Ducati track days in Southern California
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DROC has been encouraging members to attend track days since day 1 . Some are our own private days, some are run with partners, and some are Ducati events we attend together. If you have never taken a bike on track, this page is where to start.
The short version: you do not need a race bike, you do not need leathers you own rather than rent, and you will be in a group with riders at your pace. Everything below the circuits is the practical prep, written by members who have done it.
Where we run
- Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Our private day: three rider groups, about 60 riders. Most recent: DROC 7th Private Track Day
- Buttonwillow Raceway Park. The one we return to most, run with partners. Most recent: Train with California Superbike School – March 2026
- Streets of Willow. Tight and technical, good for a first time. Most recent: Track Days at Streets of Willow – November 9 2024
- Auto Club Speedway. The infield course, now closed to us. Most recent: Last Track Day at Fontana – January 2023
- WeatherTech Laguna Seca. The bucket-list weekend, including the Corkscrew. Most recent: Ducati Track Day at Laguna Seca – July 2025
- Circuit of the Americas. MotoGP weekend, with Ducati Island. Most recent: DROC at COTA Track Day 2026
Track days are posted on the events calendar. Our private days fill from the membership first, so they are one of the more concrete reasons to join.
Tracks at reasonable distance from SoCal
These are the circuits you can realistically get to from Orange County, some as a day trip, most as an overnight. The four we have ridden as a club have their own pages with what a day there is actually like. The arrow beside each name opens the circuit’s own website.
- Thunderhill Raceway Park, 5250 CA-162, Willows, CA 95988
- Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, 25300 Rice Rd, Desert Center, CA 92239
- Podium Club at Attesa, 6870 S Bianco Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85193
- Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club, 3601 NV-160, Pahrump, NV 89048
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908
- Buttonwillow Raceway Park, 24551 W Lerdo Hwy, Buttonwillow, CA 93206
- Sonoma Raceway, 29355 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA 95476
- Streets of Willow Springs, 70th St W, Rosamond, CA 93560
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89115
Who runs track days out here
DROC runs its own private days and partners on others, but most of the calendar in this part of the country is run by these organizations. Schedules move, so check directly rather than trusting a date you saw once.
- California Superbike School
- TrackDaz
- TrackXperience
- 2 Wheels Track Days
- Race Pace Track Days
- Let’s Ride
- FastTrack Riders
- CVMA
- Racer’s Edge
- Compact Octane
- JP43 Training
- Apex Assassins
- Carters at the Track
- Z2 Track Days
- Pacific Tracktime
- Fun Track Dayz
- RideSmart
Kart tracks, mostly open practice
Cheap seat time, and better practice than people expect. Mostly open practice rather than organized days.
- Adams Motorsports Park, Riverside
- Apex Motorsports Park, formerly Apex Kart Racing
Helping you and your bike get ready for a track day
This is a quick prep guide so you show up tech-ready and focused on riding.
It’s split into two parts: your motorcycle checks and your rider and gear checks.
A checklist is provided as well so you can verify everything before you load up and head to the track.
1. Prepare your bike
These checks match what tech will look for.
Start with a clean, road-worthy motorcycle, then confirm it is leak-free, mechanically sound, and free of anything that can distract or endanger other riders.
- No leaks and nothing loose. Zero fluid leaks. Check for loose or dangling parts, including fairing fasteners, bodywork tabs, and fork seals.
- Controls OK. Throttle snaps back. Front and rear brakes feel firm. Nothing binds at full lock.
- Safety wire or RTV where required. Required on the oil drain bolt. Recommended on other critical fasteners.
- Rear lights handled. Tail light taped. Brake light fully covered or disabled so there is no light bleed.
- Mirrors off or fully taped. Remove if possible. Otherwise tape completely so there is no reflective surface.
- Tires and wheel weights. Tires new or near-new. Wheel weights duct-taped.
- Chain condition. No damage or tight spots. Proper slack. Lubed.
Action cameras
- Helmet: no cameras on the outside, an “inside the visor camera” is ok.
- Bike: cameras must be tethered so they stay on the bike if the mount releases. Selfie sticks and camera poles cannot extend more than 12 inches from the perimeter of the bike.
2. Prepare the rider
Track riding is demanding. Heat, focus, repeated braking, and long stints in a tucked position.
The right gear and a smart paddock setup keep you safe and reduce fatigue.
- Leathers, no mesh. One-piece preferred. Zip-together two-piece allowed if it fully connects. Fit must hold armor in place in a tucked position.
- Back protector. Required. Must fit correctly and stay in position.
- Gloves and boots. Gloves over the wrist “gauntlet style”. Boots over the ankle. Secure closures.
- Helmet. Full-face DOT or Snell. Undamaged. Less than 5 years old. Clear visor in good condition.
- Desert paddock kit. Canopy, water, electrolytes, and canopy weights for wind. Add chair, sunscreen, snacks, and a cooling towel.
Bring what keeps you comfortable and focused: hydration, visor care, and base layers. Bring what keeps you compliant: proper gear and an approved camera setup.
3. Checklist
No one ever enjoys a “I forgot something at home“ moment
No more trying to remember what you need for your track day – here is an almost complete list of what you might need.
Did you bring a spare set of keys? Boots/helmet/gloves? Spare Parts? Stop guessing and use the checklist.
Wear the official DROC compression shirt
By VnM Sports, a cooling compression undergear with the official DROC logos – for Members only
- Intensifies cooling and dries in a flash: Technologically advanced fabrics feel like air conditioning
- Targeted compression maximizes endurance
- Reduces riding-specific muscle soreness and speeds recovery
- Ergonomic design minimizes bunching
- Stay-Put silicone gripper waistband keeps gear in place
- Soft mesh paneling added under arms and on the back for comfort in sensitive areas
- Protective outer gear slides on and off with ease