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“I’ve done trackdays, and I love passing people out there!”

“That guy is a racer? I’m way faster than him!”

“I’d race, but it’s just too dangerous. You’ve got to be nuts to do that. Plus, I’m too old!”

“Man, it sure would be cool to late-brake someone into the final corner and win the race like Rossi!”

Sound familiar? I know, because it did to me too. I probably said (or certainly thought!) all of those statements over the last few years. But as you can imagine, there’s a big difference between saying or thinking that stuff, and actually taking the BIG leap. The leap from trackday rider to actual club racer.

Well, last year, at the tender age of 44, I did make that big leap. A leap that was fun, scary, crazy, and expensive. And way beyond anything I ever could have imagined it would be. Think you might want to try it?

What does it take to be a club racer?
Some clubs have a series that will let you try racing with your street bike. Where I race, at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah, they call it the “Clubman” series. You’ll have to take a few safety precautions just like at a trackday, like taping your mirrors, taping or disabling your lights, and probably swapping out your coolant for water. But you won’t have to go to full race bodywork, frame sliders, and some of the other stuff normally required to race.

You don’t need the latest and greatest bike to race, either. In club racing, there are successful racers on bikes new and old. Technique is much more important than horsepower and technology. Especially while learning, it’s not a bad idea to use a bike that is less costly. One good reason for this is that most insurance companies won’t cover your bike if you are racing. If you happen to crash, you are going to be paying for the damage to your bike out of your own pocket. Definitely something to think about before deciding to race.

Are you more likely to crash while on the street, at a trackday, or while racing? That’s a good question. I’m not aware of any statistics on this. I think I’ve actually seen more crashes at trackdays than at my race weekends, which is surprising. And I hardly even ride on the street anymore, because all I see are the dangers of cars, debris in the road, deer, and so on. In any case, I’m a big believer in getting as much education and training as possible to improve your skills and reduce your risk, no matter what type of riding you do.


[BREAK=Getting your racing license]

To race, you’ll need a racing license. They’re really not that tough to get. I got mine through WERA at a trackday. Most clubs and many trackdays have an NRS, or New Racers School. Basically, it involves a half-day of instruction, with half of the time in the classroom, and the other half on the track. You’ll learn about what all the types of flags mean, the start procedure, bike prep, and lots of other good stuff that’s pretty basic. On the track, the instructor just wants to see that you have good control of your bike and aren’t going to be a complete knucklehead out there, putting yourself or others at risk.

The coolest part of getting the license was the “mock race” at the end of the training. The students took a warm-up lap, then lined up on a grid for an actual race standing start, then did three laps of actual racing. The rule was that if your handlebar touches the ground (a crash, no matter how minor), you don’t pass or get your license, and you’ll have to take the whole class over again.

The mock race was really exciting! I’d never done a standing start like that before. The other riders and I were out there on the grid, watching the starter count down and prepare to wave the green flag, all of us revving our bikes in anticipation, when suddenly that flag was flying – and so were we! I could see the other riders in my peripheral vision as we all dove into that first corner together. I wanted to get the holeshot, but I sure didn’t want to crash and have to take the class over to get my license! With no mirrors, and no pit board, you have no idea whether the other riders are right on your tail, or if you have a big lead. I got the holeshot, and from that point on could do nothing but assume they were right behind me, for three laps that felt like forever. It was really intense. It was so cool to see that checkered flag! I wound up actually winning the mock race (okay, there were only two of us, plus the instructor, who pulled off early – but I still won!), and it felt incredible. I waved at the corner workers on my cool-down lap, as they all clapped for me. How cool was that! I was beginning to think this racing stuff would be pretty fun.

I’ve got my license, now what?

The next thing you’ll want to do is to learn the rules of racing for your club. What classes will you run? This will depend on the type of bike you have, and your level of experience. What do you need to do to prep your bike? What is the schedule for race weekends? If you know someone who has raced the series before, they can be a big help with getting ready. In my case, my buddy Todd Seaver was a huge help. He had raced the season before, so he had to put up with a nonstop stream of questions from me. In fact, I was amazed at how helpful virtually everyone in the paddock was to me, as I went through my first season.

