I went to American Supercamp this week and it was awesome. Thought I'd share with the board in case anyone is considering it or if they haven't heard of it but may be interested. Here is their website:
http://www.americansupercamp.com/General InfoPrice is $525 (there was an early sign up discount; full price is $600 or something).
Two days of training on a flat dirt surface (Delaware Fair Grounds animal pavillion in my case). They do it in GA, CO, CA as well, and maybe some other place (have to check the website).
The course is 9a-5p each day. You get the full 9-5.
Schools are limited to 30 people. They split them into 3 groups based on ability. Our class was 24 people and that was plenty. Danny (Walker, owner/founder and former racer) said that sometimes he gets requests from customers to offer smaller classes so they can ride more, and are willing pay more for that. But he says small classes when they have done them wear out riders and they are exhausted by 2pm. My experience confirms this---by the end of day 2 I was dead tired. I couldn't imagine riding all out for 2 days. The breaks are welcome.
I brought my own gear, as did many others, but the school provides everything you need if you don't own gear or if you are flying there and don't want to lug your gear.
Bikes are Yammy TTRs 125cc. Well maintained and durable (ask me how I know). 10 hp ain't much, but it was more than enough for what we were doing. And if anyone thinks that you can't go fast or learn on such a small bike, just watch what Danny or any of the instructors can do on it.
Instructors are very skilled. Most are early twenties or late teens, and have AMA pro experience. They are good. Danny has been teaching the course for something like 17 years and it is well refined. He also runs race teams and tons of experience with road racing, too. There is a guest instructor as well. In our case, it was Chris Carr. His ability to control a sliding bike was impressive. Other famous racers guest instruct from time to time as well (Crutchlow was at their recent CA camp, I think).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Carr_(motorcyclist)Courses are either for non-racers and for racers, although the one I took was mixed since it was an add-on course (the previous days' courses were booked and so they added another session for those of us on the wait list).
Day 1Danny gives a 40 minute lecture on the what and why of what you are doing. Then you ride. The course is riding-based, not tons of lectures.
Most of the instruction is one-on-one via comments in between session and tips during your session (they are standing on and around the track and yell at you about body position, line of vision, etc.).
First day focus is on body position and using controls for trail braking.
The day is spent entirely riding around an oval track that is maybe 30 yds long. Again and again and again. 2nd gear the whole day. They have you do drills (e.g. left hand off bars in order to emphasize using your hips and lower body to turn instead of your arms and shoulders) that are meant to force you to learn the right techniques.
The end of the day they spray the track into a slick mud surface. This basically amplifies your riding mistakes so you really learn what you are doing wrong. Lots of falling.
Again, lots of falling (at least for me), but almost always in the corners and thus at low speeds. You just get up, pick up your bike, and continue around the oval, a little bit smarter.
This is the first day oval:
Day 2The second day focuses on using the basics taught in day one to control the bike around different tracks. These tracks are created using hay bails and take up nearly the entire arena, so you get into 3rd gear. Here is Carr power skidding around the turn at the end of the straightaway on the initial track setup:
There is a brief lecture (accompanied with video clips) about technique and about racing lines. It is maybe 20 minutes and give you some more stuff to consider as you ride through the courses.
There is a braking drill that is lots of fun, where you skid the bike and then come to a near stop and you roll off at an idle. It's all about bike control. This was really good for learning how to properly trail brake, balancing use of both throttle and rear brake, along with the rate of turn and lean angle. Lots 'o fun!
They use GoPros throughout the day to film the groups as they ride. Then during your break one of the instructors goes over your technique and body position as you watch the video.
The last track setup is big and fun. Lots of fun. So much so that I maybe lost my focus on working on technique and just got lost in the fun of racing around the course. Here is a short video clip:
SummaryAs I noted at the start, it was awesome. Tons to learn and it is hard to imagine anyone ever running out of stuff to learn---Danny has a bottomless well of riding knowledge (both street and track).
Additionally, Danny and his crew are just fun guys and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. These are people that love riding and love teaching the school.
I recommend it to anyone looking to improve their skill set or even just to have fun. I will definitely go back.
Anyway, that's it. Post any questions if you got 'em.
