Jason Pridmore's STAR Motorcycle School Blog

June 2010 Newsletter

2010-06-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

Jason Checks In

STAR is halfway through the season and things are going well. We've had great schools at Thunderhill, Streets of Willow, Willow Springs and Chuckwalla. Our return to "Big Willow" was awesome, and paired well with the previous day at the Streets. Based on the feedback we will definitely put that on the 2011 schedule. Chuckwalla Raceway is awesome - Micky Grana has done such a great job out there. Unfortunately our second day got cut a bit short because of weather, but everyone got in a lot of riding over both days.

Up next is High Plains Raceway in Colorado and Oregon Motorsports Park in Oregon. High Plains was our find of the year in 2009. A great track, very technical, and we always have a great turnout up there in Colorado. I have heard good things about the new Oregon track, it looks like it has a lot to offer also. STAR went up to PIR in 2009 and had horrible weather, so I have moved the date up into August hoping it will be a bit nicer.

1 on 1 Instruction with Jason
We have been getting a lot of people asking about our 1 on 1 programs. My close association with Micky Grana and CVR has allowed me to get further involved with teaching on a 1 on 1 basis. If any individual (or small group) are interested in working with me, send an email to 1on1@starmotorcycle.com and I'll get back to you.

Military Instruction
It looks like we are also going to be doing some special Military days soon. STAR and the Jordan/National Guard team have worked together on a program to make our soldiers and military personal better and safer riders. We have to keep those protected who protect us, right? I have taken so many great people for rides on the AMA National weekends, it been a true honor for me. If you had asked me in 2008, I never would have guessed that it would have made such a big impact on me personally as it has.

Getting ready for 2ups under the watchful eye of the boss

Racing

On the racing front overseas it’s been about as bad as it gets! My team, Maco Moto has been so incredibly unlucky. Check out this video if you haven't already seen it. The bike exploding is ours, in the second hour of Le Mans 24 Hour. My teammate was lucky to escape; someone pulled on the track right in front of him!

Instructors

Lick's new rider Chris Fillmore is showing increasing speed. At the recent round at Road America he showed he could ride the pace, now a bit of luck and some polishing he should start seeing top fives and maybe a podium in the future. Keep working James. It was great to see Angie back with us for some schools - even threatening to come to the rest of them this year! This year we will see a few more of my AMA friends out to join us, one of them is going to be a fulltime instructor with us. Can you guess who? Lick looks for the elusive one second

As for me, golf is the highlight of my life right now. I was low medalist in qualifying for the Southern Cal Mid-Am but got stuck in France due to the volcano and didn't get to play the actual tournament. Lincoln James and I won our member-member tournament, he played great. And last week I qualified for the Southern Cal Am, even Tiger has won that one so I am looking forward to playing. I am going to try and qualify for the US Amateur and US Mid-Am later in the year also.JP Jason in a white belt, maybe. Lincoln in a white belt?

Mark is still ripping around in his car. For those that don't know we started a bit of a new branch of STAR, starcarsports.com. We are running car events at Chuckwalla once a month except July and August when it’s too hot out there.

Sponsors
If you live in the NorCal area I'll be at the Cycle Gear's annual "Motobash" on Saturday, June 19th. Gallardo and I will be there with our truck and trailer. More information is available here.

That's all for now.

Cheers and ride safe.

JP

January 2010 Newsletter

2010-01-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

Jason Checks In
Welcome to the New Year! I am going into this 2010 STAR School season more excited than previous years. It was time to work on some new things – and with suggestions from our students this is the year.

To start, we created "A Taste of STAR". This is going to be a two day course that will have optional classroom sessions every 1.5 hours. I wanted to create a track day that wasn't a free for all, but wasn't a full-on school either. What I am hoping to do with these days is attract some of the people that haven't been to a STAR school. They can come and listen to our philosophies and decide if coming to a full STAR school is for them. We will run two groups and offer instruction still to those that would like it. If you choose to come to the classroom and get some questions answered you can. I also expect a lot of our past students to come out and continue learning in the safe and structured environment they rely on with STAR. A Taste of STAR will debut at two different tracks in 2010, Streets of Willow Springs and Chuckwalla Raceway.

Speaking of Chuckwalla Raceway, if you look at the schedule you will see that we have committed to a lot of dates at the new track in the desert east of Palm Springs. We have a few weekend dates for our regular schools but what I am really excited about is our new "1 on 1" schools in October, November and December. For many years now people have asked me to run more specialized schools. Well thanks to our good friend Micky Grana and SoCal Track Days we will be doing just that. STAR is going to offer a totally inclusive package: 2 days of instruction with lodging and food. Video at the track for each student, and two days to get the questions you want answered. The track remains open so track time will be plentiful, so be in shape and ready to ride.

Last season found a great new track in Colorado: High Plains Raceway. What a layout - a true challenge. As always the Colorado students were some of the best we see and the track personnel made being there that much nicer. We also made our first trip to Portland and were greeted with (what I was told is) typical Pacific Northwest RAIN. We had great students; I just wish the weather would have been a bit more cooperative. Maybe heading to Oregon Raceway Park in August will mean better weather, and maybe a bit more challenging and safer racetrack.

Sponsors

STAR is pleased to welcome three new sponsors for 2010. Dainese will be making a big presence at our school. I wore Dainese leathers last year in World Endurance and with the National Guard program and they are truly a world-class suit. Also, AGV helmets which are now owned by Dainese will be our helmets. Motorex Oil is now on board and will be keeping our bikes running and looking even better. Thank you to Suzuki, Dunlop, Two Brothers, and Motion Pro for your continued loyalty and for supplying us with the best products in the industry.

Racing

In 2009 I raced World Endurance with Maco Moto again. To say the teams luck was bad in an understatement. There were things that happened this year that I haven't seen in all my years of racing. A brand new sprocket coming apart while 2nd in Spain with 30 minutes to go, shift linkage failing while 3rd in Germany with one hour left, and Qatar where we qualified 3rd only to have a rear hub come apart and back the axle out. I will be back over with the team in 2010.

JP in action at Suzuka 2009

I will also be giving rides to Military, celebs and news media at all the AMA events again with the Jordan National Guard team. The team does a great job with their two-up program and I look forward to going to the races even though I’m not competing. To meet so many men and women in our armed forces was a true honor in 2009. Of course I will throw a few golf tournaments in along the way; I want to get serious about it again.

Instructors

I am sad to say that we have lost the services of instructor Damian Cudlin to the IDM series in Germany. Many of you commented on how much he helped STAR and for me personally, he was such a huge asset as we trained together and talked motorcycles. Due to the state of our National race series, Germany was his best option. We wish you the best Damo and get back over for a visit mate. We're working on his replacement - anyone know where we can get one of those tattoo shirts?

Gallardo won a Championship this past year. Who knew that while he has been teaching at STAR for the past 11 years, he was an expert car driver? Mark competed in a series that traveled to four different tracks and dominated the class he was driving in. I think Schumacher may need to look out; Gallardo is moving up the ranks. Congrats Big Man on a great accomplishment and becoming a grandfather for the first time.

For those of you who took rides and donated to Andrew Trevitt in 2009, thank you. Andrew is a true inspiration and I am looking forward to seeing him back at the track soon.

I just want to say thank you to all of you who have supported us for so many years. This includes my instructors, and everyone involved in STAR. We are working hard to make STAR even better. I look forward to seeing you all at the track and hope that you had a very Happy Holiday season.

Cheers and ride safe.

JP

July 2009 Newsletter

2009-07-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

STAR is just back from our first school at the greatest track you've never heard of - High Plains Raceway in Colorado. Our Colorado students patience has paid off. If you have a chance to ride there before the snow-drifts start again, do it!

Instructors at the Racetrack

Jason and Instructor Damian Cudlin are both at Suzuka for the 8 Hours this weekend. Pridmore's best finish is a 4th in 2003, while Damo finished 13th in 2008. You can follow Jason's Tweets on the STAR site - as expected Damian has a, um, colorful Twitter feed also.

Jason waits while teammate Dani Ribalta steps off and heads for the Ferris Wheel

Jason was at Mid-Ohio with his many hats, this time as co-announcer for the Speed broadcast in addition to his standard tasks of giving 2-up rides to the National Guard Michael Jordan Motorsports Racer Experience.

Pridmore and OTTs David Williams at Mid-Ohio

Trevitt Headed Home!

Instructor Andrew Trevitt is headed home for good this week. GetWellTrev!

Lower Prices for Streets of Willow and Thunderhill
STAR has lowered its prices for Thunderhill and Streets of Willow Schools. Thunderhill is now $250/day, and the Streets is $195/day. Still the same world-class instruction and 2-group format.

Snowed Out Pahrump Rescheduled
Our friends at SoCal Trackdays were kind enough to reschedule our snowed-out February Spring Mountain School for October 10th/11th.

Group and Individual Discounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, its free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Google Alerts turns up the strangest things

Pridmore in Celebrity Gossip

2009-07-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

June 2009 Newsletter

2009-06-15T10:48:00.001-07:00

Low Low Low Prices!
STAR has lowered its prices for Thunderhill and Streets of Willow Schools. Thunderhill is now $250/day, and the Streets is $195/day. Still the same world-class instruction and 2-group format.

Snowed Out Pahrump Rescheduled
Our friends at SoCal Trackdays were kind enough to reschedule our snowed-out February Spring Mountain School for October 10th/11th.

Instructors at the Racetrack

Jason was back in action at the Road America AMA races, coaching riders and giving 2-up rides to the National Guard with the Michael Jordan Motorsports Racer Experience.

Pridmore back in action - Road America 2009

Instructor Damian Cudlin experienced the high highs and lows of racing, crashing while leading the Oschersleben round of the FIM World Endurance Championship but rebounded with his best finish of the season in AMA Daytona Sportbike - 5th place at Road America in race 2.

