Ducati Monster Forum

Anybody here ever put themselves through a racing or track-riding specific school? I'm strongly considering doing one and just trying to figure out what all of my options are.

I have a friend who did the Yamaha Champions Racing School and raves about it. That one is very expensive though.

I've read up a little bit on the Disalvo Speed Academy, but the weekend I would do that it would be coupled with an STT track day event so we wouldn't have private track time.

I've also seen some mention of the California Superbike School - unfortunately it's nowhere near me for the rest of the year.

Anybody have experience with any of those, or have any others they would recommend?

Not sure where you're based but I'm looking at YCRS this summer too... I was interested by CSS but I've heard that YCRS is better.

Before my first TD I did the Lee Parks TCARC... that one is done in parking lots though and not on a track.  That being said, I really feel that I learned a lot from it as it really focused on doing drills that taught you the things you needed to know.  And since you were only at parking lot speeds, there wasnt that stress from being at speed.

Do any of your track day providers offer instruction? That's where I would start before going all out on something like DiSalvo or Yamaha Champions?

That said, I've heard nothing but great things about the Yamaha Champions school.

Schools don't work though if you aren't committed to following their advice. I know a couple guys that got way faster after attending the Yamaha school, and another that is still slow as shit.

You're fast enough.  ;)  Forget track school and do this.  Bikes, guns, and BBQ!   [evil]

http://vimeo.com/97396937 (http://vimeo.com/97396937)

^^^ Hell yeah!!  [thumbsup] That camp is definitely on my list. With CE retired, should be easier to attend one with him as well.

Ha! That looks like a pretty good time.

TripleJ, I do most of my track days with Sportbike Track Time. They're very good about having good, helpful control riders. They offer classroom sessions after each of the first 3 sessions usually. And they're helpful if you ask for specific advice. I probably haven't been taking complete advantage of that. The problem is is the rider to coach ratio is quite a bit higher than a school would be.

Fortunately there are a bunch of track schools, some that travel between multiple tracks. I would look at it from another angle. If you like a particular track, I would check dates and then decide which school is coming to town that week.

This is a good option as well.

Another option is email STT and ask if they have any instructors/control riders that you can hire for a day or 1/2 a day. Often times those guys are local club racers. Tell them what you're looking for so they can match you up with the right person.

I did this when I did a trackday at Miller with Kiegwins last year. They let me hire one of their instructors for a 1/2 day (which was plenty), who also is an AFM racer (current #5 plate holder). It was very good, and I think cost me $200 or so...much cheaper than a full-on school.

I've actually done tha twice, and it has helped a lot both times. 2-3 pieces of advice and/or observations on your riding style can make a huge difference if you work to incorporate the advice.