Track Day Etiquette

The gap was closing. The rider in front was going wide. There was only a foot left between the rider in front’s wheels and the edge of the grass. The handlebars touched. The rider went careening into the grass. What went wrong?

“Track day etiquette? I thought hooning on a closed course off the public road was the point?”

You couldn’t be more wrong.

Track days are a fantastic place to practice your motorcycle riding skills at real world speeds. Some riders use trackdays for race practice. Others use it as a leisure activity akin to a vacation but with more octane and adrenaline. Regardless of how YOU view a trackday you MUST share it with other riders using it for different reasons. There will be riders on small displacement little bikes mixed in with riders on GSXR-1000s practicing for their next race. Track day organizers attempt to group riders of different skills levels and speeds into groups but its not a panacea for all that could go wrong. It is up to each individual rider to make safe, predictable decisions when out on the track surface. So, what is track etiquette?

1. Starve the ego, feed the soul.

Check the ego at the gate. If you feel like you have something to prove, take a breath. Work on what you need to become a better rider but don’t take out your frustrations on other riders you are sharing the track with. It doesn’t matter what group you are in, there will always be different sized bikes and different speeds of riders. Don’t treat a track day like a race. Treat it like your own internal class time. Listen to your coaches and be willing to be open and receptive to their criticism and assesments.

2. Be smooth, predictable, and patient.

Learn the race line. Faster riders will be looking for a way around you. The best thing you can do is maintain your line and act as predictably as you can. Whether you are on a superbike or on a Yamaha R3, the safest place you can be is on the race line. If you have to come off, indicate as early as possible. Indicate well before your pace comes down or you come off line.

3. It is the passing rider’s responsibility to make a good pass. Be patient.

If you have to wait and think “Can I make this pass?” you can’t. Be patient. Study the rider in front of you. Assess their skill level, pace, and line. Make your pass where the rider in front is NOT going to be. What does that mean? During entry you know they will be heading towards the apex. On exit you know they will be heading towards the outside of the track. On straights you know they will be coming over to the outside to set up for the next turn. Do not make a pass hoping the rider ahead won’t use all the track. So on entry the safest pass is on the outside before the apex. After the apex, the safest pass is on the inside. There are exceptions depending on the corner and what’s coming afterwards but generally that’s where you should be trying to make the pass. Newer riders may have more erratic lines as they make mistakes and learn. Give them space.

4. Use pit in/out. Be patient.

If you find yourself in a gaggle of rider traffic, pit out and talk to the pit marshall about getting you some clean track. Don’t try to pass a whole group of riders. Some of the worst accidents I’ve seen have come from multiple riders trying to make the same pass simultaneously. Be patient.

5. Stay in the blend line. Be patient.

When coming out of hot pit make sure you stay to the inside of the blend line. Riders already out on the track surface will potentially be coming by 100mph faster than you. Stay to the inside of the blend line and off the race line for the first couple of turns. Do not try to swerve all the way to the race line immediately. When you pit out, signal a corner or two early before dropping pace and coming off line. Did I mention to be patient?

6. Get off the track quickly & safely when the red flag comes out.

Track day orgs cannot get the ambulance out until the track is clear. Don’t delay.

How about off the track?

1. Read the rules of the track before you arrive.

Find out when the gates open/close. Are there any noise limits or quiet times? Make sure you familiarize yourself with the track specific rules before you show up. Don’t be me at Jennings GP at my first trackday idling my bike over to tech.

2. Go over your bike and make sure you don’t have any leaks or loose parts.

Don’t be the meatball flag. If something comes off your bike you’ll miss part of your session or worse hurt another rider. Make sure your bike is put together properly. Don’t rely on tech to tell you something is wrong.

3. Keep a clean pit.

Don’t trash your pit area. Don’t leave tires, parts, or oil where you stayed. Think of yourself as a guest. The track day organization rents the track time from the track owner. They in turn, rent that time out to you. If you make them look bad its a good way to not be allowed back. Also, coaches and staff may occasionally stop by just to chat or hang out. Leave them with a good impression or at least not a bad one.

4. No open containers while the track is hot. Ever. For anybody.

We all like a drink once in awhile to help us relax. Don’t even think about doing it while the track is hot. You will be kicked. Just wait. After the track goes cold, swapping brews and stories is the norm.

5. Keep your volume down after 9/10p especially if there’s another track day tomorrow.

That includes generators. Its a good way to disgruntle your moto neighbors. Everyone is trying to get some good rest for the next days physicality. Be respectful of others. Leave the boisterous attitude for the day time.

If you have something you think we should add to the list let us know!

Thanks for reading.