Pridmore and Cudlin are headed to Albacete on July 4

Oschersleben featured the first podium for American ex-pat and STAR student Will Gruy on the Amadeus X One team. Congratulazioni Will!

Instructor David Stanton is finally starting to come to grips with his new R1 - Stein put it on the podium in the Formula Pacific race at the last AFM event at Infineon Raceway.

Jimmy Wood finished 4th in the Larry H. Miller Superbike Challenge GTU Race At Miller Motorsports Park during the World Superbike weekend. Congratulations to all the STAR students in the field: Robertino Pietri, Michael Beck, David Lewis, Royce Mclean, Elena Myers, and Jim Davis. Elena qualified 6th!!

Jimmy Wood on his way to 4th place in the Larry Miller Superbike Challenge GTU race. Photo by Latebraker Photography.

Congratulations to student Aaron Colton on a top 15 in his first AMA Supersport race!

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, its free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Jimmy redux - featured in his hometown paper. We don't call him the Paper Boy for nothing!

May 2009 Newsletter

2009-05-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

We're just back from two perfect schools at Miller and the Streets, and have a few weeks off before heading to the excellent Motorsports Park Hastings in Nebraska on June 13th and 14th. As we mentioned in 2008 after our return from MPH, track owner George Anderson truly built a Field of Dreams out in the middle of a cornfield. World-class pavement, a great layout, condos, garages, and showers. It's a destination, but worth it. Take a lap around Motorsports Park Hastings with Jason

After MPH we make our first trip to the new High Plains Raceway in Colorado July 13th and 14th. Our Pueblo students said they would follow us to High Plains, and we hope they do!

And we just added a date at Heartland Park Topeka on August 31st and September 1st. The AMA has scheduled a race there this season, I'm sure Instructor Jimmy Wood's onboard from Topeka will be getting lots of play before the National!

Instructors at the Racetrack

Jason and Damian Cudlin both had a rough go at the LeMans 24 Hour, with Cudlins's team suffering a mechanical early in the race and Pridmore crashing out of the battle for 5th at the halfway point in horrendous conditions. Jason had to make a trip to his old friend Dr Ting but should be in fighting shape for Albacete on July 4th.

Calm before the storm - Le Mans 2009

Damian landed on his feet in AMA racing after his original team lost sponsorship and wasn't able to keep him on competitive equipment. Damian made his debut with Paradigm Racing at Barber Motorsports Park, put in in Superpole in his first weekend on the bike (and at Barber) and finished 8th in Sunday's race. He backed that up with an 11th/10th at the just concluded AMA round at Infineon Raceway. The hound has been blooded, as Damo would say!

Instructor Angie Loy won the inaugural all-female AFM Formula AFemme race in her first race ever at Infineon. Rock on Pony!

In his defense of the AFM #1 plate, Instructor David Stanton is still coming to grips with his new 2009 R1. (We don't understand, as Spies seems to be doing ok on his :)) Dave made some progress during AMA Promoter practice at Infineon, and hopes to up the ante at Round 3 of the Championship. He spent the AMA Infineon weekend filling in for Pridmore in his 2-up ride duties with the Michael Jordan Motorsports Racer Experience. Damian Cudlin was entrusted with the task at the Barber AMA Round.

Are you sitting down? Pridmore gives a 2up ride at DAYTONA

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, its free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STARSTAR Instructor Richie Alexander debriefs Jordan Suzuki's Aaron Yates after an Atlanta Superbike Podium

April 2009 Newsletter

2009-04-17T13:10:00.001-07:00

STAR is heading out to the World Class Miller Motorsports Park on April 27th and 28th. Too far to drive? We have 2009 GSX-R600s for rent. That will be as close to channeling Max Neukirchner as most of us will ever get! Take another lap around Miller with Jason
May is a busy month for STAR with our various racing commitments, just one school scheduled on May 11th and 12th at the Streets of Willow. April 15th has come and gone like Y2K. Come out and ride!

Thunderhill was Amazing!
STAR had three unbelievable days at Thunderhill. Sunny skies, 2009 Suzukis on our truck, bored (but alert!) cornerworkers and medical personnel, and great students. We're thinking about expanding our sold-out Pro School an extra day next time, as the end of the day always comes too soon. Special thanks to STAR student Aaron Coulton for servin' it up for us at lunchtime!

Jason and Damian at Le Mans

Jason's 2009 season in the Endurance World Championship starts this weekend with the Le Mans 24 Hour. His team BK Maco Moto was not able to attend any of the preseason testing, but were able to qualify 12th (just out of Superpole) for one of the most grueling races in the world. Look for Pridmore to move up during the race.

JP giving it the berries - Le Mans 2009

New STAR Instructor Damian Cudlin is also racing at Le Mans with his team Phase One. We sure scored when Damian and his wife Amy traveled from Australia to Jason's house for winter training and decided to stay. Damo's been racing all over the world for several years, with podiums in various National Championships and the World Endurance Championship (and a 13th in the Daytona 200 this year in his first visit). He has motorcycle teaching experience in several countries, has been a development rider for motorcycles like the Kalex AV1, and didn't even flinch when Gallardo suggested jumping on an SV to work on body position. He might look PG-13, but the Tin Man has a heart. Look for Damian at a STAR school near you.

You can follow the boys in the race on Le Mans live timing and scoring. Jason is also doing updates on Twitter.

As Stanton would say - Cudlin looks to be having a "Nice Time"

STAR In Ultimate Motorcycling
Mike Quindazzi from Ultimate Motorcycling came out to the Streets and spent two days with us. You can read his review of STAR on their excellent site here.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, its free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

March 2009 Newsletter

2009-03-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

STAR still has space at our upcoming Thunderhill schools on March 23rd/24th, and at our exclusive Thunderhill Pro School which is filling up fast. We will also be at Buttonwillow on April 6th/7th, which is a month before the WERA West Regional. Jason loves Buttonwillow (he won the AFM opener there in 2008). Come out and ride!

The Streets Rocked!
Our first school of the season at the Streets was epic. 2009 Suzuki motorcycles, 75 degrees and a great group of students. Instructor Corey Neuer was even there :)

Instructors at Daytona
Pridmore was back in action with the Jordan Motorsports team, this time as the starring role in their 2009 Racer Experience.

Richie Alexander and the Jordan guys made their debut in the new AMA American Superbike class with riders Aaron Yates and Geoff May. Both riders finished in the top 10. Lick's new guy Santiago Villa arrived at Daytona with a broken right hand and proved himself a "hard maun" as the Brit announcers would say, moving up twenty places from qualifying to finish in the top 20 in the Daytona 200. Or so we think - as the results on the AMA site are still changing!

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, its free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

A classic shot of Instructor Jimmy Wood at the cage match. It's coming up!

Michael Jordan Motorsports Announces Racing Experience

2009-03-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Jason Pridmore officially returned to the Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) family during Round 1 of the AMA Pro Racing Superbike Series at Daytona International Speedway. In conjunction with Jason Pridmore's Star Motorcycle School and the National Guard, Pridmore will be providing exclusive on-track experiences for members of the media and other select guests at each round of the AMA Pro Racing Superbike Series with the National Guard Jordan Suzuki Racing Experience.

Pridmore will be riding a #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSXR-1000 race-prepared motorcycle specially equipped for passengers and outfitted with a state-of-the-art electronics telemetry system by Bazzaz Performance. This system will produce a custom video for each passenger featuring multiple camera views, RPMs, gear position, MPH, track positioning via GPS and more.

"Jason has been instrumental in making Michael Jordan Motorsports the organization it is today," said James Casmay, General Manager of Michael Jordan Motorsports. "We are proud to be able to continue our relationship with the Star School and re-incorporate Jason's personal talents within MJM. This program is an exciting addition to our race weekend activities and is part of our expansive #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki promotional plan."

Over the last 20 years of his professional career, Pridmore has earned national and international roadracing championships and has provided over 10,000 two-up rides to students at Pridmore Schools. For more information on Michael Jordan Motorsports and Jason Pridmore's Star Schools, please visit:

www.23race.com

www.starmotorcycle.com

February 2009 Newsletter

2009-02-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Schools
STAR still has room at our Streets of Willow and Thunderhill schools. Don't forget about out Thunderhill Pro School, where Jason and Instructor Dave Stanton promise to finally reveal the secret!

Jason Checks In - Schools, Danica! Aussies and AMA 2-Ups
I was hoping to headline this by telling you how great our first school of the year at Pahrump was, but we were snowed out! We’ve been caught in the snow while at Pahrump before, and thought it better to delay the school until later in the year. Our make-up date should be out soon. We are still adding schools. For you Midwest folks, Topeka Kansas will be on the calendar in late August. Keep your eyes on starmotorcycle.com for more information.

Late race pit stop

I did my big car race - nothing like jumping in the deep end :). Spirit of Daytona is a team based in Daytona and and they gave me, Scott Russell and Jeff Ward the opportunity to team up with their regular driver Guy Cosmo. The "motorcycle team" as we were known had a bit of a rough go, but at the end we finished the race 11th in the Daytona Prototype Class. A few problems: no clutch, low amps and a stretched throttle cable. That was in the first hour! Add some spin outs,

a cockpit fire, and other things I’ve tried to forget and it was entertaining to say the least. We were the only team running a Coyote Porsche V8 engine/chassis combo and the consensus is that we did well with what we had. I think the coolest part for me was the Gathering of Champions photo that I was fortunate enough to be part of. Obviously my two motorcycle teammates were beyond worthy, but we also had Jimmy Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Darren Law, Casey Mears, AJ Allmendinger and many more. There may be a few more car races in the works this year, and I am looking forward to that opportunity should it appear. There is more in a podcast on PitPass Radio.

Pridmore and a bunch of famous cagers!

