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Didn't take the class, mostly because the whole even got tangled up with organizational issues. I guess Mark and the people that run Spokane Raceway Park got all crossed up. Did two days at Spokane anyway, and it was a complete blast. Mark just has track days at Pacific Raceway this year, probably because of that snafu.
Don't worry too much about the sliding part. That happened a couple of years ago on a set of tires that probably shouldn't have been on the bike anymore. The temperature was in the high 90s, and the tires already had three track days on them. I had my front tire let go suddenly this summer, but the tire was a Pirelli, not a Bridgestone. Could have been because I was chasing a couple of guys on race tires (as I found out later). Very little harm done, but it was a surprise. And, it was as much my own fault as anything for riding past the capability of the street tires I had on the bike. Don't forget that a T100 has a whole lot less cornering clearance than a TT600. I doubt that you will have any problem with your tires, but if you do get to the ragged edge, my experience is that Bridgestones will be predictable and treat you very well.
You are absolutely right about the shape affecting handling. Dunlops generally have a pointy profile that makes the bike fall into corners. Metzlers generally have a rounder profile that keeps the bike stable, but doesn't turn as quickly. For your first track day, just use what you are used to.
Don't be nervous at all. Just use the track day as a learning experience and don't let anyone push you to go faster or slower than you want. You will learn more about what you and your bike can do together in ten laps than you can imagine. Mark doesn't tolerate much squidly behavior, so you shouldn't have any problems with other riders. Also, nearly every track day is split up into three groups, so you will be on the track with other street riders, not full race bikes. You will have a complete blast! The only problem with doing track days is that they are habit forming!
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