Hey everyone, I'm John out of Ann Arbor area. First off, can't say enough how great of a resource this forum is. I've lurked quite a bit trying to absorb as much as I can. I'm new to motorcycle track days (but had some past car racing experience), with my only on track experience being a recent riding school (I was hooked from the start!)!! I am about to sign up for my first true track day -- a single day this Saturday @ Gingerman. Of course nervous, but I want to be nervous about the right things (focus on riding) so hoping to get some advice on the minor logistics to get that out of the way.... 1) Camping: What is the camping situation like? Can I simply pay to reserve spot and setup tent next to my vehicle? How late can I arrive Fri night before gates close...7/8pm ok? For my GF... are there decent showers / bathrooms, or is a South Haven hotel better option if that's an issue? (Update: Found fact sheet from last year, looks like gates close 11pm...but still curious how "nice" are the amenities!) 2) Are cold beverages allowed Fri night once track goes cold? (Not looking to party...just wondering if frowned upon to have a couple beers in the eve) 3) Dogs: Also for my GF.... is a leashed dog in the paddock area ok at Gingerman? (And Grattan for future reference?) UPDATE: Nevermind...fact sheet listed pets OK! 4) How long is the typical day? I know riders meeting then straight to novice in the morn....how late do the sessions go into afternoon? (Ie mostly wrapped up by 4/5p?) UPDATE: Nevermind...assuming session schedules are same, seems like Novices wrap up at 5pm. 5) For a novice, how much fuel is recommended? One 3 or 5 gallon jug enough for a day? I guess I don't know what I don't know, so I'm sure there is more, but this would be a start! Thanks so much in advance for any advice...unfortunately, the Gingerman "amenities" tab didn't have much info!
Hey John, welcome to STT and your upcoming trackday! You'll have a blast, I'm sure. The nervousness is natural, don't worry, it'll go away before you know it. To focus on the riding, try to have all of your bike prepwork ahead of time before you get to the track. This way you won't have to worry about last minute taping of lights, wheel weights, etc. If you're not familiar with the Tech requirments, jump on over the main website in the link below and read up. https://www.sportbiketracktime.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=11 As far as your questions go, I'll give some of them a shot. I've not been to Gingerman in years and don't recall the camping/amenities over there. 1) Look for a message thread later this week for the fact sheet on this weekends event. Post up in there if your questions don't get answered here. 2) Cold beverages are ok once the track goes cold for the day (this includes any guests / non-riders) 3) Pets should be on a leash at both G-man and Grattan. Please make sure to clean up after them 4) Typical day will start around 7ish when Tech & Registration open. Get signed in, sign your waiver, get your group sticker and then take your bike to the Tech Area. There will be a mandatory rider's meeting sometime between 8-8:30 for anyone riding, please be on time for this. They will discuss further how the day will be run. Typically Novice group students will meet right after that meeting to go into detail of the Novice structure. Track typically goes cold at 5 after the last Novice group is finished. 5) To be safe, I would arrive with a full tank on the bike and 5 gallons, at a minimum. You'll end up using more fuel than you might think. I think Gingerman has fuel for sale at the track, but no idea on $/gal. Worst case you have to purchase there or beg/borrow from a pit neighbor. It'll be warm, be sure to bring lots of water and/or gatorade to stay hydrated! Don't be afraid to ask questions or for help from any of the staff members there. We're there to help! Have fun!
Look forward to your report back on the experience. Unless your in fantastic shape, one day does most in. Don't sweat the day, novice is broken with several coaches. 1 being ready to bump up, 6 or 7 first day. Once you or your coach feels your ready will move you up. Have seen some make it from 6 to intermediate in one day. Not often but happens. OH, welcome to the addiction.
Welcome, and congrats on scooping up Anthony's "Sick75"! I pulled alongside you in Dexter when you were taking it home, and had a hard time not drooling over it. Hope to see you this weekend! -Chad
Thanks Chad! Do you live in Dexter as well? I love the bike so far (have another Triumph as well)....eager to stretch it's legs a bit Saturday, but certainly not at the pace it's used to I'll be at Gingerman on Fri getting it sorted a bit with Brock / Dave, then camping out at the track that night! Feel free to stop by to say hi anytime!
Hey guys! First timer as well. My first outing will be Saturday. Excited to learn and enjoy, I’ll be on a 2006 GSX-R with stock white fairings, come say hi if ya recognize it!
