Over the last few years I've done the CSS level 1-2-3 after deciding that instruction would help me progress into a faster track rider, even though it is expensive. I could keep it going and do Level 4, but curious if anyone did the MSVT track academy recently and could share thoughts? The good thing about CSS was the very low number of riders so you can practice techniques without getting divebombed, but the curriculum is a bit rigid. Is the track academy addressed to your particular issues?
It's a smallish l/h circuit but that just means you're not wasting time and effort on long straights and can concentrate on the technical aspects and it's in good nick. The quality of instruction is fantastic, progressive and given in a realistic, matter of fact way by current racers/ ex racers and highly competent and experienced ex police riders, as long as you don't mind a bit of piss taking (absolutely not in a detrimental way though). As per standard track days you do 20 mins in the hour so a day will consist of 7 sessions starting at 0900 and finishing at 1700. It's one coach to 3 and no more that 12 on circuit at any one time.
Got it. I'll check some videos. If it has some high speed flowing sections then I'll probably like it. The biggest issue for me is heavy braking into low speed corners so hopefully I'll find some corners to practice on. Blyton is a haul for me so that might have to be one for next year.
I think most track days start with an early meet, so unless you are very local to the track an overnight stay beforehand is probably needed too.
Yeah the 90 mins to Donington from Oxford is as far as I'll stretch a morning departure. The track seems OK on YouTube, quite narrow but a mix of corners. I'll look into them for next year since it is a bigger investment of 2 days. I've already got a MSVT day at Donington for 8th September, so I could probably add on the instruction at 350 quid. However, another disadvantage of the msvt system is that inters is likely slammed with riders so not as much space as CSS or trackmaster with small groups.
I did an Msv track academy day at Donnington a few years ago, the instructor they supplied for the day was a nice guy but apart from showing me some lines around the circuit he did not offer much else.. we were in intermediates and at some point he asked if I could slow down a bit as he was struggling to keep up... to be fair I was on slicks but we were only doing fast intermediate pace!! I've since done a couple of Dean Ellison days and all though more expensive the level to tuition is worth more than the price.
My concern is that it's a waste even if cheap(er). Ive had the same CSS coach Gavin, who's been pretty good; he's been on a zx10 and would not struggle to keep up. I'm on metzler td slick'd Daytona and maybe top half in Inters at Donny (1:51-52s on a clean one). Probably won't do the msvt class, can't find any positive reviews and it'll be crowded. I feel I need to sort out a few more basic riding problems before spending bigger money on hiring a coach, a "lesser" coach should be able to help too I would hope!
All coaching is helpful, even the free no limits coaching sessions will give you something to take away, But I think waiting to sort problems before coaching is a mistake, you will get where you want to be quicker and then not having to in learn bad habits...
Yeah, we're on the same page. I believe I can still extract good value out of cheaper coaching (£500 per day including track day) which I would expect to provide good fundamentals as has been my experience so far. Then I'll probably hit a ceiling and have to consider higher cost training, that is beyond the capability of the cheaper options.
