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1. WHAT IS A TRACK DAY?
Trackday, n. A gathering of pleasure seeking motorcycle enthusiasts
for the purposes of having fun, improving their skills and riding
their motorcycles around a motor racing circuit. Source: Tony’s
Book of Big Words and Joined-up Writing.
So there you have it. It’s about having fun, and learning
more about you and your bike's capabilities. Track days are an
opportunity to ride your bike at high speed for the day, without
worrying about what’s coming the other way or how to keep
your licence intact. All of our events are strictly non-competitive
and we provide free tuition by experienced instructors so, if
you’re fed up with speed humps, cameras and traffic, this
is your chance to go and play!
2. WHAT DO I NEED TO TAKE PART?
You will need a motorcycle (use your own or hire from us), the
correct clothing, a motorcycle licence, and suitable medical insurance.
You also need to be medically fit to ride a motorcycle.
The correct clothing: Full motorcycle leathers
(1 piece or zip together 2 piece), a helmet approved for motorcycle
sport, and suitable motorcycle boots & gloves. Back protectors
are also recommended.
Licences: You will need either a full road
motorcycle licence, or a motorcycle competition licence that is
valid for the type of machine you will ride on the track (novice
competition licences are not acceptable). You will not be required
to show your licence on the day, but you will be required to sign
a declaration to confirm that you have one.
Medical insurance: Suitable medical/repatriation
insurance is compulsory. Note that a European Heath Insurance
Card (which has now replaced the old E111), and most standard
travel insurance policies do not cover you for potentially dangerous
pastimes such as trackdays. However, special trackday insurance
is available very cheaply from Interzug Travel (buy online at
trackcover.com or call 01270 625431). This covers the cost of
medical & emergency treatment & rescue, personal injury,
personal liability, activity equipment & legal expenses. Single
trip or annual multi-trip policies are available, and these cover
you Europe-wide (incl. UK) for trackdays, and can be extended
to cover other dangerous pastimes such as skiing, motorcycle touring
& off road riding. Regular travel insurance covering baggage,
personal effects & money, cancellation & curtailment,
loss of travel documents, and travel disruption/delay is available
as an add-on extra if required.
Medical fitness to take part: It is your responsibility
to ensure that you are medically fit to ride a motorcycle (with
correct corrective eyewear if required), and to that you are not
suffering from any condition (or taking any medication) that could
affect your ability to control a motorcycle at high speed or otherwise.
You will be required to sign a declaration and indemnity to this
effect prior to the commencement of activities.
3. IS FUEL AVAILABLE AT THE CIRCUIT?
Yes, regular unleaded fuel is available at the circuit, and we
have octane booster for those that require super-unleaded fuel.
2 stroke racing fuel (av-gas) is not available.
4. IS FOOD & DRINK AVAIALBLE AT THE CIRCUIT?
Yes, the basics are available (i.e. sandwiches, light meals, snacks,
soft drinks, water, etc.).
5. HOW MUCH TRACK TIME WILL I GET?
A minimum of seven 20-minute sessions (sometimes eight 20-minute
sessions) per day will be available, although it is possible that
you could loose some track time if there are any stoppages due
to serious incidents on the circuit.
6. HOW DO I GET SOME INSTRUCTION?
See TRACKDAY SUPPORT SERVICES for details.
7. WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE?
Motorcycle insurance: Your bike is not covered
under our insurance policy while you are riding on the circuit
(everybody rides at their own risk), and it is unlikely that a
road motorcycle policy will cover your bike for trackdays, although
there are one or two insurance companies that include some limited
trackday cover. Check with your own insurance company for more
info. There are no trackday insurance policies available that
we know of (at least none that are worth having), but if you know
of one, please let us know.
Personal insurance: You are not covered by our
insurance for any damage you do to yourself or others while riding
on the circuit (everyone rides at their own risk), so it is essential
that you obtain suitable medical insurance (see question 2 above
for full details).
8. WHAT ABOUT TYRES?
Tyre life varies depending on a multitude of factors (tyre of
bike, riding style, suspension setup, type of tyre, circuit and
temperature), but typically you can expect a rear tyre to last
for anything from 1 to 4 trackdays, and a front to last around
twice as long. We have small stock of tyres in the most common
120/70/17 front & 180/55/17 rear sizes at the circuit, but
we strongly recommend that you order your tyres in advance so
that we can be sure of having the correct type, size and compound
reserved for you. See TYRES and TRACKDAY SUPPORT SERVICES for
more info.
9. WHAT IF I CRASH?
It goes without saying that safety is our priority at every event,
but incidents do happen, and we would be liars if we said they
didn’t. But they are much less frequent than you might imagine.
The secret is to take a sensible and measured approach to the
day. Listen to what you are told in the briefing, always warm
your tyres, and build your pace slowly. Remember that there is
only one person controlling the throttle, and the throttle works
both ways. Because we space the bikes out around the circuit,
the accidents that do occur usually involve only one bike. Being
‘taken out’ by someone else is very rare indeed. But
even if the worst should happen, bear in mind that circuits have
large gravel & grass run-off areas, and even if you did manage
to hit something, qualified marshals and paramedics will be with
you very quickly indeed. There are no telegraph poles or stone
walls to hit, no traffic coming the other way, and no side turnings
or pedestrians to worry about. One thing is for sure – it’s
a hell of a lot safer than trying to ride fast on the road.
10. ARE SPECTATORS AND PASSENGERS PERMITTED?
Non-riders are welcome to attend and there is no charge for spectators
at the circuit. Pillion passengers are not permitted whilst riding
on the circuit.
11. WHAT SORT OF BIKES & RIDERS ATTEND THESE EVENTS?
There is a wide range of bikes at all events, although sports
or sports-touring bikes of various descriptions are obviously
the most popular. You don’t need a Superbike to take part
though. Sure, you will see some exotic tackle there, but you can
have fun with anything that’s fast enough to be exciting.
There’s no pressure to perform and there’s a group
for all levels of experience from novice to expert – its
just about having some fun at your own pace.
12. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE IN EACH GROUP?
35 is usually the maximum number of riders in our groups, but
often it is less. Bearing in mind that the circuits we use are
bigger than those in the UK, they are not busy even with 35 bikes
out there. Jerez and Almeria are both longer than Donington Park
Circuit for instance, but we only have 35 on circuit at any one
time, whereas on a UK day at Donington, there are usually at least
50 on circuit, and often there are as many as 60 or 70 on circuit
at once – so basically, a 90mph traffic jam then! One thing
is for sure - even if we are fully booked, the circuit will be
far less busy than the average UK trackday.
13. WHAT IS THE ITINERARY FOR THE EVENT?
You will be sent a detailed itinerary along with you final instructions
around 3 weeks before the event, but normally you will need to
attend a safety briefing at around 9am on the first day only.
The briefing will be followed by registration, and we normally
operate track sessions from 10.00 to 17.00 or 18.00 each day.
14. WHAT ABOUT THE NOISE LIMITS?
There are no noise limits at the circuits we use in Spain, so
make as much noise as you like!
15. WHERE AND WHEN ARE THESE EVENTS HELD?
See TRACKDAY DATES & PRICES for more info, and follow the
links from there.
16. HOW DO I BOOK, AND WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANCEL?
See BOOKING and TERMS & CONDITIONS for details.
17. WHEN & WHERE DO I NEED TO DROP OFF MY BIKE?
You will be sent detailed instructions & directions a few
weeks before the event, but the bike drop off day for the main
depot is normally the Sunday before the event, and the collection
day is normally the Sunday after the event. The main depot is
located near Cirencester in Gloucestershire (approx 20 minutes
northwest of Swindon).
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