VRRA Race School

The VRRA Race School is one of the premier motorcycle and sidecar training programs for novice, returning and advanced riders in Canada. All training courses take place at Shannonville Motorsports Park located 15 km east of Belleville, Ontario, roughly midway between Toronto and Montreal. Schools are held the day before the VRRA Quinte TT.

2024 School Schedule

No Events

Stage 1 School

Our Stage 1 School will prepare riders in the basic skills required for organized road race competition. Riders who successfully pass this course can obtain VRRA racing license, allowing riders to compete in the VRRA endurance and sprint races on the following day. The course also permits riders to apply for a RACE license.

Riders under the age of 18 years at the time of the scheduled school must contact the VRRA to obtain an underage consent form prior to application.

Date and Location:

The VRRA will hold its  Stage 1 race school on Thursday, May 23th, 2024 at Shannonville Motorsports Park.

Stage 1 School students will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the RACE facilities building. If you successfully pass the Stage 1 school and intend to race the following day, the bike must fall under vintage rules and pass a full technical inspection. Please see our Rules for a list of requirements

Cost:

The cost for Stage 1 is $250. Stage 1 school registrations are available Here You will need to create a membership profile before you are able to sign up for the school. A membership includes a one year subscription to Inside Motorcycles and the VRRA Baffled Muffler.

Required Equipment:

Students must provide a suitable motorcycle. The motorcycle does not have to be a vintage bike nor does it have to be race prepared. Any suitable modern street machine (no cruisers) may be used for the Stage 1 School. The motorcycle and rider will require the following:

  • Lockwired oil drain plug and oil filter
  • Drain all antifreeze and replace with water only (water wetter accepted)
  • All lights and mirrors must be removed and/or taped over
  • Tires must be in good condition
  • Both brakes must be functional and in good condition
  • Full leathers either one piece or zip together two piece
  • Leather boots, minimum height of 8 inches from the top of the sole and overlapping the pants
  • Full coverage helmet with face-shield, helmets must be certified by the manufacturer as Snell, BSI 6658 Type A or ECE/22-05 approved and must have a built date no older than 7 years (to the day)
  • Back protection (separate protector or built into leathers)

School Format:

  • The day begins with a classroom session (8:00 a.m. sharp) explaining track rules and etiquette, track marshals, flags and their meaning, racing safety gear, and all other requirements for a racing license.
  • Students will learn VRRA race weekend procedures, registration, machine preparation and technical requirements.
  • Classroom sessions will be followed by a track walk with explanations of the racing line, brake markers, cornering techniques and starting procedures.
  • The remainder of the day will be on-track riding sessions working with an experienced and skilled control rider. Students will learn racing skills including correct racing lines, braking and acceleration points, correct body positioning and on-track behaviour.
  • The last session of the day will see all students assembling on the grid to practice race starts and if the day goes well… maybe even a few laps of mock racing.

Terms and Conditions:

  • We will only accept pre-entry for the school. Applications will not be accepted at the track.
  • The Stage 1 school is limited to 24 students. If more than 24 riders sign up, a reserve list will be created in case any rider withdraws.
  • The schools will operate rain or shine.
  • If we have a full Stage 1 School (24 riders) and for any reason you cannot attend, we will attempt to fill your seat. If the school is not full, no refunds will be considered.
  • Sign up for the school Here

Stage 2 School

The VRRA Stage 2 School is only open to 2023 VRRA members. The school is led by Tim Ruhl, Multi time VRRA Champion and ex AMA Pro and WERA National competitor. Working with several other pros and highly skilled resource riders, Tim will centre this school around improving racing skills to make participants faster and better racers. This one-day course gives great value. It includes lots of quality track time with one-on-one instruction that is enthusiastically endorsed by all former students.

Date and Location:

The Stage 2 race school will be held on Thursday, May 23th, 2024 at Shannonville Motorsports Park. 

Cost:

The cost for Stage 2 is $250.00 and includes a full day of professional on-track race instruction. Stage 2 school registrations are available Here

School Format:

Stage Two will run with a track day like format to maximize riding time.

