Trackday Preparation

[allthegearnoidea]

I have booked two days with the California Superbike School in April. Having agonised over the decision I have decided to do the days on my still rather spanking new 999.

These are my first ever trackdays so tensions are high.

Following payment I have now had a major panic at the thought of crashing my bike.

A little research has led me to conclude that crash bungs are a no no on both technical and appearance grounds.

The instuctor at the superbike school suggested some front fork and swingarm crash protectors and possibly some fixed footrests.

Any other ideas? Any particularly good makes of protectors/rearsets?

If anyone knows of a good dealer and supplier of trackday parts within reasonable striking distance of Cambridge I would be very grateful for details.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Ian Harris]

Try R and G for the fork and swinging arm protection:

http://www.rg-racing.com/

Easy to fit, so no need to go to a dealer.

Good move going to the California Superbike School, the sessions are very well regulated, so definitely a less tense introduction to track riding than a full blown trackday. You'll also learn skills you'd never pick up anywhere else - level 2 in particular is brilliant.

Welcome to the board and good luck in April, you'll have a blast!

[Edited on 28-1-2006 by Ian Harris]

[Edited on 28-1-2006 by Ian Harris]

[Edited on 28-1-2006 by Ian Harris]

[Fordie]

To most people going on to a track for the first time is a little dounting ,I confess Im not that experianced with only six trackdays to my credit so far Couple at Cadwell (Fast Group) Mallory in the Wet , Rockingham in the wet, Snetterton a couple of times. Having first seen all the scary pictures from the likes of "Crash " on Sat TV it looked like it was inevertable that to come away from a track day in one piece was next to impossible. Truth is, by being just "sensible" not to get carry away with the "Speed" you can abtain in places and walking before you even try running there is no reason why you should not have a terriffic time and come away with ever thing in tacked . Some of the lads swear by the CSS, I for one have not been through the course . You have a top machine the last thing you want to do is bin it . The only thing that will do that is if you go silly with to much throttle, at the end of the day thats down to you . The more protection you use the more risks you will take. 4D

[Edited on 28-1-2006 by Fordie]

[Lily]

Lots of places to get full track bodywork which will make a huge difference.

I would deffo go for the fork protectors though. JHP at about 18 quid and well worth it IMHO

Realistically at level 1 and 2 of CSS you will unlikely be pushing it that hard so I reckon you should be ok anyway :)

Have fun and welcome aboard :)

[chris.p]

For your track bodywork go to

http://www.hcracetech.co.uk/1102/frames.php



Chris.:burn:

[allthegearnoidea]

Thanks everyone. My nerves are a bit calmer.

On balance I think I am going to buy fork and swingarm protectors and a racing rearset from JHP. If I really enjoy the days (which I think I will!) I will shell out for some race fairings.

As a matter of interest I have managed to obtain some reasonably priced trackday insurance from pitandpaddock who gave a decent discount for CSS days.

If all goes well I will see you all at the Ducati days in Spring.

Dave

[Harv748]

As the others have said...don't worry about being on track, particularly with the CSS. Levels 1 and 2 are all about learning bike control and you are far far less likely to bin it on the track on these levels than riding the equivalent mileage on the road.

Whereabouts/when are you doing it...I should be doing level 3 this year...can't wait!

[allthegearnoidea]

Silverstone 3/4 April are the big days.

If all goes well I will do level 3 and 4 in late September.

Dave

[phoenix n max]

Best thing you can do is relax and enjoy. From what i've heard the CSs days are not about hooning it all over the place and I believe you are taught to walk before you can run.
I swore i'd never take my bike on the track - now look what I do with him :o

Enjoy - The grin factor is worth it :)

[TP]

Originally posted by allthegearnoidea
Silverstone 3/4 April are the big days.

If all goes well I will do level 3 and 4 in late September.

Dave

I may see you there on the 3rd of April.

One thing to bear in mind though is that the CSS is not a track day - it's a cornering school. Yes you will have your pride and joy on track but your concentration should be on learning the skills and improving, not necessarily on trying to go fast.

