How to Prepare for Your First Track Day at Thunderhill, Sonoma, or Laguna Seca

Your first track day is coming up and you've probably got a long list of questions. Good. That means you're taking it seriously. I put this guide together from the same notes I send to riders before I haul their bikes to the track, because a little prep the week before makes the whole day smoother. It works whether you're heading to Thunderhill, Sonoma Raceway, Laguna Seca, or any other big race track. Because this is your first time at a track I'd rather you over-prepare than get caught out forgetting something.

Prep your bike a few days early

The night before is not the time to discover you have an oil leak or your mirrors won't come off. Get the basics done ahead of time:

• Remove or tape the mirrors
• Tape over the tail light and turn signals
• Tape over the wheel weights so they don't fly off

Then check the bike over so it passes tech and runs right:

• Throttle snaps back into place by itself
• All controls work normally (front and rear brake, clutch, and so on)
• Oil and brake fluid levels are good
• Chain tension is set
• Wipe the bike down and check for leaks
• No loose parts that could fall off (rearsets, exhaust, sliders, bodywork)
• Oil plug and drain plug are tight

Safety-wiring or a dab of silicone on those plugs is a nice extra, not a requirement.

Learn your track before you get there

Spend a little time looking at the layout of the track. A lap video is the easiest way to familiarize yourself, so I've pulled one for each of the Northern California tracks below. If you want to go further, print the track map and write notes: which gear to be in per corner, braking markers, turn-in points, etc.

Don't stress about memorizing the track. The first session of the day, the coaches ride in front of your group at a slow pace and show you the lines. Even if you haven't got the track memorized, you'll be fine.

Thunderhill West: the shorter, tighter 2-mile course where a lot of Bay Area novice days run. Start here: Thunderhill West track guide.

Thunderhill East: the longer 3-mile course with more elevation and faster corners. Start here: Thunderhill track guide.

Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point): technical, hilly, and only about 45 minutes from San Francisco. Start here: Sonoma Raceway reference points.

Laguna Seca Raceway: home of the Corkscrew, the most famous corner in the country. Start here: Laguna Seca lap.

Get your gear sorted

Your bike alone won't get you on track. You need to protect yourself too. Try everything on at a shop instead of buying online, because fit is the most important aspect for safety and comfort.

You need a snug full-face helmet in good condition, a one or two piece full-zip suit, full-gauntlet gloves that can't be pulled off once cinched (this is very important), and boots that fully cover the ankle. An airbag or back protector isn't always required, but wear one. If you have new gear, break them in on a street ride first.

Sort out how the bike gets there

Don't ride your bike to the track if you can avoid it. You want your energy going into learning, not into a long highway slog before and after. Haul it, borrow a truck, rent a trailer, or have someone bring it for you. I wrote a full breakdown of every option with real costs here: The best ways to get your motorcycle to the race track.

Start hydrating now, not the morning of

Track days are hot, and California summers can push past 100F. Don't wait until the morning of. Drink plenty of water the two days before so your body is already topped up, then keep drinking through the day. Liquids with electrolytes beat plain water, so pack some Gatorade.

Bring more than you think you need

A basic packing list:

• Food and drink: liquids with electrolytes and snacks. There's usually food for sale at the track, but bringing your own saves money and lets you actually rest at lunch instead of standing in line.
• Shade and comfort: a 10x10 canopy, chairs, a cooler, and a portable fan. Shade fills up fast, so get there early. If you come with 31 Cats, I'll provide a canopy, chairs, cooler and other amenities so you don't have to worry about this part.
• Clothing: a hat, a sweatshirt for the morning, and comfortable stuff for the breaks (shorts, T-shirt, sandals).
• Miscellaneous: sunscreen, chapstick, sunglasses, aspirin or ibuprofen, driver's license, cash, a credit card, a pen, duct tape, and your printed track map.
• Gas: bring the bike about half full to keep it light for the morning sessions, and top off at lunch. Most tracks have a pump, but their gas is pricey.

A small tire inflator and a basic set of tools and spare parts are worth having too, in case something comes up.

How the day runs

When to arrive: 7:00 AM

Get to the track early, around 7:00. Mornings go in a set order:

Registration at 7:15 AM

Registration opens at 7:15 - 7:30 AM, show your ID and sign the liability waiver. Put yourself in the novice or beginner group (often called C) even if you are really fast on the canyons. It takes a few track days before you're ready to move up. It's about consistency and safety, not lap times.

Tech inspection: 7:30 AM

Take the bike through tech inspection, where a mechanic checks it's in working order and that the lights are removed, disconnected, or taped.

Rider's meeting: 8:00 AM

Around 8:00 AM there's a mandatory riders meeting that covers how the day runs, the flags, and special instructions for new riders. Do not miss it.

First session: 9:00 AM

The track is still too cold to go fast. So this is when the coaches show you the lines. Pay extra attention to where they place their bike and familiarize yourself with every turn, your bike, and wake up your body. New riders tend to drift to the middle of the track. Resist that. It makes you slow and, more importantly, unpredictable.

Next sessions

Keep your ego parked. You have nothing to prove. Someone will blow past you on a 300cc bike and probably startle you a little. That's normal. Don't chase them and don't move off your line to "get out of the way," just stay predictable and ride your own pace. You're only competing against yourself out there.

Come in after each session, drink water, loosen up, and think about what you just learned. Then go do it again.

Lunch time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Time to take off your suit, relax, have light food with plenty of carbs. Avoid heavy meals so you don't feel sleepy the rest of the day.

That's it

It's a lot to take in, but once you've done the prep the day itself is pure fun. You're about to do something most people never will. Get some rest the night before, and I'll see you at the track.

Questions about getting your bike to Thunderhill, Sonoma, or Laguna Seca? That's what we do. Reach out at 31cats.com.