Starting in 2009, Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) has approved Motoyard.com Track Days as an official WSMC new racer school.
The Motoyard.com New Racer School is taught by Cesar Meza with assistance of Sam Dominguez. Upon passing the Motoyard.com New Racer School, you will be awarded a certificate, which you will present to WSMC to receive your Novice Race License. WSMC charges an annual membership fee (currently $120 for the full year, $90 after July 1st, $70 after September 1st, and $50 after October 1st).
New Racer School Requirements
We do not require that your bike be race ready for the New Racer School, but we do recommend it, as you will need to race prep your bike in order to race in any WSMC races after you pass the school. For the new racer school, your bike has to be "track day ready" (see
track day requirements).
In order to pass the Motoyard.com New Racer School, you will need to meet the requirements set forth by WSMC:
- For motorcycles over 250cc, your lap time on the 2.5 mile road course ("big track") must be under 2:00 (2 minutes).
- For motorcycles 250cc and under, your lap time on the 2.5 mile road course ("big track") must be under 2:05 (2 minutes and 5 seconds).
- You must attend the full day of the New Racer School and not crash.
Although the second requirement is pretty obvious, you will be surprised as to how many people do not pass the New Racer School because they crash during the day. Remember, this is not a race and there is no trophy or prize for going faster than the required 2 minute lap time.
What to expect during the New Racer School
You will spend the day with our instructors, either in the classroom or on the track. We have a schedule that is very comfortable with lots of track time and plenty of classroom time. We limit the New Racer School number of students, so everyone can get "personal" attention.
The New Racer School will start at 8am in the classroom. You will not need to tech inspect your bike with the regular track day tech inspection. The New Racer School will have a time set aside to do a tech inspection, during which, the instructors will also explain WSMC tech requirements.
The first session of the New Racer School will go out before the regular track day starts (around 8:40am). During this session you will practice flags and getting on and off the track (both of which will be explained in the first classroom session).
The rest of the day will be spent going on to the track and back in the classroom for discussion and instruction. The instructors will follow you around the track and give you personalized advice on what needs improvement once you get back to the classroom. During the classroom sessions, the instructors will explain the correct lines through a turn, as well as many other pointers that are specific to the "big track", which you will be able to go out and practice on the race track.
The instructor will decide which group the New Racer School will join based on the specific requirements of the students attending that day. As you improve during the day, the instructor will move the sessions to coincide with the track day group that fits the class best.
At the end of the day, the New Racer School will have a "practice starts" session. During this session, you will learn one of the most important parts of racing - starting. Students will grid up on the start/finish line and practice "getting of the line" safely.
At the end of the day, there will be a graduation session. Those students who meet the New Racer School requirements, will be awarded a certificate. The graduation session will happen after the regular track day is done, so plan on staying the full day if you want to pass the school.
If you do not pass the New Racer School, you can retake the New Racer School with Motoyard.com one more time for free. We will issue you a credit for the New Racer School, so you can try it again at a later date.
If you have any questions about the new racer school, don't hesitate to ask and email us at trackday@motoyard.com.