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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 and, and a full road motorcycle licence, or a
competition motorcycle licence (novice competition licences are
not acceptable). 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 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 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 we strongly
recommend that you obtain personal medical, repatriation &
liability insurance. Suitable insurance is available very cheaply
from Interzug Travel (Tel: 0870 333 1841 or book on line at trackcover.com).
Single trip and annual multi-trip policies are available, and
these give you Europe-wide (including UK) cover for trackdays,
motorcycle touring, skiing and other similar high-risk activities.
Basic cover includes medical & emergency expenses including
rescue, personal accident, personal liability, activitiy equipment
& legal expenses, and regular travel insurance is available
as an add-on extra of required.
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?
30 is the maximum number of riders per group, 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 30 bikes out there.
Jerez and Almeria are both longer than Donington Park Circuit
for instance, but we only have 30 max on circuit at any one time,
whereas on a UK day at Donington, there are usually at least 45
on circuit, and some organisers put as many as 60 or 70 on circuit!
So even if we are fully booked, the circuit will be far less busy
than the norm for a UK day.
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. HOW DO I GET MY BIKE TO THE TRANSPORT DEPOT?
That is up to you really, but here are a few suggestions…
We offer various optional collection points around the UK (see
BIKE TRANSPORT for details) and a collection service in the southeast
(just let us have your town & postcode and we will give you
a quote). There is a train station near the depot with rail links
to all major cities, you can rant a van or trailer to take you
bike to the depot (if we have others in your area on the same
trip, we can put you in touch with each other so that you can
share a van or trailer), or you can ride there and get a friend
to follow and give a lift back. etc.
18. 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.
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