Phase 1:

Immediately following early morning registration, the day kicks off with a classroom session.

This theory section provides a good general overview that covers 2 areas:

1) The basics of motorcycle handling, including :

• factors that affect traction, ie acceleration, cornering, and braking
• the importance of being smooth
• setting up corner entry speed
• importance of maintaining ideal balance (front to back) as the bike tracks for the apex

2) Navigating the track efficiently, including :

• understanding how to select efficient lines through a corner and
• factors that affect determining the ideal line for a given corner

Following the classroom portion, riding gear is handed out and you prepare for the initial outing on the track.

The class is broken up into several groups, each with their own assigned instructor. This will be your group instructor for the day.

The first track outing consists of following your instructor at a moderately slow pace. The purpose here is to become familiar with the track, including identifying reference points. Each rider gets to follow behind the instructor for one lap, allowing each a good view of the ideal line.

From this moment on begin track rotations involving all groups. The object of each outing is two-fold:

• To practice the general concepts presented in the morning class as you ride around the track and
• To work and focus on one particular corner. Each outing will focus on a different corner.

Each group receives a ten to fifteen minute briefing on the target corner for that session and then goes out on the track. The ten to fifteen minute briefing includes the proper line, technical particularities of the corner, things to avoid. Your group’s instructor is posted at that corner and takes notes as you go by.

As soon as your session is over, you meet with your group instructor for feedback and coaching.

This cycle is momentarily interrupted after lunch with a short braking and downshifting drill. And then the track sessions resume. Though your laps are timed and given to you at the end of the day, you are encouraged to improve lap times progressively during the day, as opposed to going out and attempting to set immediate lap records. The approach is to work on basics and build speed slowly but solidly.

All groups join together for the end of day meeting and recap. During this meeting, each instructor hands out a Top Rider Plaque to the student in his group that has shown most improvement or whose performance was most noteworthy in keeping with the riding technique taught.

My impressions:

Once the track portion gets underway, you become part of a cycle that keeps you fairly busy. You are either on track being evaluated, coming off track and meeting with your instructor for feedback/coaching, attending a short instruction period for the upcoming track outing, or waiting for the bikes of the previous group come in so you can board your bike.

The Nelson circuit is a relatively tight circuit. Its short straight sections and good variety of corner configurations make it an ideal layout for developing riding skills.

Each group being assigned to one instuctor means that you get the most personalized coaching and feedback. As the day wears on, your instructor gets to know you and your riding style. This enables him to tailor his comments and feedback specifically to your needs. In that respect, the learning process is more closely monitored.

Come well rested and make sure that you drink plenty of water during the day.