We methodically spent the rest of the day going through the rest of the key elements of motocross: jumps, concrete starts, dirt starts and line selection. Each time I'd think I was getting faster and would begin to get cocky, Tortelli would gently put me back in my place by adding a slight element to a drill that would make me feel like a complete novice. At some point during that second day it finally sunk in that-as odd as it sounds-speed is one of the last ingredients of going fast. By focusing on the basics and absorbing the tried-and-true program that made Tortelli the rider he is, our class collectively understood that improving your speed is more about returning to the basics of riding and getting things right so that, as Sbastien explained, we have the tools to make ourselves faster.
Tortelli wrapped up the class by candidly speaking with each student and explaining everything that he had seen over the course of two days. I took notes scrupulously, and was left with what I consider to be my personal roadmap to becoming a better rider. Now, each time before I go to the track I study this lesson plan methodically, and although the first month or so following the class was wrought with the return of several old habits and a deliberate reduction in the speed at which I was trying to do things, I pushed onward and reached a point where I saw significant improvement. But more important than the reduction in my lap times was the realization that if I strive to be slower than I think I should be, I'll actually end up being faster than I think I am. And that's a very good thing.
American Supercamp:
Another Tool For The Toolbox
Want to do something crazy fun and learn at the same time? Enter American Supercamp, the two-day skills and balance improvement program that focuses on cornering technique, safety and speed through the use of-get this-minibikes. Fellow knowledge-seeker Jesse Ziegler and I spent a weekend with American Supercamp to see how it stacked up against formal motocross education, and we both came away wondering why we hadn't done so sooner.
Supercamp could be viewed as being a flat track-oriented class, as the entirety of the instruction takes place on a flat, all-dirt track. But the skills focused on will benefit riders from any discipline, be it roadracing, motocross, supermoto or just casual street riding. The emphasis is on safety and pushing one's personal boundaries, which is why the course utilizes small-bore, four-stroke Yamaha dirt bikes. These TT-Rs are slid, crashed, skidded and swapped every which way during the class, and you end up learning a ton pushing the little bikes so hard. Not to mention that it's an absolute blast! Many of the students at American Supercamp are repeat (sometimes third and fourth time) customers, and the atmosphere at the school is light and fun. A lot of learning takes place, and the amount of riding hugely outweighs the classroom time, so there is a lot of time to put what is preached into practice. Under the tutelage of renowned instructor and world-class smartass Danny Walker, the tempo of the instruction is perfect for all the riders in attendance.
I can truly say that this camp represents two of the most enjoyable days of learning I've ever experienced, and I'm now itching to get back and give the American Supercamp's supermoto program a go. The school is traveling, so camps are available in a wide variety of locations at a reasonable cost. Most camps are even divided into racer and nonracer groups, meaning that your wife or girlfriend will get just as much out of the same course as you do. If you're looking for a great way to have some laughs, improve your corner speed and come away a much more versatile rider, visit www.americansupercamp.com and sign up today. Also, surf over to www.dirtrider.com and check out the full-on feature story on American Supercamp. You'll be glad you did!