Recently I had a chance to ride on a track… now, some of you may be a little unkind when I say it was the southern section of Sydney Motorsport Park, a tight, twisty and low-speed track – but it’s great fun on smaller bikes.

Read more of Nige’s columns here

I paid for that fun in numerous ways, including getting up at stupid o’clock to be there in time for the rider’s briefing (which happened an hour late, but I’m not bitter) and some tightness in the thighs the next day, a result of moving from side-to-side on the bike around ten times a minute, because of how twisty the track is.

It was great to catch up with folks from the industry and media I hadn’t seen in a while, it’s always awesome to be able to ride without a speed limit and it was cool to get my knee down while riding, and not follow it with hip, shoulder, elbow, helmet…

Back in the day I had to go racing to experience a track, for the ride day hadn’t been invented – race tracks were for racing, not for just going fast. That was 1988 (yeah, I’m old), and it was around 1990 that I remember reading a magazine article about a bunch of guys who got together and hired Oran Park Raceway in Sydney’s South-West for their own pleasure – and the ride-day was born.

Numerous people thought this was a good idea and Dave Stone made a business of it with Motorcycle Concepts, while rider trainer Steve Brouggy eventually shifted from running schools to being the man behind Mega Ride Days, which has hosted hundreds of thousands of Aussies getting a taste of motorcycle sport without flaunting speed limits and taking unnecessary risks.

Mega Ride Days has hosted hundreds of thousands of Aussies getting a taste of motorcycle sport without flaunting speed limits and taking unnecessary risks.

The early days of ride days were sometimes a bit chaotic. Now, the older I get the faster I was, and one particular day back in the 1990s I was riding something fast at what was then know as Eastern Creek Raceway, and I was really enjoying turn eight, the left-hander around what was known as Corporate Hill (it’s now known as Turn Seven, because they took out the right-left ages ago).

It’s a slight uphill as you approach, with a blind, late entry – you can’t really see what’s ahead, and tipping the bike over much later than you’d expect (if you’re a road rider) is par for the course, but I was getting familiar with leaving the tip-in until as late as my bravery allowed, which meant I’d enter the corner faster, because there was plenty of track width on the exit to run out wide before braking hard and moving left for the entry to the downhill hairpin which was Turn Nine.

You can wear out a knee scraper and wonder why no-one has offered you a Superbike contract.

What I love about this turn is how satisfying it feels when you get it right – a fast sweeper without much braking beforehand, where you can wear out a knee scraper and wonder why no-one has offered you a Superbike contract. On this particular day I was using all my C-grade racing skills to look good for whatever snapper Two Wheels was using that day… but then as I exited the turn I realised there were four or five big bikes ponderously rolling toward the hairpin… and I was going way too fast to slow down enough to follow them around.

Luckily I was able to thread the needle between one rider running too wide, putting the bulk of the group on my left, then I braked hard for the hairpin and dove up the inside line. And if it was exciting for me, it may have been terrifying for them, but vastly preferable to skittling through the pack like a bowling ball.

Ride days have evolved from those early days of chaos on the track to efficiently run events with groups organised by skill (they certainly weren’t that day, and I still won’t go near a session full of first-timers). There are now rules in place regarding overtaking and behaviour on the track (experiences like mine above shouldn’t happen today), skills development (coaching) is available and the advice around preparing your bike and being ready for the track so much better than in the bad old days. Mega also offers sporty Ducatis you can hire, so if you don’t have a suitable machine this is a great way to experience sports riding without spending a fortune.

There are now rules in place regarding overtaking and behaviour on the track, skills development is available and the advice around preparing your bike is so much better.

My recent ride was organised by Dunlop for the launch of its new track tyres, the Q5 range, sports tyres which include track focussed (Q5), track and street use (Q5S) and sports road riding (Q5A). Dunlop emphasised at the launch the track-focussed Q5 was built to warm up quickly and provide good grip straight from the pit box, making tyre warmers unnecessary. While I’ve always thought tyre warmers were overkill for ride days, a friend who uses them pointed out:  “I get to go hard from the first lap – so that’s an extra six laps a day of having fun, plus they give me a little extra confidence, so I think it’s worth the cost and hassle”.

