High dollar racing schools

[Burt Munro]

Get the suspension without a doubt...

Good advice Dan.

[TommyG]

 If this point of reference matters, my fastest lap time at BHF is a 1:15.1.  Oddly enough it was while following Super Dave. ;)

Ahhh...ya..it matters. If I read this correctly and you have actually NOT raced yet but you can do a 15 flat at blackhawk(following someone or not!) you need tires and suspension! Oh ya...and a new lap timer! ;D

[Nate R]

I would start off with training first so you dont end up wasting money on things you don't need.

If I had done this I would've been a LOT better off, and been able to afford to race a lot more.

[TrackAddix]

I have attended the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School, Jason Pridmore's Star School, Reg Pridmore's Class School, the Team Hammer School, and 3 levels of Keith Code's California Superbike School.  All were good schools in their own way, however they are "riding" schools that teach you "riding" techniques but don't teach you anything about what a "race" day is like.  Also, of all these schools only the Team Hammer school is an approved licensing clinic for CCS racing.  If your aim is to get your race license and start racing, then don't waste your money on one of those high dollar schools.

Seems Dave has already "pimped" his Visionsports School, I'll jump in here and "pimp" my TrackAddix school.  Here are a couple of links.  One link is for school info and the other link is to a couple of testimonials from our graduates.

http://trackaddix.com/school/?pager=50

http://trackaddix.com/school/?pager=80

My advice is shop and compare.  Go to a local license clinic and spend the money on upgrades to your bike, the suspension being the most important upgrade on the list.  Doesn't matter how much horsepower you have or how good a rider you are if your suspension can't keep your tires in contact with the pavement.
Dean

[lilroy]

I have attended the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School, Jason Pridmore's Star School, Reg Pridmore's Class School, the Team Hammer School, and 3 levels of Keith Code's California Superbike School.  All were good schools in their own way, however they are "riding" schools that teach you "riding" techniques but don't teach you anything about what a "race" day is like.  Also, of all these schools only the Team Hammer school is an approved licensing clinic for CCS racing.  If your aim is to get your race license and start racing, then don't waste your money on one of those high dollar schools.

Seems Dave has already "pimped" his Visionsports School, I'll jump in here and "pimp" my TrackAddix school.  Here are a couple of links.  One link is for school info and the other link is to a couple of testimonials from our graduates.

http://trackaddix.com/school/?pager=50

http://trackaddix.com/school/?pager=80

My advice is shop and compare.  Go to a local license clinic and spend the money on upgrades to your bike, the suspension being the most important upgrade on the list.  Doesn't matter how much horsepower you have or how good a rider you are if your suspension can't keep your tires in contact with the pavement.
Dean

Thanks for the useful post!!  I am licensed with CCS using the LCR school and have taken the LCR advanced course which was a big help.

[Super Dave]

 If this point of reference matters, my fastest lap time at BHF is a 1:15.1.  Oddly enough it was while following Super Dave. ;)

Hey, but following me around on a play day isn't school.  There is more to it.

If I were going to do a school, other than my own, I'd do American Supercamp or Ed Bargy's Race School.

[CCSRacer114]

Hey, but following me around on a play day isn't school.  There is more to it.

If I were going to do a school, other than my own, I'd do American Supercamp or Ed Bargy's Race School.

http://www.americansupercamp.com/

I've heard nothing but great comments on that school and it's something I want to take sometime myself.  Thanks Dave for reminding me!

(us over 40 year olds need reminders occassionally)

[addicted2danger]

Strange to find this thread...learning about schools is exactly why I logged today.  I have been researching many different schools myself, and can't really find any of the "high dollar" schools that look like they are designed to make a better racer out of you.  
   Dave can you tell me more about your "Racer University"?  I agree w/ many of the things you say on visionmotorsports site.  Like everyone else getting started I too have limited resources, but if I find the right school (expensive or not) I'd cough up the cash and go!!!!

[johnny scheff]

  I am with Rob.  I have attended Schwantz twice,  Code once,  both Pridmores,  and Rick's licensing school and his other class,  and Spencer School.  Freddie Spencer school is the most expensive.  In my opinion it can't be compared to the others.  Every school that I attended I learned a valuable lesson.  I don't regret going to the other schools.  Due to its high cost I attended Spencer last.  If I could do it over again I would go there first.  I would probably skip the others except for Ricks.  Ricks school gave me invaluable local knowledge at BHF,  and it was cheap.  I feel that the other big name schools teach their curriculum and you get what ever you take from it.  Freddies the focus is on you.  You are not permitted to make mistakes.  It is drill oriented.  Kind of like Code in that respect.  But the drills teach incredible lessons.  I could go on all day.  Go straight to Freddies pro school.  If you can ride in the teens at BHF you probably won't be the slowest guy there.  Latch on to Nick Ienatsch and don't let go.  He is the best in the business.  Later - Johnny

[IBFrank]

As far as locals, S Dave from my watching spent alot of time with guys off and on who took his school up to a few YEARS ago. I personally took that Learning Curves deal, to be honest with you, I think I learned much more from books than I ever did from LC. Plus I went to ask an instructor questions later and he made me really feel brushed off. I'm taking the Visionsports thing the beginning of the year maybe we will ride there together.

[Protein Filled]

I have taken the Freddie Spencer school and it was great. A lot of drills and they really try hard to make you a better rider.

But...on the other hand... I also have asked Dave a lot of questions throughout the years and he has really helped me out a ton. This is something that you cannot expect from a school like the Freddie school. He has helped me with setting up my own motorcycle.

A local school is good being that you can walk up and ask questions throughout the year.

Same thing applies with buying bike parts. I can get them cheaper from certain places, but when I buy from a trackside vendor like Lithium Motorsports, I know that I will get their help with any questions I have through the year. Try asking LP about what shock spring you have or how to set it up for your riding style!

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Same thing applies with buying bike parts. I can get them cheaper from certain places, but when I buy from a trackside vendor like Lithium Motorsports, I know that I will get their help with any questions I have through the year. Try asking LP about what shock spring you have or how to set it up for your riding style!

Oh this sucks!  I have to agree with Edgar about something.  My heart is breaking.
Taking a local school frome someone like Rosno in the Midwest or whoever might do it in your region gives you a powerful ally and mentor throughout the year.  This is also why you want to choose a local suspension tuner who can give you trackside support.  I've dealt with Lithium as well, and they are excellent.
Point is, whatever region you race in, spend your money with the guys who support you at the track.  They are there for you when you need them, and might not continue to be there without your dollars.
Now back to disagreeing with everything Edgar says....