Lee Parks, Chief Instructor

Lee has been racing for over 16 years, and he won the 2001 G.M.D. Computrack National Endurance Series Championship in the Lightweight class. He also finished 2nd in the 1994 AMA 125GP national championship in its exhibition year. He spent five years as the editor and chief test rider of Motorcycle Consumer News where he road tested every new street motorcycle available in the U.S. and became one of the top performance-testing journalists in the world.

Tracy Martin, Frederick, Maryland

Tracy Martin has ridden all types of motorcycles for over 37 years. He has taught the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic since 1998 and was one of one of Lee Park's original instructors. He has been instrumental in developing the current curriculum and trains TCARC instructors through out the nation. Tracy contributed to the book Total Control, by Lee Parks. He currently is an author and motojournalist and writes for Motorcycle Consumer News, RoadBike, Iron Horse and Friction Zone magazines. In addition to enthusiasts' magazines, Tracy writes a monthly column entitled "Service Speak" for Motorcycle Product News, a monthly, power sports trade magazine. Motorbooks International has recently published his first book, "How to Diagnose and Repair Automotive Electrical Systems".

Alan Lapp, Oakland, California

Alan Lapp has been riding for almost 30 years. He has nearly a half-million street miles and has sport-toured the US, Canada and Mexico. He lived in Mongolia for a year and owned a Ural there. He raced for 6 years and still enjoys the occasional track day. Al worked with both Lee Parks and Tracy Martin at CycleShark.com in 2000. He was one of Lee's early students, and in 2001, became an instructor for Total Control Advanced Riders Clinic. A true suspension geek, he has been known to shout "It's NOT DAMPENING it's DAMPING" at unsuspecting victims.

Christine Marafioti-Firehock, Dutchess County, New York

As a fourth generation female motorcyclist, Christine began her road riding career at age 16 in 1980. At 21 Christine joined her mother as a motorcycle instructor at the American Motorcycle Driving School, Inc. As an instructor for beginner and intermediate motorcycle riders, Christine is also a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach and New York State DMV certified instructor to teach both automobile and motorcycle operation. Christine has had numerous articles about beginner riders, women motorcyclists and AMDS published in national magazines. AMDS has been featured on many national news shows and motorcycle magazines. Christine's goal is the safety of all motorcyclists through rider education.

Ed Busse, Dutchess County, New York

Ed started long ago with a 125 Java, which grew to a GL1800 that currently shares duty with his VFR 750. All the while he was taking numerous ERC's, had one fun filled track day, took an Iron Butt ride, logged many miles riding around the USA, Canada and 5 European countries and has served more then a few years as president of the Lost Wheels MC Club. In 2005 he took part in his first Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. By 2008 he achieved certification to teach the TCARC, and is now having an absolute blast sharing this knowledge with other riders.

Bert Spittel, Frederick, Maryland

Bert Spittel began his motorcycling career like many kids, riding dirt bikes around the yard. The yard got small pretty quickly, and it was time to see the world. After trying several brands of road bikes, BMW became his brand of choice. Bert considers himself the ultimate student of motorcycle riding, having attended the MSF ERC several times as well as many popular track schools. His fascination with motorcycle training and becoming a better motorcycle rider has not worn off. Somebody said motorcycling is like sex, the more you know the better it gets. Having participated in triathlon events for several years, Bert has used that experience and his connections to develop a motorcycle support business for large sporting events. Bert has ridden through Europe several times, and has every intention of going again in the future.

Dennis Kreps, Columbia, Maryland

Dennis has been playing with motorcycles for over 40 years now, owning examples of most major brands. Over the years, he has participated in amateur enduros, motocross and road racing, finally settling on long distance touring on a Honda GoldWing and trail riding on a dual sport Suzuki. Originally self-taught, he became an instructor with the Yamaha Learn-to-Ride Program while working for a motorcycle dealership in the '70's, and took his first official MSF ERC in the late '80's, discovering that you're never too old to learn something new. After taking the Total Control class in 2005, the notion of motorcycle instruction as a way of giving back to motorcycling some of the pure pleasure he has enjoyed over the years led him to become a Total Control instructor. Dennis is currently a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, the Gold Wing Touring Association, and a Charter Life Member of the American Motorcyclist Association.

