please explain

Welcome Rene.



Just like Nesba, STT has only got the three classes; Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. For the most part trackdays are the same all around. Just some format and rule differences.



In STT's Novice group all of the riders are divided up in the morning into sub groups based on their own estimations (ie, first timers with less street experience, first timers who think they rock on the street, comfortable newbies, newbies who've been around for a while, folks who think they're Rossi and will be in Intermediate soon, etc). Rider sub groups are assigned to a track coach. By being paired with one coach all day you get to work with someone who can help you build on the same skills throughout the day. These sub groups are very flexible. If you're faster or slower than the other riders in your sub group then we'll move you to another coach so that each coach has riders who are similar in pace/skills.



Through out the day the Novice group will spend 20 minutes in a classroom (for roughly the first half of the day), then have 20 minutes of down-time, then their 20 minute session on the track.



The classroom format is rather excellent. Much like you'd recieve at a $400 rider school.

 

With STT, the format is considerably more structured for the Novice class. Ostensibly, you get the same amount of track time as in the other groups, with the added benefit of 20 minutes in the classroom per hour as well. The instruction is similar to Keith Code & others, begining with sighting laps the 1st session, ie, right side of track, left side, middle, race lines, as a foundation. Then each class session and it's corresponding track session adds basic fundamentals so that by mid afternoon, you're doing hot laps with your sub-group, with your track coach observing and giving tips on how to improve your riding. It offers a coach/student ratio of about 5-1, and you get really good hands on training. If you're receptive and willing to take advantage of it, this is where STT really excels!

Intermediate group allows safe passing, anywhere on the track, provided there is a 6 foot space between riders. Ideally, riders acting like ass-hats, making bad, unsafe passes get pulled off the track, and talked to.

It is generally left to the rider's discretion as to which group they ride in, although track coaches can promote, or demote riders as they see fit.

Hope ths helps and that you enjoy your time with us!

cheers,

Lance

 

Yep, like Lance said, you get just as much track time with STT as you would with any other org. You get your 20-minute rotation per hour, just like other orgs, PLUS you get classroom instruction between those rotations on the track.



And like you said, with Nesba their B group can only pass while on the straights, whereas with STT you can pass on the straights and the outside of the turns.

 

Speaking as a "Seasoned Novice"...



And, having been to other track schools and having ridden with other track organizations I can offer the following observations:



STT's Novice class far excels. This is do in part to its structure; 20 minutes class, 20 minutes track, 20 minutes down time. It's also due to the quality of the instruction; both in the classroom, but more in terms of the individual coaching you receive.



The people providing the instruction are top notch, funny, and really make learning enjoyable and easy to understand. It's a comfortable atmosphere, but serious and structured.



For me, the individual coaches have helped me make the biggest difference in my own skills development. Many of the coaches are proficient CCS/WERA racers. I was expecting a bit of ego and condescension. What I found were a group of people genuinely interested in supporting me as I learned and improved. Unlike the other schools I paid lots of $$$ for, the tangible quality of STT?s instruction is better than anything I have yet found. It?s also more focused. I have had as few as 3 others in my sub group. Where else are you going to get an instruction ratio like that for a track day fee and still get ALL of your on track time?



Your goals may be different than mine. I am more interested in building my core skills, together with a clear understanding of the principals and practical experience. In other words, quality, not quantity. I am a firm believer that as my skills and understanding improve, so will my overall ability to better move the bike through the track. I didn?t have a goal to get my knee down the first day (ok, it happend on the third day, but who?s counting!) I wanted to know how to ride, and hoped it would follow. It did. There are few things as exciting as really getting a turn down, and having the bike and you just flow through it. Totally awesome!



What you may notice about STT is that it attracts a more serious group of riders at all skill levels. There is little tolerance for foolishness out on the track, making it safer for all of us. Somehow they have found a way to do that without sucking all of the fun out of it. The paddock is friendly, and people are quite helpful. It?s very cool.



Bottom line: I ride better, and I understand why, and I know how to keep improving. It was a little tough to suck it up and go Novice again this last session, despite being told by several coaches that I could move up to Intermediate. STT's Novice attracts more than a few riders that are clearly past what most people would consider "Novice"... but are interested in the instruction. I still have much to learn, and want to take advantage of the teaching. Sure, I repeat things, but I leave each class with some new understanding. And?. I?m getting better and more confident.



