Track Day Attitude - Johor Circuit Style

[Doctor DOL 46]

PRE-TRACK DAY

 

Perform a periodic check on you bike and look out for any oil leak. If any, fix it or cancel the plan to ride on the track. Even if it is just a very small leak, it will endanger others when oil spill on the track. Wash and clean you bike thoroughly especially the bottom portion of your bike. Check and Tighten all bolt and nuts if need to. Check for any air leak on your tire.

 

Drink lots of water and take an early night sleep. DO NOT ride on the track if you did not get enough sleep. DO NOT ride on the track if you just came back from night shift. When you did not get to sleep enough, although your eyes are wide open, your body is weak thus your reaction will be slower than you’re usual.

 

For 1st timer on the track, log-in to the track website and study the circuit lay-out and understand it.

 

ON THE ACTUAL DAY

 

Plan your trip early and DO NOT rush to get yourself on the track when you are late for the session.

 

Be at the Track at least 1 hour before track time and give yourself ample time to settle down before the session starts. Do a final check on your bike. Again, if oil leak is spotted (even the slightest), DO NOT go on the track. Do a light stretching and warm up exercise in the pit. Keep drinking lots of water.

 

ENTERING THE TRACK

 

Tires and brakes need to be warm up thus it will take at least 1 lap. Nevertheless, riding very slowly on the track is not the way. In many cases, riders ride very slowly which is even slower than the speed they ride on public road. This is DANGEREOUS.

 

Just before entering the track from pit lane, look over your left shoulder for bikes that are already on the track. Keep to the extreme right and gradually increase the speed towards turn 2. Riding with some pressure applied on the brakes will do good to warm up the brakes. DO NOT ride in a ZIG ZAG manner at any point when on track. Doing a ZIG ZAG on the straight to warm up tires is EXTREMELY Dangerous. Just ride and lean normally and gradually to warm up the tire. Riding VERY slowly and not leaning will NOT warm up the tire. Leaning will scrub the side of the tire thus it will get warm up pretty fast.

 

Approaching Turn 2, DO NOT keep extreme right all the way. Take Turn 2 as usual. Turn 2 carries the highest speed. Keeping extreme right at turn 2 while warming up endangers yourself. Riders already hot on the track taking turn 2 might run wide and crash into you.

 

RIDING ON THE TRACK

 

DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACK. If you feel something not right with your bike, IMMEDIATELY raised your left hand HIGH up and ride safely to the pit. Riding with 1 hand HIGH up is a signal to others that you are heading to the pit. Keep to the extreme right side of the track and ride with 1 hand HIGH up. Approaching riders will notice you and overtake you safely from the outside. This is safer than allowing approaching riders to overtake you from the inside and risk yourself getting hit in case the rider run wide.

 

In case of crash, if need to assist the fallen rider, do it quick and make sure ample noticed is given to others that are approaching. When there are already others there to assist, DO NOT STOP but instead proceed to the PIT to notify the track personnel of the crash for further assistance if needed.

 

DO NOT shut your throttle on the straight for no reason. Most riders will full throttle on the straight and will not be able to anticipate if there is a sudden reduce of speed from the bike ahead unless it is within the breaking point.

 

Stopping anywhere on the track is extremely dangerous. You endanger yourself and other riders. You may be hit by other riders at extreme speeds and cause extreme injuries or death to yourself or other riders.

 

DO NOT TRAVEL AGAINST THE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC AT ANY TIME. If you miss the pit entrance then continue around the track again for an entire lap to the pit entrance. NEVER TURN INTO THE PITS FROM THE END OF THE TURN 1.

 

PASS ONLY IF IT IS SAFE. If you are uncertain whether you can safely pass, DON’T TRY IT. The OVERTAKING rider is always responsible for making a SAFE pass. Do not attempt to swerve for overtaking riders. Be predictable and smooth and hold a tight line so that they may safely pass.

