A Day at CA Superbike School

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by Chicky, Mar 20, 2012.

  1. Chicky

    Chicky New Member

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    So, Friday night, my friend Mike calls me in a panic saying he is leaving for Europe Saturday night and forgot he had committed to being a cornerworker at Keith Code's CA Superbike School for the weekend and could I substitute for him. Hmmmmm... not much of a tough choice there for me. Good thing I didn't have any plans to cancel. I immediately said yes. I had no idea of what was expected but would figure it out. So, I get there Saturday morning at 7:15am as requested, and meet Trevor the track lead, and explain why I'm there. He has me go with the other cornerworkers and wait for him to come by and do orientation. We sign our waivers and he gives us the low-down on what's expected. I had nothing written to look at and it sounded a bit confusing for me, so when he said they needed a person to help the mechanic in the pit, I volunteered for that... it seemed less confusing and I knew I could use a wrench.

    I went over to the mechanic trailer to meet the mechanic, Will Eikenberry, who I later found out was a road racer and record breaker at Streets and LVMS, as well as potentially other tracks... in his 40s. I also got to meet Keith Code and his son and hung out with them throughout the day. Of course, right by the mechanic's trailer was the bikes that the students would be using... BMW S1000s.

    [​IMG]

    Throughout the day, I helped Will loosen and tighten bolts to put on or remove parts to get to other parts that needed to be fixed, and a few times a day while the students were in class or on break we would ride the bikes around the back of the trailer and re-fuel them. In payment for volunteering our services, we were able to rotate on the track with the students and then without the students while they were at lunch. Saturday was a very cold day, and my tires were definitely not track worthy. I had been waiting for the rear to finally wear enough to put the new tires on that I have in my closet. So... I didn't really take too many chances on the track. Another friend, Patrick was also a volunteer cornerworker and he was actually out on a corner and took a couple pics of me doing some sighting laps in the beginning of the day and warming up my tires.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    It started raining about 4:00, which was the end of day 1 anyway, so I rode home in the rain. Sunday, the first job of the day was adjusting and lubing chains. Will went ahead and checked the chains and adjusted those that needed it and I followed behind lubing. I lubed the chains on 18 bikes Sunday morning. It was pretty cold Sunday... low to mid 40s, so Will tried not to do too much and we pretty much just fuelled the bikes a few times. At the end of the day, we had pouring rain, the snow, then rain again and the last session was cancelled. I got out on the track about 3 times on Sunday.... probably about 4 on Saturday. Once the rain stopped, Will had me taking the "arms" off of their two bikes used to safely teach leaning. I said goodbye to Will and he thanked me and said he would commend Mike on his choice of substitute and that I did a great job helping him. I went to say goodbye to Keith Code and shake his hand and he put his arms out to hug me... somehow in there we ended up doing a hug/kiss combo... so now I have the honorable distinction of being the only VFRW member to kiss Keith Code... probably hug him too!!

    Anyway, it was a great experience and when we were out on the track they asked that we do the same drills the students did, so I got some inkling of what they teach... and now I REALLY want to go the school myself!! I know it will improve my riding dramatically!! And just the slow speed riding on those S1000s is making me want to get one of those now too!! They seem like pretty awesome bikes!!

    I am now hoping to get on the list to be a cornerworker and do it all over when they come to LVMS again in April!!
     
  2. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Damn........girl that is coooooool
     
  3. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    So what do you use to get that chainlube off your cellphone? I am sure they told you why you couldn't work the corners and that flaky tires are a no-no at track schools.

    Chica journalism by omission again?
     
  4. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    Have done all the levels and doing level 4 for my 7th and 8th time in may. Definitely do it, you won't regret it
     
  5. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Oh, that looks like fun!
     
  6. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

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    Sooo jealous
     
  7. FoothillRyder

    FoothillRyder New Member

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    Good stuff Chicky, thanks for posting the pics!

    I did CSS at Laguna Seca back in the early 80's, they were using Kawi GPZ550's at the time. Fantastic tool for learning bike handling skills, whether you plan on going to the track in anger or not. There are a lot of track schools out there, and all of them are good for you; but Keith's crew and his teaching methods are the best. A buddy of mine recently went to the school, and although he's a good rider already he came back with seriously improved skills. Think you're fast? Go to a California Superbike School near you and be faster.

    :cool:
     
  8. michaels214

    michaels214 New Member

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    They dont have anything like this in my state....but just out of curiosity - whats the tuition on a program like this and how long is it?
     
