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To support our upcoming 4th year, we are launching a Dealer Referral Scheme which pays £50 for any full paying rider who books with us. Simply email us with the riders name and contact details and we will pay when paid.
Many of our places are filled this time of year via Xmas gifts from partners and parents.
We can supply booking forms/flyers and posters.
(We also offer half price places to dealer staff if they want to come).
These are proper track-based motorcycle training courses from qualified professional trainers, intended to make riders safer and their riding more enjoyable, on road or track.
Background
Mike Abbott (who has ridden for over 40 years), started advanced motorcycle training in 2009, having qualified as a RoSPA Instructor, and was later accredited by the DVSA as a Post Test Trainer. He had road raced from 1989 until finally giving up in 2005, attending any race school he could find, preparing his own bikes as an ex Ford Competitions Engineer. You’ll see him on page 170 of Rupert Paul’s book ‘Pass the Bike Test and be a Better Rider’ dealing with a recalcitrant Rupe.
The intention in starting the British Superbike School was to provide the best coaches in the best setting in which to master bike control. The approach is in explaining the basic ‘science’ of how motorcycles stop, turn and accelerate so riders can understand how bikes react to rider inputs, to improve rider skill and confidence and help develop that vital ‘feel’. And hopefully explode some of the motorcycling myths (e.g. we all countersteer instinctively – otherwise we couldn’t turn at any speed).
‘I find teaching on the road great – for hazard perception and positioning – but limited regarding bike control, due to the risks’. Mike had taken clients to track days in the past, finding riding shotgun ‘interesting’, (difficult and risky).
The idea for track training originally came from the Notts CC Motorcycle Forum to try and attract sportsbike riders who are the highest at risk group and are difficult to reach. ‘Loss of control’ is the major cause of big bike accidents.
The School started in 2011. In 2013 the courses were split into ‘Road’ and ‘Track’ in response to rider feedback and the interest shown by track riders. Road (Level l) is designed to be compatible with Police Roadcraft, Track (Level ll) is aimed at trackday riders or those considering a trackday, although racers sometimes come as well. Individual 1:1 training (Level lll) is a personal track coach for the day, for any qualified rider. The School can also accept +19 year old A2 licence holders and younger riders with ACU CTC certificates, on appropriate bikes.
The Road or Track course costs £289. Personal 1:1 training Road or Track costs £489.
The basic problem with training on track days is the sheer number of riders on the track (sometimes 50 or more) of varying abilities. Riders often finding themselves stuck in the crocodile behind slower riders, or intimidated by a passing stream of more experienced riders. This makes working on your riding very difficult, as fast or slow you’d be lucky to get many clear laps during the day, when the secret is finding a good consistent pace on which to build.
The cause is the sheer cost of track hire on the major circuits, which means that you have to pack them in to get the price down to an acceptable level, and/or use the shorter in-field tracks at tracks like Silverstone (Stow Circuit) or Rockingham, as this allows the ‘international track’ to be hired to others. Or run two ‘shifts’ through the day.
Almost by accident Mike came across a very enthusiastic Richard and Jane Usher and their new 1.6 mile Blyton Test Track in Northwest Lincs, which is ideal for bikes, fast and technical but without the hazards associated with the old circuits.
The response from experienced coaches and trainers to sign up has been brilliant, and the school now has star riders and experienced local coaches in the form of Dan Linfoot now a BSB Works Honda rider, Rob Frost ex WSS, Pete Boast from Bike, Matt Hull from Ride, Jules Croft, Dave Hewson, Geoff Baldock, and experienced qualified trainers/track riders in the form of Ade Thomas and Nigel Entwhistle, and Andrew Fyfe from the Fire Service. We have also had great support from the South Yorkshire Police who supplied Kev Harper and Nick Pulfrey two very experienced Police Rider Instructors, and Mark Roxbrough an officer who very successfully raced endurance in BikeSafe livery for FR Racing.
We are a ‘BikeSafe Partner’ who BikeSafe promote at all the BSB events.
‘We have tried to get the best balance between cost and the number of riders and have settled for just 9 riders on the 1.6 mile track plus coaches, which along with grouping riders into 4 session by experience and ability, should give all riders the space and time they need.
On track there is also a maximum of 3 riders/coach.
First date is the 30th April, then the last Thursday’s of the month through to September.
We have looked in detail at what track training is currently available and the latest ideas on both riding and coaching methods, which we hope together with a great new and relatively empty track, and with the wide variety and experience of our excellent coaches, will represent the best value to riders.
We have had a great response from the press and public – see feedback:-
https://britishsuperbikeschool.wordpress.com/about/rider-feedback/
The British Superbike School
2/12/14
For further information or photos, please contact:-
Mike Abbott RoADAR (Dip) RPMT 000626
The British Superbike School
Ivy House
Lound, Retford
Notts DN22 8RX
Tel: 01777 818013
Mbl: 07939 041606
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.britishsuperbikeschool.co.uk