Tracktime
There's no getting around it, shelling out $2600 for a school is a lot of coin. As such, not much time is spent in the classroom. The beauty of Miller Motorsports Park is that it's a huge racetrack, the full course measuring over four miles in length. It's able to be broken down into two separate and distinct courses, each with its own sets of challenges. Miller's East Course, ridden on the first day, is 2.2 miles and is tight and technical. The West Course, ridden the second day, is much more flowing and open, with fast sweepers leading to tight braking zones. Each morning students are loaded up into the school vans and taken for a spin around the course, with either Ienatsch or Hill the chauffeurs. Driving as though the Ford Econovan was actually a light and nimble sportscar, the van rides aim to familiarize students with the layout of the track. Proper lines are shown and students are encouraged to pay attention to Nick or Ken at the controls as early on the notion of using the brakes to help steer the vehicle (van or motorcycle) is engrained into everyone.
Each morning starts with a...
Each morning starts with a ride in the school vans circling each track. Instructors take a few laps showing both correct and incorrect lines around the track with the resulting rewards and penalties for each. Attention is also paid to what the driver is doing at the controls as some of the dynamics carry over into two wheels.
All the instructors are distinguished...
All the instructors are distinguished riders in their own right and have been coaching together for quite some time. It's clear they're all comfortable with each other...
At the end of the first day,...
At the end of the first day, and just before lunch on the second, a video lap is done. During the review instructors deliver both praise and constructive criticism during the lap. This instant review allows students quick feedback that they can apply each time they hop on a motorcycle.
After the sighting laps each...
After the sighting laps each group takes turns behind their instructor at a pace that borders on the edge of each person's comfort zone. Each instructor is adept at picking a proper pace based on what they see in their mirrors.
After the van rides each student suits up for a lead/follow session with their instructor. It's here where the personal attention begins as each instructor has a decent gauge on their student's skill level based on what they see in the mirror. Though the van ride gives students a general idea of where to go, actually getting on the bike and experiencing the track is the quickest-and best-method for learning. Early sessions in the morning take students around the track to familiarize for no more than five laps. It's the belief of the school that it shouldn't take more than five laps to learn which way to go. After that it's about perfecting technique and trying to get around the track faster. Since there are a few basics, or what Ienatsch refers to as "non-negotiables" to cover on the first day, small portions of the school are conducted in the wide parking lot. Topics covered here are proper downshifting, U-turns (or tight turning maneuvers), body positioning (which is later emphasized on the track), and threshold braking with both the front and rear.
Once the basics (err...non-negotiables) are covered it's back out to the racetrack for more track time. Due to the lower overall speeds on the East course, the first day is conducted here to get students accustomed to proper technique like keeping the eyes up and seeing through the turn and using all of the racetrack. By this point some might be thinking "How is this going to benefit me during a street ride?" The answer to that is simple. Yes, the school is conducted on a racetrack, but the skills learned here are transferable anywhere you ride, which is a point emphasized by all the instructors. Keeping the eyes up and scanning is useful not only on the racetrack, but also when navigating a new canyon road and not knowing what's ahead. Threshold and trailbraking drills come in handy during emergency braking situations...like finding your favorite canyon turn being blocked by a tree branch.
Hayes made sure to spend time...
Hayes made sure to spend time with as many students as possible as our guest instructor. Here he tells me to slow down, otherwise Yamaha might find out and hire me to replace him. OK maybe not, but his advice was sound and very helpful.
Instructors take everyone...
Instructors take everyone around for initial sighting laps, pointing out proper lines and apex points for each turn. Being able to take the left hand off the bar with a knee on the ground demonstrates how little weight is actually on the hands.
The curriculum is flexible,...
The curriculum is flexible, with instructors making adjustments as needed. For instance, the "cone drill" is usually reserved for three-day schools but was put to use here as the instructors felt it necessary. Here cones laid on their sides at different points on the track and riders need to ride around the narrow portion of the cone. This drill forces riders to keep their vision up for unexpected surprises in the road, like a sofa lying in the middle of a blind canyon road.
As the name implies, many past and present champions have had their input in the school, and part of what sets this one apart is an active effort for guest appearances by professional riders. To date, the likes of Ben Bostrom, Scott Russell, and even Ben Spies have all been guest instructors at the school. And now we had the pleasure of riding with Josh Hayes. During the lunchtime break, a roundtable discussion is had with the Yamaha champion where students fire away questions.
Before each session, if there isn't already a predetermined exercise on track, the instructors have the group focus on a particular goal as they circulate. Meanwhile, Turpin is on course taking students for two-up rides. If you've never done one before, it's a real eye-opener as to the capabilities of a motorcycle. To close out the day each student gets one lap ahead of an instructor. But not just any lap-this is a filmed lap-where every nailed apex is celebrated, and every mistake is scrutinized for the whole class to see.