BIKE TRACKDAYS ARE MUCH MORE COMMON than they used to be. You can pick from several around the country every day. But before the 1990s, riding on track was a rare experience unless you raced, which was much easier than it is now. You could literally ride to and from the track and have a day’s racing, whereas now it seems you need a small army to even do a trackday. Tyre warmers, snotty rubber, race fairings, enough tools to fill a garage, and food for 500... even carpet is not an uncommon sight at a trackday. And the bikes are all dedicated track bikes; not a single registration plate is to be found, apart from the dozens of vans littering the paddock.
It can appear, to be frank, an intimidating, almost unwelcoming experience, should you be a trackday novice. And we haven’t even touched on the 200bhp bikes everyone feels they need. Which is a massive shame, as you don’t need a 1000cc, you don’t need a van or tyre warmers, and tracks are one of the best places to learn, to find out more about your bike, your skill – and it’s truly exhilarating.
So, how can you enjoy the track experience with one-way traffic and no manhole covers – especially with your classic?
Butch had wanted to do just
