Who What When Where

[BillF]

WHO is me (planning first ever track day). WHAT is TTD or PRS ? WHEN is Spring 2013. WHERE is Loudon, since I live in neighboring Maine.
* My goal is not to become a racer, just a GOOD rider. Any thoughts?

[jasnmar]

Don't do it. You'll just want to keep doing it.

I did my first 2 this year. It's a really great way to expand you're skill set in a safe environment.

Make sure you have the gear needed. I didn't when I started looking into it. Bike prep is pretty easy, but please feel free to post any questions. Tony's runs a great program in my opinion. Take advantage of all of the classes between sessions.

Find someone on here who's going the same date as you who's done it before. It's not a big deal, but it's nice to have someone to walk you through things.

Ohh. I'm 10-15 minutes from the track if you need anything.

[k_cotter]

Just sayin, dont count these guys out www.bostonmoto.com

[Trouble]

Yeah, like jasnmar said. You're crazy to start an addiction like this. I never wanted to race either. Didn't have a strong competitive drive, etc. Unfortunately you couldn't have stumbled upon a better group of enablers. Hopefully we'll see you in the spring!

[Imbeek]

I'm a trackday newb too and I can't speak about prs cuz I haven't tried it, but I did 4 days so far with ttd and I just bought the membership for next year. intelligent, mature, and friendly customers; extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff.

There is more instruction available each day, for free, than one could possibly absorb; that's cool because it is optional after the first few classroom sessions; instruction is in the form not only of classroom, but more importantly feedback from the instructors and control riders on the track with you...it can range from unsolicited advice if a rider is not being safe (I saw that one time in 4 days) to very detailed, personalized advice, based on what they saw after following you for a few laps or a few sessions, if you ask for it... TONS of track time too, which is my primary concern after safety.

I am petty sure the two organizations have some kind of working relationship, since my ttd membership includes a discount to prs, and I have heard good things about prs too, so if I decide to get a race license at some point, I will probably try them too.

[BillF]

I believe I'm prepared, head to toe, except I haven't purchased a back protector yet. I'm looking at the Alpinestars Bionic Race Back Protector that will fit my 'Trigger' suit. It also has a waist strap to allow for street wear with other jackets. Any thoughts/ recommendations.

[nhbubba]

It sucks. Worst experience you'll ever have in your entire riding life.

No, seriously. Jason covered it all pretty much.

How long have you been riding?

[BillF]

GOOD info coming my way....thanks! 'Leaning' towards the Tonys May m/tue, hope to lock the time off at work and register.

[tdiloren]

Who : TTD
What : one Hell of a good time
When : as soon as possible to allow for more track time
Where: Loudon. It the most convenient to us and you will learn a lot on that track.
Just let us know what days you sign for. Usually a group of us go down and split the expenses (gas and hotel)

[jasnmar]

Sometimes there are auctions available to members of this site where you can get a discounted price on a track day.

I have no relationship at all with any of the track day organizations, so don't take anything I say as a promise, but I did my first Tony's for $150. I think it was the only one all year that went for $150, but it can happen.

Also, if you're really in, Tony's is currently running a bit of a sale....http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...-pack-info.htm

[CBR929RE]

Yeah, like jasnmar said. You're crazy to start an addiction like this. I never wanted to race either. Didn't have a strong competitive drive, etc. Unfortunately you couldn't have stumbled upon a better group of enablers. Hopefully we'll see you in the spring!

same here. had no competitive drive so I spent 5 years doing track days before ever even going to the races. went to the final round in 2010 to watch and decided I wanted to do it. haven't missed a round since.


and since no one said, although I think he figured it out. TTD=Tony's Track Days and PRS=Penguin Racing School. and spring 2013 starts Wednesday March 20th 2013

[carsick]

and spring 2013 starts Wednesday March 20th 2013

Might want to leave the warmers on for the first few laps. Will Kurtz have Nokians in stock?

