I'm a newbie!!

[BFREE30]

Hello, My name's Bob and I'm a newbie!! I just found this site from a link at Chicaholandsportbikes.com.  Ijust finally got a track bike, and want to get my license and start racing. I've been riding on and off for 10 yrs. And took the California superbike school in 1992. But I'm going to Gratten this weekend if the weather is good. Any other school suggestions to getting a license are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your replies..

[Dawn]

Learning Curves and Visionsports Riding School offers courses at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockton, IL.

www.learningcurves.com
www.team-visionsports.com

Dawn   ;)

[KBOlsen]

Also, I don't think the Gratten school next weekend will qualify you for a CCS license.  You'd have to purchase a WERA license and then take that to apply for a CCS license.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

If that's the team Chicago free school, you'll probably be disappointed.
Visionsports!

[BFREE30]

Like I said, I'm new... What are the differences between ccs, wera, nesba?? Do you need different licenses for all the different organizatons? ???

[Dawn]

CCS = Championship Cup Series
WERA = Western Eastern Roadracing Association
NESBA = North East Sport Bike Association (?)

CCS and WERA are racing organizations, NESBA only has track days I believe.  CCS has more races in the Midwest where WERA has races in other locations.

Dawn   :)

[BFREE30]

Thanks, I just signed up for NESBA, and got a number.. Does CCS have a website?

[Dawn]

www.ccsracing.com

Dawn   :)

[Baltobuell]

 Nesba is a trackday group and a very good one. It is not racing, it is learning. Which may sound boring, but believe me it's not. A couple of track days with them will be invaluable once you start racing. Superdave, from this board teaches riders too at Visionsports. Find days that suit your schedule and go learn and get comfortable. Then you too can kick my butt at the races.
 Wera and CCS are racing org's, the rest are trackday groups. Some are useless other than tracktime, some have coaches that will make you faster than you ever thought possible. Welcome, and have fun.

[lil_thorny]

bfree,
not only is visionsports a reasonably priced school, it
is hands down the most seat time yer gonna get.
and once you have taken the school, gotten your
rr license, they will continue to guide you and encourage you throughout your racing career. Super
Dave Rosno and his staff are very approachable
and knowledgeable. Riding techniques, suspension
tuning, engine , fuel, tires,you name it, they know it.
and no question is stupid. trust me, i have asked them all. give em a try @ WWW.team_visionsports.com
hope to see you on the track,
Benj.

[Super Dave]

Thanks for the plugs, everyone.

My school process is kind of "on going".  It isn't always about just "put your foot here" and "turn here".  Sometimes, it's in your head, or your suspension, etc.  And I still work with my guys, my children, when ever I can.  Only time I won't would be when someone buys me for a track day event or something.  Won't happen during a club racing event, but the AMA Pro stuff, yes, I'm pretty booked.

[MightyDuc Racing]

Welcome.  I haven't met Super Dave in person, however, I've heard nothing but great things about his school.  They say you can't please everyone, yet nobody seems to complain about his school.  I'd take his school, then get my license and go racing.  It's a LOT different than riding at what you think is a fast pace on the street.  Good luck!

[KBOlsen]

Visionsports
Visionsports
Visionsports

I'd suggest doing a couple NESBA weekends to get yourself acclimated to the track environment - the Control Riders are all Expert-level roadracers with good communication skills.  They will coach you and give you feedback - as well as explain basic track etiquette.

Then, do a VisionSports school.  I can't begin to tell you how much Dave has helped me - no matter how silly the question.  Once you do VRS, you really do become part of a "family".

As for racing organizations, you will be doing a LOT more traveling if you opt to go with WERA.  They don't run at Blackhawk at all, and not a lot at Gingerman, either.  Which leaves Grattan and Putnam.  Awesome tracks, but a lot more "getting there".  CCS will have six events at Blackhawk this year alone.

[tzracer]

Leaning Curves provides Licensing Clinics on Saturdays during most CCS race weekends in the midwest. Upcoming events include Friday April 5th at Road America, Saturday May 10th and Monday May 12th at Blackhawk Farms.

See http://www.learningcurves.com/2003.html
for more information.

[TreyBone]

And when you do complete your school...... and take up valuable time for people that already have their stuff filled out and payment ready to go.

