Ducati Sporting Club UK > Sport > Trackdays & Race Schools > Focused Events???

[RickyX]

Originally Posted by NBs996

Long stories, and of course just MY experiences, but in short...
Terrible customer service;
Too many riders on circuit;
Riders of all abilities put into all groups;
Didn't feel safe through disrespectful riders not being policed;
...amongst other stuff.

But they continue to be very strong in the tdo business so maybe I'm on my own!

Nick,

You're not alone - I have experienced all the above with them. Especially the lack of firmness with disrespectful riders.

RX

[Ray]

Talking in the briefing and taking action to deal with problems on the track are not the same thing, IMHO that separates the talkers and doers.

As JPM and others say a good TDO listens to what the "victim" says and checks it out and takes action if necessary. It's a judgement the TDO should make, what we seem to be saying here is that some might talk the talk but not walk the walk.

Sure the "problem" rider might ride OK for 5 laps but equally they can get the Marshalls to look out for the problem, they don't just rely on their own instructors out on track. Marshalls once allerted are gonna keep a close eye on a particular rider, and call in any incident they feel has caused a problem.

In effect there is a group responsibilty for safety, the Riders, marshalls instructors, all have a part to play in policing the etiquette. Everyone involved are the eyes and ears of the TDO.
The TDO is getting the feeds from these sources, thats why it is so important to speak to the organiser, a number of reports from different riders is a pretty good indication that someone needs watching very carefully and or needs to be spoken to.

Ray

[Nattyboy]

My experience (i've been about 6 times - the 6th will be the last);

- Professional enough when you book etc
- Arrogance and bad attitudes of all the staff of the highest nature and the briefing is enought to scare the **** out of any poor novice
- I complained about 2 clowns a few weeks back at silverstone (after one came past me on his arse at the final chicane after trying to outbrake about 4 bikes at once - his bike clouted mine an nearly had me off) - no action taken dealt with it myself instead.
- Over subscribed groups which result in many riders been put in groups they dont feel comfortable with (despite saying to my novice mate that he could change down form inters if he didnt feel comfortable - when he tried they just tried to blow smoke up his **** and told him he was doing great ?!

Hottrax and no limits are the way to go IMO..

Nat

[les996]

Must admit Nat, that is who I normally go with, but needed a quick fix...

Hope they are a good bunch on the day - 24th at silverstone - anyone else there???

[misterpink]

- "I complained about 2 clowns a few weeks back at silverstone (after one came past me on his arse at the final chicane after trying to outbrake about 4 bikes at once - his bike clouted mine an nearly had me off) - no action taken dealt with it myself instead."

have been on a couple of FE days with no worries, last one was Silverstone GP dawn-dusk and was good value, but am worried if same @clown@ has me off !!!!!!!! what do you / can you do as bikes aren't cheap to fix these days and i use mine all the time not just as a track tool. Doing brands GP on the 25th so hope the rest of the riders are not looking to emulate their motogp/superbike heroes (gulp!)

[JPM]

I've been thinking about a few comments in this thread.... namely about TDO's over bokking days???

I'm sure they do to be honest, I say this because I was having a conversation earlier with a mate who does a hell of a lot of TD's and we stumbled onto the subject and several things came to light...

MSV days do have set numbers of riders on track including instructors but non-MSV tracks don't so TDO's can push the numbers higher as and when, this came about because a recent TD at Donny had 70+ riders in one group he was telling me!!!

Also he was telling me even MSV tracks can get pushed but it does get questioned, one such day was snetterton where the limit is 48 per group I believe but 53 were on track....

I don't want to start a who said this and which TDO it was as they may well be isolated incidents, plus the numbers could just be people trying to get into different groups rather than the TDO trying to push the limits and it is unconfirmed to a degree, but as they say there's no smoke without fire.

[andyb]

Ill stick with me £99 quiet days!.........not interested in anyone succuring up to me, any tuition, Ill accept the briefing and go out. If anyone should upset me ill plea my case accordingly!

Quiet days tend not to attract the gsxrzx w@nkers and im quite pleased and happy........back to Donny on next friday......cant wait!!

Now what is it you get for £150+ quid again?................

[TP]

There's also a few tracks were it's not a good thing to put out the circuit maximum number of riders because of the bunching and inexperience in certain groups.

Some TDO's put out the max regardless, at least one that I know of will put out less than the circuit max if they think it would be a safety issue.

That's why it pays to know a bit about the TDO's so you know what you're getting when you book.

[weeksy2]

Guys,

It's NOT possible to over subscribe groups.... not possible in the slightest. THere are set limits of numbers of bikes on the track, these will never be passed by the TDO.

[Rattler]

I think that FE are at the Aldi end of the market - its a volume play.

I have recently been on a couple of FE days and they were better than before, but still seem arrogant and lack the customer service and attention to detail that I want.

On FE days, I expect mis-matched groups and some questionable track moves. you pays your money.....

For me, I'd go with No limits wherever I can - their customer service (and DSC discount) puts them head and shoulders above other TDO - IMHO.