Track Newbie from Southeastern PA

[HECK3086]

Hi everyone!

I'll take a minute to introduce myself.

My name is Hector, 22, and I'm from Sinking Spring, PA. I've been riding for a year now and always had an interest in riding on a Track and look forward riding on the track as my only experience has been on the street. I have a 2007 Yamaha R6 and have yet to feel it's full potential.

My first track day is NJ 6/1/2009 NJMP-Thunderbolt Millville, NJ as an intro rider. I'm debating whether or not on becoming a member as I'll probably be making my decision on that day. I would like feedback to pro/cons on choosing this as my first track day.

I have a couple questions as I'm new to the track scene. My first is, I have decals on my bike that are not my sponsor. Must I take them off in order to ride on the track and if not, would there be an issue with the "Sponsor" if I did rock the decals on my bike?

Attached Picture: Are the Alpinestar SP-2 Gloves allowed on the track as racing gloves?

Any and all feedback is welcomed, I'm new to the track scene so I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along. Look forward to becoming part of the community.

 

[Dave561]

The gloves you have are ok for track riding

This is not racing so your able to run whatever decals you want on the bike. Even if you were racing, you could still run whatever you want on the bike

The intro is a great way to get started, but it's addictive and you may find youself wanting to do the whole day. Hard to say what would be better, that's a personal choice, but i wated to do the full day.

 

[Bubba Zanetti]

Welcome Hector!

God willing, see you on 6/1 at NJMP-Thunderbolt.

I'm in B group, so we'll be riding together. If you would like to hang out with me and my friends, let me know and we''ll make some room for you.

And as slow said, the gloves will work.

BZ

 

[Blaise]

Welcome!

I'll be working on the trackbike all weekend and I'm less than an hour from ya, so if you have questions, feel free to stop by.

FYI: You better sign up for the whole weekend. There's exactly ZERO percent chance that as a 22 year old with a new R6 that you'll feel bored or something and not want to stay.

 

[Bubba Zanetti]

Blaise;44192 wrote: Welcome!

I'll be working on the trackbike all weekend and I'm less than an hour from ya, so if you have questions, feel free to stop by.

FYI: You better sign up for the whole weekend. There's exactly ZERO percent chance that as a 22 year old with a new R6 that you'll feel bored or something and not want to stay.

LOL!

Don't ruin it for him Blaise, let him figure that out

 

[rk97]

I might also recommend the full day, but probably not for the 'normal' reason. My first 2 sessions on the track, I was nervous, timid, lost, and basically miserable.

I just didn't know what to do, and was riding way over my head. It wasn't until 3rd session (which I wouldn't have had in an intro day) that I had the chance to work more extensively with a Control Rider and really learn what I was doing wrong. 3rd session is when I started having fun.

Now in retrospect, the reason the CR's didn't spot me struggling sooner is probably because they were keeping a close eye on the intro riders, and making sure they had a positive experience. That, and I was going so slow, they had to be thinking, "meh, there's no way he's going to crash at that speed; and if he does, it'll barely scuff his leathers!" lol

do the intro day, and come prepared to pay for the rest of the day. I believe Bobby G and Geoff Doyer run all the NJMP events, so you can verify with one of them that there will be a "B" spot open if you want it after your intro day.

welcome.

 

[NoBull]

Welcome aboard.

The problem with not signing up for the whole day right off the bat is that it's probably going to be full the day of, so you won't be able to extend to the full day at that time. Then you go home all fired up wanting to sign up for more trackdays only to find that the next month is full as well.

It's up to you, but I never heard of anyone getting this advice, signing up for the full day and then coming back to the board saying it was bad advice.

 

[rk97]

^ I have never heard a firm answer to that question one way or the other, but unless I'm mistaken (wouldn't be the first time), at least one director has posted on the forum that they'll always accept intro riders for the full day in B.

That may very well be at the discretion of the event director though. I'd be curious to hear what Dutch has to say about it.

but it makes sense that there are always a few spots on the grid for some 'wiggle room.' "B" riders get bumped to "I" even when "I" is sold-out...

 

[PARedVFRRider]

When I did my first NESBA session at Summit Main last year in June, I was signed up for Intro on Saturday. When I signed up I initially only signed up for the intro session since I wasn't sure I'd like it. Later after a track day with another group, i joined NESBA and I tried to get into B on that Saturday at main and couldn't since it was full. I ended up signing up for Jefferson on Sunday after the Summit Main Intro. So I figured since I was already a member and had signed up for Sunday at Jefferson, I would have no issue going through the intro sessions and simply having them sign me up for the rest of the day there. Well it wasn't so easy. I ended up having to talk to the Director and really begging to get included for the full day. I told him I was already a member and was already scheduled for the next day at Jefferson and didn't want to sit and watch all day. After some pleading he let me in for the day. So I wouldn't bank on it being an easy thing, especially at NJMP on that Saturday which I believe is already sold out for that day.

 

[ninjamansc]

Agree with above. Do the whole day and make it known to the B CR's it's your first time. Pascal is awesome at escorting around a new track. By the end of the second session you'll know the track, get used to riding amongst others, and want to start having fun. Then what if you can't because there are no slots left. And just because you're signed up for the whole day, doesn't mean you have to ride every session. I've been known to sit out one or two, and if it's really hot, don't usually ride the last session. I've yet to hear of someone getting on the track and NOT want to do it again.

 

[thesnowgod]

Great advice from everyone. As someone who's yet to do a TD myself, it made from some interesting reading.

I'd also add that you should download and read the NESBA's Rider Manual here:
http://www.nesba.com/Info/Forms.htm

It's got a TON of info and it will certainly prevent you from showing up to a date and not be able to ride due to a technicality you didn't know about ahead of time.

Good luck!

 

[ktuso27]

Welcome!!!!!

 

[HECK3086]

I appreciate all the feedback you guys are giving me! Alot of useful info.

I think I am going to sign up as a member, I already have plans on buying the leathers, boots, and so on to prepare for the track so it would probably only make sense to go for the full day.

To be quite honest, I know I'm going to get hooked right away. Where I live, there's a bunch of hills and backroads with some pretty good twisties. If I enjoy that the way I do now, I can only imagine what the track is going to be like.

I made sure to read the rider manual and make sure I would able to do this.

I'm going to be with probably my girlfriend (I'll be the only one riding, she does ride but doesn't have her own bike) so I'm down to meet anyone while I'm down there, as I'm probably gonna need the help from guys that have experienced the track already.

Again thanks to everyone that has posted with the feedback.

 

[Blaise]

Well... if you know you'll be hooked, sign up for both days!!!

As far as leathers go... you should already be wearing them on the street in the first place, so that's something you would need to buy either way.

As I said before, feel free to stop by this weekend if you want some more insight. Hell, if you really want some convincing, ride down during our first weekend (4/11 or 4/12) and see what it's about. You'll be hooked without even trying it out.

 

[dudette]

welcome to the addiction. A good time had by all. relax and enjoy.
Donna
cbr600rr
B #626

 

[Slitherin]

HECK3086;44169 wrote: I have a 2007 Yamaha R6 and have yet to feel it's full potential.

You have no Idea what you've got yourself into! Welcome to the addiction. Start looking for a second job.