Your bike will need a transponder, which is an electronic device that sends a signal to the scorers in the tower as you cross the finish line each lap. It will keep track of all of your lap times in practice sessions and the races, and will decide any “photo finishes” electronically. They’re fairly expensive little gadgets – around $300.00 or so. Our club rents them out too, but I figured it would be cheaper in the long run to buy mine. Sometimes you can find them used on Ebay or the WERA forum. Lots of racing clubs automatically post the lap times and race results on www.mylaps.com, which is very handy.

Once you know which classes you will run, you will need to register for the races with your club. In our case, for the first race weekend, the novice grid positions were based on when you got your registration in. I wanted to be up at the front of the grid, so I signed up early!

Now that you're signed up, the anticipation really heats up. In my case, literally for weeks prior to my first race, it was really hard to sleep at night, just thinking about being on that starting grid with those other riders. I got to the point where I just wanted it to hurry up and get here, so I could get some sleep at night for a change.
[BREAK=Your first race weekend]



Finally, the first race weekend arrives. There’s a sort of relaxed intensity in the paddock. A lot like a trackday, but with just a little more nervous vibe. Your bike, and your protective gear, will need to pass a tech inspection. There will be a riders’ meeting, where they will go over some rules and details of how things will work that day, and remind you to be good sports out there. Finally, it’s time to gas up the bike, put on the tire warmers, and get ready for your first practice session.

Every club will have a slightly different schedule. In our case, practice day was on Saturday, and race day was Sunday. They did some Clubman races on Saturday, as well as the endurance races, but mostly Saturday was a practice day. We had three practice groups – fast , slow, and Clubman, which alternated in twenty minute sessions. The practice sessions are a lot like a trackday – riders doing laps, working on technique, learning the track, getting their bikes set up properly, and trying to improve their lap times.

Like a trackday, during the practice sessions you’ll figure out fast that there are some guys (and gals) a lot faster than you, but also a bunch of people that you are passing. This is comforting, as for many of us first-time racers, our big fear is finishing in last place. As you ride around in practice, suddenly things are feeling a lot more comfortable, because instead of just sitting around in nervous anticipation, you’re actually riding – something you are comfortable with (and probably pretty good at).

Between practice sessions, they posted sheets up on the wall that would show everyone’s best lap times from the previous session. How’d I do? If you are a competition junkie like me, you’ll be competing during practice sessions, not just in the race. Sometimes it’s just competing with your previous lap times, or your buddies, but it’s always about improving.

At the end of the day, it was fun to watch the Clubman and endurance races. I watched and tried to learn in anticipation of my races coming up the next day. How are the announcements made to call the racers to the pre-grid area? Where does everyone line up on the grid? How does the start procedure work? Is it just like in my mock race when I got my license?

The races I watch just make me that much more excited about what’s coming up tomorrow. Some things I observe, and learn from talking to my experienced buddy, Todd:

· When they post the grid positions, take a piece of duct tape and put it on your tank, with your position written on it. In all the excitement, you can forget, and then you’re the idiot on the grid in the wrong position, holding everyone up.

· Pay attention to the schedule. I’ve seen some guys miss their races because they weren’t keeping an eye on the clock or listening to the announcements.

· “First call” means get your gear on. About five minutes later, you’ll hear “Second call,” which means get your helmet and gloves on, and maybe start warming up the bike. “Third call” – yank the tire warmers off and ride over to pre-grid.

· Pre-hydrate! You won’t believe how thirsty you can get out there on the track, even if it isn’t that hot out. Lots of water and sports drinks.

· Get to pre-grid too early, the bike gets hot and the tires get cold. Get there too late, and you miss your start.

· From the pre-grid, they send you on your warm-up lap. Don’t just cruise – ride fast! Put some heat in those tires.

