TrackAddix Event Questions
Common questions that we've been asked about TrackAddix events, along with the answers to those questions - check here for your question BEFORE contacting us, chances are someone else has asked your question before and the answer is below:
Q) REGISTRATION CHANGE/CANCELLATIONS:
A) To make changes to or CANCEL a registration please E-MAIL us at information@trackaddix.com with your request. All cancellations will be processed according to our cancellation policy WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, please review the link below BEFORE sending your request and PLEASE don't request an exception to the cancellation policy, we will NOT grant exceptions to anyone for any reason, it's the only way we can be FAIR to all of our riders.
Q) If I have ridden at other track days at other tracks, am I still required to take the TrackAddix New Rider's School (aka. the School of Speed) when I come to my first TrackAddix event?
A) No, our rider's school is specifically for FIRST-TIME track day riders. We DO allow anyone to sit in on the school if you'd like, particularly those who may have done track days in the past but have been on a long break since riding on the track and just need a "refresher" on track riding.
Q) Where do I go, when can I arrive, how is the track facility laid out?
A) See the TRACK INFORMATION page for lots of detail on where, when, how, etc.
Q) Is camping allowed at the track? Can I leave my stuff at the track overnight?
A) Yes, the MPH track is open for camping BOTH Friday and Saturday night, and you can also drop your trailer rig/bike off at the track the night before an event if you'd like. See the TRACK INFORMATION page for more details.
Q) Are there RV spots/hookups available at the track?
A) Yes, the MPH track has many RV spots available. You must reserve an RV spot ahead of time by e-mailing the track at motorsportparkhastings@gmail.com and requesting a spot. Please specify in your e-mail if you require 30 or 50 amp service for your rig. The track personnel will e-mail you back your assigned RV spot so you'll know where to go when you get to the track. Cost is assessed by the track, but generally around $50 per day, you'll pay the track directly for the RV spot rental. See the TRACK INFORMATION page for more details.
Q) What facilities are available at the MPH track for those who are camping?
A) There are full shower & restroom facilities for both men and women available at the track. Expect to be asked for a small fee to be paid to the track by a member of the track staff for your use of the track facilities for camping.
Q) I see there is a covered pit area that we can use, do I need to reserve a spot in that area and is there a cost for it?
A) The Race Port covered pit area is available to rent spots in, see the TRACK INFORMATION page for details!
Q) Are tire services and sales available at the track?
A) YES - We have a tire service available at the track where we can change your tires, and we DO sell race tires, however you need to pre-order your tires before the event and then we'll bring them for you, we do not bring tires for sale to the track. We only provide MOUNT/BALANCE service at the track, you need to remove your own wheels from the bike to bring to the tire garage. If you purchased your tires from us, then the Mount/Balance is FREE, otherwise it's $10 per wheel. Also it's customary to tip the "Tire Guy" for good service whenever you have tires mounted. For tire services, visit the Tire Garage just to the East of the restroom/shower building. See the TRACK INFORMATION page for more details on the location.
Q) Can I go through tech inspection the night before the event?
A) You need to do a lot more reading on the various event information pages on the website so you fully understand how our events operate. When you ask this question, it indicates you haven't read this information, which means you also haven't read many other important pieces of information about our events. Please go through all of the links on our event information page to make sure you're up to speed: https://www.trackaddix.com/pages/trackaddix-track-days and especially this page: https://www.trackaddix.com/pages/trackaddix-event-information
Q) Is self-tech safe? Shouldn't there be tech inspection? Other organizations require me to go through tech inspection, so isn't that a good idea?
A) Do you have someone else inspect your street bike before you go ride it? No, why not? Because you're an adult and understand that it's your responsibility to ensure your bike is safe to ride. It's no different at the track, NO ONE should be more concerned with the mechanical safety of a motorcycle on the track than the rider sitting on top of it! You SHOULD expect greater stresses and wear on your bike during track use, and use EXTRA CAUTION when preparing your bike for the track. But there is not some "magic" formula for someone else looking at your bike and finding things wrong with it that you couldn't find yourself. YOU should know your bike better than anyone else, if you don't, then we'd suggest you make a serious effort to attain that level of knowledge if you're going to be a track day rider. We have DECADES of experience racing and riding at track days all over the country, and we've gone through every manner of tech inspection at various events, from basic to "onerous". Our conclusion? It doesn't matter, wastes time and causes undue headaches. Generally the tech inspector is just another experienced rider or racer, not a professional mechanic, and even if they WERE a professional mechanic, having dozens of bikes running through for a 30-second inspection should not give you a lot of confidence that the inspector has relieved you of your duty to make sure your OWN bike is safe. It's YOUR responsibility to make sure your bike is mechanically safe and sound, and if you have any doubts YOU should seek assistance from a qualified helper. Most technical failures we've seen with bikes on the track arise from things that would never be caught in a tech inspection. WE DO REQUIRE YOU TO CAREFULLY INSPECT YOUR BIKE before riding at the track utilizing our Tech Requirements checklist, and we're happy to HELP YOU look at anything on your bike, all you need to do is ask. If you're in the Rider's School, we're going to walk you through how to inspect your bike so you can do it yourself going forward. The reality is we have a very competent and responsible core group of TrackAddix riders who ride at most of our events, and we all know each other, it's a family. If you're new, and we don't know you (first, WELCOME!) and we'll probably come take a look at your bike just to make sure you're doing well with your self-tech.
Q) Can I use a GoPro or similar action camera?
A) Yes, but you need to adhere to our Action Camera Policy in order to do so, see here for the policy: https://www.trackaddix.com/pages/trackaddix-event-information
Q) I ride in the Intermediate group at other track days, which group should I ride in with TrackAddix since you only have 2 groups (A/B) instead of 3?