I know this is likely more than you wanted, but I hope it helps.

 

More on Novice group...

I stayed in novice quite a bit longer than average, I think I did 8 trackdays in Novice, before i felt 100% ready to move up to Intermediate. I had struggled quite a bit in the Novice group, but I made certain that I got everything together. I asked A LOT of questions, I worked my butt off and praticed, practiced and practiced. Given the difficulties that I had In Novice, I expected to be among the slower riders when I moved up to Intermediate. surprisingly to me, I was in the top 1/3 instead, and felt comfortable, consistent and safe. STT's Novice instruction works!!! I recommend it to everyone, and I especially recommend staying a novice for more than one or two days before you move up to Intermediate. If everyone did this Intermediate would be even better!

Cheers!

Lance

 

Re: More on Novice group...

I would have to agree with you on the Novice thing. I felt good with some things, but VERY rough with others. I'll be one of those that stay with the Novice group for more than 2 or 3 track days. I also got a Video from behind me when I went to Mid-Ohio. It's more money, but I think that I'm going to try and get one for every new track I go to so I can study it more. I noticed at Mid-Ohio there was one section that kept messing me up. I even had a brain fart and went in the grass once. (Saved it from tipping though)I would like to try the intermediate after several more Novices, but I have much to learn until then.

 

How long you spend in each class doesn't mean anything. I've seen riders go through Novice by lunch their first day but then spend years in Intermediate. And other riders have spent over a dozen days in Novice but now are some of the most kick ass Adv riders I know.



My advice... try to never set firm goals like "get into Intermediate by X date" or "turn a 1:35 this weekend". Try sticking with more helpfull goals like "work on opening the throttle up all the way more often" or "work on looking through the turns better" or "work on using the brakes hard and pushing my brake marker back some". I've found that people with goals like that generally make better riders and progress better than the people who simply say "I wanna go fast". Riding around the track thinking "I gotta go faster, I gotta go faster," will not get you around the track as fast as thinking "look through the turn, roll on the gas till the throttle is pinned, don't brake yet, not yet, okay NOW, spot the exit, keep my head down and open the throttle!"

 

Mary,

My point was take your time, be thorough and methodical, analyze everything, don't rush spending more time in novice is a great way to do that, due to the close contact and availability of the instructors. I wish I had that level of instruction in Intermediate!

 

I agree with everyone's points. I plan on staying in Novice till you force me out.



Each track day I set goals just as Mary said. This one was looking through turns better. Having better form and hanging off more. Plus being smooth. Hit most my goals and gained a lot of speed around the track from it.



I will set some more goals next track day and go from there. I definitely do not have a time frame in mind for leaving novice or getting a knee down. I know it will all come in time.



I do know my biggest goal for the next day is opening the throttle sooner and improving shifting and braking later.

 

All I can say is SMOOOOOOTH!

 

One of the aspects of both Reduc and STT that made them a good match was that they both differed from other clubs in the way their riders perceive the class they're riding in....their "choice", rather than their "goal". Other clubs start you in the Novice group and you must "graduate" (in the eyes of their track police) to ride in the next "higher" class, making it a goal and a bragging right to ride in one of the "faster" classes, rather than allowing you to ride in the class in which you feel most comfortable for as long as you're comfortable there. From my perspective, it makes for a less competitive asmosphere, more conducive for learning and having fun.

 

Gigantic, I wasn't arguing with anything you said. I was just mentioning what I said because I wanted to keep folks from reading all the "I spent X days in Novice" and "I spent Z days in Novice" and setting their own expectations that could cause them to push themselves too hard and get in over their head.





Everyone here sounds like they have such a great level head on their shoulders though. It's going to be great to get out with you all in May.

 

Sorry, I didn't think you were arguing either... :? Just wanted to clarify what i'd meant... we were kinda making the same point, in a way, but from different directions. :wink:

Lance

 

Haha... okay fine, so neither one of us is dissagreeing. LOL. Can we hug now? :wink:

 

That's definitely good advice and a good way to look at it. :wink:

 

I agree. Your comfort level will dictate where you want to be and if there are issues with this choice, I'm sure the control riders/coaches will take care of them.