Penguin? Cali Superbike? Who else?

[Little John]

Looking to try racing school this coming spring - never done anything on a track, but I could stand to improve a lot of skills (especially cornering), and a race school seems like a good approach for that sort of thing. Does anyone have any opinions on the two in the subject line, or are there any other schools in New England?

Danke -LJ


EDIT: sorry, wrong forum. Could a Mod or Admin pls move it? Thanks. -LJ

[capt1014]

There are bunch of us doing the first pengiun in April

[Little John]

Renting a Duck or riding your own?

[capt1014]

Be riding my own, EX500, gonna try to do as many races as I can this year.

[Little John]

On the fence if I want to rent or bring the ZRX... I suppose with the ZRX, they can tweak the suspension between sets...

[legalspeed]

Penguin is your best option, Hell, you even get a pro racer that is nice, answers all questions all the time, and will remember you.

The entire Wood family are good people.

Go to Penguin and use your bike, you are familiar with it.

[capt1014]

Originally posted by legalspeed


Go to Penguin and use your bike, you are familiar with it.

+1 just makes sense

[Tabby]

Hey, I'll jump in here too. Penguin indeed! One of the sweet things about Penguin is that you can do the Thursday open practices, as NHIS recognizes it as a race school. If you are a wuss like I am, and don't want to race{yet!}, open practice is great. Cheaper than your typical organized track day. Some of the racers that show up, might even
be nice to you! So far, they have been to me.

[Awesome]

Originally posted by Tabby
Hey, I'll jump in here too. Penguin indeed! One of the sweet things about Penguin is that you can do the Thursday open practices, as NHIS recognizes it as a race school. If you are a wuss like I am, and don't want to race{yet!}, open practice is great. Cheaper than your typical organized track day. Some of the racers that show up, might even
be nice to you! So far, they have been to me.

you have me confused. Thursday practice is for licensed racers, who recognizes what as a race school?

[xxdcmast]

Penguin school is good to show the basics and get your feet wet in the racing world. Once you complete the class you get your certificate which enables you do to thursday practices etc.

Theres usually a lot of instructors there, take advantage of them. Follow them, have them follow you, etc. Everyone there is usually real nice. Get to know all the ppl from the board everyone helps each other over here. And anything you need just ask.

[Tabby]

The Penguin is the minimum requirement needed to be able to get on the track for Thursday open practice, per NHIS itself. It is good for a year. I have done 3 practices since I took the school on 8/11/06. The last one being the all day practice 10/05/06. I ride with the novices. I don't think I have been too much of a moving chicane?

[Degsy]

Come to VIR in April for our trackday and you will get certified for racing by cornerspeed. Then you can race and do thursday practice at Loudon.

Just another option

[Doc]

CHIME!!

Do some Tony's trackdays www.tonystrackdays.com before a race school. There is not formal instruction but there are enough "Instructors" to show you the lines and give you tips.

Then if you think you need more get a bike you don't mind pitching down the track and take the race school.

At least that is what I have been advised to do.

I did trackdays which were great! They also gave me a feel for the track and the Pit Area.

Now when I do the Penguin school in April I won't be so nervous because it won't be my first time.

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by Doc
There is not formal instruction...

sure there is... there's workshops throughout the day and you can sign up for 1-on-1 riding time w/ an instructor. IMO Tony's Trackdays are a great environment for taking things to the next level w/o the pressure of a racing environment. I learned TONS from Tony & his instructors. I highly recommend his events & you'll always see a STRONG turn-out from NESR members

Penguin has TRACKDAYS and they have RACE SCHOOLS.... they're two different things. From what i've gathered, the race school is more about rules and regulations in racing than it is for improving your riding skills & technique. Trackdays are geared more towards improving skills and technique.

VIR is another great option... I've gone down the last two years & although expensive, the trip is WELL worth the money... I wouldn't miss it next year for the world


No matter what ya choose to do I think it's great you're lookin into this stuff.. you'll love it

[TheIglu]

Your Rex will be fine.

Might be a little heavy, might scrape hard parts in turn 2, 3, 6, 10 and 12, but it'll do fine. My kickstand gets to deal with the bumps that the suspension doesn't.

Still fun passin 600 SS's with it

[TheIglu]

Suspension tweaks?

Yeah, crank the preload all the way up on both ends for starts. It will help dramatically as long as you are under 160lbs or so.

If that doesn't do the trick, Ohlins rear shocks. If you are on a budget, aftershocks will do them for you or you can contact your local credit union for a mortgage.

One of the Penguin instructors rides a green rex FAST.

[TTD]

Originally posted by Little John
Looking to try racing school this coming spring - never done anything on a track, but I could stand to improve a lot of skills (especially cornering), and a race school seems like a good approach for that sort of thing.

While I may be just a tad biased... I would echo some of the comments here that mention hitting up a track day first.

I've gotten emails from people that have ridden for 30 years... and they said they learned more in one day at our event.

[Little John]

Originally posted by TheIglu
Suspension tweaks?

Yeah, crank the preload all the way up on both ends for starts. It will help dramatically as long as you are under 160lbs or so.

If that doesn't do the trick, Ohlins rear shocks. If you are on a budget, aftershocks will do them for you or you can contact your local credit union for a mortgage.

One of the Penguin instructors rides a green rex FAST.

Oh, I'm a little more than 160. I'm more your standard-sized Rexer. I got the Aftershocks rebuild and Race Tech in the front. Both adjusted per the recommendations/presets from the shop (found Aftershocks thru ZRXOA). Ohlins will have to wait...

[KB]

Originally posted by Degsy
Come to VIR in April for our trackday and you will get certified for racing by cornerspeed. Then you can race and do thursday practice at Loudon.

Just another option

VIR you say?? Can i run a motard there and have fun?

Maybe I'll borrow a real race bike if not.

KB

[Awesome]

Originally posted by rmbbikes
VIR you say?? Can i run a motard there and have fun?

Maybe I'll borrow a real race bike if not.

KB

If extra hasn't sold by then we'll have one for you. You're gonna have to work for the rental though. And buy the drinks. KB, you do NOT want to miss VIR. The motard would be boring, you'd have it topped out before you got on the straiight.

[KB]

We need to talk about extra............you and me. maybe while Jb is driving the Martini wagon to drunk a thon we can talk about it.

KB

[WebCrush]

Originally posted by hessogood
If extra hasn't sold by then we'll have one for you. You're gonna have to work for the rental though. And buy the drinks. KB, you do NOT want to miss VIR. The motard would be boring, you'd have it topped out before you got on the straiight.

On the north course its a lot of fun, you just have to gear it really tall. I ran there with a 16x36 gearing.

[KB]

Holy fak how the eff did you fit a 16 up front? What kind of bike?

KB

[WebCrush]

04 CRF450

Maybe it was a 15, honestly can't remember.

I know the rear was super tiny that the chain ate into some of the cush drive on the wheels and I wore completely through the chain guard.

[akira700]

Never been at the track?

I'd do a track day first.
The Penguin School day is more for getting
novice racers ready for their first race.
Less track time, more rules and regs.

Track day will get you more seat time
and a more relaxed environment.