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On the day
Start time After you have booked a day, the TDO will have supplied an itinerary
for the day. Most pre day briefings will start early to maximise the circuit time
Make sure you arrive in plenty of time. Missing the briefing will cause difficulties getting on track.
Most TDO's provide an 'extra' briefing after the main one, for the novice group just to clarify everything. But if you are unsure of anything there is usually someone on hand to offer advice. Either from the TDO or a fellow rider
If the circuit is local to you it shouldn't be problem. But if you live in Dundee and your favourite circuit is Brands Hatch then an overnight stay is the best bet.
Getting up in the middle of the night and driving through the dawn for an early start will lead to fatigue later in the day
A local pub/ hotel or campsite will make things easier in the cold light of an early morning.
Just remember that it is in the trackday companies best interest to refuse you entry should you arrive the worse for a 'few' beers the night before
On Track It is usual for the first few laps to be a 'no overtaking' sighting laps(s) following an instructor. This is to allow you to familiarise yourself with the circuit and to allow some heat into the tyres
Remember cold tyres and fast corners don't mix too well usually. This format often continues through the day depending on the group and the TDO.
Remember that a track day is not a race. Relax and enjoy the day. Don't think about the circuit as a racetrack but as a one-way road. That fact lets you put 100% of your concentration on riding the bike and maximising your enjoyment,
which is something you can't always do on the road, due to the need to watch out for other traffic, gravel, diesel, speed cameras etc. etc. Riding on track will improve your understanding of how your bike reacts to limits outside usual road riding. Making you a better rider all round
Also don't worry about what other people are doing. Ride to your own limits not someone else's. Watch what is happening in front of you. If you overtake, do so safely. You don't need to 'stuff' the guy in front of you on the last corner. It's not the final round of your personal championship! Fold in or remove your mirrors. Look ahead. Anyone behind you will sort himself or herself' out.
At the end of the day If you are riding home, just don't forget that speed limits exist in the real world
A days riding perhaps faster than normal can require some 're-calibration' when you venture back onto the public highway
Most Trackday Organisations are run by enthusiasts. They are there to provide a service that allows you as the rider access to some of the best circuits in the world (as well as some of the lesser known!) For these organisations to continue to exist then you have to take responsibility for your actions. Riding on the track can and sometimes does lead to incidents.
Just remember that you decide to go to a trackday of your own choice. Trying to blame an organiser for an incident might eventually lead to the downfall of the whole business, due to high insurance claims. If you are worried about damaging your bike or yourself make sure have made the necessary preparations. Check your insurance situation or ride carefully. Should the worst happen the circuits are well equipped and will deal with recovery and clean up as much as possible.
Ultimately it is down to the rider to judge the situation.
And finally...
Logon to Trackdayriders.co.uk forum and tell us all about it !
Enjoy the day
Remember it’s for fun.
This advice is offered as a guideline only. Trackdayriders has no affiliation to any trackday organisation and offers no promises that following the above advice will prevent any type of incident or affect the outcome of your trackday
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