Better Riding Days at Cadwell Park
Advanced Machine
Skills
Road Riding Skills Assessment


Taking a fresh look at Advanced Motorcycling ...
Who we are and what we do...

So what do you need to know about us?
Well, the pictures of Richard and me may say something to start with. We’re a father and son team who have managed to maintain and improve the same riding code since we started riding and training together in 1988. Motorcycling plays a huge role in the Hopp family life. My dad rode in the ’40s and ’50s, I started in 1960, - passed my test in ’61 - and the boys (Richard and Spencer) followed suit between 1986 and 1989.
With so much at stake, that’s when I started to take it very much more seriously!
By 1989 we were all involved in our local IAM group, and from '93 to 2003 I was Chief Observer of that group; responsible for training trainers as well as members. In 2000 I qualified as an Instructor of Advanced Motorcycling when I passed my RoSPA National Diploma and I refresh that qualification every 3 years.

Not policemen, not racers …
... just ordinary motorcyclists who have taken the time and trouble to train themselves to help others improve their riding. After 14 years in the British Army, Rich has resigned his Captain's Commission and is now a qualified sports coach specialising in Tennis and Squash. With a string of teaching qualifications in his portfolio he is my natural choice as 1st Senior Instructor with HRT.
So when Dad needs a riding cross-check, who do you think he asks?

Meet the HRT Cadwell Park Team...

Overworked and underpaid, these guys are there for you...
and you will not have seen so many dedicated Instructors at any other track based training day in this country! Sometimes, conditions permitting, there are fourteen of us working in order to create the right conditions for a safe learning day.
So who are they? Where do they come from?
As if you need to ask! Read on and you'll notice a strong link with the British team of Instructors and Coaches at Der Nurburgring – Germany’s gruelling 13+ mile long 'Green Hell'. Most of us have worked and played there together for many years, and I devised the HRT training system at Cadwell from the discipline we learned together on the famous 'Nordschleife'.

Some racers, some...?
You know how it is with motorcyclists - you can know someone for years, and only ever talk about bikes! Each of the guys below has been a colleague and a friend from between 5 and 30 years, yet ask me what they do, and I'll be scratching my head! One of our great pleasures is meeting up as a team again to enjoy giving you the benefit of our experience. So; who's who in the world of HRT!? Click on a name and see what happens!
Or if you want to see an Instructor in action - just click on his mugshot!
 
Chris Rossiter.
A Qualified Senior Instructor at Der Nurburgring and a founder member of the HRT Team. Chris and I have been good friends since 1977. He's the safest, smoothest, most progressive rider and driver I know. When he won his 1st 500cc motorcycle race in the '70s he was still wearing his orange Novice's bib! Chris was my motorcycling mentor in the '80s & '90s and introduced me to Der Nurburgring in 1987. Chris remains a totally natural expert. There's no substitute for talent!
Barry Salmon.
A Qualified Instructor at Der Nürburgring, Barry has been riding there since 1985, and that is where we first met in 1987. Barry is a Qualified Senior Observer with the IAM, and for three years was a team mate with Crispin d’Albertanson racing in the National 6 Hour Endurance Championship – they were 2nd in the 600 class in ’07 & ’08. Barry is our very own International Man of Mystery – wherever we go on the bikes, he always has a friend in the next village!
Alan Burn.
A Qualified Senior Instructor at Der Nurburgring. Alan's been riding since 1977, Advanced (IAM) since 1979. He started training other riders in 1980 with the RAC/ACU scheme and the BMF. Whilst doing that he qualified as an IAM Observer, and started road racing in '85, which he did successfully until 1990. Alan won the BMRC 350 Production Championship in 1989. A great HRT Instructor – ‘never underestimate ... a quiet man’.
John Hale.
A Qualified Instructor at Der Nurburgring. I met John at the 'Ring (where else?) in 1994. Ah yes I remember it well. Group 1, almost all of us on Fireblades. We later joined the 'Ring Instructor team at the same time in - er - 1997/8 wasn't it? John's a Qualified Senior Observer with the IAM and has a great teaching style at any level. Welcome John.
Crispin d'Albertanson.
Another member of the team of Instructors and Coaches at Der Nurburgring. Crispin is a Qualified Senior  Observer with the IAM (2005), and a succesful endurance racer. Underneath the quiet exterior lurks a great sense of humour - essential when working with HRT. A lovely rider.  Like others in The Team he's a busy guy but still finds time for HRT in his schedule. 
Martin Hopp.
A qualified Instructor at Der Nurburgring. Other track experience includes Cadwell, Donington, Oulton, Mallory, Castle Combe, Silverstone and Goodwood. Probably 10,000 miles at the 'Ring; 5,000 at Cadwell. Pleased and proud to say that in around 300,000 progressive road miles I have never crashed. Apart from one minor slip in '97 when Norfolk County Highways picked up the bill! (So I don't count that!) No other bike crashes on the road, ever - never been nicked either! Obviously I'm not superstitious ...
 
Jim Bryan.
Holder of a RoSPA Advanced Training Diploma, Jim is yet another Coach & Instructor at The 'Ring. An experienced and qualified coach across a range of disciplines; swimming,rugby union, squash, Jim enjoys enabling others to develop their skills to the full. Riding for 48 years both on and off road, Jim's calm approach combines well with his ability to tailor his input to each individual and their needs. As Jim puts it, "Learning is fun!"
 
