| Author | Message | ||
     Josh_ |
 Since Reg Prodmore's CLASS isn't leaving California this year, I'm looking for another option. I'm hoping Lee Park's Total Control comes back to Chicago again, but until then it looks like I have: CLASS in California. $1600 for two days including a bike (Honda F4i) Schwantz in Atlanta. $1600 for two days incl a bike (2007 Suzuki 600) Fast Freddie in Vegas or Utah. $2300 for 2 days incl a bike (Honda 600) Penguin Racing in New Hampshire $1000 for 2 days with a bike (2004 Ducati 900SS) Jason Pridmore STAR in Topeka, KS ($550) or Joliet, IL ($675) for two days and I take my own bike. STAR is the cheapest, but I hear its more for squids and I don't know if they'll take my touring bike. Penguin is the next cheapest, but it looks like a track day setup with an unlimited number of students and 5-6 instructors. Anyone have experience with any of these? or know where I can rent a track bike for <$400/day? or how to get a bike to and from Cali from St Louis for <$800? Thanks Josh  | ||
| Jaimec |
You can use your own bike for California Superbike School too. That's what I do. Taking Level 4 in May. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Penguin ain't bad at all. If you use your own bike and gear its only $250. Most times its around 7 students per instructor, I've seen it as low as 3 per. Jest depends on the luck of the draw, how many show up that weekend. The morning is split up between classroom and track sessions. The afternoon is all run as open pratice sessions. Great fun it is. | ||
| Rick_a |
I did the Penguin. It was a great time but I got no tips or help from instructors during the track sessions and I know I'm not that good a rider! | ||
| Littlefield |
If you can get to Birmingham the Keith Code California Superbike schools at Barber are great. www.superbikeschool.com They rent 07 ZX-6R's for around $200/day. | ||
| Josh_ |
I'm really looking at Keith Code at Barber now, but I need to decide if I take the FJR again. It had some serious clearance issues esp on the carousel turn 2/3. I need my S3 back I think. | ||
| Blublak |
If you move a little east in your search, or north.. Team Pro-Motion has schools as well. Basic, Level II, for 'white' or beginner level riders. PT Personal training (one on one) for mid level riders and Pro for expert (read white plate racers) level riders. They also have bikes to rent as well as some gear. I've ridden two of the Ducatis (DS1000 and 999) and one of their Hondas (CBR600RR) and they do tracks in the North East (as far south as VIR) and as far north as Canada (Three tracks there I think).. Give 'em a look and if you go to one or more.. tell 'em I sent ya.. (the owner and COO both know me by name, so it can't hurt) | ||
| Macbuell |
Schwanz's school is supposed to be really good and there is nothing like learning from a former Moto GP champion. | ||
| Josh_ |
Thanks Blublak I'll drop them a line. I notice their schools run 9-2. Do they pack it in at 2 or do they open the track? thanks (oh, and Linda says you are "good people"  ) (Message edited by josh_ on March 01, 2007) | ||
| Jaimec |
Josh, I was a big fan of Pridmore's C.L.A.S.S. for years. When he stopped coming out east I started taking California Superbike School instead. All I can say is that Keith Code blew my mind! I think I learned more from that first "Level 1" session than I ever did from several years of taking C.L.A.S.S. Keith also runs a much tighter ship and makes absolutely SURE that when you are on the track you are practicing what you are SUPPOSED to be doing. Reg's track sessions had a "Free-for-all" feel to them that you won't have with Keith. On the other hand, Keith's program is very logically structured so that each lesson builds on the preceding. I took that first session with him with one other C.L.A.S.S. veteran and he too decided he'd been wasting his time with Pridmore. There were also two other MSF Instructors in class with me and we ALL had our eyes opened. Try it, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with how effective Keith's program is run. | ||
| Josh_ |
Jamie, Did you ride your bike or the schools? | ||
| Jaimec |
Rode my own bike. I took Level 1 and 2 with my 2000 M2 Cyclone. Last year I took Level 3 with my 2006 XB12Ss Lightning Long, and I'll be doing Level 4 in May with the Lightning again as well. I always feel more comfortable on my OWN bike. The school bikes may be fun, but since I don't own a ZX-6 I'd rather see what MY bike can do. I took C.L.A.S.S. on first my 1985 BMW K100 (it had 130,000 miles on it at the time), again on my 1995 BMW R100RT (I was the slowest bike in the straights but made up for it in the turns) and finally with my M2 Cyclone before Reg stopped coming out this way. My profile photo was taken last year at Pocono Raceway during California Superbike School. OH! One thing I did learn: That Buell engine consumes a LOT of oil when you run it wide open for a long time; bring a spare quart with you! The Lightning isn't as bad as the Cyclone was, but it still needed to be topped up once after lunch, and then at the end of the day. | ||
| Davegess |
josh check out the American Supercamps. Dirtrack but you learn a ton about bike control and if you are good (certainly no tme!)and smart the instructors will mix it up with you and push you very hard. I had a ton of fun getting all sideways. | ||
| Josh_ |
Thanks Dave, that's just up the road in Springfield too! I think I'm in for at least 2 days of Code's Superbike School (not decided on my bike or theirs) and a American Supercamps school. | ||
| Slaughter |
http://www.trackexperience.com out here is a really high quality track day operation. I have friends who instruct with them. Good bang for the buck. | ||
| Blublak |
Hey Josh.. No, once the 'school' part ends, you're riding the rest of the day (usually till about 5pm) as part of the group you belong in (White, Red or Blue). The 'Coaches' are all still out there, But now they let you go a bit so you can stretch it out a little if you want. In addition, the 'Coaches' are at all the track events, so you can always get some pointers or help with something from them. Sometimes, they'll just follow you around a little and observe, if they see no problems, then they go follow someone else. Sometimes they will lead you around, showing you another line or trying to help you correct something. It's pretty relaxed and has a very friendly almost 'family' feel to it. I honestly cab sat they are one of the best track day providers in the east. Then there are the 'other' bennies to being at a TPM day. There is usually someone there that can help with minor repairs, there is a 'store' for things you may need or want. This year DafanZ tuning will be there doing suspension support and set up. What else can I tell ya? Oh and Linda's good people too.. She doesn't ride anymore, but when she was on her bike.. damn, she was fast.. | ||
| Josh_ |
Looks like I'm in for Keith Code 6/2&6/3 at Barber and the American Supercamps in Springfield the week before. Maybe next year I'll check out Pro-Motion and ride a Ducati. Thanks all. |
