Honda’s Ron Haslam School moves to Silverstone

Honda’s acclaimed Ron Haslam Race School has moved venue for 2010 to the ‘Home of British Motorsport’ at Silverstone, which now hosts the world’s and Britain’s top-class two-wheel championships with MotoGP and both the British and World Superbike championships.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Ron Haslam School carried out its first riding day on the central England circuit at the end of last month to familiarise and train its fifty experienced instructors on Silverstone’s new 2.1 mile International Circuit. 70 of Honda’s and the Haslam’s most loyal customers then took to the track in the afternoon to try it out and provide valuable customer feedback ahead of the inaugural public day next Wednesday, 28 April.

Whilst believing that Silverstone’s circuits and facilities are first-class, Ann Haslam admitted to being ‘slightly nervous’ before the test, but was overwhelmed to receive such positive feedback from the instructors and customers.

Ann commented, “The feedback we received was fantastic. Our clients and instructors loved it. They enjoyed the circuit more than they thought they would and commented that due to the fast but technical nature of the track, there is a great opportunity to learn many new riding skills. The Honda Ron Haslam Race School is proud to be at Silverstone with its top-class track and off-track facilities.”

“Silverstone provides a new challenge and we’ve got 16 dates during 2010 for customers to come down and fine-tune their track and general riding skills at the new circuit. Throughout the year we will run courses for riders of all ages and abilities - at a grass roots level we cater for beginners and riders as young as 12 years of age, while our premier course customers and the elites will receive expert guidance aboard the new Honda CBR600RR ABS and the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.”

The move to Silverstone means the legendary ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam returns to the track where he made his Grand Prix debut in 1977 and where he finished third, behind Randy Mamola and Eddie Lawson, in the 1984 British Grand Prix.

The Honda Ron Haslam School offers an introduction to performance bikes with experienced instructors, providing customers with expert tuition on how to improve their skills and understanding of the finer points of riding. A full motorcycle licence is not needed to take part and the three courses offered – On-Track, Premier and Elite – which enable riders from 12 years old to the most advanced, to become safer, more controlled and aware riders, or be introduced to and experience motorcycling with everything provided.

Using Honda CBR125 machines, 12 to 13 year olds can gain an introduction to riding bikes and over 14s can use one of the School’s fleet of excellent CB500s. The Premier and Elite courses offer more advanced sessions with longer track time and tailored tuition, using Honda’s class-leading CBR600RR ABS equipped version (new to the School in 2010) and CBR1000RR Fireblade. Data logging is further available on the Elite course to provide customers with analysis of their performance.

The School’s 16 available days in 2010 are April 28, May 4 / 11 / 25, June 14, July 15 / 21 / 28, August 2 / 10 / 17 / 25, September 8 / 10 and October 13 / 15. A special new venue introductory discount of 15% is being offered for the first two dates on 28 April and 4 May.

Steve Martindale, General Manager of Honda (UK) Motorcycles, commented, “We are delighted the Honda Ron Haslam School has its new home at Silverstone. Ron, Ann and their team have built up one of the most successful track based motorcycle school experiences over the years and the new venue is certain to provide new riding challenges and learning opportunities for their customers. The CBR600RR ABS and CBR1000RR Fireblade machines are renowned for their great performance, but also ease to ride, whatever level of experience a rider has. Places across the School’s 16 days are filling up fast so we’re confident this will be another great year for the Honda Ron Haslam School.”

For further information about the Honda Ron Haslam School, or to book a place on one of the sixteen available days in 2010, visit haslamraceschool.com or call 01332 883 323.

For further information about Honda’s great range of scooters and motorcycles, genuine parts, accessories, latest news and offers, as well as forthcoming events, visit honda.co.uk/motorcycles.