Trackday Questions...

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by DLIT

There's other tracks to go to for experience. Experinced only doesn't mean you have to be fast, but be familiar with riding on the track. Like being able to hold a line, etc...

Right, I understand that.
Looking at it from a newer rider standpoint.

If track A is the closest to home at 50 miles, but only allows track experienced riders.
Track B is 250+ miles from home, but allows everyone.
Chances are less likely that new rider will take a track day earlier in his riding experience.

I'd say you would be better off running some events for beginners only, and others for experienced only. That way everyone is welcome at sometime, but newbs are getting run over, and experienced guys aren't getting held up.

[DLIT]

If you wanted to go to the track bad enough you'd go to track B.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by DLIT

If you wanted to go to the track bad enough you'd go to track B.

True, but quite possibly not as soon as I would have gone to track A...

Just my looking at it from the perspective of one that doesn't have track experience, and can't go to all TD's

[DLIT]

FYI. My first track day ever was on a track that was for experienced track riders only. My buddies told me I'll be alright since I was already fast and consistant. Worked out fine for me. I used the street to get the basics down and the track to fine tune things and apply things I've read that I can only apply on the track.

[Trip]

Just have certain endurance days like STT, where you have advanced and intermediate only. 30 min rotating sessions. No need to make it only for experienced riders ever, that cuts out a lot of profits and scares people away, which is the last thing you want to do because the track makes riders better.

Hell, even with privately setup track days done around here with 20 riders, they still run groups because a top notch advanced rider shouldn't be on the track with a mid pack intermediate. Just asking for trouble.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by DLIT

FYI. My first track day ever was on a track that was for experienced track riders only. My buddies told me I'll be alright since I was already fast and consistant. Worked out fine for me. I used the street to get the basics down and the track to fine tune things and apply things I've read that I can only apply on the track.

Ok... I was thinking by "experienced" you would need some type of license or proof you've been on the track before.
If a quality rider can "fib" there way in, that's a different story.

[PhiSig1071]

Good Control riders are a MUST! They make a huge difference (If you're looking for control riders, I'm willing to relocate!)

Trackside support-Tire sales, tire mounting and suspension. A simple suspension set-up made the biggest difference in my riding, and I think that all trackday riders should at least have their sag/rebound/compression set properly. Use a guy who does suspension work too, and he can do set-up's as advertisement for his business.

Free drinks are a nice touch, but will get very expensive, sell drinks (water, gatoraide etc) at cost.

I liked the food at the STT day at BMP, get a ticket for a free meal and buy a drink.

At the VERY least paved pit lane/pits with reliable power, if you can swing covered pits that would be awesome! Make sure the power is reliable and up to snuff, you'll have poeple running warmers, compressors, ac units, and fans. I went to JGP one day and had to use the generator on my buddies trailer for power because the curcuit breakers kept popping.

Flags are fine, no need for lights.

Rental gear-Have a "first trackday" package, 1 trackday, with full leathers, for a lower cost, and include a novice track-day school. They had the school at BMP and it REALLY helped the riders who had never been there before. It's like dealing drugs, get people there to try it, and they'll be hooked and keep coming back.

Photog-A friendly, helpful photographer is nice to have, most people would want a pic of their on-track experiences (I know I do). You could include a picture CD in the "First trackday" package. People will look at the pics and want to go back.

If I can think of anything else I'll add it.

[azoomm]

Well, let me rephrase about the lights. I will HAVE lights, the track owner is installing them. The question is, if I have lights... will I NEED cornerworkers

I right now have two types of events.

Trackdays = 2 groups. Novice/intermediate = Group 1. Group 2 = advanced, and that position is EARNED only. 30-min alternating through the day.

The other is Happy Hour - it's a 4-hour open afternoon session available to Group 2 ONLY.

[r!der]

In addition to everything mentioned. It would be nice to have someone unload and load everything from the truck/trailer. Girls in bikinis serving cold water after each session, and massage with a happy ending after the last session. Fuel that doesn't cost $10 a gallon would be nice.

[marko138]

Novice and Intermediate together? Nice to have 2 groups...but I dont think I'd like that.