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So, you want to be a roadracer?
So, you want to be a roadracer?
Brian Whipple
Published by MCADXmag
01-12-2008
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So, You Want to Be A Roadracer
“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?

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ID:	7403 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.


<< <    Next Page: Getting your racing license (Page 1 of 5)    >  >>
  #1  
By CBRVFR on 03-24-2008, 07:54 PM
Great perspective, and much appreciated.
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  #2  
By TornadoB8 on 03-25-2008, 11:54 AM
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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  #3  
By Noodles on 04-30-2008, 02:29 PM
Good read. The play-by-play of first call to turn one was pretty intense...Maybe some day.
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  #4  
By bwhip on 04-30-2008, 02:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noodles View Post
Good read. The play-by-play of first call to turn one was pretty intense...Maybe some day.
Thanks. On-board race videos such as this one capture it a little bit:
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  #5  
By Jetbdude on 05-05-2008, 03:53 PM
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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LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.motorcycleaddicts.org/learned-hard-way/10636-so-you-want-roadracer.html
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