54KD ISSUE #10 ISSUE #10 KD 55

Jeff heads to Sydney Motorsports Park for a Masterclass with the guys and girls from MotoDNA…

MOTODNA MASTERCLASSWORDS: JEFF WARE PHOTOGRAPHY: TIM MUNRO

When Mark McVeigh offered me a spot at a recent MotoDNA Masterclass at SMSP I was flipping out with excitement. Not only was I going to be on the all-new EBR 1190RX, I was going to be spending a sunny Autumn day rubbing shoulders with a handful of my teenage boy racer days heroes from Grand Prix racing. I almost fell off my editorial chair when I read the names of the expert coaches and mentors

for the day – Mark Willis, ex factory Suzuki superbike

rider in Australia, 500cc Grand Prix rider in 1999 for BSL and

Modenas, and for PULSE in 2001.

Willis also won two rounds of the World Endurance Championship and raced WSS. Peter Goddard, two-times Australian Superbike Champion, All Japan 500 Champion, World Endurance Champion and 500cc World Grand Prix legend. Kevin Magee, World 500 Grand Prix hero and the Sultan of Slide Garry McCoy who won four GPs and raced in World Grand Prix for 14-years. Yep, there was going to be some experience on hand for the day!

The Masterclass schedule involves classroom sessions, in the pits prac setting up your bike, on track sessions and debriefs afterwards (see breakouts).

I arrived bright and early at 7:30am for set-up and each rider

TRAINING GROUPSOn a motoDNA training track day, riders are grouped into separate levels based on experience and ability. This ensures safe closing speeds and you will feel more comfortable with riders of similar experience. Students can pick a group when booking. It’s always best to start in an easier group and work your way up. The schedule consists of 6 x 15min class session + 6 x 15min track sessions.Coach Lite consists of 6 x 15 min track sessions with no classroom sessions. Coaches are on hand for casual advise. LEVEL 1: INTRO – $439This group is aimed at street riders and track day newbies and addresses the most common novice issues making the transition to the track seamless and safe. Topics include racetrack etiquette, basic bike setup, vision, target fixation and more.

LEVEL 2: INTERMEDIATE – $439The intermediate course is aimed at riders who have completed a few track days and focuses on building skills, knowledge and confidence to the next level. Topics include body position, line selection, cornering, reference points, braking and more.

LEVEL 3: ADVANCED – $439The advanced course is aimed at the more experienced track day rider or racer and takes coaching to the next level of riding skill and motorcycle setup knowledge. Topics include suspension, geometry, advanced cornering, electronics and more.

LEVEL 4: MASTERCLASS – $495The Masterclass course is for Level 2 and above. You will be allocated one of MotoDNA’s expert coaches, who are all International road racers and include 500GP legend Kevin Magee, 500GP rider Mark Willis, World Champion Peter Goddard and 500GP multiple winner Garry McCoy. You will get to work on your individual weaknesses, which may include psychology, bio mechanics, advanced suspension, geometry, ergonomics and more.

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56KD ISSUE #10

got plenty of garage space for a few chairs, table, esky and tools. Once set up we headed upstairs to sign on. Each Masterclass participant got a fluoro sticker to place on the back of their lid to help the coaches identify and follow on track to help with riding tips in the debriefs.

After sign on we headed to the café for a hot coffee and a really cool informal intro to the stars, plus a briefing on track rules and flags, the general running of the day and what to expect. Seeing the four legends lined up together was very cool and a great photo opportunity for all.

Afterwards we headed downstairs to our assigned pit garages. I chose to the do Suspension Masterclass, meaning I had Peter Goddard

as a coach for the day. Goddard is an absolute suspension guru having spent many years post racing retirement working for the Ohlins Race Service in the World Championship.

We headed out for our first session and afterwards, we headed back to the pit garage for a class. We started with springs, followed by damping, balance, geometry and set up. There were eight classes in total but it was a very open and relaxed day so the coaches were on hand for just about any questions at any time, more often than not Magee, McCoy and Willis were in the garage with Goddard so it was a great chance to ask questions. Some students were real beginners asking very fundamental questions, others

seasoned A-graders like myself and there were even juniors there who are always eager to soak up as much advise as possible.

A few highlights for me included Peter Goddard coming into my garage and setting up the suspension on the EBR, following it up after my next session with more changes, and Garry McCoy happily following me for a few laps for photos after I asked him – no stress at all.

Overall I rate the day as a highlight and although I was too busy testing a bike to really take advantage of the educational side of the day I’d be back in a heartbeat and for under $500 you can’t complain – a day with these legends is truly priceless…

WHAT YOU NEEDAfter you book either online or over the phone, you need to get ready. You need first and foremost a road or trackworthy bike. Ensure the bike is freshly serviced or in very good condition. Ensure your tyres are in good condition and the pressures are correct, your chain is correctly tensioned and lubricated, brake pads in good condition and brake fluid fresh and that there are absolutely no signs of any fluid leaks from the engine, suspension or cooling system. Also run over the bike with some tools and check as many fasteners as you can. You also need one-piece or zip together two-piece leathers, boots, gloves, Australian Standards Approved helmet and a back protector. Bring a chair or two if you drive there and a table is good in the pits. You can either bring your own food and drinks or purchase at the track. Fuel is not provided so bring your own. There are no photos or filming allowed either – so don’t pack your camera. Selected events do have a photographer on hand for you.

CONTACTinfo@motodna.com.au – motodna.com.au

WHAT YOU GETI attended the Masterclass and I got plenty of track time. Eight full 15-minute sessions at SMSP is plenty, with 15-minutes to get sorted in the pits afterwards, followed by a 15-minute debrief and then 15-minutes to prepare for the next session. I also got to hang out with some real legends and spend time on track with one of my all time heroes, Garry McCoy!

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