Ready to Race

[OreoGaborio]

If your a competitor at heart what will happen at track days is that you will ride around looking for "challengers".

virtually everyone at track days are competitive at some level or another.... they're all out there competing, be it with others or with themselves... it's just not competing in the conventional sense.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

contrary what evryone says a bunch of us did not touch the track until we did the penguin or other race schools. and then started to race. Granted a novice grid is not the ideal place to figure out race craft but it can be done just the stakes are a little higher

[Rambunctous]

contrary what evryone says a bunch of us did not touch the track until we did the penguin or other race schools. and then started to race. Granted a novice grid is not the ideal place to figure out race craft but it can be done just the stakes are a little higher

My son who never rode anything but a 80 cc MX bike did it and got a trophy. Took Penquin on Friday. Rookie race on Saturday. Raced on Sunday. Three days of track time for a awesome weekend.

[onefootedkid]

You might want to add "Change your avatar" too. That's not gaining any popularity.

There is that better :

[onefootedkid]

Yip, the generally accepted "path" to follow is to do a couple of track days first, then race school. Just makes for a smoother transition and is no less adrenaline pumping

I'll keep my eyes open for leathers. Send a PM to "theiglu" and see if he's still got a set for sale. He's a small dood.

Ya that was my plan. . . But squirrel does make an excellent point. I Rather just go for penguin. I fell confident enough . . . But 6 figured-man said it was a bad idea. Again I don't always listen to him
I've owned a dirt bike, and spent every summer riding before . .that gives me some experience, righhhttt???
When my bike is complete and I got everything I need. I'll see where I'm at.

Ya that would be great about the leathers. You would be helping me out a bunch!
Small dude works for me.

[FAST GSXR750]

There is that better :

No that sucks also, i'm blocking you!

[OreoGaborio]

Listen, do what you wanna do...

I know a lotta people go from street straight to racing & skip track days and did just fine... but I'd be willing to bet if we tracked all the numbers of what rookie racers took what approach & look at how they did, we'd probably see that a trend that those rookies that did track days first were safer and more successful their rookie year and went on to race for longer than those that jumped in head first... Obviously there would be plenty of exceptions in either "camp", but that's just speculation based on my experience and what I've seen at the track.

Plain & simple, track days = track experience... experience that I feel helps a rookie racer out big time & experience that you otherwise wouldn't have gotten if you went straight to racing.

Besides, what's the big rush? The track day season & race season start up at pretty much the exact same time... do a TD or two to get your feet wet, then take penguin. No one's saying you gotta do TD's for a whole year

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Also understand that the people urging you to do trackdays are affiliated with track day companies.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, my SOLE motivation here is to get her to a Tony's Track Day event, cuz that puts money directly into my pocket and will make me rich.

Oh wait, that's right, I'm a VOLUNTEER. I do it for FREE. Because I think they're a GREAT IDEA and BENEFICIAL.


All I'm saying is, between the two approaches, doing a TD first is the smarter option.... It's like the whole starting on a lightweight bike thing. Not everyone does it (myself included) but it's generally the "better" approach for most people and it gives you an edge that you otherwise wouldn't have had.

She can do a BOMO event for all I care. Hell, they've got one before the first race weekend. She can go do that & get on the track before a lot of us if she wants to get her feet wet.

[csmutty]

Logical progression of events...
1.) Get good gear.
2.) Do a bunch of track days.
3.) Penguin
4.) Race

Change the order of events=crash crash boom boom

Don't really agree with the 2nd step. I had never been on a track before and did penguin and my first race. I wouldn't not recommend it to someone. Everything worked out fine and I am still here...

[OreoGaborio]

I had never been on a track before and did penguin and my first race. I wouldn't not recommend it to someone.

so you wouldn't NOT recommend.... but you're basically not recommending it

[csmutty]

so you wouldn't NOT recommend.... but you're basically not recommending it

No that was a double negative..so it means I would recommend it

But seriously, I feel like I got enough track time to be very comfortable with the procedures at the track, as well as the layout, and was up to speed. The rain on Saturday was a bitch though...hadn't rode hard in that shit before.

[CBR929RE]

how much time have you rode on the street?

