Not long now. As this will be the first time for me, anything I need to prepare before the day? Do I need the brake lever guard thingy? Anything else I should do?
Don't need those unless you are racing. Just drop your tyre pressures a few PSI and make sure to warm them up a for a lap or two before going for the knee down. Take your mirrors off or fold them in. Start off steady and gradually build up over the day. Most important is: have fun!
I think the Bennett's track days are run by MSVT and according to their FAQ's you DO need a brake lever guard, so I would fit one or at least check with the organiser.
Ditto on that. Some tracks / organisers insist on lever guards and back protectors, some don't. The best thing to do is to read through the details from your particular provider and go with their recommendations PPE, mirrors, tyre pressures (you may not need to alter them) etc. Take she'd loads of food and drink if you can, or a lot of £, as you'll be burning through a massive amount of calories and liquid during the day . And don't forget your paperwork! Oh, and take a good sense of humour and lots of excitement.
Oh sorry for the bad advice. You are right! Things have obviously changed since I last did an MSV track day. You can see all the regulations here: https://bike.msvtrackdays.com/FAQ/Booked.
My Track Day tick list: Licence Indemnities Paperwork Bike Key! Leathers Helmet Boots Gloves Base layers Change of clothes Waterproofs Earplugs Charging cable Towel Sunblock Wet wipes Lip balm Glasses Ibuprofen / migraine meds Hairbrush Hairband Food and Drink Coffee Milk Mug Reading material Pit biatch Some of that may not be applicable to you, although the last item is an absolute essential.
Thanks everyone. Much appreciated I will double check with them on some of the minutiae to see what is what and thanks Janey for your concise list On the day it will be just me so should be interesting as a lot on your list will require someone else!! Will probably stay at my daughters house as only 30 mins from the track otherwise a 1.5 hour ride and you have to be there for 07:30 am.
Fingers crossed for the weather I'm a member of the craner club but in a car not on a bike thankfully. Still remember flying towards the gravel trap on wet grass, luckily it went in front first and buried itself, if it was sideways no doubt it would have flipped and rolled.
I do a good handful of track days each year and can confirm brake leaver guard is mandatory. It’s been mandatory for a few years now. It’s also mandatory to have a back protector. This was a 2022 rule. On the day speak to the on-site tire guy and he’ll give you the right tire pressures for your bike and tires. Bring tools to remove mirrors, licence plate etc. People are friendly though and will let you borrow tools. Soft cloth or wipes to clean your visor. I can’t urge the importance of this next point. It takes about two laps without tire warmers to get enough heat in your tires to bring up tire pressure and have maximum grip. Go get yourself booked in with one of the riding coaches. It’s free and you’ll make progress quicker. Go on YouTube and watch track day vids so you can see what the day is like and the typical track lines. Have fun. Hope the weather is perfect for you.
That's not correct, which is why you need to check with the track / provider. For instance, this is Castle Combe's policy: "Are Brake Lever Guards compulsory? At present, Castle Combe Circuit are not insisting on participants having brake lever guards on their bikes. We are aware that other circuits and track day operators have made them compulsory. Is the use of back protectors compulsory? Castle Combe Circuit would highly recommend that all riders who participate on track days here wear a back protector. We are aware that other circuits and track day operators have made them compulsory. " I wouldn't worry about removing mirrors as you can just fold them in. And unless you're planning on doing something highly illegal, there's no point faffing with removing your numberplate either. If it's your road bike, why bother?
Thanks both. I will get the brake leve guard as not a lot of money and not to bad of an addition (anyone know which type I need?) As I do not have race leathers I am hiring a set (the deal includes the leathers, gloves, boots and helmet) which has all the necessary protectors so all good there. If I find that I get bitten by the bug then I will buy some race leathers! Was hoping to stay at my daughters the night before but she lives in a terraced and the alley way leading to the back of the house is too small to get the bike into her back yard so will just have to ride down in the morning instead (about an hour and 30 mins from my house to the track so will need to leave no later than 6am. Sounds like I will be knackered riding home so have booked the full week off to help recover
The brake lever guard really does help in the event you put the bike down. Good investment. After a death a few years ago it became mandatory for good reason. Do you have crash bungs fitted? Interesting about the suit rental. Good way of testing if track days are for you. Your neck takes a lot of abuse on the track so expect that to hurt. Do you have a quick-shifter?
I know what Janey said above, but I’ll be super surprised if a back protector isn’t mandatory. I’ve booked Donington through multiple track day providers and they all require brake lever guard and back protector.
Thanks all I have the crash bungs on the bike but no quick shifter. Will leave all the bits on the bike (number plate, indicators etc as to much faff to remove - if I like it and fancy doing it again then will look at doing this next time - maybe look to get a bike trailer etc) Regards the front room, I did think of that the the hallway goes thinner after about 3 feet so the bike wouldn't fit width wise
I’d suggest since you don’t have a quickshifter not to get carried away with gear changes on the first session. Once you’re familiar with the circuit you can start to worry about staying in the power band.
If you get hooked and decide to do more trackdays, I'm going to suggest from personal, expensive experience that engine protection goes top of your list of must-haves on your lovely bike.
