Ron Haslam Race School, Donington

[Rollins]

Knowing that my only legal experience of more than 33bhp (for the next 18 months when I'm 21) could come on a track, I deciced to book a slot at the Ron Haslam Race School, receiving lots of snidy comments & pisstakes from work, home & whoever else wanted to take a pop. The usual cliches like "killing myself" and "are you allowed to do that" quickly pissed me off, and only made me more determined to actually do it.

Wednesday 27th - What a great day. Weather was fantastic, managed to dodge the showers all morning, but not the gale force winds

The race school kicked off late for a start, cos some tw@t couldn't find Donington in the first place. Do'h. He/she never even turned up after all.

After the initial briefing, got all kitted up & was assigned a bike for the morning - a pristine 2005 Honda CBR600RR. With my bike experience limited to an Aprilia RS125, you can imagine how, erm, slightly unnerved I became. It's smaller than my RS125 for fook sake!! First ever track ride (full GP circuit) on my first ever 600 bike ride, it was a good job I bought a change of underwear.

First track session was over in a flash, though it was about 20 minutes long. Just following my instructor Gav on a Hornet 900, learning the braking & turning points & apexes. Fook, it's a hard track to learn, apparently one of the hardest in the country.

Second sesh was more of the same, but going a touch faster. Then I realise I'm overtaking many of the other people, and they're all on the same bike as me, all the BAB's and other middle aged men getting their trackday kicks! (Two ladies as well )

Third sesh, and I decided to see how fast the little, sorry, tiny CBR6 could go. Blimey. I've never experienced my arms being pulled from their sockets like that before. Even doing 5-6k rpm, it accelerates faster than my stroker. I never even went full throttle once, I was too scared!!
Unfortunately, they tape over the speedo so you can't see the numbers, but I'm sure I saw what I thought was 120mph coming towards Redgate. And sh1t, I still had 4500rpm till the redline, and 2 more gears to go!! Any other learners/125 owners, you've never known anything like it! What a day!

(My instructor was very impressed, and recommended that I buy a track bike! Watch out G!)

After the proceedings, the icing on the cake - Ron & Leon Haslam both slung their leathers on & ragged the tits off a pair of Fireblades. Wheelying down the pit straight and Leon backing it in to Redgate left me speechless!

I've caught the racing bug now, and I'm mildly annoyed that my 33bhp restriction still has 18 months to run. Anyone want to buy an RS125... ?
____________________
"... I wouldn't mind doing 130 up to a T junction, but unfortunately my bike tops out at 120 which is gay..."
2005 CBR600RR

[Shaun]

Cool, I was tempted to do the race school but from what you've said I could get the same type of tuition from a trackday, glad you enjoyed it though and it does sound like a bit better introduction for people new to the track.

[VTR SP1]

I did it in 2003 and thought it was a bit expensive. We had 3x15 min sessions and tuition for £235.
Was really good fun and a good first trackday.

SP1

[iCraig]

Cool, sounds like you had fun!

I rode Donington in March, and quite enjoyed it. Though I wouldn't say it was a hard circuit to learn at all, though I was probably taking the wrong line into a few corners.

[bugsy46]

Lol

The technician I work with is actually an instructor for ron haslam race school. We have four CBR1000RR ex race bikes from the school sat in our workshop (yellow and black). Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
____________________
Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[Rollins]

[tony532]

nice one mate

i was at oulton park today and someone came upto me and said do you want to try and win the cbr600rr that was parked up and i said no because its far too small for me

they are indeed smaller than the rs125 like you said


looked like a midi-moto

[bugsy46]

The instructor I work with is called Howard. He just finished a season racing GSXR1000, hes now racing a Supermotard. I will have to get him to book me a slot sometime
____________________
Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[G]

How many sessions did you get?

No reason you can't do a trackday on a full power 125 at a not too fast circuit. Unfortunately that 'wow, fast' feeling goes quickly. If you're actually racing, it shouldn't be too different on a lower powered bike.

In the faster groups at trackdays I do prefer to have a 100hp + bike so you can keep on the straights and stay ahead if you get past in the corners.
Doesn't matter so much in the novice group.

[Rollins]

[lusty]

How much does a track day all cost?

When hiring the bike do you have to put down a deposit incase you have a spill and how much does that all cost?

[G]