- More women are taking track training — and progressing fast
- Mastering technique first is the safest way to build speed
- Confidence without skill is where most riders come unstuck
After wrapping up another season of Pro Rider trackdays, BRM’s ‘Racer Turned Trainer’ columnist Paul Pav reflects on coaching, the rise of women riders, and why mastering technique always comes before speed.
Hello petrol heads.
Last week, we completed the final Pro Rider trackday training of the season, and we now take a break over the worst of the winter months. We’ll kick things off again in October at the Hampton Downs club circuit.
I can’t believe it’s already May — the year is going so fast, it’s incredible. There’s always a tinge of sadness when daylight saving finishes, as it signals the start of winter.
More Women on Track
The last few trackdays have seen a huge increase in ladies attending, which is really great to see. Some of you may recall I was a big promoter of women in motorcycling when I was CEO and President of Motorcycling New Zealand, the sport’s governing body.
The ladies are fantastic to teach. I find they are like sponges and soak up information very quickly. A lot of the men — myself included — tend to need to repeat things multiple times before it sticks.
Last November, we held a ladies-only training day, which sold out. Back when I was a lad, it was rare to see a woman on a motorcycle. Not anymore.
“Some riders want to go fast before they understand the fundamentals — and that can end in tears.”
How We Learn
Yes, I’m one of those idiots who throws the instructions in the bin when assembling something from Ikea, only to end up rummaging through the rubbish to find them again. That’s probably a fair reflection of how some of us blokes approach learning on a bike as well.
I was recently sent some photos from our last training day by one of the riders, Faith, who said she couldn’t remember having that much fun on a motorcycle before.
On top of that, I could see a huge improvement in her riding — to the point where I could film it and show others the perfect lines and body position in action. Over the years, I’ve found that some riders are naturals, while others get there through practice. That’s the beauty of the training we offer.
Technique First
Some riders want to go fast before they understand the fundamentals, and that can end in tears. My philosophy is to master the technique first, then gradually build speed. Before you know it, you’re going quicker — and doing it safely.
I’ve met a lot of particularly brave men with not a lot of skill, and I often spend the first part of the day repeating, “let’s get the lines and technique sorted before adding speed.”
“Let’s get the lines and technique sorted before adding speed.”
Why It Still Matters
After 25 years of coaching advanced riding, it would be easy to become a bit numb to it all. But moments like this remind you why you do it. Seeing the smiles and the excitement in those photos gave me a real boost to keep sharing what I’ve learned.
What We Cover
We limit our trackdays to 20 riders so we can give everyone proper attention and advice, which makes it great value. We cover high-speed braking, counter-steering, trail braking, body position and a range of other key skills in a controlled environment.
So keep an eye on the Pro Rider website and book early — every course sells out.
Next Up
In my next column, I’ll tell you about a new race bike project. I’ve just bought a 2026 70th anniversary edition Yamaha R1 from Boyd Motorcycles in Hamilton, which is already being transformed into a track bike.
It’s going to be a lot of work, but we’re excited about the mission.
Stay safe out there
Pav
Pic credit: Ninja Photography
