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It's a track day and these things happen. As much as we try to predict and see the situation well ahead of time, these kind of things do happen.
If it's the owner or a customer doesn't make it any better or worse. Accidents happen.
At least each rider is still alive!
KB
I'll also comment that the passer should be smart about after the pass.
I pass a lot on the right side as I enter the braking area for Turn 3, but I just don't bother moving back to the left - I just take the right turn from whereever I made the pass.
Sure, you have to slow down a bit more, but that's safer than passing and then cutting off the guy you just passed.
Remember, as Ken said above... the rider you're passing is likely close to their limit. If you go by them and then hop in front of them... the chance is greater that they will screw up either by grabbing too much brake... or running into the back of you.
Why risk it at a trackday?
I think this is a point that most people consider a "bad" thing about trackdays.
Here is why I don't think it is a bad thing, but actually a good thing:
In racing, you can pass close. You don't need to do a lot of work to overtake someone since you can slam the door on them, take a chance or cut it close.
On a trackday, you need to setup MUCH earlier to make sure your pass will be safe and smooth with enough distance afterwards. For this reason alone, passing takes a lot more skill, timing and coordination at a trackday than in racing. Less room for error, less room for a sloppy pass and no room for taking a chance.
I find practicing clean passes at a trackday equates into an easier time in traffic while racing.
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Just my trackday experience......I have only been to one trackday. Nesba last year at NJMP. I dont know how other orgs do it but my one "safety concern" with them was the Intermediate group. they have advanced/inter/beginner groups. " I " group ranges from Racers to first time track riders, anyone can sign up for it (main problem)......If you have never been to a particular track or your first time with Nesba your automaticlly in I group. I wanted to be in A but thats what they told me......Yes it was my first time on that track but its different for someone witrh no track experience at all. I group was about 30-40 riders give or take. A group had maybe 10 tops. I have heard nesba are pretty strict with bumping guys up and they dont like to be asked to bump. Anyway not to toot my own horn but i was faster then 90% of "i" group, the other 10% even. I was passing guys on 1K down the straights (example) NO i wasnt being trackday hero. i was well within my ability/comfort zone. One guy in my group on a 09 R1 was coming out of that left after the "carousal" and the rear started to drift, he completely chopped the throttle and slowed down to crawling speed, about 6-7 of us behind him had to take evasive manuevers. It was damn close and i am surprised he didnt get ass-packed or two or more guys didnt collide evading him. I think what irritated me most was the A group was so thin and I group was packed and they didnt bump myself and other "faster" riders up or bump guys down to at least thin it out a bit. Beginner group was also thin.
Also there was no passing on inside, which was fine. But halfway thru the day. CR's told me to go right in front so i could avoid other riders, one told me to follow him, we did some hot laps, and we were passing guys on the inside. one or two times he made "shady" passes for a trackday..... Didnt bother me but if the guy we were passing was new. probably may have spooked him , felt kinda bad, found him and doubled check to see if it was cool. Im not trying to put down Nesba but i was using it as an example of avoiding unneccesary dangers(different riding levels all on track at once), and CR being on a "higher standard"
pretty much has nothing to do with conversation but i figured i would throw it out there.