A Track day or ARD is an ideal opportunity to develop your riding skills and explore the performance of your motorbike with no artificial speed restrictions imposed and with fewer predictable hazards than on the public road. If the worst does happen, then medical support is immediately at hand trackside unlike out on the public road.
- Introduction
- The Briefing
- You and The Bike
- Sighting Laps
- Circuit Knowledge
- Tips for Staying out of Trouble
- Passing or Following Another Rider
- Rain
This guide is for all riders of all abilities. Most of its aim is to give you the heads up that you may need, it is to help you stay out of trouble, and get the most fun from your day’s track riding. It is advisable to be realistic about one’s self and your ability (a bit of self management) at all times, if you are honest to this end, then you WILL have a successful day.
The day’s events will start off with a briefing to ALL the riders before the track time begins. During the briefing you will be introduced to the instructors, many of who will be known well enough by regular OMCC members. You will be informed as to how the sessions will be run, and the day’s procedure as a whole.
You will be shown the flags that will be in use, what they mean and what you should do if they come out during your session. It is advisable to learn and know your flags if you are not currently familiar with them.
You will be informed about the condition of the circuit and any special circuit features about which you need to be aware of. This includes how you are to join the circuit from the pit lane/area, and where to leave when a session has ended.
OMCC organisers run a series of sighting laps at the beginning of each session for all the groups ADVANCED/INTERS/NOVICES. You will be informed about this at the briefing but typically it is 2 sighting laps following the Instructors during which there will be NO OVERTAKING.
You will be warned about the consequences of riding “dangerously”, pulling wheelies, stoppies, or not obeying the marshals’ flags, and speeding in the pit and paddock area, etc. You will be told what to do in the event of someone crashing – which is “Do NOT stop to help” - trained medics are on hand to assist the fallen rider if required, and you will simply cause more of a hazard and get in the way if you play the Good Samaritan.
At the end of the briefing be sure to ask if there is anything which you are not certain about. Don’t worry if it sounds like a stupid question; chances are there are others who may be unsure as well.
If you’re using your road going bike on the track, it is good practise to remove anything from the bike that you don’t need. Mirrors, indicators, number plates, tax disc holders are all easy to remove and replace later. You will not need your mirrors and removing them reduces the risk of further damage to the structure of the bike. Once removed, cable ties are good for fastening the top fairing to the stay.
Tape up any glass/plastic lenses, etc switch off your lights or even better, and if possible, remove/disconnect them temporarily. Tape can cook onto the lens and prove troublesome to remove.
Check for loose nuts and other fasteners as tyres, brakes, discs, pads, etc all wear at an increased rate on the track, so make sure they will last the day. It is also a very good idea to check chain and sprockets for wear and adjustment.
It is good practice to carry out these tasks a couple of days before the event, and then double check again on the day. Obviously there are legal requirements when riding the bike to the circuit, so removing all the road gear is best done at the circuit only.
Remember to fuel up before you get to the circuit, you may need to get fuel again during the lunch break, so remember to put all road legal requirements back onto the bike BEFORE you leave the circuit. When you return, you will then have to track prep the bike again for track use. Get that tape out again!
If you have a race can, check it is within OMCC noise limits (usually 105dB) which is usually shown on the application form and announced at the morning briefing. A sound meter test will be conducted on all bikes before they are allowed out onto the circuit.
Also make sure your riding kit is in good nick, and meet the ‘one piece or zip up leathers’ track requirement. It is well worth considering the use of a back protector and also consider taking off any jewellery for its and your safety.
At the end of the day replace anything you have taken off the bike (particularly your number plate) and remove any tape before you go back on the road. Don’t forget to switch your headlight back on again.
Sighting laps are your opportunity to learn the geography of the course but remember to CONTROL THOSE ADRENALIN LEVELS!
Sessions will start with slow laps led by the instructors wearing fluorescent yellow OMCC Instructor bibs. This is purely for you to concentrate on learning were the track goes. In particular, note the location of the marshal’s posts, they are there to warn you of hazards ahead if any. It is a good idea during this time to note the condition of the track etc.
Remember, there is NO OVERTAKING during these sighting laps.
When the sighting laps are complete you will be waved on by the Instructor...............STAY CALM and continue at a steady pace. Don’t go ballistic on the first free lap or you will almost certainly arrive at a point faster than you can deal with, panic brake, or run out of track and end up in the field, or worse still, one of the Helicopter Hangers!! Please build up your speed slowly and safely, remember your tyres are still warming up as well. Typically this can take 3/4 laps depending on the conditions at the time. Please be sensible about warming your tyres up, you know it makes sense!