If you have any questions about it just let me know and I'll do my best to help out.

And welcome to the board, I've been away for a while and missed your newbie thread :)

[allthegearnoidea]

Thanks TP

Let me know if you confirm 3rd April. We could meet up.

I am thinking of doing some other track days so I may well ask you for some advice in future.

Thanks

Dave

[Monty]

Dave, I think you will find TP may be an instructor-there are 5(I make it anyway) club members who are instructors/or are trying out to be instructors. Andy Ibbott himself often visits to drop his words of wisdom-and to take the **** of course........

John

[TP]

Originally posted by Monty
Dave, I think you will find TP may be an instructor-there are 5(I make it anyway) club members who are instructors/or are trying out to be instructors. Andy Ibbott himself often visits to drop his words of wisdom-and to take the **** of course........

John

Not quite John, April 3 is the day currently scheduled as my last test. If I pass that then I'm a coach.

[Rattler]

Originally posted by allthegearnoidea

As a matter of interest I have managed to obtain some reasonably priced trackday insurance from pitandpaddock who gave a decent discount for CSS days.



There's no doubt a good reason for the CSS discount - they're safer than trackdays.

Enjoy
Tim

[ricco749s]

Best possible intro to track riding...I did levels 1 & 2 at brands a few years ago and can't remember anybody binning it during the entire 2 days..certainly very few..and it was excellent, very controlled , no loonies, lots of track riding virgins etc...however, I know someone who managed to lose it twice in a level 1 day at Silverstone last year although imagine this is pretty unique..he was not popular as this is definitely not supposed to happen..riding a Yamaha, so maybe to be expected??

[allthegearnoidea]

Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement.

Wow. I've been on line chatting to a California Superbike Instructor (I'm sure its a formality TP). I will definitely be back for advice.

I'm afraid I can only give advice on running Theatres so I feel rather inadequate.

Interestingly I have heard via the CSS that ebike (my existing insurers) will now offer trackday extensions to their policies for CSS courses and will then give you a discount once you have completed level 2. No costs as yet but sound promising.

Now given everyone seems so impressed with the CSS days I wonder what the word on the streets is about the club trackdays. The forms for the club trackdays are sat on my desk calling out to me. What is the general form? Are they good for novices? Whats the crash record? Are there people around who can teach no hopers like me? In short should I sign up?

Dave

[TP]

Originally posted by allthegearnoidea
Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement.

Wow. I've been on line chatting to a California Superbike Instructor (I'm sure its a formality TP). I will definitely be back for advice.

I'm afraid I can only give advice on running Theatres so I feel rather inadequate.

Interestingly I have heard via the CSS that ebike (my existing insurers) will now offer trackday extensions to their policies for CSS courses and will then give you a discount once you have completed level 2. No costs as yet but sound promising.

Now given everyone seems so impressed with the CSS days I wonder what the word on the streets is about the club trackdays. The forms for the club trackdays are sat on my desk calling out to me. What is the general form? Are they good for novices? Whats the crash record? Are there people around who can teach no hopers like me? In short should I sign up?

Dave

Well thanks for the vote of confidence but I won't count my chickens just yet ... The DSC is lucky to have a few real CSS coaches already in David Cook, Richard Sneig and Chris Butcher. I don't think we have anymore do we? We also have WeeJohnnyBee who is an excellent instructor for No Limits Track Days.

Club Trackdays ... I think the DSC track days are an excellent introduction to the track day scene. Definitely a more friendly and helpful environment. DSC track days have a reputation for being more considerate than most and there's always plenty of help and advice around should you need it. I would thoroughly recommend it for your first experience.

There will be instructors at each DSC day that can help you out as well.

Sign up and go for it - you know it makes sense ;)

[TP]

I nearly forgot to mention that Monty, who lives very close to you, is the track day organiser for the club. I'm sure you two can have a chat over a leisurely lunch :)