Damian Cudlin is over here from Oz training with me. We’re both getting ready for the Le Mans 24 Hour in April. Damian will be racing an ESP R6 at Daytona, so keep an eye out for him. He is also planning on doing some schools with STAR this year.

I know many of you have taken 2-up rides with me in the past. Well I just got contracted to give the 2 up rides at all the AMA events at lunch time on race days. This will be part of the Jordan/National Guard team. The idea is to take military, celebrities, and press for a closer look at what we do. Should be good fun. They’ve definitely put their trust in STAR, as Dave Stanton is filling in for me at the AMA events that conflict with World Endurance. Maybe I will have to get a full Superstock bike for rides at the school?

Longtime STAR Student Aaron Coulton rides pillion with JP

Keep Andrew Trevitt in mind at getwelltrev. A great daily read on Andrew's blog. Trevitt is very motivating – I can hardly wait to get him out to a STAR school.

Starmotorcycle.com - Not Just Bold New Graphics
Our new website should be live soon. While it requires you to create an account to register for schools, the process is quick and easy and subsequent registration are a snap. Communication with the office (and students) is streamlined. It's going to be a good thing.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Pridmore high-centers it.

Pridmore Ready for Rolex 24 at Daytona

2009-01-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

Norwalk, CA - Two-time AMA Champion Jason Pridmore is at the World Center of Speed in preparation for Saturday's 47th Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Making his four-wheeled debut in the No. 09 Spirit of Daytona Racing AMA Pro Racing Porsche Coyote, Pridmore is joined by five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell, motocross legend Jeff Ward, and Rolex Series veteran Guy Cosmo.

“Just walking around the paddock today is like a who’s who of auto racing”, Pridmore said. “Montoya, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Petty, Danica Patrick. It’s unbelievable.”

“We just had a team meeting today in preparation for qualifying tomorrow. During the race, the goal is to drive smart and pass the car off to the next guy in good shape. Our stints will be up to two hours at a time, and I know from my motorcycle experience in World Endurance that anything can happen during a twenty-four hour. But I have to remind myself to have realistic goals, just like we suggest to our students at the STAR School.”

Pridmore will be making updates during the Rolex 24 via Twitter to his STAR School website www.starmotorcycle.com. The Rolex 24 starts at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday. The start of the race will be televised live on FOX, with the remainder of the coverage on SPEED.

For additional information on Jason Pridmore call (562)802-7061, FAX (562)802-0337, mail@starmotorcycle.com and visit us at www.starmotorcycle.com

January 2009 Newsletter

2009-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Jason Checks In

Finally - 2009! Last year was an interesting year for me. I have never traveled as much in my life as I did this past year. I started the season club racing out of my van at Buttonwillow, and ended it with a World Endurance Championship podium in Doha, Qatar. In between there was a top-5 AMA finish at Fontana, and a very ill-fated trip into the World Superbike Championship. WSBK wasn't what I was hoping for but still, (mostly!) no regrets. I had the opportunity to ride at some amazing racetracks against the World’s best.

World Endurance Championship Podium Qatar 2008

As for STAR, we saw many old friends, and made plenty of new ones. Moving forward, we start our 2009 season right with our traditional February Pahrump school. We have Pro Schools at Thunderhill, and we added Buttonwillow back onto our schedule. For our Pacific Northwest students, STAR is finally headed to Portland! I used to go to PIR with my father and can hardly wait to go back. And we are still looking at dates at two tracks in Colorado, including Pueblo. STAR will end our season at the new Chuckwalla Valley Raceway at the beginning of December, with the last day for STAR CLUB members only.

I know that many of our students are watching the bottom line right now, which is why we’ve reduced our prices at every 2009 school while still only running a two-group format, regardless of the location. We’ve also opened up our individual and group discounts. And if there is a group, club or organization that would like me or STAR to come to their track for an event – we are open to that. Get in touch with us and we will see if we can work that into our schedule..

Closer to home, as many of you know our very own Andrew Trevitt was in a horrible street bike accident in November. AT is still battling numerous injuries and a certain long road to recovery. I am going to dedicate all my 2009 two-up rides to the fund that has been set up to help Andrew and his family. For those of you that would like to donate now, you can do so at:

Getwelltrev
c/o Andrew Trevitt
1119 Linden Ave #2
Glendale CA 91201

For those of you who made 2008 two-up ride donations for my old teammate and dear friend Fritz Kling, I cannot thank you enough. Fritz finally succumbed to his battle with brain cancer on November 7th. Godspeed Fritz.

In closing, I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings. The season starts with a new challenge – car racing! I am racing the Daytona Rolex 24 hour with Scott Russell and Jeff Ward. It’s interesting that Scott and I are teammates in cars fifteen years after being competitors in 750 Supersport. Wardy is a recent addition to our team, and his car experience should help us. We have been testing the car, and the learning curve is steep. Tune in January 24-25 on Speed Channel and watch us rip around.

Promoting Motorcycle Racing - What a Concept!

I still enjoy racing and the training that goes with it, so I’ve committed to one more year of the World Endurance Championship. I also have some plans for AFM racing with my WEC friend Damian Cudlin. And STAR kicks off 2009 at Pahrump February 14-15. Thanks to our friend Micky Grana from SoCal Track Days for that date. We’re thinking about you, Micky.

Hope you all had a great Holiday Season, and all the best for the New Year.

Cheers,

Jason Pridmore

STAR Instructors at the Racetrack

Jimmy Wood and Angie Loy are having a happy New Year - both won races in the 2009 WERA West season opener last weekend at California Speedway. Bill Syfan was confirmed as the AMA Road Racing Series Manager. And Dave Stanton wrapped up yet another AFM #1 plate.

Stein is actually Yiddish for "Stud"

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Where's the STAR logos, dude?

Instructor Bill Syfan Confirmed as AMA Pro Road Racing Series Manager

2008-12-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 31, 2008) - An experienced group of motorcycle racing competition and operations professionals have been hired by AMA Pro Racing President Roger Edmondson to join the organization's new headquarters operation in Daytona Beach.

The veteran group brings more than a century of combined motorcycle competition and operations experience to AMA Pro and includes several professionals that have already taken their positions on the management team and day-to-day operations staff headquartered in Daytona Beach.

The group includes AMA Pro Vice President of Competition Roy Janson, AMA Pro Technical Director Al Ludington, AMA Pro Road Racing Director of Competition Colin Fraser and AMA Pro Road Racing Series Manager Bill Syfan.

Janson, a native of Rochester, N.Y., will mark his 45th year as a career motorcycle professional in 2009 and began racing and working at a Triumph motorcycle shop back in the 1960s. After completing a tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps in 1970, Janson resumed his racing activity in enduro, trials, dirt track and motocross events and was involved in the early organization of the AMA's District No. 4 in Western New York State.

Janson's first professional experience with the AMA came in 1980 when he joined the organization to work in the government relations side of the industry, specializing in public lands policy. Janson created the American All-Terrain Vehicle Association as a subsidiary of the AMA in 1983 and later became AMA's Director of Professional Racing. In 1994 he left the AMA to take the position of Vice President of Operations with the promotional companies that organized and produced the AMA-sanctioned Supercross and Arenacross programs, which most recently included the popular Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship.

As AMA Pro's Vice President of Competition, Janson will oversee all of the competition related aspects of the organization's racing properties, including AMA Pro Road Racing, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Flat Track and the various other racing series that fall under the AMA Pro umbrella.

As AMA Pro Technical Director, Ludington, who is originally from Rye, N.H., will oversee all technical operations for AMA Pro Road Racing, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Flat Track and other competition disciplines within the AMA Pro family. Although his appointment marks the first time he has worked for a motorsports sanctioning body, Ludington brings more than 20 years of motorcycle racing experience to AMA Pro, primarily as a championship and race-winning Crew Chief and Lead Mechanic. He has been part of nine national championship efforts and achieved the majority of his success as a Lead Mechanic and later Crew Chief for Team Honda. Ludington also did a two-year stint as Crew Chief for Team Kawasaki from 2000 to 2001 and began his career as a mechanic for Yamaha in the late 1980s. His first foray into motorcycle competition came as an amateur rider in 1981.

Fraser, a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, joins AMA Pro Road Racing as Director of Competition in a continuation of the role he assumed last March. He is responsible for the running of each weekend's competition events for all of AMA Pro Road Racing and brings over 25 years of experience in race operations to the organization. Fraser attended his very first AMA Pro Road Racing event in 1979 and a year later founded RACE, the Canadian national motorcycle road racing sanctioning body. A former professional rider, he served as both a racing instructor and Director of Competition for several racing series and organizations prior to co-founding PMP (Professional Motorsports Productions) in 1994, the operating organization of the Canadian Superbike Championship. Fraser became sole owner of PMP and Canadian Superbike in 1998 and next season will mark the 10th year of the title-sponsored Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Fraser first became professionally involved with the new Daytona Beach-based ownership of AMA Pro in 2006 when he co-founded and served as Director of Competition for what is now the AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT series. He also has a strong background in the media side of the sport and, in addition to owning the television rights to the Canadian Superbike Championship, has extensive print journalism experience, currently serving as the Senior Editor of Inside Motorcycles.

Like his fellow new hires at AMA Pro, Syfan, who is originally from Houston, Texas, began his motorcycle career as a competitive rider and remains a racing instructor today. After a successful career in the civil, mechanical and petroleum engineering industries, Syfan accepted his first professional motorcycle position in 1992 with American Suzuki where his responsibilities included managing the Team Suzuki Sport road race program. He later worked for Dunlop Tire as a Motorsports Technician before joining Clear Channel Entertainment in 1999. While at Clear Channel, Syfan gained valuable experience in sanctioning body operations, supervising over 70 events annually while managing the Formula USA and CCS road racing series. He most recently worked in the motorcycle racing industry through his company Proforma Services and, like Fraser, first worked with AMA Pro's new ownership in what is now the AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT series. He joined Fraser in stepping in to operate AMA Pro Road Racing earlier this year and will fill a similar capacity in his continuing role as AMA Pro Road Racing Series Manager.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport, AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT and the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup in addition to the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Our 2009 Calendar is Up!

