Staff

Andy Ibbott

School Director & Class 4 Coach
Andy Ibbott (Profile)

Andy Ibbott started riding when he was fourteen on an old 50cc Gilera trail bike. Both his parents rode bikes and their fathers too so it was in the blood and on the cards that he would take to two wheels.

Motorbikes have always figured in his life and plans. Ibbott has always had some kind of bike since that first ride at the age of fourteen. It was only in 1992 that he decided to make a living out of riding - dispatch riding. Having re-built an old Z750 he went out into the world of dispatching to earn a living. Before long he sold the bike as someone offered him stupid money for it that was that. Then in 1994 he decided he wanted to be a bike journalist and after knocking on many doors he found an opening at a London based magazine. To improve his riding skills Ibbott took to the track on a rented 250LC and began racing. He was less that good and in his first race he nearly dumped it on the line (too much throttle) and got lapped. After getting better he then switched to a 600 for the following season. He finished 3rd in the KRC club championship in 1995. At the end of the season he went to the USA and attended Level One of the Superbike school. In 1996 he was in fifth place in the New Era 600 championship when he had a crash at Croft in which he broken his back. He moved to work for MotorCycle News in 1997 and was their Road Test Editor until the end of 1999 when he left to concentrate on the Superbike Schools. He was the first Brit to become a Coach for the California Superbike School in Europe, the first fully trained classroom seminarist and the first Level 4 Coach. He is currently working on his Level 4a grading.

What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

What is there not to like about changing people's lives for the better?

Likes: My Family first and foremost. Teaching GP riders and getting a result! Counter Strike and other sad computer games.

Dislikes: Losing a broadband connection mid-game! Narrow mindedness. Fanatics.

Johnny Haynes

Chief Riding Coach Class 2
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Knowing we make a difference. I know this sounds corny, but seeing our students’ confidence and skill level grow throughout the day is a real buzz – I still get a kick out of it even after all these years… Of course riding R1’s and R6’s around tracks all over the world is pretty high on my list too!

Likes:
The team – they are brilliant, and spending time with these dedicated people is an uplifting experience.
The bikes – new Yamahas every year, they are so much fun!

Dislikes:
The perception that we are too expensive – ask anyone who has been and they will tell you we are worth every penny
Tyre changing – 16 bikes, new tyres every 2 days… Although I do lean on Paul a bit more these days J

Paul Debnam

Deputy Chief Riding Coach Class 2
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Riding fast bikes all day and getting paid for it. It's almost 'factory'...

Likes:
1. Seeing riders who are intimidated by their bikes/the track and helping them to feel comfortable, confident and in control.
2. Hanging out with our mega crew!

Dislikes: 5:30am Alarm calls. Students with a hidden agenda. Having to load two trucks, mainly on my own!

Glenn Rothwell

Senior (OAP) Riding Coach Class 2
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

I suppose I should say that it is he way that my own riding has improved as a result of applying the techniques which we teach –( it really works) which is true…………. but really it’s the banter

Likes:
Different tracks, different people, new technology, a shared willingness to listen, learn and question. Going to the pub afterwards

Dislikes:
People who don’t listen
Err that’s it

Gary Adshead

Senior Riding Coach Class 2
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

The total commitment from every member of staff to ensure that every student on a school day gets the maximum benefit for their particular level of riding skill.

Likes: 5.30 starts!! Seeing improvement in the students at any level, the enthusiasm of all staff members, improving my riding and knowledge to better my coaching skills, Leffe when I can find it, riding my own bikes, watching Paul load both trucks.

Dislikes: Whingers, formula 1.

John Trotter (aka) JET

Senior Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

The hours, 5:30 is such a beautiful time of day. The work load, instructing and homework to boot. Not to mention the travelling, but the best part is working with a group of guys and girls who want to go through this routine with the sole intention of helping other riders improve. This may sound self indulgent but they are a special group.

Likes: Skiing, Motocross, Supermoto, true competition of nearly all forms except F1 and of course Stella Artois.

Dislikes: Rudeness, Laziness and the smell of Sherring in the morning(another thing we go through that the public don't realise)

Chris Sherring

Senior Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

We get to see a very wide range of riders who are stuck with there riding, then at the end of the day you see this big grin and you know that you have now put them in control of there bike making them a safer better rider. Also working with some of the fastest boys in the racing scene and helping them to improve, going round the world and riding new tracks and the different types of students and working them both out.

