Passing at Trackdays | You've been doing it wrong!

[@CanyonChasers]

We made this change last year at Apex Trackdays (at UMC) and the number of passing incidents and people complaining about close passes basically ceased all together. It's more intuitive, it's safer and most importantly, its better for newer or slower riders - so they don't get scared out of the sport.

[@Ridelikeachampionycrs]

That's awesome!!

[@seancorcoran1183]

I agree with this 100% why risk with no rewards .

[@ryanlowe2808]

Absolutely outstanding video! This “green/red” passing track style map should be made a staple in all training and rider briefs before every track day! Well said sir!

[@ReshardsAutomotiveWorkshop]

6 months after you published this video, I saw a crash that happened exactly like this! If only they had watched your video. The crash is on KZbin. I will link it in the next comment.

[@sammybrown6730]

I am so glad the track I go to ditched the outside passing only, even on the c group. I immediately felt safer on the track, both passing and being passed. Being able take inside passes immediately opened options for me to feel more confident in riding amd continue to grow and improve.

[@mattguss]

Thank you Nick. Passing (bad passing) is the #1 problem at almost all track days. I've been doing this 15 years and it never changes. You outlne & instruct the best way to pass and plan passing. Yes track day orgs need to teach this but most importantly they need to enforce good passing. And the biggest problem with track day rider behavior is a lack of enforcement & consequences for bad or unschooled riders. Every single rider's meeting talks about this but sadly there is little to no enforcement, only crash or near miss results.

[@b-radsadventures6846]

Brilliant! This is what we teach!

[@RoeyHaviv]

This is a strong case! Like a lot of rules, they try to make it simple assuming people won’t get it but the way you present it it’s really easy to understand.

[@bearlyfast8596]

I was on my R3 and was side swiped by a big bike at the tip-in point of Turn 6 on Thunderbolt. EXACTLY as you’ve drawn it

[@awood12345]

It has been a couple years since I've done a trackday in the UK but the rules here used to be the person in front has the line and as long as they don't have to adjust/react to you it is good. So on the inside is fine as long as they haven't started tipping in, outside and squaring off is also fine.

[@ghosk]

Agree that "outside passes only" is not a great rule. In that corner, an "inside" pass would be more viable. Most of the track groups I know allow you inside as long as the passed rider hasn't started turning in for the corner yet. They also normally have a "meatball" flag near the turn point to signify not to pass from turn to apex. I think it's there to prevent a newer rider from getting stuffed in a corner and panic-braking. Like everybody says, nobody wins a trackday. Passing drills helped me--plan the pass, take a b-line, gather speed behind them to the apex and then use the momentum to just drive out harder. If you get stuck behind them you might be there forever.

[@shaywelch]

And this is exactly how I got clobbered. I'm a little bike and I've always seen my only way through as an inside pass

[@shlembot]

Makes a ton of sense. Thanks, Nick!

[@RamboRob]

Thank you. We need Evolve GT and PRE to adopt these rules.

[@hectorallanrivera9334]

Such essential information, thanks for sharing!

[@orochicc002]

Not sure if I'm understanding this correctly. So assuming the slow rider is doing a perfect out-in-out, the option shown here is an early apex out-in-in, overtake with higher exit speed. What to avoid is run parallel with the slow rider and go out-mid-offtrack

[@KrazyKanucker]

Interesting. I did 6000 hours of sim racing and many competitively before retiring last year. One of the guys I raced with crashed there at mid ohio on a motorcycle actually. I think sim racing in cars and turning off the mirrors in Assetto corsa would be a good learning tool for this to build trust amogst each other.

[@franktaylor7978]

I generally understand his instructions very well. I am not getting this one for some reason.

[@shaywelch]

Would also like a different visual. The map is a bit confusing to follow.

[@percyfaith11]

red no pass, green pass but get it done before reaching red again.

[@pair_of_fins]

Jokes on you I'm too slow to pass people 😆

[@Ridelikeachampionycrs]

We can help ;)

[@CanyonChasers]

Oh I don't know. I've heard talk of you actual fastness!

[@jbean530]

Don’t worry. I’m the slowest.

[@snappycattimesten]

I just rent the whole track. Problem solved.

[@CanyonChasers]

It's like having the trampoline all to yourself!

[@TheInfantry98]

Then you become a real rider and start racing where passing is for real men and not weak men