Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find it here email Mart -
Martin@hoppridertraining.co.uk
‘I have a cruiser style bike. Is that ok or do you only take sports bikes?’
All bike styles are welcome at our events - except race bikes! Our approach is designed to help you explore your everyday machine and take your road riding to a higher level, so we ask you to come on a road legal bike with road tyres, mirrors and indicators. Your bike needs to be big enough to cope with Cadwell's demands, so anything over about 400cc should be fine. Please don’t bring a track-only bike. Fact is we all ride to the circuit on our road bikes, and so do 95% of our participants from all over the country. The Lincolnshire Wolds have the greatest roads, and you don't want to be stuck in a car with a trailer now do you!!
‘Should I set up my bike for track use?'
Well, most of our Instructors don't, so best leave well alone. We find that making changes to a bike that you are used to (especially on the day, after you’ve started lapping) is confusing - and can be dangerous.
‘I’m not very experienced and haven’t done a track day before. Will I be out of my depth?’
We want you to have lots of fun on the day - not be scared out of your wits! Our approach is all about creating a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere where riders can develop their skills in safety. You'll be advised of your Main Group (A, B, or C with A being Expert and C being Novice) based on what you've told us about your riding, your experience, and your preferences, so that out on track you'll always be riding with others at a similar level of confidence and ability. On the day, you'll be able to choose a small Mini-Group of about 6 riders with an instructor who'll give you tons of feedback and help you develop throughout the day.
‘I don’t have leather riding kit. Is other stuff okay? And what about my flip front helmet?’
Normal rules at Cadwell Park require one piece leather suits or two piece, zip-together leather suits with an all-round zip. As a training company, though, HRT has special dispensation from the insurers of MotorSportVision (Cadwell) to allow normal, safe road riding kit. This includes good quality, armoured, zip together textile suits.
If you are QUALIFIED to ride in our Expert Group A, we expect you will be riding somewhat faster than almost all the other participants and we must ask you to wear full leathers complying with the first sentence above please.
Good quality leather gloves and boots must also be worn and of course your helmet must be full-face - flip-front is OK (a number of us wear them) but the front must be down before you leave the pit lane.
Just a word of advice. Whether you are riding on track or out in the countryside, if your jacket doesn't zip to your trousers you are in danger of the most horrendous skin damage if you end up sliding down the road on your back. Get a zip fixed! Or even a crotch strap is better than nothing at all. And whilst I'm at it - we thoroughly recommend a back protector / back shock! None of the HRT team would dream of riding anywhere without the above recommended kit.
'What happens on the day?
We all learn a lot, have loads of fun, and make new friends!
The most important thing is to be on time - the day starts at 7.30 am and there's lots of important stuff to go through before we can get out on track - sound check, licence check, and safety briefing. If you miss the safety briefing you can't ride and we can't help you - so don't be late!
You'll be sent full details about 2 weeks before the day which will explain exactly what to do when you get there. Please read these carefully, as the order you do things on arrival will be different depending on which Main Group you're in. Before your first track session you'll choose your position in one of 5 mini-groups, with an instructor in the lead. At 9 am Group A will be out on track. At 0910 Group B will be assembling on the pit lane for briefing - and then you'll be being briefed, riding the circuit, and getting feedback pretty much non-stop. (We do let you stop for lunch.) In the afternoon you'll still ride in your groups but you'll be free-lapping. Instructors will still be available if you'd like any additional help or advice.
‘I'm coming a good distance - where can I stay over?’
The whole HRT team stays over the night before - we all ride long distances to be there for you, and a 7.30 start, followed by a long ride home is not safe if we ride there the same day.
If you want to book in to a B&B or Hotel and you're coming from south of Lincolnshire then Google 'Horncastle accommodation.' If from the north, you may prefer to enter 'Louth accommodation'.
Also, camping is good at Cadwell Park so if that's your thing just ring and ask permission - I think it's about 5 or 10 Quid. Here's the number - 01507 343248.
‘What if it rains?’
Even if it's sunny - and has been for 3 weeks - bring your waterproofs - if it rains we'll still be training - safe riding in the wet is a great way to develop smoother control skills.
‘What happens if I crash?’
We hope that you won't - crashes cost track time and we've got an unrivalled safety record to uphold! But if the worst happens, the circuit's got full ambulance cover and you'll be checked over by the professionals.
‘I haven’t passed my bike test yet, am I okay with a provisional licence?’
Sorry - you need a full or restricted power licence and you must be 18. Bring all necessary documents with you to show you and your bike are legal.
‘Can I pay online?
Yes - we prefer you to pay via PayPal. Cheques and BACS are also good. email Mart for his bank details.
A word about your group, mini-groups, noise, and how to help us run a smooth day for you with maximum track-time and minimum hassle.
Your Group:
Green Triangle with A QUALIFIED - you know who you are, so get there early, get noise tested, get your bike in A1, 2, or 3 before anyone nicks your place: then register. Go to the front of the noise queue – it’s important for you and us that you are where you want to be. Groups B&C please note.
Plain Green Triangle A - you may to be surprised to be in group A, but we’ve spent a lot of time looking at your history and we think you should be looking to qualify. Qualified Group A know their manners and won’t be harassing you, and the morning sessions will up your game a tad. You can always opt out.
Amber Triangle – B – intermediates, progressers, not quite Greeners. You may be new to Cadwell, but with other track experience, or track novices with at least SOME extra training since you passed your test.
Red Triangle – C – gentle tourers, track beginners, biking beginners, friends of the above, seekers of knowledge, future Ambers, enjoyers!
Generally: Group A goes out 1st at 0900. Then B at 0920. Then C at 0940, and so on every hour. Group A must be ready to go BEFORE LUNCH for 1400 free-lapping. Remember – fix your place before you lose it. Important You must be with your bike for a pre ride briefing 10 minutes before each morning session. No Brief – no ride.
The Mini-Groups:
This is our system of peer grouping. YOU don’t want to be harassed. THEY don’t want to be frustrated – So we try to gather everyone into peer groups; and it works well – if we can organise ourselves into speed order we will minimise frustration and overtaking – 2 of the major contributing factors to accidents on track and road. We try our very best not to do crashes!
So ... it’s up to you to get in the correct mini-group. There are 5 orange cones in the Assembly Area (see the circuit map on the back of your joining instructions). No.1 (nearest the track) is fastest – No.5 (nearest the paddock) isn’t! Be selfish – make sure you get everything done early in order to get into the mini-group YOU want. If you’re late you’ll miss your spot!
Groups of friends wanting to be in the same mini-group (or not!) - get your act together and take advantage of the above info.
Noise:
Your bike will be noise tested, and confirmed ok by a sticker. These stickers are Sticky! – Ask for it to be put on your group triangle – makes life easy! The noise limit is 105db(A) (whatever that means – but it is loud!) We haven’t had a failure, but we do know that STANDARD late GSXRs can be tricky. If you ride a noisy bike, it’s your problem. Noise pollution annoys people big time.
‘What if I need to cancel - can I have a refund?’
What a thorny subject. There have been several occasions when we have been pleased to make a full refund to someone (or someone's relative) who has obviously had a very serious problem close to the day of the event.
But a puncture, a flat battery, rain, cold, fog, a forgotten birthday, or an opportunity to work, etc. etc. are not very serious problems - so don't ask.
If, in good time (like 6 weeks before the event) you would like us to consider a transfer to another date in the same year, that's ok.
Carry on to booking system