08 Season Opener in Daytona. Rookie needs advice

[2old2fat2slow]

Howdy!
          We are from Northern Virginia near D.C. and this coming season will be our 17 year old son's first exposure to racing. We did a bunch of track days this season to get his feet wet. My dilema is that my wife is going to have to take him to Daytona for the season opener by herself because of my work schedule. She has done some preliminary research and frankly is a little frazzled about the whole trip. If there is any one from this area or south of here that is definately going and would be kind enough to caravan down and show her the ropes,we would be eternally grateful. She has a late model truck and trailer and she will be taking 2 fully prepped bikes down with her. If anyone is willing to help out with some guidance we sure will appreciate it. Post up or PM me. I would be happy to help out with gas if you have to go out of your way at all.

[RCR_531]

There is a lot of racers that come from that area to race. I am sure someone will post up something to help you guys out. Good luck

[Sig]

Going to daytona for his first race is certainly jumping into the deep end of the pool. :)

I highly recommend doing the track day so he can get over the banking then and then he'll just have to get over the first race jitters. :)

[2old2fat2slow]

Going to daytona for his first race is certainly jumping into the deep end of the pool. :)

I highly recommend doing the track day so he can get over the banking then and then he'll just have to get over the first race jitters. :)

They( M0m & son) will be there for the week. I will look into the track day you mentioned. Thanks!

[TommyG]

Going to daytona for his first race is certainly jumping into the deep end of the pool. :)

DITTO!!!  You should get him to ANY regional race anywhere you possibly can before going to Daytona !

[roadracer162]

Daytona can be intimidating for the first time. Just think of a full throttle heading towards a three story building that you will have to ride up the side of it. Then there are a lot of people/racers makes for even more confusion.

Practice? There is no real practice to speak of. A practice session will yield about three laps. First lap you figure out where you are going, second lap you may pick it up a little and the thrid lap you are telling yourself you are gonna go for it..then there is the checkered. Many times they show it before you hit the banking which means you pull directly into pits.

The Team Hammer school is there on Thursday. May be a good choice.

Mark

[Z-man]

I went down last season, cost about as much as the next half season for the one weekend.  Definitely do the Hammer practice day.  It is a little early for definites but do you have any questions that people might be able to help you with? 

[Burt Munro]

When does your son turn 18?

[2old2fat2slow]

When does your son turn 18?

In August. He just turned 17.

[2old2fat2slow]

I see a lot of good advice rolling in already. I will look into the team hammer school as soon as the new schedule is available. My son wants to know how he qualifies for grid position. I know nothing.

[tstruyk]

18 to race Daytona?

[d-wire]

uh, the fall edition of daytona is the Race Of Champions......you are gridded by points....so he will be starting at the back. (probably a good thing)  If he takes this as a learning experience he can leave with a postive outlook.  Daytona can eat you up if unprepared.  Have patience with the staff,........they seem to hate motorcycles. ::)  Or don't exactly make it easy. DEFINETLY do the Hammer school on friday and get on that ASAP as it may fill up.  Good luck, don't get overwhelmed......most do..........just ask