Fair enough I suppose, but if I’m ever that serious about going that hard I’ll go racing again. In the meantime, having a bike with a set of sticky tyres, good suspension and rear-set footpegs for use at ride days would be awesome… oh wait, I do have one at the back of the garage… and even though it’s 20 years old it would still be great fun around SMSP. I should get that out.

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After many Ride Days were cancelled due to the NSW COVID-19 lockdowns, the organisers say they are happy to announce that they’re back! You’ll have to get in quick though as the remains dates for 2021 are filling up quickly. See the dates below.

• Wednesday 26th January (Australia Day) – $345 – SOLD OUT
• Friday 4th February – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Sunday 20th February – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Thursday 10th March – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Friday 11th March – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Sunday 20th March – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 21st March – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 4th April – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 18th April (Easter Monday) – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 25th April (Anzac Day) – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Sunday 15th May – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 16th May – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Tuesday 17th May – $295 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 13th June (Queens Birthday) – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Sunday 26th June – $345 – AVAILABLE
• Monday 27th June – $295 – AVAILABLE

During the lockdown, the organisers have been working flat out on some upgrades to make your experience at each and every SMSP Ride Day better! Part of this is going paperless for their Registration & Safety Briefings. When you book for your next SMSP Ride Day, you’ll now get an email confirmation which has a link to your Registration Form & Safety Briefing. These forms can now be completed online prior to the event, speeding up the process of getting you on track.

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Road Racing State Governing Bodies

MOTORCYCLING NEW SOUTH WALES 

• Address: 9 Parkes Street,
• Harris Park NSW 2150
• Phone: (02) 9635 9177
• Web: motorcycling.com.au
  

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MOTORCYCLING QUEENSLAND

• Address: 2/8 Gordon Street,
• Ipswich Qld 4305
• Phone: (07) 3281 2255
• Web: mqld.org.au

MOTORCYCLING WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• • Address: 46 Seventh Avenue,
  • Marylands WA 6051
  • Phone: (08) 9371 5333
  • Web: motorcyclingwa.org.au

MOTORCYCLING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

• Address: 251 The Parade,
• Beulah Park SA 5067
• Phone: (08) 8332 9000
• Web: motorcyclingsa.org.au

MOTORCYCLING VICTORIA

• Address: Suite 125/9 Hall Street
• Port Melbourne, Vic 3207
• Phone: (03) 9673 0600
• Web: motorcyclingvic.com.au

MOTORCYCLING TASMANIA

• Postal Address: PO Box 269,
• Port Sorell Tas 7307
• Phone: (03) 6428 7567
• Web: mtas.org.au

MOTORCYCLING NORTHERN TERRITORY

• Postal Address: PO Box 154,
• Howard Springs NT 0835
• Phone: (08) 8983 2200
• Web: mant.org.au
  

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RIDE DAY COMPANY CONTACTS 

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL

• Ph: 1300 793 423
• phillipislandridedays.com.au
• superbikeschool.com.au
• Locations: Phillip Island, Vic

CHAMPION’S RIDE DAYS 

• Ph: (07) 3287 4144
• championsridedays.com.au
• Locations: Broadford, Winton, Queensland Raceway, Barbagallo, Lakeside, Mallala 

TOP RIDER  

• Ph: 1300 13 13 62
• toprider.com.au
• Locations: Marulan, Eastern Creek, Gold Coast

TRAKDAYZ 

• Ph: 0401 484 898
• trakdayz.com.au
• Locations: Barbagallo, Collie

XTREME RIDE DAYS

• Ph: (02) 4823 5711
• formula-xtreme.com.au/RideDay
• Locations: Wakefield Park, NSW

RIDE DAYS WA 

• Ph: (08) 9409 1002
• ridedayswa.com.au
• Locations: Barbagello, Collie

The post All The Australian Racing & Track Day Contacts You’ll Need! appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

After many Ride Days were cancelled due to the NSW COVID-19 lockdowns, the organisers say they are happy to announce that they’re back! You’ll have to get in quick though as the remains dates for 2021 are filling up quickly. See the dates below.

