2001 NEWS & REVIEWS Hi Lites

November 11, 2001 Busted leg club now forming
ate the HEART OF A CHAMPION"!

I am looking forward to the school at Cresson, Sept. 2002. I wish it was earlier in the year. Is there any chance of finding time for another Texas school , perhaps at Texas World Speedway, or Cresson? I'll bet the school would be full, as most of us know about the significant gains in riding ability at your school vs. other schools that drift through here.

Hope your leg has improved considerably since your limp to the top perch on the podium at Phoenix. I broke my leg in 3 places, Sept.30th at Hallett Motor Speedway. Two breaks in the Fibula, one in the Tibia, 10 mm Titanium rod, plated and screwed. I can truly say " I feel your pain". I did some serious soul searching about racing again and after 15 minutes had
passed, I knew it was too big a part of my life to stop. Do you have any tips for rehabbing the muscular atrophy quickly and are you going to get the hardware taken out eventually? My Dr. is advising the removal of the titanium rod about 6 months after the air cast comes off. By the way, anyone who reads this and breaks their leg in the future should opt for the Aircast vs. the Plaster alternative, even if your insurance wont pay for it. For around $200.00 it is well worth it for comfort and hygiene.

Think hard about that 2nd Texas school date and tell Rich I need that address to mail the
Zeke "Flattracker" CD to. I'll bet that GSXR 1000 will run close to 175-180 at the end of the front straight at Texas World, let's find out soon.

I'm buying the beer,
George Crain CMRA #464

November 06, 2001 Thanks!
Jason, Sheila and The Star Staff:
It is now Tuesday night and the excitement is still there, two days after the weekend of riding at Pahrump. I met so many good people, and learned more in two days about going fast than I have in years on my own. All I can say is "thanks". You gave me the best experience on two wheels that I have
ever had. I've raced motocross, TT and flat track, but nothing compared to
the experience at Parumph.

Your instructors were the best and even encouraged contact once the event was over. I sent an e-mail to Brooks today, and he promptly answered me back. You folks are the best.

Jason, I hope your ankle is better and best of luck next year. Sheila,
thanks for your kindness and I will sign up for another class in the near
future. To the instructor staff, thanks for all your help, I promise to do
my homework.

Rick May

October 22, 2001 Thank you!
To all of you at STAR:

Thanks again for another wonderful two days at Thunderhill. This was my
second time at STAR, and I was very surprised to see that some of the
instructors recognized me from the school a year ago! Considering how
many venues you visit and how many students you work with throughout the
year, it is a wonder that your instructors can remember one rider out of
so many- a testament to the attention you pay to your students.

I owe a big thanks to the instructors who pulled me over and worked with
me one on one. JT pulled me over after only two laps on the first day
and encouraged me to start taking the first steps to moving my body off
the bike.

I spent the rest of the day working on body position and hanging off which felt extremely strange and unnatural to me at first. By the second day, though, I was feeling more comfortable with my riding position, and lo and behold, I was
actually getting my knee down in Turn 2 that morning... which I thought
would NEVER happen. (I was sure that my legs were too short to be
getting a knee down!)

A special thanks to Mark and his body positioning session which helped to reinforce what I was actually doing on the track. Finally, thank you, Richie, for the extra two-up ride at the end of the day. There's nothing quite like clinging to a professional racer flying around on an empty track. Something to aspire to... I think my riding improved 100%!

Hope to see you all next year,

Kureha Yokoo
Yellow F4

October 25, 2001 Star School Feedback
My name is Chris Story. I have been riding motorcycles on and off for about 16 years. Two years ago I really started riding for fun instead of transportation and tried to be a student of riding. This year I started racing with the AFM. I'm not fast but learning to be faster.

After my last race I was about 10 seconds off the pace of our club fast guys. After not being on a motorcycle for four months, I finally got to attend a track day at Buttonwillow on the 15th of October. It was good to be back on the bike. At the track, hand timed, I ended up being about 17 seconds off of the current #1 plate holder's times.

On October 16th and 17th 2001, I had the opportunity and pleasure of attending Jason Pridmore's Star School and Pro School. I have to say that those two days of instruction were definitely the best two days of my motorcycling life. I got loads of track time, excellent instruction in a relaxed family atmosphere, and more importantly, lots of feedback about what I was doing on the track.