· Be careful about getting into the right grid position. It’s really irritating when you are sitting in your grid spot, waiting for some boneheads that got it wrong and are having to move around, while your engine gets hot and your tires get cold.

· The start and the first turn are really intense, exciting and kind of scary (actually, that’s my favorite part of the race). There is a huge pack of riders all going for the same small patch of real estate. But, just like you see in the races on TV, after a lap or so, things spread out, and you start to have more individual battles, rather than this huge pack.

Tomorrow’s race day. Good luck sleeping tonight.
[BREAK=Your first race day]

It's finally here. Your first race day. Yesterday there was some nervous intensity in the paddock, but today it just went up about 20 notches. Still, everyone is friendly and helpful. New, shiny bikes, old, beat-up bikes, young guys, old guys, skinny guys, fat guys – you’ll see it all at a typical race weekend. Mostly everyone is there just to have fun and compete, but there are definitely some guys there that want to win, badly, either for contingency money, or just because they have that need. In my case it was mostly about fun (but I really like to win, too).

At our club there are two practice sessions (for each group) in the morning before the races actually start. This is good, because you can go burn off some of that nervous energy on the track, and make any final tweaks to the bike setup that you need to.

Another brief riders’ meeting, then it’s time to confirm the schedules for the races, along with your grid position in each race. Double check those positions, mark them down on your piece of duct tape on the tank, and make sure you and your bike are ready to go. Tire warmers plugged in? Gas in the bike? Guys have run out of gas during a race, believe it or not.

In the paddock, the time before, or between races, is a good time to just chill and hang out with your buddies, or watch some of the races that you aren’t racing in. Do something to avoid just nervously awaiting your race!

First call for your race. It’s here. Awesome! Get the gear on. This is going to be so much fun. Second call. Drink some water. Stay cool. It’s just motorcycle riding. Fun. I can do this. Check that helmet strap – again. Breathe. Warm up the bike. Third call. Holy crap. Yank those tire warmers. Cruise over to pre-grid. Breathe. Keep telling yourself that it’s just riding around a track – something you’ve done many times before. You’re there to have fun. Be smart. Stay in control of your emotions, and your bike. Breathe. Enjoy the rush. The pre-grid area is sort of a little impromptu parking area for bikes before they are sent out to do battle on the track. You look around, sizing up the competition. You probably see a couple of your buddies. “Geez, I hope I don’t look as nervous as those guys” (you probably do). Okay, track’s clear, everyone’s here, send ‘em out. Warm-up lap time.

Ahhh, back on the track again. The riding part is easy. That’s what you’ve done before, so many times. Push it a little, heating up your tires, feeling the grip, thinking about how it’s going to be during the race you’re about to start. Keep breathing.

Before you know it, you’ve exited the final turn and are approaching the starting grid. What’s my grid position again? Oh yeah, it’s on my tank. Row 2, position B. Line up your bike along where the “B” positions will be, then when you get up to row 2, you aren’t trying to move sideways. Find the little marks on the asphalt where your front wheel is to be positioned, and try to relax. As everyone else gets into position, click the bike into neutral, and look up at the starter guy. Try to look cool for all your friends and family at trackside, cheering you on (and praying for you!).

Now get ready for one of the most incredible experiences of your entire life. Seriously – it’s that cool.

The guy with the red flag at the front of the grid moves off to the side of the track. Eyes on the starter. Adrenaline city. Visor down (don’t forget – I did once!).

The starter is holding up his number board. 2. The guys around you start revving. The intensity just went up even higher. 1. Click into first gear, revs up to about 6,000 RPM, finger on the brake, clutch released to about engagement point.

