Wiltshire Bikers Trackday - never been on track? This could be your chance

[Wes]

If we cant fill the entire day with wbers at Llandow, it could be worth asking if we can book in advance, filling say the novice group as a wb only, and the rest could filter into inters and fast.
Castle coombe is a decent local circuit which dont operate the usual type of nov/inter/fast, but there is a new to track group, this is as it says but doesnt go on ability or experience, if we contact them im sure we could make sure we all end up in the same groups, tho they only run on a wednesday.
Most other tracks are a bit of a distance away, a better day for sure, but as most could be riding there and back, it might be a bit of an ask.

[Dabz]

Castle Combe are happy for us to fill our own group if we have 12 or 24 (which would be 2 groups). Possibly also able to provide us some extra instructors for sighting laps - after all it's in their interests to get more people on track who might book again. We can negotiate a discount lik we did the last couple of times, but likely to be more like £90-100 so my gut is that we'd struggle to fill 12?

Also SWB are happy to organise a joint llandow day with extra novice groups if that's what our aim is. Could be a good idea to keep costs down for the riders - I'm not too familiar with the setup at llandow though and the short track doesn't fully appeal

I guess it depends what people want - I love the idea of a proper garage etc but then again as a novice i also enjoy doing Combe because it's close to home, familiar circuit, and always very accommodating to us.

And I need to get my ass in gear to find funds for a track bike

[Last Train]

Good to see some other options put forward, thanks guys,

Combe would be my fave looking at the choices. A length track and an easy mooch home when you're knackered


And I need to get my ass in gear and fix my Firebolt.

[billinom8]

the trouble with castle combe is the noise level, anything louder than a mouse fart and you won't be allowed on circuit.

just because you are on a track doesn't mean you have to rag/race/thrash/scream and any other verbs you choose to use. you ride at whatever pace you like. I marshalle there a few years ago and was shoadowing one rider who was doing 56 mph down the straight and 9 mph into the bus stop. It really doesn't matter what your pace so throw that concern out the window, chances are you will ride faster and take more risks just riding to work if you were to put them down on paper.

leathers, yes they have to be worn and zip together, if you don't have them, ask. there might be a few spare sets drifting around the site that you can borrow.

swb did two at llandow last year, one normal in June and one novice day in August. They are both well populated with WBrs, the instructors provided by us were there between sessions to talk or advise if needed to anyone in their group aswell as when out to play.

the chicane at the end of the back straight has enough space to allow one bike to pass through in a straight line, it's there to slow people dow before the corner. there is an 'oh sh!t' lane at the end of the home straight just in case you feel you are going to over shoot (tut tut) or jump off (gerry).

yes the track is short, compared to donny or cadwell but it's the just slightly shorter than mallory but that means you get comfortable on circuit quicker and also you are doing the same corner every 50-70 seconds so you get to practice alot.

as a toe dipping exercise into the world of track llandow is ideal, ok so there are no garages, so take a gazebo. the circuit is run by very friendly people who are more than happy to have a laugh with you and help out.

if this was advertised on swb to help fill the groups you would get like minded and similar ability riders with the same outlook towards their pride and joy.

distance to Llandow is nothing, maybe 100 miles for you. i would advise against riding to a trackday as come the end of the day you are very tired. A lot get together and share vans or trailers. that way you can get 2 or 3 bikes together, split the cost or fuel, driving and rental 3 ways. plus you have people to talk to there and back, adds to the spirit and ecitement of the day.

look to the positive,
remember there isn't a maximum OR minimum speed,
no one is born an awesome rider despite what they may tell you,
at some point it was everyones first trackday,
you will be surrounded by friends in the same boat - all having fun
and
there will be lots of people on hand to make your day fun, fun , fun by helping you out.

[Toph]

I would seriously love to do a trackday.. definitely makes my juices flow, I rode competitive bike motorsport 30 years ago and the love of the adrenanline rush still flows through my veins.
BUT..
My beloved FZ1 is not only my bike of choice, but my personal transport , social, domestic and pleasure.. I need it to ride to work.
I'm worried that if I rode it on a trackday the old competitive spirit would kick in... and I would grow horns.
I would love to do a trackday on a dedicated trackbike, and would really enjoy it, but the fear of binning my yam would be always in the back of my mind, so would probably lessen the enjoyment of the day.
gotta save up for a trackbike.. would love to unlease the devil in me on the track.

[Wes]

Theres a company in Gloucester that hire trackbikes, ive seen them at the bikesafe day

[billinom8]

i'll help you out all i can

[Gerry]

From what I've seen it's very expensive to hire a trackbike, and if you bin it, even more expensive!
It depends how serious people are but if two / three people joined forces you can get a bike for around a grand !
eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-Z...item3f451ef8fe

Or road worthy !

http://www.gumtree.com/p/yamaha-moto.../r6/1082087781

Could be run in two groups in a day, novice & inters
Just a thought :-)

[Trev]

Toph, know what you mean but a track day hasn't got to be balls out, au could have a lot of fun on an FZ1 without being too crazy. A great chance to use more of its capabilities than you could on the road

[Dabz]

I've done a few track days on my road bike, really it's the ability to ride fast without worrying about potholes, drain covers, other traffic, mud etc. I actually went slower on track on average than I do on the road but faster through the corners. Taped over the speedo so I didn't check speed and race myself