[TreyBone]

And when you do complete your school...... Fill out your paperwork or have someone show you how before standing in the registration line and take up valuable time for people that already have their stuff filled out and payment ready to go.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

And when you do complete your school...... Fill out your paperwork or have someone show you how before standing in the registration line and take up valuable time for people that already have their stuff filled out and payment ready to go.

Does that seem like a polite way to deal with a newbie?  Are you as impatient on the track when you see a school shirt?  God knows, I made every concievable mistake on and off the track during my first few weekends.  Some excellent people just decided to mentor me, and thank God for that.  My second weekend I completely destroyed the motorcycle and all my gear except my boots.  I'd have quit right then, but my mentor told me that he hoped I'd come back, because he thought I could be really good at this.  Thanks Don!!!
Can you still remember what it was like to show up at the track alone, without a clue and not knowing anyone?  I'm starting my fifth season, but I still remember how it was when I started.  I try to help any new guy who doesn't look to already be hooked up with friends.  Life is too short not to.  Try it.  It will pay you back tenfold.

[Super Dave]

Leaning Curves provides Licensing Clinics on Saturdays during most CCS race weekends in the midwest. Upcoming events include Friday April 5th at Road America, Saturday May 10th and Monday May 12th at Blackhawk Farms.

See http://www.learningcurves.com/2003.html
for more information.

OOPS!  Brian, I hope you're having school on April 25th at RA... ;D

[BFREE30]

It's ok, I understand the importance of having paperwork in order. Thanks again to everyone who offered up information to help me out. I am going to Gratten this weekend to do the Team Chicago school. I need to get used to the new track bike I got. The guy I got it from raced WERA, And it's a bright ORANGE CBR F3. I'll probably be at Blackhawk on the 20th, So if you guys are at either, please say Hi. You can't miss the glowing Orange Beaast.. Thanks again, Bob

[TreyBone]

For a minute there I was getting K3 confused with ?Tony Robbins :-/

[Super Dave]

What?  How could you confuse K3 with Tony?  (But who's Tony?) ::)

[EX#996]

What?  How could you confuse K3 with Tony?  (But who's Tony?) ::)

I believe the Tony Robbins he is referring to is a person who writes motivational (sp ?) books.

Dawn   :)

[Super Dave]

Tony Robbins WISHES he could be K3.... 8)

[tzracer]

OOPS!  Brian, I hope you're having school on April 25th at RA... ;D

Thanks Dave, yes that is April 25th, the 2 must have gotten lost!

[Super Dave]

I know...

Cold fingers with poor circulation from the weekend activities... :o

[tzracer]

I am more worried about other parts of my anatomy ;D

[Super Dave]

LOL...  Don't go there.... :o

[tzracer]

I wouldn't do that, might make Dawn blush ;)

[Super Dave]

Nah, she won't.

She'll just continue doing Kegel's.

(Sorry, Dawn... ;D)

[fzr400tony]

i know i'm jumping in the middle here and hopefully not stepping on anyone's toes, but doesn't nesba have an approved ccs licensing program?

[MightyDuc Racing]

Who cares....it's too cold up there where ya'll are anyways...lol.  They need to come up with a SESBA. ;D

[EX#996]

Nah, she won't.

She'll just continue doing Kegel's.

(Sorry, Dawn... ;D)

Ooops!  Too late   :-[

Dawn   :)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I am going to Gratten this weekend to do the Team Chicago school.

Gratten is an awesome track, but unless it's gotten much better, the Team Chicago school might be disappointing.  I had already taken Learning Curves for what was then the going rate of $100.  The TC school was free.  I thought to myself, "You get what you pay for..."
Learning Curves is a great way to get your license.  I am a BIG BIG fan of Visionsports, but since I never took their licensing school, I can't compare it to Learning Curves.  Either school would probably be a nice follow-up if Team Chicago leaves you feeling less than ready to jump into racing with both feet.  Aside from that, just having a repior with Brewer of LCR or Rosno of Visionsports is well worth the price of admission in the long run.  My $.02

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

For a minute there I was getting K3 confused with ?Tony Robbins :-/

Sorry, dude.  I just love this sport and the people in it.  Excellent people went out of their way to help me when I started, for no other reason but that I happened to pit across the road from them.  I'd have quit without their encouragement and support.  No one in my family was giving me anything but grief when I started racing, so I needed a few kind words from SOMEWHERE!!!  
I believe in the whole cosmic payback, karma, you reap what you sow thing.  Didn't mean to snap on you like that.  Peace and love, Baby!!!