NESBA Basics
Passing Issues & Rules
NESBA has differing Passing Rules for each skill-group level. However, one rule is constant in all groups with CRs:
NEVER PASS A CONTROL RIDER (Orange Shirt) UNLESS THEY WAVE YOU BY
Control Riders are also responsible for managing traffic, so be patient for them to see you, and to wave you by. If per chance a CR rides up next to you and grabs his shirt, that means you passed him/her without a wave by, don’t do it again.
Violation of the passing rules can get you seated to think about it for the next session. Subsequent violations can get you sent home with no refund. NESBA is VERY serious about safety, and the passing rules exist for everyone’s safety. Zero Tolerance – CRs, Riders, and Corner Workers report infractions, we are ALL responsible for safety)
It is the faster rider’s responsibility to pass cleanly and safely under the rules of any given class.
No rider, no matter your level can EVER cross the blend line, or as we usually call it, “The Line of Death” when entering the track. You’ll hear more about it when you go to the Meetings, but suffice it to say, this is one of the most violated rules, and the one that can get ya killed the fastest. When merging onto the track, the traffic already moving might be going up to 100mph faster than you. That speed differential is not healthy for either participant of a subsequent collision. NEVER cross the blend line, whether the track is empty, or not.
Group Lines
When staging on the grid to go out for a session, NESBA uses Group Lines in Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Here is how it works:
Line of Control Riders
Line of the Faster Riders
Line of the Slower Riders
So assuming that you are not a CR, you need to pick one of the other lines. One of the keys to a smooth and fast group is everyone being honest with themselves about where they line up. Not only do you get to choose a line, but you should also choose how far forward or how far back in that line to start. Imagine if 10 riders lined up, fastest first, slowest last. There would be NO passing required until the fastest person lapped the slowest person. The BEST solution for everyone to have clear track, and the least amount of problems, would be to line up in order of speed.
That said, it is your responsibility to figure out where you belong in the lines.
Got passed last session? Line up farther back.
You were passing last session? Line up farther forward.
Be sure to adjust your relative starting position throughout the day. I can’t tell you what a huge difference this would make for everyone on the track. Of course, none of this works unless you are early for your group session start time!
Note: This is the same for Advanced Group, just no Control Rider line.
Getting “Bumped”
Welcome to NESBA, where “Bumps” are EARNED. Getting Bumped is being promoted to the next higher group. If you are ready for the bump, the Control Riders will notice. You don’t need to go asking every CR for the bump, it’ll happen faster without that. As a matter of fact, CRs call that “Trolling”, and when you ask for the bump, it has to go through the Group Captain before you get bumped.
Are you clearly the fastest person in your group?
If you think so, line up at the very front of the fast line, and the lead CR will take you out and work with you, who knows, maybe you are ready for the “Bump” up to the next group! My recommendation is not to ask for the bump, but to ask for advice on improving. The “Bump” is not purely about speed.
What are the CRs Looking For? (for the bump)
Riders who are smooth with the brakes & the throttle
Riders who are consistent & in control
Riders who are considerate & courteous
Riders who are navigate traffic within the rules
Riders who are alert & aware
Riders who are making good decisions
Riders who are consistently faster than their group
Need Clear Track?
I spoke above about lining up in a way that EVERYONE would get clear track the entire session, but of course, that is in an ideal world. We all know that this is not an ideal world, so what else can you do? If you can’t get through or around traffic, or are caught up in the middle of a gaggle of bikes, then exit the track. But instead of going to the Pits, go to the Hot Pit. The Hot Pit is where you gridded up to begin your session. Pull up next to the Track Marshall and tell him you want clear track. He/She will look for empty space, & then wave you out when it is clear to go.
Caution - When you are in Hot Pit, it is NEVER ok to re-enter the track unless the Track Marshall is waving you out. And remember, NEVER cross the Blend Line (“Line of Death”)
Beginner Passing Rules - The Beginner Group is allowed to pass anywhere on the track OTHER than in a turn. All passes must be clearly completed well before a turn, so that the rider being passed does not have to make any alterations in their line or speed. For enforcement purposes, NESBA defines a turn as anytime the rider being passed is not straight up and down. If they are leaning, they are turning, and cannot be passed. Look well ahead for slw riders, the do exist in the “B” Group, and you’ll need to adjust your speed accordingly PRIOR to the entry of the turn. Most passing should occur on straights, and slower riders should ride to one side or another (depending on the track) to allow faster traffic through. Control Riders will be helping manage traffic and enforce the passing rules in this group.
