Riding Group Descriptions, Passing Rules, and Riding Protocols
RELAXED GROUP
- Relaxed Pace, Riders new to the track.
- SAFE Outside Passes in Designated Areas Only (straightaways)
- PLEASE Pass with a 2 meter cushion or space (some call it Wingspan) from other riders
INTERMEDIATE GROUP
- Intermediate Track Riders and faster street riders with some track experience
- SAFE Outside & Inside Passes in Designated Areas Only
- PLEASE Pass with a 2 meter cushion or space (some call it Wingspan) from other riders
ADVANCED GROUP
- Advanced Riding Environment. Experienced Track Riders and Racers Only.
- SAFE Outside & Inside Passes in Designated Areas Only.
- SAFE Close Proximity passing is suitable – this is an advanced riding environment.
Code of Conduct
ON TRACK COMMUNICATION
Always signal your intentions when something changes for you by raising your LEFT Arm.
GROUP MIGRATION
Rider Improvement is always a good thing. Please know that we will ultimately push you forward in our Group’s for everyone’s safety. Riding with your friends is not a justification to ride at an advanced level in a slower Group’s category. Similarly, riding over your head in trying to keep pace in Advanced Group just so you can ride with your friends is also not a good plan and you will be migrated to a slower group accordingly. We are all about your growth as a rider and in the spirit of keeping the experience fun, safe, and well-balanced on the track, you will be migrated for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
TRACK ENTRY
NEVER APEX the first corner as you enter the track. ALWAYS stay to the left of the blend line at VIMC that will release you onto the track near Turn 2. Although perhaps not mandatory, you may also want to leave a bit of space on the inside of Turn 3 as you get on track. Turn 3 comes up pretty quickly after Turn 2 at VIMC, and allowing space on the inside is just common sense as you enter the track. In the long run out to Turn 4, consider yourself as being fully on the normal riding line.
If we see you enter or exit the track in an unsafe manner, you will be Black Flagged. You will receive a warning and sit out a session. If there is a second offence, you will be packing up and heading home.
TRACK EXIT
ALWAYS Raise your LEFT Hand prior to exiting the track. Stay to the Outside edge of the track when exiting. IMPORTANT- Keep Your Speed Up! Don’t be a sitting duck on track. Keep riding at 70-80% right up to the braking zone, and then carefully exit the track at the designated area. NEVER Apex the last corner and then ride off the exit at the last second.
When you decide to Exit the track, you EXIT. Do not change your mind at the last second and stay on the track. You can always get back on. Be consistent with your signals. Everyone’s safety depends on it.
PASSING
It’s a good idea to leave some room for other riders to pass, particularly when you move up to a faster group. By leaving space for faster riders to pass you help reduce traffic jams and ultimately it’s safe for you because you are not forcing people into passing you in spots that may exceed their skill level.
When you move to a faster group, ride a line that is mid track at corner entry – then a bit tight to the apex – then mid track on corner exit. Remember to keep your speed up as you exit the corner. It doesn’t help to sandbag the exit as the faster rider behind you is anticipating certain movements from your bike, and they might be right on your rear tire. Exit the corner as normal, and then maybe ease off to 80-90% throttle on the straightaway to let the faster rider pass.
Strive to be tight to the apex because if you are 10 feet away from every apex you are inhibiting faster riders from making easy outside passes; you are forcing them to go extra wide to ride around you. Similarly, if you hear a bike very near to you and probably trying to pass you, especially on the inside during the faster Groups (in particular, on the entry into some of the slower corners, such as T4 at VIMC), then consider easing off a little bit during your corner entry when it’s safe and letting the faster rider pass you more easily and safely. Track Days are Not a race. Let the faster rider pass when it’s safe to do so. Always Be Safe, Calm and Predictable On Track.
