Basically I fancy doing a track day somewhere soon. Unfortunately the bike I have is an early 80's naked and so not the kind of bike to take on track really! So I was wondering if there are any tracks that can hire out a bike for me to use? Or a race school that provides the equipment and maybe some instruction? The kit I have myself is: Rst 2part leathers zipped together Rst waterproof touring boots Cheap leather winter gloves / cheap summer gloves Brand new Nolan N85 helmet Wondering what other kit I would need to be allowed on track. Also the three sisters days they seem to be any bike any time are theY strict on safety gear too? Sorry for the rambling on a bit, just popped a sleeping pill they normally take longer than this to kick in so I, I'm I'm going to go gone to sleeeeeep nowwwww ...... ZzzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzz
If you've never done a track day at all before I'd strongly recommend Ron Haslam Race School... I did it with my dad & cousin and it was epic. They provide you with new CBR600's and all your kit, and you get taken out by an instructor who leads you round and helps you build up speed It's quite expensive in some ways as you get three x 15 minute seasons, but I found it very tiring with the concentration and thought it was an excellent way to do it. I wouldn't have wanted another 15 minutes for the first time My cousin used to do some racing, and was a bit sceptical about coming, but came along anyway as it was for my dad's birthday, and he said he couldn't believe how much he enjoyed it , the instructors pair you up with people of similar abilities, and the instructors do gradually push you to go as quick as you can without going mental If you don't fancy that (you should! Lol), then focusedevents have hire bikes - I have done two track days with them on my own bike and have been impressed It sounds like you have appropriate kit for starting - many people recommend back protectors but they're not compulsory - personally the only thing out of your kit I'd want checking is the 'cheap' gloves - are you confident in them if you deck it? It's honestly one of the best things I've ever done, let us know how you get on
Have a look on the msv site. They occasionally do a 'novice taster session' And novice only days. For renting a bike I would only use Smallboy track rental Proper sorted bikes.
Yep plus one for small boy track bikes Your own bike would be fine to begin with. I recall seeing. A 1980s Enfield A few years back ! You get all types of riders and bikes in the novice group
Thanks for the info have had a look on the Website, which one did you do as there are a few different packages available? Thanks for the tip about small boy track bikes too looks like a good option too
i worked as an instructor for the Haslam race sch when it was at donny . its back there now . the class you need is the Premier class , thats the 600 one , the class above is the elite. where we use the blades......you cant do an elite without having done the premier. The groups below are all for young kids .....and i mean that .....i saw 10 yr olds on the 500s if your thinking of going down this route also check out the Chris Walker race school a few of the Haslam Instructors work there too and tell me it is better......i find that impossible as Rons classes are superbly organised and safe .. Elite instructors at Ron include his son Leon. John Reynolds , Neil Mackenzie , Neil Hodgson. i saw guy martin there about five years ago. my boss was John Kirkham ..top rider and instructor he is
When I did the Chris Walker race school I was very unimpressed. The time on the bike was great ( was my first trackday ) but I found the setup and organising on the day poor. Having said that it hadn't been set up long so it may be an excellent experience now I dunno. Want to do one on my bike now
Already answered - but you have to go for the 600 one... I can't rate the Ron Haslam School set up enough... It was at Donnington that I did it too, so it was a couple of years ago... I still dream about that double apex corner (I have a crap memory and can't remember the corner name - the one where it's up a hill and you have to turn before you can see the corner... then stay leaned for the 2nd apex... it takes a couple of laps to get it right but oh my god when you get it right... after the 2nd apex you come out onto the back straight and if you can nail the entry of the first corner right you don't half feel the extra speed on the straight Do it... You'll love it, and if you've never been on a track before at all it'll give you a chance to follow someone into corners to get a grip with racing lines... I felt much more confident going onto a track on my own for the 'first time' after having done the Ron Haslam thing as I knew where to expect people and where I should be Do it, do it!!
That's the fella... I remember it when I hear it (and only laziness stopped me googling it, lol) Cheers
Yeah think I'll go for the Haslam school, will give me a taste of what it's like, some advice and instruction and all the gear supplied, just need to get it booked now
give me a shout when your thinking of going, i too am very interested in this, and have no track experience whatsoever
Will do, gonna chat to the GF about it tmw will let her think she has a say in it so she doesn't complain haha, will prob have to buy her something to keep her sweet though
Take her with you. Spectators are more than welcome. Nice cafe there. Plenty going on. It's right across the road from the norton factory too. Ask if you can have a wander in there watching the bikes being hand built
Yeah will see if she wants to come too, as long as she doesn't put me off lol, having a hot girlfriend can be quite distracting at times haha, Had a look at the Chris walker school online too looks good as well and although a bit more expensive looks like you might get a bit more track time out of it? Same kind of distance too so 50:50 which one I'll go for now
I have been in touch with Ron Haslam Race School and told them about this thread... I asked if there could be a discount for the group to try and temp you (I thought it was worth a try!) and this is what they replied... Thank you so much for your email we would love for you all to come to us and not the other school we are now back at donington I’m sure they will all agree it’s better than Mallory our normal price is £289 for our premier course we can do you a club special at 250 each if that is ok we look forward to your reply ann Ann's email address is ann@rhracing.co.uk - just quote this thread!
I'm thinking weds 26th August or tues 3rd sept Possibly weds 14th if other people were planning on going down in a group and that was what suited people best