April 2008 Newsletter

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

March 2008 Newsletter

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

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

November 2007 Newsletter

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

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

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

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!

June 2007 Newsletter

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

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.

April 2007 Newsletter

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

February 2007 Newsletter

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.

January 2007 Newsletter

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.