Hello everyone. New member here. I ride and 08 GSXR 600 dedicated trackbike. I want to ride with STT at Road America June 29th and 30th but I've never ridden with them. How are the groups broken down? What's happens when you get promoted? Finish the day in that group or move up immediately? I've done maybe 15 trackdays and I'm a decent rider, still LOTS to improve on. If anyone is familiar with RideSmart I ride level 2 (intermediate) with them. My best time at MSRH in Houston TX was s 159.9 at my last track day. What level should I sign up for with STT? If I sign up for novice since been it's a new track and Org, and they decide to bump me will I move up same day?
They bump you at their discretion. Afterwards you're account is updated in the computer with your new group and you can sign up for that going forward. Generally in novice, they have several smaller groups splitting people up by experience. So talk to the coaches when you get there and explain your situation to them and they will work with you to get you where you need to be. You spend a few sessions following the coach to see the track, lines, etc. Afterwards, you're cut loose to ride on you own. At that point, you can ask for an evaluation and hopefully you'll get that bump into intermediate. Intermediate is mostly autonomous if you desire. Coaches are there to help if you want. Advanced is similar, but fewer coaches, if any. Alternatively, maybe they can start you out in intermediate if you ask nicely. Contact crystal@sportbiketracktime.com and she can steer you in the right direction. I know people with an expert race license can jump straight to advanced, but I don't know exactly what they'd want to see to prove you're an intermediate rider.
Ok. Thanks for the reply! I sent her an email about the membership fee and military discounts. I'll send a follow up email asking about signing up for intermediate. Maybe I can send a link to my YouTube video I'm not used to having to follow the instructor for several sessions. It was the first session as a round-robin where each person got a chance to follow directly behind the instructor and we stayed as a group. Each session after that was classroom portion followed by track time, and you could get a jersey to have an instructor follow you and give you pointers/advice. Dont know that I would like to have like 3 sessions spent following an instructor, unless they picked up the pace to see the line at speed. Maybe I'll see if I can do novice the first day and intermediate the second day. Give myself one full day to get comfortable at a new track.
Also what are the passing rules in novice. I saw some threads from like 2005 but didn't know if the rules are the same. They said 6ft passing space and only in straights, and not till after lunch. Can you pass in corners on the outside?
Yeah, if you get into the first or second group, it's usually much higher pace. The slower groups putt around pretty bad, but some folks are new and need it. I know I've heard of people getting flagged in the system as an intermediate before they sign up, but I don't know the policy now. I doubt a video would do much. Maybe you could have the folks at your other org vouch for you? Not sure how that works though. Passing on the outside only, I think. The rules and whatnot are on the website if you look for them.
The first couple groups of Novice a lot of times are a decent intermediate pace. Road America also has several gigantic long straights. Plenty of open track can be found regardless of what group you’re in. My 2 cents is sign up for novice, learn the track, if it’s too slow ask to be evaluated for a bump to I.
From a Southern Division Coach: The system will allow a new member to sign up in intermediate, but no further. If you've done 15 trackdays and are an I rider in Ridesmart's program, then I think you are OK to sign up into intermediate with STT. Just pay particular attention to the rider's meeting as some procedures may be different, and if you've never ridden RA before find a coach and have him show you the lines before you pick up the pace. In the Southern Division, Intermediate usually goes out in groups of 15-20 in the mornings. Let the lead know this is your first time with us and you'd like to follow a coach for a few laps. For the first lap or two, the coach will lead you thru a hot pit to show you pit in procedures, and usually give you a lap or so to let your tires warm up and get an idea of the line, then they'll let you go. If you want to be led further, just tuck in behind the coach and he'll know you want to be led some more. Coaches in intermediate basically have two jobs: 1) Help riders who appear to need it (and those that ask for it), and 2) Police the one's who are riding over their heads and/or don't follow the rules. If they see you are riding ok and within the rules, you'll be left alone to ask for coaching if you want it. Take advantage of it, we really like helping riders get better. Passing in Intermediate is 6 FULL FEET, straights and corners. Outside is always safer than inside and preferred. Stuffing another rider is a big no-no. You are responsible for the safe pass. If you have any doubts, sign up for NOVICE the first day. You might be a little bored in the morning sessions, but by lunch you'll be free to ride and there's plenty of space on RA. You may learn something in the classroom that you didn't know. Lastly, GO READ THE TECH REQUIREMENTS and follow them! Nothing sucks more than having to tell a rider he can't go out because his bike won't pass tech.
Definately. I think I'm going to sign up for novice day 1 and intermediate day 2. I think that'll give me a full day to focus on the line and pick up the pace in the afternoon before a full day in intermediate the next day. I've read up on tech and safety wired the required places. The only thing left is to swap my coolant. I'll be running distilled water and water wetter (or equivalent). After that I just have to clean it really well. It was a little wet at my last trackday.
Keep in mind that this is a northern track. If it’s cold at night it will take some time for heat & traction levels to build in the morning. Definitely not like TX or Alabama.
Have you ridden COTA down there? If not, mentally prepare for speed on a track like you've never experienced before. Took me awhile to adjust to braking from those kinds of speeds. Good choice on trying Road America and maybe see you there!
Unfortunately I didnt get to ride COTA yet. I didnt want to ride it before I felt I was riding well enough to appreciate it, and for an extreme novice it didnt make financial sense. I was getting two trackdays at MSRH or a month worth of trackdays for a membership at Harris Hill Raceway (H2R) for less than 1 day at COTA. And I needed all the track time I could get. By the time I felt I was ready the job moved me to Wisconsin.