California Superbike School

[KazMan]

They may not know the answer, but it gives you a great opportunity to figure out where their head is at on track. You can be busting your head against the wall trying to put them on a line and all they're worried about is that their body position looks good in GotBlueMilk's trailer.

So asking them gives them an opportunity to explain themselves and you the coach an opportunity of explaining to them when their issue can be of most value to them. e.g. lines, bp, whatever/etc.

 

[Enchanter]

It absolutely kills me to hear people toss out body position, and to a lesser extent suspension advice, as the solution / cure-all for new (street and track) riders. 90% of the time the rider would improve much more quickly if they started to turn their head and look farther up the road / track.

 

[budman]

The best thing Keith did for me was to get me to analyze what I was doing via a riding mindset. First he set up what I was supposed to be thinking/doing with my focus and then expanded from there. Super helpful and ultimately when applied to racing was even more so.

 

[Holeshot]

Correct.

Although I believe that until riders or racers learn basic fundamentals, what they actually want is not important, except to them. I see, quite often, people tell me that they want to work on "body position" when they are lost on the track. I work with them on finding a line. I think that the whole body position obsession is a mistaken assumption that somehow the correct position ( which is dynamic and changes constantly) will magically make them faster, which it won't. Most riders have problems understanding just how important the last hundred feet of braking and first hundred feet of acceleration are. The problem with asking people what they want to work on, or are doing wrong is that they don't usually know the answers.

It absolutely kills me to hear people toss out body position, and to a lesser extent suspension advice, as the solution / cure-all for new (street and track) riders. 90% of the time the rider would improve much more quickly if they started to turn their head and look farther up the road / track.

Both of you...BOTH OF YOU : HEARTS

+1000000000000000000

If people saw the BP of the riders at the front of club races, they'd understand the differences between "effective" and "picturesque".

 

[shouldnthave]

It's not often, but occasionally I agree with Ernie (for all mods concerned I can read him when I'm logged out as is the norm lately).

A few things I did learn from CSS that changed my riding forever is Dylan's take on eyesight. We spent the better half of the day getting me to look at everything as a whole instead of one singular focus. The other thing that really changed me was also from Dylan teaching me fluidity. That was the art (I will try to master till I die) of being able to make each corner connect. Meaning that I should always try to not only make the corner but do it in a way that I'm prepared for the next.

I wouldn't give back what I learned with CSS, but my money would have been much better spent had it been exclusively with Dylan. He seems more understanding that I may learn differently than his father's ideas.

I do fully admit there are probably people that learn that way, but Ken speaks MY language. I also don't know anyone that has walked away from Ken feeling taken. Ken is absolutely applicable to the street the same a CSS.

When the day comes that Keith is out and retired and Dylan takes over I wouldn't hesitate to give CSS another try. But until that day should come I'll spend my money at Ken's house.

 

[budman]

It is about perspective and where you are in your career as a rider. For a relative newbie CSBS delivers IMO.

 

[jacob11379]

It is about perspective and where you are in your career as a rider. For a relative newbie CSBS delivers IMO.

In my Trade(HVAC) I have nerded out a bit. Online forum, couple handfuls of nationally recognized certs. Still remain receptive but Most "schools/classes" I go to now I could teach, and often open up a dialogue that intrigues the teachers.

But I have MANY years of riding potential ahead of me. Im sure this school will be more input than I can absorb and apply. And due to not riding everyday/weekend ill likely forget and need to retake classes.....

 

[Lewd_Ferrigno]

I’ve taken CSS a few times (repeat level 4) and I didn’t get as much out of it as other people, when it came to racing. I think they’re great for track day stuff, but there are skills they don’t address, like passing strategies.

I found the best gain, for my riding, came from combining CSS, with lessons learned at American Supercamp (although, I saw some guy named Danny Walker threaten a comedian on Twitter. I tried to confirm this with ASC, but they didn’t respond) and advice I got from Dave Aldana, at a Team Hammer track day.

My point is that your best generally comes from a variety of methods.

ASC taught me how to set up passes and better methods in slow speed corners. Sliding is also taught, but there’s more to it than that.

Dave Aldana taught me to think. I was racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park, my yellow shirt race. I asked him about the first corner strategy. He asked me how fast I was entering the corner, during a normal lap. I said around 70~ (I think.). Next, he asked me if I hit that speed from the starting line to the first corner. I said no.

He then said “then why are you braking for the first corner with all the other guys?”

Next race, passed about 15 people in the first turn.

 

[Lewd_Ferrigno]

Also, funny story about that race, saw Evelyn (WERA) yell at Earl Hayden for arguing with race officials about not allowing his underage son to race on 600SS.