Ethan Bowerman, Troy, New York

Ethan taught himself to ride at the age of 19 in a somewhat atypical fashion-- he started riding on the road first. 14 years later, he bought a dual-sport and started off road riding. He still prefers sport riding despite the new found love of getting dirty. He admits "I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits from teaching myself to ride" and took the MSF:RSS class in 1992. He became an MSF instructor in 1994, which marks the beginning of his love for educating motorcyclists. Ethan took the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic in 2005. A Mechanical Engineer by trade (a self confessed "Engi-nerd"), he decided that he needed become an instructor for the TCARC as soon as possible because he appreciates the uniquely logical and understandable presentation of both mental and physical techniques.

Stan Rosen, Upstate New York

Stan Rosen had the good fortune to start riding with a solid education from the MSF Beginning Rider Course. His positive experience with MSF instructors, as well as aspirations for continued betterment of his riding skills have motivated his desire to share knowledge with other riders. Stan says that his involvement with Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic has taken his riding to a new level, and exponentially increased his "fun factor". Stan is a member of the American Motorcyclist's Association and the Masonic Motorcyclists Club International, where he is actively involved in the motor patrol of the Shriners that performs in parades publicizing the free medical care provided to children in Shriners' hospitals.

John Colandrea, Troy, New York

John believes that motorcycling is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Besides teaching, his passion is advanced riding (High speed and super low speed) on his GL1800 Gold Wing. "I love the look on peoples' faces when they see me hanging completely off the inside of my Wing in a corner, or hanging completely off the outside in a u-turn at idle" As an MSF Certified RiderCoach, John has taught nearly 1500 riders (Basic and experienced) in his career. He believes in learning something new about motorcycling, every chance he gets. He is Vice President of Capital Area Motorcycling School, Inc., which trains over 1100 people each year. He was personally trained by Lee Parks, and went on to become a Total Control ARC Instructor. When he can't ride in the long NY winters he pursues his other passion; the Winter Olympic sport of "Curling."

Kurt Paulson, Troy, New York

Kurt's motorcycle addiction began at age nine on a neighbor's Z50 Honda. A year later there was an XR 75 in his driveway and he never looked back. Current rides include an '07 ZX6r for street and track and a 250f Yamaha for the woods. Hopefully a Supermoto will be added to the fleet this year. For the past ten years Kurt has been introducing new riders to the sport as an MSF RiderCoach. He also instructs for a local track day organization at NHIS in New Hampshire. Kurt has been certified to teach the ARC for three years.

David Beyer, Watertown, New York

David is an avid rider and participant in all forms of motorized recreation. Riding ATV's and Snowmobiles since age 6, he got on two wheels at age 12. His bike adventures have ranged from +100-mile competition enduros, to 1000-mile random sightseeing days. David took his first formal training with the MSF program in the military in 1984. After several bikes and many years, David worked in his local region to re-establish the MSF Rider training program and become a coach. He also is a certified ATV Program and Dirt Bike School instructor. In rapid succession, David took the TCARC and the Penguin Racing School. He felt that it makes sense to share the knowledge that has made his own riding so much better. In 2006 he became a certified instructor for the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic.

Bret Tkacs, Olympia, Washington

Bret seeks out to improve his riding every year by attending a variety of track and street schools . He currently operates Puget Sound Safety, one of the largest motorcycle schools in the Pacific Northwest training over 5000 riders per year. His philosophy that "we ride motorcycles to have fun, so improving our riding should be fun too" is evidenced in his teaching style. You are guaranteed to have a blast when you take the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic with Bret. In addition to being a Total Control instructor Bret has also been a WMSP & MSF instructor since 1997, is a certified Dirtbike School RiderCoach, the Chief instructor for the Advanced Street Skills program, and is one of the instructors for the Motorcycle Care and Maintenance course taught at Puget Sound Safety. In addition to teaching he also guest speaker at rallies and event occasionally offering clinics on riding techniques and suspension theory.