Jim McCarter.
Jim passed his IAM test in 1977, his RoSPA test in 1985 and the Police Advanced Course in 1991 – but says “Only when I ‘found’ track based training did I realise that ‘Advanced Training’ is only about half of what there is to know. The ‘What to do’ approach of most advanced training doesn’t address the ‘How to do it’, which can be learned in the safe environment of the track. Working with the HRT team is an exciting way to help students explore just how to get the best out of their bikes."
Jon P
Jon started as an off-road rider at 13 and has competed in the ACU Eastern Centre Motocross league and the ACU East trials events. He passed his test in 1980 and has ridden ever since, off-road and on. As well as an IAM Chief Observer, Jon’s an RAF Instructor qualified to train on Mechanical Trucks and Cranes, Aircraft Weapons and High and Low Ropes challenge activities. Jon’s ambition? “World peace through superior rider control. Best Biking moment? Reaching the end of the Pan Handle in Cyprus. Worst biking moment? Selling my beloved first GPZ900 B977 TEL...come home to daddy!”
Keith Dunn
A rider with 30 years experience, Keith works full-time for Essex Fire & Rescue and is a senior rider for their “FireBike” motorcycle safety initiative. A place on an Essex Police training course 10 years ago transformed his attitude to riding: “This was the first time I had ever had professional tuition. It marked a turning point in my motorcycle riding career; from then on, I was hungry to learn and improve.” Keith has joined the HRT team because he is passionate about inspiring other motorcyclists to become better riders by raising their skills.
Tom Luther
Tom started motorcycling back in 1964 competing in Club trials in the late seventies. He became addicted to The Ring in 1986, eventually becoming a Qualified Instructor at Der Nürburgring. He divides his two wheel riding time between motorcycling, cycling and mountain biking. He’s a member of IAM and says that he is still striving to improve, believing that you’re never too old to learn.
Nigel Speaight.
Nigel's been riding for 35 years, both on and off road, with early trials experience in his favour. He currently runs a beautiful Fireblade. He's qualified to RoSPA Gold Standard and is a tutor for his local group, Lincolnshire RoSPA. Next step is a RoSPA Diploma in Advanced Instruction I'm told. He knows Cadwell extremely well, and like the rest of us, enjoys helping others by sharing his knowledge. Good stuff Nigel.
Philip Masters.
Philip and I go back to the late '70s when I sold him his first new BMW 525, and then later a 323i for his wife! Not bad for a double glazing salesman! He's packed in a lot of stuff since he started riding in 1993, with the IAM Advanced test in '97, currently a qualified Observer; Nurburgring nut, bike and car; Cadwell nut since he started riding, Keith Code levels 1 + 2 (3 & 4 upcoming); other track experience (bike and car) - Mallory, Silverstone, Snetterton, Oulton, Donington, Rockingham and Spa.
Phil Gardner.
A qualified Instructor at Der Nurburgring. Met Phil in 1995/6 - at the 'Ring, of course, and we joined the Instructor team at about the same time. Phil crashed badly some years back and sustained injuries that currently (09) prevent him from riding but instructing is his forte, having been a succesful IT Instructor for some years now and a former college lecturer. Combine this with 23 years on a bike and you've got another great HRT Star whose cool calm and collected approach largely runs our days for us - when we can get him! 
In everything he does, Jeremy believes in challenging the status quo and thinking differently, whether in his day job or helping motorcyclists improve - Jeremy says, "Education and development is not compulsory, neither is survival..."
Biking's in his blood and he's rarely happier than when he's on a bike or helping someone else improve. Jeremy passed his test in '89, did time as a dispatch rider, and ran a Harley dealership! He's done off road training with the late, great John Deacon: MAC training: Keith Code Levels 1 - 4: and The Ron Haslam School. We met him at the 'Ring - of course!
Richard Hopp.
Another Nurburgring nut, first visit in about 1995, aged 23, then at least once every year since. Cadwell Park nut since age 17 on an XBR 500, his 1st big bike. Other track experience includes Donington, Silverstone, Castle Combe, Goodwood and Spa. Nowadays he keeps his eye on me and lets me know where I'm going wrong! Richard's career path has qualified him at many different levels, not least of which is teaching. HRT No.2 Safe Smooth and Swift - that's my boy!
David Halsall.
South African raised Englishman David joined The Team in 2007. Passionate about bikes, David says 'Keep it smooth. If the smoothness goes it's time to take a reality check: cool the pace and then get back into the rhythm of riding again. Once you are running along the right lines smoothly, the speed comes naturally'. How about this for a resume? - Transvaal Flat Track Champion 1980: SA National Flat Track Champion (82/3): SCC Transvaal Production Bike Champion 85: Transvaal Super-Single Champion 87: South African National Super-Single Champion 90: Botswana National Off-Road (Enduro) Champion (250cc) 94: Botswana National Off-Road (Enduro) Champion (500cc) 95. Now a Nationally Qualified IAM Senior Observer , and RoSPA Gold he's training trainers!
Mel Hipperson.
Mel and I go back to 1989, but I didn't realise then that we would develop as we have. 1st of all he's a great motorcyclist on road and off, but added to that he's a great teacher too, with numerous qualifications to back it up! There's more. Mel is a qualified bike technician, agricultural engineer, quad bike Instructor dealing with the farming community and other important clients he's not allowed to talk about. Mel has worked with me on my Advanced Machine Skills Courses since about 1997, and is a highly proficient member of the HRT Team.
 
Sheila.
Like Howling Wolf, Sheila is built for comfort not for speed. She's been busy not passing her IAM test since 2005, but she does cover about 12,000 miles a year touring in the UK and nearby foreign parts, riding in the Round Britain Rally and cavalcading at The Thundersprint. She has the official HRT whlstle and isn't afraid to use it to make sure that everone gets the maxiumum track time. She'll do her best to make sure you're happy with the group you're in and that you get any questions answered by one of the team. Incur her wrath by faffing. Make her happy by bringing coffee...