I'll be there Friday with a couple of friends from work who also ride and we live in Dexter as well. I'm on an ugly, orange Yamaha R1, and my buddies ride Italian things. It sounds like you've got plenty of help lined up, but if you need anything at all, I'm sure I can help get you sorted. The weather looks great so it should be fun. As far as amenities, from what I remember no showers, and port-a-potties spread around the pits. Camping is easy with plenty of space. My wife will camp with me at Grattan, but do a hotel for Gingerman for reference, but she's not big on camping in general. Congrats on the new ride, and hope to meet you tomorrow. Matt
I work off Jackson Road and Baker, but live in Brighton. Just happened to be heading to lunch in Dexter that day. Unfortunately, I won't be out there this weekend, but I'm sure we'll cross paths at some point. Have fun out there this weekend, and good luck with the new ride.
I'm doing the two days (I have no doubt I'll be absolutely wrecked a the end of day two...) I'm booked in for novice and will be riding a black GSXR750 so no doubt we will cross paths. I haven't done Gingerman before, but did Grattan a few weeks back and was impressed with how slick the STT operation is. Some wisdom I was given is to talk to your coach - if you are bored by the pace of your group tell them. If they agree that you have capacity to move up they will help you do so.... if they dont think you are ready based on what they are seeing they will advise against it. See you there!
Wow. What an awesome day Saturday! Even with the unexpectedly crappy weather (sighhhh Michigan weather...), we really made the best of it and learned quite a bit in the process! Here's a (long) recap of my 1st timer experience.... FRIDAY: This was a planned bike maintenance / observe kind of day. With it being my first time having to setup my paddock area, etc, I was grateful for coming early (READ: Much less stress). I HIGHLY recommend this to any other first timers that may read this report! Researching everyone's checklists ahead of time definitely paid off as well -- I felt well prepared. The setup took a couple hours, then I had time to watch the Ducati day and the Bike Night groups run, as well as walk around and talk to people. It was good not being so rushed around and get to observe / enjoy the atmosphere. Lessons Learned: Fuel Jugs make great tent anchors. Get there the night before. U-Haul trailer works - but an enclosed trailer offers a LOT of value, esp in bad weather. Consider the investment. People Met: Great meeting Matt and the Dexter crew (sorry forgot names!), and Mark from Lexington (gorgeous Ducati btw...love the matte paint). John (from Brighton / Howell I think?), made a great pit neighbor. Thanks for the help / advice throughout the day! SATURDAY: A good night sleep pays off - so sleeping in a tent during a thunderstorm (with a dog that is scared of thunderstorms) wasn't exactly ideal. Had the weather predicted the prolonged storm, I'd have prob made other arrangements. I got up earlier than I planned and thankful for that. Everything takes longer than expected. Riders Meeting was good (but lots of info / fast). Novice class was good as well, and recapped a lot of the key points from the riders meeting. One thing I missed was any explanation of coach hand signals on track...was a little lost there (why are you tapping your helmet! haha). Morning sessions were nice and easy - I was OK with that as I was getting used to track, first time on new bike, breaking in new tires / brakes, and getting used to GP shift, and wet pavement (lots of firsts all at once). Then the heavy rain came.... it was pretty miserable and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do in terms of my session (ie. is my novice group really going out in this?!)... I debated it up to the 5min warning, and then said F IT, I'm here for the experience... so out I went! I was a bit late so I missed my coach Sebastian (not sure any of my group went out but coach was out there). But another coach ("Meatball") picked me up and was AWESOME / patient. I really appreciated the extra help and confidence boost - I wasn't doing as terrible as I thought. I was glad I went....while pace seemed even slower, it was great to a) know its not terrible to ride in the rain and now I know for future, and b) I could focus on being smooth and body position. Then the lightning came and things shut down for a couple hours - but I missed this announcement since I came off track with the red flag and had to lap the paddock to get back to my spot. I didn't realize until a bit later that no novice meeting (I think? - maybe I missed it?) and it was lunch time, so I scrambled to feed myself and took a much needed short nap to regain focus (again, ensuring a good night sleep is critical!). Afternoon sessions were much better - finally started to get a feel for the track and my new bike, where I could start focusing on fundamentals and try pushing my pace a bit (still slow hahaha). Track dried out quick, but it also got really hot / humid fast! Stay hydrated! Lessons Learned: There is a lot, but key points... Don't let the rain deter you, it is a great learning opportunity (and not as bad as it seems). Give yourself more time to get ready than you think you'll need...gloves and leathers are hard to put on while sweaty / tired. Also, pick a camping spot near the Novice classroom if you can help it...I was always rushed / late because I had to walk across the entire paddock and back just to get to class. Don't forget ear plugs ever again (terrible headache by the afternoon). Fuel jugs - test at home first! I thought these VP jugs were top notch - is there a trick so they don't leak out fuel everywhere from the cap and/or vent?! What a PITA... People Met: Hugh from