Kevin Hoffberg, Olympia, Washington

Kevin came to motorcycles later in life. "I think of myself as a typical 'mid-life rider. I rode when I was young, gave it up, and then relit the candle about five years ago. With a blowtorch." Kevin is a student of riding, having taken numerous workshops, including TCARC several times before, becoming a certified instructor. Kevin is a track day hound, riding regularly as a participant and a control rider. He is also a fan of long distance riding and racks up big miles on his FJR every year. He writes an online magazine about motorcycling called www.midliferider.com. "I have been a student, teacher, and author all my life. Motorcycling brings these three passions together. I've learned how to be a safe, confident, and quick rider. I promise you that spending a day doing TCARC will help you do the same."

David Grant, Atlus, Oklahoma

United States Air Force and has performed ground-breaking Air Force motorcycle mishap study and developed an advanced training course for the Air Force. He has been published at the annual Popular culture Association and BMWMOA news, been MSF-certified since 2001 and a Total Control Instructor since 2006. Being a club road racer has give him the actual knowledge to enhance the theoretical knowledge presented in the class. For those who want a level of energy and enthusiasm in the class to the next level, he's the instructor to want.

Dave Perry, Canton, New York

I started riding motorcycles with my Dad before he was 10 on his 1962 Harley. I started on my own when I was 12 and have been riding ever since. I now get to ride 20,000 miles a year. Although all bikes have there niche I like the comfort of the touring bike and with the smooth and comfort they offer. Everyone that rides, no matter what their ride is, have the same weather we all put up with.

Marc Connelly, Canton, New York

At age 12, Marc's dad sat him on a motorcycle, showed him the throttle, the clutch, and the brakes, and told him, "Don't crash." Being the obedient son, Marc has tried to do as his dad directed so many years ago. (His dad taught him to ride in a pineapple field. Crashing really wasn't an option!) Nowadays, Marc spends his time running two MSF training sites in Upstate New York as well as the TCARC program at SUNY Canton. In his spare time, he manages to wear out a few sets of tires a season on various bikes. Marc jokes when people ask him what type of bike he rides by answering "a Suzuki GZ 250". Then he goes on to tell them he also rides a Kawasaki C14 when he rides alone, and a GL1800 when two up with his wife. Marc says, "coaching is a win/win profession. My students learn from my experience, and I learn from theirs'. It doesn't get any better than this."

Paul Hilliard, Canton, New York

Paul (AKA 'Furface') has a passion for motorcycling that is genetically programmed - grandfather (one of the first Ontario Provincial Police motorcyclists), father (Dispatch Rider WWII) and mother (hill climb and flat track racing - '36 Norton 500 - pre-war). Paul started riding in '69 (305 Super Hawk) having been introduced to riding by an older (20ish) friend on a Bonnie in '65 (while somewhat underage). Paul progressed through Norton Commando - Bonnie - Honda 750F - Yamaha 400 Enduro - GL1100 to the GL1800. As a 'Canuck' Paul makes up for the shorter riding season by energetically carving touring miles on his GL 1800--whenever he is not instructing with MSF or installing suspensions. He can often be heard saying 'Git 'er done' and lives by the axiom' . . . sliding across the 'finish line of life' yelling YAHOO - WHAT A RIDE!!

Harry Wirth, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Harry Wirth is a Certified DOT and MSF Motorcycle Rider Coach since 2000 and has had over 1000 students in his classes. He teaches the MSF Basic (BRC) and Experienced Rider Course (ERC). Harry Wirth is also a rider coach for Private Track Time and SportbikeTrackTime. He teaches the Sport Riding 101 track course for street and sport riders at various tracks. Whenever Wirth can, he tests and refines his riding skills on the racetrack utilizing the many "track days" available. Wirth's Ducati 999s, Ducati 748 and Ducati Multistrada are perfect for honing cornering skills at tracks like Blackhawk, Road America, Autobahn, Barber, Gratten, and others. Harry is also an architect, professor of art and design and an accomplished artist.

