Try the track FOR FREE!

[adouglas]

Tony's Track Days (@TTD) up here in the Northeast has a cool little program called Try the Track.

http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...-the-track.htm

Basically you show up and get to ride the first "follow the leader" novice group session for free. Nothing. Nada. Bupkis.

All you need is a bike, helmet, gloves, jacket and over-the-ankle boots. No "proper" gear needed.

No bike prep (has to be fluid tight, of course) other than bumming some tape for the lights.

Zero cost. Zero commitment.

You can even sign up for the rest of the day on the spot, though of course if you do that you will need a prepped bike and proper gear.

If any of you track-curious fence-sitters are within striking distance of Thompson, stop waffling and come on out this Sunday. The weather's going to be fine, and you don't have to show up until mid-morning.

Track info
http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...track-info.htm

Schedule (scroll down for Sunday)
http://www.tonystrackdays.com/catego...y-schedule.htm

[iamjacob]

So bummed this isn't on the west coast!

[DEFY]

TPM has something similar FREE4ALL, perhaps I should get my arse up to the track lol. I looked at their schedule, perhaps I should do Aug. 22/23. If I get everything ready for the track.

[DCMoney]

MCRA has a similar thing but its $1... Called Test The Track.

Get 1 session at the Gateway events, 15 minutes on the track following a control rider, does not interfere with any normal track day sessions.

Not to derail but MCRA is also doing half price track days (Gateway Events) for novice riders this year too.

[csmith12]

MCRA guys are doing some great stuff over the past 2yrs.

$1 track sessions
Free pics
1/2 price novice
and so on...

Glad to see orgs do things like this.

[Toly]

If you drop your bike, it won't be as free... do they have options to rent their bike on the cheap?

[DCMoney]

Originally Posted by Toly

If you drop your bike, it won't be as free... do they have options to rent their bike on the cheap?

LOL! Says the guy whose avatar has a dude in a parking lot practically dragging knee...

If you're afraid of dropping your bike you probably find a new hobby.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Toly

If you drop your bike, it won't be as free... do they have options to rent their bike on the cheap?

No rentals that I am aware of, and... you shouldn't be dropping your bike at street speeds or less on a perfectly, clean and clear track that is 40ft wide with a coach right in front of you to follow. ijs.... If you can go 70mph on the highway, you won't be having a problem on the straights either.

I aint saying it never happens, but don't make more of it than it really is. If you can ride street with confidence, you can do this.

[iamjacob]

Originally Posted by DEFY

TPM has something similar FREE4ALL, ....

Googling TPM... Damn, too far...

Originally Posted by DCMoney

MCRA has a similar thing but its $1... Called Test The Track.

Googling MCRA... Damn, still too far...


I guess I'll eventually have to suck it up and invest the cash into leathers, better boots, better gauntlets and do a full day.

[choneofakind]

^^^ Dude, you're in Cali. You have the best opportunities out there.

Hell, you're in Stockton. See about meeting with Rojo or some of the other riders out there.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by iamjacob

I guess I'll eventually have to suck it up and invest the cash into leathers, better boots, better gauntlets and do a full day.

http://www.feellikeapro.com/ maybe?

[csmith12]

Lol, poor Mr. Fist. We have killed his thread.

Go ride Thompson if ya can! TTD is awesome!

[algs26]

Precision and Z2 had/have a skills training class on some track days. At lunch, they go on track for some lead and follow laps. Precision is no more though. Maybe Pacific will offer them in the future. Z2 calls its class RoadRider 2.0.

Should be called "Try the Crack."

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

you shouldn't be dropping your bike at street speeds or less on a perfectly, clean and clear track that is 40ft wide with a coach right in front of you to follow. ijs.... If you can go 70mph on the highway, you won't be having a problem on the straights either.

I aint saying it never happens, but don't make more of it than it really is. If you can ride street with confidence, you can do this.

This for sure.

If you've never been on the track, it's easy to assume it's all about high speeds and knee dragging right from the start. After all, that's what's shown in all the pictures, right?

Nothing could be further from the truth. You start at a speed no greater than you've ridden before (PROMISE) and learn the line for that first session.

Will you be going at speeds that would be illegal if the track were a public road? Most likely. Will it feel fast? Not really.

Your chances of crashing? Well, if you managed to not fall out of bed and hit the floor, didn't stick the toothbrush in your eye and managed to put your underwear on front-side forward, I'd say they were exceedingly small.

Smart riders use that time to practice skills like looking through corners, finding markers, memorizing the line, etc. Dumb riders get frustrated that they're not going faster.