Thumbs up for California Superbike School

Chennai - The California Superbike School, being held here for the fourth year in a row, has received wholesome and unqualified praise from the participants, some 126 of whom have registered for the two weekends of training.

“I have never missed the previous three schools here as I find it very useful,” said Rajini Krishnan, India’s fastest rider and the reigning National superbike champion.

“The school has helped me to refine my riding technique and since I first attended the training, I have improved a lot. The school also helps me to remain in racing trim during the off-season,” said Rajini who recently won a race at an international series in Qatar last week.

The Indian school, a brainchild of TT Vardarajan, the Chairman of Preethi Kitchen Appliances, runs two weekends of training imparted by top-notch coaches from the California Superbike School that also runs similar programmes world-wide.

The 126 riders who have signed up for the Indian school for this have been divided into two groups that will undergo training over this and the coming weekend.

“We had to necessarily restrict the entries so as to provide some personalised training. Each coach takes up four riders and provides individual attention. The idea is to provide quality coaching,” explained Varadarajan.

Varadarajan hoped that two-wheeler manufacturers in India will also support the school and make it a bigger success.

“At the moment, BMW have given us three S1000 RR bikes, while TVS have offered as many as 26 Apache 180. I hope that other bike manufacturers also involve themselves in this programme,” he said.

A majority of the participants have brought their personal bikes and riding gear at considerable expense, reflecting the huge popularity of the school.

“It is costing me a fortune to bring 10 coaches from USA and organise the school, but it is my intention to continue regardless as my wish is to see an Indian riding in MotoGP class,” said Varadarajan.

The Chennai-based businessman’s sponsorship of the School that has cost him a fortune has won him richly deserved accolades and gratitude from bike racing enthusiasts.

“It is a fantastic concept and hugely benefits riders who learn to ride a bike as it should be. For me, the school has made a massive difference in my perception of riding. The coaching is of top quality and we learn something new every moment,” said automotive journalist Abhay Verma from Mumbai.

Dinesh Reddy of Bangalore-based Red Rooster Performance, known for his passion for bikes, said he has become a different rider since attending the school.

“I have gained in confidence, learnt cornering and other techniques that will make me become a better rider,” said Reddy who though not a professional racer, is an avid racing enthusiast.

The school has a punishing schedule from 7 am to 5 pm with theory classes and on track training that has the coaches riding alongside their wards and imparting finer points of racing.