A. The First Atlantic Canadian Women's High Performance school will be held at Atlantic
Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.  Or Shubie for short. See the AMP web site for directions.

http://www.atlanticmotorsportpark.com/amp_findus.html 

A. The school starts at 8:00 Saturday, June 29th.  Rain or shine.  

*  When you arrive at the track, get there early and drive your bikes directly on to pit lane (area between the paddock and the retaining wall of the track).  Do yourself a favor and at least remove your mirrors and tape up your turn signals, head light, and speedo when you get to the track.  If you happen to go down on the track, the tape sort of keeps the broken pieces of plastic and glass together.  It makes is easy for the corner workers to clear the track and it keeps debris from damaging other motorcycles.  Tape you speedo b/c you don't need to be look at it.  Your instructors will probably tell you and you'll soon find out, that you have to go slow first in order to go fast. 

A. The basic itinerary for the day is as follows: Saturday morning we have a classroom session (in the tech-building) where you meet the instructors and we discuss riding techniques. During the classroom session some instructors will be checking out your bikes and taping up any lights and mirrors. 

* Make sure you bring a range of clothes with you to the track as it can be kind of chilly in the morning and progress to hot and humid by lunch time.  I've spent many a school shivering in the tech-building because leathers only keep you so warm.  Bring a sweat shirt, change of clothes, some socks - whatever you want, just come prepared. And even though I'll have some there, you might want to bring your own duct/hockey tape.  Some people get pretty creative, but if your kind of anal about your plastic, tape the bike yourself.  

* Breakfast - I'm not certain as of yet if there will be a concession stand at the track for coffee/snacks the morning of the school.  I think it's been arranged in the past, but the person responsible never seems to show up until late morning.  Busy guy I guess.  In any case, bring some food to snack on during the school, lots of fluids because you will sweat, and stuff to last you throughout the day.  

* Lunch - As it stands right now, I'm no going to provide ya'll with lunch.  Although it's a nice gesture, at the last 4 schools I've been to, I could tell you what was on the menu before we got our meal tickets.  It's been the same for the last 4 years because there's a limited choice of "lunch food" that can be made and provided to a group of 100 people.  So, since most everybody brings a cooler of their own food, stuff they like and can hold down, I'm going to expect that's what ya'll are going to do.  Frankly, it will also cut down on the entrance fee for the school, and your going to bring your own food anyway, so why not make things cheaper and easier. 

   After the classroom session we'll break up into three different groups: slow, medium and fast. You choose what group you want to go in, so choose a speed you'll feel comfortable with. The instructors from your group will then take you for a walk around the track. The purpose of the track walk is to learn the layout of the track and the line you'll want to follow around it. During the track walk there will be an instructor doing laps of the track
showing you the proper way through each corner. 

* The track is 1.6 miles long and even longer when you beat around it in a pair of race boots.  Make sure to throw some sneakers in your tank bag or car before heading for the school - you'll be more comfortable if you do.

   The track portion of the school begins Saturday, after the track walk. You'll be on the track for the remainder of Saturday except for when we brake for lunch. Each group rotates through with 20 to15-minute track sessions. The instructors will show you the way and observe you as you ride. If at any time you feel like the group you are in is too fast or too slow you can ask your instructors to move you to a faster or slower group. We want our students to be comfortable and have fun.

* Don't be afraid to talk to your instructors, to pull one aside to ask them a question, or voice your concerns about your riding, their riding, or those around you.  All the instructors are there because they love the sport and want you to enjoy yourself, learn lots, and leave the school with a huge smile on your face.  THEY DON'T GET PAID, they use their own race bikes, and they volunteer their weekend to come out and teach so... THANK THEM PROFUSELY 'cuz they do a wicked job!

A. No, all you need is your street bike. However, you can ride a race prepared motorcycle if you like. We see a wide variety of bikes at our schools, from modern sport bikes to older bikes from the 60s and 70s. However, we do require that all motorcycles be in good running order with good tires and no fluid leaks. This is for your safety and for the safety of those on the track with you.

