NorthernRR

Ok I have to admit, I've been thinking of doing the deed and signing up for a race series...
Couple of problems.

The bike. I LOVE my bike, but I don't think that it really qualifies for anything. Full Ohlins and aftermarket rims and 1000CC don't really lend themselves to novice racing. I don't feel like sinking 10K into another bike(4 is almost enough for now)

Racing Series. I have NO idea what I "qualify" for nor what I can look at for a "local"(ontario) series.

Track time. I'm not in it for the "glory". I LOVE riding at the track. Safe, fast, fun. NO POLICE. I would ride all day if I could find an open track day, yeah I like it that much. From what I have heard racing drastically cuts track time down. Is it worth it?

Cost. As much as I would LOVE to have an unlimited chequing account, I don't, I wonder if it is possible to run competitively and stay as cheap as possible? I have the truck and the trailer and can afford the price of the gas and accomodations for the races, but what about entry fees, tires wear and tear... all that crap.

I would LOVE to be able to say, yeah, I race, but honestly, I just want to go faster and ride better. and I think that competitive riding is the next step to improve my abilities. I have not found that "push" in plain track riding. I don't ride over my head and it seems that I always find a way to go faster(normally just because JBD goes faster and I don't want to listen to his bragging or something like that) That and I am Jealous as hell of all the members that race and have such a blast.

I have just been pondering a LOT of things like this lately and am starting to think that it may be for me. Any one have any ideas?

What series should I run in?
What do I need to start?
Should I even bother?

Just "wondering" if it's fesable for me to look at something like this?
and either way I will still be at grattan(and hopefully miller)

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

SheepOfBlue

Less ride time and more perform now time is a down for me. However that also increases focus and you are likely to improve more since it "matters". Not sure on classes there but here in WERA there is supersport and superbike you would be superbike (so is the RC because of my rims).

You would be in a busier class but also just consider 1-2 races, you retain Novice status and have a better feel for next year (what I did). As to the bike, yes if you need to win but if you are like me and just the competing in is important you can hold your own.

__________________
Not a crop circle creator

Shenders1

The only thing about this that surprises me is that it took you this long to decide to do it....

TornadoB8

Get a rule book of the org you would be running and read their equipment standards and class/category definitions.

For example here are CCS classes you could run with your current bike config:

1. Unlimited GP
2. GTO
3. Unlimited Superbike

The seat time you've already logged on your bike is in your favor if you decide to run it. I say go for it. Have fun and good luck!

__________________
CCS#27 CMRA#271
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene, PitBull

NorthernRR

Kinda been a LONG drawn out process for sure.

Lots of things crossing my mind for sure. Am I fast enough, am I consistent enough, do i "REALLY" want to race?

I do think that the seat time on my current bike will benefit me, but I know that I cannot push my current tires(dunlop slicks) to the "limit", tried it a couple of times and scared the sh!t out of myself. I just don't know if I am fast enough or experianced enough. I just feel like my bike is capable of SO much more than I am.

This coming season will be my third on the track. I don't want to rush things. Bu am looking to take things to another level.

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

SheepOfBlue

Hey someone has to take last



Just kidding, if you enjoy it and are not a hazard who cares if you are dragging the back. For reference I was mid pack in one group and last in the other (largely due to someone running me into the trap) at Barber but it is a bit more popular. Looking at times I could be mid pack in both groups at TGP (maybe even higher in big twins)

__________________
Not a crop circle creator

NorthernRR

I'm not worried about running last place(much, hahaha) I think that I can run consistent enough to make it worth while. I am not looking to place nationally either. More just to improve my riding and skill level.

I have found that I pick things up pretty quick (on a bike at least) and enjoy riding a TON. I am not really even that competitive. I am just looking for another avenue to have fun. that and I HATE trying to explain to people that I just do track days and not race...

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

08silvercbr

Are you really that limited with your bike in the appropriate class? I'm sure there are people that go nuts with the bells and whistles, but many on the opposite side too. I'm sure Spies could hop on your bike and clean house so I wouldn't worry about that. I'd say if you can swallow the rulebook, and are willing to spend the cash go for it. After all it’s for fun anyway right?

__________________
Making pennies bleed dollars since 1978

ONEvcs

Good luck with the decision.

__________________
"Everyone is replaceable, but you can't replace everyone at once."
Heavy-Dee

bwhip

First of all, there is no question that you have the skills. I think you'd be a very competitive racer from the getgo.