PICK A LINE AND STAY ON IT (No Swooping Part 1)
A perfect example of a rider failing to stay on their line (and failing to be predictable to faster riders) is a rider that is riding down the front straight at VIMC just a few feet from the left side track wall. They sit up, start braking and just like they see on TV… they move right at the last second and swoop to set up their entrance to Turn 1. When you move over at the last second it’s not predictable and you are asking the passing rider that has already committed to passing you on the right to make a last second adjustment to avoid collision.
If you want to be all the way to the far left entering Turn 1 that’s just fine but get your bike positioned on the left side of the track well before you sit up and start braking. On some corners there really isn’t time to get yourself positioned on the outside before the corner starts but you can always point the bike s that you are gradually moving across to your final track position target. Passing riders can see you are gradually moving across the track and will assume you are going to continue to do so. The risk to you comes when you are riding parallel to the track and move over at the last second (swooping)
NO ERRATIC RIDING (No Swooping Part 2)
This type of swooping generally means someone that rides erratic lines with dramatically different turn in points (for example) than most people would use. They also may be using radically different turn in points on every lap as they try to refine and improve their skills. Look for incremental improvement on track; Be Predictable. At the same time: the rider that is “swooping” is using a lot more of the track than is necessary for their speed. This rider is seen as being unpredictable and hard to pass because it’s difficult to predict what line they are going to choose in a given corner. If you are a “Swooper”, riding the track has more risk for you than if you are riding predictable lines.
FLAGS
GREEN
Track is Hot, all systems Go.
YELLOW
Something has Changed. Use Caution. No Passing. Reduce pace to 70-80% of your normal pace. *Do NOT slam on your brakes.* Keep Riding the Circuit under Yellow. You do not need to exit the circuit under Yellow. Yellow flag just means be cautious and mindful that something has changed and to be prepared for possible unexpected circumstances ahead. Ride with “Total Control”. Repeat: You can keep riding the session; no need to come into the pits.
RED
High Alert. There is an incident ON track and we need to end the session immediately. Exit the Circuit under Red. Reduce your speed to 70-80% of your normal pace that enables you to easily react and avoid any incident in front of you; it could be a crashed bike on track, fluid on track, etc. This is what you need to do when you see a Red Flag
- FIRST, put your hand up (assume the rider behind you did not see the flag, you need to tell them that you are going to slow down by putting your hand up)
- SECOND, slowly reduce the throttle to 70-80% normal pace. Ride with “Total Control”.
- THIRD, complete the lap at this reduced pace and exit the track promptly. We may need to get the medic on track, so the sooner the track is clear, the better. Return to your paddock or to the hot pit and grid up for possible re-release.
Repeat: All riders MUST exit the track at end of their lap under Red Flag. Go to your paddock or go to the hot pit and Grid Up. You will be released back on track when the incident is cleared up IF there is sufficient time remaining in your session to warrant re-release.
BLACK
We need to talk to you. This will be displayed and pointed at you by the START/FINISH. Do Not slam on your brakes. Finish you lap at a normal pace, safely exit the course and report to the START/FINISH line in the Hot Pit and speak to the Marshals.
CHEQUERED FLAG
You won, your session is over. Finish your lap at a slightly reduced pace and exit the course. If you see chequered flag anywhere on the track, you need to exit the track at the end of that lap. Be mindful that many riders ease off their pace once the checkered flag is out and may be riding at 70-80% so be careful with your closing speeds as circumstances have probably changed on track.
Definitions
Apex
Generally means: the curbing at the edge of the pavement on the inside of a corner; often the slowest point of the corner; the point in a corner when you are physically closest to the inside curb.
Blending
Merging with other riders already at speed on the course.
Hot Pit
This is the area/lane between the main VIMC building and the concrete track wall that run between T18 and T1. It is also the “staging” area where riders wait to be released onto track by marshals. Speed limit is restricted to 30km/h unless otherwise advised during Rider’s Meeting.
Inside/Outside
Describes which side of the track someone is referring to. For example in a right turn, the curbing on the right would be the inside curb; the left side of the track would be the outside.
