-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
BIKES: Schwantz Reduces School For 2013
Motorcycle riding school run by MotoGP great will host only one, maybe two, schools in 2013.
(Photo: Kevin Schwantz School)
Latest motorcycle-industry small business to feel the economic squeeze? The Schwantz School. According to school namesake and principal, 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz, the 12-year-old program has been tightening its belt for some time to no avail. Now, enough is enough.
“We haven’t seen recovery in attendance since the end of 2007,” says Schwantz, 48. “It’s been five years of trying to come up with ideas and do things to attract people to the school.
“With our program, the way we run it and the first-class operation that we produce, it’s hard to trim many corners that would make it easier for the average person to participate. So, we’re going to minimize the school this year.”
Over its decade-plus life, the Schwantz School has called both Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park home, but the only place you’ll find the two-day program in 2013 will be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in conjunction with the August 15-18 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
“We’re going to do one, possibly two schools at Indy,” says Schwantz, “and then work on whatever special requests we may have here in America or in Europe.
“Indy is an easier sell. The attraction is there. ‘Wow, MotoGP is going to be there. I really want to ride the same track as Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies and Valentino Rossi.’ There’s added excitement. You’ve got international people coming to the race, and we can hold schools before and after the event.
“Indy has been a lot of fun for us, and it’s a great environment to work in. Mel Harder and his staff welcome us with open arms. Mel is quite the rider himself, so we like to get him on track whenever we get a chance.”
Schwantz says his enthusiasm for the sport remains as strong as ever. “I still like riding my motorcycle as much as I ever have, and I still like riding fast. I’m going to keep my fleet of bikes, especially my Moriwaki 250s, because I really enjoy riding them.”
Schwantz’s plans to move his school to the new Circuit of The Americas near his home in Austin, Texas, never materialized.
“As much as I like riding my motorcycles around the track, as much as my instructors and I enjoy every opportunity to teach, the school has not made financial sense for a couple of years. It’s just not the time and place for it right now.”
“We haven’t seen recovery in attendance since the end of 2007,” says Schwantz, 48. “It’s been five years of trying to come up with ideas and do things to attract people to the school.
“With our program, the way we run it and the first-class operation that we produce, it’s hard to trim many corners that would make it easier for the average person to participate. So, we’re going to minimize the school this year.”
Over its decade-plus life, the Schwantz School has called both Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park home, but the only place you’ll find the two-day program in 2013 will be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in conjunction with the August 15-18 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
“We’re going to do one, possibly two schools at Indy,” says Schwantz, “and then work on whatever special requests we may have here in America or in Europe.
“Indy is an easier sell. The attraction is there. ‘Wow, MotoGP is going to be there. I really want to ride the same track as Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies and Valentino Rossi.’ There’s added excitement. You’ve got international people coming to the race, and we can hold schools before and after the event.
“Indy has been a lot of fun for us, and it’s a great environment to work in. Mel Harder and his staff welcome us with open arms. Mel is quite the rider himself, so we like to get him on track whenever we get a chance.”
Schwantz says his enthusiasm for the sport remains as strong as ever. “I still like riding my motorcycle as much as I ever have, and I still like riding fast. I’m going to keep my fleet of bikes, especially my Moriwaki 250s, because I really enjoy riding them.”
Schwantz’s plans to move his school to the new Circuit of The Americas near his home in Austin, Texas, never materialized.
“As much as I like riding my motorcycles around the track, as much as my instructors and I enjoy every opportunity to teach, the school has not made financial sense for a couple of years. It’s just not the time and place for it right now.”
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
AMA MX: Villopoto Leads Into Thunder Valley
Ryan Villopoto rolls into Lakewood, Colorado for Round 2 of the '13… -
AMA FT: Series Prepares For Springfield Mile
Round 4 of the AMA pro Flat Track Championship will take place this… -
WSBK: Title Battles Arrives At Donington Park
The British contingent is preparing to defend its home turf this… -
AMA MX: Hangtown Ticker (UPDATED)
Notes and quotes following this past weekend's Lucas Oil Pro Motocross… -
VIDEO: AMA MX - Hangtown Classic Highlights
Ryan Villopoto kicked off the '13 Lucias Oil Motocross season in… -
AMA DSB: Westby Back In Action
Dane Westby was back on a bike after his Daytona injury to test at… -
AMA DSB: Heirs To The Throne
AMA Pro's second offseason is finally coming to an end and with it… - More News
