I dont think its got anything to do with being a wuss, just a case of confidence building, the best way to do this is just to get stuck in or alternativly do part 1 of the California Superbike School -
http://www.superbikeschool.co.uk/

Its an expensive option (and not 1 i have any personal experience with) but by all reports is meant to be a great confidence builder for both road and track riding!!!

I think if you stick to the novice group, take time to learn the tracks and ride to your own abilities you will have a good time most places.

There are a lot of dickheads at track days. Also there are some of the best riders and most genuinely helpful motorcyclists you will ever meet.

Take time to warm your tyres each session. Ignore anyone that doesn't as they are either on tyre warmers or on their arse later.

Star slowly and build up - your last session of the day should be your fastest. 20 min sessions are quite tiring until you are used to them so dont be afraid to come in early especially if your concentration starts wandering.

Use all of the track. Dont worry about faster riders coming up behind you when you are on the fastest line. They will still get by. Only leave them one side to pass on. Plenty of novice riders drift into the middle of the track which makes them slower and more dangerous to pass.

Set your own goals and ride to them. Dont get tempted to push a tiny bit more just to pass the rider in front. Remember you are not racing him you are racing yourself.

Watch the fast group and work out why they are fast. Where do they put themselves on the track? Where do they brake? (watch to see the forks dip). Where do they turn the bike? Try to do the same and see if it gives you more time.

Usually on track, if a lap feels smoother and slower it is probably quicker. You just have given yourself more space and time. The laps that feel really quick, everything is rushed and jerky usually time out the slowest.

Always try to make the corner. Even if you miss your brake marker, carry too much speed, run in in the wrong gear, the guy in front crashes....... Whatever, look where you want to go and lean it in. You will be amazed what you can get away with.

Stay out of the intermediate group - or novices with attitude as I call them. Most red flagged sessions are always in this group. You know the guys that are faster than their mates so they think they are the next undiscovered Toseland. You can usually spot them by the newish 1000cc road bike (on finance) with scuffed and battered bodywork. Wafer thin kneeesliders - cos it is still an achievement to get their knee down so they wear the same pair forever.

Leave your ego at home and turn your bullshit detector up the the max.
Dont take it too serious - If you want to be stressed, and skint, go racing.

Crashes are by no means inevitable but you will always see a few. Mostly low drama stuff. It still makes sense to crash proof you bike if you are planning a lot of track days. Some people rate crash mushrooms, I dont. I've seem a lot of bikes flip that wouldnt have done so were it not for R&G's finest.

I am talking more about carbon or NRC engine covers - keep your oil in the bike, not on the track. Pattern bar ends, levers and aftermarket cans are all cheaper to replace than OEM stuff. Superdan's can protectors are a good idea. Fibreglass bodywork on sports bikes. It can all be bought on e bay and sold again when you change bikes.

California Superbike School was some of the best days I spent on a bike. But £300+ buys a lot of track time. Most trackday instructors will take you around a few laps or a session for free and give you a few pointers. You only need to work on 1 or at most 2 changes to your riding each time - any more and you will just confuse yourself.

Dont let anyone put you off or discourage you though. Even a bad trackday is better than a good day at work.

Hey Bunker, i just noticed you aint far from me, if you wanna go for a ride or do a localish track day togther just let me no!!! (i have just come back from a 10 year break from bikes and just done my first track day for 10 years also, mallory park with Hotrax, only really took 1 session and i was feeling back into the groove, whole day went really smooth too!!)

would be nice to meet a local SD`er too!

My only other advise would be to read Twist of the wrist 1 & 2, do enough searching on Google and you find somewhere to download them both in PDF format. (if not just pm me and ill stick em on disc for ya and send em over!!!)