California Superbike School at The Ridge!

[SPG]

I may be the only one excited by the news, but CSS has scheduled a 2 day camp for right after our July Race round, on the 16-17th.

Their 2 day camps are not the cheapest way to break into their schools, but with the money saved not driving halfway across the country, it starts to look pretty good. Pricing is $2350 for two days of everything; 2011 BMW S1000RR's, tires, gear, food, 2:1 student/coach ratio, video, 7 sessions per day, and some really great instruction.

While I haven't done any 2 day camps, I have done a couple of their race schools, and several individual school days. I believe it was money well spent and am sure that CSS has been responsible for keeping my leathers off of the pavement on a few occasions.

http://www.superbikeschool.com/curriculum/two-day-camps.php

-Sean

[100%]

Man, the California Superbike School at The Ridge!!! That place is getting one hell of a start! Thanks for the heads up...!

[MadManx]

Done, in! Fook yeah!

[dknight]

I have done the two day schools several times as well as the Code Race school and found them to be extremely valuable, especially for newer races. Hell, we take lessons to do lots of things like golf, dance, continuing ed. for your business or profession so why wouldn't you invest in learning how to get better directing your 150hp machine 160mph around the track. It could save your life, which I can't say the same for golf lessons.

[SlowStad]

That's fantastic! And who hasn't read "Twist of the Wrist" haha.

I can't afford it but it's still fantastic!

[ducatiduane]

Something tells me a few people are going to make drastic improvements between rounds at the ridge...

[misterwaterfall]

Noob questions-As a soon to be Novice on a 600, how practical/ideal is it for me to run a school on a 1000? Would my time/money be better spent on going to other schools on my own bike?

[SPG]

Well, certainly a question you need to answer for yourself. I can say that the 1000rr is a pretty easy transition from the 600 and the school had their accident rate drop by close to 50% when they changed from the zx6-rs to the BMWs. I certainly wouldn't worry that getting used to the liter bike is going to hold you back in your school progress.

I personally like the idea of riding my own bike everywhere, and have towed it (and a spare) 20 hours each way for my CSS classes. That said, there is something to be said for having a bike waiting, with gas, tires, spare parts, and a mechanic, so that all you need to do is put on your helmet and focus on the current drill. Most of the CSS schools that let you ride your own bike are about $200 day cheaper, so not a huge amount considering the top notch bikes and the support that comes with them.

I called and talked with Cobie from CSS last week, and he did mention that the 2 day camp was their most popular package, so I can see why they started with that one for The Ridge. Hopefully the will like the track enough to bring more options in the future. Apparently they didn't think much of the runoff area at PR when they last came North and wouldn't be coming back except for the awesome new track.

Two recent reviews I found online for the 2 day camps:

http://sportbikechic.com/2010/11/the-california-superbike-school-2-day-camp-my-prescription-for-super-skill/

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-322348.html

-Sean

[molamphy]

I did the CSS at Streets of Willow a couple of years ago and it was an incredible experience. The focus is on technique so don't worry about the transition from 600 to liter bike or vice versa.
I'm going to take my bike to the Ridge session and Trevor will make the call if I can take it out the last session or two on day two.
Really looking forward to this! As a (hopefully) novice this year, maybe it'll make me faster. Or not. Old slow guy on an old slow bike...

[Bzbartell]

Seriously though, the CSS costs 6.3 times what a two day weekend with Motofit Group down at ORP costs. For a lot of people that's a track-day budget for an entire year. For those of you who have been, is it really worth that much money? Of course using their bike (required for this school) adds to the costs, but I'm pretty sure most people here have their own bikes (which I'd prefer to ride anyway) so it's not as enticing.

[SPG]

Since you asked if it seemed worth it to those who have done it...
I can't speak specifically for these two day camps which use the school bikes, because I haven't done one and most likely won't (no GP shift is a deal breaker for me).

That said, I have done several (six) one day schools on my bike (@$400/day), I sent my wife down for a couple of days on her bike (@$400/day), and I have done the CodeRace school twice on my own bikes (@$1600 and $1800 for two days each). It should be pretty obvious that I feel it has been a good value since I keep going back. The coaches have been able to teach to my level and give me solid training from my first time on the track (and my wife's after only 6 months of riding), to helping me consolidate my lessons learned after my first racing season. The same fundamental concepts can be applied and refined at all levels of riding skill.

If I had more time off and money to spend, I'd probably go a few times next year, but I think the full schedule with WMRRA, OMRRA and a bunch of trackdays may make it a little tougher for 2012.

That said, not necessarily for everybody, strictly my opinion, your mileage may vary, etc.

-Sean

[DRAGING KNEE]

Wow more than I can afford, I know it's expensive when they provide the bikes. It sounds like a great way for them to get paid to come ride the best track in the NW.