New Rider Program
History of the program
This program aims to save lives through education.
In 2009 Sergeant Jason Harris (with the FSU Police Department) started a motorsports team to raise awareness to motorcycle safety. A program that started with attending various bike nights and car shows spreading the word that trackdays are a safer enviroment for our sportbikes and education them on safety, has developed into a state wide network of riders, fans, family and friends helping to spread the work and learn about how to be a better, safer rider. Since then, we've had hundreds of riders from throughout the state that have completed their first trackday and have become far safer riders as a result. Many of these riders have not only been back for 2nd, 3rd and even 4th trackday, but they've advanced very quickly to more advanced groups. And now as of 2021, we even have a several students that are now racing competitively! One graduate has even completed in the Daytona 200 (congrats Eric!), and only 2 years from his first trackday. He is also now an instructor for the program. Learning that there are far more fun and challenging places to enjoy the speed of riding a motorcycle than on the street. Many have found the track to be so much better that they have completely stopped riding on the street all together. And they are doing it in safe, controlled enviroments.
How the program works
Florida residents that want to learn to be better, safer riders apply to be sponsored for the program at a number of upcoming events throughout Florida. If selected, the rider receives an email from the head of the FSU Police Department Motorsports Team. Upon receipt of that email, the rider has a limited period of time to respond to register for the event. This allows for replacement riders to be found if needed.
Sponsored riders receive ~$100 off the entry fee to the event they are selected for. They are given a discount code they use to register at the discounted rate.
Leading up to the selected event the process goes like this:
Process
First Step - Decision...
Once you have read through the requirements stated on this page, such as comfortable operating a motorcycle at highway speeds, you determine which track and date you would like to apply for. Please note, JenningsGP tends to be harder to get into as there is usually a waiting list.
Second Step - Application
Apply to requrest your sponsorship through our sponsorship request page.
Third Step - Registration
About a month before the next event, the FSU Police Department will send out an email to the selected riders. Those riders are given a limited amount of time to register for the event. If they don't register in time, the next rider on the list will be selected.
Fourth Step - Congrats on your sponsorship
Once the riders have completed their registration, the coaching begins. Riders receive an email from the staff with the schedule for the event, address, directions, links to videos, tips and some preperation notes to help prepare them for their first trackday. And we encourage the questions begin so we can help prepare the riders for their event.
Fifth Step - It's the day!
The day is here! We ask the riders to be at the track when the gates open (details are provided in the email) so that we can waste no time getting started. We walk the riders through the bike prep and day of registration process. We attend the riders meeting and Novice classroom sessions.
Sixth Step - Time to ride!
At 9:40 am we are on track for our first session. We generally get about 7 sessions in a day. Sometimes more or less depending on a number of factors. Seven sessions is a lot of track time. Our day is a continious rotation of track time and class time throughout the day. This includes on track instruction, classroom instruction, picture and video review, etc...
(Sticky Within a Container)
Please see the F.A.Q. section below for additional information and answers to questions. Please also note the minimum requirements of the rider.
If intertested, the Florida resident can send a message to the FSU Police Department Motorsports Team on Facebook or if you don't have Facebook, you can complete our online sporsorship request form here: www.tracklife308.com/sponsor_request. Once the selection process is completed, you will be contacted.
Please note, applicants must be comfortable at highway speeds!
If selected, you will be notified by email of your sponsorship. Below are things that you will need, we can help you with and what you need to bring.
Below is to give you an idea as to what you can expect during a tech inspection.