Likes:
Being part of a very special group of people (the school) banofffee pie, Stella, SuperMoto, motocross, M Hartley’s wit, leaving big fat black lines from the rear tyre of the R1

Dislikes:
Getting up at 05:30. Students that don’t listen and learn. JC beating me to the bathroom in the morning he won’t get out. Paul's snoring especially after Stella. London traffic

Richard Snieg

Senior Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Well.... Riding brand new R6's and R1's, wearing flash leathers etc., travelling around Europe, riding the best race tracks, improving my own riding, developing my understanding of cornering technology, passing on that knowledge to our students, eating junk food, drinking Stella, working as part of a team of nutters (professional nutters!) and getting paid for it!! .... Tough life init!?

Likes : Riding on some of the best race tracks in the world

Dislikes : Being stuck in London traffic jams

Graham Smith aka Flash

Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being part of the school?

To be part of something that gives me so much satisfaction and enjoyment and to be able to see your students improve through out the day and to know that everyone in the team is working towards the same goal.
Also traveling to far destinations having all your kit supplied and getting an R6 to ride for the year are minor plus points.

LIKES
Getting to ride some great tracks in the sun, Moto GP, PSP.

DISLIKES
Riding in the rain, going back to work after a two day school in Spain.

Matthew Hartley

Senior Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

The Superbike School for me is an opportunity to remember that it is possible to make a difference. I have had quoted to me that, "We change peoples lives." Indeed we do just that. Sharing the highs with students as they reach new levels of cornering ability and confidence is very, very rewarding. How many people have seen the joy from somebody when they get their knee down? Being present at the dawn of reality as cornering nirvana is achieved is most definitely a high point in most riding coaches' day. Seeing somebody get it wrong and end up in the gravel is probably the low point of any coach's day. Most coaches have a day job, I'm no exception to that, and to that end a day out with like minded, skilled, talented, intelligent and articulate motorcyclists with a common purpose is something I am keen to experience with my colleagues at the Superbike School.

Likes:
I'm normally quite modest but I can claim to have completely hammered Chris Sherring at something on two wheels. Merely by staying on I hasten to add.

Dislikes:
5:30 starts are normal for me and so are long days, but hey. 'Tis strange how the beauty of nature is associated with the dignity of toil, as if SHE consciously reserves her noblest efforts for those that take the trouble to earn them. You get out what you put in. Same can be said for trucks....

David Cook

Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being a part of the School?

Although I’m a relative newcomer to coaching for the CSS, I had in fact been attending their days for about 3 years before I was asked to “try-out”. I obviously enjoyed coming to the School as a student and travelled far and wide with them in trying to satisfy my thirst for riding knowledge (not just Stella!)

Although some aspects of the “try-out” procedure resembled parts of a Fourth Dan Karate grading, I was not dissuaded from doing plenty of practice and lots of homework in order to get through. Now that I am a fully-fledged coach, I realise that I need to maintain plenty of practice and lots of home…. you get the idea!

Most aspects of being a coach for the CSS are an absolute honour (you don’t want to know) and, like my colleagues, I take the responsibility of improving your riding skills very seriously.
It’s just a brilliant team to be part of.

Likes: Happy people

Dislikes: Unhappy people

Ben Smith

Riding Coach

Chris Butcher

Riding Coach
What do you like about being part of the school?

Its cool being part of such a dedicated,enthusiastic team.To be around people makes a welcome change as back in the real world i work on my own.
Its exciting being challenged every time you put on your leathers,seeing students move forward in their understanding of the technology and apply it to their riding is extremely satisfying and very rewarding.
Obviously flying to some of the best tracks in the world,trying desperately hard NOT to drink too much Stella and having to ride Yamaha's finest is awful and i wouldn't wish it on anyone so i wont mention it!

Likes:
Family, Food, Bikes, Creativity, Jack Daniels, Forging Metal, Sleeping, Scalextric and Sunshine

Dislikes:
Missing Family, Sharing Food, Early Starts, Tequila, Being Cold, Speed Cameras, Growing Up and ever tightening leathers!!!

Mark Sheppard

Riding Coach
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Being part of THE School is great- (Hard Work- But the Best things are Right??..) ....

Being part of a Great team is in someways even better...

Working with guys that have no agenda outside the common goal of expanding not only the students knowledge and understanding of riding but their own and their colleagues.

Permantly seeking the reaction you get when something finally clicks with a student... having had that feeling myself I know exactly how much it means as a rider.

Likes - Fast Bikes / Tattoos / Rock N Roll ......

Dislikes - Scooters ..... Nightmare commuting in the City
Red Peppers................Hate em....

