Might be a thread on this somewhere, but I was thinking back to my first track day and the experience I had and was curious as to any other interesting first experiences. Mine was at Cadwell, the 2nd flying lap after the sighting laps in novice group of course and some guy came barrelling past me at the end of park straight. I though F me, that guys good on the brakes!! Well, he wasn't good on the brakes and the dude ended up taking a little trip with his fireblade cartwheeling over the grass . He was alright though, just a ruined day/bike/ego.
I may be able to contribute to this thread on 14th April after my first ever track day. Saying that hopefully there’s nothing to write about other than what a cracking experience it was
First time at Cadwell on a 748, dropped the bike off the side stand in the pits and snapped the clutch lever. Got lent a spare and just made the first session. 2nd or 3rd lap some twat cut across me entering the Goose Neck pushing mr onto the grass and got launched over the corner. No idea how the bike stayed upright but someone caught it video and the twat headed home early. Andy
3 miles as the crow flies from me . I'm there at the end of the month. Hoping you get a nice day for your first. One less thing to think about. I've got snow forecast at my first of the year
I’m getting everything within my control sorted....unfortunately we can’t do much about the weather other than cross our fingers. I hope it’s good weather for the both of us...I guess you’ve a better chance at the end of the month. Not too far for me.....45mins coming from Daventry.
First track day was Snetterton with the Crescent Suzuki BSB squad. They had hired the circuit for the day and invited sponsors along. I guess it was around 2001? John Reynolds and Karl Harris were their riders that year, along with Nial Mac in tow. Well that was an interesting day, the day started as a free for all, it was bloody mayhem there were quick guys on ex crescent race bikes mixing it with first timers on Bandits, then a guy on a 916 with a silver glitter paint job launched it into the corn field at the end of the start/finish put pay to that session So then Nial decided perhaps they should try to split it up into groups. Overall a great day and what I took away with me was 1. I thought I was quite quick round the last long right hand loop until Nial Mackenzie came past me round the outside, one hand on the tank looking over his left shoulder like he was out for a Sunday ride. 2. JR and NM are quite a lot smaller than they looked on the tele.
Only done two track days. My first around twenty years back on FZR600r. My knowledge was somewhat lacking. The nearly new Michelin Macadam tyres looks great to me (later classed as non-stick tyres..) So, novice group on a Fast Bikes day at Croft. First session second off last. Hmm. Sure I can improve. Next session knee down. Woohoo. Followed by a huge slide that had the marshal jumping up with his flag, I think he thought I was off, somehow, I stayed on board.. Another final session of the day and me thinking I had made real progress and playing with a KR1s Kawasaki. In my head I am fast. Then with a puff of smoke he was gone. Could not keep up. Turned out the only bike I could keep up with had just been rebuilt. He got sick off me spoiling his lines and fooked off. Ended the day firm last in novice group Worse still, when I got back on the roads I was actually slower. Wtf? Amusing when I look back, how far my riding has improved since that day.
Teenager in the 1970s my first race at Mallory on a 1956 BSA Gold Star. Avon road tyres, soggy suspension, got completely caught out on the second lap by the bumps on the entry into Gerard's. They had just ploughed the run off area and seeded it with grass. The ensuing tank slapper nearly threw me off, but I held on. What I wasn't prepared for was the bow wave of red mud as the front wheel parted the red, liquid. I kept it upright and stopped just short of the marshal post. I got towed back across the mud to the paddock where my Dad hosed me down and I spent the rest of the day removing liquid mud from the front half of the bike. Got out there again the following day and got a podium.
