Trackday one on one coaching?

[FAST GSXR750]

I've been doing trackdays now for 7 yrs and have progressed quite nicely up to advanced with Fishtail. Problem is i feel like i have hit a "wall" and find i'm not actually gaining any distance/laps in any given amount of time. In each 20 minute session i'm still going the same distance and/or number of laps. Since nobody is timing me i have no idea if i'm getting faster. How do i get off the plateau and move forward? Does anybody offer one on one coaching? And would it actually help? Anybody ever have the same issue? You're passing other riders and getting passed, so you know you're close. But need a boost of confidence to progress.

[Marc R]

TTD Personalized Instruction
I've done three over the years. They will help you break some bad habits and help you move forward.

[Rada]

I did this and it really tuned up my riding and opened the door to another level of riding.. Well worth the money.. Especially if you have that kind of track time and have hit the wall.

[maxim_X]

Penguin advanced is nice. Get a lap timer or a gopro or both and see how fast your really going. Then you can make improvements on that.

[theducman]

I want to do a personal day at nhms with Mr Oreo next year

[Garandman]

I did a 1-1 session with Ken Condon and dropped three seconds from morning to afternoon.

[burnham]

When I got to the point where you're at I started mixing in some Penguin days. Even at other track days I would ask an instructor to follow me for a couple laps and then tow me around. It doesn't always take a full day of instruction to progress, but it never hurts IMO. It depends what you want to do. As far as my riding is concerned, the coaching is what brought me to where I'm at. A lot of, for me, was about being led around by someone who would ride fast enough to have me out of my comfort zone, but not so fast that I was riding over my head. If that makes sense. What was scary fast becomes the new normal, then you try to go a little quicker.

[Paul_E_D]

When I got to the point where you're at I started mixing in some Penguin days. Even at other track days I would ask an instructor to follow me for a couple laps and then tow me around. It doesn't always take a full day of instruction to progress, but it never hurts IMO. It depends what you want to do. As far as my riding is concerned, the coaching is what brought me to where I'm at. A lot of, for me, was about being led around by someone who would ride fast enough to have me out of my comfort zone, but not so fast that I was riding over my head. If that makes sense. What was scary fast becomes the new normal, then you try to go a little quicker.

The way we teach now works so much better that I rarely have a student follow me for more than a lap or two. The communicators work so well for some people it's like cheating. I feel like the puppet master.

I learned the way you did. Following faster guys. It works to some degree, but the risk is high because I might just ride over my head with the same crappy techniques till I wipe out, or learn better. The "instructor" is nothing more than a carrot. They can't even tell what I'm doing right, or wrong from out in front.

Riding behind the student with the ability to give timely prompts can get the rider actually riding better, not just faster. This allows development of muscle memory for the correct sequence of actions. Now when they add pace, the risk is lower because they are doing it right.

[FAST GSXR750]

That's the problem i have, trying to keep up with a faster rider until i get in over my head. I then find myself way out of the correct line just trying to hang on.

[Paul_E_D]

Time to try a 1 on 1 with us.

[burnham]

The way we teach now works so much better that I rarely have a student follow me for more than a lap or two. The communicators work so well for some people it's like cheating. I feel like the puppet master.

I learned the way you did. Following faster guys. It works to some degree, but the risk is high because I might just ride over my head with the same crappy techniques till I wipe out, or learn better. The "instructor" is nothing more than a carrot. They can't even tell what I'm doing right, or wrong from out in front.
Riding behind the student with the ability to give timely prompts can get the rider actually riding better, not just faster. This allows development of muscle memory for the correct sequence of actions. Now when they add pace, the risk is lower because they are doing it right.

I can see how riding with a communicator would be a huge benefit. Part of what I meant about following someone faster was when I would have an instructor follow me, come into the pits and talk about my riding/lines, and then go back out and follow them to be directed onto the line. Not getting over my head as much as having my eyes opened as to which corners I was parking it in.

[Manny]

Wirelessly posted

Where are you riding?

Why are you doing trackdays?

[Tricky Mike]

I've been doing trackdays now for 7 yrs and have progressed quite nicely up to advanced with Fishtail. Problem is i feel like i have hit a "wall" and find i'm not actually gaining any distance/laps in any given amount of time. In each 20 minute session i'm still going the same distance and/or number of laps. Since nobody is timing me i have no idea if i'm getting faster. How do i get off the plateau and move forward? Does anybody offer one on one coaching? And would it actually help? Anybody ever have the same issue? You're passing other riders and getting passed, so you know you're close. But need a boost of confidence to progress.

All you have to do is ask! Fishtail does one on one stuff all day, every day. Seriously, just grab Tim, Robbie, Roy or me. Any of us would be happy to talk about what your goals are and pair you up with the right instructor.

[theducman]

All you have to do is ask! Fishtail does one on one stuff all day, every day. Seriously, just grab Tim, Robbie or me. Any of us would be happy to talk about what your goals are and pair you up with the right instructor.

I followed you a bit last year at the safety track, very helpful

[jwm2k3]

All you have to do is ask! Fishtail does one on one stuff all day, every day. Seriously, just grab Tim, Robbie or me. Any of us would be happy to talk about what your goals are and pair you up with the right instructor.

Don't mean to threadjack, but I will be there Monday with you guys....how do I find you??

[Tricky Mike]

Super easy. I introduce myself at the rider's meeting every morning, teach most all of the intermediate classroom sessions and usually garage right across from the gas pumps. White/red 848 EVO (see pic). Let's turn some laps!

[jwm2k3]

Ok sweet....I just bought an 848 for track duty! See ya there!

[Jim]

any instructor would gladly help you. that's what one of the duties they're supposed to be doing

[FAST GSXR750]

All you have to do is ask! Fishtail does one on one stuff all day, every day. Seriously, just grab Tim, Robbie, Roy or me. Any of us would be happy to talk about what your goals are and pair you up with the right instructor.

I didn't even realize it was available. I'm not in for next week but will be there Sept. And i will ask. Thanks, Also thanks for all the input from everybody.

[union]

As its been said you should be able to get one on one instruction at any trackday. Its part of what you're paying for.

Here's my advice when you go for the one on one. Pick a part of the track to work on. Just wanting to go faster is not a good way to get faster. The track is big and there is a lot going on. Pick out what you feel is your weakest point and focus on that for at least 1/2 the day. For example entry into T1, exit of T2, Entry to T3, whatever it may be. When you think you have it down focus on something else.

One thing to be cautious of is all instruction is not equal. The fastest guy out there isn't necessarily the best instructor. The example I can think of is the difference between Jeff and Eric Wood. Both very fast riders. If I remember correctly Jeff was a little faster. Eric on the other hand is much better at explaining to people and picking people apart to help them progress in skill level.

[mzdagrl]

Penguin offers one-on-one time as well, for all of their school levels. Just find Eric or one of the instructors before the day starts and they will have someone help you out throughout the day.

[Paul_E_D]

Just to be clear, the TTD one on one program is something a bit different than what people are talking about here. You do pay extra, but the instructor is ONLY working with you all day. THey will use various techniques, such as lead/follow, in helmet audio, video analysis, track mapping, and more.

Some more details here