Are There Any Card Carrying Members Here? (NESBA or Team Pro-Motion)

[R Doug]

I plan on doing several track days next year.  I'm thinking a minimum of 6 and as high as 10.  It appears I could save some money by joining either NESBA or Team Pro-Motion.

Has anyone joined one or both of these organizations via an annual membership?  Which one do you prefer to join and / or participate in a track day?  

All advice is appreciated.  

[hovmaven]

Paging DrD to the track day desk. . ..  

I ran Nesba several years back.  No issues (except for where you start, "B" or "I").  Start in "I" if that's still possible.  They run at Kershaw and VIR.

[falcofred]

Doing track days is my objective every year, although I have never attended more than one per season.
I did a track with NESBA at Road Atlanta, this was my first with NESBA. As I have attended track days before I do not consider myself a beginner, but that day at Road Atlanta I started intermediate, but dropped back to beginner after the first session.

• I was one of only two, maybe four people riding street bikes that were prepared for a track day, all others were on dedicated track/race bikes.
• I was on my KTM Superduke at 6'3" on a naked bike with a two tooth larger rear sprocket I topped out at 130 MPH on the back stretch, I was being passed by bikes going 170+, too big a speed differential to be safe.

• Both my friend who I was attending with and I dropped back to the beginner class, even there all others with the exception of one or two were on dedicated track bikes, had tire warmers on in the pits, etc.
• In the beginners class we were able to keep up and pass many of the other riders on their dedicated track bikes, but in the beginner class there is no passing allowed in the corners  , even on the outside, the corners along with braking was my advantage on the KTM, so it was a bit frustrating.
I was told on the NESBA forum that my experience was because there was no CSS or WERA race that weekend, so many of the racers who participate in that series were using that track day as practice and when the advanced class filled up, they just spilled over to intermediate. If I do another NESBA day I will make sure there are races scheduled for the same weekend elsewhere. Until then I'll probably stick with Sport Bike Track Time who I did a day with at VIR and had a great time.

[DrD]

I have been out to the track with TPM for a few years, maybe 15 track days.  I found the annual membership worthwhile, especially since too often I need to change plans and you get an online credit for that.  I know NESBA is better for that, but TPM's plan is OK.

The big factor this coming year that led me to stay with TPM is the track availability.  TPM will have many days at Summit Point and NJ Motorsports Park with a few at VIR.  NESBA had none at NJMP when I last checked.  It can be a 3.5 to 6 hour drive to Millsville, NJ, but both circuits are excellent.

The track days are run well enough.  I hope to get out of the beginner level this season, if only to avoid the moving roadblocks of students.  OTOH, the intermediate group is the one with the most crashes.    Last year TPM introduced the yellow group: If there are enough students and a lesser number of intermediate/advanced, then they will combine the two top groups, have a students' group, and put us advanced beginners together.  That works great.

Update:  NESBA now has a few NJMP dates.  TPM has more NJMP and SP dates.  I will try TPM for another year.

[garry]

I think I'm going to join NESBA this year. In the past, I've only done days here and there with STT, TPM, and the local Euro shop. Now that I have a trailer and a tire changer, I should be able to justify having a set of track day tires sitting in the garage, even if it means a couple hours of spooning them on/off.  NESBA has monthly dates at BeaveRun in 2012 and none of the other track day orgs run there regularly. MotoSeries runs at Nelson Ledges which is a couple hours away, but that's a fast, bumpy track and I'm a slow rider on a slow naked bike, so maybe that's not a good fit for me.

[R Doug]

Given the flexibility provided by being a member (i.e. reschedule time should something come up), I believe I'm going to join at least one of the organizations this year.  I have not done a track day with either yet and everyone's feedback is appreciated.  

From all my other track day experiences, I have always been moved to the advance group and at my last event in California, they signed off on a WERA license for me.  I just didn't follow up on it because I had no plans to race.  I'm kicking myself for not getting my license because I'm sure that could open up more opportunities for me.

