Question on licensing school

[130Gunner]

Okay, looks like there will be a licensing school at Jennings this weekend.  That's good.  Kinsey is also holding a Friday school, that's also good.  After reading everything I could find, I now know way too little about way too much.

In short - which is the best value/cheapest option?  I normally would go for the absolute best, but this one is going to be a major cost-issue since it's my first weekend.  Plus, with trip to lovely Iraq sometime this summer, I don't even know if I'll be able to make any more races.  If there is a substantial difference in price it would make a difference.  (I tried 6 times to call the Kinsey school today and couldn't get through the busy signal.)

Thanks for any advice!

[251am]

 Are they both put on by Learning Curves? License for CCS, WERA, or another unit?

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I'm a Midwest guy, so I can't address your specific situation.  Here we have Learning Curves.  They give you about four sessions on track, and as many in the classroom.  What you learn is pit entry and exit, start proceedures, what all the flags are for and what to do when you see them, the basic line around the race course, and what will be required of your bike and gear in tech.  The day will end with a Mock Race that is only "mock" in the sense that there will be no trophies awarded at the end.  Believe me, that's a lot to learn in a day, especially if you've not previously done track days.  Even if you have done track days and pretty much already know the drill, you will be required to take a school to prove you know this stuff.
  Spending more on a class that also plans to make you a better rider would just be a waste of money in my book.  Why?  Because there are only so many hours in a day.  The basics that Learning Curves covers, along with your first laps around a racetrack will expand your mind and beat your body enough for one day.  Skill-related schooling can be VERY helpful later, but you need to get out there and race for a bit so you have a firm grasp of what's going on through the eyes of a competitor before you can really appreciate a skills course.
Hope this helps!  And when you go "There,"  look for a big old National Guardsman named Phil Bresnahan.  (Small war, right?)  He's a long-time corner worker and sometimes racer (and 25 year friend of mine) who currently finds himself repairing tanks in what is quickly starting to look like a sandy Viet Nam.  Good luck to you there.

[cstem]

Chris basically hit it all on the head.  If you paln on racing CCS, take a clinic affilliated with them.  It makes getting your competition liscense easier, and you will learn CCS rules- which can be very important down the road.  If I had a dollar for every point in a championship lost due to a racer not reading the rulebook, I could afford my own racing program.

[130Gunner]

Sorry for the lack of background!  The Kinsey school is the CCS licensing school, it will be held at Jennings Friday.  All of my track experience is from this track.  Never heard of learning curves - only in the CCS info package that they have a licensing clinic at some events.  (I assume like WERA has a rider's school - a basic course to make sure you understand rules and procedures, flags, etc. and can get around a track without taking out the field.)

http://www.kinseyracingschool.com is all the info I can get so far.  Can't get a phone call through.

[251am]

 Go figure, I thought Breuer's crew did all the CCS licensing, that's Learning Curves' owner/chief instructor. The prices appear to be similar to Curves', so they're not out of line there. The only discrepancy I see in the Kinsey advert. is the $50 per class race fee. Normally it is priced at $70 for first race/class, $50 for second, $35 for the third, and $35 thereafter. It is an expensive weekend even if you don't race, and just take the class and buy the license. You will be hooked. Find a reputable pawn shop near you and take inventory of all your valuables to liquidate. :o You're right on the head per learning basics, etc.. Have fun.  

[Super Dave]

CCS accepts certificates from many school programs.  Keith Code, Learning Curves, Visionsports, Ed Bargy, Frank Kinsey, etc.  It's not hard to get a road racing license.  Being a faster road racer...that's a different story.  Some have the gift of being faster out of the box, others have to work for years to get a feel for it....some even find ways to get information from other avenues...

Frank Kinsey is a good guy and a road racing insider.  I'd recommend him.  Keep trying if you have time.

[wizard]

there are normally licensing seminars done with a race weekend. this is a cheaper option.

there is also martinelli race school at jennings.

go to www.jenningsgp.com and click on the school link.

[Super Dave]

there are normally licensing seminars done with a race weekend. this is a cheaper option.

Right.  But one gets limited track time...and a whole lot of sitting and talking.  You get what you pay for.

[hdpromos]

There will be a John Long Racing School on Sat. for licensing. The cost is $75. contact him at (305) 325- 0775.

HD

[wizard]

cost is 75.00 compaired to about 300 or 350.

he can do the school and reg for several races