Thanassis Choundras

Senior Riding Coach (Greece)
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

After 20 years of racing (mostly off road & supermoto but also road racing) it was a disclosure for me coming for level 1 -back in 2002. Running already several schools for off-road and supermoto in Greece for our magazine (0-300) readers, I thought: this is THE school. It makes the huge difference of just "using a bike" and really "ride it". Its not only the pride to be part of something on that height of level but also the continuously discovering, thinking and improving on riding. The team of CSS is unbeatable but "what I enjoy the most" is the shine of the satisfied students smiling faces by the end of the day, which is invaluable…

I like: Sliding

I dislike: Crashing...

Claus Diseth

Riding Coach (Norway)
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

If you could run a company's bike in the company's leathers with the company's helmets, boots and gloves - wouldn't you have a big grin in your face, too?
Seriously: To be able to pass over this great technology to other bikers, see them improve and see their big grins is very rewarding.

Likes: Bikes, travel, Coaching = my job!

Dislikes: Can I take this one in Norwegian, Andy?

Alex Aaberg

Riding Coach (Norway)
What do you like about being part of the school?

See al the students learning the technology whit a big smile on theirs faces, and traveling all over the world to bring the word from Keith Code to al the bike freaks out there.

Be in leathers whit the company name on, new bikes, booths and gloves it is a dream coming thru.

And not to forget al the riding I learns from al the other staff and students in this fabulist company.

Likes:
My kid, girlfriend, food, bikes, good breaks, have my nee to the asphalt, beer, sunshine and race tracks.

Dislikes:
Front tyres slipping, stones in the gravel, cold food, small engines and speed cameras.

Dimitris Gakis

Riding Coach (Greece)
What do you enjoy about being a part of the School?

Being a part of the CSS, it's a thrilling experience.
You have the privilege of helping people understand the "hidden art" of riding a motorcycle.
At the end of the day, I can see from the student's smiles that they started to discover that art.
That smile, is the most rewarding thing for me as a coach.

Likes:
My wife above all, sliding a bike out of a corner, the checked flag in a race.

Dislikes:
People who think their self's smarter than everyone else.

Mike Wood

Riding Coach (Greece)
What do you enjoy about being part of the schools?

At the risk of being locked up and having the key thrown away for pure lack of originality, I must admit that the most satisfying thing is seeing that dawn of realisation and the uncontrolled grin that comes over a students'
face when they first understand a technique and are successfully able to apply it. The comraderie between the members of the team as well as the cheap, tasteless humour, guffawing and jollybanter with Mr. Ibbott come a close second...

Likes: Cold beer, Greek weather, English bottom humour, getting paid for something I enjoy this much...

Dislikes: Warm beer, English weather, English bottoms, the guilt that comes with getting paid for something I enjoy this much...

Panagiotis Archontitsis 'Mo'

Riding Coach (Greece and the Simpsons)
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Riding all day in a race track with someone else’s bike is a dream for most of the people I know…

After all, being a part of the best riding school in the world is a great honour of its own. And it is really a pleasure discovering a new trick every day, and having at the same time about fifteen people happy to discuss about it

Likes:
Seeing the progress of a student. It is unbelievable how many riders seem completely lost in the first hour, but only a couple of hours later they know exactly what they are doing.

Dislikes:
School in the rain. School in the Greek summer. Having a racer as a student…

Dionissis Vagourdis

Riding Coach (Greece)
What do I enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

I love bikes. And every schoolday is 100% bikes from sunrise till sunset.

Likes:
At the end of every school day most students have a huge smile because they are much faster. I, my self, have a huge smile 'cause they are much safer.

Dislikes:
"...from sunrise..." If I wanted to wake up THAT early, I'd be a &**%#@# marine!!

Spyros Koutras

Coach

What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

To have THE opportunity to transfer knowledge that does make a difference and see the results at the end of the school day. The never-ending education of the fine art of motorcycle riding and the personal quest to continuous amplify the skills that transfer this knowledge. Being part of a great team and mixing it with an equally dedicated team of coaches from all over the world. Riding in well-known circuits and getting paid for it. Still trying to understand how difficult is the job a MotoGP rider. And the finally, what enjoy most by being a CSS coach is that I would be a different person if I wasn’t.

Likes: quality in people and in motorcycles, responsive front end, breaking misunderstandings, blue sky.
Dislikes: bad temper in people and in motorcycles, misunderstandings, loose front end, bad jokes.

Tony Perrin

Coach
What do you enjoy about being part of the school?

