Airfield Riding Days (ARDs) allow club members to improve their riding skills in a closed, safe environment. It is neither a race meeting nor a typical track day with lots of unknown people riding like muppets. As the name suggests, these events take place at RAF Odiham, utilising many of the airfield areas, taxiways and so forth. There are a few circuit layouts at the Club’s disposal, all of which guarantee a safe yet thrilling and challenging riding experience.
To get an idea of how an ARD is organised check out our ARD FAQ at the bottom of this page on what to expect during the day at the bottom of this page.
You and your bike will be put under many additional stresses to that typically experienced during normal road use. Take a look at our track-based Rider’s Guide for advice on how to prepare for and get through the day with a smile on your face.
We are pleased to have Simon Cooney as our Chief Instructor. Along with his crew of very experienced instructors they will be on hand throughout every ARD to offer advice on circuit riding or any other aspect of safe and progressive riding.
All of the Club’s instructors have a wealth of road, track and off-road experience and many have raced in championships in the UK and Europe. Our calculator isn’t big enough to work out how many years of experience they have between them, but honestly they don’t look that old!
Our instructors will give you areas to focus on to improve your riding, and only give them to you in bite sized chunks so that you can improve slowly over the day, rather than trying to do it all at once.
On very busy days, your instruction may have to be limited to one session to give the other riders an opportunity to be instructed, but on days where it’s possible, you are welcome to whatever instruction you need.
So if you want to improve your speed, your cornering, your braking or to just build your confidence down come and see the team. They will do their absolute best to help you.
Instruction is free of charge.
The format for the day follows along the lines of a regular commercial track day.
Arrive at RAF Odiham for 07:00 hrs at the main gate. PLEASE do not arrive any earlier or any later than 0800 otherwise you wont be given entry.
Signing on: Bring your driver’s licence showing a valid, full Category A motorcycle entitlement:- an ACU license does not count!
Noise Testing: Your bike must be noise tested and checked. Strict 102dB, you will not be allowed on track without a noise testing sticker.
Mandatory riders’ safety briefing: –
08:30 hrs Experienced & Inters
09:00 hrs Novice
Parc Ferme at 09:25 hrs
First group on circuit: 09:30 hrs
Lunch 1hr, timing dependent on factors on the day
Close: 16:30 hrs
Directions to RAF Odiham can be found here.
Once you turn into the station please head straight down to the main gate. Entry is between 07:00 – 08:00hrs. Please do not arrive any earlier as it will impede military personnel access to the base.
Leave enough time for signing on, having your bike checked and making it ready to make your briefing time.
If you arrive outside of these times you will not be allowed access.
Please ride carefully and considerately through the surrounding villages when arriving and departing from RAF Odiham, or when getting fuel. The event is publicised locally and expect the police to be in attendance close by.
RAF Odiham is an active RAF Station. You MUST present some form of photo ID as you enter through the Main Gate. You and any passengers will be checked against the OMCC list. If you or your guest(s) do not have photo ID you will be refused access. No refund will be given if you are unable to attend due to this.
Do not bring along last-minute guests. You and/or your guest will be refused entry.
Also be aware that the armed guards at the gate may search your vehicle.
Although rare, OMCC cannot control any aircraft movements on the day and these will have an impact on the sessions. We will endeavour to make the day run as smoothly as possible but OMCC cannot be held responsible for the loss of track time.
The mandatory riders briefing will commence promptly at 08:30 hrs for the Experienced and Inters group and at 09:00 hrs for the Novices. Please ensure that you are on-time. It is preferable to leave your wheel change, nervous wee or cup of tea until after the briefing. If you are late, you will miss your first session and will not be able to ride until you have been briefed.
Once the brief is complete you will be given a briefing attendance wristband to confirm you have attended. This wristband will be checked before every session.
If you are late to the briefing, do NOT complain. It is your own fault. It will only delay your personal briefing even further.
You will need to complete an Indemnity Form on the day which can be found at the right hand side OMCC tent. Fill it out and present it at the relevant desk for your group placing. Or to speed up the process you can download a copy from the Forum at home (link here) complete it and bring with you on the day.
Remember that you will need to legally prove you have a motorcycle licence, so please bring your valid documentation (Photo Drivng Licence). ACU licenses are not accepted.
If you cannot produce your driving licence on the day you will be removed from the event and no refund will be issued. We have no method of contacting the DVLA to check.
You will need to have your bike noise tested. We use the same limits as the ACU, specifically 102dB static.
If your bike is tested with a baffle fitted, do not attempt to remove it later. We will know, and you will be removed from the event and banned from further ARDs.
Your bike will receive a sticker to confirm it has passed noise testing. These stickers are checked in Parc Ferme and you will not be allowed out on the circuit if you do not have one of these stickers along with your group and briefing wristbands
If you bring more than one bike to ride at the ARD, each bike will require noise testing and a sticker. If you are found to have swapped stickers between bikes you will be removed from the event, banned and no refund will be given.
We divide the riders into 3 groups – Novice, Intermediate, Experienced with each session being 20 minutes long per group.
NOVICE: – For those who have only done a couple, or never done, a track day before.
INTERMEDIATE: – For those who have done a number of track days but do not feel confident enough for the experienced group.
EXPERIENCED: – For those who have done a number of track days before and feel confident in their riding abilities.
You will have the opportunity to state your group preference at the time you purchase your place at the ARD. Final decision regarding group allocation will be decided by the OMCC. Any discrepancies will be adjudicated by the OMCC’s Chief Instructor.
We may suggest that you change groups based on your abilities on circuit during the event as judged by our team of instructors. You may also request a change of group during the day though not every request may be able to be accommodated as we have strict group numbers. We will always do our best to ensure similar ability riders are in the same group.
You may request that your guests attend. Booking usually opens a couple of weeks after the ARD booking goes live. Last minute requests will not be accepted, and entry refused. Requests must be made at least 14 days BEFORE the ARD due to security clearances.
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