Written by rider, Mark:
It's a simple and universal concept; we all want to get more for our money. My experience with ZARS has always been just that and last Sunday was no exception.
I had this conversation with instructor Kyle during lunch. I'm sure the ZARS website does a good job of demonstrating the value received for the price of admission regardless of which program is registered for, but I am amazed at what is provided and available! The intent here is to share my perspective for anyone considering registering for a future event.
In my case I registered for "Beginner 2" and the ratio of instructors to students varied from 2:1 to at the most 4:1 for this event. This made the feedback and instruction extremely relevant to personal goals and progress. The "rate" of instruction is just as important as the content because the subject matter is vast and critical to riding improvement. I found the introduction of topics, order of concepts, and concentration on specific skills to be ideal. Since it was my first time back on the range for this year, Beginner 2 was a great place to pick up where I left off. By the end of the day I was smoother and more confident than where I left off last year by far.
What really stands out is that all of the instructors including Kyle, Jim, Tony, Nate and of course Nick are flexible, knowledgeable, and willing to listen as well as teach. It is clear the interest to progress student's riding ability directly relates to their own goals of becoming better racers/riders. Despite the one or two "students" that show up at these events to be faster than someone/anyone else, the general tone as established by Jessica and the crew is obviously geared to improving your riding regardless of current skill level. The program is clearly designed to do just that.
Add in the excellent lunch (with ice cream in the afternoon), extras like the suspension clinic, introduction to the advanced school, the willingness and availability of expert instructors, and sheer number of sessions/laps included and you realize you are getting way more for your money than may be apparent when registering. I chose to sit one session out in the afternoon and still felt like I got a ton of good laps in!
I had an excellent day, learned a lot, improved my riding, and really enjoyed myself (doing these events are a primary way for me to de-stress from my job so they need to count)!
Thanks to the ZARS crew and all the other folks there to learn for an awesome day!
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Written by rider, David:
Hi JZ,
I just did my first ZARS trackday and I must say it was great! Everything was very well organized, you fed us free lunch and afternoon snack, and the track time was well managed. It was a great value for the price - very enjoyable. I will definitely return for more. My three friends, who were beginner and intermediate session riders, said the same thing. Thanks for putting on a fantastic event.
David
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Written by rider, Lance:
Hi Jessica,
I noticed on your site there was only one testimonial. I thought I would write one from a beginner’s perspective for those people like myself who seek instruction but think this might not be for them.
I also want to personally thank you for everything, you have a great school. I hope this might help recruit others like me to your offering.
A New Rider’s Experience-
As a newer rider who wanted to improve their riding skills, I had heard about Jessica’s school from a friend. However it seemed a bit intimidating and perhaps more geared for racer’s than new street riders who wanted to improve their skills. I took the plunge last year and signed up for the First Timers course.
My first impression that I might have been in a little over my head were confirmed when it appeared to me that I was one of the few that seemed to actually ride their own bike to the track. Trailers pulled into the parking lot, racing bikes are unloaded, tire warmers are hooked up, personal tents, chairs, tables, are all set up. People are squeezing into very well worn one piece leathers… I thought I might have wandered into a WSB paddock. There is even a huge tire truck available if you need fresh tires.
But I am here to tell you don’t let that put you off for a second . Ok it will, but ignore it. The instructors are absolutely terrific offering great guidance and instruction. The atmosphere is a lot of fun, and while you might not have trailered your track bike in everyone there is very positive, welcoming and encouraging for first timers. They all will offer lots of little tips if you care to listen. I have learnt just what an apex is, the subtleties of counter steering, hard braking, passing at speed, throttle control,. One of the best little tips was given to me by an advanced rider who was just watching me on the track and suggested to me after my session, to sit on my bike more like a jockey on a horse than on a Lazy Boy. It was a great tip and one I think of every time now when I get back out for a session.
I would say one of the best things in improving your skills beyond the great instructors, is the track allows you to concentrate only on your abilities. As the lead instructor for First Timers and Beginners Brent Jass said to me ,” it is not about going around as fast as you can but you have a course to ride on where there is no one in their cars on their cell phones, no cars trying to cut you off or turn in on you at an intersection.’’ I think that is one of the greatest freeing things in learning and improving your skills you have no external road issues to deal with it’s just you, your bike and the track. No one could be more positive and encouraging than Brent.
I have even wandered over to listen to Nick Campbell the lead instructor for the Advanced group talk to his group about proper hydration when racing and all kinds of other interesting things that hopefully seep in for some future time.
I have picked up many great tips and ideas from the instructors and other riders, and when I can string them together I am much improved. I would not say I am fast at all , but I am much smoother, more confident, and it has definitely translated to riding on the road, where things seem more instinctual and easier to process from what I learnt on the track. In fact riding home after my session last Sunday a car ran a light and I was able to confidently go from 55 mph to a full smooth stop on a dime. Rather than being scared of what just occurred I actually smiled to myself. I may never learn how to put my knee down and scrape a puck like the others , but the course paid for itself in spades in that moment.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to improve their riding, as one fellow rider in my group said to me, ”Lance you said that this is all new to you, I have been riding bikes on the street for 20 years and thought I knew everything , I didn’t really know anything until coming here.’’
Sign up have fun , improve your riding, enjoy the track,
Lance
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Written by rider, Jake:
This was the best track day I have ever been too. From the BBQ the night before, to the ice cream break on Sunday, it was amazing!! I'll be back next year.
Thanks!!
Jake
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Written by rider, Steve
Jessica,
I'm 54, just began riding 3 months ago, eager to become more proficient and wanting self assurance that I am taking an intelligent and proactive approach to learning how to more safely handle my bike in city riding. I spent the day in Farmington, the instructors were awesome and patient. I learned so much about safely handling the bike and about the principals concerning the physics behind motorcycling and how I can safely respect those physics and command the bike through the city more safely. The day blew by and when I left my riding abilities were significantly improved. The effect of this day improved my riding abilities significantly. This course is no substitute for safety training, but rather an approach to jump start your riding abilities and your understanding of how a motorcycle should be handled. I felt like I packed a year of riding experience in a day. This is a must of middle age new riders! Better yet, I did it on a vintage, small engine, BMW bike. You will enjoy the day!
Steve
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Written by rider, Clint:
Hi Jessica,
This is just a no-response-necessary thank you note for the track day.
Everything went great –the food was appreciated, you set the proper tone at the morning rider meeting, and we all knew what was going on throughout the day.
I had a blast and will be signing up for more.
Clint
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