First (bike) track day on Monday - any advice?

[Mikaveli]

Well, after more than a decade of road riding, I've got my first track-day booked for this coming Monday at Cadwell Park. I've since read it's quite a technical track - and maybe not ideal for novices?

 

I've also taken advice about bike prep (tyre pressures etc.) so I think I've got that side of things covered. Any tips for a first timer?

 

Overall it'll be interesting to see how quick the other riders are - how much of an advantage is knowing the track, having quicker bikes, using tyre warmers etc?

 

I know there's a few bikers on here - I'd be interested to hear other peoples experience / advice.

[walshie]

Only done one track day. You will be amazed at how grippy a track is compared to the road. Getting your knee down is a doddle if that's your thing. My advice is don't give the extra 2% over what you're comfortable with just to keep up with someone else. It's not worth it and there's always another track day.

Absolutely guaranteed you will be a better rider both on the track and on the road after Monday. Enjoy it mate.

[AlistairB]

I did loads a few years back, Brands was my local track then, but i've done 2 at Cadwell. Back then it was very narrow round the mountain section, but Charlies 1 & 2 were lovely when you got them right. The gooseneck is deceptive because it's a down hill right left then left again and you think youre putting too much through the front and you'll wash it out, just ride it as if it was flat not downhill.

 

Just ride your own pace and line, if someone wants to pass you, it's up to them to do it safely, and dont let the red mist decend, that way lies pain!

 

Just have fun, you'll soon be hooked!

[nobbyathome]

i have raced there many times on sidecars and my advice to you is first of all do not get pushed along by faster riders it is a very narrow track but great fun the first session you will proberbly get a bit lost and not learn much about the track but take your time and enjoy the experiance you will get a bit faster as the day goes by naturaly as you relax

ohhhhh i envy you i wish i was back there

my first time there we was late for scruiterneering as our coach got caught in tons of traffic we missed the practice and lied to the officials that we had been there many times so they let us race we had to start at the back as we had no lap times got a cracking start and half a lap we were mid pack not knowing where the corners went ha ha at the gooseneck we went in to fast went in backwards and i was sliding along on my fat a s s ha ha good times

[fruity]

Done cadwell a fair few times, and Alistair b gave the best advice for a novice imho. Ride at your own pace only and concentrate on what your doing and not others around you, if they want to get by they will find a way .

just focus on your line and speed . As you have mentioned get those tyre pressures right and just enjoy your day

[Montybhoy67]

Having done a few Trackdays the best bit of advice i can offer is to have fun.

 

Cadwell is fine for a novice as long as you get used to the bike, the track and ride at your own pace.

 

You wont be the fastest and you wont be the slowest, Don't worry about Tyre Warmers.

 

What bike are you using by the way ?

 

if you are on a road bike with road tyres they will heat up just fine.

 

 

Get there early to make sure you get a space in a garage.Bring some water/juice, It is very thirsty work.

 

I think No Limits are at Cadwell on Monday, if it is ask an instructor to follow you for a session, they are all great riders and will help with the correct lines and braking points.

 

Let us know how you get on aswell

 

 

[Mikaveli]

Having done a few Trackdays the best bit of advice i can offer is to have fun.

 

Cadwell is fine for a novice as long as you get used to the bike, the track and ride at your own pace.

 

You wont be the fastest and you wont be the slowest, Don't worry about Tyre Warmers.

 

What bike are you using by the way ?

 

if you are on a road bike with road tyres they will heat up just fine.

 

 

Get there early to make sure you get a space in a garage.Bring some water/juice, It is very thirsty work.

 

I think No Limits are at Cadwell on Monday, if it is ask an instructor to follow you for a session, they are all great riders and will help with the correct lines and braking points.

 

Let us know how you get on aswell

 

Well, someone has to be the slowest - it might be me!

 

I'm taking my RSV Mille 'R' - had it for about 2 years, so I'm fairly comfortable with it - still not quite as confident as I was with in-line 4's though.

 

Yeah - I'm booked in with No Limits - how much do the instructors charge to follow you round? Sounds like it could be pretty helpful.

[Mikaveli]

Just ride your own pace and line, if someone wants to pass you, it's up to them to do it safely, and dont let the red mist decend, that way lies pain!

 

Just have fun, you'll soon be hooked!

 

I am a bit worried that I'll brake / slow too much for a fast corner that I'm not familiar with and have someone smash into me.

 

How close / crazy do other riders usually get?

[Montybhoy67]

Lovely bike, Plenty of engine braking, I just bought my first inline 4 last week. (yamaha R1) and still cant get used to how little engine braking there is!

 

The instructors don't charge a thing to follow you for a session, and they helped my confidence massively,

 

 

There will be a couple of briefings before your first session, that is proberly the best time to ask them.

