Do not let the subject of this post deter you from coming out and participating. It is a much safer environment than the street. Contact between riders is not a common occurrence, does it happen, yes people are human and mistakes do occur. I have been track riding for 10 years from novice to advanced group and have never been touched by another rider. I have had close calls but no contact. So come out with an open mind and a willingness to learn and most importantly have fun.
The bottom line: When you get on the racetrack, there is SOME risk - that the staff mitigates as best they can - that you carry some risk of crashing as you learn new skills. The Novice student program was written to, in part, protect you from YOURSELF as you are introduced to the track. You are waaaay more likely to crash yourself out than someone whack you. We (the staff) do everything we can to ensure we eliminate as much risk as possible (which is the cause of this discussion in the first place). Having said all that, don't let the risk of crashing keep you from trying it. Your risk of CRASHING ON THE STREET IS JUST AS HIGH AND MORE DEADLY than on the track. There are no cars going the other way, kids, cops, animals, mud/sand/gravel; everyone is going the same direction; you are wearing proper gear, and medical personnel and ambulance are always there IN CASE. In addition, what you will learn about what your bike can do will give you street survival skills you can't learn ANY OTHER WAY. Much better to learn in a controlled environment, at YOUR pace, than to learn the hard way on the street where you have zero control over your own fate... I believe the 'fear' you speak of is a common fear among new riders considering doing a trackday, leaving many who choose not to, and lose out on learning. I know for me, I was scared shitless on my first trackday (on a Busa) (that some current staff most likely remember). I didn't crash, and by the end of the day it was clear to me that THIS was the way to learn - NOT on the street. Strongly encourage you try it ONE DAY (and STT is even giving away one free day) and if you don't like it, no harm no foul...
STT is the best....get on the track and use that bike like it should be used. You will be fine. Good street tires/front brake pads will go a longer way to stay safe than looking for idiot riders. My 2 cents worth on the subject. See you at the track!
We've easily moved past the point of being deterred. The payment has been made, so I'm fully committed to the session. I've got a set of new pads ready to go, as well as the money set aside to have a fresh set of tires. All the points raised about the public road hazards that are eliminated by a track day are precisely why I have decided to do the move, and I do appreciate all the encouragement. I don't feel like I'm entering this with any fears about myself, I'm a well grounded rider with many a years worth of experience to draw from, as well as an advanced enough age to have a proper temperament to not overstep myself on this initial experience. I'm very much looking forward to rolling out that pit lane and getting my first real feel of things, as well as getting to know the others who look to the same. Regards, Roger.
Roger I had the same feeling over a dozen years ago.... I haven't been on the street since... If your coming to Barber in March please come by and say Hi... If you want to pit with us your more than welcome...Welcome to the addiction...
STT took me from a 38 year old beginning rider on only my second season of riding to dragging my knee around the bowl at Grattan late in the morning session my first day at a race track - on a 500+ lb. Hayabusa. My second day I was timing in the lower 1:40s (might have dipped below 1:40 toward the end but can't confirm - nothing to write home about, but again - that was my second day ever on any race track). The organization is top notch and I highly recommend them and value their feedback - despite the fact that I ignored my coach's advice to stay in in Novice another day and went Intermediate (which I'm glad I did as I got a LOT better the second day - practicing what I was taught the first day). Were I not so broke financially, I would have gone every year since then (2008). But you need not worry about the Novice group - if it is run anything like it used to be (which I greatly appreciated), then you will have a very safe and exciting time. It is not a free for all, it is very well regulated. In Novice, you won't (or shouldn't) be passing anyone and no one should be passing you outside of the express direction of the instructors. They start you out slow, then gradually increase the pace, teaching you different tips during the classroom sessions. One thing at a time, very easy to follow. The only time any of us passed was during the later sessions where the instructor follows each student for a lap or so, then waves another student ahead - where they watch your riding technique closely, then point out that, despite your heroics, you (me anyway) are still "not leaning far enough off the bike" (which I could not understand how someone can drag a knee and not be leaning far enough off the bike - until I saw the video . . .). So enjoy yourself. You will have a great time. As to the origin of this thread . . . as well run an organization as STT is, they cannot perfect their customers or the decisions their customers make. I was hit. It was nothing, but it did happen. I was warned by other riders that the last session of the day people just "get stupid" and some that I met that day warned they were only going to ride the first couple laps of the last session then pull in early to avoid the buffoonery. Not knowing whether my budget would ever allow another trip to a race track, I didn't want to miss anything. Well, I found out what he meant. People take more risks on the last session because . . . whatchagonnado? Cancel the rest of the day for them if they misbehave? And some people just don't make wise decisions. My incident was barely worth mentioning - coming out of the bus stop (we were going counter clockwise that day), I got on the gas like I always do but for some inexplicable reason the rider in front of me slowed (I think someone in front of him slowed, there were many bikes there, but up ahead was plenty of clear track) and the rider behind me hit my exhaust on the right side as he didn't expect me to slow down there either. My hand immediately went up and I looked back to make sure everything was all right and the guy who ran into me had the look of shocked surprise and embarrassment as if to communicate "what the hell happened up there?" in front of us. So, things do happen. I ran off track at least three times that I can remember because I misjudged a corner entry (and lacked the skill to lean it in enough to make up for the misjudged entry) and had a couple people pass me well within the six foot rule, but nothing dangerous. I think they just expected I would be faster than I was and when I wasn't they got closer than they had intended - and I, being on a bike slightly smaller than a Beluga Whale, tend to take wider lines than say, someone with a brain. There were a few red flags that weekend, but I understand they were all unforced errors and I don't believe any crashes took out any other riders. Brian Van (sport bike track gear) broke his collarbone that year high siding going into turn 7 I think (coming out of the bowl - counter clockwise). But overall, it was a great time - best time of my life outside of things family related. It looks as if I'll be making it out in 2016 - at least once. Can't wait!
There are a lot of old riders, and a lot of bold riders, but not a lot of old, bold riders (except for Dave Brooks, that is)
As I apparently seem to become a lifelong member of the Novice group...I can ensure you there is nothing to worry about as others already have pointed out. Novice riders are being grouped by skill level (and even moved around if the first sessions show that the group you are in is too fast or slow for your (comfortable) riding). Except for the Advanced Novice groups, you will be behind an instructor for the morning sessions who is gradually bringing you up to speed - both mentally and literally. There is always the chance of someone trying to be the next <insert your favorite racer>, however, they are usually reigned in fairly quick by any of the coaches. I have done quite a lot track days by now and never really had any real issue where I almost got collected or anything similar. Having said that...given that everybody was a Novice at some point, nobody would probably deny that there is potential for misjudging a corner, speed, line etc. which in turn might cause you to be closer to the bike in front or behind of you than you (or he/she anticipated). And I certainly agree...part of this certainly will affect your decision to sign up for your first track. I always talked about doing them but never did...it took a good friend (who happens to also be a coach with STT) to actually get me started with track riding...now I am just kicking myself to not have done it a long time ago... You will be spoiled in March....first track day....with STT...and my absolute favorite....Barber...enjoy!