My biggest concern in getting back on the track (after 18 months off) is I'll be doing it with a new-to-me bike that has a GP style shifter.  Because it's a dedicated track bike, the only place I'll be able to ride it and get more experience with the shifter is on the track.  So, I would like to start off in the beginner group for practice and work my way up.  But, not being able to pass would suck.  

I believe I'm going to take some time and make some phone calls with the groups to discuss my goals and see which one is the best fit.  Of course, the more track time I can get at VIR, the better.  I only live 1:20 from VIR.  So, most likely, the group which offers more seat time on VIR will get my $$$$.  

[hovmaven]

VIR North.  

[R Doug]

VIR North.  

+1  

I've not been on Barber, but if I had to rank the tracks I've been on, it would be...

1)  Laguna Seca
2)  VIR North
3)  Mid Ohio
4) Summit Point (main circuit)
5) Summit Point (Jefferson)
6)  Beaverun
7  Summit Point (Shenandoah)

Now that I'm reasonably close, I need to get down  Barber.  I'll bet it'll rank #2.  It'll be hard to top Laguna Seca.    

[hovmaven]

Ridden 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.  You could try Kershaw.  I'd skip Pocono.  Like the Beav's elevation changes.  That sweeping uphill right is a great turn.  

[X1Glider]

I was a NESBiAn one year so I could ride some fantastic tracks.  I thought they did a real good job of running things.

[tomek]

R Doug , reverse shift is no biggie , you`ll get used to it quickly . My thought process goes like that now - Race track---> gp  shift , street ----> conventional . BTW , I firmly believe GP shift is more instinctive and works better with acceleration and braking forces .

One thing worth mentioning , Advance with Nesba is very aggressive , you have to be very comfortable with  close racing .
Yes , every session is essentially a sprint race with those guys , at least here in the Midwest .

Also the pace is , on average , 5-6 seconds faster then with STT .  

Basic membership with NESBA is only , IIRC , 20-30 bucks , why not to try both groups ?

[YamadogR1]

I ride at VIR all the time. The organization that I ride the most with is Cornerspeed. I have ridden with several oraganizations to include NESBA, Team Promotion and STT. I prefer Cornerspeed as I feel that they put on the safest track day. Nobody is allowed to ride in the sport enthusiast or Advanced unless they have graduated a school. Cornerspeed runs an outstanding school but he accepts graduates of California Superbike, Ed Bargy, Schwantz,  Yamaha School of Champions, etc. The key thing is that he does not allow people out there who have no training. Check them out on their website, Cornerspeed.net. We will start riding in March and he usually has at least one track day per month into October. Team Promotion and NESBA will also have a considerable number of days at VIR.

[Mr Sunshine]

What bike is your track bike?  More than likely if you want to run it standard shift it'll just be a flip on the shift knuckle.

[R Doug]

Great feedback everyone.  I have looked into Cornerspeed.  They run a lot at VIR too.  

The bike is my GSXR750.  It's a dedicated trackbike.  I would like to practice with the GP style shifter.  It seems like it would be fun to play with.  I don't need it for lap times, as the milliseconds I can save in shifting are meaningless to me.  But, I do like to pretend I'm a MotoGP racer and shifting in a similar pattern would be cool.

Who knows, I may even start hanging out my inside leg when entering corners just like some of the GP racers.  

Seriously, if the reverse shifter gives me fits, I'll set it up like a standard shifter.  

[Mr Sunshine]

For me I run GP shift because I have run into a few corners where I need to upshift while I'm standing the bike up and standing up on the pegs to get back onto the seat.  I find it easier to do by just standing on my shift lever.  

BTW: If you can afford it...get a quickshifter.  No it isn't about just lap times...it makes your upshifts down the straights just easier so you can ride longer and more relaxed.

[R Doug]

BTW: If you can afford it...get a quickshifter.  No it isn't about just lap times...it makes your upshifts down the straights just easier so you can ride longer and more relaxed.

