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Motorcycle track day helps riders get ahead of the curve

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Allen
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Motorcyclists from every branch of the U.S. military gathered at Wheeler Army Airfield June 27 and 28 to participate in the "Advanced Rider Track Day," a training event designed to help servicemembers practice maneuvers in a controlled environment.

Mario di Prete, traffic safety program manager at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base Hawaii, started the track day in April 2009 in response to a command directive to reduce motorcycle fatalities.

"The two wheeled private motor vehicle fatalities a few years back were through the roof," he said. "The Marine Corps through one of their safety initiatives said 'what can we do beyond what we have right now.'"

At that point, the Marine Corps approached the California Superbike School and asked them for help designing a course to help focus on common errors motorcyclists make when riding, with a special focus on three elements of motorcycle riding: entry speed, throttle versus lean, and throttle control.

"It's all based on cornering, pretty much anyone can travel relatively safely in a straight line. There's not much to it, just point and shoot," he said. "When you start factoring in turns and different degrees of turn, that's when things get a little bit tricky. (Turns) are where where most of your fatalities and crashes happen."

The course is not mandatory, but aspiring attendees must attend the basic rider's course and, depending on the type of motorcycle the rider uses, either the military sport-bike riders course or the experienced rider's course before attending the track day. Class frequency depends on when space becomes available to conduct it. Currently, the group facilitates 3 to 4 track days a year.

Riders should know that the track day is not for beginners. According to di Prete, aspiring riders should visit their local safety office and enroll in the basic rider's course.

"If you're just starting out, get trained, wear your gear, and never stop learning," he said. "I've been riding for many years, but I'm always trying to pick new things up. When you think you know it all, that's when bad things are going to happen."

Randy Collier, Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, agrees that even the most experienced riders can benefit from attending the track day.

"I've been riding for 42 years. You think I've ridden correctly for 42 years? No. You think I ride perfectly now? No, I still have flaws, I know I have flaws, and I'll admit I have flaws. It's an ongoing process and you have to continue working on it."