This short guide provides some insight as to getting ready for a track day.
"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."
- Ben Franklin
I've seen many guides and read many different articles on the best way to prepare for a track. But if you are like me, you like to find it all in one spot. Unfortunately, preparing for a track varies according to what track you are participating on. In this guide, I will cover how to find out what trackday organizations are in your area, best practices in preparation, and expectations for first time track riders.
Locating Organizations
If you are familiar with a little known company called Google, you can do this. Simply typing in your region and Track Day organizations yields decent results. I typed it without a region and found this: http://www.sportrider.com/ride/146_0308_track_day_organizations/index.html
Now comes the research savvy part. Often times, if you find an organization running a trackday on a particular day, odds are they are not the only ones that "own" the track during that month. Just because a particular organization does not have days you are able to participate in, doesn't mean you can't do anything. For example, it is not uncommon for TrackDaz to be running Willow Springs (Big Willow) and Motoyard to be at Streets of Willow (SOW) on the same day. If you are in the SOCAL region, you know these tracks are about 5 minutes apart.
Make a list of the tracks you find in the area and sort them by distance and preference. Then add in the organizations and prices to paint a complete picture of what you're spending on just getting to the track.
Best Practices
After compiling your list, select a trackday based on your budget and convenience (make sure to look up the weather too). Research the exact requirements for the organization you are wanting to ride with. You will want to read the FAQs on their site to ensure your bike is ready to ride on the track. Here are some common rules:
For the Rider
-Must have a full face DOT or Snell rated helmet.
-Must have a 1 piece suit or a 2 piece suit with a full 360 degree circumference zipper. Sometimes the suit doesn't have to be leather and the organization will allow a ballistic nylon suit.
-Must have gloves that are full fingered and 1 inch past the wrist. Basically, avoid the shorties some companies make.
-Must wear motorcycle boots that go at least four inches above the ankle. No slip on boots, work boots, hiking boots, or tennis shoes.
-Some organizations may actually provide rentals. If they do, be prepared for a deposit and forfeiting it if you go down.
The Bike
-Using tape, tape up your headlights, speedometer, taillights, turn signal lenses, mirrors, wheel weights and remove your license plate. It is highly advisable to pull the fuse for your headlight and taillight. Personally, I would remove the mirrors since it is one less thing to break during a get-off.
-Depending on the environmental and safety concerns, some organizations require safety-wiring and even 4-quart lower fairing to hold fluids should the engine leak. Just how much safety wiring depends on the organizational regulations. Remember, a trackday is not the same as a race. Again, reference the FAQs for your particular organization and prepare accordingly.
-Bring a good set of tires. You will be pushing your bike faster and harder than you do on the streets. Don't run the chance of not passing the tech inspection because you brought some geriatric tires.
The preparations above need to take place before loading anything to your car/truck. Without further ado, here is what I consider the best practices:
1. Bring food/drinks and lots of it! Typically, you will have one 20-minute session every hour. If you factor in the time it takes to remove gear, stage the bike, and get comfortable, you won't have much time to squeeze a meal in. Don't eat large meals, instead eat smaller meals often. Ensure you are drinking plenty of water! Out on the track is not a cool place to develop a cramp.
2. READ THE FAQs and read about the facilities/amenities on the track!!! Some tracks have concession stands while others have diners. There are a few tracks that have garages and will allow you to use them but others require bringing a canopy to get out of the sun. Pack extra gear depending on the amenities.
3. Show up early!!! Not only does this ensure you have a good spot close to the amenities, but you will have time to socialize with your neighbors and that could mean resource sharing.
4. Bring some cash. Nothing against credit cards, but the track area is sometimes reminiscent of the 80's in terms of banking. Sometimes the nearest ATM is quite a walk away.
5. Bring some comfort items. You will be out there the whole day, bring an MP3 player, laptop, etc.
6. Use the track preparation list found at this thread: http://www.mythrottle.net/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=25&id=462&Itemid=121#462
7. NEVER GO ALONE! That being said, out of necessity I have had to go alone before. I made a medical information card and gave it to the trackday coordinators. I made sure to befriend my neighbors and let them know I was alone should something happen to me, they should point out my equipment to the coordinators.
8. If it is the first time you are going to a track, you will probably need to take a beginner track rider course. Every organization refers to this course by a diffrent name but they are all usually around $100 on top of the trackday price. Among all the great things you will probably learn at this course, these courses are often monitored by veteran racers who can provide a lot of personalized feedback on your riding.
9. Regardless of your experience, ensure you pay attention to the flags and their use. Every organization has slightly different variations on them in regard to passing and speed.
This is not an all encompassing solution to a typical trackday but I hope I was able to shed some light on the topic.
Some common questions:
Do I need a set of tire warmers?
No. You will do just fine without them. Even with tire warmers, you still have to take it a little easy on the first lap. Ensure you do at least two laps before you go all out. This can vary by ambient temperature, track conditions/size, and tires, but better safe than sorry. Warmers are a way to preserve tires by minimizing heat cycles, they are not "just" for added grip on the first lap.
I don't have a generator, how do I get power?
Some tracks have powered garages. For others, this is where socializing comes in handy. I usually have a spare outlet for anyone that doesn't have their own generator.
If I go down, can I get back on the track
The track director has the final say on whether you can resume or not. Factors include bike condition, rider mental state, and experience when making this decision.
Can I bring my friends that don't ride?
Definitely! Think of it as a tailgating party without the booze. Do some research first, since some tracks require an admission fee per person in a vehicle. For Willow Springs this is $10.
If you have any other concerns, go ahead post it up in the forums. By no means am I an expert in the matter, I've just been around the block a few times.
Andy
