General Track Day Info - Getting Started Etc.

[DefyInertia]

I will add information to this over time...

THE INFORMATION I'M POSTING PERTAINS TO THE FZ6 AND THE U.S.A.! FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR OWN LOCAL COUNTRY INFO. AS YOU SEE FIT. ALSO, FEEL FREE TO POST ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE ANSWERED HERE.

General Information Sources:

trackdaymag.com: TrackdayMag - Home
This site has a map for finding tracks and track day orgs in your area. It also has a ton of great articles and product reviews as you'd expect from a magazine.


ApexJunkie.com: TrackDays
Great "what to expect on the first day" information written by a NESBA control rider.


National Track Day Providers:

NESBA track day org: NESBA : Northeast Sports Bike Association
NESBA provides excellent instruction both on and off the track, is a non-profit org., offers FREE intro sessions, and has a helpful online forum. This is my preferred org right now.


STT track day org: Sportbike Track Time - Get on the right track !! Toll Free #888-390-4020
Similar to NESBA but with a more structured Beginner class with 6 or 7 classroom sessions every day. For profit but still a pretty friendly org. They also have a online forum but it's not too active.


Protective Gear:

The required prep will vary from track day organization to organization, region to region, and of course the level you're at. The track day you sign up for will provide you with the requirements in advance. For example, STT and NESBA post all gear requirements on their website by level (novice, intermediate, advanced....).

Dedicated back and chest protectors are highly recommended.

Stock FZ6 at the track:
(ground clearance, tires, suspension, brakes, etc.)

Please remove your peg feelers and sidestand. The sidestand switch can simply be folded back and zip-tied in place.

To be continued...

Insurance Coverage:

Track day accident coverage will vary by provider. Most companies will cover you so long as the track day is not a "timed event" and has the underlying purpose of skill enhancement. Check how you track day provider markets their offerings and then check YOUR insurance policy.

Whatever you do, make sure you have proper health insurance!!!

Bike Preparation:

The required prep will vary from track day organization to organization, region to region, and of course the level you're at. The track day you sign up for will provide you with the requirements in advance. For example, STT and NESBA post all bike requirements on their website by level (novice, intermediate, advanced....).

That said, there is no such thing as making your bike too safe. A safe bike benefits you and those you share the track with (who have paid a lot of $$$ to be there and want to go home safe). I won't spend any more time on bike prep. since many issues specific to the FZ6 were addressed above, and it's largely dictated by org. / personal choice.

Here are some pictures of the safety wire I use on my FZ6:









I also prep my bike with distilled water and water wetter in place of regular coolant.

The FZ6 in Action!!!!:

Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, IL - Turn 7


Ped, Hellgate, etc. we need more pics!

Thanks!

I'm in the process of getting my 07 GSXR600 ready for the track. Just need plastics now!

[DefyInertia]

Originally Posted by fz6nick

Is one tank of gas going to be enough? Am I going to need to bring like a 5 gallon gascan with me?

It depends on your pace.

Faster guys cover more distance during the day and are at WOT more of the time. If you think about the amount of track time you're going to get, your anticipated lap times, the track length, and factor in a low MPG, you should be able to estimate your fuel consumption.

At the track, I always keep the bike at about 2 gallons and just keep adding to it every other session during the day as I can definitely notice the difference in weight a full tank makes when in knee-draggin trim. In any event, most tracks have gas pumps but the cost is usually really high.

If you don't have a gas can and don't want to buy one, I'd just show up with a full tank and keep an eye on it. The last thing you want to do is run out of gas on the track.

Here is another tip remove the peg nipples as they will hit the tarmac before your knee which is not what you want.

For FZ6 I found that I have to put my toe on top of the inside peg in the curves as if you use normal track technique your toe will hit before your knee which is also not what you want.

I went my first time with a full tank of gas and didn't run out...had an extra 5 gallon container borrowed from a riding friend. I could feel how much easier the end of day was with a 1/4 tank of gas left! Next time, I'll just add for each session, but not a full tank. Gas cans are cheap, so you should just get one...plus a jerry can help save your car too

Thank you for the advice, Defy! It's really good stuff.

As many can assume, the track has high speeds, but a safe environment. Don't go to be stupid. Please go to work on technique...the speed will follow. AND after the track, you'll realize that "some" of us need to SLOW DOWN on the street...

you requested some pics of our FZ's in action: (Streets of Willow Springs, Willow Springs Raceway, CA)

Are bikes like ninja 250 / GS500 allowed in the intermediate class?

I saw a 250 2-stroke in the A group while I was there...

[DefyInertia]

On the street it's 90% rider, 10% bike.on the track it's 99/1%!

So yes...pace
, not bike dictate.

Originally Posted by crazybiker

Are bikes like ninja 250 / GS500 allowed in the intermediate class?

Man with all these preps for the track, we are talking lots of money. I always wanted to go to the track, but I will wait a whole lot longer now knowing how much money I will be throwing out. But I love those pics. Please post more track pics and our FZ6 riping thru the turns.

[DefyInertia]

Originally Posted by staticghost

Man with all these preps for the track, we are talking lots of money.

At first, the only real cost is the track fee and getting there. Assuming you already have proper safety gear. What other costs are you talking about?

The cost of NOT having the skills that can be acquired in a "safe" environment at the track are potentially far greater than the monetary cost of gettting out there a couple times a year.

NESBA offers free intro sessions for first timers. That's right, free track time. Check it out on their website.