Take bike to track or car to track first?

[clumpymold]

Hey all,

Quick question. I've never been to a track event before and am wondering if it would be better to take my car or my bike to my first track event?

I'm sure there are huge differences in driving a car on a track vs. riding a bike on one. What about cost differences?

Also, I'm sure there are huge gear differences as well. I have a helmet for my car already (my bike helmet) but don't have the full leathers for my bike yet.

Thanks for the help, fellas!

- Curtis

[Bobby]

I guess I'll chime in since I did both ('98 e36 M3 and '04 R6).

I took a superbike school years ago ('88) and I didn't really remember much from it as I was quite squidly back then. Then I started tracking my M3 for a few years. I went to the track with the R6 last year and it was fun. Driving on the track before helped a lot as far as the right line, looking forward, finding braking points, etc.

Take a BMW HPDE (since you have a BMW). Are you a member? They have the safest events and you learn the most. Since you're in LA, I'm assuming you'll be going to Willow Springs. Great track. I used to live in Glendale and was at WSIR at least once a month with my M3.

Cost is about the same for the track time but certain organizations are run better than others.

You might want to inquire about your motorcycle helmet for use in a car at the track. Usually, they require a SA rated helmet, not a M rated.

Either way, get out there and have a blast. Keep an open mind because you will learn a lot and be overwhelmed with info. Don't be afraid to ask people if you don't know something, most are more than happy to help.

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by Bobby

I guess I'll chime in since I did both ('98 e36 M3 and '04 R6).

I took a superbike school years ago ('88) and I didn't really remember much from it as I was quite squidly back then. Then I started tracking my M3 for a few years. I went to the track with the R6 last year and it was fun. Driving on the track before helped a lot as far as the right line, looking forward, finding braking points, etc.

Take a BMW HPDE (since you have a BMW). Are you a member? They have the safest events and you learn the most. Since you're in LA, I'm assuming you'll be going to Willow Springs. Great track. I used to live in Glendale and was at WSIR at least once a month with my M3.

Cost is about the same for the track time but certain organizations are run better than others.

You might want to inquire about your motorcycle helmet for use in a car at the track. Usually, they require a SA rated helmet, not a M rated.

Either way, get out there and have a blast. Keep an open mind because you will learn a lot and be overwhelmed with info. Don't be afraid to ask people if you don't know something, most are more than happy to help.

Wow, neato! I have a '97 M3 and '05 R6. Similar to you.

A superbike school in '88? Wow, I was 11 then. What is that course? Yeah, I think tracking my car FIRST would be safer since I'm in a cage but I think it would be more of a risk seeing that it'll probably cost more (tires, brakes) since car stuff will end up costing more than a bike. Plus, my car is worth more than my bike.

If I went bike first, then I would have to get all the gear and actually practice on my bike a LOT more. I'm still new to riding.

Not sure what you mean by helmet. Do some tracks NOT allow motorcycle helmets? What's SA rated vs. M rated?

What's the BMW HPDE? I'm a member of BMW CCA though. No, I don't think I'll be at Willow Springs. I'm still debating on whether I even want to track. But thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Frankie6

Posted in 'Riding Tips!'

Yeah, I didn't know where else to post it.

[dakh]

AFAIK SA helmet is Special Applications (read:racing) and the main difference is that it's flame-resistant and is generally tougher. Usually when SA helmet is requred it's along with nomex suit and booties

[Bobby]

BMWCCA LA Chapter have allowed M rated helmets in auto-x'ing but not for track events. HPDE= High Performance Driving Event. There are some clubs that allow M rated helmets for the track but they're also not as safely run as BMWCCA. Tracking your car isn't that much more than tracking a bike unless you wreck. Chances are much less in your car but if you do, it's much more expensive. The instructors are great and if you listen to them, your chances are greatly reduced.

SA has different standards for impact resistance as well as the nomex liner.

You should have a full set of leathers for your bike even if you don't track it. Boots and gloves as well.

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by dakh

AFAIK SA helmet is Special Applications (read:racing) and the main difference is that it's flame-resistant and is generally tougher. Usually when SA helmet is requred it's along with nomex suit and booties

Ahh, I didn't know that. So SA helmets are "better" than M helmets? No wonder. Nomex suits and booties? Hmm. Sounds expensive.

Originally Posted by Bobby

BMWCCA LA Chapter have allowed M rated helmets in auto-x'ing but not for track events. HPDE= High Performance Driving Event. There are some clubs that allow M rated helmets for the track but they're also not as safely run as BMWCCA. Tracking your car isn't that much more than tracking a bike unless you wreck. Chances are much less in your car but if you do, it's much more expensive. The instructors are great and if you listen to them, your chances are greatly reduced.

SA has different standards for impact resistance as well as the nomex liner.

You should have a full set of leathers for your bike even if you don't track it. Boots and gloves as well.

Okay, so if I auto-x, it's okay but for an actual TRACK event, I'll need to invest in another helmet? Hmm, doesn't sound like fun. More money for this horrible addiction of mine.

BMWCCA events, I've noticed, are quite expensive. I guess you really do get what you pay for.

I'll have to think about what I want to track first. I would think I would track my car first since I'm WAY more comfortable in my car vs. my bike. But it's just more of a risk/investment in my car. Hmm.....

[DangerDog]

Let me add this, once you track your bike, you'll never look at the street the same way. Suddenly, the streets and canyons become wayyyyyy more treacherous. On a track, everyone is headed the same way, they all have the same thing in mind, and the track is generally much cleaner. My ...

[fjman]

To answer the original question:

Which are you more comfortable in?

If you're an old hat behind the wheel, and can see beyond simple stuff like gear selection or clutch useage, you can see the track for what it is. At that point, i'ts time to take the bike on it.

However, I can't think of a better confidence builder than running a car around it a few times before the bike...

[clumpymold]

Originally Posted by DangerDog

Let me add this, once you track your bike, you'll never look at the street the same way. Suddenly, the streets and canyons become wayyyyyy more treacherous. On a track, everyone is headed the same way, they all have the same thing in mind, and the track is generally much cleaner. My ...

Yeah, I've heard that and also feel that that's how I'd feel as well.

Originally Posted by fjman

To answer the original question:

Which are you more comfortable in?

If you're an old hat behind the wheel, and can see beyond simple stuff like gear selection or clutch useage, you can see the track for what it is. At that point, i'ts time to take the bike on it.

However, I can't think of a better confidence builder than running a car around it a few times before the bike...

I'm WAY more comfortable in a car. In fact, I'm not even fully comfortable on a bike just yet. I think it would be better for me to start with my car but I just thought it would be cheaper to start in a bike. Plus, with a car, it's just more of a financial risk.