A good session at Brands Hatch Indy circuit doing California Superbike School Level 2. Despite a heavy cold, I had a top time, in bright sunny weather. Learned a few things that really seemed to improve the speed of my riding around the track. After the first couple of sessions with what seemed like many people flying past me, something really seemed to click in the afternoon and I was able to up the pace substantially. Very satisfying to lap a Ducati 998R, a Blade and an SP1. And in the last session I managed to sneak past a Suzuki GSXR track bike that I had seen in the paddock with tyre warmers on. Get in. Of course, they would all say they were going slow as part of working on the new techniques. Yeah, right boys. (Man, I must learn to transcend ego and just ride for myself! Yeah, right dude).

Despite the fact that the skills taught at the California School undoubtedly work and have assisted many top class racers (James Toseland being one, apparently), I am tending towards the conclusion that in practice, most of the time, the California Superbike is a pricey track day for wusses. Lots of prosperous looking people (a few grey hairs around) on some very fancy kit, being taught the skills (being part of the high achievers culture, they need to get lessons even in their hobby) but even after the tuition, most of them (and I include myself in this category) would be seen off by a relatively lairy novice group track day participant. But of course, a pricey track day for wusses is fantastic. Exactly what you want, unless you are a true nutter or have real talent. This time out I learned a lot, definitely got faster (starting from my own (low) level, mind you), but without feeling like I was risking being killed by some maniac AND (here we go with the ego again) I got my left knee down for the first time. Unfortunately, there is no photographic evidence of this feat because the photographer did not seem to have been taking pictures at the corner in question. But the evidence is there on my slider if anyone wants to come and have a look. Here are some of the pictures I did get: