Bike Trackdays Questions Answered

Licence requirements:

DVLA Licence holders

All riders must be over the age of 18 and hold either a valid fully unrestricted (not provisional or bhp restricted) motorcycle licence issued by the DVLA (or the equivalent foreign licensing authority in the rider's country of residence) with the appropriate category clearly indicated.

ACU Road Race Licence holders for track days

Riders who have a valid ACU Road Race licence 18 years or over can also attend track day events in the appropriate group. ACU licence holders 16-18 may receive special dispensation, subject to approval by phone with MSVT, on an event by event basis and must book by phone.

MSV Trackdays offer ACU licence tests where you can obtain your ACU Road Race Licence. CLICK HERE for further details.

Rider Requirements For Dedicated ACU Licence Holder Test Days Only

All riders must hold a valid competition licence issued by the ACU, AMCA or FIM. We can accept riders below 16 years of age as part of a dedicated junior session or on a session where they will be participating with bikes and riders of a similar pace. Unless the rider is taking part in a dedicated 'junior testing session'; all riders aged 16 and under must book by phone and have specific permission from MotorSport Vision in writing prior to booking. Any rider under the age of 18 years of age will need a dedicated U18 indemnity form counter signed by there parent or guardian on the day of the event.

Equipment requirements

All riders must be wearing either one piece leathers or two piece leathers that zip together ALL the way round (no skin/undergarment shown when the rider raises arms on to their head). Textile suits are not permitted and neither are sparky sliders. ACU approved full face motorcycle helmet, proper leather motorcycle boots up the calf muscle and leather motorcycle gloves beyond the wrist must be worn. NEW from 2022 - All riders must be wearing a full-length back protector.

You should always keep your bike regularly serviced and in a road/trackworthy condition, but for the avoidance of doubt please note the following requirements and recommendations:

Brakes 

All bikes must have a front brake lever guard or hand guard fitted. Your brakes must be in good condition when taking to the track. If it has a rear brake light then it must be working. You will need an operational front and rear brake. Brake pads should have plenty of life left in them. During a track day our brakes will wear quicker than on the road and it is good practice to check them throughout the event.

Tyres

They must be in good condition and we strongly recommend checking and adjusting to suitable pressures. Do remember to wait for your tyres to warm up during the first few laps.

Taping up of lights 

We recommend front and rear lights and indicators are taped up before going on circuit - in an accident the lenses in your lights can shatter, creating a hazard on track.

Cameras

Must not be affixed anywhere to the rider or where the vision or attention of the rider could be impaired. They must be securely fixed using a purpose built mount - either a sucker/adhesive mount (with a secondary tether) or bolted. No extension arms. No metal tank mount brackets.

Suspension

Suspension and steering parts will define how well your bike handles on the track; always ensure that these components are in good condition.

Engine 

Your engine will be under greater pressures than the road. Check all fluid levels are correct, plus chain and sprocket wear.

Bodywork 

The bodywork and all fasteners should be checked - you do not want any parts falling off on track. Touring bikes must remove all luggage boxes.

Insurance;

This is not compulsory for taking part on track. Your road policy is very unlikely to cover trackday activity

Other 

You must ensure that you have enough fuel at the start of each session. You will use more than on the road. A simple tool kit is also handy to have with you.

Wearing a back protector makes sense. Up until now we have always 'strongly recommended' riders to wear one. From 2022 this has been upgraded to being compulsory. When lining up for your sighting laps the pitlane marshals will do their visual checks (for wristbands etc) and give you a friendly pat on the back which may be accompanied with a prod or two to see if you are ticklish. The back protector should be full length to cover at least the majority of your spine (just a suit hump is not sufficient). The back protector can be integrated or separate. The back protector needs to be designed and fit for that purpose. If you have any queries regarding suitability please email trackdays@msv.com

