I won a free track day through NESBA on a local Chicago sportbike website and I'm going racing next Thursday (the 20th) on my Speed Four... I'M TERRIFIED!!!  Hopefully it will be a good learning experience but shaZam! I'm scared.  If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions please let me know!! 

I suggest you don't crash. thats a nice bike man, (and a new one at that) and it would really suck to crash it. can't you borrow a friends bike and crash that? lol

is the voucher transferable? 

Unfortunately it cannot be transferred, nor do I want it to be... this give me an excuse to crash and eventually cry myself to sleep... I'm drunk now, seriously tell me what to do?!!!!!

Quote from: SmartDrug on April 11, 2006, 11:36:33 PM
Unfortunately it cannot be transferred, nor do I want it to be... this give me an excuse to crash and eventually cry myself to sleep... I'm drunk now, seriously tell me what to do?!!!!!

Don't sneeze.

  WHY?
 It's a blast, just have fun. I'm sure they will have someone there to help you get over your butterflies. You only have to go as fast as want. Plus I'm sure they divide the groups up by skill level.

I am hooked after two track days.

take it easy. ride the first few laps at an easy pace so you get a sense of where the track goes. In fact, ride the first few laps of every session easy to make sure the tires are warm.

Dont go thinking you need to go as fast as possible-think of it as a safe canyon ride and ride the track at your same pace. I guarantee you'll be going faster by the end of the day.

If they have instruction, take it. If they dont, ask one of the control riders for tips and to show you the lines. He'll probably have you guys swap places a few times so he can see you and so you can follow him too.

bring lots to drink and some snacks. dont rely on the lunch and drinks that are served, if any.

your S4 has good suspension. if there's a suspension guy at the track its worth the few bucks to have them help you by setting the sag and then adjusting based on your feedback, if you want that second part. ONe local track here has someone that does that for $20.

If there's a photographer there-BUY THE PICTURES. not only is it cool to share them with your friends (US) but it is a good way to see what you actually are doing on the bike, which is usually different than what you think you're doing. I learned quite a bit about my body position by buying the photos from almost all my trackdays.

Prep the bike beforehand and dont ride it there. rent a trailer or borrow/rent a pick up.

Make sure you have the gear.

make sure not to forget the key!

make sure to lower your tire pressure to about 30psi.

make sure to relax and have fun!

oh, and it IS addicting. After my first trackday I was prepared to sell my car to buy a truck-so I could get the bike to the track easier...and I was looking for tire sponsors too...

I ended up doing a trackday every month after that first time...god I love it. I was just there on 3/24 and am scheduled for Fontana AMA course trackday on 4/22...

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 11, 2006, 11:37:43 PM

Quote from: SmartDrug on April 11, 2006, 11:36:33 PM
Unfortunately it cannot be transferred, nor do I want it to be... this give me an excuse to crash and eventually cry myself to sleep... I'm drunk now, seriously tell me what to do?!!!!!

Don't sneeze.

BWAHAHAHA! Alpha beat me to it! Seriously though, have fun!

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 11, 2006, 11:37:43 PM

Quote from: SmartDrug on April 11, 2006, 11:36:33 PM
Unfortunately it cannot be transferred, nor do I want it to be... this give me an excuse to crash and eventually cry myself to sleep... I'm drunk now, seriously tell me what to do?!!!!!

Don't sneeze.

that's a copout 

Quote from: pantablo on April 12, 2006, 12:44:05 AMtake it easy.

++  It's pretty damn hard to ride when you're tense and stressed out...  Just chill and have a good time.

just go out and ride like you would on the street...

when i did my first track day... they made me take a novice class that taught you the safest line around the track... and we did follow the leader the first session to get to know the track...

it is a great experience, and i could tell it helped my confidence on the street...

just dont be like the girl who thought she knew it all and wouldnt listen to the instructors... she ended up going home with a totalled repsol...

later,
Chris

Dude, the thought of the totaled Repsol hurts me in my underpants.

She probably thought the Nicky Hayden badges meant it was safe for all girls. Nicky's a dude, sweetheart...