My First Track School

[Jetbrett]

After a year of riding daily in all kinds of weather, my confidence rose to the point that I was ready to take on a track day.  I signed up for 2Fast (they are local to the Pacific Northwest).  If you haven't done a track day or track school, you owe it to yourself to try this.  In a worst case your riding will improve tremendously.  In a best case, you will have an absolute riot. 

Having no trailer, I rode to the school packing what I thought was important in my backpack.  This was do-able, however, if  you have access to a trailer, I highly recommend this.  I couldn't believe how worn out I was at the end of the day.  I work out daily and by the end of the day, my legs were still shot from hanging off.  Mentally, I was toast too.

I figure on a typical "twisty" road ride on a good mountain road,  I will take about 20 technical corners.  I did that in two laps of the track.  Before starting, I set my trip odometer and I did 180 miles on the track.  The class room instruction was not terribly different that what I have read in Twist of the Wrist I and II, Total Control, and Sport Riding Techniques, but hearing it first person, having the chance to ask questions, and especially having instructors follow you and then dissect your riding is priceless.  By mid day, I was finding myself catching far more powerful bikes in the corners and passing them on the exit because I could hold a tight line. 

While the weather held for the first five 30 min track sessions, it started raining with two more sessions to go.  Remarkably, everyone but me left the class and there were only two other bikes on the track.  While I hated the fact that I'd be getting wet (and because I'm cheap and wanted to get my money's worth) I stuck it out until the end of the day.  I'm glad I did.  I got one on one class room instruction and had two instructors with me as I rode.  Instead of worrying about speed, I focused on body positioning, being smooth with the brakes and throttle, and keeping the bike as upright as possible in the corners.  After a bit of practice, I was comfortable enough to pick up a good amount of speed and, with the exception of two tight decreasing radius corners, I was nearly as fast in the wet as I was earlier when it was nice out.     I can't wait to go again [moto]

[DLSGAP]

 

Trackdays really are the best way to learn...  they'll give you a mental and physical work out, but if you go into the school portion of it with the right frame of mind, you can learn more in one day than you may in a year of street riding..  ultimately, track schools will make you a better, safer, and smoother rider...

[hydra]

Congrats! Welcome to your new addiction

[Monstermonkey]

Congrats.  I wish I would have started taking classes before jumping into regular track days.

[Klip]

I signed up for 2Fast (they are local to the Pacific Northwest).

I'm near Olympia, WA. Which track did you take your instruction at, if you don't mind me asking? What did you think of that track?

[BPT]

Jennings GP in Florida does a "Novice Day".  I did it my 2nd time to the track and took my son as his 1st time.  It was worth every cent.  It was limited to only 18 riders, 3 groups of 6.  Plenty of track time, classroom, and a track walk.  Video in the afternoon as the instructor followed you.  A lot less pressure than the first time I showed up at the track with no clue what I was doing.

I recommend it for everyone who is thinking about doing track days and has never been.

[Jetbrett]

I'm near Olympia, WA. Which track did you take your instruction at, if you don't mind me asking? What did you think of that track?

Pacific Raceway in Kent.  The track was fine....it certainly could use to be repaved and if you go outside of the racing line, you can be in for a thrilling ride.  That said, I'm going back for a track day this Thurs. 

[Bbrent]

I did my first track day on June 22nd through NESBA at Pacific Raceways. I agree with you 100% about how taxing it was mentally and physically. I was alittle suprised how chopped up the track was....Especially the pothole out of turn 2. It was an absolute adrenaline rush the whole time I was out there. I'm doing the 2-Fast performance school on July 15th at Portland International then Palatov's trackday in Grassvalley Oregon on the 27th of July. I think I would definitely benefit more from some one on one instruction that's why I've decided to do the performance school.

Brian