Track Days Offer Sanctuary from Street Stress for Motorcycle Enthusiast
VALENCIA, SPAIN – For one motorcycle rider, the controlled environment of a racetrack provides a vital escape from the anxieties of public roads. Balancing a profession as a TV broadcast engineer with a passion for speed, the rider finds solace and a unique form of relaxation in high-performance track days, despite experiencing both street accidents and falls during competition.
The rider recounted a rear-end collision in thier first year of street riding, and six falls during four years of track experience – a number they acknowledge is relatively low, but sufficient too reinforce the inherent risks. “If you don’t fall, it hasn’t begun,” they stated, echoing a common sentiment among racers.
However, the fear associated with racing dissipates once the helmet is secured. “As soon as you close the glass of the helmet, the fear sinks very deeply,” they explained. “You stop thinking about dangers. Still, it is indeed relaxation, disconnection from all other thoughts. You and the motorcycle become one and your goal is the finish.”
While admiring all professional racers as “gladiators,” the rider emphasizes a desire for individuality, stating, “I don’t want to be like someone, I want to be myself.” They follow MotoGP, WSBK, and the Isle of Man TT, but maintain a personal approach to the sport.
Family concerns were initially raised, with attempts to discourage the hobby, but acceptance grew as the rider demonstrated a responsible approach to risk assessment. “I know when to leave the race if I think the risk is too high,” they affirmed.
Leveraging a background as a TV broadcast engineer, the rider documents their track experiences through photography and video, sharing content on social media.
Superstitions play a role, with a firm belief in never placing a helmet on the ground – “It is believed that if you hold a helmet on the ground, he will want to return there.” A personal anecdote reveals another quirk: avoiding greetings across a doorstep, recalling a childhood incident involving a tree and a shoulder injury.
Track day costs can range from €500 to €1,000 or more per day for a high-end experience. Despite the expense and inherent dangers, the rider continues to find a unique form of freedom and focus on the racetrack.
