FTD is chaos. - BARF

BigRich · 02-28-2021, 11:32 AM

Absolute sh1t show IMO, and I will tell those I ride with to be aware. Riders didn’t respect flags and the sessions were black flagged. Good for THill for enforcing safety protocols, but it was very disappointing *to me* that the provider’s instructors did not respond/do more on track enforcement at the time.

*For me*, I was not left with a positive impression - considering rider safety - and will not likely ride with them again.

two wheel tramp · 02-28-2021, 12:08 PM

That sucks!

superhawk · 02-28-2021, 03:15 PM

Never mind, I figured it out. Thanks for the heads up

Slow Goat · 02-28-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRich

Absolute sh1t show, never again for me and will tell all I know to avoid it. Riders don’t respect flags and the session gets black flagged. Good for THill for doing it, bad in the provider for not doing better on individual penalty.

Never again.

More details?

PushHands · 02-28-2021, 07:09 PM

For those who aren't familiar with trackday providers, FTD?

jmillington · 02-28-2021, 07:23 PM

That would be Fun Track Dayz.

BigRich · 02-28-2021, 07:23 PM

Basically, across all groups riders were going down - likely do to over excitement, a green track, and not minding tires - and people were slowing for yellow then being passed. Happened too many times, basically in all morning sessions, so they started black flagging for any infractions.

After 3x in a row...I didn’t stick around to see if the riders figured it out, or if the instructors started picking off the specific offenders.

Shaggy · 02-28-2021, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRich

Basically, across all groups riders were going down - likely do to over excitement, a green track, and not minding tires - and people were slowing for yellow then being passed. Happened too many times, basically in all morning sessions, so they started black flagging for any infractions.

After 3x in a row...I didn’t stick around to see if the riders figured it out, or if the instructors started picking off the specific offenders.

That sounds to me like it’s more on the riders than the TDP.

I’d chalk it up to cold weather, excitement to get back on track, and general buffoonery. I’ve done a few days with FTD and it wasn’t a shit show. It was definitely a slower collection of riders than I’ve seen, but nothing egregious.

I used to ride almost exclusively with Keigwins back in the day because it was mostly fast guys that know what they’re doing. I did one day with them after Lance sold it and it wasn’t the same. Now I stick with Z2.

Maddevill · 03-01-2021, 08:22 AM

I think FTD is aimed at more newer riders. Maybe you should stick to providers that cater to more advanced people.

Mad

FourThreeSix · 03-01-2021, 09:03 AM

It got better after the verbal lashings. I don't see FTD as the culprit here. They went over flags in the riders meeting and even handed out pamphlets for folks that needed extra help. After the first session was black flagged, they got on the loud speaker to reinforce it. It's up the riders to absorb it.

Hooli · 03-01-2021, 11:44 AM

I've done several FTD days and really never had a problem. Maybe the higher amount of accidents could have been exacerbated by the fact that the pandemic has resulted in a larger number of riders who are really, really rusty?

dtrides · 03-01-2021, 12:10 PM

My experience has been cheaper track days attract riders with less skill (ie: newbs) which is ok, everyone is inexperienced at some point....
It also seems to bring in Calamari.... the "hold my beer and watch this!" crowd.
I like to avoid the latter..
DT

anh_vo1994 · 03-01-2021, 07:33 PM

The worst part was the red flag in the afternoon. They let someone go on course while the ambulance still out there then made the guy stopped on top of turn 5 for a bit. Rest of other A group guy just sitting at the entrance for at least 15 minutes.

BigRich · 03-01-2021, 10:42 PM

Providing all of the benefits of the doubt, particularly first event of the year with excited riders, FTD still left me with a poor first impression. PTT’s season opener was the weekend prior and was ‘cleaner’ despite having several riders going off as well.

And when considering the number of incidents with the number of instructors that were supposed to be on track, I myself will likely just stick with C@TT, PTT, and Z2.

InsuranceGuy · 03-03-2021, 01:53 PM

So who do you guys recommend for an old rider new to a track environment?

02-28-2021, 11:32 AM	#1
BigRich Veteran Founding Member Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Bay Motorcycles: 1199R, M1200S, R1M, CBR-SP Name: rich	FTD is chaos. Absolute sh1t show IMO, and I will tell those I ride with to be aware. Riders didn’t respect flags and the sessions were black flagged. Good for THill for enforcing safety protocols, but it was very disappointing to me that the provider’s instructors did not respond/do more on track enforcement at the time. For me, I was not left with a positive impression - considering rider safety - and will not likely ride with them again. __________________ Past rides... F4i / 996M / ZX6rr / 749S / RC51 / R1 / 999R / G1k4 / 954rr / RSVR-F / 1199S / DD750 / SV650r / R6t / R1100S-BCR / F4S Evo2 / R6 Last edited by BigRich; 03-04-2021 at 12:42 PM.. Reason: Clarified my points, and toned down my ‘heat of the moment’ statements.