It came with the bike.  


If I understand it correctly, it works over 6k RMP and all I have to do is shift w/o backing off the throttle.  Is that correct?

PS... It works on upshifts, not down.  I'll still need to clutch and match revs on downshifts.  

[BadDog]

Ridden 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.  You could try Kershaw.  I'd skip Pocono.  Like the Beav's elevation changes.  That sweeping uphill right is a great turn.  

I agree on skipping Pocono.  Their FUSA course was ok, but the East layout was horrible.  So bad so in fact that TPM isn't running any dates there at all until they fix the track surface.

I've been with TPM for 2 years now and think they run a pretty decent event.  Their beginners class (ART I) was helpful in making the transition from the dirt/street to the track.  The coaches have all been pretty decent and willing to help out with questions and advice.

[Mastros2]

Doug, I'm a TPM member for the past 2 years and really like the group. So much, I'm doing all my 2012 dates with them as well. I've done all my days at NJMP since it is only 45mins from my house but planning on a day out to Beverun or VIR for this year.  

Glen, the owner of TPM, is a truly nice person and is really into the sport.  I hear they are not the fastest but from what I see, their priority is safety.  

+1 on TPM's ART level one class.  It's a nice class to get acquainted to the track as well.

When I purchased the r6, it was set up gp shift.  I switched it back so I wouldn't have another thing to think of while learning.  That is just me though.  

[Mr Sunshine]

It came with the bike.  


If I understand it correctly, it works over 6k RMP and all I have to do is shift w/o backing off the throttle.  Is that correct?

PS... It works on upshifts, not down.  I'll still need to clutch and match revs on downshifts.  

Yes but there can be some tuning on how long to kill the ignition or fuel and what RPM for it to work at.

[DogBoy]

Doug, it looks like Cornerspin riding school is right in your backyard. Ever considered attending?

http://www.cornerspin.com/overview.html

I'm sort of on staff with a similar operation here in Sacramento. We get some very fast supermoto, club road racers and even pros like Elena Myers, Joey Pascarella and Bobby Fong using the track for training. You learn a ton and its more fun than you can imagine.

[R Doug]

Doug, it looks like Cornerspin riding school is right in your backyard. Ever considered attending?

http://www.cornerspin.com/overview.html

I'm sort of on staff with a similar operation here in Sacramento. We get some very fast supermoto, club road racers and even pros like Elena Myers, Joey Pascarella and Bobby Fong using the track for training. You learn a ton and its more fun than you can imagine.

Yes I have consired.    

I'm just waiting for their 2012 schedule so I can sign up and get a discount for a Cornerspin and Cornerspeed combo!

[R Doug]

Oh yea, the location of the Cornerspin class is about 20 miles from my house.  

I am actually looking forward to working more on bike control on their small displacement thumpers.

Who wants to attend this with me?  Let's do an STN event at Cornerspin!

[DogBoy]

 :cool:Consired away!  

I'd like to hear your impressions of the school afterward.  I look forward to one of your thorough write-ups.

[Mastros2]

Oh yea, the location of the Cornerspin class is about 20 miles from my house.  

I am actually looking forward to working more on bike control on their small displacement thumpers.

Who wants to attend this with me?  Let's do an STN event at Cornerspin!

After reading their faq's, YES!!!  Now, it depends on the date but I am really exited now!  When are you looking to go?

[R Doug]

After reading their faq's, YES!!!  Now, it depends on the date but I am really exited now!  When are you looking to go?

I haven't seen the 2012 schedule posted yet.  I signed up for their news letter.  It would be great if you could make it.  

Who's next?

[R Doug]

Cornerspin's 2012 schedule has started to post for the first quarter of 2012.  

I signed up for the March 10 and 11th session.

