I wanted to thank the Novice group for really trying to take advantage of an awesome day. I had a few understandable complaints about losing track time due to the crash-fest in Advanced but most of you were understanding and realized that when someone is severly injured there is nothing to be done but to be certain they get the best care possible - regardless of how long it takes. We tried an 'Advanced Novice' group. Not sure how that worked out. Anyone who participated in that feel free to send feedback directly to Renard. For those in the regular Novice, please let me know personally of any suggestions, criticisms or comments. My one observation is it's really hard for someone new to a track to learn it when you can, realistically, only get 3-4 laps a session because it's so long! I make that observation with no ideas on what can be done about it. My sense is it's a long track and if you're new to it we all just have to realize that it will take longer to learn your way around. One thougth would be, on the Full Monti, to continue the sessions into the afternoon rather than leave it up to the riders to look for help. Betcha that would be a classic example of pleasing some of the people some of the time...! At the end of the day, I had a great time, met some great new riders, and was lucky enough to see some astonishing break throughs....which for me...is what it's all about!~ Next year....seems so far away! :wink:
Another class well done Dave. The only suggestion I would make to the Novice guys who are unfamiliar with a track like Monticello (or any racetrack for that matter) is to go to youtube and do a search for the track you plan to attend. It may not give you the full on perspective of the layout but at least you'll have some idea what to expect before you actually arrive there. A little homework should be done before the novice riders show up. Even to those who have been there once or twice before...I would suggest watching some vids to get reacquainted with the track before actually showing up.
Hey, Dave. My two cents...as a Novice (group 1). Just a little chaotic out there, whether it was due to too many riders out there, too many red flags, or too many riders feeling their oats. While waiting out a red flag, I chatted with a first timer on a Duc. He said he felt totally lost out there on the track. I don't think he meant location-wise, but rather not understanding body-position, hand-position, foot-position, proper braking techniques, etc. Not sure if he'll ever come back. The full track might be too overwhelming for a first timer. So, with that all said, and being a Novice rider myself with 6 days under my belt (including the Pro School...in the rain), here's what I suggest: - Maybe limit the Full Monte to Intermediate and Advanced groups. Maybe throw in a small group of fast Novice. - Have smaller groups with less riders. Might need to raise the price a little bit, but that might weed out people anyway. Even though I still had fun, one criticism I have... During an afternoon session, I had a group of control riders blow by me. I don't know who they were "controlling", but I didn't see them help the Novice stragglers. It looked like they were just out to get some fast laps in (which I can appreciate). It would have been nice to see them instead help to the stragglers. Sorry for the novel I just wrote. I still had a good time...and I'll definitely be back. Have a good one guys...and I hope to see you all next season. Brad Novice group 1 on the black Triumph (#11)
Thanks for the post Brad, you bring up some good points. If I may... let me offer some (admittedly speculative) insider info. I only say "speculative" because I can't be sure what I'm thinking is what you saw, but... STT typically posts what we call "floater" or "sweeper" coaches... especially in the novice group. These coaches generally fall into two categories... Those out on the track, but without an assigned group and those waiting (and watching) on the hot pit. In either case the goal is the same. They're looking for (among other things) novice riders that have become dislodged from their group (it happens). The control riders circulate the track and pick up those that have become dislodged from their group so that they don't have to spend an entire session feeling lost. Inevitably they need to make passes to get to these riders, and every effort is made to make them cautiously. Now, I'm not saying this was the case in your scenario, but its a common misconception I felt I should at least throw out there. All of that said, though... I hope the guy on the Duc comes back... there is a LOT to learn out there and STT has a lot to offer. Just mastering the line is daunting in and of itself, as we all know... especially on a course that is 4 miles long. I would have loved to talk with him. So often the novice folks are much further along than they think they are. Sometimes all the coaches need to do is confirm the multitude of things that are already being done correctly.
I think a lot of people showed up having never ridden here before. I had never ridden the full course before either but it was easy to figure out having done all the other layouts over the course of the season. 4 miles is a lot to take in in one day. I know people can't make it to every TD but this is when it pays off. I've read in a couple of threads about minimizing the number of riders in certain groups. It doesn't matter. Once that group sells out, people will just sign up for a different group just so they can ride. Then you end up with people that are too fast for nv and too slow for adv (usually). I've also read that we should have moved people to the proper groups. We would've ended up moving 10-15 out of ADV into Int and 10+ people out of nv into Int and then Int would have been way overpacked. We count on you guys to sign up in your appropriate group and if your group is sold out then its sold out.
That depends on the track configuration. There is a formula of riders per mile of track that is used. It can be anywhere from 30-45 riders + coaches.
this was my first track day ever and had the best time ever did everything the instructers said followed the riding coaches and learned so much having raced mx for 30 years i was fine with bikes on my side and in front and in back of me it was great all the staff was awesome and my last session of the day was the best hanging it out with one of the riding coaches thanks for an awesome day stt and i will definately be back
first timeer My first time also and before I came I went to the track website found a track map an d studied it, there was also a video lap of the track with Jeff Gordon and although it was in a car I think it helped. I have been involved in many sports in my 54 years and one key thing I have learned is to be prepared for everything. I even watched the last trackday at mont. with my wife(who also rode) before we signed up. STT did everything in there power to give everyone a good day. It is up to the riders to ride within their limits. Thanks Guys we will be back.
That's not gonna prevent first timers who desperately want to do this event from signing up in the advanced group with 0 track experience on this huge track. I've been doing Monti all year, North and 66 only though, and I couldn't get the "south" part of the course down till the end of the day. I'm sure doing 1 lap per hour until the end of the day didn't help, though.
I was coaching in Novice (group 2) on the black ZX10 - I had 5 guys who made some really great progress thru the day - They listened to direction, asked questions, and I had a blast working with them. Rode with some of them in the afternoon and their speed and lines picked up to a very nice pace, their lines looked great. I hope to see them back at the track next season.... Thanx guys in group 2 who made progress thru a tuff day of red flags..... I went home with a smile......