Hi there, i was wondering if there is anywhere not too expensive i can hire out a place/track for the day to have a little practice to get body position and racing line practicing right…
Or following someone around…
As i havent done a track day yet and want to get a bit of confidence somewhere, where they wont have loads fast bikes bombing past or me getting in their way really…
I mean i quite happy to have a few people around with me for advice or something or just practice…
Hey mate how’s you…Not seen you on for a while…I bought an 04 R1 in the end…Got a good price.
About your question, I think your best bet is Rocket Ron Haslam’s Race School. For £249 you get a half days use of a race preped 2007 CBR 600RR around Donington Park (near Nottingham). That’s the introduction to track riding, 3 sessions on track and a full debrief at the end.
Emphasis is on the word school because the instructor will show 2 of you per session around the track and give you advice on positioning, lines, braking points, turn in points etc.
Although I’ve done a few trackdays, I think I would have been better off going to a school first so I think you’re doing the right thing. In fact I’m seriously considering booking up a date of 17th April.
Another option is the Californian Superbike School. £299 for a full day of 6 sessions (I believe), but bike hire costs extra (£199 I think). Again they use track prepared bikes (06 Yamaha R6) and there are a number of levels to progress through.
I’ve heard good things about both schools but I’ve heard that at CSS the learning is drip fed to you with the idea that you come back and do the higher levels. This is great if you are a racer for a living and want to improve for your career, but for me I just need a confidence boost so I’m going to see Ron.
Hope that helps.
Links…
Ron Haslam Race Schools
http://www.haslamraceschool.com/
Californian Superbike School
hey thanks afro for those links…
yeah i havent been on here for ages… i sold my R1 though, and got a R6 until this spring, as im deciding on the gixer1000 K5/K6/K7 or R1 06/07 atm not sure though… as didnt want to spend too much, since ment to be moving to london etc…
how you getting on with the R1 mate?
i missed it when i sold it, i have to work a lot more on the R6 though haha
No limits TD’s are novice friendly.
They tend to “police” the groups well, so any faster guys are moved out of the novice group.
The ron school is OK, but it’s a lot of money for very little track time.
CSS is fantastic - but maybe a little more than it sounds that you want right now.
I agree with pete…
No limits are better at policing the novice group.
Not like Focused Events who dont realy give a toss who is it what group.
Personal i think you would be better of just booking a track day with a few mates who have done a few.
As the summer comes along there will be more posted on here, you would always be welcome to come along with me.
Unless you are realy realy slow and i mean Slow! you will be fine in the novice group.
Its a misconception that all track day goers are total nutters going ballz out all the time 
ok ok yeah there are total nutters…
But in the novice group its fairly chilled as everyone is in the same boat I.E just starting track days.
Like i say just go with a few peeps take it steady (its not a race) stay relaxed(nothing to prove) pick up tips from otheres(most trackdayers are a friendly lot) and see how you go…
You will love it 
Ohh yeah there is Instructors at trackdays but its hit a miss, you may get a good one you may not.
No Limits are a very good bunch especially Mark…Really good bloke and the lady whose name I keep forgetting.
I just found that the instructors were not commited enough to me and just generally said stuff like, “Yeah you kept up, your lines and positioning are good, you’re ok”. That doesn’t help me.
Questions like, how should I hang off the bike, do I even need to, why is it that the bike wobbles when I try, what are reference points?
These are basic questions…I eventually found the answers to them by reading Keith Codes ‘A Twist of the Wrist’, volumes 1 and 2. A must read for anyone.
I still maintain that a school is the best way to get in to TDs because you will learn a lot more with someone that can and will dedicate their time to you.
Saying that, B off this forum is one instructor (for Focussed) that will do exactly that even though he gets busy so maybe you’re best bet is just to join a TD where he will be present. It is also the official TD company of London Bikers so maybe there’s some discount too.
Another option is Rapid Skills Training trackdays run by Gary Baldwin. They are a riding school that teach on road and track.
Go here http://www.rapidtraining.co.uk and click under courses.
Hope you find what works for you mate.
Ride safe.
Always a good idea to be taught skills rather than learn the hard way, i think its a false economy any other way. Just a case of seeing which one of the above suit you and your pocket, i cant much more to the good advice already given by the guys here.
When youre not on track, like AfroR1, have a read of the Keith Codes books, Twist of the Wrist 1 and 2, it`s quality. Some of it is quite deep but just start with the basics and practice them then build on it.
Ill be at Silverstone 9th April, (Adz from here has got a few LB members together),if youre interested put your name down, youll be in good company and id be happy to spend some track time with you.
I chose CSS in the end because I want to use my own bike and the track time is longer.
The best way IMO to get into trackdays, is to do a Hopprider day - all the bikes must be road legal, the morning is all instruction, then the afternoon is like a trackday with further instruction avaliable if you need it.
the vast majority of people get their first track experience in the novices, and if you prefer the school route from the off cool, but its not a requirement
you’ll get a yellow bib to say you’re both a novice and dont know the track. people should take that into account when they try to pass you.
i’d advise goign for the day rather than evenign sessions at least to start with. less rushed, less mix of standards, more time to think about what you’re doing and what you’re gonna do next time out.
oh, and found this site today - impressively comprehensive for starting out on track
JB im stalking you mate get you asss on the silverstone day 
11 bikes booked now
DOOOOOOO ITTTTTTT…
lol, still tempted…
That’s a brilliant article that…
What group do you normally go in JB?
Let me know when you’re next on track.
