Wacko_ZA
Epic Member
So I have opted to stop hijacking other threads, and start my own for fellow Carbies that might be keen on learning more, or wanting to try a track day.
The basic thing folks need to understand first and foremost, IT IS NOT RACING! The aim of a track day is to enjoy your (insert crazy HP figure here) motorcycle in a controlled safe environment with no traffic, animals, and other obstacles, with like minded folk, and to have fun.
The second thing is, and this is great news if you have a oops, is most self-respecting insurance companies cover controlled track days.
So what do you need? Well, a bike would be great to start off with.
A decent helmet, gloves, jacket (leather is always best but not a must) jeans (RIDING JEANS AT THE BEAR MINIMUM I BEG OF YOU!) and some riding shoes/boots… please guys no tekkies/crocs/flip flops, I can tell you a few stories from my days as an operational paramedic that will change your mind if you are still riding in tekkies, so please feel free to DM me if you need convincing to invest in a R1500 pair of alpine star booties.
Prep wise, a good night’s rest before the day, and LOADS of hydration before during and after the day. No alcohol before or during your ride is permitted, and it would just be daft to do so anyways.
If you can trailer your bike to the track, but many folk ride there and back and there is nothing wrong with it.
So where do you go?
Most race tracks in South Africa have at least a monthly bike day, and there are also a few bike riding schools that offer track time courses that are well worth looking into as it translates well into street rossi mode too. My personal preference (I live in Centurion) is redstar out near Delmas MP, simply because there is ALWAYS trackside marshals, paramedics, and on track riding marshals available, and there to show you lines, and also because it’s a AWESOME challenging track.
The costs of track days vary from track to track, but again, during the week redstar charges R700 for a full day, or R900 on a Saturday or Sunday, that will usually give you 5 or 6 sessions in your group…
That is right, the day is always split into 20 minute sessions where riders go out in groups, A for the fast/racing boys, B for those of us that think we can, but still cant really, and C for the safe, smart cautious rider, or those just getting started.
I would really like to urge any and every Carbie with a bike, to give tracks a go at least once, there is a lot to learn, and TONS of fun to be had, and if you bring a mate or 2 along it can be a great experience to ride FAST together, safely.
If anyone is keen, or has more questions, please fire them away.
I would like to stress, I am by no means a pro, I started riding in August 2019 for the first time, and I was that outjie that got a S1000R as my first bike, 3 weeks later I tracked it for the first time, and the rest as they say is history.
My panigale keeps me awake at night now, whispering trough my window how she wants to be a all out track machine, and I find myself wondering what to do.
As a incentive I post a video from yesterday, Where I treated myself to a speedangle lap timer with built in GPS, to aid me in developing my track riding.
Over the past 3 weeks (and 3 track days) I have found over 4 seconds, and I am nearing that magic sub 2:10 lap time at Redstar.
If you are keen on my adventures, please consider giving me a follow on socials
www.instagram.com
And here is the video from yesterday, ENJOY!
The basic thing folks need to understand first and foremost, IT IS NOT RACING! The aim of a track day is to enjoy your (insert crazy HP figure here) motorcycle in a controlled safe environment with no traffic, animals, and other obstacles, with like minded folk, and to have fun.
The second thing is, and this is great news if you have a oops, is most self-respecting insurance companies cover controlled track days.
So what do you need? Well, a bike would be great to start off with.
A decent helmet, gloves, jacket (leather is always best but not a must) jeans (RIDING JEANS AT THE BEAR MINIMUM I BEG OF YOU!) and some riding shoes/boots… please guys no tekkies/crocs/flip flops, I can tell you a few stories from my days as an operational paramedic that will change your mind if you are still riding in tekkies, so please feel free to DM me if you need convincing to invest in a R1500 pair of alpine star booties.
Prep wise, a good night’s rest before the day, and LOADS of hydration before during and after the day. No alcohol before or during your ride is permitted, and it would just be daft to do so anyways.
If you can trailer your bike to the track, but many folk ride there and back and there is nothing wrong with it.
So where do you go?
Most race tracks in South Africa have at least a monthly bike day, and there are also a few bike riding schools that offer track time courses that are well worth looking into as it translates well into street rossi mode too. My personal preference (I live in Centurion) is redstar out near Delmas MP, simply because there is ALWAYS trackside marshals, paramedics, and on track riding marshals available, and there to show you lines, and also because it’s a AWESOME challenging track.
The costs of track days vary from track to track, but again, during the week redstar charges R700 for a full day, or R900 on a Saturday or Sunday, that will usually give you 5 or 6 sessions in your group…
That is right, the day is always split into 20 minute sessions where riders go out in groups, A for the fast/racing boys, B for those of us that think we can, but still cant really, and C for the safe, smart cautious rider, or those just getting started.
I would really like to urge any and every Carbie with a bike, to give tracks a go at least once, there is a lot to learn, and TONS of fun to be had, and if you bring a mate or 2 along it can be a great experience to ride FAST together, safely.
If anyone is keen, or has more questions, please fire them away.
I would like to stress, I am by no means a pro, I started riding in August 2019 for the first time, and I was that outjie that got a S1000R as my first bike, 3 weeks later I tracked it for the first time, and the rest as they say is history.
My panigale keeps me awake at night now, whispering trough my window how she wants to be a all out track machine, and I find myself wondering what to do.
As a incentive I post a video from yesterday, Where I treated myself to a speedangle lap timer with built in GPS, to aid me in developing my track riding.
Over the past 3 weeks (and 3 track days) I have found over 4 seconds, and I am nearing that magic sub 2:10 lap time at Redstar.
If you are keen on my adventures, please consider giving me a follow on socials
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And here is the video from yesterday, ENJOY!