[nantahala]

Doug, check this out.

http://www.ncsportbikes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=32931

Hopefully this pans out.  I visit family just a few miles from this facility and even rode out there to the gates recently just to see if I could get in to look around but it was closed.  This will be pretty neat if the deal is able to finalize.

Facility: http://nccar.us/

Matt

[R Doug]

Nice!

[R Doug]

I met the folks of Team Promotion at the IMS in Charlotte today.  Their $299 membership package is a good deal so I signed up for it today.  Also, their tire deals are pretty good too!  I just signed up for VIR for April 1 & 2 and picked up a pair of Pirelli tires which I'll pick up at the track.  Sweet!  Besides, after two full days on the track, I'll need new shoes.  

[Mastros2]

I met the folks of Team Promotion at the IMS in Charlotte today.  Their $299 membership package is a good deal so I signed up for it today.  Also, their tire deals are pretty good too!  I just signed up for VIR for April 1 & 2 and picked up a pair of Pirelli tires which I'll pick up at the track.  Sweet!  Besides, after two full days on the track, I'll need new shoes.  

Nice Doug!  You'll really like the club.  

[FireRunner]

Hey guys!  I realize I'm coming in a little later on this discussion.  Just wanted to point out a few more track orgs worth mentioning.  

TrackTactics is a "new to the east coast" group that is starting to do track days out here.  Since they're more focused on getting riders off the street and onto the track, and not about making a huge profit (no one has a full-time job with them if I'm correct), their prices are extremely reasonible and there is no membership fee.  They have some dates at BeaveRun (or PIRC/Pitt Race, whatever you prefer) on May 5/6, $300 for the weekend.  They're also booked at Nelson Ledges July 7/8, $240 for the weekend.  They also have Aug 6 and Sept 3 (Labor day) at VIR North, but haven't posted prices yet.  Finally, they've got dates at CMP June 9/10 and Oct 6/7, $280 for each weekend bundle.

http://tracktactics.org/

Roger Lyle's Motorcycle Xcitement is another great group.  He does all his days at Summit Point Raceway, usually two-day events, one day on Shenandoah and one day on Summit Main.  Very laid back group, and the thing I like about running with Roger is it's like a "mom-n-pop" track day.  Everyone knows everyone, everyone is super friendly and welcoming, and at the end of the first day, there's a big potluck dinner.  Can it get better than that?  Oh, and his ladies rates can't be beat, $100 track days, oh yea!! (Sorry guys!!) Annual membership is $25, and he offers $25 off for Military vets.

http://motorcyclexcitement.com/

I did my first track day with TPM in their ART I school last year at Summit Main.  GREAT org, with some great coaches.  I really enjoyed my day with them, but with their rates, and the fact that I can get cheaper days elsewhere, I haven't gone back. :-/

I also did a day at VIR South with NESBA.  Great group, if you're a NESBAian.  Since I'd already completed about 8 track days at this point, I was an outsider coming in, and while I felt welcome, for the most part (probably because I'm a girl), I still felt a little outkasted.  The biggest gripe I had was lack of cones to mark the corners, and nearly zero chance at finding a coach to work with.  It seems their biggest concern was regulating traffic and just riding around, rather than finding that rider who was struggling and helping them out.  I prefer "coaches" to "control riders" and I believe if you foster and environment in the first place where everyone is safe and playes by the rules, you don't need to "control ride" so much ON the track.

JMHO.  If you've never tried TrackTactics or Motorcycle Xcitement, try them out.  I'll be doing numerous days with them this year, but will also try and stick in a TPM and possibly NESBA day also.  I gotta lot of friends with TPM, coaches especially, and I don't get to see them much if I don't go ride with them!  And I'm hoping my experience with NESBA was a one time thing, and I gotta give them another chance.  My BF started with NESBA, so he's in the "in crowd" so maybe that'll give me cool points.

[Hotbrakes]

I'm coaching with Track Tactics this year.  Can't really "hook" anybody up, but it'd be great to ride with some real riders who have some miles under their belts, you know, some STn'ers.