Newbie BEGINNER track Rider at Snetterton evening sessions

[@TheDonInLondon]

Ok guys and girls, some of you are very upset with me for booking advanced. Perhaps it was the wrong thing to do and do not advise others to do the same. Stay safe people!

[@motor_ma77]

Isn’t that how we learn? By making mistakes. Bigger picture you’ve learnt your lesson and your still alive.

[@ucghandyman]

I don't think you are 100% newbie, considering you have raced cars on a track and raced around on the streets a lot. You've raced your other bikes on tracks too I think.

[@tomratcliffe9158]

Straightline hero

[@TheDonInLondon]

Haha that is the easy bit, I did not push too much with late braking or cornering speed as it was my first track day buddy

[@MyDnb123]

So why book advanced for first trackday? 🤦‍♂️

[@TheDonInLondon]

Unfortunately only one available and I know it was bad I shouldn't have... :(

[@BobbyW]

Well done mate, have to start somewhere and saw progress 👍🏾 it’s really not that bad, nobody died and no accidents caused. Not sure why everybody is getting so upset about it- there will be plenty of advanced people who book in the lower groups to get a space; double standard 🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️ keep it up 👊🏾🤙🏾

[@TheDonInLondon]

@@BobbyW thanks buddy really appreciate that!!

[@ucghandyman]

I love the way you got better once you decided to start racing! You actually do pretty well once you are trying to race. I'd never seen you racing the car or anything yet so I didn't know.. good work mate! Now I get to watch your other track videos..

[@NakedRider]

Road fast and track fast are 2 different things :) Brands Indy I played on but not full track day just a couple of 20 min sessions and I loved it, its nice and short so easy to learn, your bike wont be that much of an advantage there so good experience, I can't afford to trash my bike so want a track day bike to play with, then when CB500 track riders fly passed me I can be even more embarressed, pleased you had fun, I am sure you will use this as a good learning experience and come out a better rider and win respect, Shh never say your quick that for other people to say LOL

[@TheDonInLondon]

Haha cheers buddy! Yeah learning quickly here haha

[@PhantomMark]

27:08 and 34:21 Never pass someone near pitlane on the same side of the pitlane entry, he might have been coming in for all you know, or changed his mind to pit last min, stay safe bud, looks like you had a great time :)

[@TheDonInLondon]

Yeah did regret that but was keeping an eye on him. He also did not indicate he was coming off before but still better to be safe. Thanks buddy!

[@richbonesjones4729]

Not the smartest or most responsible idea for a track newbie to book into advance. Thankfully you didnt cause any other rider to get seriously injured! Start and the botton and work your way up.

[@TheDonInLondon]

Yes agreed was a bit silly for me to book and thankful all went well as I said in my pinned comment. I will not recommend others to follow.

[@paulphillips9945]

Nice video bud well edited etc, was trying to get some inspiration as booked Snet for an evening session (lower group) done a couple of full days before Mallory and Donnington but not certain if you have helped or not lol. Looking forward to it though. Other guy is correct about the full days and groups but very long and tiring so just be careful trying to do too many session`s as most crashes happen after lunch and people getting knackered and running out of focus and talent. Enjoyed the vid bud.

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy and thanks for dropping a comment. Well it really is all about taking your time to get the experience. Learn the track if you can which my video shows. Glad you enjoyed it, will be posting my next few track days soon :)

[@stevenrapa4014]