  • All registered participants must on VRRA legal equipment, absolutely no modern or over displacement bikes
  • Tech will be available Wednesday evening and Thursday morning
  • Riders meeting will be held at 8:15am
  • There will be a theme based riders morning briefing, but no track walk
  • We hope to accommodate French speaking riders. If you wish to attend please email a notice of intent in French
  • Track time will be no less than 15 minutes, of every 45 minute 3 group rotation
  • Sessions will start immediately upon the circuit being cleared for riding and safety measures in place with a 9am target start time.
  • Riders will be assigned a resource rider, but there will be no follow the leader type program, it will be for the participants and instructor to use each other to maximize the value of the day. Maximum 3 riders per resource rider.
  • Breakout sessions during the day to address briefly very specific take away drills, to immediately apply on track.
  • Baseline chassis adjustment services will be available throughout the day
  • Lunch break will be for one hour and the final track closing will be toward 5pm.
  • Weather protection and basic tools set up in the to be determined pit area

Terms and Conditions:

  • We will only accept pre-entry for the school. Applications will not be accepted at the track.
  • The schools will operate rain or shine.
  • Sign up for the school Here

Sidecar School

Our Sidecar School allows both drivers and passengers to obtain their license to compete in sidecar competition.

Date and Location:

The VRRA will hold its Sidecar school on Thursday, May 23th, 2024 at Shannonville Motorsports Park.

School students will meet at 8:00 a.m. on the fourth floor of the RACE facilities building. Students should enter the building through the south east door. If you successfully pass the Stage 1 school and intend to race the following day, the bike must fall under vintage rules and pass a full technical inspection. Please see our Rules for a list of requirements

Cost:

The cost for the Sidecar school is $250.00 and includes sidecar-specific instruction starting with a classroom session and proceeding with skid pad practice and on-track instruction. Sidecar school registrations are available Here 

School Format:

  • If you have a current VRRA racing membership, you do not need to attend the general part of the classroom training but must attend sidecar-specific classroom instruction, skid pad instruction and on-track practice sessions.

  • If you do not have a current VRRA racing license or the equivalent, you will be required to take the Stage 1 general classroom session in the RACE facilities building followed by the sidecar-specific classroom instruction, skid pad instruction and on-track practice sessions.

Terms and Conditions:

  • We will only accept pre-entry for the school. Applications will not be accepted at the track
  • The schools will operate rain or shine.
  • Sign up for the school Here

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Lead Instructors

Dave Minnett

Dave started racing with the VRRA in 2008. He has since raced every season with the club on both motorcycles and classic sidecars.

In 2011, Dave realized the need for a high-quality Stage One race school that would teach beginning racers the fundamentals of racing without being intimidating. Since then, he and his partner, Heather, have organized and led the school that has launched many into the exciting world of amateur road racing.

Dave can throw a leg over anything and make it go fast. He has competed on vintage 2-stroke Grand Prix bikes, modern lightweights, and everything in between. Currently, his favourite ride is on a classic sidecar, but solo racing is also very close to his heart.

Tim Ruhl

Tim brings a lifetime of racing and track experience to share. He is sometimes jokingly referred to as “The Legend” but that’s not far from the truth. Starting out as a Motocross and Enduro racer he quickly progressed to road racing, and enjoyed an impressive career that spanned RACE, WERA, AMA and CCS. Successive wins saw him moving him up to AMA Pro and the WERA National Series. He was also an instructor for the Suzuki Advanced Riders School.

Tim has raced with the VRRA since 2010, winning many VRRA championships over the years. He has been involved as an instructor with the Stage 2 school since its inception, and his good nature, sense of humour, and genuine desire to help make him an excellent leader and mentor.

Michael Vinten

Mike has been racing motorcycles continuously since 1986 and always liked to watch sidecar racing. His first race with the VRRA was in 1992 at the Vintage Festival. In 2010 he had his first ride as a passenger and was hooked. He bought a P2 sidecar and was the passenger on it until 2014. In 2013 and 2014 he was a passenger on an F1 sidecar and had the opportunity to drive for one weekend.

In 2014 Mike started driving his own P2 sidecar, and with his long time passenger Sue, has won the VRRA P2 sidecar championship five times. In 2015, he bought his own F1 sidecar and has been driving both since then.

Mike has been teaching the VRRA sidecar school to new passengers and drivers since 2017.