2008-12-22T00:33:00.000-08:00

Check out Jason Pridmore's STAR School 2009 Calendar.

Instructor Andrew Trevitt Injured

2008-12-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

On November 10, 2008, STAR Instructor and Sport Rider Magazine Senior Editor Andrew Trevitt was seriously injured in an accident with a car making a U-turn. His road to recovery will be long. To date - Andrew has endured four major surgeries and faces months of rehabilitation. Getwelltrev is a fund set up by his family and friends to help ease the transition to his new way of life.

If you wish to make a contribution, checks can be made payable to Getwelltrev and sent to the following address.

Getwelltrev
c/o Andrew Trevitt
1119 Linden Ave #2
Glendale CA 91201

Andrew and his family are deeply moved by the support and concern they have received during this difficult time. Thank you.

Take a Lap of Daytona with Jason Pridmore in a Porsche Prototype!

2008-11-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

Pridmore Podiums at Qatar!

2008-11-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

Jason leaves for another stint

Jason and his Maco Moto teammates Jakub Smrz and Thomas Hinterreiter finished 3rd in the World Endurance Championship 8 Hours of Qatar. Maco battled for the lead into the midway point, before issues with their lights set them back. You can read a report of the race here.

Pridmore and Maco Moto Battle for Lead in Hour 3 of Qatar 8 Hour!

2008-11-07T22:24:00.000-08:00

With early favorite and World Champion SERT out of the picture, Jason is on the stick leading the Maco Moto bike in front of 2nd place Yamaha Austria into hour 3 of the FIM World Endurance Championship Qatar 8 Hour.

Pridmore Qualifies 6th at Qatar

2008-11-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Jason and his Maco Moto teammates Jakub Smrz and Thomas Hinterreiter qualified 6th for the World Endurance Championship 8 Hours of Qatar. You can follow the race results here.

Pridmore 4th During Qatar World Endurance Practice

2008-11-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

Jason Pridmore went straight from testing the Spirit of Daytona Racing Porsche Coyote Daytona Prototype during the Rolex 24 Hour testing at Daytona to the last round of the FIM World Endurance Champsionship at the Losail International racetrack in Qatar.

Jason's Maco Moto teammate Warwick Nowland was injured while training for Qatar - his stand in teammate for the weekend is Czech World Superbike Star Jacob Smrz. Pridmore first met Smrz at the 2007 Willow Springs 200.

Jason missed promoter practice after his connecting flight was delayed, forcing him to learn the track during official practice. The team was immediately on pace, running 4th in free practice leading up to provisional qualifying.

Pridmore Tests at Daytona with Russell, Carmichael in Preparation for Rolex 24 Hour

2008-10-27T15:12:00.001-07:00

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Motorcycle Stars Carmichael, Russell and Pridmore Try Their Hand At Sports Cars During Rolex 24 Test

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 27, 2008) – Motorcycle stars Ricky Carmichael, Scott Russell and Jason Pridmore were at Daytona International Speedway on Monday – on four wheels.

The motorcycle legends were shaking down a Spirit of Daytona Racing Porsche Coyote Daytona Prototype during the first day of a three-day October Test Days session in preparation for a potential run in the 47th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona sports car classic on Jan. 24-25.

More than 20 sports cars were turning laps on the 3.56-mile road course as part of a three-day test that will include two evening sessions. For Russell and Carmichael, it was their second sports car test at DIS while for Pridmore, it was his first.

All three motorcycle stars have been testing at other road course facilities as they look to make an attempt to compete in the upcoming Rolex 24, the grueling and challenging twice-around-the-clock challenge.

In recent years, the Rolex 24 has turned into an All-Star race showcasing different competitors from different racing series. But having the trio of motorcycle legends in Carmichael, Russell and Pridmore in the star-studded field is unique.

All three riders carry a strong tradition of success at Daytona International Speedway. Russell, whose nickname is “Mr. Daytona,” is a five-time Daytona 200 By Honda winner, a record that he shares with Miguel Duhamel.

“This is one of my favorite races to come watch,” Russell said. “For years, I just thought how cool it would be to be out there. To have the opportunity is just amazing for me. I pinched myself everyday to make sure this is real.”

Carmichael, who has retired from Supercross and is now pursuing a NASCAR career, is a record five-time Daytona Supercross By Honda winner and is nicknamed G.O.A.T – the Greatest Of All Time.

“It’s neat to be here and see it from this angle,” Carmichael said. “I’ve been around the motorcycle stuff for so long. This is a racer’s heaven for sure. It’s awesome to be able to have done it on a motorcycle, do it on a Daytona Prototype and next on the list is a stock car.”

Jason Pridmore anchors the trio of motorcycle champions with two 750 Supersport victories at Daytona.

“It’s exciting because we’re all nervous,” Pridmore said. “We’re all scared. I don’t think any of us will lie to you. We’re all a little bit nervous for what we’re getting ourselves into. There’s a lot of respect for the guys that do this full time.”

All three riders are being tutored by sports car veteran Guy Cosmo for the potential Rolex 24 start. Having Cosmo showing them the ins and outs of sports car racing at DIS has been a huge asset for Carmichael, Russell and Pridmore.

“There’s zero ego involved here I think between all three of us,” Pridmore said. “We just want to learn and we got a great guy. Guy Cosmo has helped us so much. You’ve got to give full credit to him. He has really helped us. The whole team has been very accommodating. There all a bunch of motorcycle heads any way. They all knew who we were when we came which is nice. It’s made it very comfortable.”

Russell, a native of Conyers, Ga., has regularly attended the Rolex 24 and only dreamed of competing in the race. So far, he is enjoying the challenge of learning something new.

“It’s a great challenge to come in cold like that with no real car experience,” Russell said. “I don’t think any of us have much car experience. You got a lot of great drivers in this series and I look forward to chasing them around and trying to see if I can get my times down to where they are. It’s such a new challenge for me. It’s great.”

If any of the three motorcycle legends have an edge on learning the Daytona Prototype, it might be Carmichael. The native of Havana, Fla., is pursuing a NASCAR career with Kevin Harvick Inc. and has competed in the NASCAR Camping World East Series as well as recently in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Talladega Superspeedway.

But even with some stock car experience, Carmichael says that himself, Russell and Pridmore are pretty much on the same playing field.

“I do have some time from racing stock cars,” Carmichael said. “I’ve got quite a bit more seat time than these guys but unfortunately not in this kind of car. We’re all about even in this Prototype car. It is comforting to know we’re all on the same playing field. It’ll be fun and we can learn together.”

This is the first of three off-season tests for the Rolex Series at Daytona. Teams will test with 2009 tires Nov. 11-12. A star-studded lineup is expected for the Jan. 2-4 session, the last major session prior to the 2009 season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

This week’s three-day session will continue through Wednesday. The sessions will be open to the public, with fans able to view testing from the Sprint FANZONE with a $10 Daytona 500 Experience tour-only ticket. Fans who have already purchased tickets to the 2009 Rolex 24 At Daytona will be admitted free.

Tickets for the Rolex 24 At Daytona are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

September 2008 Newsletter

2008-09-16T11:58:00.001-07:00

STAR IS Home

We are just back from one of our favorite schools - Pueblo Motorsports Park. Some of you may think we've inhaled too much race gas, but Pueblo is a great teaching track and the Colorado students are top shelf!

Plus, Pueblo has critters we don't see anywhere else!

Jason has always placed Thunderhill Motorsports Park in one of his top 10 racetracks in the world. Now that it is repaved, it should be that much better. STAR is at T-Hill on October 13th, 14th, and 15th. The 15th is our often emulated but never duplicated Pro School: only 20 students, video analysis, advanced on-track drills, 1-on-1 until your legs ache - Pridmore, Stanton, Trevitt, and more. Sounds like the next step in your riding.

Live down south? Our final Streets of Willow of 2008 is on September 29th and 30th.

Maybe we'll go backwards on day 2 at Thunderhill?

STAR Instructors at the Racetrack in 2008

Jason’s been racing everywhere but here, with Germany and France a few of the recent countries. In World Endurance he and his teammate Warwick Nowland were 6th at Oschersleben in Germany, and Pridmore was in the top 5 in practice for the Bol d’Or 24 hours at Magny Cours before some issues in qualifying (and the race) moved them back.

Instructor Dave Stanton is on his way to another AFM #1 plate after winning Formula Pacific at the new Thunderhill. Dave has a 21 point lead in the club championship with two rounds remaining.

Jimmy Wood continues to get some in his trusty van, finishing 11th in the Springfield Short Track over Labor Day weekend.

Jason gets in the groove for another hour-long stint in Germany

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR CLUB Member. This month STAR profiles student and STAR Club Member Dave Johnson.

STAR Club Member Dave Johnson

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

We could use a little Pony Magic about now.

Pridmore 3rd in Bol d'Or Free Practice

2008-09-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Jason Pridmore was 3rd fastest in Free Practice today for the Bol d'Or 24 Hour at Magny Cours. Qualifying to come.

Jason 3rd after 4 hours in Oschersleben 8H

2008-08-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

Pridmore qualifies on 2nd row in Germany

2008-08-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

August 2008 Newsletter

2008-08-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

STAR Headed Home

STAR is headed home to finish out the season on the West Coast. We’re at the improved Pueblo Motorsports Park in Colorado on September 8th and 9th. We’re off to the Streets of Willow on the 29th and 30th. And finally, we will finish out our season at the newly-paved Thunderhill Motorsports Park on October 13-15th, ending our season on the 15th with the popular Pro School.

