, some groups like the TVAM do a 'Track Skills' day which is aimed at getting inexperienced riders onto the track with tuition.

[Garybee]

Thanks guys, I do appreciate that a novice session/day will probably be fine but I'd still prefer to take as much of the wild card element of other riders away as reasonably manageable. I remember the first time I did a car trackday (late 90s at Castle Combe) there were a couple of muppets that took my friend out by understeering into him trying to outbrake him into a corner.

Dakkon - I found that Cadwell runs track tuition but it's within a normal track day. £300 on top of the track day seems a bit steep to me and with it being within a normal track day isn't likely to have any bearing on the 'moron crashing into me' concern.

Are you aware of any days that combine training with quiet track sessions? Looking into TVAM now...

Edit: The TVAM thing looks perfect! Unfortunately their track session (later this month) is at Castle Combe which is a long trek from the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Edited by Garybee on Monday 5th March 12:58

[supercommuter]

Garybee said:

Thanks guys, I do appreciate that a novice session/day will probably be fine but I'd still prefer to take as much of the wild card element of other riders away as reasonably manageable. I remember the first time I did a car trackday (late 90s at Castle Combe) there were a couple of muppets that took my friend out by understeering into him trying to outbrake him into a corner.

Dakkon - I found that Cadwell runs track tuition but it's within a normal track day. £300 on top of the track day seems a bit steep to me and with it being within a normal track day isn't likely to have any bearing on the 'moron crashing into me' concern.

Are you aware of any days that combine training with quiet track sessions? Looking into TVAM now...

Edit: The TVAM thing looks perfect! Unfortunately their track session (later this month) is at Castle Combe which is a long trek from the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Edited by Garybee on Monday 5th March 12:58

Combe normally has a good collection of novice riders on their track days but they are mixed groups, so there is every chance of somebody dragging an elbow past you

[Garybee]

supercommuter said:

Garybee said:

Thanks guys, I do appreciate that a novice session/day will probably be fine but I'd still prefer to take as much of the wild card element of other riders away as reasonably manageable. I remember the first time I did a car trackday (late 90s at Castle Combe) there were a couple of muppets that took my friend out by understeering into him trying to outbrake him into a corner.

Dakkon - I found that Cadwell runs track tuition but it's within a normal track day. £300 on top of the track day seems a bit steep to me and with it being within a normal track day isn't likely to have any bearing on the 'moron crashing into me' concern.

Are you aware of any days that combine training with quiet track sessions? Looking into TVAM now...

Edit: The TVAM thing looks perfect! Unfortunately their track session (later this month) is at Castle Combe which is a long trek from the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Edited by Garybee on Monday 5th March 12:58

Combe normally has a good collection of novice riders on their track days but they are mixed groups, so there is every chance of somebody dragging an elbow past you

The TVAM day doesn't look to be part of a track day. Either way, my point was that it's outside of reasonable travelling distance.

[darkyoung1000]

Have a look for the 'Rider Perfection' days run by Robert Bensley - there's one at Cadwell on 23rd June (not sure if there are any spaces left or not) and 2 at Snetterton in May and August.

He runs road bike only track days with fully instructed 'ducks and drakes' novice sessions up to 'go for it' experienced sessions.

They're associated with the BMW owners club but you don't have to be a member to go on the track days.

[Garybee]

darkyoung1000 said:

Have a look for the 'Rider Perfection' days run by Robert Bensley - there's one at Cadwell on 23rd June (not sure if there are any spaces left or not) and 2 at Snetterton in May and August.

He runs road bike only track days with fully instructed 'ducks and drakes' novice sessions up to 'go for it' experienced sessions.

They're associated with the BMW owners club but you don't have to be a member to go on the track days.

That looks like exactly what I'm after. Thank you

[Harry H]

Or the Hopper Rider Training days at Cadwell are good too.

[Garybee]

Harry H said:

Or the Hopper Rider Training days at Cadwell are good too.

That also looks like the sort of thing I'm after, thanks. Unfortunately they appear to be booked up for the early season day and I'm out of the country with work for the other one. If it ends up not happening this year I'll keep them in mind for next year though.

[bilhound]

RideSafe Training are planning an introduction to track days experience at Bedford Autodrome in conjunction with No Limits.

Check ridesafe training website - it was planned for the 2nd March but weather postponed it.

[alistair1234]

MSV do novice only days all around the country

[Dakkon]

Garybee said:

Thanks guys, I do appreciate that a novice session/day will probably be fine but I'd still prefer to take as much of the wild card element of other riders away as reasonably manageable. I remember the first time I did a car trackday (late 90s at Castle Combe) there were a couple of muppets that took my friend out by understeering into him trying to outbrake him into a corner.

