Kevin Wingfield, Robert Poe and Bill Shell after getting our "A" bump.

The Paddock area at Road Atlanta.

Will Eikenberry preparing for rain by cutting grooves into his slicks.

BMW S1000RR fleet at Keith Code's California Superbike School.

Will Eikenberry and Keith Code at VIR.

From the February 2012 BMW Owners News

Track Days: Humble Pie is Best Served Warm

By Kevin Wingfield #76990

During my first seven years of motorcycling, my interest lay solely on street riding to places near and far, taking in as many twists and turns as possible along the way. Seeking the experience of a controlled environment, void of oncoming traffic, road debris and speed limits seemed like a natural progression to enhance the joy of riding. On a beautiful, crisp autumn day in 2003, I took the plunge and rode my '02 R1100S Boxer Cup Prep to Summit Point, WV, to participate in my first track day.

With less power than a majority of the bikes typically found in this environment, the R1100S provided a good platform for a beginner. Both predictable and stable, the S was ideal for learning how to improve late braking and set up a corner exit to make a pass. I quickly learned that I was not getting off the bike enough, which created greater lean angles, resulting in the cylinder heads occasionally touching down, an unnerving feeling while going through a turn.

A few years later, realizing that this facet of riding wasn't just a passing phase, I decided to purchase a motorcycle designated for track days. I found a good deal on a well used 2001 Suzuki GSXR 600. The gas tank was dented and the road-rashed body work was pieced together with mismatching paint schemes. She was a beauty. As the seller stated, "She doesn't look too good, but she runs like a scalded dog." The Suzuki being at least 75 lbs lighter and producing about 15 more horsepower than my BMW, I had to agree with this assessment.

Over the past handful of years, with my two friends Bill Shell (Triumph Daytona 675) and Robert Poe (previously an R1100S rider now, on a GSXR 750), I have celebrated the waning days of winter  by attending a track day in early March at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) outside of Danville, VA. With a deviation from the norm in 2011's schedule, there were no VIR dates until June and our tradition was broken, which left us looking at other venues.

The thought of riding a new track was met with feelings of excitement and a little anxiety. Fortunately there are plenty of videos found on sources such as YouTube from people who have mounted cameras on their bikes while riding the course. In the days leading up to our departure, I watched footage of probably a hundred laps around Road Atlanta. While this certainly amused my wife ("Why do you keep looking at that?"), the time spent was beneficial, as it helped me become familiar with the layout, establish some points of reference and watch what lines different riders chose.

In spite of an optimistic forecast, the eight-hour drive south from western Virginia was filled with gray clouds and rain. Camping out in the paddock area, we awoke to damp pavement as the misty fog that had settled in the day before still lingered and wouldn't dissipate until later that morning. While the initial thought of riding on a damp track was disappointing, that soon gave way to the realization that some necessary slow laps might be an ideal way to get acquainted with a new course and blow out some of the cobwebs that had accumulated over the winter.

The format used by Northeastern Sportbike Association (NESBA), which is typical of most track day organizations, is to run three groups in 20-minute intervals each hour. Starting at 9:00, at the top of each hour the Advanced group goes out, followed by the Intermediate and then Beginner group. If all goes according to plan, this rotation takes place seven times throughout the day, ending around 5 p.m. While at first glance 140 minutes of riding over the course of a day may sound easy, but by the end of the day you will feel more than satisfied. This sort of riding is a lot more physical than riding on the street; your legs will remind you of this for a few days after.

By the second session of the day, a dry line had formed around the course and the asphalt completely dried shortly thereafter. By the last few sessions of the day, collectively we were making progress on our lap times and were maintaining a respectable pace within our Intermediate group. With some significant and sometimes drastic changes in elevation, Road Atlanta is high on the fun factor. While the real fun is in the turns, there's also something to be said about going wide open in sixth gear down the long, back straight.

A few weeks later the three of us met up at Summit Point to ride the main course. We were joined by a fourth rider, John Vance, who rides a Yamaha R6 in the Advanced group and has spent a few seasons racing in WERA. Sharing paddock space with better riders to gain tips throughout the day is always a plus.

The morning started off with blue skies, sunshine and a level of comfort that comes from having ridden here a few times before. Then, only four laps into the first session of the day, out came the red flag. Some poor soul had dumped oil around 1/3 of the track and two hours passed for cleanup before we went back out there. After getting in a full 20-minute session shortly before noon, the lunch hour was implemented, making for another long wait.

With this departure from the typical routine, the mood in our group was somber and I even found myself contemplating my future as a track day rider. Even for a casual participant who averages three or four events each year, the time and cost involved is fairly significant. Finally the five-minute call for the Intermediate group sounded out over the PA system and it was time to get my head back on straight. The third session of the day led to some fast-paced laps, with a little back and forth between the three of us, which served a reminder as to why I keep doing this.

