August 14 - Schwantz talks about Indy
Interview with Kevin about the Brickyard School.
You can join former World Champion Kevin Schwantz at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a special two-day Schwantz School on August 21-22. Students will have the unprecedented opportunity to lap the same track that Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and the rest of the World Championship's riders will tackle one week later during the second annual running of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
Schwantz and his team of instructors will offer a comprehensive, corner-by-corner look at IMS's 16-turn, 2.6-mile road course. Classroom instruction, conducted by Schwantz and his chief instructor, will cover various techniques and the former Suzuki star will also lead a track walk to further enhance the learning experience.
The 1993 500cc title winner explains, “The very first thing we talk about is visual awareness, because if you can’t get the visual aspect of it correct you are never going to be fully comfortable on your bike. If you are looking too closely in front of the bike you can’t be totally comfortable, you have to look further out in front of you, depending on what speed you are going.”
Schwantz continues, “After that we talk about body position, braking technique, all the basics, up shifting, down shifting, how to be as smooth as you possibly can and then the kind of situations that might suddenly appear in front of you on the road.”
Michelin Pilot Power-shod Honda CBR600RR bikes and Suzuki GSX-R600 bikes will be provided, with Arai helmets and Dainese riding gear available for rental. Students will receive an inaugural Schwantz School T-shirt, a photo CD and a video DVD.
Special awards for the safest and most-improved students are planned. Drinks and snacks will be offered both days, along with lunch each afternoon. A special Schwantz family BBQ is scheduled for Friday evening.