4 CRST Suspension Schools at Thunderhill Raceway, CA

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 4/8/09

Dave Moss, AMA/AFM racer, noted suspension expert and CRST founder is proud to present Catalyst Reaction's Motorcycle Suspension Schools.

There will be a total of 5 schools held over the course of year at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, CA.

Offering riders a very unique learning experience, the schools will be specifically aimed at helping every rider gain an in-depth understanding of how motorcycle suspension works, based on classroom learning combined with direct experience designed to show why suspension is such a critical component in ensuring fast yet safe riding.

Covering all aspects of a motorcycle’s suspension, from geometry to the adjustments that often baffle even the most experiences racers, students will learn why the motorcycle must work with you and how to tailor the suspension to your riding style and ability, so that you can continue to learn while trusting the motorcycle at all times.

This is a hands-on school where you will be required to work on your own motorcycle in a guided, systematic and logical way to gain a practical as well as theoretical appreciation of the motorcycle’s suspension, matched with on-track, real-time experience and feedback allowing you to gain direct insights into how the changes you make affect the handling of the motorcycle. No special mechanical skills are required and you will be guided though every phase of the course.

"Knowledge creates understanding, understanding creates relaxation, relaxation creates speed."

School Overview:

Riders will be required to bring a motorcycle that has the ability to adjust preload, rebound and compression in the front forks and rear shock. They will need to bring all the appropriate tools required to make changes to those settings.

Riders will also need to bring one 10 x 10 canopy and will set that canopy up in the hot pit lane. They will be allowed to have a table, stands for the bike and if they wish a generator for tire warmers under the canopy. Vehicles and non-essentials must be in the paddock area.

Sessions will be from 9-12am, lunch from 12-1pm and then 1-5pm on track. There will be more time in the afternoon as the track and the riders will have warmed up fully and we can gain more knowledge from the track while working on mid corner speed and drive out of the corners.

A typical session will have the riders learning roughly 10 minutes of theory in the classroom, 30 minutes of on track riding, stopping every 2-3 laps to make pre-planned changes and jot down notes, and 10-15 minutes of debriefing in the classroom.

Riders will be expected to ride at between 75-80% of their potential at all times to ensure as much attention as possible can be focused on feeling the differences they have made as a result of making a suspension change.

All motorcycles will be tech inspected prior to going on track between 7:30 am and 8:00 am. All oil drain plugs and oil filters must be secured with safety wire and coolant must be replaced with Water Wetter or other replacement. New or slightly used track/race tires (ie: one track day previously max) will be required. No one will be allowed to ride any laps with OEM tires.

Skills Criteria:

Participants can be track day enthusiasts or club racers and MUST be capable of lap times below 2 minutes 15 seconds at Thunderhill, the typical track day “A” group cut-off. If you don't make that lap time currently we hope this motivates you to achieve it in the near future! Complete information/curriculum on the Suspension School will be sent out to all attendees one week prior to the event date via email.