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BIKES: Schwantz Takes Sheheen To School
SPEED's Ralph Sheheen put in some track and classroom time under the tutelage of Grand Prix great Kevin Schwantz at his Barber Motorsports Park race school.
Ralph Sheheen  |  Posted July 29, 2011   Birmingham, AL
Grand Prix icon Kevin Schwantz and SPEED's Ralph Sheheen (Photo: Kevin Schwantz School)
I tucked down over the tank trying my best to get a couple layers deep into the paint. I shifted my weight back into the saddle as I opened up the throttle. The landscape was a blur as all 600ccs shoved me out of the apex and down the next straight. I pulled my knees and elbows in close to the bike and focused my eyes down the track searching for the next braking point.

That's when I noticed him. Right there next to me. Just to my left. I'm trying my best to do everything I can to remember what the instructors have been beating into my skull for the last two days. Yet, this guy is just cruising! Literally, on a big ole Honda DN-01!

He is staring right at me through the face shield of that unmistakable paint scheme on his Arai helmet. What's worse is I knew he was laughing at me inside that Arai… It was 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz.

Kevin and I have been great friends for a very long time. A friendship that goes way back to before he became a world champ. He is very fast on a motorcycle. He is also a world class prankster. Trust me, he was laughing.

That moment on the track at Barber Motorsports Park took place while I was attending the Kevin Schwantz Road Racing School. I had been trying for years to sync my schedule up with Kevin's school calendar. When it finally worked out, I packed my own Arai and Kushitani leathers and headed for Alabama.

I have been fortunate to attend a variety of driving and riding schools. Each offers a different perspective on the proper techniques of going fast. I was anxious to learn from Kevin and his staff and to get their thoughts on how to maximize my skills on two wheels.
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