Why Sportbike Track Time, as opposed to other clubs? Pretend for a moment, that I'm new here, but I'm not familiar with STT. What's great about this club? I'm not particularly interested in reading about why another club sucks, I just want to hear your thoughts about Sportbike Track Time. You may be quoted in an upcoming article. Thanks, Lance
Since Ive only ridden with them I'll only speak off them. They have turned a 45 year old man, into a track day junkie , nuff said. Though seriously I can't think of anything that they don't do right, nice folks Bonnie and Monte, great instructors , great tuition ( all free) , great tracks , great fun. What more can you ask for ( oh yes unlimited track funds , but that is nothing to do with them. Cant see how any other organization does it better , if they do , I'd like to hear about it Cheers Justin
Because they have a good group of people, who truly have your best interest in mind. There are people at their events that are willing to help anyone, from a pro to a first time track rider. The amount of help someone can get, for free, is only limited by how much that person asks for. In any of their groups you can go to an instructor and say you need help, and you can get it. The more I think about the question, the more I think that the first sentence in this reply sums up the answer. But in reality, I've ridden with just about all of the groups that are local to the midwest, and I just choose to ride here. No bashing of other groups, just seems a bit more personal and polished than most others.
I have yet to see another trackday provider that provides the level of service to all riders for the price offered by STT. First, for the novice rider, there are both classroom and on track instruction. It is the classroom instruction and interaction with other staff members that sets STT apart. While other organizations provide control riders, the comments posted by new track riders suggests that they truly appreciated the opportunity to sit down and recieve direction concerning racing lines, body position, and shifting. Secondly, consider the number of vendors that show up to support the riders. You have tire service, suspension service, retail goods through STG, and video of your riding through Shadow Video. I am not aware of any other organization that provides the number of vendors at a single trackday. Quite simply, STT provides a one-stop shopping trackday-experience. A place where you can recieve instruction, change your tires, set up your suspension, and spend the day with some really cool people who share our passion for trackdays.
And they have a great Photographer in the Mid-West !! A little slow geting the photos online but hey, I heard he is pretty good ... HAHA
As it has already been said. When U first start track days know matter how bad we think we are we are scared shitless. I was ill admit it. There is simply no one other org that starts the Novice off perfectly. They start slow,put u in proper groups,u can move up or down in those groups through out the day,They have free class room, awesome teatchers,unbelivable prices on supplys and gear (sportbike track gear thanks Brian) and so and so on. This is my 2nd year and I just received my bump to I-group and now its my 2nd love of my life.In the summer months I think about it,want to do it,count down the time to the next event,call some friends to just talk about it I LOVE IT. With that I want to thank STT for helping me find my true passion in my life.
Pardon the obvious suck up.. Something else to mention is the classroom instruction. I can honestly say that I would not be the rider I am today without the instruction I got at STT. First, there is K3. His help and guidance have made me a more consistent and smooth rider. His enthusiasm and willingness to help are a tough act to follow. But follow they do. Every staff member I had as a Novice went out of their way to help me. I think for many of us, there is a stand out coach that really communicated what to do in ways we could hear and apply to our riding. For me, that was Bart Schuster. He really made the difference for every member of our group. Though he was a skilled racer, he never made any of us feel as though we were the knuckle heads we were. And there were others as well. Justin, Whyslack, Amelio... all of them teaching us something in their own way. STT is filled with good people that genuinely care. Where else do you find a community like this today? Its an awesome experience, bolstered by great members, and overseen and operated by some of the best people I know.
The reason I went with STT & eventually went after a staff position was simply because they run a cleaner event all the way around than anyone else. Just compare the paddock of an STT event with any other organization & you can instantly see the difference in presentation. All the rigs lined up, trailer doors are out of the vehicle lanes, trash is kept up etc.. More importantly though if you have a genuine problem it is quickly addressed with personal attention. If you are the cause of the problem they are unbiased & fair with both attendees & staff members. In the end I feel that STT gives their customers their moneys worth & then some.
STT started small. As they've grown, they haven't forgotten what got them to where they are today. They prioritize the riders, riding time, and making sure everyone get value out of what they pay for; something that doesn't always continue to happen once a company grows. Cheers.
