I agree with changing to "Street". To the type personalities that ride, the term "Novice" may have a undermining tone.
If anyone has an issue with the name of the group they ride in maybe they need to evaluate why they are even riding.
What the event director says to do in the riders meeting is the proper proceedure to follow and always has been. Period. What did Trevor say to do in the case of a Red Flag? We used to (long ago) say slow down to 40-50 or so. At most tracks that will get you into the pits in short order and at Road America we they clear (pit-in) the track in two places . Also remember that once the last rider goes by Pit Out the EMS unit can roll right behind them.
And yet not a single other person seems to have heard the same :? I have been to Barber enough that staff and security recognize me and not one single time have I heard that. Now I have heard multiple times "no swapping paint" or no contact though not at the last event just what was quoted (which does not say it is OK to swap paint).
Completely agree. The name of the group doesn't mean a damn thing. All of the riders know what the distinction is in between groups. Sugar coating it doesn't help with ego problems. You can only do so much to contain the egos, as well. The coaches and control riders can't ride the bike and make decisions for the riders. I have been in novice group for a year and I have no problem with the name. While I hope to be capable of running an advanced pace one day, I have no illusion that it will take time. Lap time is not the only thing that makes an intermediate or advanced rider, in my opinion. Smart riding has to be there, as well. That comes with seat time.
Changing the "Novice" name is merely a suggestion. The word Novice to many means "Beginner". Many of you have said you rode or have been riding in Novice for all year. Correct me if I am wrong, but I wouldnt call you "Biginners". Businesses routinely make marketing/name changes, and I believe changing the name would get more attraction. Then again, what do I know, I am just a "noob" to this STT thing.
With all due respect... when your version of "I know what I heard" conflicts with about 200+ other peoples account of the same thing you might want to reconsider your version. It's happened to me before.
Hey, we can all make mistakes.I'm sure that Trevor didnt say such,but it is easy to miss a word or something. I say ,give stt a chance to prove themselves a safe and fun group to ride with,come on back out and play with us. The "crash fest at Barber was an unusaull day for stt. Ive done many TD's with them over the years and have never been alarmed about rider or control rider etiquette other than an occasional rider pushing to hard,at which time i pulled into pits and talked to a control rider about it,mostly to try to help the rider and others safe. I do feel protective over stt and anyone saying things negitive about "my track family",but i like to think that stt staff and riders are a fun loving and forgiving bunch,with everyone having a good time being our prime motivator,so come out to a stt event and give it another go,feel free to stop by my paddock area and say hi,i will be on a red and white cbr1000rr with gold #21 on it.
Listen guys I don't want to make waves. The staff should all know me, ask the old crew. I'm not a trouble maker. We have probably done 30-40 events over the last 5-6 years. I know that speach well and was shocked by the new one. Here is what I know. The next to the last Barber event we did a group was added for the pros. Ok by me but we should have been told. There were some real fast guys in A also, week end before the AMA round. Lots of babble on here. The next event I attended is the one I'm speaking of. First one for me and the new staff. LOTS of fast racers there (week end before WERA round). I understand close fast passing but when 4-6 come around in the kink together it is un-nerving for a track day rider. Lots of crashes that day and lots of talk on here. Now this, it's not a one time deal. I love STT and have spent my money with them for a long time. I'm not and A group guy any more. May have more to do with my confidence than anything but the last few times have not been the same evperience I normally have had with STT.
Your right, it doesn't mean that much to someone who has already done a trackday and now has an understanding of wht the classes really mean. My entire suggestion is geared toward the perception of a NEW RIDER THAT HAS NEVER DONE A TRACKDAY...STT needs to fill the Novice class, because without a Novice class, there will be no Intermediate or Advanced Classes.....It's purely a MARKETING PLOY to get new riders on the track in the proper class without making them feel put down. Jeez, everyone HERE knows the deal, but do you know how many people I talk to who don't want to do a trackday because of the stigma they associate with being identified as a "Novice" rider? Think about the first time YOU signed up for a trackday, without any knowledge of what it entailed...but once again, all of you here DID IT ANYWAY.
Maybe its just me but anyone ive every talked to about doing a track day didnt even ask what group they should be in...It was a given to do novice first. We even had a few guys at this last event that are awesome street riders and had no problem with riding novice their first time at the track. Heck we all rode novice for a lot longer than we should have mainly because of the classroom sessions.
If I need an ego boost I ride novice...that way I can pass people, although there are still plenty of people in novice passing me.
But you also had some people in Novice that decided they were so good or so special that they played hooky for classroom...see previous posts.
Added... I just want to make sure that the people that sign up for Novice.. Want to ride in Novice.. Want to Learn in Novice get their moneys worth with nothing to worry about... and ENJOY their day on the track, in the class and in the Pits...It really chaps my butt when a I or A rider takes advantage of others valuable time and breaks the rules...Simply because they were late signing up.. It happens all the time and we will see it again.. I do have a plan for getting the people that decide NOT to come to the classroom... If they are identified on PIT Out which we have a way of they will be held.... People who know me know I never get Mad... However this last time at Barber when this happened it was disrespectful to others and really pissed me off...More to come...
That exact spot bit me once, a year and a half ago. It looked very much the same. Once off the inside groove, particularly if you are near max lean, it seems like the track goes level (feeling like off-camber). Combine that with the likely presence of marbles out there and possibly tightening up a smidge due to the above and "boom goes the dynamite". I know I got in too hot when it happened to me, can't say the same for TLR, he looked to be in fine shape when it let go. STT at large: please continue to provide the fine service I have always enjoyed. Trevor has stepped in beautifully in my estimation, all criticism aside. Not that it needs to be said, but you really don't need to heed all non-constructive criticism. The world is full of people with little else to do. I will be at work until it's time to ride. See you in a few weeks at Barber.