Intermediate Passing Rules - The Intermediate Group is allowed
to pass anywhere on the track OTHER than the INSIDE of a turn. “I” Group riders that may be gaining or overtaking someone have the option to pass on the OUTSIDE of a corner. This is not something that we recommend, but it is a viable option. Remember that you are passing an Intermediate rider, who may or may not be able to hold his/her line in the corner. If they run you off accidentally, so be it. Control Riders will be helping to manage traffic and enforce the passing rules in this group.
Advanced Passing Rules - The Advanced Group is for riders who are very fast, predictable and consistent “A” Group is intended to be “much like” an open race practice. Passing is allowed anywhere, anytime. Be polite out there, no race type, or stuff type passing allowed. Remember, a lot of the guys riding in “A” are CRs without their shirts on. You can still be bumped down, or seated for improper behavior on track.
Passing with a CR -
The people doing the passing have to get around you, you do NOT have to slow down or get out of their way. Doing so can be dangerous. Please don't try to anticipate a pass that you think is coming.
Just because a CR passes someone does NOT give you (as the rider following a CR) permission to pass them too. You must always follow the passing rules of the group, even if you are in tow behind a CR. Likewise if a CR give you the wave-by to pass them at the entrance to a turn or in a turn, that does NOT give you permission to pass anyone else in that turn (or any upcoming turns).
Sometimes if a CR is “towing” a rider,the CR may make a pass in a place that only they can fit through. A) Because the CR is curious to see if you're riding over your head and don't have the presence of mind to ride within the rules and/or B) Because traffic is too dense and it's too hard to fit two riders through a pass, so the CR will make the pass in one turn so that there's room in another turn coming up for you to make a pass.
Sometimes if a CR is “towing” a rider,the CR may make a pass in a place that only they can fit through. A) Because the CR is curious to see if you're riding over your head and don't have the presence of mind to ride within the rules and/or B) Because traffic is too dense and it's too hard to fit two riders through a pass, so the CR will make the pass in one turn so that there's room in another turn coming up for you to make a pass.
Parker/Screamers -
What is one anyway? A Parker/Screamer is someone who basically “parks” it in the corners, and then “screams” down the straights. Now, obviously everyone is faster on the straights then in the corners, so no surprise there. BUT... what if you are pretty fast in the corners and the guy in front of you is not. If you are in the B group, you are stuck. You can’t pass him in the corners, so you have to wait, or you have to Hot Pit in order to get free track. If you are in the I group, well, you can make a risky pass on the outside, but what is the point? Mr. Screamer will just pass you right back coming onto the straight and now you have to work to get past him all over again.
How do we solve this? Two ways;
1) TheParker/Screamer realizes that he/she is losing ground in all the corners relative to the bike in front of them. In this case, they hopefully realize that they may be holding up traffic behind them. If so, all they need to do is stay to the side on the straights and not go full throttle. In that manner, anyone who they were holding up gets a chance to get by.
2) In the event that you are stuck behind a Parker/Screamer, then you just pull into Hot Pit (where you gridded up to start) and ask the Track Marshall for clear track. he will wave you out onto the track when he sees a gap.
Remember: NEVER enter the track with out the Track Marshall’s approval.
Attention Mr. Parker/Screamer - The goal here is to improve your riding skills. You may have a VERY fast bike on the straights, and yes, it is fun to go wide open throttle, but that gets old quickly. If you see someone who can consistently pull away from you in the corners, you have found the person that you need to follow! Follow their lines, pay attention to where they brake and where they accelerate. Does their body position look good? Sometimes the fastest way that a big bike rider can learn is to slow down on the straights, and speed up in the corners. LOOK for that person with good corner speed, and work your way up to their corner speed. If they are pulling away from you, you can always catch them again on the straights. Just don’t pass them until you can outrun them in the corners.
Remember: Don’t ride past your comfort zone.