Training Days – An Overview

Come and Play at a Training Day

The club runs a number of training days each year catering for every level of motorcycle experience, from road rider to racer.  Our training days are fun friendly and inclusive events where everybody is welcome and equal no matter what type of bike or rider experience they currently have.

Slightly different in concept to a general ‘track day’, our training days are geared to helping our club racers focus on developing their own specific skill areas, and for road riders to hone their road handling skills and learn something about themselves and their bikes in the safest possible environment.

We list our training days on our website events page and our Facebook page so be sure to subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss out, then sign up and bring your family and friends along for an exciting day out at the track!

All riders of all descriptions are welcome, however because we are a Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) affiliated club you are required to fill out a free day licence form at rider sign-on if you do not have an MNZ race licence.  Please come to rider sign-on as early as possible to help us do this quickly.

Training Day Format

(All timings are approximate and subject to change as the event unfolds).

Gates open: 07:15

Rider sign-on: from 07:30

Briefing: 08:30

First session: 09:00

We run a number of different rider groups, which may vary depending on the time of year and a training day’s proximity to major race events but from 2021 onwards we will mainly run the following groups:

  1. Group 1 (race licence holders only)
    Our fastest Senior Trophy (1000/750/675/600cc etc.) class race machines and riders capable of maintaining a minimum dry lap time of approximately 1 minute 16 seconds.
  2. Group 2
    Our slower Senior Trophy (1000/750/675/600cc etc.) class race machines and riders, and fast road riders with prior track riding experience.
  3. Group 3 (race licence holders only)
    Our Intermediate and Junior class race machines and riders.
  4. Group 4
    Medium and novice road riders, with or without prior track riding experience.  This group is led by a lead rider at approximately 160-180km/h, which will be reviewed as the day progresses.  Passing is allowed on the straights and on the outside of corners only, maintaining at least two metres clearance at all times.  There will be no passing of the lead rider who will be wearing a fluorescent vest.

Each group is limited to 30 riders.  A group may be combined with another group if there are fewer than 10 entrants.

Training sessions are approximately 15 minutes long, affording enough time and laps to concentrate on developing your own particular skill/technique/setup focus area.  Groups will cycle throughout the day with a 30-45 minute Lunch break around 12:30/13:00 and usually finish around 16:30.

Training days are held on the 3.03km track.

Safety First

We want you to have as much fun as it is possible to have on a motorbike whist you’re with us at the track, but we also want that to carry on afterwards too, so safety comes first!  Some basic pointers:

  1. All riders and pillions must complete registration and safety checks.
  2. All bikes will be safety checked for mechanical fitness. Bikes that are damaged or breakdown on the track must be re-checked before they can be returned to the track.
  3. Riding gear (helmet, clothing, boots, and gloves) must be to an approved standard.
    • Back protectors are mandatory for all riders.  No rider will be allowed on track without an approved back protector.
    • All race licence holders riding race prepared machines must wear their full race gear including chest protectors.
    • For road riders riding in Group 2 one piece armoured leathers are preferred, but zip together armoured leathers will be accepted.  No textile riding gear of any description will be allowed.
    • Road riders riding in Group 4, may use some types of textile riding gear.
    • Helmets must not be more than 10 years old at the time of the event, and must not have mounts or attachments on the shell of any type.  Cameras attached to the bike are allowed, but NOT to the helmet.
  4. The decisions of our Safety Checkers on mechanical fitness and suitability of riding gear is absolute and final.
  5. Lights, indicators and mirrors must be taped over or removed prior to machine check.
  6. In order to keep your attention focussed on what is happening ahead of you it is also a good idea to cover your speedo.
  7. Make sure you keep refreshed and hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and remember to eat to keep your energy levels up – frequent snacks work best.

It is a good idea to check over your bike carefully in the days before you come to the track; brake pads, oil filters, tyres etc. If you’re not sure about checking your bike over take it to a bike shop and tell them what you’re doing and get them to check it for you. It should only take them 15 mins.

Sharing a bike is allowed.

The group you have entered into is just the start point. If you find during the day that you’re in the wrong group please come and see us, we would like to see you move – assuming there is room in the next group.

Training Day Briefing

There will be a briefing in the morning explaining how the day will be run.  You must be at this briefing.  If you arrive late in the day you must come and see us to sign in and receive a briefing.

Some key points to keep in mind all day are:

  1. This is a training day, NOT a race meeting – everybody is here to learn something about themselves and their bike, to build some skills, and to have fun.  Everybody needs to go home with their body and bike intact.
  2. If you feel too fast or too slow for the group you are in come and talk to us about changing groups.  We’re a friendly bunch, we want our groups to be safe, and we want you to enjoy your day, so we’ll do our best to move you.
  3. There may be some specific rules in some groups regarding overtaking, but it is ALWAYS the responsibility of the rider doing the overtaking to do so safely.
  4. Dangerous riding will not be tolerated and offenders will be sent home immediately. There will be no appeal.
  5. Any time that you are planning to slow down or exit the track in a planned manner, indicate by raising an arm or sticking a leg out, and stay as close to the outside of the track as possible.  Riders must look out for these signals.
  6. In the event of an accident, if you are not involved, DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACK.  We will dispatch the ambulance if required when the track is safe. Stopping on the track dramatically increases the risk for everybody.
  7. Flags will be used to communicate with riders while on track, and will be explained at rider’s briefing.
  8. Riders MUST only travel in the correct direction on the designated track only.  This includes in pit lane.
  9. Riders MUST NOT cross the track at any time during a session.
  10. There are many very experienced riders and racers at our training days, most of whom are friendly and approachable, and happy to provide some one on one instruction and advice.  Do approach them, they may be able to help you lift your game, and make your day even more enjoyable.