Hi BillF, you might want to let your family, friends, and workplace know that you are suffering from a crippling disability. It manifests frequently on Monday and Tuesdays in the warmer months, requiring you to miss work. Symptoms include lack of focus on boring everyday stuff, itchy throttle hand, enlarged bike collection, and a general malaise when away from the track. There's no cure but there are treatment programs...
Where on earth did you contract this dreadful disease?

[CBR929RE]

Might want to leave the warmers on for the first few laps. Will Kurtz have Nokians in stock?

Hi BillF, you might want to let your family, friends, and workplace know that you are suffering from a crippling disability. It manifests frequently on Monday and Tuesdays in the warmer months, requiring you to miss work. Symptoms include lack of focus on boring everyday stuff, itchy throttle hand, enlarged bike collection, and a general malaise when away from the track. There's no cure but there are treatment programs...
Where on earth did you contract this dreadful disease?

lol
good thing the first track time in NH isn't until a month later and that's a race weekend anyway (although I think there is the Penguin track experience the friday before). Tony's isn't for another month after that.

[Jaynnus]

Go, ride, have more fun than you can imagine, add Tony to your direct deposit set up /advise

[OreoGaborio]

Might want to leave the warmers on for the first few laps.

Gonna need a chase car and a generator if you wanna leave the warmers plugged in.

[maxim_X]

Don't discount penguin or BOMO. Penguin has a very good first timers program called the "track experience". You really can't go wrong with any of them. I usually pick my trackdays with date convenience regardless of organization.

[BillF]

Might want to leave the warmers on for the first few laps. Will Kurtz have Nokians in stock?

Hi BillF, you might want to let your family, friends, and workplace know that you are suffering from a crippling disability. It manifests frequently on Monday and Tuesdays in the warmer months, requiring you to miss work. Symptoms include lack of focus on boring everyday stuff, itchy throttle hand, enlarged bike collection, and a general malaise when away from the track. There's no cure but there are treatment programs...
Where on earth did you contract this dreadful disease?

LOL....a lot of good stuff coming from you knee scrappers.

[nt650hawk]

This place is great therapy.

Hi my name is Gino. I've been addicted to Track Days since 2001. Thank you for your support in not trying to stop all my fun.

clicky TTD link below for all your wants and desires.

[MikeP]

+1 to what everyone else said the track is a blast. Last year was my first year riding and I got two trackdays in one with Tony's and one with BOMO. Both where great when it came to instruction, if you do a BOMO sign up for the first timers program I had one on one instruction with Dave and it helped so much I couldnt believe how much of a better rider I was from the first sesion to last.

[csmutty]

Yep. Like was said before make sure you have all your gear lined up.

Here is what gear you should have to be ready for the track day.
http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...reparation.htm

And here is what you should do to your bike to be ready for the track day.
http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...reparation.htm

You are going to love it!

[AVI8_636]

Start saving now.

I did my first track day this past May, figured it would be my only one.

I ended up doing 6, bought a full suit, and I'm planning on getting track plastics and a couple other mods for the bike. I think addiction is an understatement.

[nhbubba]

How long have you been riding?

I've been licensed since I was 17.. nearly 20 years now. After my first day last year I was appalled.. I should have done this 10 years ago! Not sure this is the right thing for a real noob, but if you have more than 5 or so years in the saddle and are relatively confident on the bike, you will have a blast.

I did a TTD. I attended every one of the classroom sessions and did everything everyone else said "you really should do this, if you can", including the track walk the day before. Basically I followed Jason (jasnmar) around like a confused noob all day. There are countless NESR'ians at these things plus tons of other helpful motorcycle nuts. Dana (Garandman) was quite helpful too, especially as he's done track days on the same model motorcycle as I have.

I had offers from NESR'ians to loan me equipment and gear. (I wound up finding some good deals on gear the summer before I went, so I wound up with all my own stuff.) People at these things are immensely helpful. I can never thank them enough.

