The RaceTrack:   Participating in a proper Racing School and riding on the racetrack are great ways to improve street skills and confidence.   Racing is an experience that dramatically enhances the ability to control a motorcycle, in special at high speeds.   Riding motorcycles is an incredibly exciting and satisfying sport and, besides having a lot of fun, the racetrack enhances skills and enjoyment on the streets.

Click here for short movie (GIF file - takes 1 to 2 minutes to load)   The Penguin Racing School   On July 16 1999 I attended the Corner Worker Course, it was a lot of fun, but not as much as actually racing.   At that time I signed up for the next available Penguin Racing School event, scheduled for September 3, followed by one or two races for the next day, September 4, 1999.   Sep. 3, 1999.  Racing School Day. You have to be at the track very early (around 7:30 am) to go through registration procedures and to get ready for the day.  We started with about 2 to 3 hours of lecture and after a quick break, track ride sessions followed.  It started with a slow session, so we could get familiarized with the racetrack course. Later in the day there were open sessions and practice where we could ride as fast as we wanted.   Incidentally, on Cycle World Magazine - October 99 issue - Editor Peter Egan talks exactly about track time and how much we learn at the track sessions, but essentially, the most valuable gift of the racetrack as being the faith in your tires. The track does bring the lean angle prospective back in focus. Track time makes us believe in our tires again, or make us more "friendly" with our tires. We depend a lot on them.   Nevertheless, as we learn at Penguin Racing School "Slower is Faster", or "Smoothness is Faster".  This means learning to avoid "rushing" into corners, but smoothly entering and exiting it. The smoother you are, the faster you are, and in the process - and most importantly, more fun you have.

September 04, 1999:  Click on picture to enlarge -  
Racing  Day. You have to be at the race track early, around 7:00 am .   
When you are practicing, check the transmitter, i.e., if it is recording your laps.   Important:  Do not rely on race track organizers, do not assume that they are on top of everything, check your entries, check your practice lap times with the tech inspection people (where the bike is inspected), so to ensure your races are properly recorded.  

It was a great weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway, I had extreme fun, I learned a lot about my potential, the bike's potential and the tires' potential.