Riding on the track is an amazing experience. We will provide you with all the tips you need to prepare for your first trip to the race track.
We run trackdays from spring to fall, there are events almost every week during the riding season. Depending on your schedule and availability, you can pick a date most convenient to you. We provide first-time training (ART CORE) at every one of our trackdays, so you are always welcome. Our weekend events are usually more well attended than weekday events, so if you are looking for more opportunity to ride alone, you may consider a weekday event.
We run trackdays at multiple tracks. Each track has its own personality and is more suitable for certain riding styles than others. While we love all of the tracks, even our staff may find themselves more "at home" on certain tracks (layouts) than others. Some tracks are easier to learn and master than others. We host beginner and intermediate focused events on those tracks. As a beginner, you may find it easier and less time-consuming to get up to speed and ride well on those tracks. Once you are more experienced at track riding, be sure to try out each track to see which one suits you the best!
Our Tracks
Getting started is easy with Team Pro-Motion. Once you register for an online account, you can sign up for any of our events. You can purchase a membership and enjoy reduced trackday prices as well as member benefits, or simply sign up for a trackday as a guest. Don't forget as a first-time track rider, you will receive a special one-time promotional price of $195, which includes the trackday and ART CORE essential riding skills school!
Safety is our number 1 concern. That's why, in order to ride on the track, you must be fully protected with the following protective gear:
All protective gear must be in good condition. If you do not have any of them, we have them for rent, or for sale on our web store. If you purchase gear in advance, we should be able to bring them to the trackday for you to use.
To pass Tech Inspection, you must fulfill the following requirements:
It is the responsibility of the rider to inspect and make sure their bike and equipment is in proper condition for participation in an event. Team Pro-Motion and its affiliates will assume NO risk whatsoever in the event of a participant's bike failing due to an issue related to technical aspects concerning the bike. The burden of complying with the technical requirements regarding the motorcycles safety and suitable standards rests with the participants. Technical inspectors have final approval but do not assume any and/or all responsibility for the failing when ridden. If a crash should occur, the bike must return for inspection before it may be ridden on the track again. Check with your owner's manual for basic overview and safety related issues. If the bike does not pass tech, no credit will be due unless EFP Plus was taken.
We also have a fleet of late model Kawasaki Ninja motorcycles for rent.
You can never have enough stuff at the track (trust us, we stuff our trailers). However, after 20 years, there are a few things we all feel that you should consider bringing:
You should bring any and everything that will make your day a pleasant one. Some of the our essentials are:
We recommend getting a large plastic bin and keep all your essentials in the "trackday bin," so you can easily store them at home and bring to the track without having to pack.
Most veteran riders trailer their bike to the track.
Enclosed trailer is a commitment, because it needs a capable towing vehicle. But you get to load everything inside and keep them stored inside. You can also sleep inside overnight. This is what most riders do. One note: buy one with ramp door instead of the barn doors. You will thank us.
Open (landscaping) trailer is lighter, less costly, and easier to tow. You can rent one from a U-Haul or elsewhere for a low daily cost. However, it is an art to strap everything down properly for the road trip. Most cars can have a hitch installed capable of towing a small open trailer. However, we recommend you rent one to try out instead of making the commitment to buy one. Most of us settle on an enclosed trailer.
Plenty of people have started this way, including yours truly. But in hindsight, we do not recommend it. There are many reasons why it is better to drive to the track, here are some of them:
If you live within 2 hours of the track, you can consider leaving early in the morning on the day of the trackday. However, in order to maximize your experience, we recommend you leave the day before and spend the night near the track. For such a memorable and celebrated event, you certainly would not want to have any hiccups in the morning of your trackday.
If you do decide to stay the night near the track, you may have several options. Some tracks allow you to camp at the track (usually for a fee). You can pitch a tent, or sleep in your truck/trailer. The advantage is you will be right there in the morning. The disadvantage is that you might not get a good night's sleep, and that may interfere with you fully enjoying your day on the track, if you don't get good rest.
We recommend you find a comfy motel/hotel near the track. You can take it easy, get a good night's sleep, and wake up refreshed and well-rested to take on the challenge on the track.
Most of us stop by a convenience store in the morning before arriving at the track. Have a good supply of water, snacks, and even bringing lunch is always a good idea. Leaving the track to get lunch is always a time-consuming task, and you will rob yourself of the opportunity to meet other riders or talk with our coaches during the down time.
When you arrive at the track, you will have to sign a waiver at the gate to enter. Some tracks have multiple paddocks for the different track configurations, make sure you go to the right paddock. If you are unsure where to go, ask the gate person.
Once you are in the paddock, find a place to park. Generally you can park anywhere, but it helps to know where the registration/tech building/area is. If you are taking any of the schools, you will be spending time in the registration building, so park close to it. Some spaces are usually reserved for staff, so if unsure, ask registration where you can park. Most riders pull their car/trailer in 90 degrees from the tarmac, leaving 5-10 feet between the end of the trailer to the edge of the tarmac so they can set up their pit area there and keep the bike parked on the edge of the tarmac.
Registration and Tech Inspection opens at 7 am. Registration and Tech temporarily closes for the rider's meeting which starts at approximately 8:30 am (see below), and will reopen after the meeting. Tech closes at 10 am, and it may reopen during the lunch break usually at 12:30 pm. It is important to be on time. Tech & Registration is a one step process called EXPRESS TECH if payment was made in advance. Please bring a photo ID to tech. If you are registered for more than one day you only have to tech your bike on the first day of a multi-day event. Each additional day you must report to registration with your helmet to sign in and receive the a day-pass decal.
Before anyone is allowed onto the track, there will be a Mandatory Rider's Meeting, usually around 8:30 am. The meeting usually lasts about 20 minutes and trackday staff will go over the day's procedures and any other pertinent information. It is imperative that you attend the Rider's Meeting so you can obtain all the important information for the day. If you have any questions, you can ask during or after the meeting.
Missing the riders meeting may result in forfeit of the day without refund.
Immediately following the Rider's Meeting, if you are in the ART CORE class, you will be required to report to the classroom to meet your instructor. Your instructor will prepare you for your first on-track session, so make sure you are present and follow the instructions given. Missing this first meeting with your instructor will prevent you from riding out onto the track with the group. You will be given a classroom training session, then time to get dressed before reporting back to the classroom to head out on the track for your first session as a group.
It's almost time to get on the track!
Make sure you get dressed properly so you are well protected. The following few things may sound pretty obvious, but we still want to bring them to your attention as an added reminder - many new and veteran riders have done some or all of them!
I think you know how this works!
Pro Tip: if you somehow talked a significant other into coming with you, be sure to cater to their needs as well.
Please feel free to direct any additional questions to sales@ridetpm.com, or visit our Facebook forum and ask your fellow riders!
At the track, find and speak to any of our coaches or staff, we are there to help you enjoy your day!
Many things we discussed above are simply our opinions. Your mileage will vary. We hope they serve as a basis for you to figure out the best options for you to get the most enjoyable experience out of your trackday.
See you at the track!
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