Thunderhill Track Day 5/6/2017 Report

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I can’t say enough how proud I am for the Superbike-Coach team for another amazing track day we’ve pulled off on 5/6/2017. Reading my report might gives you an idea how passionate we are, to make riders feel in the right place. I think that Superbike-Coach is different is given and known already, but that we run a track day which is fully booked out- with 120 riders whom can’t be more diverse- on a challenging track like this- and end it with only three minor crashes… that proves it pretty well, doesn’t it?! But there is more…

Marion and Gary opened registration on time and had lots of laughs with the participants already. Our Tech-Inspection is done in an blink of an eye- not like the typical 30 minutes wait, and everyone was very cooperative to our requirements in this regard.

The mandatory riders meeting at 8:15am is more or less my reality-check on them, and i truly enjoyed their attention, which is good for a general safety awareness and respect. I could dismiss our B+ riders early so that they can prepare without stress for their first stint, while our C-group riders stayed to receive a track orientation.

Gary opened the gate punctual at 9am for 20 minutes sessions with B+, then B, and then C group which I lead out for a two laps sightseeing tour with my control riders Brian, Julie and Ben. Introducing entering and exiting the track is our priority, because showing ‘the line’ doesn’t make any sense at that point- but we’re on it anyway. We got this clean and quickly done, so that the C rider had plenty of time left to go out on their own again.

I started the ‘Ideal Line West Seminar’ at 12:30pm, so that everyone would have all afternoon sessions to work on it. I kept it short n’ sweet, but I do believe that my audience get a picture of that there is much more I would have for them. It was fun, and I enjoyed seeing lots of students again, as well as lots new faces- which i hope to also get to see at my Cornering School programs.

From there, I was out on the track to help and to have some fun myself on almost every session. My control riders Ben, Brian and Julie the same, and we all put lots of effort to keep an eye on rules- and track etiquette. Every violation or report (and that ain’t many), was issued and solved. Even the typical Superbike-Coach penalty for temporary brain failure came into force… doing pushups. Other than that- it couldn’t have been smoother, and those three minor crashes are reflecting it. I’ve been witness of 40 crashes in total at one track day of a other organizer ones btw…

Superbike-Coach photographer Dean Lonskey took 4500 pictures that day, and guess what… this is also something we’re different with… they are all coming for free! Dean picked some featured pictures first until he releases all of them for free download. I would appreciate a little tip for him to his PayPal (dlonskey33@gmail.com). Here is one shot :-)

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

 

Knee Down & Wheelie Course Report

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Can Akkaya Report, Knee Down & Wheelie Course last weekend

Knee Down class, 4/29/2017

Our 20 students were far away from where they wanted to be, and that showed in the warm up session. All kinds of bikes and rider levels need to be sorted first, and with this the track gets cleaner and more rubber to the asphalt at the same time. After that, we got into the classroom where it is all about body positioning, and how to do this responsibly but efficient for our goal… to drag knee.

The second session shows who still needs hands on, and since I let only 2-3 riders in my track oval- the personal attention is big. From the 3rd session on the knee pucks got grounded, and more and more students are finally got it done. Assistant Coach Brian Hunnicutt had to replace Superbike-Coach photographer Dean Lonskey, who couldn’t make it. He did a great job as his featured pics are demonstrating. In the end of the day, about 65% of the students got their knee down, by gaining safety and speed! We also got some feedback and get the waiting time down by half with the next knee down class on 8/13/2017

Wheelie Course, 4/30/2017

I barley couldn’t wait to tell my 30 students what surprise I would have for them… my self designed wheelie-machine! Yes… Superbike-Coach drove up some fat equipment with a goal… to make riders more successful, safer, and to make it even funner. Assistant Coach Julie Stargardter had a tough job to do, but she got rewarded every time she saw a face lighten up.

I lost my voice coaching 1on1 on the radio to students when Marion Akkaya put them on the seat of my AMA spec Supermotard with a mounted wheelie-bar which I designed (picture right, patent ongoing). Assistant Coach Brian Hunnicutt instructed them accordingly when the students applied what they’ve learned on their own bikes or our wheelie rental bike, which also has one of my wheelie bars mounted and comes with much more riding time as well.

Superbike-Coach’s newest member Ben McCrae kept the groups together accordingly to their schedules and station. That’s not quite easy and always goes a little bumpy in the beginning, but he got it down pretty decent and made sure that everyone gets water and snacks we bring out.

The action on our Mini-Bike couldn’t be more fun, and the way how we want our students make their wheelie attempts helps them tremendously before they are going back to their own bike- even if they don’t even realize it in the first place. But the throttle control and timing- not to forget to break fears, is what this is all about. Our motto… if you don’t break it… you’re not trying hard enough- and we’re fine with it!

