Thank you.

I had an outstanding experience at the track. The ART Level ll was exceptional ! As it should, all credit goes to MARK, my instructor.

I am a professional grade school instructor and I can only give Mark the highest compliments in successfully breaking down the information and presenting it in the best possible way for his students to fully understand.

Thanks again. And please, pass on my compliment to Mark.

Andrew

Hi Mark. It has been quite a while since I took Level II, I think is was in March last year. I took Level II on my second ever trackday, which was at Summit Main on a cold, wet/foggy day, and I believe the instructor was John (or Joe?) Stevens...I haven't seen him at any days since that course so I don't know if he still rides with TPM. From what I remember, the focus that day was on lines, looking where you want to go, and setting up properly for turns. At the time I was a little concerned about riding in the rain and a little disappointed I couldn't push my limits in class with the wet track, but it helped me work on being super smooth, which is a necessity for riding with a wet surface. Since the class I went through a half dozen more trackdays and started racing with CCS, making it to 2 weekends. I can't recall exactly where I picked up each piece of advice that made me faster, but I always make a point to talk to the CRs at each event for little nuggets of wisdom. Some of the early tips I found very useful were already mentioned above, but on of the most enlightening was working on foot/leg positioning/movement which allowed me to keep my hips/shoulders square up with the bars while getting my upper body to the inside and my knee on the ground. All but one of my trackdays have been with TPM, the other was with NESBA. I like to keep and open mind and form my own opinions, and I went with a friend that had only been to NESBA days. I won't elaborate, but I wasn't impressed with their program. The atmosphere with TPM is more laid back, and maybe it just fits my personality, but I am much more comfortable with the Team. From a first glance it seems that NESBA has the better deal by not charging first time riders more for their "first time on the track" seminar, but it turned out to be mostly a 20 minute pep-talk, where as Level I actually builds a foundation of track fundamentals and slowly adds in the speed.

-Justin

Hey Mark, thanks for reaching out. Chris here, I was in your class at Pocono with the 1098.

I think the program offered an excellent balance of practical 'classroom' instruction and on-track tactical skills to put into to use the ideas and concepts you talked about. The ability to follow seasoned racers like yourself was invaluable in learning the track nuances, and getting more comfortable on my bike in general. I think the time you took to answer our questions was everything that I would have expected. And, I think that we received useful feedback from your watching us to help improve technique, feel and confidence on the track.

I liked the size of our group too...I think we had 4 or 5 riders max, which I think is about right to get the attention one would want from the instructor. One suggestion I would make is that on different laps, have the instructor focus on one rider for 4 or 5 laps so that there could be a bit more individualized feedback.

Great time, you were very helpful Mark, and I am looking forward to learning more from you in the future.

Regards,

Chris

Mark,

You were great and after riding bikes on and off road for years, your knowledge and the event were awesome. After reading a lot and a few track days, your input was very helpful. It definitely made me more comfortable and faster. Can't wait until Spring, See you at the track.

Scott

Dear Mark,

Thank you for writing and for giving me the opportunity to write this. I have often thanked you in my head for helping me achieve one of my dreams, which is to get in the Red Group. So now I can thank you again. I did a couple more track days but didn't see you at the pits (NJMP), and because I'm a bonehead and did too many hallucinogens in the 60s (when I was 4) I forgot your name and thus dropped the ball on writing a review. So please use the below promotional material any way you see fit. Thanks again and hope to see you at the track this season.

Experience is the key to improvement, but without the right door you might as well be trying to open a wall. Although I had been enjoying the track for years, I seem to have hit that wall. Although White group felt too slow, my form and control needed improvement before I could get bumped up to Red.

It was the instruction by Mark Graulty, and TPM's ART, that made the difference--most importantly, his knack of getting into your head, and then telling you how you need to change your game. After analyzing my riding, it took just two pieces of advice from him to get everything I learned after years of experience to finally click together on the track.

After just one day of instruction with Mark, the track and I stopped wrestling with each other, and began dancing.

And his friendly and understanding, yea even gentle, ways did not hurt either.

Mark jokes that he is 'the old guy', but don't be fooled. The understated humility of the Obi Wans of the world is designed to throw us off. It is his sage, and TPM's advanced rider jedi training, that helped me achieve one of my life's goals.

Thanks again Mark and TPM.

Peace