The Basics

Leitner and Kubricky in T8 at Summit Main

If we take a close look at the rider experience and ability found in the NESBA beginner group, one doesn’t have to look far to find a goal they should all have in common: the need to focus on the basics. To help eliminate any confusion and/or anxiety for beginning riders, each trackday starts with a rider meeting followed by another to meet the specific needs of the beginning trackday rider. This meeting includes additional information to help any new rider get on with their day smoothly, understand trackday “etiquette”, and equip them with the information and confidence to help their day run smoothly and have as much fun possible. In this article we will look at three of the most basic elements that every rider in the beginner group (and most riders at all levels) should use to build upon their skill.  Most experienced track day riders and amateur/professional racers use these skills as the basis to be the smoothest and most consistent riders on the racetrack.

Many sports have basic techniques that, with practice, can become automatic.  It is this development of muscle memory that can help the athlete to excel.  In high performance riding, basic skills exist which are the foundations for the smoothest, most consistent riders.  As with most sports, these skills can be refined to better fit a rider’s personal technique.  Some styles appear very pure as if defined in a textbook while others may have slight variations and even differ greatly to the observer.  These variances do not change the purpose of the technique and how the technique is applied to high performance riding.  Finally, variations in style cannot counteract the basics that are the foundation for smooth and consistent riding.

The Basics

A strong foundation — the way a rider positions his foot on the footpegs says a great deal about their experience and riding style, and can give an idea of their intentions as well.  On the racetrack, most riders place the “ball” of the foot on the outer edge of the footpeg, with the big toe “curling” around the end of the footpeg.  With your weight on the “ball” of your foot, it increases the rider’s agility and can speed transitions.  This position allows the foot to pivot that brings the knee away from the bike more comfortably.  Additionally, this reduces the hazard of the front of the foot moving under the peg at increased lean angles, reducing the chance of scuffing toe sliders.  Finally, this position allows the rider to drive the outside leg into the tank and brace their body weight allowing for relaxed grip and increases focus.

Because the rear brake is rarely used, if at all in the beginner group, the right foot should rarely have to move from this position.  On the left side of the bike, the foot will move to change gears and then return to the more natural high performance riding style once the shift or series of downshifts is completed.

Looking Through the Turn

Most of us can say we’ve heard it said that a motorcycle goes where you look — in the case of track riding, this is very easy to demonstrate.   “Looking through the turn” is used to describe the technique of looking well ahead of the machine on the approach, entrance, apex, and exit of a turn. This technique is also used on the straights to decrease the perception of speed.

To practice this technique, look well ahead of the machine on the straight.  Maintain the race line and look to or near the end of the straight.  This will prepare the rider approaching slower riders so that passing lines can be visualized resulting in a cleaner, more predictable passes. Upon approaching a corner, look to the turn in point: at turn in, look to the apex.  Continue this method also looking well ahead of the machine to the next apex or reference point, focusing ahead of the machine and where the machine is to go.

Maintenance Throttle

Trackday riders and racers are often asked “if your knee really touches the ground, how difficult is it to turn a motorcycle?” or “how does it feel to go through a turn so fast?”.  It is difficult to explain to those asking that these questions really aren’t fair for us to answer.  We know that the forces exerted on the machine and rider while in the turn actually helps us to be more stable.  An example would be riding a bicycle; the slower the rider goes, the harder the rider has to work to maintain balance to remain upright.  While bicycles do have rotating mass, it can be negligible at the speeds most will ride.  Motorcycles do have rotating mass that creates a gyroscopic effect helping the bike remain stable and tends to force the bike into an upright position at a certain threshold speed (about 18 – 22 miles per hour).  While in a turn the motorcycle redirects some of its mass to a different direction that changes the rate at which it loses speed.

It is these principles that make it important to maintain throttle while moving through a turn.  Smooth, consistent inputs to the motorcycle are always required and the throttle is no exception.  At this level, it is less important to “grab a handful of throttle” and get on the gas as early as possible. Rather, maintain the throttle position entering the turn and approaching the apex smoothly add slowly adding throttle past the apex and exiting the turn.  This throttle maintenance can help the approach, turn in, and apex to be smooth and consistent.

These skills practiced together and used in harmony are the basics in helping a rider to develop a rhythm and become smooth and consistent. Ultimately, building confidence is one of the best ingredients for speed and faster lap times.

Finishing the Turn

Understanding track layout, elevation changes, and track features such as camber changes and blind corners is important to becoming smooth and fast on a racetrack, especially when riding on a new track for the first time.  Watching track videos and familiarizing yourself with a track map are excellent ways to prepare yourself before even turning a wheel; some professional riders have mentioned that playing video games helps familiarize them with tracks prior to attending at a new venue.

NESBA understands that keeping things simple for the Intro and Beginner rider often reduces anxiety and helps to make the experience more enjoyable.  By encouraging riders to use the morning sessions to simply familiarize themselves with the track, brake zones, corner entry/exit markers, and corner worker stations. Note, the first two laps of the first two morning sessions are run with yellow flags in the Beginner/Intro and Intermediate groups allowing the riders to become familiar with the track.  By stressing the importance of the basics in the morning meeting, followed by a track breakdown meeting in the afternoon, the rider is better positioned to focus on skills development in the morning sessions and greater understanding of the track and refining skills as the pace increases throughout the day.