I'm hoping some of you guys that have a bit of experience can help out a newbie. I am just getting into sportbike track days as of this season (been riding dirt bikes for years). Regarding PRO School trackday events can anyone out there share their experience with this type of track day please? I would like to hear what a typical PRO school track day is like. I see that the PRO school track days involve a LOT of track time and much more personalized instruction, which is great. It's a bit pricey and I am not sure if gaining more experience before getting into this type of training is a better idea than getting into the more intense training from the start. Seems to me that getting the right training from the start would be a good idea since bad habits can be hard to break! Just wanted to do a sanity check before shelling out the cash. Thanks in advance for your replies!
The PRO school is meant as an extension of the Novice instruction, not as a replacement w/ more interaction with staff. This type of instruction is designed more for the rider who has track experience and is looking for a way to advance their basic skills gained through the novice group. Typically, this is done through a rider self evaluation and Staff input throughout the day. The instruction is done at a more advanced level and is focused on more advanced techniques and/ or specific areas of concern to the rider.
Jason, I did my first track day with the Team Chicago School and just signed up with STT. Planning on attending with the STT beginner group on the 5th and 6th of May at Grattan and was thinking about signing up for the Pro School on the 18th of May, also at Grattan. Have you attended a pro school track day? Was your experience a good one? Justin, From your reply it seems novices are more than welcome in the pro school. Question... In your opinion would a rider benefit more from attending a pro school after a weekend in the beginner class or would it be better to get a few more track days in first? Honestly, based on your reply I'm thinking getting into this class would be a smart decision after a weekend in the beginner group.
I'm from the school of the more knowledge the better. I'm in the military and I'm offered the ERC throught the MSF once a year for free and take it everytime. It's good practice and I always learn something. That being said I would definately take the STT Novice Class first, like you said you are. I haven't taken the PRO School yet but from my understanding and from Monte it takes what you've learned in the Novice School and builds on it. So it would help to have that foundation down well first. Just be patient and keep your ears wide open to your Coaches. Just because the Novice School is free with the trackday doesn't mean that there isn't a ton of things to learn. This is the foundation everything else you do on the track will be built from, so start strong and go from there. I have spoke to plenty of people and all have had nothing but great things to say of the PRO School. So like I said more knowledge the better.
Here is Misko's Track Report for the Pro School we attended a couple years ago: http://www.cycleforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176266&highlight=Pro+School
wdavis, thanks for the link. That monologue was great, very detailed. I have a good idea of what the experience will be like after reading it. I'll be heading out to Grattan again this weekend, I'll be asking the instructors more questions on this topic there too. Thanks for the info! P.S. I heard something about a Michelin tire discount to new STT members, is this true? I'd love to get some track tires, the street tires that come stock on the R6 are good road tires but I'd like to compare to a good set of track tires and I'll need some soon anyways with all the riding I'm doing. Have a good one!
Jason, That's kinda how I felt about it. If you can get more time with very proficient riders then you can only benefit from it. Question is if you're too green then will you get as much out of it as you would have after gaining more experience first. I'll double check the wallet and talk to an instructor or two this weekend about it then make a decision. Take it easy!
i'll be instructing during the pro schools at grattan. let me know if you're planning to attend and anything specific you are trying to learn...we'll make sure to accomodate you.
