2 Day Camp At Thunderbolt - 5/12 & 5/13

[BLSJDS]

I attended the Two-Day Camp at NJMP Thunderbolt on 5/12 & 5/13 for Levels I and II and it was probably the best two days of my life (and I have two kids - ha ha)!!

 

The entire experience exceeded all of my expectations, both on and off the track. Every single member of the CSS organization was extremely professional, knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and genuinely interested in helping me to improve my riding skills. The curriculum was very well organized and each skill/drill was presented in an order that easily built upon what had been previously taught. After two days, there was lot to think about out there, but even my feeble brain was able to process everything (almost ) because the skills were presented so well and reviewed so thoroughly by my on-track coach after each track session.

 

The classroom sessions with Keith and Dylan brought many new and very useful dimensions to what I had read in Twist II, and I absolutely can NOT say enough about my on-track coach - Lyle. Thanks to his feedback, encouragement, guidance, and ability to breakdown this complex art into terms & segments that even I could understand, I was able to improve my riding abilities WAY beyond what I thought possible in just two days. He really made me feel comfortable and confident on and off the track and the results were incredible.

 

I can't thank Keith, Lyle, Dylan, and Cobie enough for such a fantastic experience!! I can't wait to do Level III in August!!!!!

 

Oh - and the BMW S1000RR is un-freakin'-believable!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hope to see everyone in August -

 

Dan Sklar

Bike # 24

[sfoster]

I agree with Dan. We were grouped together (bike 25) so we both had Lyle (who was excellent).

 

From day 1 to day 2, the improvements were remarkable. I shaved 10 seconds off the lap times between the two days!! All while actually "feeling" slower (read: more in control).

 

I'll have to scrape up the funds to attend August as well.

[Gorecki]

Great to hear guys!!! I'm planning on doing Levels I & II in August and NJMP and feeling even that much better about it with your feedback...thanks for posting!

[sfoster]

Here are some videos. In both cases we were asked to go 75% of "normal" speed. The second day video was done in third gear with little or no braking, but it was 4 seconds faster than day 1. After the critique of the second video and correction of the glaring error (pretty obvious once it was pointed out), the lap time dropped 8 seconds!!

 

Day 1 Level 1

 

 

Day 2 Level II

 

[Gorecki]

Thanks for the quick trip around Thunderbolt, looks like a nice place. That's a school video bike I presume. Cool!

[dmj120]

Here are some videos. In both cases we were asked to go 75% of "normal" speed. The second day video was done in third gear with little or no braking, but it was 4 seconds faster than day 1. After the critique of the second video and correction of the glaring error (pretty obvious once it was pointed out), the lap time dropped 8 seconds!!

 

Wow! That's some good progression!!

 

Stuff like this makes increases my desire to attend Level 2.

[RocketPunch]

I see someone had already made a thread.

 

I am also at that 2 Day Camp and Lyle is also my coach (Yellow #25), and I picked up a lot from his coaching .

 

I had a great time learned a ton and the S1000RR totally rips. The bike is so compact like a 600 but with insane amount of hp, seat height is no higher than my R6; Very easy to handle and go fast. The brakes are even more impressive than the power it makes.

 

Thunderbolt is a great circuit! Got a good mix or corners and elevation changes, very fun. I am planning to do my Level 3 & 4 as soon as I can.

 

Thanks!!

 

Some track shots of me and some pictures I took at the event, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BLSJDS]

Thanks for posting the pics, RocketPunch!

[Gorecki]

Thanks for posting the pics, RocketPunch!

 

Ditto! Nice to see things in action.

[khp]

Here are some videos. In both cases we were asked to go 75% of "normal" speed. The second day video was done in third gear with little or no braking, but it was 4 seconds faster than day 1. After the critique of the second video and correction of the glaring error (pretty obvious once it was pointed out), the lap time dropped 8 seconds!!

 

I didn't spot any glaring errors the first time around I watched the 2nd video (but then again, I wasn't particularly trying to spot the error), but as I re-watched it today something stood out to me: the throttle roll-on happens only when you're almost at the apex!

Just to satisfy my own curiosity: was that the "glaring error"?

 

Besides that, I can only echo the words of other posters - Thunderbolt looks like a very nice track indeed.

 

Dang, I miss going to the track (it's been since beginning of April). Maybe on sunday, if the weather permits. And then 3 days @ Anderstorp the weekend after

 

Cheers,

 

Kai

[sfoster]

The big error was not looking ahead until I passed each point. Notice the helmet doesn't move until each point (turn-in, apex, etc). I thought I was already doing this properly. Once it was pointed out, the track magically appeared wider and the sensation of speed dropped, which resulted in a much improved lap time.

[khp]

The big error was not looking ahead until I passed each point. Notice the helmet doesn't move until each point (turn-in, apex, etc). I thought I was already doing this properly. Once it was pointed out, the track magically appeared wider and the sensation of speed dropped, which resulted in a much improved lap time.

 

Ah, now that WOULD explain the TC issue as well