Need help deciding......

[TunerM]

Let me first say Ive never been to the track but I feel im a confident rider. I am looking into either doing a school such as Superbike School or Penguin Racing school. Or doing a track day school such as TPM ART PT. Or just do trackdays. What would you guys suggest?Good and Bad points please.

[benellis]

I would first do the TPM ART Basic and get a handful of trackdays down to kind of evaluate myself, Work on Body positioning, downshifting while braking, stuff like that,then if you have the money and/or desire, I'd go to a specialty school like Freddie Spencer or Penguin just to extract the last 10% of your riding skill. Me personally would like to do a school, but I'm kinda just stuck doing trackdays!

[NYCSTRIPES]

+1
go to TPM's ART Basic school, you wont regret it. Easiest way to know if you want to spend more on a more advanced school later on.
Ken

[AfricanBootyScratcher]

ART Basic will cover the foundation that you need to get on the track and do well.
TPM requires it for all firt time track riders anyway, so without it (or some other track experience) you couldn't do trackdays with them anyway.

[TunerM]

benellis, I see what your saying but sometimes you may think your doing it right but I could be doing it all wrong. Someone had recomended to do a school first and then use trackdays to perfect what you learned.

NYCStripes, I know I want to go ripp it on the track. I ride with a guy that goes to the TPM trackdays that ride in the upper level. This is definitly what I want to do, I just want to do it right.


Does anyone know if the ART Personal Training can be taken instead of just doing Basic?

[benellis]

TPM coaches are pretty good at observing what you're doing, alot of them are racers or were racers in the past. No you can't take personal training first. It takes time to. I did 4 trackdays in the beginner group, took advice from good riders, and gradually improved my riding. Moved up to the intermediate group, and let me tell you, some of those guys are FAST! Again it all takes time.

[RCM78]

Art Basic is what you need. If you take PT Glen or John will figure out right away that you need to be in the basic class. Not only does the basic class cover fundamental riding skills but we teach you all about riding on a racetrack. Stuff like how to enter the racetrack, how to exit, how to breakdown a corner into braking zone,turn in, apex, & exit.

BTW, California Superbike School level one is very similar to ART basic and they wont let you skip levels...

[TunerM]

Thanks guys for the input. I didnt mean Im a great rider and can go to upper levels, I was just wanted something on a more one on one basis. I was just under the impression that on trackdays your just thrown out there on the track with a couple of pointers and if you ask questions you get input back. And schools are more specific in teaching you technique and more on a one on one basis. I guess Ill just try the Art Basic

[John712]

Thanks guys for the input. I didnt mean Im a great rider and can go to upper levels, I was just wanted something on a more one on one basis. I was just under the impression that on trackdays your just thrown out there on the track with a couple of pointers and if you ask questions you get input back. And schools are more specific in teaching you technique and more on a one on one basis. I guess Ill just try the Art Basic


one on one can happen with a TPM Coach but your also on the track with a lot of others aswell. in a range from 20+ at a time. you ask a Coach to work with you, and he'll be behind you watching everything you do from right to wrong. then after you go around say 2 times, he'll jump in front of you, and have you follow him.

at the end of the session just as your pitting out, he'll let you know what your doing wrong ETC in the nicest way he can, he wont yell at you or put you down. then he'll explain to you what to do the right way. and next time you go out you put that information to work. and you can also work with another coach aswell. but usually stay with the same coach. some coaches have different opinions an what not.

[Mack]

I would definately go with TPM and do the art school. I started this year and have been having a great time. Definately a lot to be learned from the coaches out there and also there are a lot of good rides in all of the groups. I agree with everyone on holding off on the classes and getting a few track days under your belt first.

[NYCSTRIPES]

TPM Personal Training is meant for people who have more time under their belt on the track. Do the ART Basic School, then get out there and practice what you learned, when you feel you need more help, the PT is a great option. I have plans to have a PT session in the near future for myself.
You'll get more out of it after you complete ART Basic.
Ken

[RCM78]

Thanks guys for the input. I didnt mean Im a great rider and can go to upper levels, I was just wanted something on a more one on one basis. I was just under the impression that on trackdays your just thrown out there on the track with a couple of pointers and if you ask questions you get input back. And schools are more specific in teaching you technique and more on a one on one basis. I guess Ill just try the Art Basic

If your looking for a small class I'd suggest going to any other track besides Pocono for ART Basic. The classes at Pocono tend to fill up but we like to keep the student to coach ratio around 5 to 1.

[lrntolive]

Thanks guys for the input. I didnt mean Im a great rider and can go to upper levels, I was just wanted something on a more one on one basis. I was just under the impression that on trackdays your just thrown out there on the track with a couple of pointers and if you ask questions you get input back. And schools are more specific in teaching you technique and more on a one on one basis. I guess Ill just try the Art Basic

I'll probably be the only one here to disagree, but I'd suggest taking the California Superbike (CS) Level 1 first. The reason I say this is out of the two schools I've attended, MARRC RoadRacing and CS, CS was very structured for first time riders. They teach specific drills that you must perform during every session and everyone is watching you. The provide you with a booklet of drills, and what could be better than taking classes from Keith Code?

I ride with TPM, and while they are a great group, and the instructors are super, their level of instruction is not as detailed as CS (I'll admit I've never taken ART Basic, but my friend who took CS with me took ART Basic before and he noticed the difference).

I would not recommend MARRC Road Racing. They were not very professional.

Whether you decide to take ART Basic or CS, you'll end up with a love for riding at speed on the track. And you'll always make new friends. Keep the rubber side down!

lrntolive

[Kennedy]

ART Basic is a class for Competent Riders. But if you are not as skilled as one of the others then you will have detailed instruction. One in front and one behind to make sure you are doing everything well.

You want a cheap day with some instruction and fun take ART Basic dude.

[AfricanBootyScratcher]

he'll let you know what your doing wrong ETC in the nicest way he can, he wont yell at you or put you down.
yes he will :twak: :evil2:
haha :D

[TunerM]

Thanks guys again, I was thinking of doing CS first but its not going to work out because of their schedule so I will be signing up with TPM ART Basic at either Summit Point or VIR.

[lrntolive]

Thanks guys again, I was thinking of doing CS first but its not going to work out because of their schedule so I will be signing up with TPM ART Basic at either Summit Point or VIR.

Hey TunerM,

Unfortunately, CS only comes around twice a year. TPM is a good choice.

I will recommend that if you really want to take CS, you try to do it this year. If you spend the year riding on the track, you may get to the point where Level 1 will seem a little slow. My friends and I weren't too crazy about the pace of Level 1. A couple of them thought is was a little too elementary, but I always view classes as a chance to learn something new and improve. Plus, you have to take Level 1 to get to Level 2 and so on.

The TPM coaches are great guys and gals. You'll thoroughly enjoy the class. Also, if you're going to choose a track at Summit, I suggest Shenandoah. It is highly technical and you'll learn a lot about quick turn in, throttle control, and entry and exit points.

If you choose VIR, I'll have to let someone else recommend a track. I've only been on North. Great elevation changes, and it's a fast track.

Enjoy! :sun: