Motorcycle Racing revs up at Apex Racing Academy

Ever wondered where and how to start your motorcycle road-racing career? While there are plenty of karting locations for beginners to learn the ropes of car racing, sadly for motorcyclists there aren’t as many options around. But thanks to an initiative taken up by some dedicated and enthusiast bunch of bikers from Bangalore, now we have a full-fledged motorcycle racing and riding school where one can not only go to hone his or her racing skills but also understand the science of motorcycle riding. Whatever might be the intent to learn – in the end it is only going to benefit the rider improving his riding skills on the track as well as the streets. Welcome to Apex Racing Academy (ARA). ZigWheels attended the two day course conducted by ARA at the Kari race-track located near Coimbatore on 21-22 April, 2012, and the experience was nothing short of exhilarating and exciting. Now while I would like to believe that I am not exactly a newbie rider, the belief was shattered when the Apex racing’s top racers present at the school went blazingly fast around the 2.1km long circuit showing how it’s done. But then the idea was to make everyone get a clear view on what is on the agenda for the two days. Control and speed – in that order.

The coaches, who have decades of experience in motorcycle road-racing on local as well as international soil, they are eager to help and posses a candid way of imparting knowledge to the enthusiastic bunch of riders. Riders can bring their own motorcycles to the training camp or then they can rent a motorcycle from ARA’s fleet of race-ready machines consisting of Yamaha YZF-R15, the Honda CBF Stunner 125 and the TVS Apache RTR 160. The racing programme is divided into three levels based upon the experience of the participants. The first level is for absolute newbies and it helps them get the ropes of riding and racing a motorcycle straight before proceeding to more complex riding techniques.

Level One –

Introduction - Licensing procedures, bike preparation, riding gear, at-track modifications and repairs, entries, medical requirements etc.

Track Etiquette – Unwritten rules of riding on the track, behavior on the track, language of flags signaling

Track familiarization – Track walk and explanation of types of corners, camber and lines

Riding Basics – Unlearning of regular mistakes from riding on the street – On track session with timing and video

Basics of riding on track – Theory session smooth riding (throttle control) techniques

Basic of Riding on the track – Drills – No brake single gear drill (for smoother riding) and then move on to selected gear with braking helped by a video footage

Free run on the track with timing and video

Proceeding to Level Two, it encompasses advanced riding methods. There are multiple drills which are carried out, each one of the drills focusing on one particular aspect of motorcycle riding. But before the on-track drills start, there are classroom sessions conducted, wherein the coaches impart theoretical knowledge on aspects of riding like identifying the type of corner, correct lines, right body position, etc.

Level Two –

Level One quick revision and track time with revision – Timing and video

Corners – Detailed theory on types of corners and how to approach each corner. Understanding parts of a corner entry, apex, exit and how to build lines.

Cornering drills - Practicing different lines on corners, entry, apex and exit

Reference points – Build consistency in riding with reference points and methods to use them.

Practice drills on vision and tying together reference points to build a track picture mentally.

Counter steering – Theory and drills on how to use counter-steering to improve turn in speed

Braking – Drills to teach effective braking on track. Theory on trail braking

Free track practice with timing and video

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The final level focuses primarily on racing technique and racing strategies but more importantly it helps in tying all the learning of the drills from level one and level two in order to execute the entire riding procedure in one smooth stroke than breaking it down for each corner. Also, in order to make sure that the students take back home the right knowledge and correct fundamentals of riding, there is also a revision and written evaluation for each student at the end of the final level.

Level Three –

Level Two quick revision and track time with revision – Timing and video

Body position – Introduction to proper body posture on the bike. Instructor demo’s and theory. Practice drills to familiarize.

Practice drills to tie all level 1 and 2 learning together

Start procedure – Drills and theory on how to get the best start in a race

Passing in a Race – Theory of passing effectively and legally in a race

Race strategy and tactics – Advanced race strategy discussion and practice drills with instructor on track.

Evaluation session – Revision of racing regulation and written evaluation of the same.

To conclude, the Apex Racing Academy is a sure shot launch pad into the National Road-Racing Championship for beginner racers to start their racing careers with. Also floating their own racing team, Apex Racing, they are always on a lookout for talent and promising youngsters showing speed and consistency can soon find themselves on the saddle of a race-tuned Yamaha YZF-R15 or even the Honda CBR150R which the Apex Racing Team might enter with for the 2012 national championship starting in June. Whether you wish to race or not, the riding school will certainly make you a safer and more controlled motorcycle rider no matter where and what you ride. The next session of the Apex Racing riding school is scheduled for 12-13 May 2012, and it will be held at the Kari Motor Speedway circuit near Coimbatore. For registrations and more details about the riding school interested bikers can get in touch with them at +91-9845031273.