NESBA Basics
What is the First Day like?
A lot of newcomers are nervous about what the first day is like. Where should they be? What should they be doing? I think that it is a lot easier to know what is coming and what to expect than to react at the time, so hopefully the info below will make your first day more relaxed.
Prep Ahead of time
(See Prep page)The best thing you can do to make your day low stress is to be Prepared ahead of time. The Prep page will tell you about what gear you need to bring, and how to prep your bike for the track. the more comfortable you are that things are already taken care of, the more you can relax at the track. Be sure to read the Riders Manual completely before coming to the track. This site is also here to help you get ready for the track, know what to expect your first DAY, and to help you get familiar with everything. You should at least read Day 1, Groups, Signals, Passing and Maximize to make things easier for you.
Want to know how to improve your skills? Start HERE
Want to know more about the technical issues? Start HERE
Want to know more about travel issues? Start HERE
Read as much as you can before you get to the track. Preparation is key.
Arrive Early
Find out when the gates open, and be there before they open. Many times you can actually arrive the night before as well. Check with the track website, with NESBA or anyone who has been before to that track for details. Arriving last minute, barely getting set up, rushing to Tech, and to the meetings will NOT make for a good day.
Typical Schedule
7:00 a.m. - Registration and Tech Inspection opens
8:00 a.m. - Registration closes
8:15 a.m. - Mandatory General Riders’ meeting
8:45 a.m. - Beginner and Intro groups report to the classroom area
9:00 a.m. - Event begins, Advanced session first, then Intermediate and
Beginner, alternating 20-minute riding sessions
12:00 p.m. - Lunch and afternoon riders’ meeting
1:00 p.m. - 20-minutes riding sessions resume
5:00 p.m. - End of event
Track Waiver
When you first get to the track, tracks won’t allow you on their property inside the gates until after you and your passengers have signed a liability waiver. It is a standard form, just write your name, that you are a Rider, and sign it. Others Riders in your vehicle do the same, if you have Spectators, have them sign as well and write Spectator.
Registration
Registration is usually inside the track gates somewhere. You’ll need to ask when you arrive when and where registration is. Be sure to PRINT OUT your email Confirmation that you received a few days prior to the event. Sign the release and bring it with you so that it is ready to hand in. There might be more than one line, if so, get in the A line, the I line or the B line in order to save time. Once you are registered, you’ll have your arm band on, indicating your Group, your Bike number, and your Member number. You MUST have this wrist band on before you go to Tech Inspection.
Where do I pit/park?
Follow the traffic, and just park the same way that everyone else around is. If it is you first time, try to pit with friends, near entry/exit, or near bathroom, etc... The more and more that you come, you will find that people tend to pit in the same area or “spot” every time that they come. If you don’t have a spot yet, just kind of follow the masses and blend in.
Set up your Pit area
(See List page) Whether this is your first time, or your fiftieth time, you need to set up your Pit as soon as you park. Some folks are in pick-up trucks, some are in trailers, some in RVs. All you really need to have is your bike, your gear, gas, liquids, and a chair to relax in between sessions. At most tracks, trailers are parked parallel, facing away from the road, and the Pit area is set up immediately behind the trailer. Larger units may set up on the door side of their trailer. Just take a look around, and go with the flow.
Take Your Bike to Tech
(See Prep Page)Assuming that you brought a track ready bike, you’ll need to take it through Tech Inspection and get a Tech Sticker before you’ll be allowed on the track. You’ll need to ask around where Tech is, but once you know, it is usually at the same place at that track each time. Tech typically OPENS at 7:00 AM or 7:15 AM. You may want to be first in line so that if anything needs to be fixed on your bike, you have plenty of time to do so. Also, who wants to wait in line?! Tech Inspection will close during the Control Rider Meeting and the General Riders Meeting. After 8am, it may take a while to get someone to Tech you since all the CRs are already busy with other tasks. Be sure to make it to Tech before 8, or be patient. You may miss your first session if you do not make it to Tech while it is open.
Tech Your Gear
If it is your first time, I’d advise having your gear Teched as well. If you have any gear problems, it is better to know it at the beginning of the day. Feel free to post on local forums what you have to ensure that it will be acceptable. Your gear is your ONLY protection other than your riding skills.
If you do have gear problems, many times there are rentals or folks will lend you gear at the track. Strangers, that’s right, they’ll lend you things! Of course, be sure to thank them with a 6-pack at least!