 

NO STUNTS AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE ON THE TRACK PREMISES. No intentional wheelies, stoppies, burnouts, skids, or other stunts.

 

RIDE SAFELY AND WITHIN YOUR ABILITY. Riding fast on a motorcycle is inherently dangerous, that is why it is illegal everywhere but the track. Although proper bike PREPARATION, riding GEAR, and mental ATTITUDE, along with the track benefits of run-off areas and the elimination of street traffic reduce many of the risks of riding fast, the risk that you, or another rider affecting you might make a mistake cannot be eliminated.

 

BE PREDICTABLE and SIGNAL WITH A RAISED LEFT HAND BEFORE DOING ANYTHING UNUSUAL. When approaching a corner maintain your line. DO NOT swerve outside then dive back inside! Be PREDICTABLE, MAINTAIN your line, and SMOOTHLY turn your bike into the corner. If you (a) see a yellow or red flag, (b) need to slow in an unusual place for any other reason, or © need to do anything else unpredictable, raise your left hand to signal that you are about to slow or do something unusual BEFORE you do it. The person right behind you may not see the flag or problem; if you slow suddenly before signaling, you may get hit from behind.

 

ENTERING THE PIT

Signal your intention early. Raise your left hand high up and keep extreme right from turn 8, 9 and 10. Sudden sticking out of leg after turn 10(BMW) is inappropriate.

 

RIDING ON THE PIT LANE

Ride slow below 50km/h. DO NOT attempt stunt riding. If you have Stunt Skills to display, approach the track personnel for permission. The track personnel might make announcement to others and give you specific time to display your stunt skill where others will stop all other track activities and be entertained by you.

 

IN THE PIT

Re-charge yourself by drinking more water. Be friendly, mingle around and get to know fellow riders.

 

If you have difficulties and need assistance, approach the experienced rider or the seasoned racer that are around.

 

If you noticed any rider which you deemed to be riding in a dangerous manner, alert the seasoned racer or the track personnel.

.

 

At any time when im at Johor Circuit and you need assistance on Track Safety, please feel free to approach me. I would gladly assist you.

 

DOCTOR DOL #46

[AR2 Performance]

Well Done Doc DOL #46....

 

This should give most newbies/amatuer a good start, and any seasoned rider an appropriate reminder.

 

I have a question to seek.... entering into pits... left hand up VS right left out... which is the more advised? Sepang side uses the latter very much more often.

[gucci]

very good and informative post doctor dol..well done!

[smiley73]

very clear information written

[Guest deganduss]

very good and informative post doctor dol..well done!

 

[Doctor DOL 46]

Well Done Doc DOL #46....

 

This should give most newbies/amatuer a good start, and any seasoned rider an appropriate reminder.

 

I have a question to seek.... entering into pits... left hand up VS right left out... which is the more advised?

 

Or did you meant left hand up while still very far from track, & right leg out just before entering the pitS? Enlighten me.. Thankz

 

Sticking your Right Leg out immediately after turn 10(BMW) does not give ample notice to others. Riders might not see your signal. Best solutions is to signal your intention way earlier by lifting your left hand HIGH UP from turn 8. Keep lifting your left hand till you enter the PIT LANE.

 

Lets all practise this good habit and keep reminding each other to practise this. No exception are to be made even if you are a seasoned rider/racer.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers..

[PaLmEr]

good initiation from Dol!

[spiderman]

should be made sticky so all the newbies can see

[fruitcakepablohoney]

About time PG put the safety rules on the notice board.I also like to suggest that all newbies should have a 'sticker' on them to indentify them. Also newbies should have some sort of orientation lap by the experience riders for a couple of laps before they are let loose.All riders (be it old timer or newbie) should attend safety brief before they are allowed on the track.If only some experience rider can volunteer abit of their time for the sake of safety. i'm using my experience from my car club, just my 2 cents.

[Raptor]

I stuck it as requested.