What can be said that hasn't been already. Why STT? Because it is an extension of family and a true class act. I started w/ STT in the novice group and eventually worked my way into a staff position here in the mid west. From day one, I was welcomed by every person I met. While many things have changed in the organization, I have the same feeling of family that I had the very first day out at Grattan. Monte and Bonnie truely consider each member of STT a son,daughter, brother or sister of theirs. If you don't believe it, find Bonnie the next time a rider falls down... odds are she will be in that rider's pit making sure they are ok with a look of genuine concern on her face. (i know... she has hunted me down many times for this very reason!!) Monte and Bonnie have done a phenomenal job in growing their company to be the benchmark in the industry, but have not forgotten the most important part: THE CUSTOMER. From the first day novice to the seasoned racer, everyone is welcomed and accomidated at their events. This is stressed at EVERY staff meeting of EVERY event. This "whatever it takes" mindset is not something that is taken lightly, and every staff member truely is passioniate about developing the sport. The novice school has been developed with the new rider in mind. All of the apprehension and fear of a new rider is addressed, and it is the true desire of every coach to devote as much attention as needed to each individual rider. In the intermediate group, the coaches are not merely out there to police the group or enforce the rules; they are there to help anyone and everyone they can. We do our best to make ourselves approachable and helpful without ego or judgement But this "family culture" goes beyond the staff members. Just looking through this forum, you can see countless examples of well wishes for a fallen rider, thanks extended to strangers who helped load an injured rider's gear, and entire posts dedicated to the menu for a given event. (BTW, I have yet to get a taste of the pulled pork Lance... come back to the midwest!!) I have met many, many great people at the track and developed close friendships with people from many walks of life and different geographic regions. Why STT? Because they do more than just provide tracktime. They have developed a culture that welcomes every new rider, and addresses as many details as possible for the trackday experience, and make it seamless.
Justin- Just come to BeaverRun in a few weeks. You're actually 45 minute closer to the track than I am... :?
Lance, I would have been there, but last minute plans put me at AutoBahn instead. Here's hoping you make mid O this year w/ a smoker!!
From my personal experience, I went through beginner programs with both STT and Nesba. STT's beginner program has great structure to it and allows for more feedback from the coaches since the groups are kept small. This is critical for someone with very little experience on a bike. I tell everyone who is interested in Track riding to try a STT beginner day! Also, the way Monte and Nick have handled themselves when someone goes down and still wants to get back out there is amazing. Ive never seen this at other trackdays, but they jump on a pitbike and search the paddock for the parts they need! A+ in my book. All attitudes are checked at the door. The decision for me to coach was a no-brainer when I was asked to help!
I started doing trackdays thu STT and have run all my trackdays with them since. The track coaches/Intructors are all great making your 1st or 10th trackday a great experience.No matter your level they will make your better ,faster more confident . The events run very professionally from rider meetings, I think I have memorized Marks rider breifings! thru the end of the day. The tech inspections and sign in are always run smoothly.Never has there been a rushed or chaotic feel to the event. The support services at each event are all top notch & $$$ wise you just can't find better deals , tires - the twins/suspension- Kenny SuperBike Italia/STG- Brian. The amount of tracks and events each month and all the regions to ride is great, if only I could get to all the tracks!
Safest, safest, SAFEST... Listen to the intro Monte gives every morning. It is not all about who is the fastest... This exsists because all stt staff believe in safety.
WHY STT: Simple: leadership. Monte and Bonnie are passionate, customer driven, fun loving, intelligent, and convinced that they can always do it better. Everyone benefits when any organization has this trait; however, few corporations can really make this model work - STT does. Brett
What is a Novice Rider? I have read most of the material published and sent by STT and I am planning my first STT event at Road Atlanta. I have been to several track days on several different tracks. As we all know they have various race lines. The fact that I do not know the race lines at this track would lead me to believe the Novice class is the best option?!?!? Is this proper thinking? Also I always enjoy learning to become a better rider and would like to learn how well the instruction at STT is! All of you STT track junkies....respond now...