Kid’s name was Nicky and he was eventually allowed to race

 

[tzrider]

I’ve taken CSS a few times (repeat level 4) and I didn’t get as much out of it as other people, when it came to racing. I think they’re great for track day stuff, but there are skills they don’t address, like passing strategies.

If you aren't aware, CodeRACE covers racecraft skills not covered at the cornering schools, including passing. We also used to do a passing drill in the cornering schools but it's been phased out of level 3, replaced with other drills more focused on cornering. As a level 4 student, you may absolutely request a passing exercise and your coach will work on it with you.

 

[jacob11379]

I’ve taken CSS a few times (repeat level 4) and I didn’t get as much out of it as other people, when it came to racing. I think they’re great for track day stuff, but there are skills they don’t address, like passing strategies.

I found the best gain, for my riding, came from combining CSS, with lessons learned at American Supercamp (although, I saw some guy named Danny Walker threaten a comedian on Twitter. I tried to confirm this with ASC, but they didn’t respond) and advice I got from Dave Aldana, at a Team Hammer track day.

My point is that your best generally comes from a variety of methods.

ASC taught me how to set up passes and better methods in slow speed corners. Sliding is also taught, but there’s more to it than that.

Dave Aldana taught me to think. I was racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park, my yellow shirt race. I asked him about the first corner strategy. He asked me how fast I was entering the corner, during a normal lap. I said around 70~ (I think.). Next, he asked me if I hit that speed from the starting line to the first corner. I said no.

He then said “then why are you braking for the first corner with all the other guys?”

Next race, passed about 15 people in the first turn.

Since this thread started i have signed up with ASC for here in a couple weeks. Also am signed with CSS for CODE RACE which is supposed to go over passing and race-related teaching. I know there is mock racing (8 laps) at the end of each day, practice starts, and passing drills.

Thanks for feedback

 

[Lewd_Ferrigno]

If you aren't aware, CodeRACE covers racecraft skills not covered at the cornering schools, including passing. We also used to do a passing drill in the cornering schools but it's been phased out of level 3, replaced with other drills more focused on cornering. As a level 4 student, you may absolutely request a passing exercise and your coach will work on it with you.

I am familiar with the program. For my tastes, and this is opinion, it lacked a bit of strategy. I’ve done passing drills with Cobie, as well.

 

[Gravisman]

I’m definitely interested in hearing your feedback on CODE race. I did my levels 3 & 4 of CSS last weekend and I’d love to attend the racing school someday when I’m much faster than I am today...

 

[Holeshot]

Any idea which instructors teach the race school?

 

[jacob11379]

^^^^^Ill find out in a couple days

Is anybody from BARF heading out for any of the days 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th.....????....

 

[tzrider]

Sounds like I’ll just miss you; I’ll be at Laguna Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

[Holeshot]

^^^^^Ill find out in a couple days

Is anybody from BARF heading out for any of the days 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th.....????....

AFM will be at Buttonwillow that weekend.

 

[jacob11379]

AFM will be at Buttonwillow that weekend.

Buttonwillow says 73*, 76*, and 80* for those days. About what ill be seeing as well.....:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

Great start for the season! :ride

 

[Holeshot]

Agree! Soak up the lessons!

 

[jacob11379]

Finished level 1 a few days ago. Cant say I was overly thrilled about it but I did get some input out of it. However level 2 built well on level one and I certainly got enough for both days out of level two.

Today was our first day of code race. Pretty intense TBH. And A LOT more ride time.

Today I got first lap timer. First session I ran 1:44 as a best time. Second session 1:36. 3rd session a 1:28....

My times for 3rd session where 1:31, 1:30, 1:28, 1:31(or pretty close)

Felt great, qualified 8th overall. With qualifying places being

1:22
1:27
1:27
1:28
1:29
1:30.020
1:30.098
1:30.183(me)
1:30.192
1:31
1:32
1:33
And a few more but you can see the playing field is quite competitive. For each other anyway

For perspective, lap record here is 1:16.4 I believe.

Race starts, holy shit is this first lap intense. Practically everybody is running shit lap times on first lap. 2nd lap I pull a 1:29, and somewhere along here everything goes to shit. 1:31 and the rest of my laps are 1:33s.....I consistantly tried making up time and going to fast through sections and then missing my turn ins, apexing late and early. I absolutely dump trucked under pressure....

Still finished 8th over all and 3rd for my group.

Tomorrow, back at it and need to dial in my consistancy and NOT getting caught up in the race....

This was a GREAT learning experience. Really put what you guys that race go through even though it's on a much smaller scale it's still pretty intense.

18 racers/students and we made it through the day with no wrecks....although a few went into the dirt and I even made a pass through dirt. Think I got it on video...