• Saturday 27th November 
• Sunday 28th November
• Monday 29th November – Booked out, waiting list only
• Saturday 4th December 
• Sunday 5th December
• Saturday 18th December
• Sunday 19th December

During the lockdown, the organisers have been working flat out on some upgrades to make your experience at each and every SMSP Ride Day better! Part of this is going paperless for their Registration & Safety Briefings. When you book for your next SMSP Ride Day, you’ll now get an email confirmation which has a link to your Registration Form & Safety Briefing. These forms can now be completed online prior to the event, speeding up the process of getting you on track. 

The post Ride Days Back At SMSP! Dates announced appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Sportsbikes are fast and there are a lot of riders out there who should be sticking to ride days for a speed fix… Ride days are fantastic – everyone is going in the same direction, there is run-off areas, emergency medical help and no speed limits.

Check out our other rider tips here…

Fines, injuries, jail, loss of licence… all these things happen at 200-plus on the street. Plus of course there is the fun factor. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve met a rider at a track day that is grinning ear-to-ear after his or her very first session lapping a track. The feeling is one that none of us forget and, like that first knee slide moment, it becomes an addiction. Once you go track, you’ll never go back…

Unfortunately, I also, from time to time, meet riders that really want to experience the racetrack but are either too shy to head out there with experienced riders, are not sure they have the ability or think expenses mean it is out of their reach but it doesn’t have to be that way.

THE DAY HAS COME
Like anything, for sure, the first time can be a little nerve wrecking and a bit of a hurdle but, once that chequered flag signals the end of your very first session, all of those butterflies go away. It’s just the buzz that will stay with you for the whole day. 

Getting in to ride days is easy. All you need to do is get your bike checked over by your mechanic, get the appropriate tyres on it, sort your riding gear and book the day. There are multiple ride day companies and all of them are accommodating, experienced and smart operators. You’ll be made to feel at home and you will receive expert advice and be treated with kid gloves on your very first day. Ride day operators have special Novice and First Timer briefings and groups for riding in and some will also ensure you have an instructor shadow you if required to help out with tips. There are strict overtaking rules to avoid you getting blasted off the track and fantastic signalling and flag systems that are universal and easy to understand.

When you arrive you generally look for a garage and set up, just ask the others in there if there is room. Once you unload and set-up, you’ll find there will be a quick briefing where all new riders will be pulled aside for a bit of extra help. You’ll then be allocated in to the appropriate riding group for your ability and given a wristband. There will usually be timetables up around the place with your session times. So it is a matter of keeping your bike fuelled up and suiting up with 10 minutes or so to spare. Getting leathers on in a panic at the last minute before you ride is a disaster waiting to happen…

Aside from the odd ego tripper (they show up everywhere not just at the track) the pits on ride days are full of like-minded riders sharing a fun day and socially, ride days can be brilliant – lunch time is always a laugh…

At the end of a good ride day, you will feel completely mentally and physically exhausted and at the same time invigorated and on a massive high. And when you get home and crack that first beer – the grin will be immense.

Which Bike?
It really doesn’t matter what you ride really. If it has an engine, brakes, suspension and tyres then it’ll be fun. However, sportsbikes and sports-slanted nakedbikes are more suitable due to ground clearance. Once you get in to ride days more, you can get serious about your bike. But first up, even on a little 250, you will be packing bricks so showing up on a 1000 on slicks is not the go – trust me…

Make sure you have new brake fluid and plenty of meat on your brake pads, no oil leaks, new or very good tyres and excellent condition chain and sprockets and good suspension with no oil seals leaking. There will be scrutineering on the day so to avoid disappointment of a knock back, get your bike in order before you go. 

What To Wear
OK, this is important. You need really good leathers, good gloves and boots and a top quality helmet. No point showing up in jeans and a leather jacket, as you won’t be allowed on the track. You will also be knocked back if your helmet shows signs of a previous drop, your gear is torn or in bad condition, and you are not allowed on tracks without a back protector. It is recommended that you wear a chest protector.

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