We don’t know how many times it has happened to us. You book a track day in the middle of summer. You look forward to it with great enthusiasm. You wake up the day before the event, or even worse, on the day of the event, and sure enough, it’s raining. Rain during your track day. What to do?
The track day will go on, even if it rains. Of course, track days are most enjoyable when it is sunny and warm. At least, that is when most track day riders feel most comfortable working on their riding technique. And picking up some speed.
Is it raining on your first track day? Then we completely understand if you do not want to ride on track. It can be intimidating enough when it’s dry. A wet track often makes people even more nervous. You may want to cancel your track day immediately. Please note that you will not get a refund in this case. You have the option of selling your place to someone who doesn’t mind the rain. But before you start posting on social media to sell your place… may we have your attention for a moment, please?
Riding on track in the rain is very educational. And interesting. And yes, exciting too. But it’s also extremely good for your technique. We would even go so far as to say that racing on a circuit in the rain makes you a better motorcyclist overall.
Because you learn to ride smoothly and fluidly. No motorbike is a fan of abrupt manoeuvres or interventions. But while you can get away with quite a few “oopsies” on a dry track, you have less margin for error on a wet track. You have to accelerate and brake smoothly. And be very alert to your position on the track. It adds a whole new dynamic to circuit riding.
We know that many (amateur) racers are just like cats. As soon as a drop of rain falls, they stay in the pit box. But we would still like to encourage you to ride in the rain.
Not only will you learn a lot, but you will also gain a great deal of confidence. We promise. And not that it matters, but you will also earn the respect of the racing community. Is your motorbike fitted with good road tyres? Then just go for a ride, even if it’s raining. You won’t regret it. Take it easy and, above all, enjoy yourself. (We know there’s only a very small chance that you’ll go to your first track day when it’s raining. But at least we tried!)
Have you ridden on track before? Or are you planning to take up this hobby “for real”? Then invest in good rain tyres. Riding on track in the rain with rain tyres is really cool. And very doable.
Rain tyres give you a lot of grip. Large circuits that are also used for professional races usually provide a lot of grip in the rain anyway, as far as the asphalt is concerned. With rain tyres, riding on track in the rain is actually comparable to riding on a dry track. Leave the kerbstones “on the side”. Do not ride over them in the rain.
Kerbstones become slippery in the rain, which increases the risk of losing grip.
Ride smoothly, be a little more gentle on the throttle and a little more gentle on the brakes. Then riding on track in the rain will be really good.
If necessary, you can soften your front suspension slightly when riding on track in the rain. This will give you an early warning from your motorbike if you are riding too aggresive. It will also force you to ride more smoothly, which will only benefit your riding in the rain.
You may not be keen on rain during your track day. But riding on track in the rain is more fun and educational than you think. Yes, you have less margin for error. And you get fewer warnings in the rain. Still, riding in rain will improve your riding overall. We understand if you’d rather not ride in the rain during your first track day. But if you ride on track more often, be sure to invest in rain tyres and get out on the track. It will benefit you more than you think.
