[grendels_arm]

Went to Cornerspeed riding school (www.cornerspeed.net) on March 24 and a track day on March 25 at VIR. Had a good time. The ratio of instructors to riders was less than 2:1. So there was plenty of 1 on 1 help. Although my two friends and I sorta went out together alot. One instructor helped us out most of the day. Alot of what he said was Obi Wan Kenobish, but it was still good. I still need to improve my cornerspeed. I am just taking corners too slow and braking too early and too hard. In addition I don't go all the way to the outside to my turn in point enough. One thing that was frustrating was one guy there, who was on a 916/996/998 as well, kept looking back to see who was behind him. I'm thinking "don't do that, let me worry about getting around you, keep your eyes on where you're going". Few times I was behind it was a tad frustrating. Especially since the instructors said not to do it. If you're on the forum here, just mentioning, not trying to bash or anything. No harm done. Anyway other than that I had fun and look forward to improving. I'll be going down to VIR April 10-11 with the MAD Ducati guys for some track days with Cornerspeed.

 

[ShadowROne]

Those guys are great arent they I have been to a track day hosted by them and they are always willing to follow you around and give you pointer.

 

[grendels_arm]

Yep they're great. My next track days I'm going to go ask one of them to follow me around or lead me for awhile. Gonna ask for some recommendations for getting higher cornerspeed.

 

[hank]

Sounds like you had a great time - cool!

That one guy was annoying... looking behind is a good way for people to get spooked!

 

[grendels_arm]

Hank what were you on?

 

[NCRick]

Aaron and his guys are great. I think you will gain more from them once you get some more track time under your belt. They put on a hell of a track day too! For me, it is more a matter of looking through the corner and sneaking the gas on a little sooner and harder. Don't try to go in to the corner too hard, be smooth and keep working at it. Damn, it's fun isn't it?

 

[grendels_arm]

I really think I do the looking through the corner ok. And I'm getting the throttle ok. But I'm not getting a nice smooth turn in. It's like.

1. Sam on straightaway - go as fast as I feel comfortable
2. Sam sees brake markers approaching - pop up and lay off throttle and start to brake and downshift
3. Sam is braking hard, getting scared his fingers will slip off brake lever - bike slows down more than needed
4. Sam speeds up to build up some speed- ok turn in point coming up
5. Time to turn in - going through corner slower than I could have

 

[NCRick]

Sam could brake a little sooner and let off a bit before the corner so Sam can have time to judge the speed a little better? Learning is fun,no? I could be twice as fast as I am now and I would still be slow as heck. I have one of the biggest grins though! Really, less brake before the corner helps me.

 

[grendels_arm]

I start to brake before the 1st brake marker. Can't brake much sooner than that.

 

[NCRick]

That's it! all you have to do is stop braking sooner!

I am a big fan of Keith Code and his superbike school. I have done all 4 levels and am going back this spring. As funky as that dude is, he and all his people really care about the students improving. They have a TOTALLY set program for the first 3 levels of the normal school that imposes his "system" on the students (in a somewhat inflexible way according to some.) What is cool is that much of what we do out on our bikes are broken down into these defined steps and techniques that according to the program, can explain every issue. While this school is not the panacea or the only method it is the very best school to start with IMO. They have the students do a lot of laps using one gear (usually 4th) and no brakes. (Particularly in the first level of the school) This is a great exercise to help with judging corner entrance speed. Since all the riders on the track are doing the same drill, it is possible to flow around the track for a full session.

Arrons school uses a lot of the same ideas but because it is not as structured with regards to the track work there is not the same focus on a lot of basic things that really help me.

It is all an adventure to me. Anyone who can teach me anything has got to be good!