On Monday, I attended Reggie Pridmore's CLASS track school at Virginia International Raceway. The standard disclaimer applies - I have no relation to Pridmore or his CLASS school. I've been riding for 7 years, with the first five on a Yamaha V-Star 1100 cruiser. I've never done a track day, much less a track school. By the way, I'm 52 years old, and have no illusions about becoming a professional racer.
CLASS requires brand new tires, masked or removed mirrors, and taped/disabled brake lights. No other bike preparation (like safety wiring or coolant replacement) is necessary.
VIR has about 17 turns over 2.25 miles, with some significant elevation changes thrown in. They started us out very slowly, emphasizing that this was not a race school and discussing track safety, flag signals, and how the day would be structured. We had the choice of A or B groups (faster or slower). B group took a slow lap of the track as a group, with Pridmore stopping us several times to point out particularly tricky turns, and what line to use. Afterward we broke into groups of 5-7 riders, and followed an instructor around, again following the optimum line. After one lap, rider number 1 would move to the left, slow down, permit everyone to pass, and take up the tail position. This would continue until each rider had taken a lap directly behind the instructor, who was watching our technique in his mirrors. The day was divided into 20 minute sessions in which A and B groups alternated between the track and the classroom for discussions on topics such as throttle management, body steering vs. counter steering, braking/downshifting sequence, keeping your weight off the bars, and thinking ahead. Major emphasis on smooth inputs, and keeping the bike stable.
The track sessions were great! No speed limits, no deer, no pedestrians, no intersections! CLASS instructors were out on the track with you, and would occassionally motion a rider to follow them to give some one on one instruction.
I would say my skill level was about in the middle of B group - I was getting passed regularly, but I was also passing a fair number of riders myself. The track has a rather long straight, followed by a hairpin turn. Turns out the FJR has a rev limiter at about 9500 rpm! Duh, maybe its time to upshift! There were about 10 instructors for about 60 students in B group. There were a lot of middle aged guys riding BMWs, and other non-crotch rocket bikes, even a Honda Rune. There were 5 FJRs in B group.
Near the end of the day I took two laps with Pridmore on his bike, two up. He is a three time AMA superbike champion. That guy is incredibly smooth and efficient in getting from point A to point B. On my bike, on the straight I was hitting around 105 before I started to brake for the turn, according to my gps. You all know the FJR has a lot more to offer, but I ran out of balls! Reggie said he can hit 150 on the straight. You have no idea of the g-forces you experience when he starts hauling in the brakes for the upcoming hairpin turn...
I had read Pridmore's book before attending the track school. I would strongly recommend doing this because you will not absorb all the instructors are saying during the day.
In short, I had a blast, and I learned a few things I could stand to practice, such as efficient braking and downshifting. I'll be doing this again next year, and I would encourage those who, like myself, have never gone to a track school to try one. You will not regret it!
CLASS requires brand new tires, masked or removed mirrors, and taped/disabled brake lights. No other bike preparation (like safety wiring or coolant replacement) is necessary.
VIR has about 17 turns over 2.25 miles, with some significant elevation changes thrown in. They started us out very slowly, emphasizing that this was not a race school and discussing track safety, flag signals, and how the day would be structured. We had the choice of A or B groups (faster or slower). B group took a slow lap of the track as a group, with Pridmore stopping us several times to point out particularly tricky turns, and what line to use. Afterward we broke into groups of 5-7 riders, and followed an instructor around, again following the optimum line. After one lap, rider number 1 would move to the left, slow down, permit everyone to pass, and take up the tail position. This would continue until each rider had taken a lap directly behind the instructor, who was watching our technique in his mirrors. The day was divided into 20 minute sessions in which A and B groups alternated between the track and the classroom for discussions on topics such as throttle management, body steering vs. counter steering, braking/downshifting sequence, keeping your weight off the bars, and thinking ahead. Major emphasis on smooth inputs, and keeping the bike stable.
The track sessions were great! No speed limits, no deer, no pedestrians, no intersections! CLASS instructors were out on the track with you, and would occassionally motion a rider to follow them to give some one on one instruction.
I would say my skill level was about in the middle of B group - I was getting passed regularly, but I was also passing a fair number of riders myself. The track has a rather long straight, followed by a hairpin turn. Turns out the FJR has a rev limiter at about 9500 rpm! Duh, maybe its time to upshift! There were about 10 instructors for about 60 students in B group. There were a lot of middle aged guys riding BMWs, and other non-crotch rocket bikes, even a Honda Rune. There were 5 FJRs in B group.
Near the end of the day I took two laps with Pridmore on his bike, two up. He is a three time AMA superbike champion. That guy is incredibly smooth and efficient in getting from point A to point B. On my bike, on the straight I was hitting around 105 before I started to brake for the turn, according to my gps. You all know the FJR has a lot more to offer, but I ran out of balls! Reggie said he can hit 150 on the straight. You have no idea of the g-forces you experience when he starts hauling in the brakes for the upcoming hairpin turn...
I had read Pridmore's book before attending the track school. I would strongly recommend doing this because you will not absorb all the instructors are saying during the day.
In short, I had a blast, and I learned a few things I could stand to practice, such as efficient braking and downshifting. I'll be doing this again next year, and I would encourage those who, like myself, have never gone to a track school to try one. You will not regret it!