In our series, on that bike, you'd be eligible to race in Novice GTO and Amateur GTO. You'd definitely have more options with a 600, as you could run both the middleweight and open classes.

As far as track time versus trackdays, I'm sure it depends somewhat on the schedule of your race organization, and probably the number of racers, number of races, and practice schedule. I find that on a typical race weekend with our practice schedules on Saturday, and Sunday, and the races I have on Sunday, I usually wind up with as much or more track time than a typical trackday weekend, for less money.

Does racing help your riding skills? It definitely helps your racing skills! Sure, I think it can help your riding a lot, if it's done with that in mind. And you certainly can't beat the rush. The downside is that trackdays, while still incredibly fun, won't ever be the same.

__________________
My Gallery
http://www.latebraker.com

phobe

Admit it, you're just tired of explaining what a trackday is to non sportbike people.

__________________
"Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains."

Churchill

Baketech

...and that you've already got the haircut...

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

gt702

The question you need to ask, is if it is important to be in the premier (600 and 1000cc classes) to get out of racing what you want. Will a "lesser" class meet your needs?

In NH they run the EX500's and have a very competitive series that even long time people find fullfilling. I ran a lightweight twin in both the lightweight and heavyweight series with good results, and that was a ball. Beating "superior bikes" can be very rewarding even if you aren't taking first place.

if one of these lower performing classes are acceptable to you, I think you will find that they are very high in skills development, and if you don't go crazy, much easier on the pocket book. You should be able to pick up a race prepped SV650 or other lightweight bike fairly cheaply, and they get 2-3 times the mileage out of tires and gas.

Something to consider.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

ND4SPD

Are you willing to risk obliterating it and then bearing the costs to repair or replace it so you can finish your season?

__________________
"This is your life - are you who you want to be?"
Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X
The Motorcycle Addict's Magazine - MCADXmag

TornadoB8

ND makes a very good point. Crashing is more prevelent in racing than it is in track day riding. If you love your bike as you say, be prepared to hate your wallet the first time you wad your bike. Especially with those expensive forks and rims.

__________________
CCS#27 CMRA#271
Dunlop, Vortex, Vesrah, Silkolene, PitBull

phobe

You could always race your 'tard... not just in Supermoto, but it'll probably also qualify for some of the lightweight roadracing classes. Cheaper to fix when you bust it, too.

__________________
"Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains."

Churchill

BobcatSig

A great recommendation was to get a race-prepped SV650. They abound and parts are readily available at a much cheaper cost. And this way, if you TOTALLY bin it, you'll still have your main bike and the repair costs won't make you take out a second mortgage.

__________________
Obama calls it “change we can believe in.” Vito Corleone called it “making them an offer they can’t refuse.”

phobe

Or pick up a ratty '98 R1 or Blade and win yourself a championship in Vintage against all the geezers on the ratbikes with the turkey roasting pans lashed under the engines.

__________________
"Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains."

Churchill

luvtolean

I can tell you not to worry about your skills, you're better than many racers starting out.

It's already been mentioned, but you should look at whatever you take racing as a completely sunk cost, you very well may have your bike destroyed by one of those leaky old R1s that was patched up just good enough to fool an apathetic tech inspector.

__________________
You got to know, you got to know, the winners say GO-GO-GO...I got no patience, so sick of complacence... -Rage Against the Machine

The-Undertaker

Get a SV 650, 2008-09 Ninja 250r, or get that ex you have ready to race. It will keep the $$$$ factor to normal levels.

ONEvcs

There's a guy on the cmra site
CMRA ::: Message Board
selling bikes with busted plastics. They even have a one sided crash 1098 on sale there.
I've seen some guys selling some cheap race prepped bikes.
There's even a very nice 06 cfr450 with a bunch of goodies for $4800.
SV are very popular there too.
If you're interested on any of them, I can check and ship them out for you.

__________________
"Everyone is replaceable, but you can't replace everyone at once."
Heavy-Dee

NorthernRR

Thanks for the input guys.

The crashing thing was kind of the giant elephant in the room for me. I have never really pushed hard enough at a track day to expect to crash. In the two times I have been down they were both easily avoidable and rider error(cold tires both times, I was just too excited) I have pushed at track days but, not "that" hard... Not worth it.

I still have all the stock parts for my bike. I hate to think that I bought those parts just to look at... but in the same breath, I know right now I don't have the cake to repair it to how it sits right now...