Mark Wissell, Marshall, Wisconsin

Mark was introduced to motorcycling at a young age by a kind neighbor and managed to use money earned from his first jobs to purchase his first motorcycle at the age of 13. After a short break from motorcycling to get his career off the ground Mark returned to cycling with a vengeance. He is now a Rider's Association of Triumph pack leader, Iron Butt Association member and riding coach for Private Track Time track days. He also works as part of the official Triumph North America demo truck team at various events and enjoys meeting with, and learning from, fellow motorcycle riders wherever they are. Mark truly believes that the more you know about riding the better it gets and has been known to say, "The most cost effective performance upgrade you can make to your bike is rider education!"

Dave Ruocco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dave started training riders in 1995 as an MSF Rider coach in Minnesota. Since then he has introduced over 1300 students to the excitement of motorcycling. Dave has also become heavily involved in training students on the racetrack as well. He is currently an instructor for Private Track Time and has coached across the United States as an instructor for the Buell Inside Pass program. After taking Total Control in 2005, he quickly signed up to become a certified TCARC instructor and currently teaches ARCs across the Midwest. When not teaching motorcycling, he is busy raising his 2 young sons and practicing law.

Tealdo Teal, Gilbert, Arizona

Tealdo has been street-riding for 23 years. He also did some drag- and road-racing in the early '90s, but knew a racing career was out of the question the day Scott Russell screamed past him on essentially the same bike at Portland International Raceway. Since then, motorcycling has become a lifestyle for Tealdo. He enjoys all aspects of riding, from commuting to long-distance tours to track days. Tealdo is also a mechanic and although he has ridden and worked on all types of bikes his favorite is a Kawasaki ZRX 1200. Tealdo came across Total Control in a bookstore a few years ago and the principles changed his riding dramatically. He knew he wanted to teach Total Control to others and is thrilled that the wish has become reality. Total Control is his favorite gift to other riders.

Rob Hephner, Gilbert, Arizona

Rob “Birdman” Hephner got into and out of motorcycling at a young age thanks to his introduction to motorcycles by watching Evel Knievel jump Greyhound busses. After a 15-year hiatus he decided that he matured enough to be responsible while riding. In a relatively short amount of time he has logged over 150,000 miles and is a self-proclaimed student of riding. His nickname comes from the over 100 bird strikes that have occurred since returning to riding. Rob loves the Total Control curriculum’s ability to give riders more confidence and better more relaxing riding experience. He also has noted that since more masterfully applying the Vision lessons taught in the Clinic, he has had far fewer bird incidents.

Bob Elliot, Atlanta, Georgia

"Ironbutt" Bob became an MSF Certified RiderCoach in 2005 and is also a Harley-Davidson Certified Riders' Edge Instructor. As the name implies Bob has logged an enormous amount of time and miles riding on his numerous motorcycles. As a Premier Member of the Iron Butt Association he has successfully completed numerous sanctioned rides. He's earned certification for the Four Corners of America, Ultimate Coast to Coast (Key West to Prudhoe Bay) and most recently the 48+ (49 states plus Canada) which he completed in 8 days. His communication background as an on air talent, media consultant, and radio station group owner gives Bob an innate ability to relate and communicate to his students. Bob has been selected to compete in the 2009 Iron Butt Rally (11,000 miles in 11 days).

Mike "Pilot" Nelson, Las Vegas, Nevada

Having ridden over 40,000 miles in Colorado, Pilot is a multi-dimensional specialist: in touring, caving, mountaineering, SCUBA diving, extreme winter camping--snow caving, kayaking, iceboat sailing, Jeep ice racing and photojournalism. As manager of Terra Nova Team Racing, his chief rider, Andrew Gillespie, #112, won the MRA 2007 Novice GTU Championship and Rookie of the Year. He has taught nationwide for Total Control and its affiliates, and is also a certified MSF RiderCoach for Ricky Orlando Motorcycle Schools in Colorado. Working with Lee Parks Design, he traveled the USA during the 2007-2009 International Motorcycle Show.

