Motorcycle Training
The Honda Ron Haslam Race School, based at Silverstone in the UK, provides guests with an introduction to high performance bikes, along with expert tuition from race-experienced instructors.
Taking to the International Circuit, at the Home of British Motor Racing, former Formula One drivers Martin Brundle and Derek Warwick accepted an invitation to train on the new Honda CBR600RR ABS motorcycles with world-class GP rider ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam.
With Brundle and Warwick already bike license holders, they signed-up for one of the Ron Haslam Race School’s Premier training courses. Learning how to improve their skills on a bike and understand the finer points of riding, the F1 pairing came away with not just an education on how to be better and safer riders, but also a greater admiration for bike racers.
Martin Brundle says: “It was a tremendous day. I expected to leave Silverstone with ten times more confidence and riding twice as fast. I actually left as a better and safer rider and with a lot more respect for how bikes can bite you if you don’t respect them.”
“Talking to Ron, I learned how much you have to use your body to control the bike. I learned how to sit properly and move on a motorbike and the dynamics of bike riding. I like riding a bike because it makes me feel more like when I was racing. Ron was brilliant and I kept thinking ‘This is Ron Haslam – I’m right behind Ron Haslam!”
Derek Warwick says: “It was the most fantastic day of my life! My admiration for bike racers has always been high but this experience has taken me to another level. Anybody who rides a bike on the road should do a course like this. Today has taught me how to be a better rider. Without Ron in front we’d definitely have crashed. I always wanted to feel the back hopping under hard braking – wait until I tell my mates!”
Ron Haslam made his Grand Prix debut at Silverstone in 1977, riding a 500cc Suzuki in the British Grand Prix. He finished third behind Randy Mamola and Eddie Lawson at the British Grand Prix in 1984. Haslam commented on taking on the task of training two former Formula One drivers and helping them fine-tune their skills on two wheels.
Ron Haslam says: “I believe I stretched them! I was proud to have Martin and Derek at the Race School; it’s great to have sporting personalities here and for them to have such an enthusiasm for bikes. They were very quick, had a natural talent and we took them to their limits in the wet conditions. They enjoyed it so much, I understand they want to come back and have another go under dry conditions, which would give them yet another set of skills.”
Together with Honda, the Ron Haslam Race School has developed a program that offers courses ranging from introductory through to more advanced levels. The School has six more dates available this year and to book your place at the Honda Ron Haslam Race School, visit haslamraceschool.com, or call 01332 883 323.
