California Superbike School

California Superbike School

The California Superbike School is dedicated to discovering, improving and refining the art of cornering – nothing more, nothing less. Corners are the challenge when you are riding a motorcycle. Corners are fun, exciting and where time is won and lost. Everyone who rides will confess that corners are the key and we can unlock for you a new level in your cornering skills.

• Cornering School Level 1 £649 inc VAT (including use of track prepared Yamaha R6)
• Cornering School Level 1 £399 inc VAT (using your own bike)

Rider Requirements
• Age - From 18 years
• Kit - Leathers, boots, helmet and gloves - £35 to hire on the day or bring your own.
• Riding licence: - Partcipants need to have a full licence or licence to be presented on the day.

Accident Damage Waiver

Click here to view Terms and Conditions for California Superbike School Experiences.

Experience the ultimate biking initiation in the...

Yamaha YZF R6 2010

• Engine: 4 Stroke parallel 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC
• Capacity: 599cc
• Power: 133 bhp
• Top speed: 160 mph
• Transmission: Constant mesh 6 speed

Age and Licence Requirements

• Do I need a full motorcycle licence to participate at the California Superbike School?

  All participants must hold a full valid motorcycle licence (just the card part will suffice) or an ACU race licence. Overseas licences are acceptable as long as it is clear that there is full motorcycle entitlement. You’ll need to present your licence at registration when you arrive so please remember to bring it with you.

• I’ve passed my test and have a restricted licence. Can I still attend the school?

  Yes, as long as you bring your own bike as our insurance restrictions prevent us from hiring you one of ours.

• My licence is currently away with the DVLA for a change of address. Can I still attend?

  Yes. We’ll need to verify with the DVLA that you hold a full bike entitlement though. And the DVLA won’t tell us any information about you unless you’ve rung them first on a premium rate number! So it’s best if you have your licence but all is not lost if you haven’t.

• I’m currently banned from riding/driving on the road. Can I still attend your school as I’d love to learn some skills for when I get my licence back?

  Technically yes if you still have possession of your licence. But we’d definitely need to see it at registration.

• Can my child attend this course?

  We don’t have age restrictions as such, but youngsters holding an ACU licence must have had some race experience before they attend the school and be accompanied by their parent or guardian on the day. Unfortunately we cannot hire our bikes to minors due to insurance restrictions.

• I’m a bit older than I’d imagine many of your students are. Am I too old to come to the school?

  Absolutely not! We don’t impose a maximum age limit at our school, all we ask, whatever your age, is that you have a full bike licence and a willingness to listen, learn and make improvements to your riding.

Equipment & Riding Gear

• Do I need to have a superbike to attend the California Superbike School?

  No, we train riders on any bike! We’ve seen scooters, tourers, sports tourers, trail bikes, custom cruisers and classics on our schools over the years. Our school is all about cornering technique so please feel free to attend on whatever bike you like, whether it is a road or track bike. However, we do ask that your scooter is at least 250cc and race bikes are 80cc or above.

• Do I have to use my own bike?

  No. You can hire the latest Yamaha R6 from us. It's an additional £249.00 per day including fuel and tyre usage plus a £1000.00 refundable crash damage deposit. If you drop the bike and just break a lever then we’d only charge you for that part. Don't drop it and you get your whole deposit back. Alternatively you can take an optional insurance of a non-refundable payment of £35.00 against any damage. For more details see Accident Damage Indemnity section further down.

• Do I need to have special tyres on my bike or will standard road tyres do?

  As we will expect you to ride at no more than about 85% of your ability so you have enough attention to learn and apply new techniques, standard road tyres are fine.

• Can I bring my spare wheels with wet tyres on?

  Yes if you like.

• Can I bring my spare wheels with slick tyres on?

  Yes, we don’t mind which tyres you use as long as they are in good condition. On our school hire bikes and Coach bikes we use regular treaded Dunlops and manage just fine in all conditions.

• My bike has a non-standard exhaust fitted. Will it be ok for me to use at the school?

  We operate at the race noise limit on our school days so it will be fine if the noise level doesn’t exceed 105db. However, if your bike is noise tested and found to be above this limit you will be excluded from the course and no refund or reschedule can be given.

• Can I get fuel at the circuit?

  There is a filling station inside the circuit and a couple on the A43 nearby. A full tank should see you through the day.

• Do I need to bring any special riding equipment?

  All riders must wear the following equipment in order to take part in the California Superbike School:

  Full-faced motorcycle helmet in good condition - all helmets worn by riders must comply with current ACU/FIM standards. Helmets must be worn and securely fastened at all times when riding. Flip-up type helmets are allowed but they must be in the down position when riding on track.

  Leathers in good condition - all leathers must be either a one piece or two-piece suit with a zip all the way around the middle (minimum hip to hip) with no skin visible. We recommend that all riders also wear additional back protection but this is not essential. For the avoidance of doubt, textile clothing is not permitted on our track events and metal knee and toe sliders are not allowed.

  Alpinestars leathers can be hired for £35.00 per day – just pre-book and pay when you make your school booking. We have most regular sizes available.

  Motorcycle boots (sorry, no lace-up Docs or similar!)

  Leather motorcycle gloves which must fully cover the wrist.