 

 

You will have great fun, and they really are great guys.. Just remember though, you have to ride the bike back home at the end of the day.

 

Oh,

On your first session the instructors will lead you all for 2 laps, so try to be at the front to get to see the lines.

 

 

[walshie]

The track day I went on they sent us out in groups of largely similar abilities, so there wasn't anyone a whole lot faster or slower.

 

Edited to add: When Marco Melandri first came to live in England, he went on a track day at Donington to learn the track. If he does the same at Cadwell, try not to be in his group.

Edited April 26, 2013 by walshie

[Mikaveli]

The track day I went on they sent us out in groups of largely similar abilities, so there wasn't anyone a whole lot faster or slower.

 

I've asked to be stuck in the novice group. I wouldn't mind if I get bumped up, but being bumped down from a faster group would be pretty humiliating... I'm going with a few mates and they'll be in their with me.

[fenboy]

My advice is , don't kill yourself .

My brother in laws brother died in a accident on a track day at cadwell unfortunately people tend to get dragged along with the racing atmosphere and try and go above their own limitations.

[AlistairB]

In the novice gropup, everyone will be taking it relatively steady. Take a couple of laps to learn the track and then ride at a speed your comfortable with. When i last did a track day with No Limits, the instructors were free, they may take a couple or people out at a time and will generally lead for a lap or 2 to show you the lines, then follow you and tell where you could be better/tighter/faster on the next session.

 

During the sighting laps, there should be one instructor in the front, leading and showing the lines, and one or two more spread through the pack, again to show those behind the lines.

 

One thing i learnt at Brands thats worth remembering is if you chuck your bike into a corner faster than you think you should have done, dont touch the brakes, just let the bike go round the corner then gas it out the other side, 9 times out of 10, it can do far more than you think it can!

 

AB

[Rupert]

Spent loads of time at cadwell both on bikes and gearbox karts,also seen the carnage first hand.

The goal is to go home and so on to the next track day intact so ride within your abilities,take time to learn the track and let the quick and the stupid go for it.If you can leave with a smile then you will be a winner.

[Jaymo]

Instructors don't charge..........

 

Enjoy

[Mikaveli]

Instructors don't charge..........

 

Enjoy

 

That's my favourite price.

[biketestace]

On your own bike........... Dont Go !!!!!

Av fun buddy then try Ron Haslem race school,incl bike hire its worth every penny

[Brown Owl]

Have done Cadwell trackdays a few years back. It is a bit narrow and technical, but you are there to enjoy yourself and ride the bike home!! not to fight for Crutchlow's ride . As everyone else has said ride to your limits, don't get drawn into keeping up with someone else. Ohh, and there is no shame in being "bumped" down a group. I asked to be bumped down from the fast group the last time at Cadwell and enjoyed it so much more. After all that is what you are there for.

[StuC]

Take your mirrors off.

 

Cover your speedo with black tape, you don't need it. Leave rev counter and warning lights uncovered!

 

Take number plate off.

 

Don't run out of fuel.

[Alpha Mule]

Take fuel - You'll be amazed at how fast it goes! See if you can find someone slightly faster than you and watch them. DO NOT try to emulate someone a lot faster than you. Everything they do is different - so watch yourself. The first couple of laps will most likely be 'policed'. no overtaking for the first couple of laps at least, possibly splitting up the group with several instructors to maintain a decent pace. Tell one of the instructors that you would appreciate their help. No shame in it and you will progress MUCH faster. Tape up your plastics and glasswork. Tape over your speedo - it just incites you to try too hard. Keep the knee down attempts for later in the day. Be wary of the last session heroes who may try to get past that other rider that they have been behind all day.

A low side hurts less and costs less than a high side! Slide don't roll. No sparky sliders! Make sure your leathers zip together. Take you licence (both parts!). Spare visor.

 

Enjoy it! You will end up with a grin that goes all the way round and will be visible through your lid.

 

Write it up on here after!

[Daz1986]

enjoy getting those knee sliders roughed up!! you will be addicted after you first go round mate..

[Daz1986]

you have also got the http://www.superbikeschool.co.uk/ that hire bikes!!

On your own bike........... Dont Go !!!!!

Av fun buddy then try Ron Haslem race school,incl bike hire its worth every penny

[Clayduster]

Make sure your brakes are in tip top condition they get bleeding hot on a track day.

[Mikaveli]

UPDATE - Post track-day write up

 

Well, had my first track day on Monday. Weather was fantastic, the track was in great condition. Turned up, got signed in, had me licence checked and got issued with two wrist-bands.