 

Its great to see this thread by Doctor DOL.

 

Track first timers should read this. Am learning alot about how the track days are organised and run over here.

 

Hope to be able to contribute towards the safe growth of this sport when I get back.

[Jack_Blade26]

Very Good, Doc Dol. Very detailed information for all of us. Hope someone can print this and paste on pg notice board or give out to riders during next track day. I wish i can do this but my family has already imposed a ban to my track riding. At least for now i wont be able to do much except to obey it for the time being. haizzzz..

[Massimon]

Well done Doc, I was about to sit down to write something very similar...

 

What happened in PG the other day was a tragedy in the making for sometime...and then it struck, it was just a matter of time. Track days both in PG and Sepang was/are getting too dangerous with too many people doing the WRONG thing while in the track.

 

Unfortunatley PG is a dangerous place already on its own with total lack of emergency staff and facilities, if you add to this that the track management didn't take any action against people doing all those stupid things that on a track should be absolutely forbidden, then it was just a matter of time for something very serious to happen.

 

This applies also to Sepang and I hope that soemone of Sepang understands (ore someone makes them understand...) that what happened in PG can also happen up in their beautiful track as they are handling the track days in the same way.

 

TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRACK RIDING WITHOUT THE PROPER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE MAKING THE WHOLE THING A RUSSIAN ROULETTE.

 

This is not acceptable as it is LIFE THREATENING (as we have now seen the hard way) and it should be the responsibility of both tracks management to make sure that anyone who enters the track is well prepared to ride with other riders at full speed.

 

PG and Sepang management should be smart enough to check out how other International tracks in Countries with higher safety standards (Australia, Europe, USA...) are handling their track days and learn, they have not to invent anything, simply look and implement, it will take an heavier use of human resources, both track marshal and emergency personnel with an increase of the costs and track use fees but there is no short cut, that's the only way.

 

I do agree that it will be a good idea to prepare hand outs with all the safety rules DOs and DON'Ts in a track to be given out at registration with a required signature of the rider that confirms the understanding and acceptance of the track rules, your list looks to be a very good starting point.

 

I would also suggest the implementation of a mandatory briefing course (one hour, not more...) to be done by the track management (with a small fee to be paid by the rider) for everyone who has never ridden in a track, at least to highlight the most important safety rules.

 

I definitely hope that the loss of Marcus life is a starting point to get track riding in both PG and Sepang to a safer level then the actual one and is not going to be wasted and forgot waiting for something similar to happen again.

 

Have a good 2008.

 

Ride safe to everyone!

 

Max #27

[DeusExMachina]

Thank you Doc for this.

 

This has been a long time coming.

 

The track was meant to be a place where everyone can ride to the limits in a safe controlled environment. If everyone plays his/her part and thinks for others as well as his/her own well-being, everybody goes home happy at the end of the day.

 

 

Let's make sure that everyone learns something from Marcus' tragedy. Then at the very very least, it will not be all in vain.

[sabbaha]

Well done Doctor Dol!!!! Upz for u bro!!!

[Guest yanani18&27]

well done doc dol

[Unagi]

Good info Doc Dol.

 

May I suggest you update your first post on which track you are referring to? A simple sub-heading would be enough. Since this would be read by mostly newbies... with all the turn 2, 3 etc. Might be a little confusing for some. This is from a newbie's (myself) point of view (even though I know you are referring to PG).

 

And then you might want to have a Sepang version for 'Entering The Track' and 'Riding On The Track' sections.

 

Just some suggestions. Thanks for the useful info.

[Lass]

To take it a step further, I think it may be worth the while to have some kind of indication sticker pasted on the bike of newbies on track for safety precaution....just my 2 cents worth. am a newbie as well...

[PuteraBrothers]

Great super useful info for me......thanks doc dol

[asjunior]

Well done Bro Doc Dol.

