CSS lev 1 / which track

[ercasa]

Hi All

I received a CSS level 1 voucher for my bday and now in process of finalising date & location - am superexcited for what will be my 1st trackday! :flag::biggrin:

Questions to you all fellow Monster owners:
- which track is better from a newbie / monster standpoint? I am looking at doing it with my 696 on Pilot road 4
- Options: Silverstone Stowe, Silverstone National, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park
- Any trackday insurance you can recommend?
- Anyone already planning to attend one of the sessions?
- any other tips / things to do before are super appreciated

full calendar:
24-Apr Silverstone Stowe
25-Apr Silverstone Stowe
14-May Silverstone Stowe
15-May Silverstone Stowe
27-May Brands Hatch
28-May Brands Hatch
15-Jun Silverstone Stowe
16-Jun Silverstone Stowe
29-Jun Cadwell park
30-Jun Cadwell park
16-Jul Silverstone Stowe
17-Jul Silverstone Stowe
21-Aug Silverstone National
14-Sep Silverstone Stowe
15-Sep Silverstone Stowe

[J.P]

Well, I've done 4 of their days.
IT IS NOT A TRACKDAY. IT'S NOT ABOUT GOING FAST AT LEVEL 1.
So, Silverstone's Stowe circuit if small with plenty of corners to practice on. It's about cornering technique so that helps.

Obviously Brands is closer to you but the ups and down's I think if you've never done one before , or not been on Many trackdays, Stowe is a very good one.

[bex]

I wouldn't go back to Stowe, but I didn't mind it at the time. I'd vote Brands or Silverstone National.

[jonzi]

Brands.

Going down paddock hill is a bit of a giggle.

[Rascall]

Brands hatch - great circuit and close by
Cadwell Park - great circuit not so close

Silverstone never been but the stowe circuit looks a bit small and short, if you chose this it would have to be on the National

Everyone should experience paddock hill bend - just remember to brace your neck at the bottom of the dip or you will head butt the tank.

Just my 2p

Russell

[pegboy]

15th May Silverstone with me?? I have booked already

[ercasa]

@all - thank you for the tips

@paolo - agh 15 i cannot make, i am at a stag do...:mand::booze::booze:

[Dirty]

Personally I'd chose Brands, for a number of reasons. It's close being a good one and therefore should you get the track bug and want to go back for a track day it's very handy.

[gary tompkins]

Do CSS allow you to train on your own bike - or do you have to use their loaners?

Using loaned bikes is not an option for me for obvious reasons

[J.P]

You use your own bike Gary. But you can hire one of their's if you wanted.

[Zimbo]

I'd do Brands.

[gary tompkins]

You use your own bike Gary. But you can hire one of their's if you wanted.

cheers justin

I'll look into doing a CSS session at brands later this year

[LouSCannon]

I'm booked to do my level 2 at Silverstone on the 14th May.

[bex]

Level 2 @ Brands Hatch Indy 28th May (Thursday).

[andrewinuk]

Brands. Simple circuit compared to most so you can concentrate on the lessons, not worrying about where to go!

But the reality is where ever you go you'll have a great day and learn heaps.

[TonyM1100]

Booked the level one for 28th May at Brands too. Looking forward to it.

[gary tompkins]

I'm also booked in at Brands for CSS level 1 on the 28th of May

[BigOz]

As JP said you won't be lapping fast especially at the start of the day.
A circuit with corners close together is what you want, Brands Indy or Silverstone Stowe are good choices lots of corners and short mean lots time in the corners and more practice.

[J.P]

For level 1, you'll be doing almost the entire day in 3rd gear & with no brakes. The principle is that if you remove the need to change gear and brake, all you have left to do is concentrate on the corner. It's a very sensible process.

[bex]

Unless of course you're on a 2 stroke in which case Stowe is annoying and I spent half the time between first and second, and a little bit on my head.

[LouSCannon]

What's lvl 2 like JP?

[J.P]

Definitely an improvement. Of the three levels I've done, Level 2 was the biggest gain.
More about track positioning and apex hittting.

[andrewinuk]

I've done two levels and I got the most from Level 1.

Totally transformed my riding. Level 2 was almost as awesome but I guess that I was buggering up the skills from Level 1 more :-)

So I'm thinking that depending on your riding's strengths / weaknesses, either level could be "the one" that makes the big difference....... but both levels are awesome.

Enjoy!!

[ercasa]

I wish i could pick Brands date, but due to prior committments i will go on June 15 at Silverstone Stowe - hope to find another monster or two ;)

[pegboy]

I may be doing level 2 also, will see how level 1 goes and then see. If I do will keep June 15th in mind

[slob]

I know one racer who said he got slower for a couple of months after css because it took his brain a while to unscramble all the stuff he'd learned.

[Dirty]

That's often true. A mate of mine was a track instructor years ago, worked for Lotus among others. He said people often hit a wall in terms of outright speed then went for instruction. You have to unteach them first. They then get faster using the new skills learnt. I'd presume its the same on 2 wheels as on 4.

[Stinger101]

Check with the CSS that you have appropriate clothing. I've done up to L3 & an instructor assessment level, some more than once as refreshers. I can't remember if you need full length zips if you wear two piece leathers or textile's.
Tips: Do not eat a large meal at lunchtime, nibble throughout the day. Drink water throughout the day. Go with an open mind & LISTEN to the instructors. Believe what they tell you & have faith.
4Counties are reliable for trackday insurance. 01480 700125 I use them for my foreign track day trips too.
Lastly, enjoy!
PS Brands indy. (That's where I'll be thrashing around tomorrow)

[jonzi]

... LISTEN to the instructors. Believe what they tell you & have faith...

It was the instructor that wanted to listen to me. All questions about this and that.

I have instruction with lots of other people since doing CSS and realise that I just don't like Keith Codes delivery method.

for my £400 I want to be told what am I doing wrong, not muck about with silly questions to get me to think.

But I guess that's just the way I learn things.

If I do instruction again in the UK, my money will be going to someone like Mike 'spike' Edwards.

[Stinger101]

It was the instructor that wanted to listen to me. All questions about this and that.

I have instruction with lots of other people since doing CSS and realise that I just don't like Keith Codes delivery method.

for my £400 I want to be told what am I doing wrong, not muck about with silly questions to get me to think.

But I guess that's just the way I learn things.

If I do instruction again in the UK, my money will be going to someone like Mike 'spike' Edwards.
Agree with you Jonzi to a point, for a first timer, believe & have faith in the instructor is paramount. I've had lots of instruction too, over many years & styles. Infact some of the most difficult to comprehend is when Jeremy McWilliams & Simon Crafar told me to forget all my CSS lines & techniques. I thought WHAT?? Still, What do they know....
Spike Edwards comes very highly rated also. Was thinking about him too at some point.