What do I do at the East coast RAT meeting?

I've gotten back into riding over the last 2 years. I have not yet done a RAT meet or a track day. I am told that a track day is a good thing to do improve my skills. I am thinking of signing up for the bogarts motorsports track day at the barber motorsports park april 30. I would also love to ride some demo bikes if they have them. I'm thinking of trading the RS for an 05 sprint ST. Which should I do? I've got joe rocker textille ballistic pants and ballistic jacket, is that good enough for a first time track rider? Will the track day take all day or will I have other things to do?

[unummyu]

RStrophyman,
A lot of it depends on who is sponsoring the track day. I think all tracks will require you to drain and flush the cooling system to remove the antifreeze, remove turn signals and mirrors, tape over head and tail lights, disable brake and head lights. At least 80% tread, no oil or cooling leaks, noise below 105 dB. They usually divide the riders into three groups, expert racer, intermediate and novice. The novice group will have the least restrictions on safety gear and bike prep, usually no safety wiring required. Some novice groups will allow two piece zip together suits or one piece textile protection, most if not all intermediate and racer classes require full leathers and back protectors. The sponsor should be able to tell you what the requirements are. There is a US DESMO track day coming up Monday, April 4 at Roebling road near Savannah $125. I'm going with a friend and according to the sponsor there is plenty of room left. Check out
US Desmo web site
The web site has all the forms you will need and explains what safety gear, bike prep etc. you will need.
US Desmo will get you on the track at least 8 times at 20 minutes/group so there isn't much time for anything else. Real nice people and pretty laid back track time.

John

[ This message was edited by: unummyu on 2005-03-15 18:22 ]

[garry]

A track day with lots of instruction (classroom time between sessions) and feedback from your control rider/coach is a very good way to improve your skills.

Being turned loose on a track with little more instruction than the usual riders meeting could suck. I know I found the track to be an intimidating place at first. Without instruction and feedback, you're likely to just practice bad habits.

I'm not sure which flavor track day they will be offering. As posted by someone else, the riding gear requirements tend to be a bit more lenient in the novice group. Two piece textile that zips together plus leather boots and gloves may be good enough.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for the info.
I thought of taking a track riding course at the atlanta motorspeedway. Maybe I should do that first before going alone on the track?

Thanks for the info.
I thought of taking a track riding course at the atlanta motorspeedway. Maybe I should do that first before going alone on the track?

[Lefty]

On 2005-03-17 18:46, rstrophyman wrote:
Thanks for the info.
I thought of taking a track riding course at the atlanta motorspeedway. Maybe I should do that first before going alone on the track?

Hello RS, this site http://209.82.178.153/forums/ is fantastic for race stuff. Many good and local members that do many track days and the site is sponsored by STT. Hope this helps.

[garry]

STT = Sportbike Track Time (www.sportbiketracktime.com)

STT runs a great track day for Novices. Very instructional and highly recommended. I did one last year and hope to do two more with them this season.

[OldSwede]

Track days are very good but they can also bring out the worst of you. Can you accept being overtaken by an old Honda without trying to go faster than you skills admit?
Check the tyre pressure and bleed the brakes before you go, it’s the small things that can make you loose control. Be prepared and it will be great fun!