Straight up… a 60% success rate and NO crashes- that shows we deliver. Yea, unfortunately not everyone makes it, but that’s the nature of ALL things in life, isn’t it?

Superbike-Coach photographer Dean Lonskey was back to shoot the wheelie course, and I must say that this here is my absolute favorite shot for now (all featured pics). I guess we get to see much more like this once he has them all on the server, ready for FREE download for all students.

Only 7 spots left on our Thunderhill track day on 5/6/2017

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That Superbike-Coach books up another track day should show a lot, doesn’t it?!

We’re making the difference in many ways. We’re not trying to make things look better by telling riders that a track day replaces training and knowledge (Ref. ‘Does a Track Day really make you a better rider?‘). We’re not keeping ticket fees artificially low by using a low-turn track layout and so to skip on rental and Marshalls. We’re not having ‘Instructors’ racing each other who are actually giving a damn about their own passing rules. We’re not hiring instructors who actually need a coach themselves to know the Thunderhill line. We’re not running a ‘track school’, just because we’re ‘good street riders’ and teaching made up body positioning stuff.

No copied stuff- no BS… this is Superbike-Coach

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

Clarify Superbike-Coach Track Days

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I use to clear up things with my articles, so here is my take on some answers to questions we’re receiving in regard our track days:

  • Yes, we’re open all turns the west track has to offer.
  • Yes, we have track Marshall’s on all turns, an Ambulance with two EMT’s, and a Helicopter on call.
  • Yes, we have a starter, announcer, and group/gate control.
  • Yes, we run 3 level groups C, B, and B+, 7×20 minutes sessions each.
  • B+ is no A-group- more an extension of B group. A-riders are welcome of course, but riding under B+ where I expect that B-riders keep their ego in check (you can’t get them anyway and you don’t want to hurt someone just because you feel challenged).
  • Yes, you don’t need to have racing gear necessarily, and of course i can tell you our definition of street riding gear below in an article. let me know if you need gear, and I can get you a 40% off discount on Axo USA gear. We accept leather OR textile as long pants and jacket are zip-able. If not zip-able, we would ask you to have a back protector, but be aware that the Thunderhill staffs might take you out (this is not on us!). Nobody else but you is responsible for the road rash you’re getting.
  • Yes, we have experienced control riders on all groups checking for rule violations.
  • No, we’re not wasting spots to let ego-driven instructors racing each other.
  • No, you don’t need to have a class under your belt to attend our track days.
  • No, this is not a ‘school’, but a ‘too fun to miss out’ event where you’ll be safer as if you would go for a ride on public roads instead. If you are looking for solid education, then you most likely won’t find it within track days anyway. Read my article in regard to this, and consider to also start out my Cornering School program.
  • No, we don’t have a tire service going on, because I truly believe that if you would have to change tires between sessions- that you are just hell of badly prepared. Don’t wast your time and get dirty on 5/6/ when you actually have time to do it with ease way before.
  • Yes, I strongly believe that your suspension is ok for what you do. Don’t spend time and hope up that this might fixes your riding problems, cuz’ it does not. You might consider my ‘Workshop & Track Time’ event on 5/28/ at that point.
  • No overnight camping in the paddock possible! There is a designated camp area in front of the main gate though. If you sneak in… we’ll forward the invoice we’d get for it to YOU.
  • Yes, we have a towing vehicle to get your baby back to the paddock.
  • Yes, we run a C-group orientation at 9:05am and a ‘sightseeing track session’ at 9:40am.
  • Yes, I’ll give a ‘Ideal Line West seminar’, Club house at 12:30pm

If you don’t have a spot yet… what the hell are you waiting for?! :-)

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Sacramento

Knee down & Wheelie course weekend booked up!

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We did it again… our Knee down & Wheelie course weekend is booked up, and the waiting lists for 4/28/ and 4/30/ are growing. Our students are coming from all over the United States and sometimes even from overseas.

The success rate on the Knee Down class… 80%, and the fun factor… 100%. Doing track days and waiting for “it” to happen?! Really?! You don’t seriously believe this yourselves, do ya? Other schools are not even looking at you for $149 bux.

Superbike Coach means ‘hands-on’, straight forward, and a bad ass wheelie course. We run this program since 8 years now, and we are still coming up with surprises. Also this time we will melt faces, because we’re adding good stuff and still don’t change the admission fee for it.

We will deliver a event and coaching style which will be top-notch. A report will follow.

So… how about you come and find out how we’re doing and save spots to your name for the classes in October?! Here is the link to it:

Knee Down

Wheelie Course

Headcoach Can Akkaya