I have attended other track days and schools. Schools where local and national level pros will follow you around the track and expect you to be satisfied with one sentence "feedback" about what you were doing right and wrong, Not here. I was addressed as an individual intent on improving track and riding skills by professionals and excellent representatives of the sport. Every instructor I came in contact with (Buzz, Lincoln, J.T., James Lickwar, Richie, Mark and Jason) took the time to ensure I understood the rationale and reason behind the corrections they made as well as the kudos they gave out. They even took the time to explain what was going on & how I was doing to my girlfriend who was with me, but not attending the school (maybe you'll get her out there next time Richie, but I think she's holding out for Jason).

My experience at with the Star School was one that has me looking forward to the 2002 schedule so I can sign up as soon as possible.

While at Thunderhill I noticed the school has quite a lot of people that follow it from track to track. Reading letters from the website shows that many people are multiple repeat customers. Now I know why. The atmosphere, instruction, delivery, professionalism and the comradery all make Star THE choice for riding instruction no matter what the level of experience.

On the weekend of the 20/21st of October the AFM has it's last race of the season. During practice I led three sessions in my practice group and ended up moving to a faster group. My best times had me dropping over 10 seconds off of my best time from the Monday prior. Granted, a few of those came off with the cobwebs, but not all of them! Needless to say I was quite happy with those results!

Thank you all (school and sponsors) for making the Star school what it is, an excellent place to learn about being smooth and fast on a motorcycle. I plan on attending as many Star schools as my schedule allows for in the future. Thanks for listening.

A very satisfied customer
Chris Story

October 23, 2001 Jason - Thanks

Jason,
Just wanted to drop you a note about the school I took with you last week
Tuesday and Wednesday at Thunderhill. As a reminder, I was the old, slow
guy on the Ninja 250!

After leaving on Wednesday evening, I wasn't quite sure if the Wednesday school was worth the extra money, but I have to say now, that the weekend
convinced me.

I had an AFM race on Sunday at Buttonwillow. As I told you, this is my first season racing, so I've been starting way back in the grid, and finishing mid pack. A BIG PACK of Ninja 250s, usually about 60-65. But on this Sunday, I suddenly found myself racing in a pack of people I had never encountered on the track. Guys (and a gal) who were normally 10 seconds faster than me, and man did I (we) have fun. I finished 16th and almost everyone in the top ten has a hopped up engine. Mine is stock.

I didn't feel any faster, but the clock proved I was, a lot! All I can attribute this to was your school. So was it worth it, HELL YEAH! I figure all I have to do is attend a few hundred more times...and look out Nicky!

Thanks again,
Dale

October 23, 2001 VIR student wins National Championship at Daytona

Hi Folks! I was one of your students from the VIR dates. I just wanted to relay a special thanks and compliments to Jason and the crew for the training. I was one of the 2WF certificate students who only took Monday, had a ride with Jason and lots of feedback from everyone while riding a ducati 750ss (borrowed from a fellow racer).

I won the amateur CCS Lightweight Sportsman Race at Daytona this past weekend. While I was out there I found myself breathing (Jason), downshifting smoothly, relaxing, following tighter lines and using my body position (Rich and Gallardo) training to go faster and be more efficient in my riding. Due to some technical difficulties my tach was useless so I had to go without it and just ride like a screaming banshee! You guys ROCK!

Jason's two up ride taught me more about feedback in 2 laps than I ever knew which at Daytona can be put to good use! I've talked to a large number of racers and riders who would like to see your school back at VIR next year! Please try to make it back, I've got lots of training to continue!!!!!

aloha
Robert E. Lee

CCS #695
2001 Mid-Atlantic Lightweight Sportsman Champion
2001 Southeast Lightweight Sportsman Champion
2001 National Amateur Lightweight Sportsman Champion

October 18, 2001 Thanks Jason...
Thank you Jason for a wonderful day at Thunderhill. My father Dave, and I had a wonderful time railing around your school. We enjoyed the enthusiasm of your instructors and yourself even while answering all of our beginner questions, you all looked excited to be there!