STAR Instructors at the Racetrack in 2008

Jason has been traveling the world racing, coming to grips with his Alto Evolution motorcycle after finally having the opportunity to test. Now he just has to continue to learn new racetracks in one hour before the first WSBK qualifying session! Two weeks ago he was at Suzuka for the Eight Hours of Suzuka, where he finished 17th. From Japan, he went straight to England for the World Superbike races at Brands Hatch. This weekend finds him in Germany for the Endurance World Championship 8-Hour At Oschersleben.

Jason gives it the berries at Brands Hatch

Instructors were tearing up the club races as well. Dave Stanton won the AFM Formula Pacific race at the Thunderhill. Jimmy Wood made his first trip to Thunderhill, where he had podium finishes in 600 and 750cc class racing. Jimmy has been on quite a roll, winning in consecutive weekends at Miller Motorsports Park (where he set the lap record for 600cc machines on the East Course), Ventura Speedway, and California Speedway. What we want to know - is it true that the Ventura flat track win came in front of John Kocinski AND Cher?

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR CLUB Member. This month STAR profiles student and STAR Club Member JP O'Keefe.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Eslick Serves it Up at Hallett!

2008-06-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Take a seat, and then watch Danny Eslick lap Hallett on Jason's stock GSX-R1000 camera bike!

June 2008 Newsletter

2008-06-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

Out of the Clubhouse and into the fire - Jason to World Superbike!I just wanted to drop a line and thank those of you that have written to support me in WSBK. It's a dream come true for me, as I love Europe and always wanted to ride WSBK. I had a good Miller weekend even though the results may not show it. I had never ridden a Honda, or any tire besides a Dunlop, or Showa suspension before. You can imagine how I felt going into first practice Friday morning! I had a track advantage for 15 minutes but those guys get up to speed quick as you know, and Miller is an easy learn.I ended up 1.3 off of provisional pole after Saturday and just .191 out of Superpole - Haga was 16th! I didn't think that was bad after just 2.5 hours on the bike. We were quite a bit down on speed but that should be better in Germany next weekend.

The Alto Evolution Honda is very sensitive to changes, and the first race we basically tried something that didn't work - chatter chatter chatter.The second race was much better, considering I got hit in turn 1 and was dead last. I fought through from miles back and finally caught Rolfo and Gimbert on the last lap, but I made a small mistake and that was it -18th. I was six seconds out of 15th at the end, so I am hoping to start scoring some World Championship points soon. The team is great - it should be interesting how the rest of the year goes.

I am still riding for MACO Moto in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The decision to ride for them was the correct one and we are only going to get better as the year goes. Warwick and I get on great and the team chemistry is amazing. I wouldn't have done WSBK unless Alto Evolution let me ride WEC, they were very understanding. Suzuka should be good and I know Denisa and Maco are working hard.

Maco Moto was 6th in the WEC 6 Hours of Alabacete - JP rode 4 of the 6 hours

Our schools are going awesome - I'll only miss one of them with my new schedule - Loudon in August. But I know that Mark and Lick will run a great school there.

STAR just returned from our first school at one of my new favorite tracks - Motorsports Park Hastings. What a place! George has done an incredible job building his Field of Dreams in the middle of fifteen-story grain elevators in Nebraska. Safe, interesting layout, the BEST pavement in the US bar-none. And completed condos on the track (not just drawings). Thanks for George from MPH and Dean Rumfola from TrackAddix for having us out. We'll definitely be back.

Cheers,

JP

Upcoming Schools

STAR is headed to points East. We'll be returning to the Alan Wilson-designed Gingerman Raceway in Michgan on July 14th and 15th. We're making our annual trip to Richie Alexander-ville, New Hampshire International Speedway August 4th and 5th. Live in the Southeast? Visit STAR August 25th and 26th at JenningsGP.

Oh, and Danny Eslick came out to his home track of Hallett for the STAR School and took a few laps on Jason's camera bike. Are you sitting down?

Eslick Serves it Up!

STAR Instructors at the racetrack in 2008

Instructors James Lickwar and Richie Alexander have been busy following the AMA circus in their positions as Crew Chiefs for Team Roadracingworld.com and Jordan Motorsports, respectively. Lick's rider Robertino Pietri finally had his expected breakthrough, qualifying on the front row at California Speedway in Superstock and leading the most laps before slipping back to 4th. Pietri flew straight to the Miller STAR school where he spent two days riding an SV650 and working with Gallardo on body position. Seemed to work, as he had another front row qualifying position at Infineon and Road America. He made use of that qualifying at Road America, finishing in 3rd place.

For our Norcal students - what's it take to qualify on the front row in an AMA National at Infineon? Pietri went 1:37.3, and that was only good enough for 4th!

Tino and Lick wait patiently for Gallardo to tell them the Secret at Miller

Instructor Dave Stanton finished 2nd in Formula Pacific race at the May AFM event in his defense of the AFM overall #1 plate. Craig Mclean was 3rd in Open Twins at the same event.

Jimmy Wood made his return to the Nationals, finishing 3rd in the 600 Superstock race at Miller Motorsports Park during the WERA weekend. Rumor has it Jimmy has caved to peer pressure and will be making his debut at Willow Springs this month. Get some J Wood!

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR CLUB Member. This month STAR profiles student and STAR Club Member Michael Jabara.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Get well soon Lee. We're thinking about you.

Pridmore to World Superbike Championship!

2008-06-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

TOOELE – UTAH – Alto Evolution Honda Superbike would like to communicate to the world motorcycle media that from the USA Round up to the end of the season a new rider will take part of the Superbike World Championship together with Shuhei Aoyama.

This decision was taken after the five first rounds of the Championship because the Team needed a more experienced rider in order to help Aoyama in his process of adapting his riding style to Superbike. Unfortunately, Luca Morelli was too young to make this role, apart from his riding skills and fast style, and this was the main reason that made both him and Alto Evolution agreed on breaking their racing agreement.

This choice points to the place where the World Superbike is racing this week, and more specifically to the AMA and one of its most important riders, the Californian Jason Pridmore.

The idea of bringing Pridmore to Team Alto Evolution happened during the Monza Round of the World Superbike Championship, when his manager, Michael Murphy, was introduced to the Team Manager, the Eng. Marco Nicotari. It was around 15 days from that informal meeting up to the formal agreement, and the entire Team is really excited about having a rider as talented as Pridmore to help in the development of the new CBR-1000RR.

Pridmore has been riding at Miller Motorsports Park since 2006, when he took part in both AMA Superbike and Superstock races and during the past three years he has been coming here with his riding school, the STAR Motorcycle School. He became an AMA rider in 1992; in 1998 he took part in the American round of the World Supersport Championship in Laguna Seca and finished in 3rd place. In addition, in 2002 he won the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship and in 2003 the World Endurance Championship.

Confirming the rumours that came about in the paddock yesterday afternoon, Pridmore had been to the Alto Evolution garage and met the Team. Everybody was excited about his presence, and his technicians, crew chief and the Team Manager could answer some questions about the bike and we could learn from him a bit about the circuit and his expectations: “Being in the World Superbike is like a dream come true; I am feeling remotivated and excited to be here.”

After his visit in our garage, the Eng. Marco Nicotari has declared that “We are very happy about having Jason with us and I am sure that he can help us to reach the goals we set for this season.”

The Team has been working hard since the Monza round in order to solve all technical issues with the electronics and get the bikes ready for these races in the USA. Miller Motortsports Park is a beautiful place and having the AMA championship and World Superbike together has certainly brought more emotion and colour to the weekend. We all hope for extremely fast and competitive sunny days among the Utah mountains.

Pridmore 6th in World Endurance at Albacete, Spain

2008-05-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Jason and teammate Warwick Nowland finished 6th in the FIM World Endurance Championship "6 Horas Nocturnas of Albacete" in Albacete, Spain.

Pridmore on Provisional Pole in Spain

2008-05-09T05:16:00.000-07:00

Jason and teammate Warwick Nowland qualified on provisional pole for the FIM World Endurance Championship "6 Horas Nocturnas of Albacete".

Follow qualifying and race live, log on www.circuitoalbacete.es/crono/live.html

April 2008 Newsletter

2008-04-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

Vacation is Definitely Over

If you weren't at Thunderhill with STAR, you missed out on 3 great days of riding and instruction, including another sold-out Pro School.

Elena Myers continues her rapid ascension at the Thunderhill Pro School

STAR is at the Streets on April 14th and 15th. After the Streets, Jason and Instructor Dave Stanton head straight to Le Mans for the FIM World Endurance Championship 24 Hours of Le Mans with their new team, Maco Moto Racing. Instructors Richie Alexander, James Lickwar, and Hawk Mazzotta are off to round two of the AMA Superbike Series at Barber Motorsports Park. The AMA goes straight to California Speedway from Barber. Will Jason make his AMA return there? From California Speedway STAR is at Miller Motorsports Park on April 28th and 29th. We still have space for Miller. Come out and ride!

Take a lap of Miller with Jason on the World Superbike Layout

STAR Instructors at the racetrack in 2008 - Buttonwillow and a Warehouse?

Besides the AMA and World Championship racing mentioned above, there has been some quality club and cage match racing happening. Jason made his return to racing by dominating the AFM Formula Pacific opener at Buttonwillow Raceway. Riding a 2008 STAR Motorcycle School Suzuki GSX-R1000, JP waxed 'em. You can read the race report by City Bike's Mike Solis here.

Instructor Jimmy Wood brought home the cash in a more interesting event. He won the Dash for Cash and the Main at the San Jose Indoor Short Track. Hard to explain, it's essentially a UFC fighting cage match that they race full size flat track machines on. It's gritty, it's roots, and the money is always good for the "Paper Boy".

