Fishtail Trackdays - What are they like?

[kb1]

I did a search and could not find anything on here about them. I have corner worked a McCallister day when they still existed, and I've ridden LAPS and Tony's Track days. I ran intermediate at LAPS and held my own on the Z. Looking to get out before the Boston Moto weekend event.

Is it all classroom and follow the leader riding? Or is it like other track days where you do a warm-up session and then you're free to ride? What are the days like?

Any info is appreciated!

[Uncle Snake]

I did a fishtail day in '08, very laid back and I'll do more.

Classes were in the morning between sessions. Lunch was full on catered awesomeness. Afternoon pretty in the afternoon but not unsafe. For reference I was in the faster quarter of the intermediate group. Enjoy

[Femmekat]

Good luck with the new track bike! I'm so jealous.... If you ever sell her please send me a pm.

[EJLemo]

I did a search and could not find anything on here about them. I have corner worked a McCallister day when they still existed, and I've ridden LAPS and Tony's Track days. I ran intermediate at LAPS and held my own on the Z. Looking to get out before the Boston Moto weekend event.

Is it all classroom and follow the leader riding? Or is it like other track days where you do a warm-up session and then you're free to ride? What are the days like?

Any info is appreciated!

http://www.fishtailridingschool.com/

http://www.fishtailridingschool.com/dates-amp-sign-up/

Here is some information.

Eric

[kb1]

I looked at the website and it did not really give me a sense of what the day was like.

[TTD]

I think they are well run and probably will feel like a TTD.

There is classroom, etc. In general, it's a well behaved crowd with low squid content.

[FAST GSXR750]

Iv'e done a bunch of fishtail track days. Great bunch of people, food is fantastic! If you don't need the classroom don't go in there. One control rider per 5 students and you stay with the control all day. After each session you go over any problems you had. Very happy with the program. Going to NJ in aug.

[trider143]

Because of several recommendations, I am signed up for July 26th and 27th.

[kb1]

Iv'e done a bunch of fishtail track days. Great bunch of people, food is fantastic! If you don't need the classroom don't go in there. One control rider per 5 students and you stay with the control all day. After each session you go over any problems you had. Very happy with the program. Going to NJ in aug.

So you ride behind the control rider all day? Or are you free to ride on your own and if you have questions you go to that control rider?

[Uncle Snake]

So you ride behind the control rider all day? Or are you free to ride on your own and if you have questions you go to that control rider?

In the morning you follow them then they follow you. Then, you follow them and they point out corners that you need to work on. In the afternoon I was on my own as the instructor was happy with my lines. Lotsa fun!

[theducman]

Iv'e done a bunch of fishtail track days. Great bunch of people, food is fantastic! If you don't need the classroom don't go in there. One control rider per 5 students and you stay with the control all day. After each session you go over any problems you had. Very happy with the program. Going to NJ in aug.

Good to know, see you in aug

[The Architect]

In general, it's a well behaved crowd with low squid content.

This is one of the main reasons I keep going back.

(start of pointless rant) I've done other track days. I can't stand schools not seeing an issue with more than a dozens riders going down before 11:00, not acceptable. Or not being able to ride because both ambulances are out. I know it's a track and if I wanted to be safe I can sit at home on my couch. I'm just not one for riding at a crash fest. (end of pointless rant)

The A group has minimal follow the leader and then they are set free. If you need help, many of the instructors will step up.

[kb1]

This is one of the main reasons I keep going back.

(start of pointless rant) I've done other track days. I can't stand schools not seeing an issue with more than a dozens riders going down before 11:00, not acceptable. Or not being able to ride because both ambulances are out. I know it's a track and if I wanted to be safe I can sit at home on my couch. I'm just not one for riding at a crash fest. (end of pointless rant)

The A group has minimal follow the leader and then they are set free. If you need help, many of the instructors will step up.

I can only do much follow the leader before I get antsy. I'm more looking to get warmed up, and then tweak some of my lean issues on the bike and just up my speed. I like to do my own thing and ask for help when I have questions, don't like being tied to one thing. Especially for $260.00 a day.

Thanks for all the info everyone!

[Priv]

My brother did a day with them a couple of months ago and loved it, said the instructors were great and very helpful fwiw

[OreoGaborio]

(start of pointless rant) I've done other track days. I can't stand schools not seeing an issue with more than a dozens riders going down before 11:00, not acceptable. Or not being able to ride because both ambulances are out. I know it's a track and if I wanted to be safe I can sit at home on my couch. I'm just not one for riding at a crash fest. (end of pointless rant)

I agree 99%....

But the part about the ambulances, that's an NHMS requirement, not a track day organizer practice. We're REQUIRED for insurance purposes to have at LEAST ONE ambulance on site at all times for the track to be live. Some track day orgs only hire one ambulance... so if ONE person takes a trip, everyone shuts down until the red & white bus comes back. The "good" orgs have two, just in case

On a similar note, I can't remember the last time we had both ambulances gone at a track day that I was at

[theducman]

Can you move from one group to another? Like slow to medium pace?

