Penguin Racing School and Track days - the Good/Bad/Ugly just lookin for info

[ben10281]

Hey, can you guys enlighten me on how the Penguin roadracing school is up at loudon. How much is it for the Track day vs the actual racing school. What are the big differences, etc.. I am looking at getting into racing within the next couple of years and I would like to start by doing some track days and the such and slowly work into it, hopefully it will be easier financially this way.
Any info for Newbie would be great. Also, I have a 99 GSXR 750 good shape for the street, but I am not 100% on how it would handle a racetrack thrashing. Would you guys suggest renting a bike at the track for some of the track days and when money allows, pick up a slightly salvaged or cheap 600 for strictly racing purposes, when money would allow of course!
Thanks.

[Paul_E_D]

Ben, You have the right idea. Use your own bike and do 4-5 trackdays with whomever you please. If you think you want a smaller bike to go racing with (smart), you can invest in a pre-scuffed/pre-race prepped one when the time comes.

Penguin race school is for licensing purposes only (IMHO). You get a lot of logistical info about negotiating a race weekend. NOT much instruction about riding.

Penguin runs regular trackdays from time to time. Those are more appropriate for where you are at.

Race school is at least 250
Trackdays run from 200-250

There's really no way to ease into it financially. The first weekend costs 800-1000 bucks including penguin, license, race entries, tires, fuel etc. not to mention gear, and a bike.

Testing the waters at trackdays is smart.

[gixxer6]

Originally posted by Paul_E_D
Ben, You have the right idea. Use your own bike and do 4-5 trackdays with whomever you please. If you think you want a smaller bike to go racing with (smart), you can invest in a pre-scuffed/pre-race prepped one when the time comes.

Penguin race school is for licensing purposes only (IMHO). You get a lot of logistical info about negotiating a race weekend. NOT much instruction about riding.

Penguin runs regular trackdays from time to time. Those are more appropriate for where you are at.

Race school is at least 250
Trackdays run from 200-250

There's really no way to ease into it financially. The first weekend costs 800-1000 bucks including penguin, license, race entries, tires, fuel etc. not to mention gear, and a bike.

Testing the waters at trackdays is smart.

I agree Paul! Great advicee!


Heath-

[Awesome]

I'm with Paul and Heath. I was pretty much in your shoes a few years ago, wanted to get into racing but didn't have the $$. I saved and practiced and saved and practiced, did some trackdays and now the dream is turning into reality. Come out to the trackdays with us, it's a blast.

[joberly]

I started with my F2.. rode it a couple years, did a track day..... now I have a street ride and the F2 is a track bike. Doing 5 track days this year (If Tamworth opens) and HOPEFULLY next year, I will start racing. Vintage of course because I can't afford a new bike

[lee955i]

Don't forget, there are lots of other people who do trackdays at NHIS. Our own Tony I runs a few days a year there along with Paul Leuvano (sp) with Team Daemon. A few dealers run some days there, also. I also did Jason Pridmores STAR school last year at NHIS (which is a qualified CCS school) and had a blast. Definately get some laps in before committing to a racing program. It's not for everyone and you never really know until you try.
Cheers, Lee S.

[Ken C]

Agree with what's been mentioned. There's nothing stopping you from getting your 750 on the track this spring by signing up for a track day. Tonystrackdays.com

As far a a bike goes, there are several race-preped EX500s for sale, cheap. A friend is selling an ex-Penguin school EX ready to go for $1500.00, for instance.

A handful of track days will give you a lot of information.

[13]

I just did a couple trackdays on my Superhawk last year, when I crashed it I decided to get a dedicated track bike (get a HAWK! ). Just listen to everyone here and you'll be fine!

[a13x]

I on the other hand never rolled a wheel on a track until I took racing school, then straight into racing. However, most people seem to tell me I'm a freak.

The others in this thread offer up the great advice. Past that I'd say come up to a Loudon weekend, stop by Garage 1, check out the Penguin Ducatis (you can rent), meet Jeff, ask questions, and look at trackday options. Tony has a bunch of dates for the rest of the year, and Penguin has another trackday on August 9th.

[OreoGaborio]

Alex, you ARE a freak

I can honestly say I agree w/ everything written in this thread. I followed the advice of people on here, followed it to a T and had a BLAST this first race weekend back in April.

Since Paul pretty much answered your questions about the Penguin school, i'll just kinda rattle off a summary of how I did things to give you an idea of how the progression from street to racing worked out for me.

Took MSF way back in '01
Got my first bike in May of '04
After riding about 5000 street miles on my own and with more experienced riders I attended my first trackday (www.tonystrackdays.com) in August of '04
In the past two years I've attended 9 Tony's Trackdays and 5 days at VIR
This spring I bought an EX500, fully race ready, for 1500 bucks.
Took that bike with me to the Cornerspeed race school down at VIR this past March
Started racing this April and even somehow pulled a 1st place finish in Production Twins outta my ass (pats self on back )
Just this past Thursday I attended another Tony's Trackday with Ken C, Paul, Tony & crew and was given the opportunity to give back and help out some of the other attendees with their riding... had a absolute blast doin it.

I really can't say enough about how much the people that have posted here in this thread and others on this forum have helped me grow from newbie rookie rider to competative rookie racer in such a short time. Without their advice & guidance there's no way i'd be having as much fun on two wheels, doing as well as I am and still improving

Welcome to the forum & I hope to see ya out on the track soon

It might be tough to afford it, but go slow & spend when you need to... it's worth EVERY FRIKKIN PENNY