J Wood wonders whether the purse will cover a tetanus shot

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR CLUB Member.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Pridmore Wins AFM Formula Pacific in World Endurance Tuneup

2008-03-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

In the first round of the 2008 AFM championship at Buttonwillow Raceway, Star Motorcycle School owner Jason Pridmore emerged from retirement on a Dunlop-shod Jordan Motorsports Suzuki to take the win in the Kal-Guard Formula Pacific race. Despite a talented field that included top AMA Supersport privateer David Anthony, former WMRRA number one Mike Sullivan and ex-World Superbike rider Leonardo Bagnis, the AFM's top regulars still managed to claim the remaining two podium positions, with James Randolph finishing second, and Cory Call third.

"The day was great, with the exception of a little screw up we had this morning," said Pridmore, a two-time AMA national champion. "In the Production race, my bike overheated on the grid and we had water dripping into the bellypan. When I got into Turn 2, I just fell over - I had to redeem myself in Formula Pacific! Racing with the AFM has been super and everyone has really welcomed me here. I just wanted to come here, test a little for the World Endurance Race at Le Mans, and have a fun day - it just so turned out that the fun was at the front!"

The next round of the 2008 AFM Championship is scheduled to take place at Infineon Raceway on April 26th and 27th at Infineon Raceway.

Mike "MrCrash" Solis
CityBike Magazine
http://www.mrcrash.com
http://www.unofficial-afm.com

March 2008 Newsletter

2008-03-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

School is in Session

STAR just completed a sold-out Spring Mountain Motorsports Park School in Pahrump, and our first of several 2008 Streets of Willows schools. We escaped from Pahrump without getting snowed on, the students all huddling together in the classroom Quonset hut to stay warm between sessions. That's one way to force them into the classroom.

Jason works with STAR Student and SR-71 Pilot Steve Ishmael at the Streets

The Streets of Willow school was great, with 2008 Daytona 200 winner (on the racetrack) and friend of STAR Josh Hayes showing up straight from Daytona to do some riding and answer questions in the classroom. Does that guy love motorcycles or what?

We have a Thunderhill school coming up on April 1-2, with our benchmark Pro School on April 3rd. April 14-15 has us back at the Streets before heading to Miller Motorsports Park on April 28-29. Miller is the site of the June World Superbike races, in case you've forgotten. Event signup is here.

STAR Instructors at the racetrack in 2008 - Daytona and Le Mans!

Instructor Richie Alexander and his Jordan Suzuki squad had an excellent Daytona, with his riders Aaron Yates and Geoff May finishing 1st and 3rd in Superstock. Instructor James Lickwar didn't fare as well; his rider Robertino Pietri broke his wrist in the Moto-ST race the weekend before the AMA event. Another crash during Superbike practice resulted in a suspected broken foot one hour before Superstock qualifying. Ah...Daytona. Pietri soldiered on to an 8th place finish. Alexander and Lickwar are headed to the Barber AMA tests March 17-18.

Jason and Instructor Dave Stanton are headed to Le Mans on March 26 and 27 for their first official test with Phase One prior to the start of the 2008 World Endurance Championship.

Spy photo of Stanton testing the outrageous 2008 Suzuki B-King at Pahrump

Fritz Kling Needs Your Help

Jason's first teammate Fritz Kling has been diagnosed with inoperable terminal brain cancer. There is no other way to say this - his family needs your help. Fritz is considered to be one of the good guys in racing. Besides racing with Jason, Fritz was a hard competitor to STAR instructor Dave Stanton. There is a fundraiser for Fritz, please do what you can.

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR CLUB Member.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

Melissa Paris shakes off the Winter cobwebs at the Streets

January 2008 Newsletter

2008-01-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

Jason Checks In

Wow! 2008 is here already, and we are gearing up for a great year at STAR. Our new Suzuki motorcycles are scheduled to arrive at the shop any day. In addition to our normal racetracks, we have one new venue on the 2008 Schedule - Hastings in Nebraska, and we are returning to VIR for the first time since 2001.

2007 was an interesting year for our school and for me personally. The schools went very well. We had a huge increase in new students and saw a lot of old friends. We did our first Military-only school at the Streets of Willow, and are looking forward to more days with the individuals who serve our country. We also saw a big increase is racers coming through – both club and National caliber. The guys had better watch out - the numbers of female racers is higher then I have ever seen. Elena Myers, Melissa Paris, and Amber Rhimes all came to STAR for instruction in 2007. Women are getting more serious than ever about our sport, and it’s starting to show on grids across America and in the respect they receive.

At JenningsGP in Florida we had our youngest student ever. Kids are now getting a jump start on American roadracing. They are the future of our sport; we saw plenty of them in 2007 and will see more this season.

For me, I missed racing. After doing it for so long, something was missing and it made last year a bit difficult. You might not know that I raced the Toyota 200 at Willow Springs in October. It seemed like it could be fun. Trusty Sportrider editor and STAR instructor Andrew Trevitt was my crew chief, and the guys at Jordan Suzuki put my Superbike back together for that race. And it was fun, right up to the point we had a…technical problem. It was great fun racing with Jeremy Toye who went on to win, but frustrating that we couldn't battle with him to the end. Maybe we’ll do it again in 2008?

4th place at Suzuka in 2003 - will 2008 be Jason's year?

In fact, I missed racing so much that I just did a deal to race the World Endurance Championship in 2008. I will be going back to race for the Phase One team that I won the World Championship with in 2003, and I will be taking STAR instructor Dave Stanton with me as a teammate. My respect level for Dave is very high, and I know that he will fit in very well with the program. Our first race will be at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in April.

I want to wish everyone a happy New Year, and let you know that STAR is looking forward to seeing you in 2008. Whether its street riding or racing that you do, there is a place for you at STAR. Take care and ride safe.

Cheers,

Jason

A Student Contemplates Lessons Learned

Student (and friend of STAR) Sam Cece is the Chairman and CEO at Strongmail Systems. He blogged about what he learned from STAR, and how it relates to business. We don't see Sam enough - he works too much!

STAR Instructors at the racetrack in 2008

Instructor James Lickwar had his rider Robertino Pietri rollin' at the annual Daytona tire tests in December. Pietri ended up with the fastest Superstock time. Instructor Richie Alexander was at the Dunlop test with the Jordan Suzuki crew, working with Aaron Yates and the newly-signed Geoff May.

Jimmy Wood spent the winter taking everyone's lunch money in Southern California flat track races. And Angie Loy picked up where Buzz left off - supermoto. She's recovering from a trip to see Dr Ting for a broken collarbone. Get well soon Angie!

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR CLUB Member.

Group and Individual Disounts Available

Checked out the SuperSTAR Discounts? You should, It's free money.

That's all for now. Ride Safe,

STAR

STAR School 2008 Calendar

2007-11-16T18:04:00.001-08:00

The 2008 STAR School Schedule is online. VIR baby!

November 2007 Newsletter

2007-11-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

2007 es finito

We just wrapped up another sold out Pahrump school to finish our 2007 schedule. More perfect weather, more great students, and Demo excitement!

Roger that!

Our Military Appreciation day on Halloween was even better. We've never had a group of students who received direction without question. You need to slow down. "Roger that". You need to stop using all the racetrack at your speed. "Roger that". By the end of the day, they all (mostly) on point.

Our military day was one to remember

2008 Schedule

Our 2008 Schedule is completed. More dates, and more great tracks, like VIR!

STAR Instructors win Club and Class Championships

At the final AFM round of the 2007 AFM Championship at Buttonwillow Raceway, Dave Stanton wrapped up the AFM Championship (and #1 plate for 2008) and Craig Mclean won the Open Twins Championship. Both riders plan on defending their Championships next season.

Stein and Craig are the Champions

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR Club Member.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,

STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

The calm before the storm Part II

October 2007 Newsletter

2007-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Thunderhill was perfect

If you weren't at Thunderhill, you missed it. Beautiful fall weather, awesome students. And backwards!

Our last school of 2007 at Spring Mountain/Pahrump is sold out for day 1, but we still have a couple of spots open for repeat students on Day 2. That school has always sold out. You'd better act fast.

STAR Instructors rule the racetrack

Instructor Dave Stanton took another step toward recapturing his AFM #1 plate after winning the AFM Formula Pacific class during round 7 at Infineon Raceway. Instructor Craig Mclean was runner-up in the Open Twins class, and is in the catbird seat for the class Championship (and the manufacturers bonus) going in the last round at Buttonwillow.

Dave wins his 512th AFM race

Jimmy Wood returned to his roots - Southern California Flat Track. He won the Pro class, and the cash at Perris Raceway.

STAR Donates Trackday to Marine Corp Soldiers

Early this year Jason received a request from the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to speak with his soldiers who are motorcyclists. The CO was trying to educate them - there has been an increase in Active Duty motorcycle fatalities in the last few years (as of September 27 18 Marines have died in motorcycle accidents).

In April he drove down to Miramar and gave a talk to a room filled with four-hundred soldiers, followed by a Q&A session. The base offers a Basic Riders Course, but these men and women were looking for more.

Based on the feedback we received that day, STAR and Willow Springs are hosting a track day on October 31st at the Streets of Willow. The event is free to Active Duty Service Members. It is in appreciation for serving their country and in concern for their safety as motorcyclists. We're looking forward to it!

2008 Dates on the Way!

How does VIR sound? We thought so. Jason is working on the 2008 schedule right now - they will be up on our site soon.

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR Club Member.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,

STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

The calm before the storm

September 2007 Newsletter

2007-09-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

Going to California with an aching in my heart

STAR has just completed an excellent sold-out school at New Hampshire International Speedway, and our first school at a new (for us) venue - Jennings GP. The consensus was that Jennings is one of the best racetracks in the US - it is that good. Special thanks to the JenningsGP crew for making us feel at home. We'll definitely see you in 2008.