  9. JTC

    JTC New Member

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  10. vfourbear

    vfourbear New Member

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    Did a weekend at NJMP a while back with CSBS.....very nice, enjoyed it and my second day instructor was awesome. The guy I was paired up with asked me if someone stole my leathers cause it was over for him late on day two. Great great fun. I was thinking that maybe kissing Keith was out of the question though. I like to do a post session dip, and he smokes, so its like,ummm, gross

    @JTC....dont know, its kinda up to the person, after all, it is structured track time with feedback from people that claim to know what they're doing...and if you pay enough its on their equipment, which I found to be hell for fast and very nicely done.

    Nice write up Karen, sounds like you had a great time, good on ya girl

    One thing that sticks in my mind, when you line up for a session the course marshall will always look you di...rectly in the eyes and say....one lap easy to warm up the tires. I took it seriously. After lap 1, I launched that Beemer hehehehe.

    Fun fun fun.

    That Beemer was like riding a really pissed off monstrous chain saw.... that behaved itself when you fucked up. Maybe the best thing about it, the electronics actually let you act stupid and will not allow it to kill you until you get it straight. And the instuctors are good einough to know when you acted dumb and will point out to you how the electronics saved you from losing your deposit. I still watched three people lose their deposit. One guy I liked how he did it to, right in front of me.....hahahhaha.

    How can anyone not like all that :biggrin:
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2012
  11. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Should be marked on a calender for a VFR World gathering I am thinking. Just me?
     
  12. Chicky

    Chicky New Member

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    Keep your eyes peeled or see if you can sign up for notice of Keith going to Hawaii. There was a guy at the class from Hawaii talking to Keith about that, and that they don't even have a track. Keith said they sometimes go out and do their school there on some military base out there.... you might get to do it one of these days!!

    I think it's just a matter of how much money you have. They had a woman there who was riding for less than a year, an older guy that just bought an S1000 after 15 years out of the seat... and then there were seasoned track riders and people that were there for the umpteenth time. I realize that sounds a bit cynical. From what i can tell there is something there for everyone... there are enough instructors there that it's like a 2:1 ratio and students get lots of one on one time. I think that no matter what level you start at, you will come away with more skill than you ever imagined. One of the tools they use is a camera bike. They film you, then sit down with you and critique your lines, body position, throttle control, braking, pretty much everything. By the time you're done with the class, you get a real good understanding of what to practice and pay attention to.

    I think that's a great idea!! Wanna try for the April one at LVMS? Or Streets? Of course I'd prefer LVMS....


    Oh crap I forgot a couple of points... one very important one!! First, my title for the day was "pit bitch".... heehee. And, Christian Bale was there taking the class!! Who knew he even rode motorcycles, let alone riding on the track!! I kept seeing this guy with an English accent and I would think to myself that he was a good looking guy with "star quality". Never thought more about it until he came over to me and Will to say goodbye. He said, "I just got this job I have to get back for. If they knew I was here, they'd kill me." When he walked away, Will asked me if I knew who that was and when I said no, he told me Christian Bale... apparently Tim Allen does their class sometimes too. Then I remembered seeing the roster earlier in the day and the name Christian Bale was on it, but I didn't really think it was the actor.... I mean there's more than one Christian Bale in the world, right?!! Anyway, it then made sense... Steve McQueen used to say that too, when he was out racing in the desert or on the grand prix track or wherever... "If they knew I was here, they'd kill me." LOL!! Needless to say, I didn't get to kiss Christian Bale.... Hahahaha!!
     
  13. michaels214

    michaels214 New Member

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    Thanks Chicky, they would probably end up doing it on a different island for sure! But who knows maybe I will end up doing it someday. Looks like a lot of fun and a great learning experience.
     
  14. vfourbear

    vfourbear New Member

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    Its a very professionally run enterprise with top notch equipment and it is truly a lot of fun. At the uppermost levels it purports to be of real assistance to major factory riders. If nothing else, its money well spent and loads of fun.

    Like all things, it may or may not be for you, and it will not make you into Vale or Nicky overnight, but if youre tired of street riding or youre a track day maven, its not a bad way to go for the money.

    I suppose you could just try racing cold on your own, but....this seems like the wannbe fantasy way to indulge yourself for a reasonable sum.

    I will say this, it is tons of fun with your leathers on.

    I cant imagine what you VFRW clowns would pull on a dedicated track day with CSS.... and I have a hell of an imagination.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2012
  15. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I wonder if seeing Wayne Newton or Don Rickles at one of those track schools in Vegas would elicit the same level of fawning.
     
  16. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    /flag/ not funny.
     
  17. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    douchebaggery 101. don't have an expectation....it won't get any better.

    hope you had fun, K....you rawk.
     
  18. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Well then, how about the All Thai Midget Wrestlers? Sigfreid and Roy? The new Plastercasters?
     
  19. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    dude, you are a joke
     
  20. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The Liberace Museum maybe? How bout one of those wedding chapels with an Elvis impersonator doing the hitching?

    Surely we can find you somthing that turns you on.
     
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