The track walk was nearly meaningless to me at the time as I'd never even been to NHMS, nevermind ridden or driven the track. But it was nice to get somewhat acclimated to the place. Having a buddy, or even an acquaintance, that has been there, done that is equally helpful.

I am nearby (~1 hour away) and so I rode home and rode in the next morning. I did my prep in the garage on-site that AM. If your bike is in good repair and you are familiar with it, that is no problem. I have no illusions of becoming a 'racer' or anything like that. So riding my mild street bike at the track day was okay by me. I did slap new sport-touring rubber on earlier that season as I needed tires anyway.

One fear I have going back is being sure I have enough tread to pass tech. I believe I tend to ride my rubber way past what will pass track tech.

Putting the bike back together to ride home at the end of the day was the least fun part. I was high on adrenaline, tired, and sore. I had to reassemble the bike, pack up all my crap, and then ride 1 hour at speeds that felt INCREDIBLY slow home. For this reason alone, I understand why so many trailer in.

The classroom sessions were quite good. Although I didn't realize how good until late in the day. My thing was I wanted to learn about being a better rider. I did not care about how to best take turn X or Y as I do not intend to track ride very often. Learning NHMS seemed like a waste of time to me. Only late in the day did the discussions switch to braking, body position, and throttle control. Suddenly I understood practicing these things without any regard to "the line" would have been far less productive and far less safe. Pay attention even to the "line" discussions. It matters!

Really though. Possibly the best experience I've ever had on 2 wheels. It is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

[BillF]

I can't begin to thank all the quick/helpful/thoughtful/informative feedback i am recieving!!!! Good stuff!!!!
Thanks

[TTD]

The classroom sessions were quite good. Although I didn't realize how good until late in the day. My thing was I wanted to learn about being a better rider. I did not care about how to best take turn X or Y as I do not intend to track ride very often. Learning NHMS seemed like a waste of time to me. Only late in the day did the discussions switch to braking, body position, and throttle control. Suddenly I understood practicing these things without any regard to "the line" would have been far less productive and far less safe. Pay attention even to the "line" discussions. It matters!

We tell people this all the time... it's great to hear some riders actually get it!

Now... if we could only get people to stay in the RED (beginner) group for longer, life would be great.

Not to muddy up this thread, but going faster than others in the RED group is not an automatic reason to move to YELLOW (Intermediate).

The best thing people could do for their trackriding "career" is to master the beginner group before asking to bump. Only when you can pass at will - safely and within the rules of the group - should you even think of moving out.

Take the time to learn the nuances of track riding. Learn how to read all the signs of the rider in front of you and use that info to set up your passes.

Learn how to time things. Don't run up on someone slower at the beginning of a no passing area. Time it so you are at your speed (not theirs) at the beginning of the passing zone.

Anywho... the point is to enjoy your time in the RED/Beginner group when you become the big fish. Trust me that the extra time spent there will pay off in you being a safer rider in the other groups - and just maybe.... staying on 2 wheels!

[nt650hawk]

We tell people this all the time... it's great to hear some riders actually get it!

Now... if we could only get people to stay in the RED (beginner) group for longer, life would be great.

Not to muddy up this thread, but going faster than others in the RED group is not an automatic reason to move to YELLOW (Intermediate).

The best thing people could do for their trackriding "career" is to master the beginner group before asking to bump. Only when you can pass at will - safely and within the rules of the group - should you even think of moving out.

Take the time to learn the nuances of track riding. Learn how to read all the signs of the rider in front of you and use that info to set up your passes.

Learn how to time things. Don't run up on someone slower at the beginning of a no passing area. Time it so you are at your speed (not theirs) at the beginning of the passing zone.

Anywho... the point is to enjoy your time in the RED/Beginner group when you become the big fish. Trust me that the extra time spent there will pay off in you being a safer rider in the other groups - and just maybe.... staying on 2 wheels!

++++++++1 I know I am not fast and I still get to try new things and learn a lot in the red Group!!!!!!!!!!!