Dressing
Getting “Geared Up” takes a while. I allow 10-15 minutes to get dressed in the AM, and sometimes that isn’t long enough, depending upon interruptions. If you ride Advanced Group, come to the General Riders Meeting already suited up if you can. Intermediate Riders can suit up while the “A” Group is on the track. Beginners/Intro should be suite up prior to the General Riders Meeting if the can. As soon as the General Riders Meeting is over, they will be moving right into the Beginners Meeting. We would prefer if you didn’t have to rush to get out there for your first session.
Riders Meeting
The General Riders Meeting is MANDATORY! Control Riders are the only ones excluded from this meeting, and most CRs try to be at that meeting anyway. If you miss this meeting, you may miss your first session while a Control Rider goes over all of the meeting information with you missed. The General Riders Meeting reviews Track Entrance, Track Exit, Flags, Passing Rules, any changes to the schedule and any hazards on the track, and any other pertinent information.
Beginners Meeting
Immediately after the riders’ meeting, the Beginner and Intro groups will move to the Beginners Meeting. Most track facilities have a classroom area where this takes place. This is usually about a 30 minute meeting, going over the track issues, passing rules, and a focus on “on-track” learning. There is TONS of information to communicate in this short meeting, so reading all you can in the Riders Manual and on this site prior to that meeting will help you significantly. Ask questions if there is time, but be sure to grab a Control Rider working the “B” Group and ask any questions that there weren’t time for in the meeting.
(See Groups page)The first session for a Beginner might be someone’s very first time on the track. All Groups are “led out” by a Control Rider. The lead “B” Group CR will be holding the pace down, and showing the “Correct” line. All lines are open to interpretation, but for now, try to put your wheels exactly where the wheels are of the bike in front of you. If you don’t the person behind you will be even further “off line” and so on...
Do NOT follow too closely behind, as the person in front of you may brake earlier than you expect (remember - there aren’t any brake lights).
Typically, the first two laps there is no passing. When the Yellow Flag is gone, feel free to pick up the pace. But I caution you, pick up the pace slowly. Make little strides as you go faster.
By the end of the day, you will be AMAZED at how much faster you will be going. Read How to Maximize Your Track Day for further tips.
First Sessions (Advanced & Intermediate)
Go slow to start. Warm up those tires, get comfortable on the track. You have all day to pick up the pace, let it come to you. Don’t force it. I can’t tell you how many early morning crashes we have when people are still going relatively slow. Cold tires, bad decisions, mistakes, etc... Get back into the flow and rhythm before you start really wicking it up. You have SEVEN sessions, make the most of them, and please, try to ride ALL of them. the rest of the stuff you already know.
Lunch
The Track is closed from 12-1. Get out of your gear, 
get plenty of fluids, hit the bathroom, get some nourishment. Once you are done with that, be sure to check your tire pressures, and gas levels and then relax. Sit down... and RELAX! If you have questions, ask someone over the lunch break. Not getting enough on track attention? Ask for some. Got a complaint, find a CR and voice it. Let’s fix things WHILE you are at the track, there is not much that we can do after you leave.
get plenty of fluids, hit the bathroom, get some nourishment. Once you are done with that, be sure to check your tire pressures, and gas levels and then relax. Sit down... and RELAX! If you have questions, ask someone over the lunch break. Not getting enough on track attention? Ask for some. Got a complaint, find a CR and voice it. Let’s fix things WHILE you are at the track, there is not much that we can do after you leave. PA System
In a large and noisy environment like the track, it is important to listen up for any information that might be shared over the PA System. The only other alternative is to call a midday meeting... which wastes everyones track time.
End of the Day
Relax! Share some stories, hang around and meet some folks. Some of the best times that we ever have are off the track after the event. Track Folks are some of the greatest folks out there, make yourself one of them!
If you have a moment, be sure to thank the CR that worked with you. remember, these guys and gals are all volunteers who are out there spending their travel money, their track gas, their tires and their time to help make you a better rider. A little appreciation goes a LONG way. (Hint: Sometimes a beer is the perfect thing to say! LOL!)
Beer/Drinking -
A great track rule is as follows -
If You Drink, You are Done, conversely, If You are Done, You Drink.
Make sure to get out of your leathers before opening that first beer.
Beer is the best thank you and/or ice breaker at the track.