Very clear information. :thumb:

 

I seconded on Spidey, to make it Stickey Tread for all visitor to this, On The Track forum. :thumb:

[AR2 Performance]

Sticking your Right Leg out immediately after turn 10(BMW) does not give ample notice to others. Riders might not see your signal. Best solutions is to signal your intention way earlier by lifting your left hand HIGH UP from turn 8. Keep lifting your left hand till you enter the PIT LANE.

 

Lets all practise this good habit and keep reminding each other to practise this. No exception are to be made even if you are a seasoned rider/racer.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers..

 

Cool... picked up new things... been using the leg for a while...

[wait4me]

er how u define newbie ?

to put on the stickers??

[biting_point]

nice.. very well written.. good info for newbies like me..

will be beack to read again before i go track..

[Raptor]

Well done Bro Doc Dol.

Very clear information. :thumb:

 

I seconded on Spidey, to make it Stickey Tread for all visitor to this, On The Track forum. :thumb:

 

It will be unstuck for a while till the thread starter decide otherwise.

[barrenwizard]

I'm from the Southern Group of Msportbikes and I can tell you that we are shocked to hear this news furthermore saddening is that a Ducati owner whose dream had already been reached ended up by a K4 Owner.

 

Anyway, thanks for the contribution from Doc Dol. I do notice the lack of Safety Enforcement at PG Track. So now if for those who didn't when for a Track Day before, please do raed some article trough the net or buy a book about riding. It will HELP.

[Z-RO]

Well done Doc, I was about to sit down to write something very similar...

 

What happened in PG the other day was a tragedy in the making for sometime...and then it struck, it was just a matter of time. Track days both in PG and Sepang was/are getting too dangerous with too many people doing the WRONG thing while in the track.

 

Unfortunatley PG is a dangerous place already on its own with total lack of emergency staff and facilities, if you add to this that the track management didn't take any action against people doing all those stupid things that on a track should be absolutely forbidden, then it was just a matter of time for something very serious to happen.

 

This applies also to Sepang and I hope that soemone of Sepang understands (ore someone makes them understand...) that what happened in PG can also happen up in their beautiful track as they are handling the track days in the same way.

 

TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRACK RIDING WITHOUT THE PROPER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE MAKING THE WHOLE THING A RUSSIAN ROULETTE.

 

This is not acceptable as it is LIFE THREATENING (as we have now seen the hard way) and it should be the responsibility of both tracks management to make sure that anyone who enters the track is well prepared to ride with other riders at full speed.

 

PG and Sepang management should be smart enough to check out how other International tracks in Countries with higher safety standards (Australia, Europe, USA...) are handling their track days and learn, they have not to invent anything, simply look and implement, it will take an heavier use of human resources, both track marshal and emergency personnel with an increase of the costs and track use fees but there is no short cut, that's the only way.

 

I do agree that it will be a good idea to prepare hand outs with all the safety rules DOs and DON'Ts in a track to be given out at registration with a required signature of the rider that confirms the understanding and acceptance of the track rules, your list looks to be a very good starting point.

 

I would also suggest the implementation of a mandatory briefing course (one hour, not more...) to be done by the track management (with a small fee to be paid by the rider) for everyone who has never ridden in a track, at least to highlight the most important safety rules.

 

I definitely hope that the loss of Marcus life is a starting point to get track riding in both PG and Sepang to a safer level then the actual one and is not going to be wasted and forgot waiting for something similar to happen again.

 

Have a good 2008.

 

Ride safe to everyone!

 

Max #27

 

Fantastic track info put up by Doc Dol....... Cheers to u !!!

Great reminder, Max #27 !!!

 

It takes 1 tragedy to wake up everyone !

Sometimes we should also ask ourself, r we going 2 hv some great track time or havoc ? Keep those irresponsible action 2 ur own, dn't get others involve or else u r going 2 live the rest of ur life with guilt !

 

Let's keep up the great riding spirit we should hv, enjoy.......

Hv fun, ride safe.......