Chicago - it was good chatting with another novice for good perspective / sharing of notes. Look forward to riding with you again. Various others I'm sure I missed - its no joke that this is like a family and everyone does a great job looking out for each other. Also, I think my bike must be famous or infamous....not sure which but I got a lot of "oh hey your the guy that bought Anthony's bike" hahahaha - not sure if that is good or bad thing hahaha! TO THE COACHES..... THANK YOU!!!!! Sebastian was my assigned coach - very patient, and explained things very well. Genuine nice guy. I liked the consistency of the small breakout session after the novice class, which gave opportunity to ask questions that didn't pertain to the larger group. I always understood the feedback, and it helped build confidence. Sorry I didn't get a chance to say bye and thank you, and get the final feedback. Also, a big thank you to "Meatball" as well (sorry never caught your name, unless it is really meatball and now this is awkward....) - I really appreciate you picking me up during the rain session, and then the sessions after as well!!! Having a second coach with additional feedback was so valuable. Looking through my photos, I could see you following me when I had no idea...it really helped to hear the advice and the end of day feedback at my paddock. Volunteering to help like that without asking / being assigned was really above and beyond - much appreciated! THANK YOU again to both of my great coaches and look forward to riding with you again! Next Steps.... More track time! I definitely see where time on the bike/track is needed to progress. I'm already planning my next weekend (Aug 11/12th @ Gingerman for sure, maybe sooner if I can swing it!). If any of my coaches (Sebastian or Meatball) see this, please PM me. I'm in no way feeling I need to move up to INT before I'm ready (status of itself isn't the goal...), but I like to know where I am now and what things I need to work on to get to that bump to the next level! Whether it takes another day, or another year so be it...as long as I know what I gotta do and where I need to improve! Thanks again to all the STT Staff - there is a lot of work that goes into making an enjoyable event for all of us, and I recognize / appreciate that!
Awesome write-up! I started doing track days with STT last year and have nothing but good things to say about them. Top notch organization and community. Glad you had fun - hope to see you out on the track! I ride ACC and BHF primarily, but hoping to get up to Grattan or Gingerman sometime this summer.
Nice write up, IMO enjoy novice and get the most out of coaching until you just can't deal with the first couple sessions. Then ask for a eval to bump. You can always move back to get some more coaching.
Nice meeting you Johnny. You missed a good day on the Sunday, the weather played ball but it was fricking hot.... I sat out the last session cause I was goosed. I was jealous of your bike, I love my UK 675r and can only imagine your race prepped one turns a whole lot better than my stock GSXR 750. I just booked the two days at Blackhawk Farms in July and will let you know when I'm heading back East. Hugh
I never asked for a bump, it just happened. End of the day, coach asked me if I would like to ride in "I". Take your time, learn/ask what you can. Enjoy yourself out there! I'm hoping my bike will be ready come June 30th - July 1st weekend. Maybe see ya at Grattan? Take care!
Totally agree about the bump....I'd like to take advantage of extra coaching as much as possible. I only mention it because I imagine there is a certain skill level threshold to get there, whether technique / lap time or both. Having an idea of where I'm at now and where I wanna be helps me set goals and stay focused, that's all. But I'm cool with just letting it happen when ready (I *think* too much on the bike, so maybe that's better approach!)...again, no rush for me whether 1 more weekend or 1 more year....I'm just out here to have fun and learn to be a better rider.
Hi John, The two guys from Dexter were me (Craig) who had the Aprilia RSV that never turned a lap and Jason, who had the CBR that at least made it to turn one before being retired due to a mechanical issue. Demo bikes from Ducati Detroit saved the day for both of us! As for testing things at home, add the bike itself to that list. Turns out I had never actually put the RSV into gear before taking it to the track and when I tried to take it to tech I got a little surprise... Putting it in gear killed the engine, and not because of the usual suspects. Oops. Shoulda ridden it before putting it on the trailer, just like everybody told me. (I bought the bike in February, put some track bodywork on it, and STILL haven't ridden it). Had I known it was fubared I could have gone with plan B. Glad you enjoyed the weekend. I'm in the novice group too and looking forward to my next event. Both the RSV and CBR have been mended so hopefully the next attempt will be more succesful! Though again, riding a V4 Panigale S wasn't exactly a hinderance to the fun... Thanks to the STT instructors and Ducati Detroit for making it a great day!
So what was the verdict on the Aprilia? Side stand sensor / harness? Glad you are both back up and running! Hope to see you guys at the next one!
I never did find what the issue was on the RSV but I did come up with a work around, so... the bike runs but I wouldn't call it "fixed" yet. Jason isn't telling what the issue was with the CBR so I'm guessing it was a glaringly simple fix. I'm looking foward to the next outing. I'm not sure when that's going to be yet, time is getting harder to come by for a while!
Hahah yeah I hear ya....I was looking at the schedule and I'll be lucky if I can get to the next one in August!