What is ‘Race Pace Track Days’?
Even though ‘Race’ is in the name, our events aren’t just for ‘racers.’ We focus on advanced riders who can ride safely and maintain a strong pace. It’s simply not safe to have riders doing over 2:35 per lap sharing the track with others running sub-1:50.
To ride the full hour, we’re looking for riders who can hit these benchmarks [at Chuckwalla]:
- Sub 2:10: Inline four-cylinder 600cc bikes or larger
- Sub 2:18: Lightweight (e.g., RS660, R7) or ultra-lightweight bikes (e.g., R3, Ninja 400)
While those times may not seem fast in a racing context, we’ve found they represent a solid advanced group pace for our format.
Positive Feedback on the Format
Since adopting this format, we’ve had a ton of positive feedback. Unsurprisingly, the fast riders love it, but we’ve also heard great things from ‘Unverified’ riders. Many feel safer during the first 20 minutes of the hour and appreciate not being “in the way.”
Our goal is to create an environment that feels more like a private test & tune day. By limiting the number of riders compared to a standard three-group day, everyone gets quality track time—even those restricted to the first 20 minutes per hour.
Common Questions
“I ride in the advanced group at other track days, but this will be my first time at Chuckwalla. What happens if I’m not under the 2:35 time in the first session?”
While we do have a 2:35 minimum pace, we won’t ask riders to sit out after just one session. If, after the first three sessions, a rider is still above 2:35 and not showing improvement, we may ask them to sit out the remainder of the day, for their safety.
“What if I can’t get Verified?”
If you’re under 2:35 but can’t hit the ‘Verified’ benchmarks, that’s fine—you’ll just be limited to the first 20 minutes of each hour. In the rider’s meeting, we remind ‘Unverified’ riders not to treat the top of the hour like a MotoGP qualifying session. Just go out, ride, and let the times come to you. Keep in mind that we’ve had riders hitting Verified times but were not verified because their lines were unpredictable or unsafe.
“Do I have to get Verified every time I attend Race Pace?”
No. Once you’re Verified, you’ll stay Verified unless we adjust the benchmarks or if our corner workers notice that your pace has dropped significantly. In that case, we may ask you to wear a transponder again for reevaluation.