02-28-2021, 12:08 PM	#2
two wheel tramp Budman's Favorite AMA #2771957 Mod Alumni Rally Junkie who needs another fix Barfie Winner 2017 Contributor + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 3% + GOP Roadside Angel Alumni Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: fun town Motorcycles: '03 DR650, 09 DR650 w/ RMZ450 front end, 2009 FZ1, 2019 KTM 790 ADV S, 89 Transalp Name: Triple R	That sucks! __________________ HoHo To all my dog friends relax, be smooth, find yer zen flow ~ banjoboy "get your leg, throw it over your god damn bike, quit wastin your time here and spend it ridin the shit out of your motorcycle." ~ redpine i don't get lost. i explore alternative destinations. IBA #66001 R3 alone

02-28-2021, 03:15 PM	#3
superhawk B Group Sandbagger Founding Member Mod Alumni Contributor +++++++ Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Prescott Valley AZ Motorcycles: 2009 sv650s Name: Art	Never mind, I figured it out. Thanks for the heads up __________________ ZOOM ZOOM TRACK DAYS EVOLUTION SUSPENSION _____________________________________________ Last edited by superhawk; 02-28-2021 at 03:24 PM..

02-28-2021, 07:23 PM	#7
BigRich Veteran Founding Member Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Bay Motorcycles: 1199R, M1200S, R1M, CBR-SP Name: rich	Basically, across all groups riders were going down - likely do to over excitement, a green track, and not minding tires - and people were slowing for yellow then being passed. Happened too many times, basically in all morning sessions, so they started black flagging for any infractions. After 3x in a row...I didn’t stick around to see if the riders figured it out, or if the instructors started picking off the specific offenders. __________________ Past rides... F4i / 996M / ZX6rr / 749S / RC51 / R1 / 999R / G1k4 / 954rr / RSVR-F / 1199S / DD750 / SV650r / R6t / R1100S-BCR / F4S Evo2 / R6

03-01-2021, 08:22 AM	#9
Maddevill KNGKAW AMA #: 542337 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hayward Motorcycles: ZX14,GS750E, KTM 450/540 Name: Steve	I think FTD is aimed at more newer riders. Maybe you should stick to providers that cater to more advanced people. Mad __________________ If your nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upside down.

02-28-2021, 07:09 PM	#5
PushHands Veteran Contributor + Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: here Motorcycles: ones that work Name:	For those who aren't familiar with trackday providers, FTD?

02-28-2021, 07:23 PM	#6
jmillington Browser, Purchaser AMA#: 1088946 Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Granite Bay, CA Motorcycles: '15 Ninja 1000, '09 XR1200, '06 GSX-R1000, '06 DR-Z400SM, '71 Norton 750 Commando Name: Jim M	That would be Fun Track Dayz.

03-01-2021, 09:03 AM	#10
FourThreeSix Tall Guy on a Little Bike Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Pleasant Hill Motorcycles: 2019 ZX-6Rrrrr Name: Gordon	It got better after the verbal lashings. I don't see FTD as the culprit here. They went over flags in the riders meeting and even handed out pamphlets for folks that needed extra help. After the first session was black flagged, they got on the loud speaker to reinforce it. It's up the riders to absorb it.

03-01-2021, 11:44 AM	#11
Hooli Big Ugly Barfie Winner 2010 Founding Member Top Percent Poster Contributor++++ Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The Far East Motorcycles: Oh yes. Name: El Jefe	I've done several FTD days and really never had a problem. Maybe the higher amount of accidents could have been exacerbated by the fact that the pandemic has resulted in a larger number of riders who are really, really rusty? __________________ "I stopped explaining myself when I realized people only understand from their level of perception." - Robert Downey Jr. "My bullshit meter and givsafuckometers are currently at zenith and nadir." - Carries An Axe Performance Concepts RMC Moto --------------------------------- Art Grant Craig Hightower Rydther/B12Bill Gary Jaehne AFM Miri/Lylith HoHo

03-01-2021, 12:10 PM	#12
dtrides Veteran Contributor ++++ + + + + 5% Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: St Helena, Ca. Motorcycles: Husqvarna for the dirt/ street, Sv 650s for the track Name: Duncan	My experience has been cheaper track days attract riders with less skill (ie: newbs) which is ok, everyone is inexperienced at some point.... It also seems to bring in Calamari.... the "hold my beer and watch this!" crowd. I like to avoid the latter.. DT __________________ TPF-PM AFM 989

03-01-2021, 07:33 PM	#13
anh_vo1994 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: San Francisco Motorcycles: 2015 Kawasaki Z1000 Name:	The worst part was the red flag in the afternoon. They let someone go on course while the ambulance still out there then made the guy stopped on top of turn 5 for a bit. Rest of other A group guy just sitting at the entrance for at least 15 minutes.

03-01-2021, 10:42 PM	#14
BigRich Veteran Founding Member Contributor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: East Bay Motorcycles: 1199R, M1200S, R1M, CBR-SP Name: rich	Providing all of the benefits of the doubt, particularly first event of the year with excited riders, FTD still left me with a poor first impression. PTT’s season opener was the weekend prior and was ‘cleaner’ despite having several riders going off as well. And when considering the number of incidents with the number of instructors that were supposed to be on track, I myself will likely just stick with C@TT, PTT, and Z2. __________________ Past rides... F4i / 996M / ZX6rr / 749S / RC51 / R1 / 999R / G1k4 / 954rr / RSVR-F / 1199S / DD750 / SV650r / R6t / R1100S-BCR / F4S Evo2 / R6 Last edited by BigRich; 03-01-2021 at 10:44 PM..

03-03-2021, 01:53 PM	#15
InsuranceGuy Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sacramento Motorcycles: Kawasaki Concours Name:	So who do you guys recommend for an old rider new to a track environment?

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