After Jennings, our truck headed west and won't stop until Reno-Fernley Raceway on September 10/11. After Reno we're at the Streets of Willow for another sold-out school on September 20/21 and one of our favorites - Thunderhill Motorsports Park October 9/10. Thunderhill will sellout. If you are thinking about it, don't wait too long.

STAR Instructors rule the racetrack (and the flat track)

Jimmy Wood made his return from an injury at the Springfield AMA Short Track on Memorial Day weekend. He was the fast qualifier (out of 90!) at Springfield, and was in the fight for a podium before eventually finishing 6th. Utilizing the asphalt side of his brain at the Talladega WERA National, J Wood won the 750 Superbike race and the 600 class (finishing 3rd overall) in the 4 hour endurance race. Get some Jimmy!

Jimmy and Springfield are pretty much Best Friends Forever

Richie Alexander and his Jordan Motorsports crew had an excellent weekend at VIR, with podiums in both the AMA Superbike and Superstock classes. At Atlanta, Lick had his riders Robertino Pietri and Gary Mason headed for 7th and 8th in the Superstock race until the AMA displayed an red-flag only for his riders (plus 2 others)! Let the conspiracy theories commence!

On the west coast, Dave Stanton was back on top of the AFM Formula Pacific class at his old friend Infineon Raceway. Craig Mclean finished 3rd in Open Twins that same weekend. And at WERA regional race at Buttonwillow, Angie Loy rocked a 3rd place in 750 Superbike.

Angie rules Buttonwillow

STAR Club

Want to get more involved in STAR? Become a STAR Club Member.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,

STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

July 2007 Newsletter

2007-07-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Jason checks in

Our schools in 2007 have been amazing, and I am 100% committed to making the schools even better. We have had unreal students this season, and with the addition of our new instructors our instruction is second to none. I have enjoyed working with new racers at all levels this year, and watching their results get better and better. Along with the racers, our Street groups have been awesome also. We’ve had a lot of fresh faces, (hopefully!) soon-to-be future repeat students. The letters we get from satisfied customers has really made it easier for me to make the obviously difficult adjustment from racing. Thanks for those.

In the last nine years we’ve had many requests from students asking how they can get more involved with STAR. Mark and I are always brainstorming how to interact more with our students, and he had a great idea for the STAR CLUB. I think we have come up with something unique, fun, and a great value.

We have two levels of Membership - both offer ways to save at the schools, and some great perks along the way. Added savings with schools and sponsors will be passed your way. Demo rides at lunch along with video and photos. My favorite will be the STAR CLUB day at the end of 2008 with only STAR CLUB members and instructors, compliments on STAR. Beyond all that, members will have their name or company name displayed on our new 53" Featherlite trailer. Take a look and see if the Club membership fits your needs. And let’s go do some riding.

Until then ride safe,

Jason

STAR Featured in August Motorcyclist Magazine

Motorcyclist features STAR in their August 2007 issue. You can check out the full article here.

STAR Instructors rule the racetrack

Jason made his return to competition at the end of June. Those of you who are thinking "I knew it all along" should hold your horses. Fresh off our mention of his Pomona half-mile exploits back in the 90s, JP accepted a challenge from STAR Instructor and Factory Suzuki flat tracker Jimmy Wood and gridded up on a Jim Wood Sr.-prepared Suzuki RMZ-450 at the Ventura Speedway round of the Eddie Mulder West Coast Vintage Series. And he won the Vet "B" Main!

The local paper was there.

Pridmore does it in the dirt

STAR Instructor Andrew Trevitt had one of those dream journalist-only weekends at the WERA National at Miller Motorsports Park, teaming up with Motorcycle Hall of Fame Members Scott Russell and Jimmy Filice to finish 3rd in class and 6th overall in the 6 Hour Endurance race.

Angie Loy and Hawk Mazzota rode together as "Osage Nation" (where's the STAR love?) in the 6 Hour and finished 3rd in the Heavyweight Superstock class. Angie raced in her first National sprint races at Miller, and had an outstanding debut - finishing 10th in 750 Superbike and 17th in 750 Superstock. She backed it up the following weekend in a WERA Regional race at Las Vegas, with a 2nd in B Superbike, 3rd in Heavyweight Solo, and a 5th in B Superstock. The STAR of that weekend was Instructor Corey Neuer. Corey won both B Superstock and B Superbike on his E-Money tuned GSX-R750. And congrats to STAR Student Amber Rimes for her two podiums that weekend!

AMA Roadrace manager Morgan Broadhead interviews Hawk while Angie holds the long-lost Maltese Falcon

In AFM racing, Instructor Dave Stanton was again the King of Infineon, winning the premier Formula Pacific race. Craig Mclean was 3rd in Open Twins. Who has those podium pics? And are they as good as this one?

STAR Instructors do clipboard battle

At the Miller AMA National, Team Managers Richie Alexander (Jordan Motorsports) and James Lickwar (RoadracingWorld.com) spent the Superstock race on the pit wall poking each other with their pens - Richie's rider AaronYates finished 3rd in Superstock, after catching and passing Lick's rider Robertino Pietri who finished 4th.They were just picking up where they left off the race weekend before - at Road America Yates teammate (and STAR Student) Jake Holden finished 6th, Pietri finished a close 7th, and Yates was 8th.

Upcoming Schools

STAR is making our annual trip to New Hampshire International Speedway on August 13/14. Guaranteed to sell out, it may have by the time you click Sign Up.

Then we're making our first trip to the Southeast in several years, heading to JenningsGP in north Florida before pointing the truck due west for our fall California and Nevada schools.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,
STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

Instructor Steve Mikolas just returned from Mugello. See you at Laguna!

Onboard with Jimmy Wood at Heartland Park Topeka

2007-06-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Jason Pridmore Back on Top - at Ventura Speedway!?!

2007-06-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Jason was back on top of the box on Saturday night in his hometown of Ventura. This time the environment was a little bit different. Responding to a challenge from STAR Instructor and Factory Suzuki flat tracker Jimmy Wood, Jason gridded up on a Jim Wood Sr.-prepared Suzuki RMZ-450 at the Ventura Speedway round of the Eddie Mulder West Coast Vintage Series. And he won the Vet "B" Main!

The local paper was there.

June 2007 Newsletter

2007-06-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

Summertime, and the livin' is easy

We just finished up our Heartland 2007 Tour - rocking our way through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

Topeka was the revelation of the trip. What a racetrack! With just a few changes, that venue could easily hold an AMA National. Jason took the instructors on a field trip to see his old friends at Topeka Harley-Davidson. We weren't able to get a picture of the 883 that Jason raced at the Pomona Half-Mile. We were, however, able to snap a top-secret spy photo of JP and Syfan getting in some early testing for the 2009 AMA Gentlemen's Extreme Cruiser Championship:

Although it rained both days, Hallett was a great school as always. Danny Eslick came out to instruct and work with Jason for two days at Hallett, prior to the Road America AMA National. And longtime STAR student Hawk Mazzotta was at Autobahn working on a few things after his best AMA Supersport finish of 15th at Elkhart.

This puts us on our traditional Summer break for the month of July. We'd better enjoy it while we can, as Jason claims it won't happen in 2008.

Our truck is on its way to New Hampshire (courtesy of driver/jack-of-all-trades Steve Haroldson) for our NHIS dates on August 13th and 14th. Loudon always sells out. If you're considering it, you'd better act fast.

Headed to Motogp at Laguna Seca?

Greg White and 2 Wheel Tuesday did a featured track walk with Jason prior to the first Motogp event at Laguna Seca in 2005. JP does a more detailed version of this track walk on the second morning of every school. If you're a rider of Laguna, or just an armchair racing fan, this seven minute feature will definitely enlighten you. Thanks to Greg for the video.

Speaking of Greg, he is recovering from injuries received at the WERA Miller races. Heal up dude!

STAR Instructors in the dirt (and mud)!

STAR instructor Jimmy Wood finished 11th at the Springfield TT. Sure, you may have finished 11th in a race. But were there 87 people trying to get into the main? And were they running into each other for 25 laps?

Jimmy ( in Suzuki yellow) tries to stay out of the schoolyard brawl

JP back in the AMA paddock

Jason was at Road America, working as a rider coach with the Jordan Motorsports team. Schedule permitting, he would be interested in doing it more. Think you, your team, or your riding group could benefit from having JP in your corner? Send him an email for more information.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,
STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

May 2007 Newsletter

2007-05-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

If you're old enough to remember the Diana Ross song "Love Hangover" you will understand how STAR feels after spending two beautiful days at Miller Motorsports Park. If there's a cure for this, we don't want it...

Our truck is loaded and enroute to Pueblo Motorsports Park in Colorado on May 10-11. Then we are taking a good old-fashioned STAR road trip across the Great Plains to Heartland Park in Topeka. Freshly paved with plenty of elevation - it looks like a favorite.

After Topeka, we enter Eslick territory - Hallet Raceway in Oklahoma on May 28-29. Autobahn on June 7-8 wraps up our Midwest schools before our annual summer break.

STAR Instructors pile up the race wins!

STAR instructor Dave Stanton was the King at round two of the AFM Championship at Infineon Raceway, winning the premier class Formula Pacific race. And longtime student /pro dirt tracker turned instructor / roadracer Jimmy Wood won his first National roadrace, winning the WERA 750SB Class on his Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R600. Go J Wood!

Congratulations to instructor and Jordan Motorsports Team Coordinator Richie Alexander and the rest of the Jordan squad on winning their first AMA race at Barber Motorsports Park., where new recruit Aaron Yates won the Superstock race. Teammate Jake Holden finished a close 2nd.