Track Notes

• On entering the circuit from the pit lane please keep to the right hand side and do not move over until the circuit behind you is clear. When pulling off circuit into the pit lane, stay right early to allow following bikes a clear route passed
• Use the first few laps to build your pace, warm up your tyres and familiarise yourself with the conditions
• Consider other riders - Leave plenty of space when you overtake. Allow faster riders past easily by 'lifting off' (do not brake)  and slowly move to the right
• Overtaking is only on the left and the other vehicle is consenting. Do not overtake under brakes or through the corners. The consenting bike should make a clear move to the right and ease off the throttle
• Anyone who ignores red flags or the direction of marshals will be asked to leave the venue - the marshals are there for you safety.
• Do short 15-20 min sessions. After this point everything starts to overheat. Build your pace as the laps tick by. Keep your adrenalin in-check at all times.
• The medical/safety car has a paramedic on board and can join the circuit via emergency access points. Please be aware that these vehicles have the right of way on the circuit and will overtake on the left so please move over to the right.
• Talk to people around you that you don’t know – it’s a good thing, the atmosphere is great – tap into it.

On a track day we use certain flags and lights to signal to all drivers. When you are on your sighting laps please familiarise yourself with the position of the live marshal posts and light positions. The following are the types of flags you will see:

• Green - indicates live marshal points during the sighting laps.
• Yellow - Minor incident at that part of the circuit. No overtaking, 30% reduction in speed. It is likely a car is rejoining.
• Red - Major incident somewhere around circuit. No overtaking anywhere on circuit. 50% reduction in speed. Come into the pit lane immediately. It is likely a car has stopped in a dangerous position.
• Blue - Reminding a slower car that a faster car is waiting to pass and will need to consent.
• Yellow & Red Striped - slippery surface or debris at that part of the circuit. Adjust your line or speed accordingly.
• Black - There is either a mechanical problem with your vehicle, your have failed the drive-by noise test or we need to discuss an aspect of your driving. Please return to the pits immediately and report to a pit lane marshal.
• Half black and half white – Indicates to a specific car they have exceeded track limits. Multiple flags will result in the black flag and loss of track time.
• Chequered - The end of the session. Please reduce your speed and return to the pits. No overtaking is allowed during this lap.

Pit Lane Notes

• If you have use of a garage, please ensure you adhere to all the terms and conditions displayed therein.
• Fire lanes must be kept clear at all times.
• The pit lane is strictly one way, as is the track. The pit lane speed limit is 30mph.
• Only people taking part in the current session are allowed in the pit lane.
• It is forbidden to sit on the pit wall.
• It is forbidden to re-fuel in the pit lane.
• It is forbidden to smoke in the pit lane or garages.
• Children under 16 who are not participating are not allowed in the pit lane.

Although we make every endeavour to ensure that risks are controlled, high speed driving is a dangerous activity and in attending the event you are choosing to accept those risks. When taking part in a track day, you do so entirely at your own risk.

For all MSVT events on circuit you will need to complete an online check-in prior to arrival. This involves an online indemnity and safety briefing for all riders. The final joining instructions email sent to you prior to the track day will contain a 'link' that takes you to the check-in and safety briefing. You should complete the indemnity/check-in straight away. You will need to click the same link again 24hrs prior to your track day to access the compulsory safety briefing. If you have booked other riders you will need to forward the final joining instructions email so they can click the same link to register - using their own email and details. Essential helpers do not register.

Our office is open from Monday to Friday 8:30 - 17:30 (Closed Bank Holidays and 17:00 Fri Nov-Feb) should you need us in advance of your track day: 0344 225 4424 (local rate).

Signing on

The registration/signing on point will be indicated on your final instructions email. To sign on you will need to have already completed the online check-in and safety briefing. If not you will be sent away to complete before rejoining at the back of the queue. You must produce your valid licence at the point of registration; please note that photocopies/images cannot be accepted. Participants under the age of 18 will require their parent or guardian to be present, and have countersign the online check-in. Please read our 'Rider requirements' section or email us in advance of your booking if unsure. During registration you will be issued with a wristband and vehicle sticker (to go on the front of your bike). Arrive early - the registration process is not quick and you will miss track time if you all turn up at the end of registration period!