Unfortunately, we didn't get to the suspension class as promised, so do you have any literature you can e-mail, fax or send me? I was really looking forward to that part of the class because I'm a Honda Certified Tech. that has not had much suspension experience and would like to learn. I have a '01 GSXR1000 that feels over-sprung to me. I weigh about 180 with leathers.

Thank you for your time and patience,

J.D. Grow

September 27, 2001 STAR Motorcycle School
Dear STAR Motorcycle School -

I participated in the STAR Motorcycle School on September 10 & 11. First, I want to commend Jason and the school for continuing on the 11th; there was not a thing we could do, the information on the events was just beginning to come together, and believe me, we got all of the images and information we could ever want when we left on Tuesday evening. In many respects, the Tuesday school was good therapy as the required total concentration gave us a respite from what was happening. Jason and the instructors handled the circumstances extremely professionally. I must admit to some guilt for having such a good time when so many were in torment.

I give my 100% endorsement for the quality of the experience I had during the two days! I am a beginner rider (four years street riding). I am also 47 years old with waning hand-eye skills. This was my first time on a track. Jason and the instructors were exceptional in making the experience fun and challenging at the same time.

I have to admit that on the first track orientation ride, I wondered what I was getting into and I was hoping I wouldn't crash! I received an appropriate level of personal instruction: Mark and Jon Nichols were exceptional in helping me with my lines, body position, and constantly reminding me to relax my upper body. This was all done with just the right balance of instruction without being pedantic, and they avoided making me feel intimidated and stupid.

Jason has all rights to have an inflated ego, but he keeps it in check and he has a very natural charisma as he reaches out to students. The track ride with Jason was both fun and instructional.

For me, this school was the first step in "rider, motorcycle, one body" and
I find myself actually going slower and more precise on the street with more confidence; no more need for speed... I got my fix on the track. Needless to say, I was ecstatic with the total experience and I would recommend it to all riders. I will practice on track days in the future, but I also plan to enroll in another STAR school when I can fit it in.

Thank you for a memorable experience! Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to ensure the school returns to V.I.R.; I believe more promotion at the major local dealers, clubs, etc. would help, and certainly there will be positive word of mouth from me and others who attended the school.

Very best regards,
Bruce Calhoon

September 14, 2001 VIR school
Jason,

I want to let you know how much I enjoyed your school at VIR on the 10th and 11th. As I told you, I raced a Norton production bike with some success with WERA from 1974 through 1976, and a 900 SS Ducati from 1977 through 1978. I was able to race the Norton at the AMA national events at Loudon and Laguna Seca in 1976 finishing 6th in the superbike race at Loudon, but DNF at Laguna.

Although I haven't been on a race track since ' 79, I thoroughly enjoyed your school at VIR. As rusty as I am, the personal attention I received from Steve and Mark helped me to return to some semblance of form by Tuesday afternoon. The only downside is that now I want to return to racing. Oh well, perhaps in another life.

Anyway, I am most impressed with your operation, your instructors, and your personal ability to impart your knowledge in a patient and understandable manner. I feel as if I learned more from you, Steve and Mark in two days than in five years of racing, and rest assured, I will return to your school at the next opportunity.

Best of luck to you in the future, and again thanks for the opportunity to return to the thrill of riding on the race track. And by the way, you can really hustle two up.

Chris Rossi

August 02, 2001

Jason, Below you will find my write up in response to one of our list members asking about your school, please feel free to use it if you like.

I have been to 3 of Jason's schools, one at Buttonwillow and two at Thunderhill. I would have to say that there is no better deal out there. AMA Champions Jason Pridmore and Richie Alexander are tremendous riders and they openly share all their knowledge, well they share more than I can possibly consume in one day. Jason is very thorough in his teaching, he breaks a corner/track down like no one else.

All the instructors are friendly, helpful and extremely good riders. They compliment Jason's instructions very well. They will seek out anyone that they feel needs some minor or major tweaking and work with you one on one until you feel comfortable. They are also available and willing to help out with any questions regarding setup.

If you end up going, please make sure that you go on the ride with Jason. Basically, for a donation usually about $20 to Injured Riders Fund, Jason will take you for a few laps at about 80% of his speed. You will be double up on a Katana with him. He is unbelievably smooth on the throttle and brakes. I could have sworn that Katana was somehow set up with an automatic transmission. Other than the pressure or lack of on your hands on the tank, I had no idea when he was transitioning from throttle to brake and back. The man is just SMOOOOOOTH!