Speaking of Jake - think you're too cool for school? He came to our two day Road America school in 2006, on a street bike, and sat through all the classroom sessions (even Licks!) in addition to riding. Why? "I've got a few things I'm working on, like my body position under braking".

New Instructor @ STAR

Sometimes you staff up to meet demand. Other times you just can't pass up the opportunity to have someone like Angie Loy involved. Angie showed up as a student at our Buttonwillow school this season, and we were blown away. She is the perfect addition: patient and fast, articulate and analytical, and (so far) puts up with all of us. We don't know what she did before she became obsessed with motorcycles - we are just happy she is.

In addition to instructing with STAR and helping the annual Femmoto event, Angie club races with WERA and CCS and rides Supermoto. Most of her seat-time comes from her "day job" as a moto-journalist with Motorcyclist.

I Angie "gettin' herself some" in Jimmy Wood-speak

We've entered the Age

Our Blog is almost worth reading.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,
STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

Laguna Seca Trackwalk with Jason from 2 Wheel Tuesday

2007-04-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

Heading to Laguna Seca for the Motogp races? Check out this trackwalk with Jason that aired on Two Wheel Tuesday prior to the first event in 2006. Jason takes his students for a trackwalk on the second day of each school.

April 2007 Newsletter

2007-04-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

STAR is just back from a sold-out Streets of Willow school, snow and all!

We have three sold-out days at Thunderhill this week, with our first Pro School of the season. Missed the Pro School this time around? You can pre-enter for the fall Pro School here.

We make our first trip to Buttonwillow since 2001 on April 16/17. Then we start heading east - first stop: Miller Motorsports Park! Over 9,000 people have watched Jason's lap around Miller from 2006. Have you?

Jason wins California Mid-Am!

STAR featured at onthethrottle.tv

In 2006 STAR Student David Williams asked us if he could come out to our Miller Motorsports school and shoot some video of our program. He didn't just promise - he delivered. Check out this short 10 minute feature on STAR.

New Instructor @ STAR

We'd like to give a warm STAR welcome (read:hazing) to our newest instructor David Stanton. Dave lives in Northern California, where he honed his skills at Sears Point Raceway before loading up the boxtruck and putting in seat time WERA racing. He was a Suzuki-supported rider for over a decade, first with Team Valvoline Suzuki, then Arclight Suzuki. A Suzuki poster boy, WERA Endurance and Suzuki Cup Champion, and three-time AFM #1 - Stanton is an AFM New Riders School instructor and Board member. This motorcycle thing is no phase with him. Welcome aboard, Stein. Now get to work!

Stanton has been to every school in 2007 - they all start off that way

Rapper wins Daytona 200!

Speaking of Stanton, congratulations to Steve Rapp for winning the Daytona 200. Steve stopped by the Streets to share his perspective on winning the 200, on how he used to ride his RZ350 to Infineon to watch Dave race, and some other stories that aren't even legal on myspace.

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

RIDE SAFE,
STAR

STAR featured at onthethrottle.tv

2007-03-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

STAR featured at onthethrottle.tv

February 2007 Newsletter

2007-02-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

Our first Pahrump school may be sold out by the time you read this. If you are thinking of starting your riding season with STAR - better get on the throttle!

Suzuki Demos @ STAR!

You heard it right. We will have 2007 GSX-R600s, GSX-R750s, and a Boulevard M109R on the truck for students to sample on the racetrack. No more tire-kicking, now you can ride it!

And Mizdal - the Boulevard is off-limits.

J ason goes virtual, via AskJason

Ever notice how much information about riding/racing/wrenching is online? And how most of it comes from someone named krazeefastGixxerdude?

Starting next month, our newsletter will contain a list of questions submitted via askjason@starmotorcycle.com. Jason has 21 AMA National wins to his credit, and he is willing to sign his real name to the reply, even it is is retiredJPnowGolfing&texting.

A Student ponders whether "librarian" and "racetrack" can be used in the same sentence?

We had a great student at Autobahn in 2006 with an interesting perspective on riding motorcycles, and learning. You can read Mary Stabe's story here. We hope to see you again this season, Mary!

STAR Instructors on the road (and in the dirt)

STAR Instructor Richie Alexander is at the AMA test at California Speedway this week in his role as Team Manager for Michael Jordan Motorsports. Lick heads to Florida next week with Roadracing World Suzuki for their first test of 2007 at JenningsGP. We heard on the grapevine that Corey Neuer and Trevitt were at California Speedway recently. Another Sport Rider Project in the works?

Pridmore sure seems to be training for something. My

Group and Individual Discounts via SuperSTAR

Checked out our SuperSTAR discounts? You should. It's free money.

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,
STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

RoadRacerX Tuesday Conversation: Jason Pridmore

2007-01-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

Check out Laurel Allen's Tuesday Conversation with JP in RoadRacerX.

Student's Perspective: Can "Librarian" and "Racetrack" be used in the same sentence?

2007-01-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

We had a great student at Autobahn in 2006 with an interesting perspective on riding motorcycles, and learning. You can read Mary Stabe's story here. We hope to see you again this season, Mary!

January 2007 Newsletter

2007-01-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from STAR

Our 2007 Schedule is complete, and it's bigger than ever with new venues including Buttonwillow, Reno-Fernely, Topeka, and JenningsGP. The Pro School is back, with Jason promising something special. And we have increased our GSX-R600 rental fleet to satisfy demand. More tracks + more bikes = more fun.

Jason speaks at Red Hot Riders Motorcycle Club

Jason made the trip down to San Diego to speak with the Red Hot Riders Club at their monthly meeting. Racing, riding, and Corvettes - all the important topics were discussed. The crazy thing? Pridmore liked it! If you would like Jason to give his unique perspective to your club or riding group, sent us a note. We'll see if we can work it into our schedule.

STAR Instructors on the road (and in the dirt)

STAR Instructors Dean Mizdal and Roger Bell made their now-annual offroad trip to Baja California. It's a story you hear all too often from Baja: Roger hit a washout on a beach and "knocked the wind" out of him. Dean and Roger's brother Myron started Roger's bike for him and gingerly placed him on it. A trip to a Baja pharmacy got him through the night and (some) of the flight home to Kentucky the following day. Diagnosis? Four fractured vertebrae! Best wishes and a speedy recovery, Roger.

"
Deano, the fabulous Bell Brothers, and friends. My

Lick spent the better part of October/November testing and racing in Venezuela, where his rider Robertino Pietri won both the Latin American and Venezuelan Superbike Championships. They have comitted to working together again in the 2007 AMA Superstock Series.

,
"All I'm saying is that I'm not sure whether MySpace is an effective training tool." My

Craig Maclean was at Daytona for the new MotoST Series, riding one of the San Jose BMWs. Unfortunately the motorcycle had a issue that couldn't be fixed before racetime, leaving Craig to spectate at Daytona once again. He is thinking seriously about racing in the 2007 Daytona 200, which should scratch that (unexplainable) Daytona itch.

>"Is dragging the cylinder heads ever a good idea?

Jason comments on racing, retirement, and his plans for STAR

As most of you already know, I did my final race at Mid-Ohio. It was with very mixed feelings surrounding the decision that it would be the final ride. The day was very hectic, with a rider boycott happening and bad weather in the area. I couldn't believe that it looked like my final race might be a race that I never got suited up for. Anyways, as it goes, I had to start from the back and when it was all over we ended up 5th in Superbike, our best result of the year and not a bad way to go out.

Looking back and reflecting, I am very proud of what I accomplished. There were a lot of things that I never got to accomplish that will live with me forever, but the fact that I raced motorcycles and got to do what I wanted for a living is very gratifying for me. The list is very long of the people I have to thank, but just a few should be recognized. My Mom has been there since I went out and did my first bicycle race, and she continues to be a huge part of my life to this day. She went through a lot - being a wife of a racer, and then having a son do the same must have been stressful at times. My father was my biggest influence when I was younger. Wanting to be like him and do what my father did was just a dream, and he helped give me the skills to follow in his footsteps. The countless hours of track time at CLASS gave me a solid foundation and tons of great memories. Susie is maybe the biggest supporter I ever had. We were beyond dead broke when things started, and she made my career what it was. She was there for the victories and the Championships, but more importantly when thing went a bit wrong and I needed some at home nursing, she was there too. Truly the good and the bad. Mark Gallardo, more than a business partner. MG went to almost every race (and sacrificed quite a few USC Trojan games to do it). All my friends, students and sponsors throughout the years who have done so much for me, thank you doesn't seem enough.

So what does this mean for STAR? For starters, more schools at new venues for more students. What we have going for 2007 will only continue to get better in the future. We have four new tracks on the schedule already: Topeka in Kansas, JenningsGP in North Florida, Buttonwillow in California, and Fernley in Reno. There also may be a couple more added. Our Pro Schools are back - we have some new and innovative things, and you just never know who may show up to ride and to share their perspective on riding a motorcycle. We are currently working out some details on a two-day school at a location that we are all familiar with. That will have some pretty nice perks along with the excellent riding and instruction, so stay tuned for that. And Buzz and JT, I haven't forgotten about doing some schools overseas either. I know that quite a few of our students have also asked about when we may do that, and it’s in the works.

I’m going to have more time, so I may as well spend it with people who enjoy the same things I do, Motorcycles! I am looking forward to what the next stage of my life has to offer, and I hope that you will come out and share a day or two with us at STAR.

See you at the track.

JP

That's all for now. RIDE SAFE,
STAR

We are working hard to make STAR better, and we're always open to suggestions.

Motorcyclist: 20 Pro Motorcycle Roadracing Riding Tips

2006-10-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Jason was featured in Motorcyclist's 20 Pro Motorcycle Roadracing Riding Tips. Who's teaching you?

Student's Perspective: RoadBike Magazine goes to STAR

2006-04-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

A Student's Perspective: RoadBike Magazine goes to STAR.