 

We were then told to go off and get our bikes noise tested, then to come back ready for the safety briefing. My bike passed the noise test, along with my two friends on their bikes. One of my mates was a bit concerned that he'd fail, as he's got a specially fabricated and tuned exhaust set-up (including a power commander to suit). He asked the organisers in advance, but they assured him that 'no one ever fails' at Cadwell Park.... he didn't at least, but we saw a guy with a nearly new GSX-R600 fail. He had a MotoGP style 'trumpet' exhaust - he went off to fit some baffles, came back and still failed. About 3x over apparently! :o

 

Had our 'briefing', which wasn't much more than telling us that there was no over-taking for the two sighting laps, and after that we could go as fast as we liked. Also, anyone overtaking dangerously would be black flagged... We got told our group times and went out to get ready.

 

The message came over the tannoy and we proceeded down onto the assembly area. I let my two mates go ahead so I didn't get tempted to race them, so I started about half way back. Nerves started to kick in as all the bikes were revving up around me. Wristband checked, kit done up I was ready to go. The first dozen or so riders get let on the track, then they let the next lot go after a few seconds delay, next up it's me.

 

Out on to the track and I'm surprised at how narrow it felt - it seemed like it was about the same width as a narrow residential street. Through halls bends, down to the old chicane then round to the start-finish straight. At this point I was definitely in road-bike warm-up mode, accelerating steadily to about 90-100mph, Only to quickly realise the guy in front had left me behind... back on the gas and I'd caught them entering Coppice. We went at a nice steady pace the rest of the lap, round to the goose-neck and the down-hill section immediately after. Nowhere near as scary as I thought it'd be, but so much steeper than any video makes it look by a long way. Round some more to the mountain, which is, err, big. I get on the throttle steadily as I climb, just backing off a tad near the crest. The bike picks the front up in a gentle, predictable way and I'm back in to hall bends. A few moments later and I've just done my first lap of Cadwell Park!

 

A few laps in and my confidence is starting to build, I'd been over-taken by a few riders on track bikes at this point when I spot I'm gaining on someone!!! I get a little closer, follow him for a few bends to see how he got round. Carried a bit more corner speed out on to the start-finish straight, nailing it as the track straightens and vroooooom, my first pass! A few more laps and I've passed a few more. Probably lots more passed me - but they all seemed to be dedicated track bikes, so it wasn't bruising my ego too much. B) A couple more laps and I've caught up with one of my mates. I was initially tempted to just howl past him on the outside, but his lines were a little all over the place, so I followed him for a lap to see what he was doing. The hard braking areas were definitely his weak point, but I didn't want to unsettle him into a corner, so I figured I'd have him on the drive out over the mountain. Just as I approach the proceeding left-handed it's the chequered flag. Fiddlesticks. First session done.

 

Out for the second session and I was following the guy in front, believing it was the same 'no overtaking' rule for the first two laps, only to have a bunch of riders fly past me on the start-finish straight of the first lap. I figured I'll take it easy for the first 2 anyways as I've got no tyre warmers etc. After that it's business as usual. I find that I was a lot quicker than most of the riders I came across round the slower corners (strangely, as I wasn't putting anywhere near 100% to get round them). The other area I seemed to do well was on the brakes. It seemed I could make a lot of time up under braking, again, without really trying. Park was one of my better corners - not massively quick compared to other riders, but fast and silky smooth. At this point the number of people I'm passing is matching the number over taking me. I round Park once more, stay over to the left and tip it in for Chris' curve, I start rolling on the power, looking for the apex and just at that moment, spot a wheel in my peripheral vision at my 5 o'clock. "Blimey, he's close I thought" and just then BANG he's hit me! In an instant, just as I was starting to think I'd have a word with him at the end of the session, I realise that front wheel has tucked from the collision with the other bike. I hear an odd squealing as the front of the bike goes off line, and my shoulder and lid hit the tarmac. The bike's on my right leg for a few moments, as I feel the track wear through the right arm of my jacket and start to make it's way into my elbow. Me and the bike separate I slide along my right-hand side for what felt like a few seconds, then something bites and I'm rolling / flailing down the track. The spinning motion starts to pull my arms from alongside my body, so I use my strength to pull my arms in (to a kinda praying position) keeping my chin tucked towards my chest.

 

I rolled for what felt like a very long time, hitting my knees and elbows each rotation. I kept waiting for the crunch of bone, but it never came. I came to a halt on the track, with bikes still passing all around me. I scrambled to the grass like a cat, made a quick appraisal of my body and stood up. I'm ok, I think, but my track day is over...

Edited May 3, 2013 by Mikaveli

[AlistairB]

What a ******, sounds like you were enjoying it until that moment. I take it the aches and bruises are healed now - more importantly, how's the bike?

 

AB