Noise Testing
At all circuits, except Donington Park, vehicles must be static noise tested before taking part in any on track activity. The noise test area will be indicated on your final joining instructions email, plus often on the day by a tall orange flag labelled 'Noise Testing'. The noise limit for your event is indicated on the individual event page. Please see the Noise Limits section for further details.

Sighting Laps
After registration and noise testing you will need to be ready for the compulsory sighting laps. All riders must complete sighting laps prior to track activity. These are an opportunity for you to familiarise yourself with the the circuit and view circuit conditions at a reduced pace.

Photography
Most events will have professional sports photographers taking high quality pictures of everyone out on track. They can be purchased online after the event.

Don't worry. Your place is safe. Should you arrive late, please report to an MSVT member of staff, where arrangements will be made for you to be individually registered and sighted. Please note that you will miss out track time if you do arrive late and you will need to wait for a member of the team to be available.

If you do not have your licence available you will need to use the online DVLA licence check service to prove you have a valid licence. You will need to go to www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and go through the process and choose the option to share/print your licence entitlements and bring this with you along with official photo id such as a passport. We cannot verify race licences on the day.

If you are unable to attend the booked track day, please email our sales team as soon as possible. In these circumstances, provided MSV Trackdays are notified no later than 14 days prior to the original booking date, although unable to refund, MSVT will endeavour to reschedule your booking or provide an MSVT credit towards a later track day (subject to availability) up to the face value of the existing booking*. MSVT are unable to cancel, credit or refund bookings within 14 days of the event at the request of the customer. In most cases a name change is permissible.

Any MSVT credit must be used within a three month period. For example, if you cancel your track day on the 1st July 2021, you must have booked an alternative date by the 1st October 2021. Any credits not used within the three month period automatically cancel.

Any amendments/cancellations to track day bookings must be requested by emailing the MSVT team at trackdays@msv.com stating clearly the track day booking details to which the request relates too.

Should you have a positive covid test and can provide us the government notification of the positive test we will be able to cancel your booking and issue the standard MSVT credit.

Any cancellations or amendments to track day bookings requested by you will incur an administration fee of 10% or £20 which ever is the greater. All offers of credit are entirely at the discretion of MSV.

MSVT may have to cancel a track day due to events beyond its control, for example adverse weather conditions. This will usually be in the interests of safety. Where a track day is cancelled in its entirety for such reasons, MSVT will endeavour to notify participants of the cancellation by email.

MSVT are unable to reimburse third party costs incurred due to the cancellation and unfortunately cannot guarantee that participants will be informed of such cancellation before the date of the event. Where a track day is cancelled in its entirety for such reasons, MSVT will endeavour to offer a credit note to the value of the original booking to be used against another MSVT event within a three month period.

*subject to administration charge. Link to our full terms and conditions here

It is very rare that we will have to cancel an event due to adverse weather conditions. If the circuit is deemed unsafe by the event team we will delay circuit activity until it is safe to proceed. Our events do take place if it is wet. If the circuit is deemed unsafe to run without any circuit activity taking place then we will transfer your booking to a suitable alternative date or issue a credit note. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on the weather forecast in most cases and the decision not to run is most frequently made on the day of the event.

Choose your circuit by clicking 'more information' below.

More information

A small percentage of pit garages are made available for pre-booking and the majority left free of charge on a first arrival basis. This option is designed for groups of riders. The exception is Cadwell (no garages) and Bedford (One long open garage with no wall dividers) 

There is a fair use policy in place for circuits that provide power. Low consumption devices are acceptable. High usage devices such as EV's, heaters and RV's are chargeable by the circuit on the day.

Yes spectators are allowed for track days and free of charge. There may be the rare special date with restrictions or a charge but this will be clearly indicated on the booking page if so.

At Bedford Autodrome spectators (minimun 16) need to sign-on and receive a wrist band due to its unusual site layout - no charge

The Reward Card discount scheme is back. Customers request a Reward Card during the event at the registration desk. At each trackday riders will need to ask for the card to be stamped. After the second stamp the card is handed in.

