| Author | Message | ||
     Doitindark |
I want to start racing this year and can't decide what school I should do. My choices are Learning Curves, Ed Bargy or Frank Kinsey schools. If anyone has been to them I'd like to hear your opinion. Thanks. | ||
| Bomber |
I've been to learning curves a couple a times -- knowledgable folks, great learning to be had, but they seem a bit timid to offer advice -- when you ask for it, you certainly get it -- if you're not comfortable asking for guidance, but prefer to have it given (asked for or not), you'll likely do better with another teacher me, I learned alot cuz I made a pest of myself with the owner after every session -- after two occurances of "hi, I'm back to bother you again with stupid questions," he got to the point where he'd come look me up afgter the sessions and offer praise (slight and seldom) and suggestions (huge and many, as was appropriate) | ||
| Rubberdown |
My first track experience and impression. I took Frank Kinsey's school this past weekend. I highly recommend it. I took the school at Robling Road Raceway. It was my first time on the track and will not be my last. My bike is a stock 03' XB9R. I started the day with fresh Michilin tires. There were 11 riders in the school. Most riders were repeat customers, some with many visits to his school. There were also expert track riders there for a pure track day. Some of these riders would ride with the school so as to give us the experience of being passed by riders going much faster. The basic rules were: remove mirrors, no looking back ever, and no brakes allowed until the last hour. After a preliminary talk, we started by following Frank's line around the track at a relatively low speed. The front two students would drop off every three laps and go to the back to allow Frank to eventually watch all riders. After that first session on the track, it was pretty much race simulation with only outside passing allowed. Each ridng session was 20 minutes. Basically, you get out on the track and ride as well and as fast as you believe your abilites will allow you too. Frank circulates around and picks up riders, sometimes following and sometimes leading them to observe their line, smoothness, body english.... During the time off the track Frank would critique the riders on what he had observed. Sometimes he was complementary to riders, other times he was quite harsh (but it was appropriate). He does not mince words. All he said to me early on was "you're going quite well, nice and smooth, work on the line". That gave me a lot of confidence and by 1/2 through the day I was much faster, dragging my knee, peg, and side of boot. By 3/4 through the day, there was a lot of interest in the little Blue Buell. As U4euh (Jim) and I walked around in between session I kept hearing quiet mutterings "that Buell" or "that Buell guy". Jim said there was quite a bit on interest in my bike. By the last couple of sessions I was very comfortable passing riders on the outside at full lean, dragging a knee, and accelerating past them. Please don't misunderstand, I got passed too, especially by the experts in our group who had a far greater experience level. But, overall the Buell was the buzz of the school that day. I was able to pass Big four liter bikes, 600's, Ducatis.... Once I figured out I wasn't using fifth gear I even had some fun on the straight (we were supposed to "soft throttle" the straight carrying the speed we had on exit of the last turn. By the end of the day I had abandoned that and was pinning it in fifth all the way to turn one). My fastest exit speed out of the last turn was close to 110 mph and I could consistently come out at 90-100 while passing a rider on the outside (what a blast!). Interestingly, after all day using no brakes, we were allow to use them in the last session. I didn't. I didn't even want to use them. I had become so comfortable knowing how fast speed would be scrubbed off that brakes felt like a distraction. I could chop the throttle at the end of the straight, downshift once, set my body, and pitch it into turn one at somewhere close to 90-100. Granted, if I had the skills I could go much faster using the brakes but I was already a far better rider than I was before and I was really just trying to work on smoothness and consistancy. The bike was perfect. The suspension set up felt perfect (I used the manual's "race" settings). I made a lot of friends and it was a fantastice experience. Jim and I had a great Sunday night dinner ride in Downtown Savannah. Jim, thanks very much for all the help (my crew). After three days of reflection, I know where I could pick up speed and I'm ready to go back. There's much more I could ramble on about but I'm at work... Oh yeah, total mileage on the track for the day was 188. I thought it was a lot of track time for the $250 fee. It's taken a couple of days to recover, from the excitement, lack of sleep, and exertion. I've run three marathons in the last couple of years and I was as sore from that school day as I was from any of the marathons. The quads took a beating, constantly perched on the pegs switching the body side to side. I figure as I get better I'll go faster without so much effort, I hope. (Message edited by rubberdown on January 19, 2006) (Message edited by rubberdown on January 19, 2006) | ||
| Bomber |
I forgot a very important tip I rode (approx 125 superslab miles) to the track for my first couple of trackdays/schools -- trailered to the next couple -- trailering left me much better prepared to learn and perform closer to my ability -- best tip would be if you're coming from that far away, spend the previous night in a local motel/buddies house or what have you -- going fast safely is more about your head than anything else, I'm thinkin, and a well rested, alert noggin is aces | ||
| Rubberdown |
I agree with Bomber. | ||
| Skyguy |
Bomber is right. The only thing worse than riding distance to the track is riding distance home. Done it once with a buddy at willow springs and it was hard to stay focused (my buddy almost rear ended a CHP). Cop was pretty upset and wrote him a juicy ticket for 30 mph over. Thats the other problem riding home after track day, 65/70 just don't feel that fast! | ||
| Doitindark |
I've done a few track days already, and know that by the end of the day I'm exhausted. Do you think those's schools would prepare me for racing in CCS? | ||
| Twig |
Hey Rubberdown...sounds like you more than got your money's worth! Glad you kicked some A$$ with the "little blue Buell." Wish I could have been there to watch you. I for one plan on logging in some more serious miles this year, if all goes well. Maybe I can tame this beast yet, or at least pick it up a notch or two. Most off all Mike, I'm glad you made it home safe and sound, but I never had a doubt. I know who really taught you how to hang in there!Ha Ha! Tell him I said Hiya! All kidding aside, I'll be driving up I-85N early tomorrow with my wife to meet with my son's doctor and social worker. It WILL be interesting, to say the least. Take care Mike...Mike S | ||
| Slaughter |
Nothing really prepares you for racing quite like racing. Once you take a track school of any sort and do a few track days, take the new racer school from CCS and then just hit a couple of their track practice sessions and see how you feel in traffic. Give Novice racing a shot after that. Post questions on the CCSRACING.com board. You cannot believe how cool the racers are to people posting as "newbies" - this is about Club racing and you will get loads of help. | ||
| U4euh |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/169790.html?1137728772 Didn't want to hijack your thread DOITINDARK, but you should check this out. From a spectators point of view, Frank Kinsey's school is awesome. You get on the track every 20 min., for a 20 min session! Plus Frank allows some of the racer boys on the track, which helps you by giving you a good idea of what lines are good, and something that Frank said: 'seeing the professionals out there, you get an idea of what your bike is capable of. It allows you a little more trust in your machine to push just a little harder inside your comfort zone. Push to 10/10 of your abilities, that is what you are here for. If you want to prove how fast you can go down the straight away, let me refund your money now, cause you'll be dead in a year. If you want to push yourself to the edge in the corners where the race can be won by an underpowered machine, then let me see you push it' and as you will see in the other thread, his comments were right on the money!! And if you do decide to go to the schools, no matter which, try to book a hotel, or find a place to stay the night before and after. I cannot tell you how tired the riders were because the only thing I did was take pics and help in the off track events. I was tired as all get out. (Message edited by u4euh on January 19, 2006) |
