Hey folks, been wanting to do a track day for a few years now, but haven't been able to do it yet. I've been riding for about 5 years, but only on the street. My engineer brain needs to plan/research the living daylights out of everything before trying something new, so I'm curious what it would be like for my first track day. I've read the info on the STT website, but for a complete novice, what am I looking at on day 1? I'm a pretty cautious (slow) rider, so I'm nervous about being completely out of my league here. My closest tracks are Grattan and Gingerman, if that makes a difference. Matt
Novice is broken up into several groups so that NO ONE is made to feel out of their league. They are VERY accomadating to all riders with a minimum amount of experience. You’ll love it. But, it’s normal to be nervous. Novice starts the day with everyone else with the AM meeting, but then breaks off to their own classroom session while Inter and Advanced ride. At that meeting they will go through most of what u need to know. Then afterwards you meet with your subgroup leader. Another opportunity to ask questions. When u grid up in novice, you are in these subgroups and only go out in these groups. Passing is not allowed until the leaders say so. Passing as a group is regulated by each of the subgroup leaders. Simple and stress free.
I would plan on being there by 7 AM Bring bike up to tech, then go find your name in the Novice notebook, then take that to registration, they will give you a sticker, then take said sticker to tech inspection. Upon passing they will sign sticker then you put it on the bike. ABSOLUTELY mandatory that you attend the 8:20 AM rider's meeting (should be at registration). As soon as that's over, you will attend your first Novice class. Then you can get nervous When class is over, you have about 5 minutes to get to your bike, and off you go, pay attention to your coach, he will show you lines, and where the flags are. After that, you get about 15 minites rest, before you go back to class. Repeat until lunch at 12 PM. At 1 PM, you will meet up with your assigned coach, he will then assess you to see if you have progressed, and he will motion you to go by him, then you can go your own pace. If you aren't comfortable with that, there will be a coach to help you. Usually your assigned coach. You will repeat that until end of day.
I would Recommend Grattan. (just a great place to ride) Come and sit in on a day. your welcome to listen into the novice class room and see what it is all about. option two would be come and sit in on Saturday and then Ride on Sunday. Grattan has free camping other than the gate fee (bring cash for this figure 20 per person to be safe) Novice Days are a great learning experience.You will be with a coach most of the day. trying different skills to learn the capabilities of you and your machine
Thanks for the input. I've not thought of coming to a day just to observe, but that could be good. Still a lot of questions on how to prep and things like that, so seeing what others do would likely be helpful. When you're out riding, is it mostly just a lead-follow type thing, or do the coaches have you work on specific things? (something like drills, maybe? not sure how that would work out on the track I guess)
Welcome to STT, Matt! You'll find a great group of people who are more than willing to help you have a great time at your first event and every time you come back. STT staff (and our customer's) are like a big family at the track. As R/T mentioned above, if you're somewhat close to Grattan, come out for one of the days and hang out. See how the day goes just watching from registration and tech inspection, to the riders' meeting, novice classrooms, and on-track riding. For our novice crew the day is pretty structured but loads of fun. While the riding on track is a lot of lead/follow early on, we'll be asking you to perform tasks out there, some mental and some physical, while watching you and the others to see if you're picking up the lines on the track, body position on the bike and other tidbits we explain in the classroom sessions. Don't worry about being nervous, it happens to most everyone. Please, ask questions......we have an amazing staff that come out to all the STT events who are more than willing to help out. Hope to see you out at Grattan sometime! -Paul
Lots of drills. You'll learn more in a weekend of track days than years worth of street riding. First session of the day is doing laps in the left, right, and center of the track to get a feel for the lines and learn the track. Next session you'll go out and work on some other goal, then another the following session, etc. Can't remember all of the drills as it's been a few years, but you'll learn a ton. Don't be worried about speed or riding above your limits. Since you say you're "cautious/slow", start in Novice Group 6, and the coaches will move you up as you progress. Make sure to speak with your coach about your goals, expectations, concerns, etc, and they'll accommodate as needed. If you're on Facebook, there is a group worth checking out called Michigan Track Riders. All local guys who are more than happy to help, including STT coaches. Everyone in the forum and in that group would be happy to let you pit with them and show you the ropes. https://www.facebook.com/groups/664983643623216 -Chad
When they're breaking you up into subgroups in Novice they'll ask something like "Who here has never been on track before?" and odds are you won't be the only one with your hand up. I wouldn't sweat it about being out of your league. Out of those two tracks, I'd pick Grattan just because I looked at the calendar and Gingerman's first even isn't until mid-June, and Grattan has four events between now and then.
Thanks all for the encouraging words. I'm going to try and figure out how to make it to one of the days this summer. Out of curiosity, how often does someone not make it through tech inspection? My bike is a mostly stock 2014, so I don't expect any issues, but if something comes up in tech that I don't know how to fix, I'd hate to have my day end right there.
Or, put another way, what are the most common things that trip people up in tech inspection? What should I be looking out for that isn't obvious?
In general, make certain your bike is not leaking any type of fluid. Make sure your tires and brake pads have plenty of life in them meaning don't show up with tires that are completely squared off from riding on the street and there are no wear indicators to be seen. Make sure there are no loose bolts, parts, fairings, etc. It's pretty lax as far as requirements for novice. If you trailer your bike there, try to plan ahead at home and tape off all the lights (headlight, taillight, blinkers) and mirrors with painters tape. (Even better if you can pull the fuses to those lights. We don't want other riders being distracted by your brake light going into a corner.) Remove your license plate, not required, but preferred. Check your chain tension and make sure it's not loose or worse, too tight. As well, make sure your gear meets the requirements on the STT website for the group you will be riding in. If something comes up once you get to the track........please, reach out and ask any STT staff member. We will do what we can to help you so that your day can be successful. The more you have your bike prepped ahead of time the less you'll have to worry about when you get to the track. p.s. - those of us doing tech inspection greatly appreciate clean bikes!
Well, I guess my list of excuses for not giving it a go are running thin. Looks like I'll need to work out the logistics and get to one of the upcoming days.
First, Hello and welcome to the forum. Second don't sweat it. Only mistake you have made is not doing this shortly after buying your bike. LOL. Bright side your several decades ahead of me, so we can both forget what we didn't do before. What's in the past is behind us. PM sent
Don't forget, no polyethylene glycol. Can use Engine Ice, liquid performance, Evans (I think), or water + water wetter.
Not sure where you're located, but post up if you need any help getting you or your bike to the track. Lots of people have an extra spot in the trailer and are happy to help.
That's a good idea. Getting to the track has been the biggest sticking point thus far, although I'll probably just rent a pickup or something like that.
One other question: I have a Ducati Monster. It's no slouch, but it's not a sportbike. Reading some of the STT regulations, there's a note about being "suited to lean angles". I don't have much of a worry that I'll be leaning the bike all that much, but am I setting myself up for problems? I don't know how far the bike can lean before touching a footpeg or kickstand, but I'm guessing that if they drag, that might be an issue. Should I be looking at taking the kickstand off, or just leave things as-is for my first time and see how it goes?
mcmatt, Here's what's funny. After your first track day, you'll come back here and look at how spooked you were for no reason and have a great laugh. I was the same, and I guess most of us were. All you really need to think about is getting your lights taped up, have your bike in good shape and water-wetter in your radiator, and have the right protective gear. The rest will take care of itself. During your first couple of sessions, you will be thinking "I ride faster than this to the grocery store". After lunch break, you will be having more fun that you thought was possible. By 4pm you'll be asking where to sign up for the next event.