I was on course at speed, doing respectable 2:08's at Thunderhill, when Jason comes around me double up on the outside. It was just amazing to watch. We also rode over to turn 10 and parked off course and watched a demonstration with different braking techniques from Jason and some of the instructors. All of a sudden, Jason comes screaming down from turn 9 towards 10 and completely steps the rear end out backing it into turn 10 at full steering lock, back tire literally smoking, and just before hitting the apex, the back tire jumps in line with the front and he wheelie's out heading to turn 11. It had to be the most amazing thing I have seen.

So if you could not tell up to this point, I HIGHLY recommend going to Jason's school. You will not be disappointed. There is a reason every year that the numbers of students keeps growing at his school's, most students keep coming back and the word is spreading fast to those who have never
been, that this quite possibly is the best motorcycle school of all time.

Thank you,
Chris Rollins

July 03, 2001 Thank You!
Jason:
Just a quick thank you for the school that you guys provided at Putnam Park Raceway on June 25th and 26th. With my racing experience in AMA Superbike and many many years of street riding, I was surprised at how much new information I took away from the school.

Of the schools that I have attended Team Hammer, California Superbike School & Freddie Spencer's School - Jason Pridmore's Star School has been the best. The instructors do a great job of presenting the information and the small class size ensure lots of one on one track time. I would recommend The Star School as my #1 choice!

Also, a special thanks to Richie Alexander and Mark Gallardo. Richie & Mark did a great job in Jason's absence.

Sincerely,
Roger Bell
Owner, Bell's Suzuki of Lexington, Inc.

June 29, 2001 AFTER SCHOOL
Dear Gang
This was my 3rd class with Star Motorcycle School all of coarse at the Heartland Track in Topeka. My 1st two years I rode my Triumph 1200 Trophy but this year thanks to your fine influence and knowledge I popped for a Suzuki 1300 Hayabusa a lot of bike.

I have become a big Suzuki fan and had the best day of learning ever this year.I ride faster,safer and better than ever before. I am 48 years old have only been riding 3 years and now have 5 bikes. I would say I'm pretty hooked.

Keep up the fine work
Nick Vedros

June 28, 2001 Star School - Putnam Park
Hey Guys,

I just wanted to say again that I had a great time at the school this past week. You guys were all great in terms of being easy to talk to and really giving great advice. I learned a great deal and will hopefully be using what I learned in the near future to pick up some added speed on the track.

I loved the amount of track time that everyone was able to get. The whole school seemed to run extremely well in terms of getting everyone between the track and classroom very quickly. Every classroom session had some concrete points that I was immediately able to try out, which definitely made the quick transitions between classroom and track beneficial. Also, the body steering demo by Mark was awesome (for a roadracing rookie like myself).

I thought the second day was great too. My favorite part was the quality time I received from both Richie and John, which I thought was great. Having someone watching you and giving advice is so helpful (that video camera idea you guys talked about sounds great too). I also like the idea (as you guys mentioned) about having the second day only be available for people who attended the first - that way the class can go into more depth and not repeat as much information from the first day. I also thought the demos were great - going in and watching you guys through certain turns and then watching Richie and Dean demonstrate clutch and brake usage - all things extremely helpful. I really never knew how much smooth clutch usage and engine braking can help getting into turns better.

Best of luck to you guys in rest of the schools and AMA Season (nice pic in Cycle News Rich - hope your back on the track soon Jason) and I'll see you guys on Speedvision. If you get a chance in the future, check out Grattan Raceway - it's in Grand Rapids, MI and is one of the more technical tracks around (much more than Gingerman and Putnam). It's got everything - positive uphill camber, downhill off camber turns, elevation changes, hairpin, sweeper, good straight away, etc.. From my time on the track, all the fast guys have said, "If you can learn to go fast here, you can go fast just about anywhere." There were about 5-7 of us "GLRRA Grattan Guys" at the school and we all thought it'd be a great track for a Star School. Anyway, thanks again.

