Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club
2017 Fastrack Academy III Concludes
SAN DIEGO, CA – November 29, 2017 – Fastrack Academy class of 2017 concludes in great fashion Sunday, November 26 at Auto Club Speedway with Team Ulrich’s Connor Funk taking the first place grand prize, a BMW S1000RR. Devin Strange, McNamara and Joe LaCroix for a close second, third and fourth respectively.
Connor comments: “I transitioned from F2000 and karting to motorcycles a year prior to beginning my Fastrack Riders Academy transformation. Although I really enjoyed track-days on a 250cc, I wanted to really test myself and learn how to properly extract the maximum from a 600cc. So I asked my father if he would let me borrow his bike (which he wasn’t too keen on until I showed him the grand prize – a BMW S1000RR!), and we both began an amazing journey on and off the track. Without a doubt, the Academy was the most transformational experience I have ever undergone. The real prize was going from a 1.51.1 first lap to a 1.40.2 final lap over three extraordinary months. With that said, the trophy is the best I (and my father) have ever received! I have to thank my coaches Chris Ulrich, Terry Heard, and Cameron Gish for providing a wealth of knowledge and feedback over the course of the Academy. I couldn’t have done it without them. I have to thank Fastrack Riders for providing this amazing program at a fantastic venue. It was the chance of a lifetime. Finally, I have to thank my family for their support. Thanks for letting me use your bike, Dad! I brought home a new one!”
This was the third year running of Fastrack Academy. New tests are added to the program each year as a surprise and this round a Progression Data Analysis test sponsored by LitPro was introduced. Gymkhana and a bicycle challenge were also run as a result of their great success in the prior year.
“I really enjoyed working with the group of students assigned to Team 18 during 2017 Academy,” said Chris Ulrich, a former professional Superbike racer, a race team owner, and Connor’s lead coach. “All of them were very coachable and believed in my plan to improve their execution of the fundamentals so they could go faster without adding unnecessary risk. And in the end, they were all rewarded for their work with massive lap-time improvements.
“I’m especially proud of Connor, who was one of the most unassuming students on my team,” continued Ulrich. “He calmly and quietly went about his business, doing all the work and more, advanced to the finals, then took the overall win! He was a model student and I’m thankful for his trust. Enjoy your new BMW S1000RR, Connor!
“I also have to thank Cameron Gish for subbing for me at Round One while I was at Barber Motorsports Park for the MotoAmerica finale, and thanks to my Assistant Coach Terry Heard for his help and trusting in my coaching process. Bring on the 2018 Fastrack Academy!”
Chris’s Assistant Coach Terry Heard adds: “I’m proud of all four of our riders, all four progressed. The scoring was extremely close this year and I was delighted that one of ours is taking home the big prize. Connor is an excellent young man and exhibited in many ways a perfect case of picking one’s self back up to continue driving to the finish line, never giving up.”
Mr. Imad Samhat, Fastrack Rider’s owner notes: “Again we had amazing results with all participants progressing significantly, which clearly showed in their lap times and even more so with precise detail in their LitPro data analysis and scoring. It was an eventful round, no question about it. We’re proud to have the program with the best coaches and supporting staff, and I’m thankful to all our customers, always.”
Fastrack works closely with organizations such as USMCA (United States Motorcycle Coaching Association) and MIC (Motorcycle Industry Council) and continues its coaching programs with top level professional road racing coaches such as Eric Bostrom, Jake Zemke, Jeremy Toye, Chris Ulrich, Chris Fillmore, Steve Rapp, and Ben Bostrom. Eric Bostrom recently stated, “You can easily predict the outcome if riders are being trained by unqualified coaches. Fastrack is providing channels that positively influence the outcome and improve the skills of the future generation of riders”
Follow Fastrack Riders on Social Media and email any questions directly to [email protected]
ABOUT FASTRACK RIDERS ACADEMY
An exclusive rider development academy led by professional racers. The three-months program will offer many prizes including a Brand new motorcycle. Every Participant who completes the Academy will be recognized by the Pro Coaches and will receive a Fastrack Riders Certification signed by all the coaches. Some highlights of what the Academy will include: on and off track training from the Pros; In-helmet live communication while on track; In-class and On-board videos; Social Media involvement and voting.
2016 Academy Video: https://www.facebook.com/fastrackriders/videos/10…
Academy details and application download: https://fastrackriders.info/academy-program-detai…
About Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club
Established in 1989, the Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club is Auto Club Speedway’s official exclusive motorcycle partner. This world-class, multi-use superspeedway facility is ideally located in Fontana, California, just 30 miles from Los Angeles.
Sponsored by BMW and KTM, Fastrack unites riders of all skill levels in a unique environment while hosting Southern California’s most convenient, best organized, all-inclusive trackdays on a challenging 2.36-mile, 21-turn roadcourse.
Much more than a simple trackday organization, Fastrack Riders added the Academy and Apex Club monikers in 2016 to better reflect the diversity of its offerings. Blending a five-stage moto-education program with an array of extracurricular activities on and off the racetrack, every Fastrack day a multi-layered event for sportbikers to enjoy in an open, friendly, club-like atmosphere.
For more in-depth information about the Apex Club’s many unique programs and special events, please visit FastrackRiders.info. Trackday enthusiasts have an open invitation to become engaged members of it growing community by liking Fastrack’s Facebook page and following the action on its YouTube, Instagram and Twitter feeds.
Fastrack Riders Academy & Apex Club
FastrackRiders.info
877-560-2233
PO Box 270251
San Diego, CA, 92198
Auto Club Speedway
AutoClubSpeedway.com
909-429-5000
300 Cherry Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335