Grape, The answer to your questions is yes all around. Yes, you will benefit from time in the novice group. Just remember to be patient if the pace is slower than you would like, and use that time to hone the basic skills. Yes, the pro school is VERY much worth it.... but, like anything else, it is only as good as you make it. If you are willing to learn, even a "green" novice will take things away from the PRO school. Thing is, you really do need to be comfortable w/ the basics first. IF you are, then the pro school is a good logical step forward. I have taught a couple of them now, and I really enjoy the ability to work on a nearly individual basis w/ people who are dedicated to improving their ability. Like Jig said, have a couple things in mind to work on and REALLY focus on them. An honest self-evaluation will make the process that much easier, as the instructors can really concentrate on improving in those areas. Regardless of the day, ASK QUESTIONS!! that is what keeps us employed as staff!! Track anyone on staff down and they will be more than willing to help you out as best they can! Heck, i still ask questions of staff. In fact, Jig has given me a couple little hints at grattan. (he has done a lap or two there... :wink: )
Tires I would hold off on new tires just yet. Honestly, the qualifier's on the new R6 are pretty righteous tires. I ran mine till they shagged doing both novice instruction and advanced group riding. They held up well and were very predictible even at the end. The new generation of street tires is pretty amazing. Just ask Nick D on staff.. he rode a pilot power STREET tire thru two race weekends and won almost every race he was in, and the tire still had life left! There are plenty of advanced guys running powers and qualifiers. As for track tires, there are plenty of options out there, but be warned. the new gen R6 is very touchy about set up. a new set of tires, especially race tires may change the geometry enough to affect handling. IMHO, i would spend some cash on good suspension set up first, then worry about tires. The stock suspension on the R6 is good stuff.. just needs to be set correctly. BTW, I see you are not too far away from me. If you need help prepping your bike or have issues w/ it, feel free to shoot me an email and i will help if i can. I basically rebuilt mine over the winter, so i am very familiar w/ them!
Justin, Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that real soon! I could use the help setting up the bike. When I first rode the bike after picking it up from the dealer I quickly realized that the suspension was set too soft for me front and rear, more so in the front I think (I'm 210lbs 6' 3"). As a result I did some research on the internet and found that I first had to set my static sag. I did this for the rear, but was unable to do it for the front. I've set the rear at 5mm, under my weight. The front was real sloppy feeling in turns especially when hitting bumps or accelerating, and it really dove a lot under hard braking. I increased the preload, rebound and compression damping to various degrees (wrote it all down one step at a time). The bike is behaving better now, and the tires seem to stay in contact with the road better over bumps and undulations. I would definitely benefit from some expert help though! I'm gonna try it at the track this weekend (the street is a bad testing groud) and I may just drop you a line next week.
Pro School Grattan I did my first Pro School at grattan last year. I rode in the Novice group about 5 times and I for about 6 times before taking the class. It was great. Tall Paul was my instructor, and he had us up to speed quickly and safely. In my humble opinion, I would want to really feel comfortable at a very fast pace before I signed up for a Pro School. You learn a lot but I believe you should have a solid foundation too first. I am not the fasted guy out there but not the slowest either and I got a lot out of the Pro School. I will be attending another one this year. Just my thoughts. Sean
Now what could a WERA champion possibly know about going fast? :lol: Just kidding. Jig and the rest of the coaches who call Grattan their home track are all highly skilled riders and first rate coaches!
I'm planning on going to the May 18th Grattan date but on the Grattan website it says WERA motorcycle test day. Do they have a typo or is the day a pro school/WERA practice day? I'm going to go either way, I'm just interested in finding out.
it's both. WERA racers and other trackday folks can buy an LED trackday for $155. Only intermediate and advanced riders - no instruction. STT ProSchool will also be going on during that day where you get much more specialized attention and can get a WERA license for $299. Individual one-on-one instruction - much more than can be provided in a normal STT novice school.
jigmoore, I talked with a couple instructors over the weekend at Grattan and decided to sign up for the PRO school on the 18th... Done. I'll be heading out on the weekend of the 5th again too, on Saturday. In my humble opinion what I need to work on most is body position, and braking later, but I expect that the instructor(s) will let me know what really needs help most or is more important. Bottom line for me is, I don't want to pick up any bad habits and then have to break them later. I want to learn properly the first time and get up to speed more efficiently/safely so I can start enjoying this sport even more. I'm looking forward to the pro school man!
well definitely look me up. braking and body position are things i'm sure i can help with. now if it was suspension or cornerspeed....i'd suggest others that are better than me. i'll see if you and i can spend a bunch of time together...we'll get some stuff done for you. i'll be #36 on a yellow '06 r1 in a black trailer labelled 'heavy penny racing' can't miss my dumb mug.
Jig, doesnt your trailer still have a picture of a giant sand bag on it too?? just kidding... sorta... well kinda.... but it is all out of jealousy since you are faster on an FZ1 than i am on an r6! Seriously, looking forward to seeing everyone again at the track. Grape, Jiggy is a great guy to learn from, as are all of our instructors. He has WAY more than enough seat time at Grattan and even helped me out in a few spots last year. He