I get a kick out of seeing students improve throughout the day and it's very rewarding helping a student experience a breakthrough in their riding. Even better when it's accompanied by some excited bouncing around and smiles. If that wasn't enough to convince me that being a coach was a good idea there's the staff at the school. An excellent crew and always willing to offer 'input' and 'advice' as both part of some healthy banter and the genuine help that we all give to each other. To be a part of a such well put together team and be a part of that dynamic is rare in your life and something I'm very proud of.

Of course all the racetracks, the bikes, the company leathers etc are all very nice deal sweeteners too!

Likes:

My munchkins! Student breakthroughs, Racing bikes, Rugby, Snowboarding, SCUBA diving, music, parties and ..... beer and bbq's! Mmmmmm

Dislikes:

Getting old, missing the beaches at home (Australia) and not being able to do the 'Likes' above.

Corinna Flynn

Course Control/Wrangler
What do you enjoy about being a part of the School?

I've been part of the team for 8 years, I've seen the school grow and flourish into something I am very proud to be a part of.
Seeing happy students at the end of the day and knowing their passion for riding bikes has been enhanced is definately the biggest buzz.

Likes: Spending the day with leather clad men

Dislikes: The amount of ridiculous wet weather clothing I have to wear when the weather is crap.

Mike Carver

Course Control
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

I have been blatting around on 2 wheels since the age of twelve, in 2000 I attended CSS at good old Cadwell,following a recommendation, where I met The Man Code and have since been converted. Since that I have been 'working' with the CSS team and in latter years have found my niche as Course Control. This gives me the opportunity to travel around this small world of ours and have one-to-one contact with students, having an impact on their development and achieve their personal goals, which I find very fulfilling indeed.

Likes: Northern culture, associated North/South divide banter and getting mucky on a Sunday morning...

Dislikes: The British Government and its anti-two wheel policies, cleaning mucky kit on a Sunday evening.

Kevin Pilgrim

Mechanic 'Gloom'
What do you enjoy about being a part of the School?

After my early career as an adult entertainer came to an end and the call for village people tribute acts dried up completely, I was looking for a new avenue for my talents. I attended the school as a pupil and although impressed with the setup I identified an obvious weakness not enough northern humour!! Since joining the team I have helped motivate both students and coaches in the area of not falling off bikes.

Likes: Tea

Dislikes: Coffee and Jet but I think this could evolve!

Chris Rothwell

Wrangler
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Bossing people around, telling them where to go and what to do – as I am unable to do this at home !!
Being outside on various tracks in all sorts of weather (even the rain)
Listening to the roar of motorbikes – especially Ducatis.
Being in the back of a Cab with Johnny and Andy and all three of us laughing our heads off !
The camaraderie

Dislikes
Getting up early and having to be on track by 6:30 a.m.
Food that is supplied by lots of tracks (especially in the UK)
Not being able to ride a motorbike

Donna Ibbott

Marketing Manager
What do you enjoy about being a part of the Schools?

Being with the best bunch of people I have ever worked with and seeing the students progress from being ‘frightened rabbits’ at the beginning of the day to becoming enlightened and totally happy by the end.

Watching Andy coach Thomas Luthi to become 125GP World Champion in 2005 - waking up at some ridiculous times to watch him practice, qualify and race even though I could have recorded it.

Likes:
My gorgeous son's, my husband, my horse, my friends, the sound of a Honda Moto GP bike going down pitlane. But not always in that order!

Dislikes:
Finding out that Paul hasn’t loaded my clothes dummies for the shop!

Lynn Burdett

Office manager
What do you enjoy about being part of the School?

Well it’s all good here at sunny CSS HQ! In almost all cases I’m the first point of contact for potential students and it’s a very enjoyable part of my days work talking to them about their bikes, their riding goals and anything else!

I find it very rewarding when students who were particularly apprehensive about spending a day on track ring me up after the school full of cornering confidence and renewed enthusiasm for their riding. Absolutely fantastic.

Likes: Riding my bike around Scotland and Europe with my mates. My best friend Gibo. Meeting friendly people. Scuba diving in far-flung places. Men in leather, men in neoprene, whatever…..

Getting to see our riding coaches in their undies when they’re getting changed into their leathers (not so good in some cases - Paul!)

Dislikes: Miserable, negative people - bad Karma will sort them out eventually……

Scuba diving in Dosthill quarry – cold with mainly rubbish viz!

Men in dodgy baggy grey Y-fronts – get yer Mum to buy you some boxers! That means you Paul!