Eddie Kraft

June 18, 2001 STAR Motorcycle School

Dear Star Motorcycle School,
I was so impressed with your riding school that I wanted to make sure that I took the time to write to all of your sponsors and tell them how great I think the STAR Motorcycle school is. Below is an exact copy of the e-mail that I sent to all of your sponsors with E-mail addresses. I hope that it helps with renewing all of your sponsorship agreements for next year and can help get new sponsorships in the future.
Sincerely,
Jason Taylor

To Whom it may concern,
I attended a two day STAR riding school at Heartland Park Topeka (Kansas) and wanted you the sponsors to know what I thought of the program.

First let me introduce myself, My name is Jason Taylor and I am a 24 year old Graduate Student at the University of Kansas. This was the first time I had ever attended a STAR School or a school with any formal motorcycle training for that matter.

I think the STAR Motorcycle program that you are sponsoring is a top notch program. All of the people with this program are true professionals. While Jason Pridmore was not able to attend the class in Kansas due to injury, his staff did an excellent job. I have noticed that in many businesses if the owner, or person in charge is not there to supervise the employees, as a whole the company does not perform as well, this is definitely not the case with the STAR Motorcycle School. Their performance was excellent as a whole, even without Jason.

I think that your company has made a very good decision to sponsor the STAR Motorcycle group and should continue to do so in the future, your products are being represented by what I consider a top of the line performance riding school.

I use many of the products that are sponsors of the STAR School, which include a Suzuki GSXR, Dunlop Tires, ANCRA Tie Downs, Chatter Box and Maxima Products. I am very happy with all of these products and in the future will continue to buy these products and look at the other companies that Sponsor the STAR School.

Last, I just would like to say thank you for sponsoring the STAR Motorcycle School. There are not that many riding programs that come to Kansas or the Midwest and to have one that is as good as the STAR Motorcycle School is great. Without your sponsorship I doubt that I would get the opportunity to go to riding school. I learned more in those two days of riding than I had learned in four years of riding on my own. I am now a much better rider and look at my riding in a new light.

I hope that through your support that STAR will be able to continue to come all the way to Kansas with not only Jason Pridmore but with all of the professional instructors they employ, and that in the future the school will continue to grow and see success.

I think your sponsorship is doing more for your company than you know.

Sincerely,
Jason Taylor

June 18, 2001
Dear Jason,

I don't write many letters. Guess I normally don't have the patience to do so, but I found the link to email you so here goes.

MSR in Cresson was my third Star School. I was concerned about just getting the same instructions as before, but each time I go to your school I'm glad I did. I seem to get to new level each time.

I'm 52 yrs old (I think...) and started racing last season during which I got in four races, the first being at Cresson. You guys were there doing something with Brooks (Shogun) I think. You probably don't remember, but you came over to me at the beginning of my first time out, patted me on the back & said "just go out and have fun"! I guess all the tension in me was sending visible waves out to everyone! Anyway, what you did worked wonders and I've tried to hang on
to that advise each time I race now. I'm currently in 1st, 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd in the standings in the four classes I race in. Go figure! That's a testament to You, Mark, Rich and the other guys who helped me! Thank you all very much.

On a more personal note, man, I was just sick seeing you crash. You were
doing just awesome. I'm sure things seem bleak now, but hang in there.
You've got a lot of people pulling for you!

Randy Northcutt
CMRA #740 Am

June 11, 2001
Hello again Mark and staff,

I would like to give a special thanks to all the members of your staff. I have been to the Star School twice now and can't tell you how much I enjoy every minute of the class. All of your instructors have showed a genuine interest in helping me obtain my goals (and no, sliding in the mud on the ground was not one of my goals, but a lesson learned).

After watching your staff closely this year, I have learned that I have a long way to go and can only imagine the knowledge and experience that all of you have. Consider me a lifetime participant of the Star School and I hope to see all of you again soon.

Jason, get well soon, I'm not sure about that Richie guy.... just kidding! Richie did a great job and especially with the weather he had to work with.

Sincerely,
Christopher Whelchel

June 06, 2001 Heartland school
Hey Jason,

I must confess, I learned more in the last two days than in all the other schools combined. The rain was the ticket. I know you keep wanting to wet the track down, now I am a believer. It slowed me way down and showed me where I was making mistakes. Thought I was getting smooooooth, now I know how sloppy I am. By the end of the second day and a dry track, I was finally able to keep up with Mark..... of course he was letting me... but I noticed a significant improvement in my handling skills.