Out-Lap
Describes your first lap from when you leave the pit till you complete the first lap at the start of a session.
In-Lap
Describes your last lap of a session and exiting the track
Wide Line
Generally means using the entire track from the left side to the right side. Riding from the outside of the track approaching a corner, clipping the apex curb on the inside, and riding out to the very outside edge of the track at the exit would be considered using the Wide Line.
Tight Line
Riding in the middle of the track, clipping the apex on the inside, then riding only out to the centre of the track at the exit of a corner would be considered using a tighter line, i.e. you are not using the whole track.
Swooping
This generally means someone that rides erratic lines with dramatically different turn in points than most people would use. At the same time the rider that is “swooping” is using a lot more of the track than is necessary for their speed. This rider is seen as being unpredictable and hard to pass because it’s difficult to predict what line they are going to choose in a given corner. If you are a “swooper”, riding the the track has more risk for you than if you are riding predictable lines.
Wingspan
A two (2) Meter distance or margin from the other riders on the track.
TECH INSPECTION
Motorcycle – must be free of leaks, clean, and well-maintained.
Oil – If your oil has recently been changed, CHECK YOUR DRAIN PLUG AND OIL FILTER!
Chain – The chain and the sprockets must be in good condition, lubricated, and properly adjusted with about 1-2cm of free play (or whatever manufacturer recommends for your bike)
Steering – Must not interfere with cables or fairings – Proper range of motion with steering stops in place
Brakes – Firm Brake Lever, not mushy, must NOT come back to the handlebar. Rear brake must be operational. Brake Pads no more than 60% of wear. Check your brake lines – especially your FRONT brake lines – for any damage, scuffs, abrasions, etc. These lines need to support repeated high-pressure use, and what looks like a small cut in the lines shrouding can suddenly burst open and you have NO BRAKES. This is a critical failure and it DOES HAPPEN. Ask me how I know.
Forks – Forks must have smooth travel and seals without leaks.
Throttle – Must snap back to the closed position. The throttle should be properly adjusted and snap back quickly to the closed position.
Wheels – Wheel weights have to be taped (“Duct Tape”). Metal valve stem caps are recommended but not required.
Tires – Street tires 50% tread must be remaining and preferably not more than five (5) years past their date of production. Track Tires must be in good condition with not too much wear; wear bars must be visible and within usable range. Tire Pressure is very important to understand- tires work best when a target hot pressure is achieved. Be sure not to overinflate or underinflate!
Lights, Mirrors, Signals & Licence Plates – All “glass” and all mirrors Must be taped. All “plastic glass” such as brake lights, turn signals should (but not necessary) be taped off. Licence plates Must be taped off. Blue Painters Tape is the best tape for the job because it’s easy to remove.
Riding Gear Requirements
Relaxed Group
One Piece Leathers or Two Piece Leathers that zip together – OK
Helmet – Full Face (Modular OK) with no evidence of crash damage. Maximum 10 years since date of manufacture and legal for road use in Canada (DOT approved).
Back Protector – Mandatory
Chest Protector – Advised
Textile Jackets and Pants that don’t zip together – OK
Leather Boots that cover the ankle
Gauntlet style gloves that cover the wrist – Advised
No Jeans! Riding Pants (at a minimum) are a Must.
Intermediate Group
One Piece Leathers or Two Piece Leathers that zip together – OK
Helmet – Full Face (Modular OK) with no evidence of crash damage. Maximum 10 years since date of manufacture and legal for road use in Canada (DOT approved).
Back Protector – Mandatory
Chest Protector – Advised
Textile Jacket and Pants that zip together – OK
Leather Boots that cover the ankle
Gauntlet gloves
Advanced Group
Helmet – Full Face with no evidence of crash damage. Maximum 10 years since date of manufacture and legal for road use in Canada (DOT approved).
Back Protector – Mandatory
Chest Protector – Advised
One Piece Leathers or Two Piece Leathers that zip together – OK
Leather Boots that cover the ankle
Gauntlet gloves