California Superbike School

Im seriously considering going myself. Just have to look at the diary etc. Its a full on day, eight hours of track and classroom works

 

Done levels 1 and 2 and would highly recommend them to anyone, it's a school not a trackday which some people forget, you will learn lots some stuff which seems obvious but your mind plays tricks or you choose to ignore.

 

As Freak says. It's a learning experience and I found it very worthwhile.

 

I did Level 1 and 2 last year too and had a couple of great days. They are pretty full on but there is a nice mix of classroom stuff, followed by a break to mull over what they were just teaching and then out on track. Works really well and absolutely transformed my riding in the two days I was there. Well worth the £400 imho.

 

I 'stepped off' the 125 at Level 1 Silverstone last September. It was the first time I rode it. It hurt. Great day otherwise. Hoping to go to do Level 2 this year, maybe one of the days they are running at Cadwell.

 

Have done all 4 levels and am re-doing L4 again this season as it is a great way to keep improving your craft and working on areas that can be improved. Really recommend it, although I think you will get more out of it on an 1198 at places other than Stowe. Rocky and Cadwell are well worth it.

 

Was that you at the end of the day on the 10th? If it was hope everything healed ok

 

Somersaulting hi side off the little green bike? Yep... that was me.

Got some ongoing problems with my hand which turned out to be broken and has healed wonky, but oh well, gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette as they say.

 

Ouch I'd just come in off the previous session so I didn't see what happened, only the aftermath.....looked painful. Hope it gets sorted.

 

do many people come off at this school?

seems a high casualty rate based on the unscientificness of an analysis of the stats in this thread!

( by the way- 84% of all stats are made up , on the spot)

 

I know of a fair few who have, but not sure its disproportionate to most track time

 

Don't think there are many, I've done 2 days now and there's only been one incident. Haven't done any actual trackdays as yet so I have no idea what the 'going rate' is.

 

Depends. Ive been to one trackday, where one group got red flagged every session. In two sessions, Ive seen the same rider came off twice...on the same corner. Others have been totally incident free :smile:

 

my old L2 report from 2010 at silverstone south. Apologies for non ducati images!

Right then, it's been a week since I did this so I better do this while it's still at least relatively fresh



I booked onto CSS level 2 at Silverstone, having done level 1 around a year ago. This time it was the south circuit. Pitched up to the track a bit late (crash on M6 caused by a dog running out of the services onto the motorway) but the staff went out of their way to help me out in time for the briefings. Note to add m6 crash time onto my journey and get up at 3am not 4am next time.



Out on track for a few sighting laps and then the first session. First session of the day was to be devoted to finding reference points, having been fully briefed as to the what's and whys in a classroom session. And don't think it's a lecture, the classroom sessions are a discussion with the end result being all riders heading for the track knowing why they are about to try a certain drill and the benefits that might come from it, not a do this do that because I say so.







I meet my coach for the day, a guy called chris sherring and get out on track for drill 1, we are given the task to find one reference point on one corner. From the classroom session I've decided to find one on an apex. Still learning where the track goes at this point and remembering to stick to my level one drills, but come in a lap early with a battery problem still having found 2 apex reference points. This then feeds into the next classroom session and forms the next discussion point.

I got the bike sorted in the next break between classes with the help of a few of the CSS guys and the most enthusiastic bike mechanic's from the nearest Suzuki dealer over the phone. Top guys.







We moved on throughout the day to other drills, including using different parts of the track and different lines. This did make my whole riding world a lot bigger but still felt I was struggling with corner entry speed and drive on the exits. We moved on to extend one of our level one drills the 2 step, into a level 2 drill, the 3 step. Seems obvious right? Well try putting that into practice for the first time! I slowly started forcing myself to change my vision and it started to come very slowly throughout the day. One of the other drills, widening a rider's vision when riding was an absolute revelation. Never have I run through a set of essess's taking note of a helicopter flying across the track near my exit. I actually realised after this point that there we several huge markers around the track which I had failed to see in the morning sessions!

Slowly my corner entry speed, lean angle but more importantly confidence started to increase.









Last session of the day was a drill to get better drive out of corners, having a word with my coach we both agreed at this point I should concentrate more on my 3 step to help me re-train my brain but to give the pick up drill a go on a couple of identified corners. By the time we had geared up and assembled it was raining, off we went steadily and by the time I got to turn 3 I could see the track was 90% wet and the rain was getting much heavier. I had to crack my visor as my associated panic breathing was asking a bit much of my breath guard. Anyway, forced myself to calm down, work on my visual drills and concentrate on being smooth and consistent rather than passing people. I started to get a bit more flow with the 3 step and corners seems to merge into each other rather than be different sections of the track. A few laps in I decided to give the pick up drill a go and was a bit underwhelmed to start with. Next identified corner I gave it a second try, this time with a more confident body position and smoother drive on the exit. The feeling of this being so strange is quickly replaced with the feeling of much better drive and a huge grin inside my helmet. Must concentrate on 3 step I tell myself and force myself back into my other drills, allowing myself just the one corner for the pick up drill. By this point the rain is harder still, the track has developed standing water across most of the track width and yet I could have stayed out there all day! Trying the pick up drill for what is the last turn of the day onto hangar straight I look down the track and see my coach using the same drill in front of me, on a R1, with road tyres and is getting such good drive he has the front wheel in the air. I also notice at this point whilst still with the front in the air he has turned around to give me a thumbs up and a big nod of his head.







Highlights of the day

The 3 step

Wide view

The pick up drill on road tyres in the rain



Lessons of the day

I need more track time to work on these drills before level 3

I should have had more track time cementing level 1 drills

When using a multimeter on your bike the night before remember just cause the battery shows 11.9 volts doesn't mean it will hold that under cranking.

A hotel the night before might be a worthwhile investment. Adding a 7 hour round trip onto the day is a bit much to ask, the concentration levels needed for this are much higher than a trackday.

 

I'm sure they will, just take your time commit to the drills and ask for clarity on anything you need. Good communication plays a large part in getting the most from their days imo, that and being rested enough!
The whole slow down to go fast thing works, I changed bikes between L1 and L2 and felt like I had gone backwards. You'll be flying about in no time. Take plenty of drinks and snacks too. Chilling out somewhere in the lunch break helped me recharge my brain, it took a equal battering to my body on these days.
if you need any other info please ask away

 

I have had friends who have been and said it was good and I have thought about it myself but for the same cost you can get 3 or 4 track days.

If I were to go it would probably be one of the race schools as a bit of a half way house.

 

guess the decision is to practice old habits, 4 times, and progress a little or have pro help to start improving habits and leap in progression...in theory