Ducati Sporting Club UK > Sport > Trackdays & Race Schools > California Superbike School - Worth it?

[sye73]

I also attended a CSS day at Silverstone recently.
Although expensive, the organisation was very good and the team of people were obviously experienced not only in teaching people, but also how to run a training day efficiently.
On a personal level, I actually found it quite difficult to translate what I'd learnt in the classroom onto the track. The evironments are very different places and inevitably more things are 'going on' out on the circuit to take away your concentration.
The only slight critisism I had of the day is that when I booked, I had in my mind that I was actually going to be riding around Silverstone. In reality it was a part of Silverstone that I not only felt was too small, but also had poor surfaces in some areas.
Overall tho, a good day

[phillc]

Originally Posted by sye73

I also attended a CSS day at Silverstone recently.
On a personal level, I actually found it quite difficult to translate what I'd learnt in the classroom onto the track. The evironments are very different places and inevitably more things are 'going on' out on the circuit to take away your concentration.
The only slight critisism I had of the day is that when I booked, I had in my mind that I was actually going to be riding around Silverstone. In reality it was a part of Silverstone that I not only felt was too small, but also had poor surfaces in some areas.

I felt the same way on both points, to some extent. The "quick turn" drill I found particularly hard to actively do on track - expecially when still trying to think about getting the entry speed, throttle control and turn in points drill from previous sessions. However, the relaxation drill, which was next, helped a lot on the next two sessions and then I could think a bit more about quick turning.

The Silverstone Stowe circuit (I think it's called) is a bit Mickey Mouse with loads of left handers. However, I wasn't too bothered by it. Firstly I need the left hand turn practice, but also I wasn't bother about riding quickly, just practicing the drills. This track I think was fine for Level 1. If/When I do Level Two, I think I'll try for a different track though.

[Loz]

Phil
Thanks for posting this and also the link to your detailed report. Food for thought!

[Dominic Clegg]

when i asked the question about this this was just what i was looking for.

just £300 bit holding me back have to find a sponser hehehehehe

[TP]

Nice report Phill, I'm glad you had a good day.

[fil2]

im very interested in the CSS days....have even read a few things written by Keith Code ..!?!?.....its just at 300 a day, with racing its just not in the realms of possibilty...which is a conundrum..i would only do it to go faster on track but can only afford it if i stop racing..if i stop racing how fast i go becomes irrelevant.....hmmmm..i dunno......

Phil

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by fil2

im very interested in the CSS days....have even read a few things written by Keith Code ..!?!?.....its just at 300 a day, with racing its just not in the realms of possibilty...which is a conundrum..i would only do it to go faster on track but can only afford it if i stop racing..if i stop racing how fast i go becomes irrelevant.....hmmmm..i dunno......

Phil

Simply win the lottery - HTH

[Ray]

The judgement here is are you gonna get any value out of a CSS day?

Some might wanna chuck £300 at making the bike go faster and see that as good value, others might see that £300 spent on making the rider go better is good value.

As Fil says theres no point in trying to gyp up the rider for racing if the cost of the course means no racing!

Finding a sponsor is another thing completely, it can take up as much time as the racing side of things. My experience of that side of things might not be that recent but the basics haven't changed IMHO. The phrase "don't ask yourself what can a potential sponsor do for me, ask what can I do for a potential sponsor" springs to mind.

Ray.