damn...all these rules. how the hell can we provide the resources to enforce all the rules? don't make a rule, unless you plan on enforcing it. the two best suggestions i've heard: - you must have a race number on your pit vehicle. it must match a number on your bike on the track. must have some easy way to identify exactly who the jackass is that just wheelied through my ez-up and knocked over my kool-aid - stt should dedicate one person (or split between a couple) responsible to monitor pit bike usage. they walk around and enforce it when not on the track. it is announced in riders meeting that they have the authority to confiscate the bike. it will be returned at the end of the day (no fines). limiting the type is too difficult...too hard to get the word out to folks...too hard to differentiate why one vehicle is legal...but a different but similar vehicle is not on 'the list' limiting the area is too difficult...gonna make a map of each track and pit area and allow, not allow them? limiting to certain people or ages...only way to enforce is to stop and ask for i.d. totally not why we're there...we're there to have fun at a track day. stt keeps people safe on the track, i don't think it's a stretch to widen that area to keeping people safe in the pits also.
Good suggestions but how about simple (but similar) 10MPH speed limit just like track bikes NO STUNTS just like track bikes That would only leave right of way issues whichwould be less of an issue with the other two in play (but also should be the same as track bikes OR LESS)
Still don't see the need for pit bikes at a "track" day, unless you are conducting business, i.e., event organizer, corner worker, tire guy (though I've never had tires delivered to me the track; I've had to carry my wheels to the tire guy ), etc. Bathroom...you guys/gals are lazy. Last 3 events I've been at I've ridden 2 sessions each hour, am out of shape, smoke, etc, etc, and I still managed to walk to the bathroom (always making the most of my time, I used the walk to have a couple smokes). The kids riding pit bikes really do annoy me. Not because of the pit bikes; I just don't like kids...at all. How about banning kids and tightening up the pit bike regs? Eddie, glad you weren't hurt in your little get-off at Nelson, and appreciate the sportsmanship you and Randy showed regarding the incident.
Ban the 2 guys that crashed for 6 months from being able to attend STT events. The only way you are going to get peoples attention is to drop the hammer. If folks think they will loose a PRIVALEGE, then the nonsence usually tappers off quite a bit. Take it out on the offenders not the folks who play by the rules. Banning pit bikes, atv's, etc... will mostly penelize the ones who play by the rules. And are probably your best customers.
I didn't realize pedal bikes were such an issue. Hopefully I wasn't one of those wobbling around the paddock at Mid-O. Didn't know they weren't permitted there, and tried to keep out of the way. We can't fit anything else into the trailer, and honestly rarely feel the need for a motorized pit bike so it would really be a waste for us. The pedal bike is nice to have. Some tracks, there's a bit of a hike to get anywhere. Road America being one of them, we were just there for 5 straight days and having the bicycle and my street bike there was super helpful. I didn't ride at Mid-O one of the days a couple weeks back and it was handy to get to other parts of the track to watch esp. since I was dealing with a bad foot, and we had friends on the opposite end of the paddock. I've really never seen a case of pedal bikes being an issue, personally. The main issue I've seen is kids zipping around on pit bikes, and people not really following speed rules. Also agree that quads and side by sides are totally unnecessary for track days.
Like Jig said, numbers on all pit bikes. If you're screwing around, you get fined, or an added charge on your next event, whatever. Someone has to step up and be the bad guy. Set an example once or twice and it becomes much less of a problem, if at all - guaranteed. In the end, the minority of offenders may not like you, but the majority who do follow the rules will; and they'll thank you for not letting pit bikes be banned altogether.
6 months, 2 events..... Whichever make do diffeence. The point was, until you apply a "percieved" harsh penalty, no ones gonna pay any attention to the rules. I enjoy having the use of my pit bike. And have been considering bringing my Polaris 4 wheeler to some of the bigger track(Barber, Road Atl, ect..., where the tire changing facility can be a good distance away from where you are pitted. Can haul a couple of sets of wheels/tires on that thing. Just never been a fan of the majority suffering the wrath over a few causing issues. But Montes the rule maker and whatever he says goes.