I guess I may have to start looking around for bikes? I know that my bike would be great in the series. I have ran it against others a fair bit newer than it and again it all comes down to rider... I never have been able to ride my bike to it's limits... more closer to mine.

I am NOWHERE near fast enough on the tard to make that work, good idea though. With all the maintenence I'd have to do on it, I may as well buy a new bike... hahaha

Thanks for the compliments too. I was/am worried that I would be more in the way than racing...

I'm gonna talk to a guy in my neighbourhood that has raced before and see what he says too. I just hate the prospect of having to race at shannonville... I have been there 2 times and hated each of them... what a horrible track. I have just NEVER gotten comfy on it.

Then I may be looking at a few other things, like buying a different bike, running mine and risking it, or just riding track for another year until I have more of a financial plan in place...

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

Jetbdude

Your only option is to run the R.A.C.E. series in Shannonville in the Novice Open class. Your tipical week-end would look like this. Friday practice, early morning is pretty much open track so arrive ready to the track. Around 10:00 they split into 2 sessions and in the afternoon into sometime 4. Plenty of track time on Friday.

Saturday, you'll get 2, 8 minutes, practice session in the morning and the 10 laps qualification in the afternoon.

Sunday 2, 8 minute, practice session in the morning and your race in the afternoon.

If you had a 600 you could run both the open and the 600 so you'd have a little more track time, one more qualif and one more race as they run the same practice sessions.

They don't care what's on your bike in the novice class. You can run slicks in the open too. People would expect you to be fast, that's it

It's a great experience man, not too expensive since you have already pretty much everything you need and you're close to the track. you'll just need to get a gen. Most of my expenses last year was gaz for the truck....

I'm planning on only doing the national next year.... so I won't be doing R.A.C.E. Give me a call if you want some more info.

I'm in Toronto btw for the week.

__________________
Just got back from Grattan

NorthernRR

Ok, so that sounds like a LOT less track time than a regular weekend. Do they have track day weekends that coincide with these events? It'd be nice to get some more time on that track before being expected to race on it...

Slicks is a good thing. but they are a spec tire right?

Sounds alright, what options are the year after? I don't want to just race at shannonville all the time. How many rounds are there?

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

Jetbdude

your options are only limited by your bike. Unless you feel confident enough to step right into the Canadian Superbike open class? Your Spencer certificate will get you your racing licence either way.

There is 1 or maybee even 2 track days before racing starts, but they are WAY early in the season so weather might be an issue....

I did not care that much for R.A.C.E to be honnest with you, one reason is the track, and second was track time. I'll get just a little more track time at the nationals, but I'll get to ride 5 different tracks. I'll be riding at the back of the pack though, but I should learn a lot.

If you do go, you have nothing to loose, you're paying for one race you know, not the whole season. Your license is 135 if I recall, and it's good for a year. You'll have fun, that's sure!

LOT'S of prepping to be done to the bike though!!! Read the rules on the RACE web site. Safety wiring being the most time consuming one.

I'm just a phone call away

__________________
Just got back from Grattan

NorthernRR

Cool, honestly I really think that my biggest worry is that TRACK... I HATE that place. I have NEVER had a good track day there, and I REALLY don't enjoy riding it...

I may put in for my race license and go from there? who knows.

I will start looking into the rules for sure. Just more things to make me nervous at tech time... I know the bikes fine but I still worry... hahaha

I've been super busy at work so I haven't had much time to call, that and I don't have any reception at home... Maybe I'll try to make some time tomorrow.

We could always go south for a track day warm up?

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

MotoVegas

Not that I know anything about anything, but didn't RRW recently do an article about a 250 Ninja race series that you can RENT the bikes and enter the race? That would be cool if you ask me. Fly out to Cali. Race a rented bike, and see if you like it.

__________________
Enjoy my pics

Enjoy my crash

Enjoy riding with Whip and I at SMMR

NorthernRR

For the price of the plane ticket and the time off of work I could probably run 6 times here...

Mind you I have always wanted to see the PCH and a bunch of stuff over there.

__________________
See you at GRATTAN

MotoVegas

Check this out:

TrackAddix Re-Introduces Bracket-Style Motorcycle Road Racing News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

__________________
Enjoy my pics

Enjoy my crash

Enjoy riding with Whip and I at SMMR

Bagger

thats pretty cool... sorta like a closed course Rally... I'd definitely make an effort if they had a series like that around here.