Get back on track’
Take a day to let loose on a dedicated race circuit
There are many good reasons for taking your bike on a trackday, not least the fact that you’ll be free of all the trappings that come with riding on the public highway – potholes, pedestrians, cars, lorries, oncoming vehicles and of course, speed limits – which will leave you free to focus on the mechanics of actually riding your motorcycle and finding out exactly what it’s capable of. For the novice rider it may feel like a daunting prospect to take to the hallowed tarmac usually reserved for their racing heroes, but in terms of improving your riding it’s one of the best things you can do and bloody good fun to boot. There’s a lot to consider before you’re ready to roll out of the pits, but it’s all common-sense stuff. Trackdays are not competitive events, so you certainly don’t need a race bike, in fact almost any road bike with a valid MoT will do. Some tracks have minimum limits as to engine size (wobbling around on a restricted 125 could present something of a hazard on a typical trackday, however there are special events for smaller capacity machines and historic vehicles), so be sure to check first. You will be pushing your machine far harder than you would on the road so ensure it’s well maintained and recently serviced. Your tyres should be in good condition as they’ll take quite a beating, likewise brake pads and discs. Kit wise you’ll need a full set of leathers, either a one-piece leathers or jacket and jeans with a full-length connecting zip, and your helmet will need to be ACU Gold Standard approved. Decent boots and gloves also go without saying. Depending on the track, prices start at just under £100 for an evening and rise to £250 or more for a day on a full GP circuit.