+1 Makes a lot of sense all around. Something like: First offense and the vehicle is parked the rest of the day. Second offense and the owner is banned from using a pit vehicle for the remainder of the season. Of course someone will need to track incidents as part of the rider's profile :twisted:
Some good ideas so far. First and second offence rules are great but who is going to keep track of offenders? That would require a "licensing" system of pit vehicles and a fee for that service so we can pay somebody to oversee it at every event. So if we collect an annual $25 pit bike license or $5 a day we can pay someone to exclusively enforce pit vehicle rules at every event. Something you are willing to accept??? It would take $75 a day minimum for someone to do this. The "only punish the guilty" is a great concept but the first offence could be the one that results in a lawsuit and a big payout as well as a substaintial increase in our insurance premiums...... which would be passed along to everyone, even those who do not use pit vehicles. We are absolutely banning minors from operating pit vehicles as our insurance dictates it.
Your number on the pit bike and in plain view. No number, or some easy form of ID, counts as an offense. I suppose there will be a number size limit for the pit bike? Us the same rules off the track as on. Break the rules and you leave for the day. (is it two offenses and you're gone?) Just like dangerous riding on the track gets you kicked out of the event. So too with your pit bike. Isn't there a two crashes and you're done for the day rule? Have that include pit bike too, if noticed or reported. Any STT member can report offense to those running the day and the offense is recorded and counts. i.e. You can't use the George Carlin, "Cop didn't see it. I didn't do it." Everyone is the 'cop'. Police your own. No regulation on size. Its not the size but the ATTITUDE of the OPERATOR. I would think for some with injuries who are actually able to ride their motorcycles that vehicles like golf carts and mules don't just offer transportation but a place to sit and rest too (while I can see why not to bring such a vehicle). Some also offer shade. At certain tracks getting to different viewing places around the track is not so easy with the track bike. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice and availability when it comes to pit bikes. People need to realize the "play ground" is the track, NOT the pits. Loan your pit bike to a friend and they break the rule, then you are responsible to turn them over or you are out. i.e. you can't say, it wasn't me and I don't know who it was. It seems to me people think of the track's facilities as their own personal play ground and anything goes. The message that other people matter needs to get passed. This is the same problem that exists on the roads which track day riders are trying to get away from. Things like tailgaters, people blowing stop signs, cutting people off, etc..... This is one big reason I don't ride with 'certain' other clubs. Too many knuckleheads or knuckle headed behaviors being over looked.
I saw a guy who was using a buell blast as a pit bike at Barber recently. A couple of times he came wheelying past my tent in the lower paddock. I mean props to the guy for getting the wheel up on a blast but geez! Would he have done this on his track bike? PLUS.. no helmet.
Thus my point on same rules as regular bikes. Above 10MPH and stunting on your track bike would get you booted in a second. That moron should have been given the boot also.
Banning Bicycles is Ridiculous I bring either a bicycle or a pit bike to every track day, whichever I feel like at the time. It wouldn't matter to me if pit bikes were banned (although I don't see that as the best solution). However, banning bicycles and allowing people to continue to race around on mini bikes is ridiculous. I have never seen any hooliganism taking place in the pits on a bicycle other than an occasional wheelie, and that's pretty tame when you have to pedal to move.
I'm really surprised to see people against pedal bikes. Never had an issue with them at the track, but again, I guess people have trouble riding them. What's scary is those same people also get to command a 100+HP motorcycle! If you can't ride a bicycle, then maybe motorcycle racing is not in the cards. "The "only punish the guilty" is a great concept but the first offense could be the one that results in a lawsuit and a big payout as well as a substantial increase in our insurance premiums...... which would be passed along to everyone, even those who do not use pit vehicles. " What about the lawsuit that comes from a bit bike taking out someone's child? I've seen enough close calls that it seems like a reality. Speaking of children, I think that rule about kids riding pit bikes needs to be repeated. Seen that WAY too many times as well. Most kids I've seen on small bikes (pedal and powered) are just clueless to their surroundings. One thing I do fear is if pit bikes are baned, then everyone will be using their track bike to go to the bathroom and such. We are a really lazy society, and I just don't see most of us taking that 10 minute walk to a distant bathroom. Probably explains the shortage of XXXL leather suits At the East coast dates, our biggest problem is people just pitting in and out. WAY too many close calls to count, and it's not getting any better. I can't see pit bikes being regulated in any way if we can't even get a grip on the track bike usage in the pits. I will admit one advantage for pits bikes: RAIN! Much rather zip along on a pit bike in a downpour than getting drenched on foot.