Track ETIQUETTE

Track ETIQUETTE

[June 26, 2003 05:01 PM] When exiting the pits, there is a white line which separates the Pit-Lane exit from the oncoming straight. If you are exiting the Pit-Lane, DO NOT CROSS THIS WHITE LINE. There are riders coming down the straight at close to maximum speed and will probably not be able to avoid you if you do so. Get up to speed quickly by the time the yellow line ends and merge with the oncoming riders once your speed is synchronized. Conversely, if you are coming down the straight, do not cross the line into the Pit Lane Exit. On track days the marshals generally only use the red flag (End of session, proceed back to pits slowly) and the yellow flag (incident ahead, NO OVERTAKING!). If you see someone has gone off the track, DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACK, EVEN TO HELP A FRIEND. There are marshals there for exactly that. The run-off areas are there to provide a safe run-off in the event someone goes off. If a rider does go off, the marshals will try to clear him off as quickly as possible in case someone else runs off in the same spot. A rider stopping to help in a run-off area simply provides another obstacle for someone else to crash into. Contrary to what you've been taught for the road, you should not look into your mirrors whilst riding on the track. Race schools will ensure this by removing your mirrors! Your job is to make sure you negotiate the next corner safely. If you are about to be overtaken, just stick to your intended line and negotiate the corner smoothly. The person overtaking you will be able to see this and take appropriate action. DO NOT CHANGE LINE TO ACCOMMODATE THE RIDER BEHIND YOU. He will not be expecting this, and you may wander into his path. Because of this, there is no reason to look into your mirrors (other than vanity, in which case do it when the bike is parked). In fact this applies to riding on the track in general: avoid sudden changes in line and slowing down unnecessarily. If someone is about to overtake you, you may wander into the line he was intending and cause him to go off the track. It won't be your fault but it certainly won't make you popular. Stick to your intended line and pace. Sepang is a huge track with plenty of places to overtake. If it is obvious that the rider you are about to overtake is much slower than you, give room and remember that suddenly being overtaken when you are not expecting it can be a bit of a surprise. Don't buzz by unnecessarily close- it just puts others off and encourages mistakes.