I am not trying to "burst your bubble", but that is not a good idea in my opinion. Street fast does not equal track fast. I am sure you are a competent rider and can pilot your motorcycle safely. But speed aside, you will need to learn track etiquette and that is much easier to do at a reduced pace. Regardless of how many years you have of street riding, the first track day can be nerve racking. Not only that, but Barber can be nerve racking. Every turn except for 2 or 3 of them is blind at some point or another. Barber isn't a track where you can just "wing it". You have to KNOW if the next turn is right or left, where people will start braking, where the pit entrance is located etc. Not to mention that EVERYONE can benefit from the classroom sessions if they are willing to listen and learn. If nothing else, they are a good refresher or reminder. The reason I feel so strongly about you signing up for intermediate at Barber for your first track day is because of my experience the first time I rode there . The first time I rode at Barber was a few years ago with a different organization and there was no "follow the leader" session or anything. We simply gridded up and went. I can't express the amount of nervousness and fear that goes along with coming out of a corner, driving up a hill and looking up to see nothing but the peak of the hill...with no idea if there is a turn on the other side or not. I felt "lost" all day. I had previous track experience and still felt overwhelmed. I honestly did not enjoy the weekend. I don't advise any new track rider to sign up in Intermediate, regardless of track. But I REALLY do not advise it for Barber. Barber is the hardest track to learn in the Southeast and IMO, you would be much better off signing up in Novice where you can learn the track at a reduced pace.
Chris is absolutely right, of course. True for any track, but especially for Barber. This is a very technical track that takes a long time to learn how to ride well. And it is dangerous when a rider is not familiar with it - as stated, there are a lot of places that are at least somewhat blind, and I know I've come up behind someone who was moving at no more than 1/2-3/4 speed coming over the blind hilltop - nearly took us both out. He talked with me later and said it was his first time there and that he couldn't get used to that spot on the track. And don't downplay the comments on track etiquette. There's a lot to learn, and things happen so fast on the track you can do something to cause a problem without even realizing it. Remember that I-class is full of a very wide range of riders, and some of them are moving very fast - having been on the track for 100 times before. We need to have fun, but absolutely need to be most aware of being careful and taking care of one another. It's a dangerous sport, but a true BLAST!
Directly from our Policies and proceedures.... Pretty unabigious in our polices and proceedures. Novice Group: If you have no prior motorcycle track experience you must register in the Novice group. NO EXCEPTIONS! This group is designed for street riders, new(er) track riders and those seeking a bit more relaxed pace. Novice group riders receive classroom and on-track instruction, including on-going critiquing of your track riding skills. Instructors will accompany riders on all track sessions and your instructor will supervise you throughout your day. You will learn how to enter and exit the track safely, and the meaning of all flagging communications. During your classroom and on-track sessions you will learn the racing line, the proper use of the throttle, braking, gear changes and selection as well as basic cornering techniques and body positioning. Everyone rides at his or her own pace with an emphasis on fun and learning. All Novice group riders must attend all classroom sessions and ride within their group. We are aware that many riders chose to ride in the Novice group multiple times due to the relaxed pace, which is why we divide the novice group into several sub-groups based on skill level.
I agree.... as mentioned before, I have been on the track several times. I used to regularly do track events with cornerspeed after taking the school. And, I would usually enter as intermediate and sometimes get bumped up to the advanced group after lunch. My time away after my accident, coupled with no experience with barber helped sway me into the novice group (in addition, the group that I am bringing includes two noobs to trackdays, and one with little experience). I feel that I will get a much better "FEEL" of the track in that group and build up speed at a more linear rate. So, by mid day, I hope to be railing along. And, who knows, maybe I will get moved to intermediate if I develope that pace. However, I am completely happy spending a day learning Barber with the STT instructors. They made my first time back on the track in almost 5 years great back in Nov. I applaud them. BUT... either way, I will see you all there on the 14th! CANT WAIT!!!!
I am changing to novice. You guys are right. track time is neccesary and I don't have any. Just make sure when you guys go past me don't forget to smile and say I told you so. LOL!! See yall there. Thanks again for the input from all of you guys.
Good decision I'm still riding in Novice, and its not slow for most groups. I could probably move up, but I ride a 250 much of the time and don't want a lot of people passing me 50 mph faster than I'm going. Your first day on the track, there are a lot of distractions, a lot to learn and it all moves fast at Barber. Novice just gives you a chance to grow at your own pace, and once you get going you can ask to be bumped up. It also gives you a lot of practice passing!! LOL
I am looking forward to the new friends and the hopefully good days worth of sunny weather and riding.
Remember.... A bad day at Barber still beats a good day at Work... I am predicting 65 High and 45 Low... Both days... with 0% OF THE R WORD....Hope to see you there...
Fixed PJ.. Sounds like a trophy modification is in need...[/quote] New bike!? You already have one. Now a new trailer would be nice, make it happen chop-chop! I need a warm dry place to sleep, and you owe me at least one night of accomodation
New bike!? You already have one. Now a new trailer would be nice, make it happen chop-chop! I need a warm dry place to sleep, and you owe me at least one night of accomodation [/quote] I will make sure Bill has room in his Tahoe for ya!!
Hoping to join you guys the 13th and/or 14th. Looks like the scheduling page for that weekend is not loading properly. Can't tell which days/groups are still available.
^^ I see what you see. So far, all four in my group have gotten their memberships and have booked into the novice group. We will see you all there.
i'm doing my first ride at barber this year too!!!! except i have to wait until july but i know it will be worth the wait. i started riding track last year but only rode at tally, i am pretty comfortable at tally now but i got a new bike for this year so i am going to go back to tally for 5 or 6 rides to get familar with the bike then i'm moving over to barber! cant wait i'm stoked!
You mean besides a hangover and another year older? No new bike for me. Market seems to be a bit slow...er...you can't sell a klondike bar to Rosie O'donell at hell's gate currently. The SV will be in full effect for another season. Guess I am going to have to find "other" ways to keep up. I'm leaning towards a jet pack comprised of marked down fireworks from the Kentucky/TN border smoke shack. Still debating on how to mount it, much less get through tech. Any ideas?