FIRST TRACKDAY: Dos and Don'ts
So you got your stuff ready for your FIRST track day. HOW EXCITING!
You prepped your bike; you got your transportation figured out. You get there, set up your canopy. Checked in registration and you signed up for C group, passed your tech inspection. You went back to your canopy, put on your gear, and you sat in your lawn chair to wait for your first C group session while the entire pit is empty, a ghost town.
Don't be like Kevin (sorry Kevin) who was absent for the first MANDATORY rider's meeting. These meetings are crucial for keeping the entire day fun and safe. It's a reminder for those seasoned track day warriors and a Dos and Don'ts for the first timers. I am not a coach, not a staff. But I hope this post will be found among first time track riders to make sure YOU and others go home the same as you left.
BE PREDICTABLE
Crashes happen because riders are not being consistent and predictable. The first thing you should work on is your race line. Yes, the track is very wide, and you may use the entire track for cornering, but is not always the case. It is not always Outside-Inside-Outside. The track is dynamic and always changing, what doesn't change are the apex and line. That's very debatable but before I overload you with lots of other information, keep things simple. Learn the track and learn the line, stick with them so you don't dive in a corner while someone else is already on the race line.
LEARN THE FLAGS (Variable depending on the track providers)
P.s. The comment section is a great example on why you SHALL attend the first rider's meeting. Different track provider does things differently. Do not fight, do not argue with the staffs. Be flexible.
Your eyes should always be up and scanning WAY ahead, they should always be looking. The next entry point, apex, and exit. At that same time, you need to know where the flag towers are. If the flag towers are doing their job correctly (there are some bad ones) they are the ones who gives you crucial information about incidents ahead, whether you are leaking fluids, or your session is over. God forbid a red flag is flown and you just passed EVERYONE on the track, while the ambulance can't be activated because of YOU. Learn the flags ACCORDING TO YOUR PROVIDER, pay attention to them, and act accordingly. If the group that you signed up for has been very bad with it, your session CAN be cancelled for the rest of the day. That's a very hard decision by the track provider, NOBODY wants that. Here are few common flags and their meaning:
YELLOW (waving or standing)- Incident ahead. Depending on the track providers, standing or waving yellow flag can have different meanings. Generally, YOU. SHALL. NOT. PASS. under yellow flag until you get to the next manned flag station that isn't showing a yellow flag. There's a very good chance that multiple incidents occurred on the track.
BLACK - If you see a black flag, either your current session has been cancelled, or if it's pointed at you, exit safely and see a staff. Whatever the reason is, the staff is expecting you to exit the track safely.
RED - Generally, red flag is flown because someone is injured and medical attention is requested. The ambulance cannot get to the injured rider through the track unless all movement has come to a stop. This is an EMERGENCY and shall be taken seriously and act immediately depending on your track provider. This will be talked about during the first mandatory rider's meeting on what to do in case of an emergency. Either exit the track in a safe and hasten matter or come to a complete stop on the track and remain seated on your motorcycle.
PASS AT THE COMFORT OF THE RIDER AHEAD OF YOU
So you are a fast one huh? Good job! nobody cares... It will become a problem if you are stuffing another rider and making very lousy passes. This is not A group, so be courteous and responsible for others. The rider ahead of you won't know you are coming behind them, do not dive inside of the corner. Be patient and wait for a clean opportunity, obviously you are fast. So be courteous for others who is also in the learning process. If you keep catching up to the traffic, either exit to the grid and re-enter the track, or get a coach and have an evaluation to move up to B group.
YOU ARE A CUSTOMER, NOT A STAFF
Don't slow down and speed up for your buddy or your girlfriend because you want to teach them personally. You are a distraction, a hazard, and a problem for the rest of us. This goes hand-to-hand with being predictable. No one knows who you are and what you are doing. So please, allow the staff and the coaches to teach your "plus-ones" on the track for the safety of others.
If I am forgetting anything or if anyone has any input, feel free to leave inputs and comments, no feelings will be hurt. I understand this is very common in C group, but since I see a LOT of post about what to bring for your first track day, this isn't being talked about a lot. HAVE FUN, BE SAFE should be everyone's goal! Catch me at Thunderhill in Willows, CA. Hope to see yall on the track, thanks for your attention in this matter.