Training a Racer

STEPHEn MiLLS found himself training professional racer Jonathan Rea – here’s how it happened

“Hello, this is Jonathan Rea.” It’s not the sort of ‘hello’ you expect when you run a motorcycle training school and pick up the phone to a prospective pupil. I run Moto Training NI, a training school based in Broughsane in the Glens of Antrim and I’m the Chief Instructor/Assessor for the BMF’s Blue Riband scheme in Northern Ireland.

“Hello Stephen, this is Jonathan Rea, I believe you’re the man to talk to about obtaining my road licence.” Initially I thought this was a practical joke, but it soon became clear that this really was Jonathan on the other end of the call. It transpired that the sixtimes World Super Bike Champion, who rides at speeds in excess of 200mph at weekends, had never got around to getting a road licence for a motorcycle.

Moto Training NI is the only school in Northern Ireland approved by a major manufacturer, in this case Kawasaki, so an obvious choice for Jonathan as he is contracted to the Kawasaki WSB team until the end of this season. I have to be honest – I’m a huge Jonathan Rea fan, so it was an honour that he chose my wee school to do his training.

Above: Jonathan Rea (right) did his CBT and test on the school’s Kawasaki Z650 Left: Stephen Mills is the go-to guy for BMF Blue Riband in NI

Juggling spare time between his busy race calendar Jonathan completed his CBT, followed by lessons towards both practical tests on the school’s Kawasaki Z650. He passed both without even a minor fault. After passing his final test Jonathan lost no time in ordering a new Kawasaki Z900RS from Coleraine Kawasaki, the same dealer that provides my school bikes. I was delighted to be invited to the handover of Jonathan getting his new bike.

Since completing his basic licence, Jonathan has kept in touch. We hope to organise a charity ride-out once his race season finishes, and that he returns to Moto Training NI soon to commence his advanced training.

Blue Riband in Northern Ireland

Taking delivery of his new Z900RS. Next step, advanced training Want to train for your Blue Riband in NI? Moto Training NI offer one-to-one training and make learning to ride fun. Their passion is advanced training, having two Blue Riband Instructor/Assessors on the staff. The NI Police Service have invited Moto Training NI to give a presentation on advanced training options at each of their workshops throughout Northern Ireland. Contact Stephen: Phone: 07973 502600 Email: info@mototrainingni.com Web: www.mototrainingni.com

As well as being the Blue Riband’s Chief Instructor in Northern Ireland, Stephen Mills has an IAM Masters with distinction and a RoSPA Diploma in advanced instruction. He is a volunteer blood biker in his spare time and enjoys training and encouraging new blood bikers.