STAR POWERED track schools

I was wondering if anyone has taken Jason Pridmores Star track school or FAST Freddy spencers school? Do these track schools have any advantages compared to less famous track days??

Hopefully Jeff will chime in - I think he's been to just about every big school except for Schwantz's.

I've done CLASS then graduated to STAR when I plateau'd. Motorcyclist proclaimed STAR as the "Best Place to Go Fast" on 2000. I don't think they've compared schools since.

STAR is more track/race oriented than CLASS. The instructors are outstanding. I've also been to other trackdays. The important thing to me is the control of the track, the ability of instructors to disseminate information and accurately troubleshoot areas where I can improve my riding technique. Trackdays, with racers as instructors fall short in this area - my opinion. Instructing is something that you've got to learn to do - not everyone can do it. STAR is very good in this respect.

Freddie Spencer's school.....some day. Hearing feedback from friends who have gone - definitely the pinnacle. I'd also like to try Schwantz' school. But so far, Freddie's is the shizzle.

I don't think I'd suggest Spencer's school for a first timer. Definitely for someone who has done track schoosl and wants to raise their game.

great info look forward to other replys

+1 to Mark's reply.

Been to Schwantz's school too.

This comes up periodically, and the last time it did I wrote this:
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This just came up on another board, and here is my take. I've done Spencer's 5 times, Schwantz once, STAR 5-6 times, CSS 3 times, and DP many many times, and IMHO Spencer's school has no comparison as a complete package, for street or track riders - no question. If you're a competent street rider you'll walk away a vastly better rider for street and track. It's expensive, but if you are serious about riding and can afford it, you will definitely think it is money well-spent.

STAR is a very good package too, and an excellent value for the money, but perhaps best done after you have a bit of track experience from another school, because they go through a lot fairly quickly.

CSS is very good at teaching specific things that help you, especially for track riding, but they're a bit short on explaining the why's, so unfortunately a lot of people seem to walk away from CSS missing the point. It's fine for first-time track riders, just keep an open mind and think of their drills as drills, not necessarily as the final word on riding techniques.

Schwantz's school is a lot like a two-day STAR school, with similar topics and style, but with the added experience benefit of Kevin Schwantz (and Road Atlanta, which is *really* fun track). Probably best done after experience with another school first, again because they go through a lot fairly quickly, and it's expensive enough that you'd want to maximize your benefit.

If you're brand new to the track and mostly focused on street riding, you might consider CLASS - I have not taken it, but I have heard good things about it, and I recently signed up my wife for her first track school at CLASS.

My first was DP Safety School, which is a fine starting place too. The "A" and "B" groups are basically no passing-rules track days, but the "C" group for first-timers is a real school with a classroom, drills, etc.
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Basically these are real *schools*, which track days are not (even though some nowadays have "instructors", which generally means local fast guys who show you around and who may or may not be competent teachers). They take their curriculums seriously, and you walk away having learned a great deal.

I too have done both CLASS (one day session, August 2003), and then STAR (two days, March 2004), and they were both awesome. I learned a ton and my riding improved 1,000%.

Of the two, I too found STAR to be more track-oriented, and CLASS more street-oriented. At CLASS there were quite a few guys on big BMW's and even a guy on a Yamaha cruiser, whereas at STAR it was virtually all sportbikes. Either one will make you a better rider on street or track.

I've heard nothing but great things about Freddie Spencer's - as soon as I can afford it I'd love to experience it!

I am signed up for the (3) day Freddie Spenser pro School in eary February. I'll report on it the week after.

Jeff
Did you need to go to Freddie more than once? Did you start with a base school and then progress up from there?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trussdude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Jeff
Did you need to go to Freddie more than once? Did you start with a base school and then progress up from there?
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Define "need". You learn more every time you go, from doing drills and getting critiqued to listening to tips and wisdom from Spencer and Co. I did Level 1 and 2 first, then a Pro School, then Level 3 (wasn't offered last year), then another Pro School. The Pro Schools are great summary sorts of classes if you've never been to Spencer's school, but the downside is they try to pack a lot of information into 3 days and you don't get as much depth. Have fun, I may get out there this winter myself if my tire pusher can get me a deal.

Jeff

My tire pusher is setting me up also. The need question was more based on the cost of the Freddie School. If you paid full price for five schools, it would cost over $10k.

I did a California Superbike School in 1992 and last year they came to my local track (Firebird). They told me I would have to start in the beginner group because their class structure has changed. After completing Level 1 you go to Level 2. They don't allow you to skip levels. I passed on the CSS school.

Jimmy Moore is running a two day school at Arroyo Seco in New Mexico. I signed up for that one also.