First time track day - What track is best?

First time track day... What track is best? Im is south eastern WI so BHF, Road America, and Autobahn are closest but Gratten and gingerman are not out of the question. Thoughts concerns... Any input would be helpful.
Thanks Clint

 

Haven't done any of them. Have heard Road America is a big HP track.

The track closest to you is normally the best to start.
Want to do Grattan, have heard great things.
Ever make it to Indy, can get you a place to stay real, real cheap. Putnam is fun just tough on tires.

 

Which track day organization is more important for your first and you're at the right org with STT. Any of the tracks you've listed will be good and it all comes down to what you like. If you like a lot of fast straightaways, RA, if you like roller coasters, Grattan. All of the tracks you've listed I have personally ridden and I like them all! If you get hooked, which is very likely, you'll ride all of these tracks as well anyway. Welcome to the addiction!

 

I agree with the previous replies. Autobahn is very forgiving and the north course is short enough to learn at the beginning. Road America is fun but the speeds are higher...

 

Start yourself a tracks to ride list!

 

The fast kind

 

Personally, as a recent new-comer to the sport, I found smaller courses to be better for beginners in that you get to keep repeating the same corners again and again very quickly so you can make minute adjustments and basically get up to speed quicker. The larger courses are fine, but there is more for you to memorize and the corners come less frequently. That said, a negative of smaller courses, (I am assuming you will be in Novice) is that there is a lot of traffic in Novice on smaller courses. It's structured and managed mind you, but there are some sessions where it will be a bit exasperating as you start to get comfortable and want to go faster. It all works out in the end however. My recommendation would be BFR or Autobahn North as a first track experience. Just my 2 cents worth. And if that does not work for your timing/schedule - any of them would do. I have not done RA yet because I am really not interested in high speeds: I prefer lower speed, more technical tracks, not long straightaways and high speed.

 

Thanks for your input and I was also thinking smaller and slower as I have a 93 CBR 600. Don't really think I could or would want to keep up with the newer bikes let alone any of the liter bikes. There is a BHF day coming up in September and im planning on that but need to source some gear for that. Any ideas on that im 5ft 9 and 150lb and approximately a us 42, size 8.5-9 boot, and large gloves. If you have some spare gear laying around shoot me a PM. Thanks

 

Unfortunately, I am...... not that size. ;-) I'll just leave it at that (overweight short guy in other words). They do rent leathers I understand but, not sure about gloves and boots. If you want to buy, but want to do it on the cheap, I just saw a new suit listed here on the forums that would be your size for $450 (same suit I have, different size, but I paid ~$1,000). But, I know, $450 is still $450 - not exactly chump change, especially for newcomer who's still trying on the sport for size. Gloves just need to be gauntlet in style - and boots I believe they are some-what lenient on - meaning they just need to cover ankles and part of shin. I've seen a wide range of boots used, not all technical racing boots.

 

You won't have any issue keeping up with other bikes on your 600 at any of the tracks with STT. The Novice group is broken up into sub groups based on experience and skill level. The coaches do an excellent job of keeping everyone sorted and in the proper sub group.

I'm of a different opinion on the tracks above. Road America is very fast, but not in the early sessions in Novice. There are plenty of corners, and long straights to help acclimate to the speed. It's 4 miles long so traffic is not an issue.

Prepare to be addicted...

 

It's not a race. Your pace is based on YOUR abilities, not some perceived notion based on how fast others are going. Having said that...

You won't have any problem keeping up with anything. You're NOT on an underpowered machine. I got bumped to intermediate on a GS500 (42hp). So what if you're 10hp off of a newer middleweight. It will make zero difference.

Just get out to a track and ride. Don't overthink it.

 

I agree with all of this right here. Relax, don't overthink it. And no matter how much analysis or questioning you have now, it all kinda goes out the window once you're there and on track. Just go do it and understand you have a big learning curve and overthinking does not make it easier. In fact it makes it harder

 

Sounds like most things in my life. Make a plan get there and improvise everything lol.

Ok I found a set of good quality leathers now all I need is boots gloves and back protector. Who has used what and prefers what?

 

I really like my Knox back protector and Handroid gloves.

Where in SE Wisconsin are you? I'm in Milwaukee.

 

What make and models I know knox is a favorite but lets be specific.

And im actually south of Milwaukee about 15 min from Lake Geneva.

 

Go small first. Road America is my favorite track out of all the ones I've ridden so far, but it's also one of the fastest tracks. Probably not ideal for a beginner, depending on what bike you have. If I was you, I'd go to Blackhawk first. But I've never been to Autobahn, so can't speak about that.

 

I went to Road America for my first track day on my CBR600 F4i. I already had the track memorized from playing Forza, and that, along with the track being so wide, made it very easy to enjoy it. I was also comfortable riding at a fast pace from corner carving in SW Wisconsin for a few years prior to going to the track, so that was helpful. I personally find Blackhawk a bit less forgiving and narrow. I think it's easier to go off track there. There also isn't nice big sand pits off the ends of the corners like at Road America. Ultimately, if you're not as comfortable with constant higher speeds, then maybe Road America isn't the place to start, but it is my favorite, and it's where I started.

 

You guys are both in Milwaukee? Thats awesome we need to meet up lol i need some track friends. Got a back protector boots, and gloves you could borrow im about 15 mins from Milwaukee.

 

No kidding ware are you at. Im in Elkhorn and am planning on the BHF weekend in September.

 

Aegis