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(Left) The teacher at work: Classroom sessions are alternated with time on the track, allOWing riders to practice applying small amounts of information at a time. (Above) The author receives his diploma from the professor. remember things and apply them at most of the track's turns about a gear odd moments, resulting in a herky- too high. When I began g:tting the Rs jerky progression around the circuit. More riders were passing me than before, and one time, when I felt sure up, the leaned-over bike became much more controllable, and I imme- my knee must be about to drag, sneaking a peek down revealed it to be about a half-mile from the pavement. Still, not all was negative: Though my making midturn corrections resulted in some unsmooth riding, it did illustrate the difference between proper and improper technique. Compared to dirt riding, it was amazing to me how many variables are erased on the pavement, leaving you with a much more immediate idea of the effects brought about by change. diately found myself passing several riders who earlier had been motoring by me. A couple of guys even went off the track, but this track session was the most fun yet; during the following lunch break, I chatted excitedly with my classmates and couldn't wa it to return to the saddle. SESSION 6 (BRAKING) As with downshifting, the emphasis with braking was on doing it smoothly. Lance Holst (our afternoon classroom (no\\' l'; .... 11 I FTI ~G) SESSION 5 instructor) also spent a fair amount of time explaining how to coordinate downshifting and braking. We prac- Classroom instruction was getting more specific and advanced by this point, and as Pridmore told us how to ticed both - first in the parking lot during a simple-but-challenging stopping drill, then on the track. I had begun downshift smoothly, I gained some peripheral information that allowed fancying myself a hero on the track, and as I prepared to head out for my me to make a breakthrough during the subsequent track time. Fearful of losing the back end, and not experi- track session, I sniffed disdainfully at the snaillike pace of a trio of dicing rid- enced as to a modern sport bike's ers. My headiness was soon terminated when I entered the track, and the same capabilities, I had been riding through threesome roared by me en masse. Soon after, Pridmore flew by me around a tricky comer - with a passenger on the back of his smoking Katana! Manufacturers are typically eager to supply motorcycle publications with test units, but that all changes when you're a pavement neophyte trying to secure a bike for a road racing school, and my requests for a mount for this story were met wi~ every excuse in the book. Fortunately, Kawasaki's Mel Moore was nice enough to let me at a ZX-6, though it was a couple of model years old and had already experienced a close encounter with the pavement. I actually viewed that as a plus, however, likening it to the way top MXers will intentionally scratch a new helmet so as to avoid having the christening occur on the track. As it tumed out, the bike was ideal for the application. Students were participating on everything from sporttouring BMWs to fire-breathing Hayabusas, but for me, the box-stock 6 struck the perfect balance between sportiness and confidence inspiration. It felt as light and nickable as a 125cc MX machine. and the motor was forgiving when I would accidentally crack the throttle a bit early - all of which allowed me to turn it back in to Mel with nary a nick. You shouldn't opt out of the Star school just because your bike isn't ideal. but if you're a rookie like me and you have the opportunity to pick and choose, I recommend a small sport bike. SESSIO 7 (PA TIC AVOIDA ·CE) For this penultimate outing, / was the passenger on the back of Pridmore's bike, flying by the other startled students. You can read about the experience in the "Shotgun" sidebar, but suffice it to say that the preceding classroom topic - not freaking out when scared - was timely. SESSION 8 (SUSP.ENSIO SETUP) This classroom meeting was a bit rushed, as daylight savings had recently ended and darkness was closing fast. I tried to make the most of the day's last track session, but it seemed only moments before we were being waved off to receive our diplomas, load up, and head home. No, I still don't consider myself a likely candidate for road racing, but the thrill of the track time alone was well worth the price of admission, and I now feel more prepared to alleviate that imbalance in my riding's street/dirt ratio. CN Jason PridIDore's Star School WHERE?: Racetracks around the When you think of riding double, what comes to mind? If you're like me, the idea conjures up thoughts of mellow touring through National Parks, or perhaps overloaded scooters sputtering from traffic light to traffic light. While at Jason Pridmore's Star School, I got a firsthand experience with two-up riding of a far more intense sort. You see, Pridmore offers his students the chance to spin a few laps on the back of a Suzuki Katana, with him at the helm. Technically. the session is included in the price of the school, though it is requested you make a donation. which the school then passes on to a charity of its choice. (The Clayton Foundation is a frequent recipient). Surprisingly, the most amazing thing about the experience is not that Pridmore is able to circulate a racetrack at such a high rate of speed with an extra person mounted on the back - though that in itself is quite impressive. What really got my attention was Pridmore's smoothness. Despite the fact that he brakes and accelerates so hard that staying on requires a very firm hold by the passenger (homophobic concerns disappear well before the three-digit mark), J.P.'s movements and transitions are so seamless that it almost seems he's on an electrically powered, rail-mounted machine. I was pleased to see that Pridmore's lines around the track were more or less the same as mine had been - but was humbled to realize that though doubled up, he followed them much faster, and at United States WHEN?: For the 2000 season, at least once per month from February through November, excluding July HOW MUCH?: $295 per day ($275 when signing up at least 21 days in advance) WHAT'S NEEDED: One year of riding experience; a motorcycle with at least 250cc displacement (mirrors taped, taillight disabled, engine and tires in good condition); protective gear (full leathers, gloves, boots and DOT-approved helmet> Phone: 805/658-6333 Internet: www.starmotorcycle.com much greater lean angles, than I had done alone. If the AMA ever institutes a Shotgun class in their Road Racing Series, my money is on Pridmore dominating. cue •• n e _ S • JANUARY 26, 2000 19