neale_bayly's avatar
Author:
Neale Bayly
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
  • Related Videos
SPEEDtv.com Store
Legendary Race Cars, by Basem Wasef
Through vivid, human detail, writer and photographer Basem Wasef brings to life more than two dozen racing legends.
Our Price: $35.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
BIKES:  Losing Control to Gain Control
Written by: Neale Bayly   
02/28/2009
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Cornerspin has been developed at this beautiful North Carolina facility to teach racers and track day riders to feel what it is like to slide and spin the wheels of a motorcycle on purpose. (Photo: Aaron Stevenson) ยป More Photos

Zen. Now. It! Whatever label you decide to put on the moment, it all suddenly makes sense. I’ve found it. With the front wheel flirting with the edge of traction, while the rear is stepped out sideways and sliding, two days of intense learning, riding, and crashing are paying off. Hitting my mark perfectly, the roar of the lightly muffled single cylinder engine beside me ends any thought of celebration. I’m late getting back on the gas, and the body slam into my right shoulder reminds me to push the bike down with my knee, while twisting the throttle to the stop. This forces the rear tire to lose traction, and the bike slews sideways before settling into a forward drive. Making physical contact with the screaming yellow demon’s rider the whole time, we are locked together as we hit our mark on the edge of the track and hammer into the next braking zone.

Inside my helmet I can see only the marker cone and hear the Suzuki’s exhaust on the overrun. This time both wheels lock as we slide into the braking zone in what appears to be a perfectly choreographed move. Rolling on the throttle earlier, we exit sideways to start another
quick lap as if we are joined at the hip. Sliding, spinning, and bumping as we go, I can’t remember having move fun on a motorcycle in a long, long time.

Arriving at the Cornerspin School, a training facility just outside of Spencer, NC, early the previous morning it had been a completely different story. A self-confessed dirt riding novice, the thought of sliding a motorcycle into and out of corners intentionally didn’t seem like such a good idea. “You are going to crash,” Cornerspin owner and racing Guru Aaron Stevenson cheerfully told us. “Don’t worry about getting on the track right away either. There’s more daylight than you have energy.” Tucked up safely in my lawn chair, there were no arguments from me as I considered my fate.

Visit cornerspeed.net/spin.html for more information on the Cornerspin School
See the Cornerspin Photos

Page 1 of 6
Next Page »
1 2 3 > Last »
View All Comments