At the end of the session we talked with a few Control Riders/Coaches, who shared with us the strengths and weaknesses they observed while we were out there. For those who are not familiar, a track day is not the same as racing. You are there to ride fast, improve lap times/skill and hopefully end up in front of your compadres at the end of each session for some friendly ribbing. But the main goal is to have fun and leave at the end of the day with body and bike intact. There are no trophies for anyone when it's all over.

Control Riders provide tips and make sure that everyone is following the rules, most of which are common sense. Other than the obvious, which is rider ability, a major difference between the three groups is when and how you are allowed to pass. In the Beginner group, passing can only take place when the bikes are straight up and down. Intermediate allows passing in the turns, but only when done around the outside of the other rider, which leaves you vulnerable if that rider low-sides or starts running wide. In the Advanced group you can pass anywhere, anyhow as long as it's done safely.

Back in the paddock we compared notes; the consensus from the Control Riders was that we were doing some things they liked to see, sprinkled in with recommendations to help with our shortcomings. We didn't over analyze the situation, but couldn't help but notice the ongoing dialogue seemed to suggest that we were being evaluated for a possible bump into the Advanced group.

The next two sessions of the day were filled with more fun, all the while trying to put to use the advice we had been given. In particular, more corner speed through Turn 1, which follows some hard braking at the end of a long front straight, and a better drive coming out of Turn 9 onto the short back straight. Following the fifth session of the day, Robert and I were given the good news that we were being moved up into the Advanced group. Because there were three of us, our initial response was somewhat restrained, but when Bill got his bump after the following session we were all smiles. Not quite as giddy as ten-year-old school girls, but the mood was jovial. In fact, while lost in the moment, we didn't realize they were making up the missed session from the morning due to the oil spill until we had our leathers off and the bikes loaded up. Normally I would have kicked myself for missing some time out there, but it didn't matter today.

Getting put into the Advanced group was the result of time spent on the track, being open to criticism and a slow progression of skill. It also meant moving back down to the lower end of the totem pole in our respective group. Moving up to the next level is not self-initiated but done through an evaluation process. Certainly the ability to post some decent lap times is part of it, but of equal importance is that Control Riders want to see that you are able to maintain a consistent pace and your riding is predictable. Using good judgment, keeping the safety of others in mind and remaining level headed when the unexpected takes place are all taken into consideration.

Part II:  Humble Pie is Best Served Warm

While the 2011 track-day season began with some disappointment, by the end of May our enthusiasm was running on an all-time high after Summit Point. The month leading up to our next time out was filled with anticipation. We were looking forward to riding in a new group with some additional passing freedom, being among a few other friends who had already been a part of the "A" group for a while, as well as a Saturday and Sunday on VIR's North course. A full weekend is somewhat rare due to the popularity of the course. VIR North is a combination of technical turns, changes in elevation and a long, fast straight. Like Road Atlanta, it is one of the courses used in the AMA circuit.

The first session of that June morning helped ease a nagging question I had leading up to this weekend as to whether I would be a rolling roadblock. Getting around a few riders in the first 20 minutes calmed my nerves. That reassurance was short-lived, however, when about halfway through the second session of the day I had a near high-side, which was reminiscent of an accident I had a few years back. Being a little more conservative on the throttle, I lost pace with the group with which I was riding and became more of a pass-ee than pass-er. With each mistake I made throughout the day, I found myself thinking more about the turn I had just gone through instead of the one I was rapidly approaching, and the day slowly started to unravel. Analysis was needed back in the paddock between sessions, not while on the track. Adding to my self- inflicted mental anguish, the combined punch of humidity and temperatures in the mid-90s left me feeling spent; I chose to sit out the last session of the day. This was the first time in over 20 track days that I voluntarily stayed in the paddock area when I was supposed to be out riding. It was the smart thing to do, but that didn't make me feel any better.

Fortunately, we were there for two days and I managed to get out of my funk come Sunday morning. While I still wasn't riding as well as I had hoped to, I was able to keep my head in the right place, made less mistakes and started having fun again. Even with a low side going into Turn 1, I ended the day feeling better than I had 24 hours earlier. Fortunately, other than a little additional road rash to my rattle canned bodywork and scuffing up my new leathers, no damage was done. As Wayne Rainey said, "It's not a matter of if you go down, but when. Because you will go down."

Ending on a positive note, a few months later we wrapped up the summer with a Saturday and Sunday again at VIR, this time on the South course. Not as long or quite as technical as the North course, but still plenty challenging and a blast to ride. I am glad to say this time out I was mentally grounded, managed to lower my previous best lap time by more than three seconds by the end of the weekend and, most importantly, kept the rubber side down. Let me leave by saying I encourage you to give it a try if you have considered the idea. I have seen a handful of RTs and GSes over the years in Beginner groups, so a true sport bike is not required-just the right frame of mind.

As stated before, I am a hobby track day rider and certainly not an authority on the subject. I thought it would be worth the while to share my experience to encourage others who may be considering the idea. Here are two links that provide a more thorough list of track day organizations and riding schools.

http://www.sportrider.com/ride/146_0308_track_day_organizations/index.html

http://www.sportrider.com/ride/146_riding_schools_racing_organizations/index.html