Make sure that you have properly prepared for the Performance Riding Session. Your bike and personal equipment are in good condition and working order and you are well rested and mentally focused.
Game Plan:
Have a game plan for the session. A simple goal, skill or technique to work on improving.
Discipline:
Have control of yourself and your emotions. Ride your own ride, within your own limits. Do not attempt to outdo another rider on the road coarse because they are slightly faster. PERFORMANCE RIDING IS NOT RACING.
Watch and Listen:
Observe how other riders ride on the coarse, cornering, breaking techniques. Get tips and feedback from other riders or instructors to help improve your own riding technique.
Concentrate:
Don’t let your mind wander. Stay focused on what is happening around you and stick to your game plan. If you become tired or distracted, safely exit to the pits and take a break.
Visual Markers:
Develop visual markers around the track to help you mark such things as the riding line, braking points, cornering, and areas to avoid.
Look Ahead:
Look where you are going. Your only safe way to avoid problems ahead of you is to see them in time to react properly to them so keep you focus a longer distance ahead of you.
IMPORTANT: You will go where you look, so be sure you are looking where you want to go.
Target Fixation:
Avoid “Target Fixation”. If the rider in front goes off the track, and you carefully watch them, you are likely to follow them off the track. Do not become focused on the rider in front of you. Look past them and at the track ahead.
Don’t Panic:
If something unexpected happens, believe in your ability. Have faith in your bike and your ability and try to work it out. Focus on where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Never freeze up. Freezing is giving up, nothing is more dangerous.
Be Smooth:
Being smooth applies to every aspect of performance riding. From the line you take through a corner to the way you apply brakes and throttle. If you ride in a smooth manner then the bike will respond more predictably to your control inputs. Acceleration, braking, and cornering should flow smoothly through the road course. If you are not smooth, slow down. You are probably going too fast for your technique and ability. If the track is passing by more slowly you will have more time to work on becoming smoother.
Consistency:
Once you have had success improving some aspect of your riding technique, work on repeating this until it becomes a habit and feels natural. If you keep your riding style consistent, other riders will be able to anticipate your actions and line on the course.
Passing:
Passing is only permitted under the strict direction of the group leader. Passing will be for the purpose of rider evaluation by a group leader or to rotate the order of riders in the group.
Passing will only be permitted under the following conditions:
On the straightaway, within the passing zone that will be clearly identified. No passing on any other section of the track.
The group instructor or group leader will review passing procedures before the riding session. This review will cover:
The passing zone
On which side to pass
The order of rider rotation
Required hand signals.
Maintain Your Line:
Once a rider chooses a line through section of the track, they should maintain it. Erratic behavior on the track is hazardous to all. If you are not following the most used line on the track, they you should ask yourself why.
Slowing Down:
If you encounter a problem on the track and need to slow down, you must signal the riders behind you and use care. Signal – recognized signals are: Raised hand and arm or Outstretched leg Move off the riding line. Slow down/stop where required.
Note: This same procedure should be used to exit the track to the pit area, during a riding session.
In The Pit Area:
No riding of motorcycles in the pit/paddock area is allowed. When pushing your bike through this area, have consideration for your fellow riders. Do not block passage through the pit area. Be aware that riders may exit the track and enter the pit area at any time.
Riding Off the Track:
This is not recommended. Never choose to ride off the track, unless avoiding a collision. You should be able to slow down or run wide on a corner. If you do run off the track Remain calm Try to stay on your bike and slow to a stop Use your rear brake only. Using your front brake on grass or dirt will probably cause your bike to fall. Only re-enter the track when it is safe to do so.
Crashing:
This is definitely not recommended. Never “Bail Off” your bike if the wheels are still on the ground. Most situations are savable, if you make the right decision and maintain focus. Keep trying your best to save it and only let go when you know you have crashed. Don’t hold on to your bike once you are on the ground.
If you crash, get up and signal to the nearest field marshal that you are ok and wait for assistance. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PICK UP YOUR BIKE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE.
If you crash, you will not be allowed to return to the track, until the end of the riding session and following an assessment of you and your bike.
The Riding Line:
The following are terms to remember and concepts to understand to improve you riding.
Line:
This is your path around the course. The best line tends to straighten out the turns in the track, allowing a smoother ride at slightly higher speed.
Apex:
The point in a corner where you are at maximum lean and begin the corner exit is the apex. Normally, there is no throttle acceleration applied until after the apex.
Constant Radius Turn:
This type of corner is a typical street corner turn. It does not “tighten up” or “open up”. The apex is at the mid-point of the turn.
Decreasing Radius Turn:
A decreasing radius turn “tightens up” as you go through it. It is common to enter this type of corner too fast and run out of room on the track because the turn keeps getting sharper. The apex is late in the turn.
Increasing Radius Turn:
A corner that seems to “open up” as you ride through it. Here you have lots of room on the track as you come out of the turn. The apex is early in the turn.
Braking Markers:
Reference marks leading into a corner that trigger breaking for proper cornering speed. These may be numbered signs or cones (descending order), paint marks, or natural marks on the track surface. You can use these marks to set braking points as your technique, confidence and speed increases.
Steering:
Be gentle and smooth with your steering inputs. Keep your hands and arms relaxed so they can make small adjustments with skill. Avoid the “Death Grip”.
Hanging Off:
The purpose of moving your body weight around on the bike during cornering is to change the bike’s center of gravity so that it can stay more upright in the corner. This results in a larger and more effective tire contact patch on the track surface, allowing greater speed. Only move your body weight around on the bike when it is necessary and you are comfortable doing so. One of the key requirements to “hang off” is to have the balls of your foot on the foot-pegs and carry your weight on your legs. This skill takes time to develop.
113days until 2012 National Mini Bike Championship
