Track Days
 

I wanna do a track day so bad but I am scared of being out there with other riders in such close proximity. I'd hate to be responsible for someone else going down cuz I drifted outta my line or something thru a turn. Am I just psyching myself out? Was it scary the first time for everyone?

It's normal to feel that way, especially when its something out of your norm. Best thing to do is to take a beginner class like TPM's ART Basic Class. Classroom theory mixed with track time. Once you do it, you'll be mad at yourself for not doing it sooner...I know I was.

My first ART was at patriot. The class really helps you. The only thing I had to get used to was people buzzing by you way faster than you are traveling. If you follow the coaches, You will be in the correct place on track. After a few sessions you feel much better, and as cakes said, you will probably be pissed that you didn't try it sooner.

My feelings exactly. I was upset that I didn't know about track days sooner than I did. As Joe and Jim have already said, ART Basic will get your head around that way of thinking and show you how to enjoy your first track day. Coming back is almost certain.
Ken

I still get nervous before every track day. Once you're out there riding it goes away.

The sooner you do it the better. You'll be amazed how much your riding will improve after a few track days.

Where is the closest track that's beginner friendly? And I need to go and sign up for like a Gold membership or something thru the TPM website?

Jay - There are only two reasons not to do track days.

1: Your street rides will all become somewhat boring,
because you now KNOW you can go faster.

2: You don't want another expensive hobby to take up all your money.

Those are the only negatives that I can think of, so JUST DO IT!

EDIT:
You can sign up as an associate member for ZERO DOLLARS. Yes, no cost whatsoever.
(They know you'll be hooked after your first day.)
The road course inside the Nascar oval at Pocono is good for your first track days.
It's close, and it's still better than riding "fast" on the street.

http://www.teampromotion.com/tpm.php?page_id=art
You don't have to be a Gold Member(hehe)...just sign up for the ART Basic Class. Pocono is a good place to start being its close. Next track other than Pocono I would say Summit Point, WV on the Main course. I did my first track day on Summit Main, really nice fun flowing track.

Feel free to mark me as a referral :D

Just typed in Cakes982 from SBA as referred by :D

Joe Cakes is fine :lol:
What day did you register for?

You beat tommymac to that one! :lol:

I dont think you get anything for that anymore, but then again since the giveaways came back you might. I got everyone from CF to use me as a referral and got nada:moocow:

I would go with what the others said too. Just worry about yourself, its everyone elses responsibility to get around you.

Tom

I haven't picked a day yet. There is still alot I have to read up on first. You can't use regular anti-freeze on the track right? Other than that, it's just taping up the lights?

If you're signing up with TPM, they'll send you the rules. For most beginner track days you don't need to do anything much to your bike. Just tape up the lights (or remove them) and that's about it. If you want to get more serious then you can start safety wiring stuff but that's only required after you move up to one of the more serious groups. The ART Basic class is really good and is free now so it's well worth doing IMO. I'm actually thinking of going to PocoNO again soon and signing up for ART II. I enjoyed the training aspect probably more than the going fast bit. My friend was the opposite. We both found that the instructors barely said a word to either of us because we didn't need that much help compared to some of the people in the class. The only thing about PocoNO for you (IMO) would be your bike. If you're doing the East course then it's pretty damn small. I'm no super fast guy or track day junkie but I didn't get my 750 out of second most of the day. I'm sure if I were better I could quite easily and obviously I don't know how good you are but I found it a little frustrating because I think gear selection is one of the areas I could use some work. Anyway, it's definitely fun, some people certainly cut down their street riding after getting into track days, I know at least one guy who loves track days but still loves riding street. I like both. Riding on the street is something I really enjoy but I'm generally a lot more easy going than some of my friends, I just light it up in the corners, everywhere else I ride the same as I drive.

I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself dude.

I believe in beginner and intermediate groups you can run anti freeze but they prefer you dont. A lot of guys use engine ice so that it can be stored durring the winter and it wont freeze.

Tom