I am going to start and end this post with the same thought: If you have the opportunity to take part in a track day on a road course, do not pass up the opportunity.
I have done a lot of interesting and fun things in my life, but taking my F650 out on the track was near the top of the list in terms of fun. Riding near the limits of your abilities is a thrilling experience--being able to expand your abilities over the course of the day is priceless.
My local Vespa (and now Triumph) dealer, Motoworks Chicago put on their 7th annual track day at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI on Monday, August 16th. I rode down the night before (3 hour ride) and had dinner with 20 or so of the folks who were participating.
There were approximately 50 riders for the day. The majority of the bikes were BMWs, with lots of Triumphs and vintage Japanese bikes (and one GTS300). We met early at the track--everything needed to be taped up (lights, mirrors, gauges, speedo), then on to inspection and a rider's meeting. Sunday night, we were told that we'd do 2 groups of 25, riding 30 minutes of each hour. On monday, it was decided that we would do 3 groups, with each group doing a 20 minute session each hour. The groups were Intermediate, Novice 1 (some track time), and Novice 2 (no track time). I was initially disappointed with the reduced time, but once I got a couple of sessions under my belt, I was happy, as riding hard takes a lot out of the tank.
Here's what I learned:
1. Enter a corner too hot, and you ruin the corner. Scrub speed off during entry, then hammer down.
2. Taking corners fast and low is 10x more fun than going fast.
3. Place your weight on the balls of your feet--this allows you to shift your weight more efficiently.
4. DO NOT look at anything other than where you are going. Look through the turn. Looking at the ground below you will cause the bike to waver and upright.
5. Only worry about what is in front of you. Look where you are going. Do not look behind or to the side. This will cause the bike to become unsettled.
6. Shift your weight to the side of the bike that is on the inside of the turn. If there are two lefts coming up, stay on the left side of the bike until both turns are completed.
7. Be respectful of others. Pass only when it is safe. Do not pass on the inside of a corner.
8. You don't need a powerful bike to have fun at the track. The best riders are smart, not fast.
Thanks again to the staff of Motoworks Chicago for an incredible day. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but this has gone on long enough for one post. I'll close with this:
If you have the opportunity to take part in a track day on a road course, do not pass up the opportunity.
--Scott