• I'm a vegan and refuse to wear leather items. Does this preclude me from joining the school?

  Leathers are a mandatory requirement on track so you really do have to wear leathers to participate.

The California Superbike School Day

• Which Level should I book? Do I have to start at Level One?

  Yes, everyone does. This is not a reflection of your ability it's just how the School is structured. It has to start somewhere and we call that place Level One. It’s purely the starting point for the techniques that we teach and subsequent Levels build on the essential skills you’ll learn at Level One.

• I’m a racer so do I have to start at Level One?

  Yes you do. No exceptions. See above.

• I passed my test many years ago and am a very experienced road rider. Do I have to start at Level One?

  Yes you do. No exceptions. See above

• Is Level One for complete beginners? I’ve not been long passed my test you see and I’m rather nervous about being on track. I would rather you assume that I’m completely rubbish and go from there!

  Level One is for everyone. All riders start at Level One, whatever their level of experience and riding history. However, we try our best to group you with riders of similar ability so the difference between the fastest and slowest in the group is about 10%. We teach on track as we can control the environment but it is strictly a school event with the emphasis on technique rather than speed. It is not a track day or track experience and anyone treating it as such will be reminded what they are there for!

• Do I have to complete all 4 Levels to get any good?

  Even if you only ever come and complete a Level One with us and never come back again we know you will be a much more confident, more educated cornering rider. It's a steep learning curve for sure!

• How do I progress through Levels One to Four?

  Each Level is very intensive and takes a full day to complete. Some students book 2 or 3 days at a time with us (dependent upon availability) and others choose to do one Level at a time, returning when they’ve practised the techniques for a while. It’s not a case of passing or failing; just complete the day with an understanding of the techniques then you’re fine to progress to the next Level.

• What time does the day start and finish?

  We’ll need you there to start at 7.00am and you’ll finish around 5.30pm.

• How much track time do I get?

  There are 5 x track sessions lasting around 20-25 minutes each and these rotate with 5 x entertaining and informative classroom sessions.

• What happens if the weather is poor?

  It is very rare that we will have to cancel an event due to adverse weather conditions. Our events do take place if it is raining and it's a great opportunity to advance your wet weather riding skills. Wet weather is not an acceptable reason for cancellation or postponement of booking.

• Will you feed and water me?

  Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits will be available along with crisps, bananas and water.

• Are spectators allowed?

  Family and friends are more than welcome to spectate on the day, although they are not permitted to sit in on classroom sessions. We ask that all guests report to a CSS member of staff upon arrival to complete an indemnity form and be issued with a spectator wristband.

  Circuit entry costs nothing, but lunch and refreshments if required need to be pre-paid with Lynn at CSS 01933 224449 at least a week before the event. The cost is £20 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, tea/coffee and biscuits all day.

  It’s a long day so it’s probably not a good idea to bring young children and pets are strictly forbidden for health and safety reasons. Please note that children under the age of 16 are not permitted in pit lane or where there are motorcycles moving from one location to another and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• Will there be a photographer to capture my achievements for posterity?

  Oh yes. Our professional photographer will be discreetly snapping away throughout the day and you’ll have the opportunity to view and purchase a cd should you wish.

Insurances

• Am I insured whilst on track?

  CSS does not require you to have insurance cover in place on the school days. However, whilst accidents at the school are rare, by using your bike on track you do so at your own risk. Although CSS has extensive public liability insurance cover, it is entirely your choice as to whether you arrange insurance to cover damage to your vehicle. It is unlikely that your normal bike insurance policy will cover you for a track event but you should check with your insurer. If you explain that the event is a training day and totally non-competitive, they may extend your cover for an additional charge. Alternatively there are specialist insurance companies who provide track insurance.

• Is there an alternative to paying the refundable £1000.00 crash damage deposit for the hire bike?

  Yes there is. You can pay a non-refundable payment of £35.00 and receive the benefit of Accident Damage Indemnity which reduces your liability to zero should the bike become crash damaged whilst in your care.

Refunds and School Rescheduling

• What is your cancellation and refund policy?

  Please click here to see our full terms and conditions but bear the following in mind when you make your booking:

  In the event that your are unable to attend a training service and wish to cancel, the following refund policy will apply:
  a) cancellation within 28 days of the event – no refund.
  b) cancellation at over 28 days but less than 42 days of the event – full refund less non-refundable deposit (£100 for single training day and £500 for two day camps).
  c) cancellation at over 42 days from the event – refund of all monies paid.
  d) all transactions paid or refunded by credit card will attract a surcharge by deduction from sums above.
  

  Cancellation due to illness, theft of bike or injury may be considered for refund in full if not paid by credit card, whereby a claim may be made against the credit card company for late termination. In all cases proof (doctors’ certificate or police reference number) of the reason for cancellation must be made to the satisfaction of CSS before consideration of a fair and reasonable refund.

  Please be advised that our schools do take place if it is raining and it's a great opportunity to advance your wet weather riding skills. Wet weather is not an acceptable reason for cancellation or postponement of booking, neither is late-notice work related issues.

  In the event of an undetermined transfer of training, i.e. monies on deposit against future training, the date of future training must be within 12 months of cancellation of original training. Failure to book within 12 months will cause the option for training to lapse, with consequential loss of deposit. No refunds will be given.