Trackday Ideas!

[Degsy]

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Yes, and that worked out well, didn't it.

For that day it did! P P P PLEASE!

Lol. Maybe.

[Eddie]

1. Safety;
2. Tracktime;
3. Friendly atmosphere - aka staff that will provide feedback, people who assist with general needs (check tire pressures, etc);
4; Availability for mechanical assistance;
5. Availability of trackside vendors;

It probably comes down to the crowd who attend the trackday. When you have a good crowd you have a good vibe. Some people come by and offer to help and you should return the favor.

I'd probably expect that the noobs are more interested in riding assistance whereas the more advanced people are more interested in tracktime.

Safety is important too. Constant monitoring of the riders is also important, control riders should (as our local providers do) look out for improper riding and effectively correct the situation. While it is the riders responsibility to ensure that his bike is safe, it is convenient to have mechanical assistance available the night prior to the event - even if it might be a paid service.

[DucDave]

Thanks Manny for some great suggestions...
...see comments!

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• 30 minute sessions, 1 session per hour, or 20 minutes on/20 minutes off (20 groups) - More track time is good. But two groups make your 'Well demarcated groups' tricky though....
  
• No squids - Does that mean you're giving up track days!
  
• Well demarcated groups based on skill level - yep, really important. Hard to figure and enforce, but important.
  
• Small groups - Yep, would you be willing to pay more for smaller groups? It does, at the end, come down to that unless you are friends with a track riding sugar daddy!
  
• No lunch break, ride right through - I understand the desire to get more track time, but I think a forced break is a good idea.
  
• Tech comes to you at your bike - Great idea
  
• Run from 10 to 6 to avoid cold wet morning and get more time in the sun. Well, anything that allows us to take advantage of good weather windows is a great idea. Like, moving lunch an hour or two later if weather is coming in. Track Day providers have to stay flexible...which, is another great idea!

Keep 'em coming...!

[MaRce1o]

Thank you everyone...even you Keith lol

What we are trying to do is, working with other organizations, to better ones trackday.

Some people are willing to pay for more time, less people.

Or maybe a dedicated CR, either for full or half day.

[kbroderick]

... only 1 attendee, free filet mignon, 9 ambulances, 56 cornerworkers, strippers, massage service and a blow job after you pack up.

I'm just pointing out that this thread could be useful but let's be realistic.

Either that's one heck of a talented rider, or the cornerworkers need to take their blood pressure meds before the strippers show up....

...and besides which, why not have some of the strippers trained to put the bike on the trailer safely and pack up the car while the other strippers assist with showering and other post-trackday activity?

(More seriously I do like the idea of starting an hour later and running until six p.m., at least on the first day of multi-day events; I'm guessing that track policies and agreements with local municipalities probably have something to do with hours of operation, though)

[TheIglu]

One hour later is a fantastic idea. Would mean a lot more people could arrive fresh, even if driving up that morning.

[OreoGaborio]

but the downside is, you'd be getting HOME an hour later as well

[DucDave]

...and, the best weather could be from 9-10. I prefer to start early cus it gives you additional options and flexibility...

But, how bout offering TECH the night before for those who are there?

[NeverlosT]

I think some folks already offer tech the night before.

Big thing I'd throw in, as a beginner track guy (<10 track days), the on-track support is huge and getting to follow someone better and getting pointers. But the OFF-track support is a big deal too. Not everyone shows up with 15 of their closest friends or already knows everyone in the garages. Have some tech/track savvy friendly people in the garage make a round or three in the morning. Talk to people. It will help with their nervousness. Take a look at their bike. If you already saw them on the track at some point, give pointers if you have em. Offer to lead them for a lap. And for all you track gods out there, if you see some new faces, go talk to them.

Value, especially at NH for a beginner isnt more track time, it is pointers and following better people. Tough reality is, some of that track is beat up (and all of it is technical), and without some good instruction and pointers, another lap isnt going to help a beginner much.

That being said, more advanced groups are gonna want to just show up and throw down.

Eh, not sure what the answer is, this is why I dont run track days. But the stripper tech people idea sounds pretty solid.

[CBR929RE]

I think some folks already offer tech the night before.

Big thing I'd throw in, as a beginner track guy (<10 track days), the on-track support is huge and getting to follow someone better and getting pointers. But the OFF-track support is a big deal too. Not everyone shows up with 15 of their closest friends or already knows everyone in the garages. Have some tech/track savvy friendly people in the garage make a round or three in the morning. Talk to people. It will help with their nervousness. Take a look at their bike. If you already saw them on the track at some point, give pointers if you have em. Offer to lead them for a lap. And for all you track gods out there, if you see some new faces, go talk to them.

this seems like a pretty good idea. But it can go the other way too. a newbie can go up to anyone with a track/race bike and ask for help. although I understand the whole thing can be a little intimidating for a newbie so walking up to a stranger isn't likely to happen.

[Woodcraft]

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There's no such thing as a free lunch. There's also no such thing as cheap and well organized trackdays either, not ones that last. The right infrastructure coats money. From advertising to insurance. Don't take my word for it, ask Tony, Eric or any other successful trackday org owner.

Agreed. I've seen more than a few "cheap" track days out there that are no longer around. Find a group that really puts in the effort to create a quality day and you'll find that your time away from family/work etc... will be far better spent.

[DucDave]

Eric Wood?

Yeah...I've heard of you....!

[kb1]

A good track day is pretty much what Tony or Bomo put on every time, lots of track time, well organized, safe operation, and a staff that cares.

They make beginners feel welcome, and let the advanced guys do their thing as long as everything is safe. I say this with experience as I started at Loudon two years ago riding in beginner group scared as all hell. Now a couple years later I'm mid-pack advanced group and working on improving exit speeds and learning more advanced techniques (trail braking etc). I have done this while riding with these two organizations, and they have been excellent through every part of my riding development.

An organization will never please EVERY person, and there is not perfect track day. But I think the two major organizations that we deal with locally here are doing a damn good job.

[nt650hawk]

ALL I WANT IN A TRACK DAY IS MOAR GINO! WHERE CAN I GET MOAR GINO?

PETE you bastard..



Never in a Million years when I started would I have thought I would be in a position to give back to the track community. I just like to give back the attention that has helped me out along the way. If someone wants to listen and learn I will spend the time doing so. If you don't I'll still keep an eye out for you and provide a couple of tips.

[OreoGaborio]

PETE you bastard..

Never in a Million years when I started would I have thought I would be in a position to give back to the track community. I just like to give back the attention that has helped me out along the way. If someone wants to listen and learn I will spend the time doing so. If you don't I'll still keep an eye out for you and provide a couple of tips.

on every word