How Attending California Superbike School Helped Me Qualify For The TVS Young Media Racer Program

A riding school gives you the much-needed training and confidence to ride on the racetrack, and even on the streets

I have always been curious about motorcycle racing. My ideal weekends have always involved watching MotoGP races with their nail-biting action. I started saving up for a California Superbike School (CSS) ever since I got to know about it. I did part-time jobs and saved money. Finally, I attended the California Superbike School (Level 1-3) at Madras International Circuit (MIC) in February 2023.

Cut to two weeks ago when I got a call from my boss Priyadarshan, telling me that I was chosen to represent BikeDekho at the 2024 TVS Young Media Racer Program (YMRP). I was pretty excited to participate in the race, and the cherry on top was that the Madras International Circuit would be my office on May 24, 2024.

My Racing Experience At 2024 TVS Young Media Racer Program

For the selection round, we had to race against the clock instead of racing with each other. Out of a total of 39 riders, only the 16 fastest riders were going to be selected for this racing championship.

On qualifying day, I was a bit nervous at first as this was going to be my first-ever race and second track riding experience. To add to that, being 21 years old, I was the youngest among the 39 participants. There were some participants who already had a lot of experience on the track, then there were some like me who had ridden on the track once or twice before and there were some who were completely new to the race track. Fortunately, I rode the same track-spec TVS Apache RTR 200 4V at CSS, which was going to be our track weapon for the 2024 YMRP selection round and the races to follow.

I recalled all the lessons from CSS as soon as I sat on the bike. From throttle control and braking drills to body positioning and vision, I remembered everything by the end of my first lap and was already applying it and that made me one of the fastest riders in my batch. That’s when I realized how relearning the basics at California Superbike School gave me the confidence to push the limits on the track and try a few courageous moves, which a first-time rider likely wouldn’t have.

At the end of the day, I qualified for the main race, standing at the eighth position. While most of the guys ahead of me were experienced riders, I was happy with the results. Of course, my main focus now is to improve in the upcoming races.

How Did CSS Lessons Help Me?

First day at CSS, we were taught how to use the throttle efficiently and smoothly, to get the most out of it. We learned to roll off the throttle before entering the corner and then gradually accelerate after hitting the apex. This helped me exit corners faster and maintain speed afterwards during the race.

Second day at the school, the coaches focused on vision and reference points, making us look ahead, where we wanted to go. We were asked to make our own reference points on the track. I used things like track colour strips, trees, and marshal posts as reference points which guided me on where to look, brake, turn, hit the apex, and exit corners. In the qualifying race, this CSS drill helped me keep my eyes on the right places and made me calmer and more focused on the track. 

On the third day, we learned about correct body positioning, from the basics of how to sit on the bike and hold the throttle and levers, to how to position your upper and lower body before entering a turn. On the racetrack, I was more confident and that gave me better control of the bike. With the correct techniques, the bike felt more stable through the corners. And because I had learned everything from the correct body position, where to look, where to turn, enter corners, start accelerating, and exit corners, I felt more calm and focused. This helped me concentrate on other aspects of my riding, making me quicker than most of the riders,  finally landing me in eighth place overall.

Why Should You Attend A Riding School? 

I highly recommend every biker attend some riding school. For me, it was CSS but there are many other schools that operate around the country on different racetracks. Besides learning track riding skills, attending a riding school will help you become more confident on the road. You'll gain valuable insights into proper riding techniques, body positioning, and safety precautions. This will increase your confidence and skill level, making you a better and safer rider.

If you want to become a racer, attending a riding school is essential. Consider it the first step in your journey. A riding school not only helps you become a faster and better rider but also helps you identify and correct any mistakes you might be making. This improved understanding and the skill sets you’ll develop will make you a safer rider, both on the track and on the road. In a riding school, you'll learn important techniques and gain insights from experienced instructors, which will boost your confidence and enhance your overall riding experience. Whether you're aiming for the racetrack or simply want to improve your everyday riding skills, a riding school is a valuable investment in your development as a rider.