Trackday Group Drama

Sparked by an online argument that I had with a guy that ended up being pretty cool, I have spent much of the morning thinking about skill-level groups at trackdays. Its amazing how much different they are from organization to organization. I ride Advanced with one, but am mid-pack Intermediate with another. That is not what is so interesting about this topic, though. The interesting thing to me is the constraints that it puts on a person's riding.

Most will outwardly say that they don't care what group they are in. I include myself in that group. When I am chatting it up in the pits, I find myself blubbering about the fact that I don't care that I am in the I-group, but deep down inside its not okay with me. I want to be an A-group rider, and secretly everything I do is focused on making the cut. This is dumb, it really is just plain stupid. Sure it is a mark of excellence (or mediocrity, depending on the comparison point), but really, it doesn't make you any faster or any more educated about the craft of motorcycle racing.

When I get too caught up in this whole game of group movement, I think about my buddy Jody. He CRs with at least one organization, coaches with CSS, and yet rides in I-group with another org. That doesn't mean that he isn't good enough, and in fact, he is quite the opposite. When I have the chance to ride with him, I take every moment I can to learn-- not because he is fast like Rossi, but because he understands the need for fundamentals. The other thing is that he doesn't seem to care. Maybe secretly he does just like the rest of us, but at the end of the day seat time is his primary concern. After all, its still the same pavement no matter which portion of the hour you are riding in.

I have spent so much energy focusing on the color of the sticker on my bike, that my focus is not where it needs to be. What I need to do is suck it up, learn lines, focus on braking points, get comfortable on my bike and the rest will come. Besides, when I get to A-group, what comes next? A little satisfaction, and even more wishing, hoping, and striving!

By the way, that's Jody giving me my first A-Group bump at Summit Shenandoah a couple weeks ago! An ironic picture for this post!