Dakkon - I found that Cadwell runs track tuition but it's within a normal track day. £300 on top of the track day seems a bit steep to me and with it being within a normal track day isn't likely to have any bearing on the 'moron crashing into me' concern.

Are you aware of any days that combine training with quiet track sessions? Looking into TVAM now...

Edit: The TVAM thing looks perfect! Unfortunately their track session (later this month) is at Castle Combe which is a long trek from the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Edited by Garybee on Monday 5th March 12:58

I did say depending on budget Californian Superbike school and places like Ron Haslam are not so cheap, but I think they are good for what they offer, I have done level 1 & 2 of the Californian Superbike school at Silverstone and really enjoyed both days.

TVAM, is the Thames Valley Advanced Motorcyclists, so their riding skills days are either at Thruxton or Castle Combe, I have done a day with them at Combe and the groups were small, you had a lot of space around you and being an IAM day, everyone is very polite

It was not that expensive either, I am busy later this month otherwise I would have booked myself onto that day, but there will be more throughout the year.

[Garybee]

Dakkon said:

Garybee said:

Thanks guys, I do appreciate that a novice session/day will probably be fine but I'd still prefer to take as much of the wild card element of other riders away as reasonably manageable. I remember the first time I did a car trackday (late 90s at Castle Combe) there were a couple of muppets that took my friend out by understeering into him trying to outbrake him into a corner.

Dakkon - I found that Cadwell runs track tuition but it's within a normal track day. £300 on top of the track day seems a bit steep to me and with it being within a normal track day isn't likely to have any bearing on the 'moron crashing into me' concern.

Are you aware of any days that combine training with quiet track sessions? Looking into TVAM now...

Edit: The TVAM thing looks perfect! Unfortunately their track session (later this month) is at Castle Combe which is a long trek from the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Edited by Garybee on Monday 5th March 12:58

I did say depending on budget Californian Superbike school and places like Ron Haslam are not so cheap, but I think they are good for what they offer, I have done level 1 & 2 of the Californian Superbike school at Silverstone and really enjoyed both days.

TVAM, is the Thames Valley Advanced Motorcyclists, so their riding skills days are either at Thruxton or Castle Combe, I have done a day with them at Combe and the groups were small, you had a lot of space around you and being an IAM day, everyone is very polite

It was not that expensive either, I am busy later this month otherwise I would have booked myself onto that day, but there will be more throughout the year.

I did read the comment about budget, sorry if that came across as dismissive, didn't mean to. I'm perfectly happy to spend £300 or so on a day if it looks like good value. If it was training on a track where the whole track was booked for that event (I believe CBS is like this) then I'd be happy to pay. £300 on top of a trackday for an instructor to give pointers with normal trackday traffic seems excessive, which is why I discounted the tuition during Cadwell's trackdays. The level my riding is at is unlikely to require the skills of someone someone being paid £600/day to coach me.

TVAM looked good and if I lived closer I'd certainly give them a call.

[Birky_41]

MotorsportTom said:

On trackdays.co.uk (I think it is) they sometimes come up with Novice only days.

Also the pace on nolimits road bike only day, providing you have a road bike, is comparatively slower.

You'll be fine!

100% this. My brother was new to it and did both the above. I did a road bike only track day too as I won it so had to use my usual road mot track bike. I went advanced and found it noticeably slower even in that group

A novice group would be like a Sunday ride out

[mad4amanda]

I would thoroughly recommend MSVT novice days .

[ar-em-en]

As above msv do novice only days. If you can ride a bike you'll be fine in Novice group. I'm slow but still go on euro days etc. As long as your pride can handle being overtaken and have common sense towards risk you'll be fine in Novice group.

I think the track itself can play a big part too. I did my first trackday at oulton park and it was very intimidating, cadwell or Donnington less so but that's a very personal thing.

I'd also say pick a track that there are plenty of days at, that way it's less of an issue people selecting a group based on availability rather than ability.

[Gavia]

Novice group with any of the trackdays organisers, or novice day with MSV is perfect for you. You won’t be the slowest in the group, nor will you be the fastest. Short of booking the track exclusively for yourself, there will always be others on track.

I started 10years ago in Novice at Cadwell and now race. In all that time I’ve never once been taken out by another rider. There have been close shaves, but they are relative as you move through the groups. A close shave in Novice is probably the safest pass you’ll get in Fast and done at a fraction of the speed too.

Don’t overthink it, just book on, relax and enjoy the day.