Firstly I'm glad you had fun and stayed shiney side up. But I'm not sure if you realise mate, but that wasnt an advanced or 'fast' group. (Thank god, because seriously beginners in the fast group has caused I believe 3 deaths just this year. And this is why I am writing this comment.) You were on a evening session, which are 2 groups only... Novice - inters And Inters - fast And generally , the actual fast guys do the full days with a dedicated group so they dont have to worry about hitting the inters guys (as you can see the corner closing speed of the few there were on that session is quite a lot, and you are only seeing them off line to make the pass and give you space, so not full pace). So what I'm saying is dont go and book onto the fast group for your first full day, after getting a false impression of where you are at from this if that makes sense? Esply at a different track, snett helps a fast bike. But for some perspective of pace for you, your last and best lap was a 2.22. That is exact same time my ex was doing at snett on her old cbr600f (also on road tyres). And she was lower to mid pack of inters. Fast pace on your bike would be around 2mins or less. Which may seem steep but is plenty doable (I can get an old banged up 54bhp 400 around there in 2.11 and that is topping out at maybe 130ish. But then I also dont brake at all for turn 1, for instance). You were going fine by the end for inters though, so you will be safe and able to learn in that group on a full day. Best of luck. Oh and get some supercorsa scrubs and tyre warmers if you plan on doing more. You wont regret the investment. All the best. :)

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy much appreciated. Yes on 4th session I was feeling better and know I can go much faster. I was being cautious as I want to ease in. I understand people are upset and maybe not the best idea to go in the advanced group. I will go back for inters and hopefully get some decent times in as I wasn't trying to get a good time in. Yes need better tyres and warmers for sure! Thanks again buddy

[@stevenrapa4014]

@@TheDonInLondon Yeah man, but as I said this WASNT an Advanced group. But 'Beginner in fast group' , sounds good to people who dont ride on track , or think their mate Dave who is a 'bit fast' on the local roundabout to the bike meet. But to anyone with track experience , it is the biggest facepalm. That being said, you will get views on it. I saw it because it was shared on a trackday fb page someone ranting about 'this shit being too common now'. As it is id say this wasnt a big deal or an issue, as this was as I say an evening sesh and not an actual advanced group the pace apart from 3 or so riders was very calm. You will also find this. Groups can vary quite a bit. Esply with this covid business. Trackdays are sold out so people book into whatever group just to get out (a few you over took should have been in in the lower group even on the evening). Anyway, stay safe fella. Biggest part of that is stay humble! Ego on track will kill you. Hope your mate sorts his clutch for the next one.

[@TheDonInLondon]

See i want to book another session but the same issue they only have inter/advanced and now because of all the negativity I am not booking it. Although you said it is not really a fast group I don't know anymore 🤷

[@stevenrapa4014]

@@TheDonInLondon If its and evening session they only have a small amount of time. So they divide it into 2 groups instead of 3. So on a full day you can have Novice Inters Advanced Each having their own group. So on an evening you can pick group 1 and be out with Novices and the slower people in inters. Or Group 2 Which will be the less slow inters peeps, and whoever else ( so could be a few fast peeps ). But as I said , usually the fast people usually do full days where there is a fast group. As its hard to commit to a fast pace in a mixed one. SO... at that track on your bike, id say you will be fine in group 2 again. If it was say cadwell... id probably advise (on an evening session) to go in group 1. And if you book a full day anywhere. Book inters. The negativity is coming from the title. Most people wont realise its an evening session. Because when you say Advanced of fast group, it looks like you have booked the fastest group as a complete beginner, because of ego, or boosting rights in the title, when you arent ready for it = dangerous. If it was titled 'My first track experience'. And in the description you just out evening session and group 2. I doubt you would have gotten the negativity. Ya get me?

[@TheDonInLondon]

Ok cool so should be ok to book the same track for group 2. I will book inters at the same track for a full day. I have changed the title and the thumbnail to avoid more people getting confused. Cheers buddy!

[@PhantomMark]

Golden rule of trackdays, learn the track before you get there, spend some time watching vids on youtube or maybe you can find a game which has the track so you can learn it in a game, this will mean when you arrive your sighting lap is merely confirmation of everything you learned before you arrive, meaning you spend all your time enjoying rather than trying to learn the track !

[@TheDonInLondon]

100% agree buddy

[@stevenrapa4014]

I actually learned cadwell in a race 😬 Not ideal.

[@treacs666]

this is very slow for Fast?

[@mickshere9642]

Thank you for your honesty about being nervous, makes it easier to actually book one myself

[@TheDonInLondon]

Yes wanted to be honest all the way through mostly talking rubbish as I was concentrating but would recommend starting on beginners group for sure 👍

[@martin13051971]

Great video fella 👍

[@hythesailor]

I loved watching that, Don. Looked really exciting. I have just returned from touring on my F800GT down to Bordeaux for two weeks and it was WICKED! Back to all the shitty little roads in the UK now!

