I'm an experienced street rider (15 years) and fairly new trackrider (1 novice day last year). This year I'm thinking about going to intermediate group, to gain more passing experience. I was in a faster novice group and comfortable with the pace. Will I be "in the way" in intermediate? thoughts
i think you could possibly benefit from a two day weekend somewhere. Do day one in novice and work with a track coach. Get them to take you out in the Intermediate group in the afternoon and go from there. if all is well and you feel comfortable with the new surroundings do day two in the Intermediate group.
I felt as if there wasn't enough time in the novice group. You went from class to track and back, and didn't really have time for any individual instruction. The oppertunity to "move up" to a faster group was not really there. Thats the only reason I want to move-up. I think I just need to work on my technique and run a pace I'm comfortable with. And pass & be passed to gain some experience.
I would suggest doing another novice day but get yourself slotted into the top group, especially if you're going to do a different track than the last one. As said, ask for more personal instruction - they will help if you ask - and at the end of the day you'll be going faster than you think. Also, it's good that you're asking for opinions but if you're not sure then you're not ready to move up a level. It's been talked about here quite a bit concerning riders who are in the wrong level. Poke around a bit, I think Hank has located the predominant thread on it.
Make sure you get into K3's group- he usually takes the fastest or 2nd fastest group, and generally has a following of students who really should be in Intermediate. The ONLY reason that I'm still riding on the track and have been able to learn this sport, is because K3 made me his personal project, 3 seasons ago. Most of what I learned, I either owe to him or Travis Poole (slow1). That said, I still haven't learned enough! Good luck, pay attention and ask questions!!! Lance
Last year at the end of the day the CR let us go and I had a blast! After, the instructor told me I easily had the pace for the intermediate group. I'm not out there to go super fast, just refine and improve my skills!
I thin you should be the judge if you are ready or not. With 15 years on the street, I'm sure you are capable of determining whether or not you are ready. I can't speak for STT, but my first trackday was with Penguin Race School at Homestead. After the first session in Novice, I was thinking that I had to get out of that group. I did one more in Novice, and by then I was sure that I was well above the guys in Novice. To be honest, they were pretty dangerous in that group. Most didn't even seem like they belonged on the street, let alone a track. I requested to move up to Intermediate and they promptly moved me up befreo we evengot to the lunch break. I was much more comfortable then. I certainly wasn't the fastest, and I'm still not. I'm pretty mid pack, but I've never felt like I was holding people up, or getting in the way. Again, this was my first day. So unless you don't feel you are ready, or are just not getting it, I'd suggest moving up as soon as possible. Like anything else in life, you are never going to get better unless you challenge yourself.
Our curriculum in the Novice group is designed to get riders that are new to the track up to speed quickly, safely & without any anxiety or apprehension. We do it in such a smooth manner through a series of on-track drills & classroom instruction that the students many times don't even realize how much faster they are going because they are so comfortable with their surroundings. Additionally by the end of a weekend we generally end up with large group of Novice students that are outright quicker around the track than many Intermediate riders.
Why hurry? If you are wondering, do one more Novice at least. Tell them you are thinking of jumping up and get feedback from the instructors on the decision. Speed is not all that should be there to move up. Predictable lines are nice also. While we can speculate a instructor can see what is actually happening and give you feedback. Worst case you stay down an extra weekend. Best case you stay down and avoid crashing you or someone else.
"Why hurry?" is the right question to ask. Personally, I did a couple of years and possibly a dozen days in Novice. There were three components to this. 1. I was on a 48 HP bike. 2. I am a slow learner. 3. OK, that's only two. I forgot the last one. I'm not sure 15 or 50 years of street prepares you for riding on the track. I think people rush too much to bump up on bikes that have too much power. As if there is some sort of stigma in being in Novice. The only stigma is riding over your head and crashing, thereby ruining your day and possibly the day of others. I've crashed. It sucks. If you are a prodigy, I apologize in advance.
As was posted earlier. Try and do a weekend. Take the Novice class in one of the top two groups and let the Coach know that you're thinking of moving up. He'll/She'll keep an eye on you and give you feedback in that regards. Just remember there is a big variance in skill level in Intermediate. You can have everythign from Novice that just moved up to Advanced riders that for some reason get their rocks off buzzing Intermediate riders. When we look to bump someone up it's not can they go fast, it's are they smooth and predictable? That we'll keep you and those around you safe. There is plenty to learn in the Novice group still for you, that I can guarantee it.
I recommend staying in the novice group for at least part of the first day back on the track. This will help you get the cobwebs out, and reacquiant yourself with track riding. After that, ask an instructor to take you out in intermediate one on one. They will watch you and evaluate your line and predictability. That is why they are there, so dont be shy!! These are by far the two most important components of intermediate group. AFter that, if you are comfortable, stay in intermediate. If not, nothing lost, and rejoin your group in the novice until your comfort comes around! Too often, people look at the "stigma" of the novice group and spend so much time on that, they forget to learn anything. I have done well over 100 days in the novice group, and I still use it to get myself back to basics when i struggle. If you really focus on the drills, you will find yourself more than ready to tackle the intermediate group.
I'm leaning towards staying in novice group for at least my first trackday this year. I'll get in one of the fastest groups and discuss my thoughts with the instructor. Last year I wasn't sure how receptive the instructors were to those types of requests. I'm really stoked for the season to start. I'll see you guys at Road America. Any instructor that will be coaching the faster novice groups @ RA, maybe we can talk offline. Thanks, Todd
My experience is in the southern region but I found all the instructors very helpful. Suprisingly the couple that seemed a bit stand offish were also the ones that provided the most and best help when personally asked.
I did about 5 Novices days ( @ Mid Ohio and Beaver Run) before I felt I could move up. Running with the #1 or #2 group in Novice gets you close if not at Intermediate pace. I really enjoyed the instruction and doing it multple times really reinforced it for me. Also a "Twist of the Wrist II" is a good read as well. That reminds me I need to get it out again and review Will I ever go to Advanced ?, I will consult with the track coaches before I do that . I want to make sure I dont cause any issues. Even though there is no licencing requirements @ STT ( talked about elsewhere) here, I feel that I needed the OK from the Coaches as to whether I am ready to move to the next level.