Motorcycle Track School Day

The intention in starting the British Superbike School as a ‘not for profit’ organisation was to provide the best professional motorcycle coaches for road riders in the best setting in which to master bike control away from road hazards, by introducing the physics of how motorcycles stop, turn and accelerate, so riders can understand how bikes react to rider inputs, to improve rider technique and skills and help develop that vital confidence. We use not only Police Motorcycle Roadcraft, but also Vittore Cossalters ‘Motorcycle Dynamics’ with permission, as my background is Automotive Engineering, having originally been an apprentice with Ford Competitions at Boreham.

The trick has been to apply this and other proven theory (complete with all the maths), and make it of use to riders to apply. 

We then found considerable interest from trackday riders, some of whom were already very quick, so looked at finding some more experienced track/race coaches. The School was initially composed of well known riders and experienced local coaches including Pete Boast from Bike, Geoff Baldock (a former ‘King of Cadwell’), 120 mph TT rider Dave Hewson, as well as the track experienced Police, and DSA qualified motorcycle trainers. It is not enough just to be a great rider, you also need empathy and know how to train others. We assess and train all our coaches and have a ‘Coaching Manual’ which we update every year as we find out what works and what doesn’t and as we react to rider feedback which overall has been extremely encouraging. ...