Curt Cummings, Denver, Colorado

Curt began riding on cow paths on his dad's ranch in the mid 1960's. His first bike was a Honda Trail 70. In the early 1970's, most of his riding time was spent at Rampart Range, west of Castle Rock, Colorado. Throughout his adult life he rode both street and dirt bikes. In the mid 1990's, Curt and his boys, Craig and Cory, raced motocross up and down the front range. When the boys entered college, racing stopped. But they all continued to ride at the track for fun. In 2005, Curt became an MSF instructor and in 2007 a Total Control ARC instructor. Total Control methods have changed the way Curt rides street bikes. With the new understanding of Traction Managment by Body Positioning, Mental State and Suspension introduced in the course, he has found that fun and safety factors have gone way up. Curt rides motocross, participates in the T3RG Drill Team and competes in the Civilian Top Gun Riding Competition held in Denver. Curt enjoys helping people experience motorcycles for the first time and experienced riders discover new ways to ride with more control.

Dean Hutton, Denver, Colorado

Dean is been a licensed pilot, aircraft mechanic & inspector, but his passion has always been riding motorcycles . . . any motorcycles. He has been riding and racing off road motorcycles since the 1970's, and still shows up at Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit events. As an equal opportunity rider, he currently has a Suzuki GSXR1000, a Honda RC51, and a KTM 250XC. He also has a very understanding wife (though she argues with his belief that a garage is no place for a car). His latest passion (for the last ten years) is riding track days. He has ridden and taken classes at Second Creek, Continental Divide, PPIR, Pueblo, Miller, Barber, & Firebird. He currently teaches the MSF BRC and ERC, and has been teaching the Total Control ARC for two years. Always looking to be a better rider, he knows the list will continue to grow!

Ty Piz, Denver, Colorado

Ty is a Colorado native, fourth of six kids, in a family that worked together building a business. He learned to ride a mini-bike at 7. He played quarterback, shot hoops, wrestled, played soccer, snow and water skied. Ty began racing moto-cross on a Yamaha DT 125 at twelve and learned to ride the woops, berms, and jumps. Ty attended Warren Vocational school for motorcycle mechanics training. He wrenched for nine years in local Colorado shops while racing, then moved to Arizona and taught at MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute). At nineteen, Ty took his love of racing to the asphalt tracks. His dirt experience blossomed on road courses around the country. He rode different bikes while climbing the ladder from amateur to expert, and eventually was three time Regional MRA champion. While Ty's true passion will always will be riding motorcycles and teaching people to ride, he works a day job with special needs students for Jefferson County Schools, where he is a soccer coach and referee. Ty has taught at Jason Pridmore's STAR school and Doug Chandler's On Track School. Ty became a MSF Rider Coach and Total Control instructor in 2007. Ty is proud of his three daughters, and his wife Robyn, an award winning author and lifelong equestrienne.

Lonnie Milligan, Austin, Texas

Lonnie got hooked on motorcycling at the young age of 14 in South Dakota. Since that time, which is over 4 decades ago, he has never been without a motorcycle. He started on an Allstate scooter, which is like a Vespa to you young guns. He took up dirt racing starting with flat tracking and then when motocross started getting popular he raced it for a few years. Lonnie ran the Texas State Enduro championship for a couple of years. As he got older, he realized that he didn’t heal as fast as he used to. So, he started riding on the street. While in the US Air Force he got the opportunity to become an MSF instructor, which he did in 1977. He currently still teaches the BRC and ERC. In 2008 Lonnie got certified as a Total Control instructor. Watching the students’ confidence and skills increase is the main driving force for Lonnie to keep doing what he loves and that is to help other people enjoy a sport that has given him so much pleasure in his life.

Jude Schnexyder, Austin, Texas

Jude Schexnyder has been a motorcycle enthusiast for nearly 40 years, and rides over 25 thousand miles annually. He has been a traffic safety professional for over 29 years and actively involved in motorcycle safety and training for the last 5 years. Jude is a MSF RiderCoach and co-owner of MotoFun, the first training sponsor certified to offer Total Control clinics in Texas. He views Total Control as the evolutionary next step from MSF training for riders who want to become more proficient in their abilities, and maximizing the capabilities of their machine.