Anyone ever attended the Niall Mackenzie Race School at Knockhill

Lindsay,
Yeah I did one, wrong decision, I thought I was better than I actually was, got destroyed by the track monsters.
Better starting off with novice stuff, work your way up. Just cos your good on the road, it doesn't translate.

JP

I thought the "Niall Mackenzie Race School" was for "Novice" riders before going onto full track days where there used to be: novice, intermediate and experienced slots. that used to be the set up a few years back, well possibly 5 years ago.

I was under the impression that the School gave advice on correct lines etc before actually going in for track days.

Found some of the good experienced guys like to sit in intermediate section and rip up hell on the track.

again that was many moons ago, not sure what the present set up is?

Thanks Guys

Yes, they do apparently run novice track days, intermediate and full blown track days as you both mention.

Bear in mind guys I'm riding a GS so I'm not looking to go out and race it around the track in the same way that you would with a sports bike.

I'm at that stage in my riding though where I need to find out how responsive the GS is, how I can push her into corners, that sort of stuff. I did give Knockhill a call and they recommended the intermediate class but I think after reading John's post I'd rather start with the basic class.

The thing is, I've done some of their performance driving classes and been a little dissapointed in that all it amounted to was a blast round the track with a 22 year old guy sitting giving a bit of advice. It wasn't something that you could relate to the road at all and he really couldn't answer any of my questions about braking points, vanishing points, forces that apply on cornering, front wheel drive verse rear wheel drive cornering etc. and I don't want to do a novice bike day to find out it's the same experience.

I'd much prefer some instruction, a little riding, a bit of debriefing, more riding, a bit of adjustment etc.

Most of the tracks down south run loads of circuit based training days to teach road based biking skills but there's very little like that available North of the border.

Hence my post. Is an instructional based riding experience what I could expect from Knockhill guys.

Lindsay,
I recall that one of the chat's I had with Tinbits and Robbie involved Knockhill and other tracks. These boys seem to have had a lot more experience than me and I am sure could offer more insight.
What I can say from my experience is that being on a racetrack was a great experience, no speed limits, everyone going the same way !, it was enjoyable. But did I learn anything, not really, why, well all that happens is that you are in a bunch of 4+ other guys with a racer in the front. They do mark the track with cones so it gives an idea of braking, turn in points. You follow the racer round and watch his lines, they start off slow enough then speed up. As to which gear you should choose, and what speed to go at at different parts of the track, well your guess is as good as mine, guess till your bottle goes or your bike goes down, thats the impression I got. What I did was increase speed and turning till you were at your personal limit, which is way less than the bike in most cases. In the end I just enjoyed myself, but turns out that is too slow.
That was the intermediate group I went for on a Niall McKenzie do da.
heaven help us what the actual "proper" Niall McKenzie full track day is like. I would pretty much reckon advanced stuff. I would liked to have done it for the fact that he is taking the classes, but I just know if would be the wrong decison and I would end up embarrassed again.
The novice sounds good, I should have done that first, but actual training, I don't think it's going to be what you expect, it's going to be along the lines of above only a lot less indimidating.
What it sounds like you are after, and me actually as well, is a proper training session with feedback, preferably on radios. then they can tell you real time on line adjustments, hang off a bit more, open up earlier or harder braking, give you a bit of confidence. Now I think the likes of that type of training is going to be MEGA bucks, if you can actually get it.
I read some stuff on California Superbike School, they teach cornering and riding position, stuff like that, but unless I am mistaken, it aint on radios, it's maybe 2 or 3 to 1 training, but I would say better bet than above.
I am just giving you my honest opinion, I could lie and say I had a brilliant time and was a track god.
I don't think anyone will say I am slow on the road, but track is a different ball game as you will appreciate.

JP

oh and you get some nice photos so you can pose then and I got it signed by the big man himself.

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JP

Lindsay

sit down, pour a beer and read the PACE

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p.s. lets know if you have a date in mind for going up to watch a track day, if im home I will join you

Thanks Guys

Appreciate both postings - loads of info on both.

John, here's the e-mail they sent me from Knockhill:

"I would recommend the Intermediate Bike Course (next running on Wed 11th July). It offers instruction out on track covering braking and cornering techniques. Its one instructor to three pupils, three x 20 minute track sessions, a bike set-up seminar in the classroom and concludes with a one hour open track session with all the instructors still on hand for advice etc. You will be here the whole morning or whole afternoon."

Thanks also for that URL Rod I'm going to follow you're advice and sit down with a tinnie and read it through.

John, Rod take a look at this link

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guys. This is the sort of thing I'm looking to do. Good controlled environment just getting to the grips with the controls of the GS so I can find my limits with it - just as John suggests.

yeah thanks for the link Rod.
I have read it.
and now I feel like a really BAD boy

JP

Lindsay,
Yeah that looks interesting, wonder if they run anything in bonnie Scotland.

JP

Yes, I think that article is smack on and illustrates what I'm trying to say over in my ride-out thread.

It takes a lot of discipline to lead a group like that.

Involvement in that type of riding I think can teach things that advanced riding courses don't and it allows for progressive motorcycling. Excellent link Rod.

I'm not beyond the odd blast myself and it's good to ride within your abilities with like minded riders, nor does everyone want a training expereice out of a ride-out but I think that article highlights points often overlooked.

Most of my group work involves an outdoor pursuits background but I was truly humbled by some of the Plas Y Benin instructors (all professional mountaineers - not just moutain instructors) when I got truely slated back in the eighties for storming up mountainsides in pursuit of my own objectives while group members struggled behind.

An acid test and a hard lesson on my leadership if not mountaineering skills.

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has been posted on a few forums now. Some of you will have seen it and it ended in tragedy.

I e-mailed this to a friend of mine from one of the GS forums. He holds a diploma in high performance riding from the Nurbergring as well as three awards from the same circuit and he e-mailed me back to say 'Always be careful when you see groups of riders approaching, especially sports bike riders because you'll often find that at the back of every group there's riders under pressure riding outside their comfort zone trying to stay with the group".

I thought these were wise words.

Thats cool cheers Lindsay

JP

Well guys I done the rizzla suzuki track day today at knockhill.Had a great time.Boy these guys can go some and they dont even look like there trying hard.Tried to stick with John Reynalds for a couple of laps but then he just left me for dead..