1 board turns sideways. Holy crap, here we go, baby. I can’t freaking believe I’m doing this. GREEN FLAG! The bikes explode off the line like they’ve been shot from a cannon. You’re trying to find just that right mix of throttle and clutch to get to turn one ahead of everyone else. Screw it up, and you bog or wheelie, and the pack leaves you in the dust. Don’t forget to shift into second! That rev limiter comes up pretty quickly in all the excitement. You pass some riders, while others pass you, and you try to decide just how deep you can go into turn one before getting on the brakes. Suddenly you find that there are just too many bikes for this tight little corner! And all of those trackday courtesy rules you’re used to? You know, like the six foot passing rule, stuff like that? Forget about it. It’s MAYHEM. Absolutely gonzo. See a gap in front of you? Take it - now. If you don’t, someone else will. Yeah, I know. It’s crazy. But so damn cool. The start and turn one are truly the most exciting moments I’ve ever experienced in my life. Ever. A rush like no other, and one that I’ve found to be very addictive.

But be prepared - it is a shock to the system at first. I remember thinking, “This is nuts! I’m not sure I’m crazy or ruthless enough for this.” After a while, however, I figured out that the better my start is, the more I can get out ahead of the pack, and let the craziness go on behind me.

After the first few turns, you’ll kind of settle into a groove more like your trackday riding, and realize that it’s pretty similar, just way more intense. You’re trying hard to catch or pass that guy in front of you, while someone is behind you trying to do the same thing to you. You’ll see some opportunities to pass, but you’ll wonder if you can do it safely. Or someone will pass you, sometimes cleanly, sometimes like an idiot.

You’ll see someone faster out in front of you, and you’ll think “hey, if he can go that fast, why can’t I? And you’ll push a little harder, praying that your tires can keep gripping.

Your throat will be so dry you won’t believe it. You may actually remember at some point to try to swallow, but it won’t be easy. Your mind will reach a level of focus more intense than you may have ever experienced.

A short race of just seven or eight laps, which normally would seem like no time at all during a trackday, will suddenly seem like an eternity. You’ll see the starter holding up the crossed flags (indicating the halfway point in the race), and you’ll think, “Are you kidding? We’re only halfway done?” Finally, you’ll see that white flag – just one lap to go! Can I hold off that guy (real or imagined) behind me? I need to push hard enough to keep him behind me, but not so hard that I crash. Maybe that guy in front of me will just make one tiny mistake, and I can get by him before the checkered flag.

At last, the finish line is in sight, the checkered flag being waved to celebrate your accomplishment. You did it! You survived your first race. You are absolutely drained. 100% exhausted – physically and mentally, from just 15 minutes or so of riding. You’re thinking, “Holy crap. That was unbelievable. I’m not sure I can go through all that again. All those close calls. All that intensity. Un-freaking-believable. Wow."

As you circle the track on your cool-down lap, the cornerworkers applaud, as you wave to them in thanks for their unselfish work on your behalf. You and the other racers give each other the thumbs up, or shake hands as you ride, knowing how hard each of you rode to finish where you did. Maybe you won. Maybe you came in 12th. Doesn’t matter all that much at that point. You just experienced the most incredible, intense rush. One that most people will never achieve in their entire life. You are a roadracer.

[BREAK=So, is racing for you?]It’s not for everybody. But, you might be ready to try roadracing, if:

· You’re a reasonably skilled trackday rider

· You like to compete on the racetrack

· You can handle the additional risk factors of higher speeds and lower courtesy

· You can afford it (tires, entry fees, parts, gear, etc.)

If you do give it a try, be smart, ride safely, and have fun! But, I must warn you. Certain activities that you used to find incredibly thrilling – you know, trackdays, roller coasters, sex... You may just find that suddenly now they don’t quite compare.

See you on the starting grid…

Attached Files

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CBRVFR

Great perspective, and much appreciated.

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Godspeed, # 20
Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

TornadoB8

I'd say that's spot on. I've lived those very moments you described and relived them as I read. Thanks!

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Noodles

Good read. The play-by-play of first call to turn one was pretty intense...Maybe some day.

bwhip

Thanks. On-board race videos such as this one capture it a little bit:

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Jetbdude

OK, I did my first race this week-end and I'm happy to tell you that I still like sex as much, this was actually my only fear.

Great article Bwhip! Even greater after this week-end.

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