You have a great team and it shows in how much they care about you.

Take care,
Nyle Morris
Plano, Tx.

June 06, 2001 Heartland Park

Thank you so much for the great instruction I received at the school at Heartland Park. After 19 years of riding sportbikes this was my first experience being evaluated by Professional Instructors on a track. What I learned will make my riding experiences much safer and more pleasurable (Ride, Relax and Breathe).

Thank you Richie and staff.
Jason, best wishes and I hope to see you next year.

Thank you,
Charles Samaha

May 19, 2001 Cresson School
Jason and team,
I wanted to thank you all again for the great school at Cresson, Texas. What a vastly different track and experience from Texas World Speedway. The track at Cresson really requires all of the concentration one can muster, there is no place to rest at Cresson, unlike the big banked straight at TWS. I am already looking forward to next year.

This was my third Star School and it won't be my last. I want all of the sponsors to know that this school is working and is worth it. My friends can attest that after I took my first school with Jason my riding improved by at least 50%, and then more after the second school.

Keep on supporting Jason, Richie and Mark, and I will do the same.

Sincerely,
David McCardle
Houston, Texas
Black R1100S

May 17, 2001 STAR School at Cresson

I just wanted to write and let Jason and all the gang associated with STAR know how much we all enjoyed the school. My son and I attended a one day school at Texas World Speedway two years ago and I think that I noticed an improvement in how things were run. The on track demonstration by Jason on Monday and the walk around on Tuesday were very helpful and informative.

I organized a purchase of about 18 sessions through friends that I have in the Honda Sport Touring Association and Ken Cyr of the HSTA got another 5-6 people to sign up too. All of the people I signed up were very complimentary of the school.

Jason and the rest of the guys are great people who enjoy what they are doing and it shows. I have done a couple of Code schools, one in 1983 and one in 1990, CLASS at TWS in about 95, STAR two years ago and now again this week. I would never do another Code school. I found him to be a pompous, arrogant jerk. The distinction between he, Jason and Reg could not be greater. It is a pleasure working with a dedicated group of individuals who are genuinely interested in improving our riding skills. Thanks again to Jason, Richie, Mark, Steve, Marv, Buzz and the others for their help.

Just to let you know, my son and I took Glenn Bradshaw to the local hospital after his accident on his 2001 929 on Tuesday. Glenn had refused to go by ambulance and declined Mark's offer to take him too. After a little dizziness and his shoulder starting bothering him he relented and let me take him.

My son drove his van and he rode with me in my van. He ended up with a fractured left scapula, a couple of fractured ribs and probably a mild concussion. We got him and his bike back to Austin and actually he was doing well with an arm sling and some mild pain medicine when we got him home.

When he saw his physician on Wednesday, no surgery was needed and he is doing well. Thanks again to Mark for making sure that there was nothing further the school could do to get him to the hospital or seen by medical staff immediately after the crash.

Keep up the good work and good luck to Jason and Richie this season, even if they aren't riding Hondas!

Michael Gilliland MD

December 19, 2000 (Original Letter sent to Motorcyclist Magazine)
I heard about your appointment of Star Motorcycle School as the best place to go fast. You could not have made a better choice in my opinion.
At 54 years old I decided to take up riding motorcycles this last summer. Recognizing how little I knew, I immediately went through the MSF beginner class for two and a half days. That was good, but also motivated me to seek more instruction. A quick trip to the internet and I found a Star school happening in Denver. I had all of nine weeks of motorcycle riding experience and an enthusiasm to learn. The track idea was pretty intimidating before I actually got out there. But, everything has been up since then. No matter how fast or slow you want to go, the Star school instructors were there to help you do it better. I was so impressed with what I learned and had so much fun doing it that I signed up for two more schools. As their new season is emerging I will get back to several more in the coming year.
As a result of this training, I think I am a safer rider. I can certainly go fast when I want to and by choice I'd sooner do it on a track with knowledgeable supervision and an array of helpful hints about how to do it better. I can highly recommend the Star Schools to every motorcycle rider who is interested in improving their skill and knowledge. And, it is certainly close to the top of the heap of fun things to do with your time and money.
Best regards,
Keith Giglio
Olathe, Colorado
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