The Relationship between Trackdays and Racing
Most of the people I know do not ride. That’s OK… even if they prefer a cage… they’re still my friends and family so I won’t hold it against them. The problem comes from that awkward moment when I tell them I’m doing a trackday and they always ask that same difficult question… “What’s a Trackday?”. Of course you try to explain and they say, “Oh cool… you race motorcycles” to which I have to respond… “uhhh… not quite”. Of course many racers use trackdays as a way to practice so it’s easy for them to explain what a trackday means to them… it’s race practice.
For those of us who don’t race, It’s part fantasy camp, part training, part “taking it to the track” and get it out of your system, and it’s a whole lot of fun… especially when a group of friends go together.
I’ve often wondered if Trackdays are a training ground for hardcore fans. I mean, if you’re willing to spend that kind of cash… you have to be in love with racing right? Well… the answer is not really. People attend trackdays for a lot of reasons, but for the same reason hardcore fans of NASCAR aren’t doing trackdays in their commuter rides… I’m not sure you’ll find the hardcore racing fan who is signing up for the next trackday. I do think trackdays could do more to provide a more high profile experience and maybe the trackday sponsors are the key to creating a new format for race day.
What I do know is trackdays are fun, exciting and I learn more in one trackday than I do riding hundreds of miles out on the open road. I would love to hear other people’s thoughts about Trackdays and how you think they contribute to the overall experience and culture of motorcycle racing.
Trackdays!! Awesome!! I just did my first trackday at 43 years old and it was a blast, it was a dream come true albeit a relatively small dream in the big sceam of life but still, a dream come true.
what a great day in my life. I had more than just a great time, more than an awesome day, better than an excellent day… I had an unforgettable time riding at the track and spending my weekend with all my friends and making new friends. It was, “Priceless”, all of it. The camaraderie, the dinners, the prep and anticipation and of course the riding!!!
I learned so much about myself as a rider and about my motorcycle and the sport/hobby I love so very much. By the end of the day I had this really funny feeling. I felt I had never rode my motorcycle faster in turns than I did by the end of that day and at the same time I came to the realization or conclusion that I am pretty darn slow! But you know what, I am totally cool with that. I rode my ride as my friend anny, (Dmc), would say and I had the absolute best time!
Seriously, I will remember that day and that whole weekend for the rest of my days for sure. You all gave me memories that I will call upon for the rest of my life. You guys should know that what you did was incredibly nice and my appreciation goes beyond my vocabulary. This Trackday weekend was just really special to me.
Thanks to all who helped make it possible for me by the way! You all are the best.
It was a great learning experience to say the absolute least. My riding improved and that is great. I really am pleased the way I responded to the two down hill parts. I was not intimidated and accelerated through them which is a personal achievment for me as I have had my troubles with downhills in the past but not on Saturday!!!
Also, before the track day I had a huge amount of respect for pro racers and amateur racers as well as all you fast peeps. But after actually doing a track day, I have to say, I have even a higher and greater respect for you pro and amateur racers and all you fast people that can go fast all day. It’s hard to go fast, especially for long periods of time and I have nothing but respect for those who can ride at such high skill levels at speed for extended periods of time.
I couldln’t get the smile off my face. I smiled so much my face hurt. I was ultra anxious to get out there the first time. When I finally did it was incredible! I remember leaving the garage and thinking to myself as I twisted the throttle, “OK Hutch, slow down Bro your in a parking lot”! I was a little excited to say the least.
Then I rolled to the starting area and while sitting there was just thinking, “Woooo Hoooo”!
Then the guy motioned to go and I was off towards the first corner. As I rolled out onto the track it felt like it did when I first rode a real two wheel pedal bike when I was 5 years old. I remember that day and that feeling well. I felt free. I felt freedom.
Well, it was the same excitement and feeling I had then at 5 years old on my American Flyer with a banana seat. I rolled out on that big wide track towards the first corner with a huge smile on my face and I felt free. I had a feeling of freedom and satisfaction just like when I was a child riding my bike for the first time. I felt Awesome! At that paticular moment I had no other thought in my mind at all except the track, the Gsxr and the ride! I was free indeed of all the troubles in the world and the problems in my life at least for the next 20 minutes if not for the whole day and it was priceless to say the least.
When I rolled in I was one happy dude and the rest of the day nothing changed. It was awesome, it was all awesome.
Hutch
Speaking for myself “It’s part fantasy camp, part training, part “taking it to the track” and get it out of your system, and it’s a whole lot of fun” sums it up pretty good.
Racing for me was a dream come true and something that I always longed to get back to. Reality is, it’s expensive and a large commitment of time as well, therefore becoming a dream once again.
Track days is that fantasy camp and because most people out there are trying to do the best that they can out there, being competitive out there isn’t a far stretch from racing. There just isn’t points, trophies, or the big hole in your check book. You get the feel, get to live the racing and when it’s over, go back to your life and plan when you want to do the next day.
Taking it to the track and getting it out of your system is also a very accurate statement. Since doing the few track days I’ve done, I don’t have the burning desire to be involve in the political arena that is the local racing organization. It also creates a nice buffer on the street where knowing that I can ride like that on the track, helps me keep things in line on the street.
What’s bad about track days? If you love riding and just want to know what it’s like to ride on the track (for the experience, improving your riding, or other reasons) the hook gets set. You’ll find yourself figuring out how you’ll get the money together for the next track day. They can be very addicting.
They are what you make of them, you get out of them what you’re willing to put in to them. Go in eager to learn, and the knowledge will flow from one turn to the next.