OldMadBrit
Well-known member
I'm probably doing it wrong but I recently turned 61 and have been running track days since I started riding bikes 11 years ago and I decided there was an itch that needed scratching 
So I attended a 2 day race camp with the most excellent folks at California Superbike School last week (10/22 & 23).
The event was at Streets of Willow Springs and with all things CSS was very well organized and managed.
They run a race day format - FP1, FP2, FP3, Qualifying and the the Race. There are race specific drills (standing starts, passing, corner exit speed, high, mid and low corner lines) all with a dedicated race coach shared between just 2 riders.
Johnny was my coach and he did a fantastic job of getting me up to speed on a track I had never ridden or seen before. All the coaches have video and all the bikes are fitted with transponders - so there is lots of data to analyse after each session on track.
There were 18 racers and 9 coaches on track so it made for plenty of action.
I chose to run my own bike, but most used the BMW S1000RR's that CSS provide.
During Day 1, I worked my way down from 1:38's/lap to 1:28's, qualified 9th and finished 4th in the race. The standing start was one of the most intense experiences I have ever had!!
Day 2 was the same format, I dropped a bit more time off and qualified 4th on the grid. Unfortunately, the second race was red-flagged early on because of gravel and fluids on the track.
It was an amazing experience and I was still pumped when I go home after the 5 1/2 hr drive home.
So overall it rate this an A++ experience and recommend it to anybody who is looking for a curated/coached entry into moto racing. I plan to be back for more next year. :thumbup
Oh and I got a gong for 2nd in class
So I attended a 2 day race camp with the most excellent folks at California Superbike School last week (10/22 & 23).
The event was at Streets of Willow Springs and with all things CSS was very well organized and managed.
They run a race day format - FP1, FP2, FP3, Qualifying and the the Race. There are race specific drills (standing starts, passing, corner exit speed, high, mid and low corner lines) all with a dedicated race coach shared between just 2 riders.
Johnny was my coach and he did a fantastic job of getting me up to speed on a track I had never ridden or seen before. All the coaches have video and all the bikes are fitted with transponders - so there is lots of data to analyse after each session on track.
There were 18 racers and 9 coaches on track so it made for plenty of action.
I chose to run my own bike, but most used the BMW S1000RR's that CSS provide.
During Day 1, I worked my way down from 1:38's/lap to 1:28's, qualified 9th and finished 4th in the race. The standing start was one of the most intense experiences I have ever had!!
Day 2 was the same format, I dropped a bit more time off and qualified 4th on the grid. Unfortunately, the second race was red-flagged early on because of gravel and fluids on the track.
It was an amazing experience and I was still pumped when I go home after the 5 1/2 hr drive home.
So overall it rate this an A++ experience and recommend it to anybody who is looking for a curated/coached entry into moto racing. I plan to be back for more next year. :thumbup
Oh and I got a gong for 2nd in class
Attachments
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Calm before the race.jpg -
Bike and trailer.jpg -
got a gong.jpg
