CSS Brands Level 2

**JerryXt** · 23 Jul 08, 09:54 PM

So, hi from sunny Brands! Hugh (955SP) and I did Brands CSS today, Hugh in L4 and I did Level 2.

The day started with a good briefing, reiterating that we were training on track, not racing or pushing the limits. I was assigned to the instructor I had at Stowe and had a great time with him, learning a lot.

I took little asbo along for it's first outing since major surgery and was torn between concern at the awesome power (140.7 at the wheel without and 138 something with baffles) and anticipating the opportunity to ride it again.

The group I was in was of mixed ability; some quite slow riders, some faster riders

Excellent tuition and training all made sense. One session had us going where we flet uncomfortable, so my instructor Squirrel (I kid you not) had me riding the kerbs and at Druids had me on the plastic matting after the kerb. That earned me a black flag and the CSS marshall in the pits would not believe that I'd been told to go there:

You were riding on the grass
My instructor told me to
Your instructor would not have told you to ride on the grass
He bl**dy did!
(repeat ad nauseum)

At the end of the day, I was much more comfortable on the bike and lapping faster and with less drama than before. Well worth the outlay.

And asbo. Noise testing reported 98db - that's from a 998RS 60mm system with MHP custom db killers costing 3 bhp. On track, what a fantastic tool. Turning in as well as before, but with a relaxed midrange and awesome top end. It has a close ratio Corse box with an incredibly high first gear. Druids was 1st and if I really wanted to it would do Paddock hill, Druids and Graham Hill in first. Second + were awesome - just twist the throttle and keep dancing on the pedal. SOO fast between the ratios.

Just one issue: the bike was tuned by PDQ in Slough. Did a great job, very professional, but in the third session I was black flagged (above). The marshall in the pits noticed flames - and my leg was burning. The lambda sensor plug had come out. So it looked like it was game over for the day and a lot of money wasted. Fortunately I found it on the swinger, so I was able to put it back properly. Riding back to park the bike for lunch, the other one came out. So no lunch for ingeneri Jerry. Don't know what happened and I'm not blaming PDQ (who denied all knowlege), but once I had tightened them, they didn't come out for the rest of the day.

Obligatory pics!

Riding the kerbs - rear wheel:

and the front:

I was going to pop in at Box, but a guy came off in one of the early sessions and I took him back in my van. Andy very kindly strapped both bikes in the van, but the damaged trumpet came over all spotty yoof faced with gorgeous italian model and tried to jump poor asbo twice on the way back.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy.

**TP#12** · 23 Jul 08, 11:03 PM

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Squirrel is a good guy, for a ginger ...

**R6BLADE** · 24 Jul 08, 05:32 AM

I was there to ... it was a fab day

I was on the Gixxer. I would definitely recommend the school to everyone!

**TP#12** · 24 Jul 08, 08:20 AM

Shouldn't you be R6BLADEGIXXER then?

**R6BLADE** · 24 Jul 08, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TP#12

Shouldn't you be R6BLADEGIXXER then?

LOL .... This would be more accurate ... DUCBLADEGIXXER

**JerryXt** · 24 Jul 08, 10:40 AM

DUKEBLADE bloke - looks like you were in fast company - those team guys were awesome!

TP, 'ginger' says hi! You're a good bloke apparently

It was good having the same instructor for 1 and 2. Interesting to see the difference between slippery Stowe on my prized road bike and warm, dry Brands, which I know well on a sorted track bike.

Good lessons and a good day.

And good to finally meet Butch Jnr too.

Have to say, Andy Ibbott is a top bloke. Knows his stuff and really helpful, even when he's obviously busy. He's built a good team.

**TP#12** · 24 Jul 08, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryXt

TP, 'ginger' says hi! You're a good bloke apparently

It was good having the same instructor for 1 and 2.

Ha, of course I am!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryXt

Interesting to see the difference between slippery Stowe on my prized road bike and warm, dry Brands, which I know well on a sorted track bike.

Good lessons and a good day.

And good to finally meet Butch Jnr too.

He's rubbish, tell him he's a merchant banker (if you're still there) and tell him he's a rude <insert appropriate expletive here> cos he didn't return my voicemail!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryXt

Have to say, Andy Ibbott is a top bloke. Knows his stuff and really helpful, even when he's obviously busy. He's built a good team.

Johnny Haynes handles the 'coach acquisition' process and is very thorough and very particular about who he chooses. It's a very difficult process to go through and a few different stages, each one testing different relevant skills you'll need to apply as a coach. Worse than any technical interview I've been through and I had a two hour technical interview directly with Microsoft!

It's a great team.

**R6BLADE** · 24 Jul 08, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryXt

DUKEBLADE bloke - looks like you were in fast company - those team guys were awesome!

Yeah they were quick .... but doing Level1 the day before a certain BSB Rider

came past me ..... holy sh*t is he fast ... made those guys look slow I reckon

Imagine how good a certain Mr Rossi must be!

**JerryXt** · 24 Jul 08, 01:52 PM

I've just heard on another site that those guys are Euro Superstock - doing 48's in traffic. Hats off.

**Kato.** · 24 Jul 08, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R6BLADE

Imagine how good a certain Mr Rossi must be!

Almost as good as a certain Mr Stoner

**R6BLADE** · 24 Jul 08, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kato.

Almost as good as a certain Mr Stoner

Hmm guess you missed Laguna then

**stretta** · 24 Jul 08, 04:46 PM

Jerry, I like the seat cutouts to clear those massive Termi's! I need to do the same, but to a carbon seat!

Anyway, about this CSS business, do you feel that you learnt a lot more than on Level 1? Or was it not as big a step?

**Bungi** · 24 Jul 08, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryXt

.

Jerry why isnt your rh side panel fixed properly?

**JerryXt** · 24 Jul 08, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungi

Jerry why isnt your rh side panel fixed properly?

cos I wanted to get back out on track and stop d*cking around with the pipes! Also, the bikes were parked a long way from the van and I kept forgetting to pick up some more dzus'. All done now tho.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretta

Jerry, I like the seat cutouts to clear those massive Termi's! I need to do the same, but to a carbon seat!

Anyway, about this CSS business, do you feel that you learnt a lot more than on Level 1? Or was it not as big a step?

Re the seat, both track and road seats now have those cut-outs to Ducati Race Supports design and they're both carbon. Seems a shame, but I'm not sitting on pipes

I went a lot faster at the end of level 2, but it felt much more comfortable, so yes, it's a very good thing. Clearly if your first name is Valentino or Casey, there's not much to learn, but my name isn't

I'm thinking of booking somewhere sunny for L3 and 4.

**singletrack** · 25 Jul 08, 09:49 AM

The pictures look great Jerry. I can't wait until I do L2 on 18th August.

By the way, I have the same helmet as you, but it does not have a gold ACU sticker on it. Does yours have the sticker? If not, did you have any problems using it for the CSS day?