Ok, Ryan posted a question in the Miller thread that I'm going to answer because I'm at work and bored
Ryan asked what to do to bike for trackday. There is not a lot of work involved but I'll list the things that you must have that go beyond the bike, and things that are nice to have but not necessary. You can refer to the Trackaddix website for scheduling, registering, and their rules.
MUST HAVE
1....bike prep is minimal for a trackday only. look at trackaddix's rules on their website. bare minimum you need to tape over all lights, and signals...remove mirrors...make sure you have decent tires. you can also remove lights and mirrors which is better if you crash. (you will minimize your repair bill)
2....you have to have full leathers which means either a one piece or two piece that zips together...quality riding boots (not your steel toe redwings), gloves, and helmet...do not try to cop out on good gear! this is one of the most important things that you will need!!
olice:
3....shade! you absolutely have to get it at the track. a pop up canopy is recommended but you can set up your pit under a tree, or sit in your car with the ac on...whatever you do you have to have shade!
4....lots of water. go to the grocery store and buy a whole case of bottled water. drink one or two every time you come off the track. the sessions are twenty minutes long and you have no idea how hard you are going to work for those twenty minutes. it is physically and mentaly exhausting and will drain you without you realizing it. you will sweat out a lot of liquid and when you get tired, you start making bad decisions and those bad decisions are made with a slower reaction time. you are then a danger to yourself and others around you. you must stay hydrated!!
RECOMMENDED
1....i said it before, shade. you should buy a pop up because once you do a trackday, you will be back many times. you are now an addict! so, for the first day, find someone else who is going that has one or plan to buy one, or set up under a tree. if you don't and you set up on that nice hot blacktop, i promise you that you will regret it.
2....someone with a drivers license. if you get hurt and can't drive the rig back home, you need someone there obviously.
3....back protector. if your leathers don't have one, get one.
4....windex. you will collect a lot of flying wildlife and a dirty visor makes you struggle to focus at high speeds. you only have so much brain power to spend on the track and everything adds up (read the book " twist of the wrist") your brain is working overtime to figure out what the heck your trying to do so things like a dirty visor really impair the marbles upstairs from working. this is part of what i was saying about fatigue and drinking water.
5....if you are using a monster, check your set up. specifically your ground clearance and ride height. if you have stock rearsets, stock cans, kickstand, you might be dragging these parts by the end of the day. that may sound cool and you will then have bragging rights but when parts drag there is an anchor that is down at that point and you just might not make it through that corner without crashing. if a rearset or can touch down hard enough, you will lift the back tire from the pavement
also if you have an unstable front end when cornering hard on the twisties, you need to get your bike set up BEFORE coming to the track. monsters are fine for the track after they have been set up but in stock form, you will have problems once you get up to speed.
6....i personally use ear plugs and highly recommend it. i started going faster when i started using them. you will be able to focus on what you are doing so much better. the wind and your own exhaust noise take away a lot of focus. (again read the book "twist of the wrist")
7....don't go at it alone the first time. your first time out will be a lot easier if you go with someone who is experienced. it can be overwhealming and having people around you to tell you where to go and show you the ropes is so much easier. your first time out you will be in a beginners group that will have some classroom time and on tracktime with instructors but you should go with experienced track riders. i will gladly help out whoever wants the help if you are there on a day that i am. you can set up with me and my team and we can show you the ropes. most trackdays are the monday after the race weekends and i don't know what days trackdays we'll be at yet but pm me anytime to find out our team schedule.
That's what I can think of right now but I'm sure more things will pop up. Anyone else feel free to add. You can pm me with questions and if I can't answer, I'll find someone who can.
Also crash13 is the chief instructor for trackaddix so he is an excellent resource.
Last item...Atomic Racing will be looking for pit crew members for a 5 hour endurance race. I think it is in August. It's a very fun experience. If you want to be a part of the team for a day, and have a blast while earning major bragging rights ;D, let me know. Or contact GME620 or Cyclops. It is a lot of fun and is the closest you can get to racing without actually being on the bike.
BIR trackday thread
If that came off the rear wheel would have be soaked in oil and I and others would have eaten tar. And I recomond getting some take-off's from a racer. Then you can get the most out of your street tires and can just toss the take-offs when you are done. Fasterblkduc, cyclops, crash88, and I can probally find whatever size that you need. I also bring an asortment of nuts and bolts in a little tackle box, you never know what might rattle off and end your day early. Mo has bennifited from the box of random bolts and it saved his day when he just lost the bolt that holds the brake lever return spring on his foot controls on. Most of all take the class that each track offers. You can't know too much about any new track to you. The trackaddix class is great and taught me a ton so is the MAM one.
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