Know your breaking, entry, apex and exit points. Remember, you are aiming for consistency; aim to get your gear changes consistent lap after lap. Once you have a base line and you are comfortable and confident, you can alter your gear changing as you get quicker during the day.
Look and find a reference point for each bend on the circuit, both entry and exit would help you here, these are very useful habits to learn. Try getting as close to them as you can and be as accurate as possible.
You need to use the entire available track to maximise your corner speed for a given lean angle, so it is good to be as accurate as you can with your lines.
Tips for Staying Out of Trouble
Top Tip 1 - Take it easy at first....
Remember you have all day to have fun, so take your time to learn your way around, remember the Instructors; we are here to help you throughout the whole day, both on and off the track. Ease into the day and into each session gradually. Take care whilst on cold tyres both in the dry and more so in the wet.
Top Tip 2 – Concentrate fully and know when to rest...
As you are all aware, riding a motorbike requires A LOT of concentration. This is never more so than when on a track. You do not have to stay out for your whole session. If you are getting tired and or stiff, then COME IN. Fatigue reduces the ability to concentrate, and you need to be fully switched on at all times. Mistakes happen when you are at the point of tiredness. You don’t have to do every session of the day, so miss one if you need a break.
Top Tip 3 – Sustenance...
It is a fairly good idea to eat small and often, it is also a good idea to drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty, this will help to stave of dehydration. If you’re thirsty you are already dehydrated. If you’ve got a headache at the end of the day, chances are you didn’t drink enough (and I don’t mean alcohol!).
Top Tip 4 – Take care after lunch...
Ok, so you have been feeling a bit tired, and you missed a session just before lunch, you’re feeling good; you’ve drunk lots of water and eaten all the burgers in the burger van! BEWARE THE FIRST SESSION AFTER LUNCH. You’ve had a big lunch and you may well be feeling a tad lethargic (you know... that post Sunday roast feeling!) and your reactions will be slower than normal.
Ok, so you’re out on track in your allotted session here’s a few more tips for staying out of trouble.
- Concentrate only on what is in front of you. If you are not, then what are you doing riding a motorcycle? Look forwards, it is much safer to do, so nuff said!
- Trust other riders to pass you safely, and pass them the same way as you would like to be passed, (safely). If you are aware of a rider behind you do not alter your line to let them pass. You may end up moving into their path just as they are about to pass you.
- Aim for consistency, not flat out speed.
- Use your familiar road riding style until you are comfortable with where and what you are doing, and then maybe have a think about coming to see one of the instructors if it will help. Even if you’re feeling a little harassed, come and see us. We can help you relax so you can enjoy your riding again.
- Trying to hang off the bike like a monkey, or get your knee down when you are not used to it will distract your attention from where you are going etc, BE PATIENT, don’t try to force the issue, it will happen eventually.
- You WILL make mistakes it is quite normal and it is part of the learning process, so always maintain a good safety margin with your riding.
- Practice turning into corners later than you might at first think. This reduces the risk of running out of track on the exit of a corner.
- Remember to ride so that you are always relaxed and in control.
Passing or Following Another Rider
Be aware of their position, choose your move carefully, and look “through” them to the track ahead. Remember they probably do not know that you are there, you do not know their level of skill/experience, they may be experimenting with different lines etc, and they may even make a mistake, e.g. they may i) change down 1 gear too many for the approach and potentially lock–up the back wheel and start to skid or lose control, ii) out break themselves or lock up the front wheel etc. You may also make a mistake, e.g. change down one gear too many, misjudge your speed, out-break yourself, etc...THEIR safety is in YOUR hands.
Suddenly appearing alongside riders may make them sit up, or break mid corner. The safest place to pass another rider is on the straights. This can be achieved by getting good drive out of a bend. To pass safely on the inside going into a turn, you need to be ahead before you reach your breaking area, this will give you both time to adjust your speed and line accordingly. If in doubt, DON’T. Let them go, find some space and carry on, don’t be tempted to fall into a cat and mouse game with another rider if you can help it..
If it rains, don’t go home! Riding in the wet is a good opportunity to learn new skills and boost your confidence. It is great to practice those lines and being smooth with the throttle and the brakes.
When riding in the wet try and aim to get on the throttle as early as you can through the corners. Driving through on a positive throttle will load the rear wheel and unload the front - you stand a much better chance of saving a rear end slide than a front end tuck. Ouch!
A good thing about a wet track is that a lot of riders pack up and go home early leaving those that stay with loads of space on the track. Also, it’s a surprising fact that hardly anyone crashes so there are very few stoppages.
I hope this has been of some use to you all, please ride safe, and we look forward to seeing you all at one of the events this year
Regards
Chris Hollis
