Matt Bond, 14/04/06 – 15/04/06
Racedays.Net Academy
Summary
This was the first time I’d done any kind of race school and it really did surprise me just how much I learnt over the two days of testing. The school was really friendly and welcoming throughout and the experience was invaluable. I’d definitely book myself in for another if I could afford it!
Day One – Friday
After the quick briefing session it was onto the track for Chris and me, and the plan for us, to follow ex-MotoGP start Jeremy McWilliams! Just being in the same pit was an experience, but riding with him was something else. First session was a bit of downer as the bike just wouldn’t handle, I just couldn’t get the thing to turn, but fortunately this was solved once we got back into pit lane. Second session and the bike felt much better. It was just easier to ride and felt a lot more comfortable. Another session with Jeremy showing us the lines helped me get my mind in gear and showed me just where the time and speed can be gained. It was about now that I realised just how fast the circuit was when Mr McWilliams decided to ride round the outside of me on the sweeping final left hander, and I thought I was going fast! A new set of tyres made all the difference for the third session, and I began to pick up the pace and I even had my first proper backing it in and power sliding happenings half way through the day. Further sessions through the day helped me get my a better feel for the lines and a few words of McWilliams helped figure out some of the more technical sections on the track. Overall the day went well and being slightly quicker than Chris was a bit of a bonus too!
Day Two – Saturday
After a great first day I was hoping to get a bit more speed on the second day’s activities. First time out and it just felt so quick, I think overnight my mind forgot to tell me to brake at the last turn as I took a slight excursion onto the grass, fortunately keeping it upright. Next up was a video taping session with Jeremy McWilliams and it was great to see just what I was doing and how I could improve. It taught me a lot about getting the lines right and standing the bike up out of the corners. A quick review of the entire video helped immensely in understanding what had to be done to get on the pace. It defiantly helped put the theory into practice and helped me get a lot more comfortable at a much faster pace than I’d have expected. With the tyres on the bike beginning to deteriorate pretty dramatically we decided to call it a day and I just sat and watched the quick boys put in some ridiculously fast laps, whilst also getting ideas for the races and seeing which new lines I could try when I got back on track.
Conclusion
What an awesome experience! Can’t say just how good the academy was! I loved every second of it. Big thanks to Gerry and the Racedays.Net crew and a huge thank you to Jeremy McWilliams for all his expert advice. Another shout out and thank you to Steve Jordan for setting the suspension up for me (yet again)!