* Simple things - Your tires can not be bald, no threads showing, no cracks.  Take your mirrors off because initially, you won't be concerned with who's behind you.  This sounds silly, but your bike seems to feel smaller, and it's one less distraction for you to consider when you are on the track. Make sure there is no oil leaking from your bike, make sure you have gas in your machine.  You might want to bring an extra gas can with you to the track.  There are gas stations in the town of Shubie, so filling up at lunch isn't a problem.  Most bikes should be fine for the day, but then again, it depends on your machine and your fuel capacity.

A. You determine how fast you want to go. The school is broken down into three groups: slow, medium and fast. You choose what group you want to go in. If you find the pace too fast or too slow, you can ask your instructor to move you to a different group. We want everyone to find a pace that is fun and comfortable. Every person is expected to ride within her abilities. You'll have more fun and it's easier to learn that way. Trust me, by the end of the weekend you'll be going faster than you ever thought possible.

* Depending on what class you go into, don't get too hung up on the name.  It's been my experience that the slow group isn't all that slow, and the fast group at a regular Kawasaki school is mostly racers or potential racers.  The biggest variance in ability of riders seems to be in the medium group.  Depending on numbers of women riders, we might not even have 3 groups, or we could have several smaller groups on the track at one time.  Until the day of the school, slow-fast will be the arrangement, but be prepared for the things to change - and most of all, be prepared to have fun!

A. A motorcycle jacket and pants are required. Some of our students wear one or two piece racing leathers. Others wear a leather jacket and leather pants. "Joe Rocket" style jacket and pants are also acceptable. The basic thing to remember is no jeans, track pants, etc…We also require you to have a full-face helmet, gloves and boots that cover your ankles. It's also a good idea to bring rain gear in case of poor weather. We ride rain or shine.

It's also a good idea to bring a hat and sunscreen. Make sure you bring lots of water. Also make sure your motorcycle has a full tank of gas.

* Ah, leathers and women - two things that men adore and women hate. Having worked at several motorcycle dealerships and being a girl myself, I know the frustrations of females when trying to find decent, affordable riding gear to fit the feminine figure.  As such, if you have Joe Rocket Ballistic Riding Gear, wear it.  If your kind of lanky and tall, try on a couple of "guy's" leathers and hope that your girlie hips fit.  We're not built like men!  Say it again ladies, we're not built like men!  So, if you have any questions about finding gear for the school, e-mail me:  hondahuney@hotmail.com - Other than that, here's list of some local dealers, and ask them about prices, availability, and stock on women's riding gear.

Other Stuff:

* Do yourself a favor, and have a good helmet on your head - not just on the track, but on the street.  At the very least, something DOT and Snell 200 approved.  If you don't know what this stuff means, call a dealer, write me - your head is too important to spend 60 bucks on... (off my soap box now)

* Back Protectors - for any of ya'll that are not familiar with these things, back protectors are kind of like external spine armor that you wear under your leathers.  Many people don't wear them on the street, but a lot of us do.  All racers must have a back protector of some kind and they range in price from $89-300.00.  You don't need one for the school, but if you have one or know of someone that will lend you one, by all means, wear it.  It's up to you, and any little bit of extra protection is never a bad thing.  

  * Oh yes, yes you will - I'm working on this as we speak. 

A. The instructors are all experienced motorcycle racers. They are volunteers who are passionate about motorcycles and racing. They'll go as fast, or as slow as required to make you a better rider.

A. Yes, but a parent or legal guardian will have to be present to sign the registration and waiver forms. We require forms to be filled out on the day of the school, so they will have to be at the track Saturday morning to sign the forms before you are allowed on the track.

A. The school will be run rain or shine so bring the proper gear!

A. I'm striving for at least 30 women, but will take up to 50.