Hi Neil, There is one rule that holds true in every form of track riding, from the first day Novice to the Expert racer...and that is "it the responsibility of the passing rider to make a clean pass". A clean pass is the responsibility of the passer, not the passee. In other words, the LAST thing you should be worried about is impeding another rider or getting out of the way. Focus on your own riding and don't worry about them. If they want to get by you, they will. It is their job to get by you, it is not your job to get out of their way. You are out there to have fun, enjoy the track, enjoy the bike and have a good time while working on your own riding. You aren't out there to be nice. And in all honesty, trying to get out of the way of others can lead to more issues. Everyone expects everyone else to do certain things at certain times, to follow certain lines, etc. Doing something outside the norm and/or unexpected at the speeds bikes travel on the track could end badly. You are much better off just riding your own ride, be smooth, and let them worry about getting by you. I know the other coaches will agree. In my personal riding, I know that I don't want anybody doing anything unexpected. I just want them to keep doing what they are doing and I will work it out. You have to remember the faster riders have seen you long before you have seen them. When I come up on slower riders or lapped traffic, I have already judged their speed and calculated where I will catch them on the track. I have already worked out a "plan of attack" based upon when/where I will catch them and based upon the assumption they will keep doing what they are doing and will be on the normal line. If they decide to do something unexpected in an effort to "help me get by", it will totally mess that plan up and could end badly for both of us. Like I said, just do your thing and don't worry about anybody else. Not only will it take some pressure off of you and free up concentration for your own riding, but it is actually the safest way to handle the situation. Hope that helps. Good luck
Yep, good example. My goals, at present anyway, are to stay in Novice. I'm not looking to be the fastest around the track. I just want a nice jaunt around a track with twists and turns. But, bike handling (at speed) is one thing and track etiquette is another. I can only pick up the former on the track (I think), whereas track etiquette/process is something for which I thought other sources might exist in addition to track time. So, back to this video - clearly the person who caused the crash is in error. Obviously his "ambition outweighed his talent". But, other than that, what should this person have done? In other words, let's say, unbeknownst to him, his crash is inevitable. What sort of actions has he taken in this instance that he should not have? For example, should he have not passed on the inside? (as a Novice rider, passing is not an option for most of the day, and when we do it later in the day I believe it is outside only and 6 or 8 feet distance. But I am not sure if this is a novice group and, even if not, what the rules are for I or A groups.)
He was on a bad line and going to fast into corner. Not sure the advanced riders could hold that line. This was from a group not STT and most the the other passes are too close. That decision would be frowned upon in a race setting let alone a novice track day