Is there a stickied thread on this? I ask becasue I have plenty track experience in cars, but none on bike however I am a competent road rider. I don't want to get in other people's way and ruin their day so was wondering what is a good circuit in the south east that is good for newcomers to the track. Is it worth doing some instruction or finding your ability by simply turning up and getting on with it?
Hi mate, I coach riders and would be happy to give you unbiased advice if you would like at the level you’re at - no problem. With regard to your first time on track, book novice group and if you’re nervous perhaps a road bike only day. In the south east Brands is likely to be your most local, indy is good for getting started as it’s a short lap and you can utilise repetition over this period and the small amount of corners to practice/drill yourself on. Initially I’d stick to the same track whilst you’re finding your feet personally so's not to confuse things. Most trackday suppliers will offer free instruction for a session which I would highly recommend. Focus on lines, braking points and tipping in points (relax and don't put pressure on yourself) Rome wasn’t built in a day so take your time. Ask questions and if finances allow do seek further instruction - Most TD organisers can facilitate this. Don’t get carried away on your first few trackdays, there’s nothing to be won. Expect the unexpected, always predict stupid to be stupid and most of all enjoy it! Also top tip: evening trackdays are often good value for money and the pace is 'generally' slower/well behaved. Regards, Adam
Brands are not offering any novice day's at the moment, hope this changes soon as I would like to go for a session, only live 20 minutes away
Thank you for that incredibly concise answer! Think I'd like to get a novice track day in before the winter sets in. I'm a fair weather rider. Mainly becasue rain is miserable and I'd like to keep the value of the bike too. Im on an 1199s so it isn't a slow bike. When it went from a 2000 RSV to that the lightness was a surprise. Over the last couple months I've been steadily building confidence. I know brands well from driving it, I realise a bike is completely different proposition. Is there a track day supplier you would recommend beyond MSV?
You’re very welcome and I totally understand. Confidence is everything when riding a bike fast. I don’t really think there’s such a thing as a bad TD organiser in the UK personally mate. No Limits this year seem to be a bit of a ‘dick head magnet’ at the moment at least. They do run probably more dates than anyone else though. Getting dates are the hard bit at the moment as they’re booking up quickly. If you’re on Facebook, keep an eye on the Track day addicts page as spots often come up forsale on there. If you have any further questions - feel free to ask
Im less than an hour from Silverstone. Just over to Donny and Snetterton. Mallory is about 90 mins for me. I'd still go though. Maybe I can sneak one in for a late birthday pressie
@Not Carl Fogarty was in a very similar position to you a couple of years back having raced open wheel cars.
you have a very different view of South East to me if you are 1 hour from Donny unless you really are fucking quick!
Book @Advikaz for the day if he is available when he’s at Donny. You won’t regret it (other than his totally lame sense of humour that is). Am I on commission yet Adam?
I think as already mentioned best to have a not too long and complicated track. Repetition is the key to learning. A full Silverstone or Caldwell which is a mini mountain range would be a lot to absorb before you can even start to enjoy yourself,and that’s what it’s all about. I had a day at Brands Indie circuit a couple of weeks ago and it was perfect for me, started to get going in 3Rd session as lines , bends , braking and tipping in points were learned by then. Donny is quite long, but fab so go for it, but don’t stress, don’t put extra pressure on yourself and enjoy.
Take a look at No Limits, no more dickheads there than on any other organisers day, at least NL keep them to the circuit and not the staff ..... worth giving them a call and asking for the dates of their next 'road bike only' days as they are a great starting point as they aren't full of track prepped kit, warmers and egos.....
I’d disagree with that point regarding NL this year personally. It’s been carnage. And they really aren’t policing the groups very well it would seem. (I’m not alone thinking this, it seems like a common opinion) They project this cavalier attitude and seem to just blame the customers and not want to take any responsibility over the days that they run instead of listening to an ever more common complaint and doing something about it. have a look on tda and you’ll see nearly all the complaints are on NL days this year. It smells to me like a victim of its own success and a bit of a cash cow. I used to use solely NL as well. But I’ve been put off of them this year having seen and experienced what it’s been like. They have always been a bit ‘loose’ with stuff tbh but it’s beyond a joke this year. I have seen national riders in novice on numerous occasions with them. At Oulton last year there was national riders in novice and inters. It was a crash fest. I did Cartagena with them, spoke to the senior staff (no names mentioned) and told them there was a triumph leaking oil. They did nothing about it and 5 (I think) riders crashed on the oil (me included) and one was hurt pretty bad. I lost all respect for them after this. a few weeks ago they had 27 red flags in one day. Oulton last week they had to close the circuit as the medi centre was full and all the support vehicles off site. Cadwell loads of people got sent home for booking the wrong group (it was open pit and absolute carnage) - it’s a shame that it took for such an obvious problem for the staff at NL to react to it. Something in general needs to change on U.K. trackdays across the board. This year has proven that it needs to be policed and grouped better. I’m not saying it’s 100% on NL, but unfortunately they do seem to attract the dickheads more so than most. But for that reason they need to do more ! But they don’t seem to want to for the fear (in my opinion) of upsetting clients. U.K. days in general seem to be sketchy this year sadly Just my opinion
Many riders are return customers. The td provider should hold a database of the group that they usually ride in. When booking a td, the customer should be referred to their usual group. That would be a start in getting the grouping close. Maybe even share this info across all providers.
I think you’re right. It’s not an easy answer and definitely requires effort from the organisers. In my opinion something HAS to be done and soon.
I've done 11 trackdays this year, all with NL across 5 different circuits and certainly can't echo your comments @Advikaz . They've all run smoothly and I have personally seen them moving people into different groups, and when I've complained about certain riders they have dealt with it straight away. They also sent a generic email out prior to one of the Cadwell days saying they had spotted people booking into the wrong groups and they should admit this and speak to them about sorting it out ahead of the day or they would be refused on track. They will never please everyone and you've had some bad luck it would seem but they aren't all bad. Personally I wouldn't say a FE day is any better or worse on average. Yes there are dickheads about and like you say NL probably have the most because they run by far the most days so it's bound to happen. Back on topic for the OP, evening session is a good shout as they are much more relaxed as said. The best advice I can offer is to just be consistent with lines. Chances are you will take a few days to find your feet but changing lines mid corner when someone is likely over taking is going to end badly. Commit to even a bad line. As said above get the instructors to take you out on the first session minimum to help you understand the track and then go from there, everyone has to start from scratch at some point.