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy!! Well has been a bit of drama on this topic but yes was a lot of fun for sure!! Oh wow sounds amazing! Yes unfortunately these roads are a mess getting worse as usual haha

[@vincedesmondo2212]

All been said ,but well done Don ,others will see and learn from your honesty , you were starting to connect on the last session for sure well done mate good vid * )

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy much appreciated 👍 👌 more to come for sure :)

[@saminman5062]

Go in novice next time bud

[@TheDonInLondon]

Thanks buddy

[@AvenueBoyVlogs]

Loooks soo much fun brooo!!! Nice!! I want to do a track day too! Gotta save up for the bike first! 😂😂

[@TheDonInLondon]

Haha cheers buddy! Yes was amazing can't wait to get back out there!! Well worth it for sure!

[@frostykiid]

Great video !

[@TheDonInLondon]

Thanks buddy!

[@dancusdin9946]

What type of lap times were you doing?

[@alexwright3557]

Someone commented above that he did a 2:20 on his best lap(not sure how accurate that is)

[@Djfunkymike]

Flipping loved watching this vid mate, great stuff, you had a blast. Dont think your a beginner though, is there a class inbetween. Might have to book me and the busa onto a track day!

[@TheDonInLondon]

Haha cheers buddy was so much fun! Next time I will join intermediate. Well worth doing it, next video I will talk all about it

[@Triss88]

bit more commons sense on your behalf... I ride Advanced group but still drop down a group if I don't know the track... The wonderful thing with Track days is you can "normally" move during the day. Seriously though people have died because people "think" they are fast, much prefer the yank method of timings for groups.

[@stevenbrennan8017]

Brave to go in Advanced, especially first time. You looked like you had great fun and you stayed safe. Good video to watch, reminds me of my first few track days many years ago. (I've never gone above inters btw ! :-))

[@TheDonInLondon]

Haha cheers buddy! Yeah need to go down a group but unfortunately was too excited to get on track and only booked what was available. Thanks for dropping your comment bud!

[@BikerJayy]

Taking the KTM on the next track day? 😆 regardless of the questionable group choice, glad you had fun out there 👌👌 What track is next??

[@TheDonInLondon]

Haha nah the BMW is for track really haha yeah want to go back to learn it more let's see :)

[@aspectcarl]

Great! Very exciting 👍

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy, was awesome!! Can't wait to go back!

[@JetMB]

Great ride.... im pretty jealous I hope I can do a track day before this year ends.. keep it up bro take it easy.

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy! There are still some track days you can book :)

[@JetMB]

Everyone makes mistakes sir and everyone is an idiot in their own way I guess... best thing I guess is just give them a heads up and if they don't listen then I guess goodluck to them. Pretty sure Don learnt his lessons.

[@PsychoPaul13]

You certainly enjoyed that 😎

[@TheDonInLondon]

Yeah was epic!!! Cheers buddy

[@mickshere9642]

people who comment should perhaps try and do a verbal commentary to themselves whilst riding. You did explain why you booked the advanced group. They need to remember you could have edited this to make you look great

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy much appreciated :) love the support always great to see positive people amongst the negative ones... I was making it as clear as possible so people would understand

[@amaduulia8921]

I am saving for an H2 . Isn't that a wild dream? Inspire me!

[@TheDonInLondon]

Yeah man do it!!! It is amazing fun to get on track too!

[@amaduulia8921]

@@TheDonInLondon Thank you my friend.

[@mehrdadmehrabipour3952]

great video and ride well done👌👌👍👍👍

[@TheDonInLondon]

Thank you buddy!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 was amazing!

[@csrides8823]

Your no newbie man, you corner well af hahaha. Great job mate. Want to see more track days and loads of adventure on your ktm. 💪💪

[@TheDonInLondon]

Cheers buddy!!! Much appreciated more to come soon :)