Intro day or Beginner for first time?

[sr1]

I am pretty sure I want to get into track days, but have never done one. Is there an advantage in skipping the free Intro Day and going straight to paying for a Beginner Day? I'm not all that local to the track I'd go to (I'll be going to VIR, approx 100 miles away), will I wish I'd just done the Beginner Day?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Emerson]

Just sign up for the entire day you wont regret it, i think i can speak for most of and say that this hobby is very addictive. All you are going to regret is not having done it sooner!

 

[tribal_06]

my time at the track i did a full day, dont regret it at all

 

[motormech1]

Trust me, if you only do the intro and then want to stay but there's no room you'll probably punch yourself in the face repeatedly like some kinda crystal meth addict or lose control and go postal or something. Just do the whole day!

 

[Mike Dozier]

Emerson;1444 wrote: Just sign up for the entire day you wont regret it, i think i can speak for most of and say that this hobby is very addictive. All you are going to regret is not having done it sooner!

:agree::agree::agree::

 

[JRA]

sr1, obviously we want you to stay for the whole day, and I think everybody here agrees that you will most likely want to stay after the first two sessions. The intro sessions were made available for people just like you though, riders who think they want to get in to track days but would like to test the water first. This is one of the many things that makes NESBA the best club around.

The Intro riders are assigned a Control Rider that works with the Intro group for the first two sessions. These sessions are led by the CR and the pace is controlled so that you can become familiar with the track without going too fast too soon. This is a great opportunity for first time track riders to get some one on one with a much more experienced rider, ask questions, and learn the basics of riding on the track. Intro groups are small, usually ranging from between one and five riders. Obviously Control Riders are there to answer your questions and work on track with you all day long, but the advantage to the Intro group is you have a specific guy assigned to you.

You can always pay and sign up for the rest of the day after the intro sessions are over. We always maintain enough of a buffer in the beginner group that the Intro riders will have the chance to stay for the rest of the day if they want. Since it sounds like you don't have any previous track experience you might want to take advantage of this benefit. We also have a lot of first time track riders who go straight to beginner and do very well, however I think the ones who do the best are very experienced street riders. If I were you I would take into consideration your own street riding experience, and what you percieve your level of comfort will be with the higher speeds on the race track and decide from there.

Keep in mind that if you start in Intro and then sign up for the rest of the day in Beginner, your bike will need to meet the basic technical requirements of the Beginner group before you join the remaining sessions.

Good luck with whatever you decide...I know you'll have fun!

 

[sr1]

Thanks guys. I think it would be foolish and also pretty prideful to say I'm "a very experienced street rider" but at the same time I do think I'd probably slip into the Beginner group easily...I think. On the other hand I know I am not used to tracks at all and track speeds (let's face it, you can be a wizard on tight Appalachian twisties but that's not the same as the track where the speeds are far higher)

Since you say there's a buffer, I will go along with the Intro Day and more than likely have some money with me when I want to stay for the whole day. Thanks!

I'll be there Aug 23rd, btw.

 

[Rick Johnson]

Sign up for the whole day to ensure you have a spot.B group seems to fill up alot at VIR cause it's a sweet track!

 

[motormech1]

Unless you're talking about the Patriot course, I stick with my original post and highly suggest you do the whole day cuz like Rick said above, there may not be a "B" slot available at VIR. :agree: Just my $.02. Good luck and welcome, BTW.