We will then cross reference the details when received at HQ and email you as soon as we can with your unique 10% discount code. Then you can make the booking online with the discount. We are unable to apply the discount after booking.

Credits

At the point of cancllation your cancellation credit will have been added back onto the MSVT account used to book. No secondary email is sent at this stage. When you reach the check out stage of your next booking the credit will automatically appear and ask if you would like to use it. This credit will reduce or cover the balance due. Any remaining credit will stay on your MSVT account ready for your next booking until the expiry. Check the balance is correct before entering any card details.

Vouchers

When you reach the check out stage of your booking there will be the option of paying by voucher. Enter the complete voucher number and press redeem/apply. Check the balance has reduced before entering any card details. Any remaining voucher balance will stay on the same voucher number ready for your next booking, until the original expiry. If you have any queries or issues - please email trackdays@msv.com. It should be easier to book online rather than by phone.

Our booking terms and conditions have a dedicated page and we have tried to look after you and use reader friendly language. Should there be sections you are unclear of, please call us before booking and we will help: 0344 225 4424 (local rate)

Novice Group - A typical rider in the novice group will have little or no experience on circuit. All riders should start in this group - even experienced road riders. Rider etiquette is really important for us. Everyone looks after each other and there is nothing to prove. For most in this group it will be their first venture on to the race track. Instructors are always on hand to help and it is a friendly environment - remember you are there to enjoy yourself! We also have a Novice FAQ section.

Intermediate Group - For riders familiar with the circuit that have done some track days before. Typically the Intermediate group has the broadest spectrum of circuit experience within it and as a result is usually the first group to be fully booked. We recommend that if you are towards the 'front' of the Intermediate group you will be better off moving up to advanced. You will learn more and have less riders in your way. You may want to consider our track academy for an intensive all-day course.

Advanced Group - For experienced circuit riders, competent with higher track speeds and familiar with circuit. In this group you will find the track day regulars and racers. Riders will have completed numerous events. Race licence holders are welcome. The overtaking rules are just the same as the other groups. The average 'pace' of the advanced group will be more even than the other groups allowing riders to really concentrate on their technique. If you are getting towards the front half of this group then it is time to start thinking about going racing! You can get your race licence with us.

Yes. Go onto the booking page of your chosen track day and click the reserve button. A box will pop up for you to enter basic contact details. If a space becomes available we will email everyone on the reserve list with a link to book online. This system will run up until one working day prior to the track day.

Our office is open from Monday to Friday 8:30-17:30 (Closed Bank Holidays). Nov-Feb we close a little earlier on Fri at 17:00. Contact details are at the bottom of the web page.

Typically early Spring dates are listed late November. April to September dates are listed late January/February and October onwards are listed around August. There are still extra dates added throughout.

All our trackdays have noise restrictions. It is extremely important that circuits operate in compliance with their set limits. Anyone wishing to have their bike tested can come to one of our track days and have a noise test free of charge. Please check with the circuit before coming. It takes just a few minutes for the test.

For all circuits except Donington Park there is a static test after registration which is carried out using a handheld meter. Each bike is measured 0.5 meters away from the exhaust at a 45 degree angle when the engine is being held at the following rpm

In addition to the initial static test, circuits have a continuous automated 'drive-by' meter operating to ensure vehicles continue to adhere to the noise restriction in place. If the drive-by monitoring level show that your bike exceeds the limit then you will be called into the pit-lane to address the noise level before going back on circuit. There are many variables that will result in different readings at different circuits for the same bike.

For bike trackdays, the noise regulations for each of the circuits are as follows:

Additional Information

Factors such as air temperature and humidity can affect the level of noise that your vehicle is producing. If you are ever within 1dB(A) of  a particular limit then we suggest that you strongly consider having your bike looked at before making another booking.

Ducati Panigale fitted with the 'plain standard exhaust only' will be permitted leniency on the static test. Drive-by limits are still strictly enforced.