[davemon]

I've done many Fishtail days and they are great! There is only perhaps 2 laps of follow the leader in the first morning session for the advanced group at NHMS and then it's open track and outside passing only but anywhere. I really don't like passing up over the turn 7/8 area at NHMS due to the variety of lines but last I rode with them I think it was allowed. Other groups have more restricted passing but you would have to ask them on process for group riding sessions in the other groups. Overall the group has the best passing behavior and overall courteousness of any I've ridden with. Not sure if this is due to the number of regulars or the "bent" of the riders who come. You will see more adventure bikes, BMW baggers (me at one time), and other non-hyper sports than any other track day.

Lunch was always stellar but not sure if they still get their groove on with track rule changes 2 years back or so.

They do break for lunch so if you're a mileage person this won't be the place to set a new record. My personal best for mileage is a Tony's Track Day where it seemed my group was bent on staying on two wheels for some reason.

Dave

[theducman]

I am looking forward to going on aug 9th and 10th

[TTD]

I am looking forward to going on aug 9th and 10th

[jtaylor719]

Everyone here pretty much summed it up.

The day is broken into 3 groups - A = experienced, B = been on the track before, C = newbies. We have 20 min on track, 20 min classroom, and 10-20 min debriefing / preparing to get on track.

'A' group starts at 9am after the safety briefing, then has one lead around lap then it's open. This season, the A group has been doing some classroom stuff after the session with more advanced techniques taught by Robbie Nigl. But, nobody says you HAVE to sit in the A/C classroom and get advice from a national champion....

"B" group is usually 1 or 2 follow the leader sessions, then we put a rider in front of us - and rotate the group. After that, you're free to ride alone or with an instructor. Usually a session or 2 in the AM and then all afternoon.

"C" group is riding with an instructor all morning. Afternoons sometimes depend on how the mornings went.

If we see you're able to bump to the next group that day, we'll do it. We don't want anyone wasting their time out there putting around. Same goes for if you're in over your head. We may get you down a level for a few sessions to work on some things with less speed.

There's absolutely no inside passing. Passing in the corners is reserved for A and B group, and must be super clean, leaving plenty of room.

Lunch has been catered by the track this year. Not your run of the mill 'checkered flag burger' either, this stuff is top shelf. Sandwich, soup, salad, cookies, and plenty of waters. Donuts, coffee, and bananas in the AM.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, or email Tim Hafner from the Fishtail website.

[theducman]

Everyone here pretty much summed it up.

The day is broken into 3 groups - A = experienced, B = been on the track before, C = newbies. We have 20 min on track, 20 min classroom, and 10-20 min debriefing / preparing to get on track.

'A' group starts at 9am after the safety briefing, then has one lead around lap then it's open. This season, the A group has been doing some classroom stuff after the session with more advanced techniques taught by Robbie Nigl. But, nobody says you HAVE to sit in the A/C classroom and get advice from a national champion....

"B" group is usually 1 or 2 follow the leader sessions, then we put a rider in front of us - and rotate the group. After that, you're free to ride alone or with an instructor. Usually a session or 2 in the AM and then all afternoon.

"C" group is riding with an instructor all morning. Afternoons sometimes depend on how the mornings went.

If we see you're able to bump to the next group that day, we'll do it. We don't want anyone wasting their time out there putting around. Same goes for if you're in over your head. We may get you down a level for a few sessions to work on some things with less speed.

There's absolutely no inside passing. Passing in the corners is reserved for A and B group, and must be super clean, leaving plenty of room.

Lunch has been catered by the track this year. Not your run of the mill 'checkered flag burger' either, this stuff is top shelf. Sandwich, soup, salad, cookies, and plenty of waters. Donuts, coffee, and bananas in the AM.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, or email Tim Hafner from the Fishtail website.

Thanks for answering a few of my questions. See you monday.

[trider143]

Recently attended Fishtail @ NHMS (7/26-7/27). All of the feedback in the thread seems spot on. Instructors were excellent. Time on track great (no lost time.) Classroom did not take away from time on track, and were an excellent complement to track time. Bottom line: Highly recommended.

[theducman]

Just got back from NJMP with fishtail and I have to say it was great! The people were so nice the control riders were very helpful. And, I made some good friends aswell.

[FAST GSXR750]

Had a blast at NJ, both tracks rock! Great job by Fishtail-top notch group. I think the ambulance rolled 4 times in two days. Met some new friends ( course they don't know me all that well) and reaquainted with some old ones. All in all a great time. And found a fantastic rib joint in Millville!

[froggert]

Had a blast at NJ, both tracks rock! Great job by Fishtail-top notch group. I think the ambulance rolled 4 times in two days. Met some new friends ( course they don't know me all that well) and reaquainted with some old ones. All in all a great time. And found a fantastic rib joint in Millville!

glad you guys had a good time. i was there monday on the gold 1098s. more importantly, where is this rib joint?!?