A) First, you're welcome! You probably now realize (or soon will) how much MORE track time you're going to get with full 30-minute sessions rather than the typical 15-20 minute sessions with other organizations. Our B-Group is designed for newer track riders or those who don't do many track days and are not comfortable being on the track with much faster riders. Our A-Group is for more experienced riders who are comfortable riding with other bikes both slower and faster than they are. If you have any doubt about which group is right for you, we suggest starting out in the B-Group and then if you find that you're being held up and would like to go faster, come see us during the day to get moved to the A-Group. The big thing for the A-Group is how comfortable are you in BEING PASSED, not in how fast you are riding yourself. If you're still new enough that you're going to be startled by much faster riders going by you, then you should probably stay in a B-Group for a little longer. We have many long-term riders who stay in the B-Group because they're just having fun and not concerned with constant improvement of their lap times, it's totally fine if that's you. If you are someone who wants to constantly improve and get faster, then eventually you'll want to be in the A-Group. We required a rider to be a regular A-Group rider with an established pace and track record for safety before participating in the TrackAddix GP races.
Q) Can I ride in both A-Group and B-Group if I have buddies there who I want to ride with who are in different groups?
A) No, we take track density very seriously at our events and we keep each group limited in the number of riders for the enjoyment of the riders as well as for safety.
Q) I like to ride wheelies, can I do that on the track as long as I'm not next to another bike?
A) No, we do not allow or condone ANY type of "stunt" riding on the track at our events. If you're focused on how good of wheelie you can ride, rather than focused on how fast you can go through a corner and how fast of a lap time you can run, TrackAddix events are NOT for you. We are a professional track riding organization, and our inspiration comes from the riders you see on TV in a MotoGP, World Superbike or Moto America race, NOT a YouTube video of some clown riding a wheelie in traffic on I-70.
Q) I signed up for an event, but can't make it now because of an unforeseen circumstance, can I get a refund?
A) No, we don't issue refunds. If you qualify for a credit based upon when you send in your cancellation request via E-Mail, the credit will be issued to your TrackAddix rider account to use for a future event. For a full credit, you must cancel by the Pre-Registration Deadline for the event, which is the prior FRIDAY date before the event. After that, you'll either get a 50% credit or 0% credit if you don't cancel at least 24 hours before the start of the event (i.e. by 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning). You can also sell your spot to another rider as an alternative. Our cancellation policy is clearly laid out on the Terms & Conditions document that you agree to when you sign up for an event, and can also be found on the event information page here: https://www.trackaddix.com/pages/trackaddix-event-information
Q) But my reason for cancelling is way better than anyone who's requested to cancel in the past, so can I get a refund because I'm special?
A) No, we don't issue refunds. We respect ALL of our riders, and part of that respect is we don't "play favorites" and treat some riders differently than other riders. Whether you are a military member who gets deployed at the last minute, or someone who has a family member in the hospital unexpectedly, or you fall ill, or you get called in to work, or whatever other reason you have, the ONLY way we can be fair to everyone is to treat everyone the same regardless of the reason for the cancellation. That means we have a clearly-defined cancellation policy and we adhere to that 100% of the time with no exceptions. You CAN sell your slot to another rider, and with our events regularly sold out, this is a good option much of the time, just hop on your social media channels and round up a buyer!
Q) I signed up for an event, but the weather forecast is calling for rain now, will the event still be held?
A) Yes, we ride rain or shine. The only events that we have EVER cancelled due to weather is very early or very late season events where there was literally snow on the ground. In the event of severe storms with lightning, the track may be shut down for a period of time for the lightning to pass for worker and rider safety, but will reopen again as soon as the storm has passed. We have a contract with the track to hold our events, and the track does not cancel our contract because it rains. If you are in the New Rider's School, you WILL BE riding with your instructors in the rain. In reality, a huge amount can be learned by riding your bike in the rain on the track, embrace it and pick up some new skills.
Q) Can I ride my bike to the track to do a track day?
A) Technically, yes you can. Your bike will need to be prepped for the track per our Tech Requirements before you go out on the track, so you'll need to bring tape and tools along to accomplish this. The reality though, is that it's not ideal to ride your bike to a track day for lots of reason. What if your bike breaks, how will you get home? What if you are worn out and tired at the end of the day and then have to ride your bike home, is that safe? We'd suggest finding a way to haul your bike to the track if at all possible. Load it in the back of a truck, even if you don't have your own ramps to bring along there are plenty of ramps at the track that anyone will be happy to loan you to unload. Go to U-Haul and rent a motorcycle trailer, this can be pulled behind virtually any vehicle with a hitch on it and it's very inexpensive. Find a friend with a trailer who's going with room to haul your bike. If you don't have a friend going, get on the TrackAddix Riders Facebook group and post up a request for someone else in your area who is going to haul your bike along, just offer to chip in for gas!
Q) The TrackAddix GP races look like a lot of fun, can I sign up to race?
A) Sure, just realize that you are signing up for a RACE and not just another track day session. That means that much closer passing is a possibility, and a much higher mental load on YOU to maintain your composure and focus on the task at hand. Completing an 8-Lap race is WAY different from riding 8 laps in a track day session. You need to be an experienced rider to race, if you just completed the New Rider's School, you're not ready to race yet. Reality is if you're not riding in the A-Group, you're not ready to race. And if you're riding in the A-Group, if you can't run consistent lap times within 15 seconds per lap of the riders winning our races, you're probably not ready to race. We DO want all of our racers to focus on having FUN as the primary goal, but it's still a RACE and not just another track day session. If you're not quite there yet and have a desire to get there, we're happy to help you with riding instruction and tips, all you need to do is ask!