[csmutty]

how much time have you rode on the street?

Or how many miles? And what kind of street pace do you ride?

[onefootedkid]

Listen, do what you wanna do...

I know a lotta people go from street straight to racing & skip track days and did just fine... but I'd be willing to bet if we tracked all the numbers of what rookie racers took what approach & look at how they did, we'd probably see that a trend that those rookies that did track days first were safer and more successful their rookie year and went on to race for longer than those that jumped in head first... Obviously there would be plenty of exceptions in either "camp", but that's just speculation based on my experience and what I've seen at the track.

Plain & simple, track days = track experience... experience that I feel helps a rookie racer out big time & experience that you otherwise wouldn't have gotten if you went straight to racing.

Besides, what's the big rush? The track day season & race season start up at pretty much the exact same time... do a TD or two to get your feet wet, then take penguin. No one's saying you gotta do TD's for a whole year

As much as I am balls to the wall . . well more like vagina to the wall . . . I rather be semi good for a rookie on my first race then eating shit around my first corner. I have "studied" Loudon's track (more like watched a bunch of youtube clips, saw how the track is, its in OK shape, with cracks across the track, and turn 4, how you have to slow down cause it is a weird turn.) So i have an idea how to read a track and lines. So I don't think I would be terrible.

But I think you can run track days sooner than the first race in April. . . I just wanna get on the track as soon as possible. I've been waiting for this for a while. So I might just be smart and run track days then penguin then an actual race day.
I am running ULSB if that makes any differences, in anyone's opinion

[Doc]

Has Andy even done a trackday?

The Smart way would be to get a couple trackdays under your belt, then Penguin, then rookie ride around (contrary to opinion it is not a race, you crash, you don't get your license, why risk it) then race.

You CAN do it your way. You certainly are motivated.

We have quite the lil Hawk crew this year. Get on the Hawk forum www.hawkgtforum.com

[Rambunctous]

But I think you can run track days sooner than the first race in April. . . I just wanna get on the track as soon as possible. I've been waiting for this for a while. So I might just be smart and run track days then penguin then an actual race day.
I am running ULSB if that makes any differences, in anyone's opinion

I got my license first then went for track days too cause I could not get enough. ULSB is a great class to be starting in.

[6 Fingered Man]

Has Andy even done a trackday?

The Smart qay would be to get a couple trackdays under your belt, then Penguin, then rookie ride around (contrary to opinion it is not a race, you crash, you don't get your license, why risk it) then race.

You CAN do it your way. You certainly are motivated.

We have quite the lil Hawk crew this year. Get on the Hawk forum www.hawkgtforum.com

: Ummm.... Yes, And a few races on an SV and a couple trips to the Frank Kinsy racing school at roebling road on my 600's...
Thanks for asking though....

[6 Fingered Man]

how much time have you rode on the street?

She has never ridden a street bike, only lots of off road experience.

[Doc]

She has never ridden a street bike, only lots of off road experience.

You my friend have a handful on your hands...

[Femmekat]

She has never ridden a street bike, only lots of off road experience.

Oh well, that combined with studying youtube videos.... may as well just start racing as expert....

[6 Fingered Man]

Oh well, that combined with studying youtube videos.... may as well just start racing as expert....

Worked for Cole Trickle.......

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung Lube.... Er, Glyde: Mozilla/5.0 440x240 Samsung SCH-U940 NetFront/3.4)

You'd be amazed at the coverage on ESPN.

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung Lube.... Er, Glyde: Mozilla/5.0 440x240 Samsung SCH-U940 NetFront/3.4)

You'd be amazed at the coverage on ESPN.

[G21forme]

I have "studied" Loudon's track (more like watched a bunch of youtube clips, saw how the track is, its in OK shape, with cracks across the track, and turn 4, how you have to slow down cause it is a weird turn.) So i have an idea how to read a track and lines. So I don't think I would be terrible.

Yeah you are right you have to slow way down for T4....

She has never ridden a street bike, only lots of off road experience.

I don't want to be a dick but the thought of someone who has never ridden on the street jumping into a race is both a danger to themselves and the other racers on the grid. I really hope you can convince her that she is making a very very bad decision.