What’s Really Killing Trackdays? A Theory….

Need to cogitate before committing to an answer but I wasn’t aware of a plethora of litigation resulting from an incident during a track day. Would have thought proving negligence/stupidity in a court of law would be a challenge without irrefutable audio visual evidence and/or expert testimony. It’s been a while since I actually read the full terms of an indemnity waiver but thinking about it, that is for the provider not a participant. Casting my mind back to the incident at Snetterton caused by shit bike preparation that, if organisers had carried out scrutineering, should never have got on track. I can also recall incidents caused by an absence of ability which should have been picked up if organisers actually policed track time. Perhaps it’s time to hold organisers accountable for the discipline on track and the quality of the bikes. Difficult, very difficult Andy

 

This was always how I viewed it too, but did make me think after that video.

I think the main battering is due to financial pressure primarily, people aren't spending the money these days. I did 4 this year, if I do anymore I need tyres, oil/filter then want to use them this season so its basically near 1k to do 3 more track days this year which isnt peanuts to find.

Also the other part for me, is some of the people on track who despite the risks seem to pass close, stand people up in corners and general lack of respect. Most also dont even have the decency to put a hand up when they outbrake themselves or similar. Riding standards getting worse and worse and no real policing (Just seen Andy's post so yeah what he said).


Its been odd, some days I have done have been very quiet and its nice to have track space, but also bit odd in a way so things have changed this year for sure.

Will I do anymore this year, not sure. Even considering selling the track gear at moment

 

I saw that video from 44T and also didn’t realise that it was now a thing, to be honest from what I hear and read about trackdays nowadays I’m glad I did them when I did and stopped about 15 years ago.

 

44T vid link would help Phil.

 

no idea about the litigation risk but i think its simply a case of people feeling increasingly worse off and TD will be lowest on the list of discretionary spending

 

. Andy

 

Just sat through the video and the legal representative (didn’t catch his name) clearly states he’s not seeing an increase in litigation cases. For me, the video is all about Brexit removing the rights of a UK citizen to sue a foreign citizen for negligence in the UK, for an incident that occurred in an EU country. Shock, horror …. not. Clearly some riders do resort to litigation if they feel hard done by, which is news to me. The back end of the video, talking about whether your insurance underwriter will insure you/your bike for non public road riding or not, the ABR Festival for example, was informative but not surprising. Andy

 

There is certainly some scaremongery stuff within the video, and also some over-simplification of crash/accident sequences (imo). There's no point in adding to this because a whole corridor of worms will suddenly appear in a later post.

 

1 the unconscious incompetent … this that quite frankly are scary because of their lack of knowledge

2 those that get ca

You mean hold the people with shit bikes or the people with an absence of ability accountable!

why not have a few levels of training you have to pass before you are allowed on track? Including an attitude test

 

@andyb, In an ideal world, absolutely but it isn’t. In my limited experience, I believe at least 2 commercial track day providers I have ridden with could do more to reduce the risk in what is admittedly, a high risk event. Andy

 

You have only got to use the Ducati track days as a case study!

 

I watched it a couple of days ago and this comment stuck in my mind. Why Al did not ask him, “How many cases a year do you get then?” is beyond me. It’s a key bit of information imho. I was about to post a comment on this direct on YouTube but changed my mind - why add fuel to it if it is (as I suspect) a very minor sideshow.
Other than that I agree with @andyb (bloody hell, never thought I’d say that) comments.

 

A mate of mine was involved in a nasty incident in Jerez. Both British. The (quite badly) injured fella sued my mate. And he was successful. I’m not sure of sums involved but it wasn’t small change- he was hiding his money well in advance of a ruling. I reckon it must have dragged on over 6-7 years now.

And it never entered my head when I’m out there having fun. I’ve been doing track days for 20 years and I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve had a close shave with another rider. I’ve had countless close calls with my own mistakes…

So, do I ever think about consequential litigation when I’m out there? Nah, do I bollocks.

 

Should do more road bike only days

 

It staggers me that there isn't some basic scrutineering for TD's, other than the hated noise test.
The DUK day I attended (only went once) was by far the most shambolic and terrifying TD i've attended.

 

I have never, ever been asked if I take a road insured bike on track.

 

Interesting. But did the private members bill ever get passed into law? Having watched the video, the answer appears to be ‘yes’.