The cost of racing...

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Or.....like I've been saying FOREVER - Power to Weight Ratio (PWR) classes. Have some classes with a minimum weight per Horsepower, for example there would be a minimum of 5 lbs per Hp in the class shown below:

combined bike & rider weight divided by rear wheel HP
375 lb bike + 125 lb rider = 500 lbs / 100 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp
400 lb bike + 185 lb rider = 585 lbs / 117 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp
425 lb bike + 250 lb rider = 675 lbs / 135 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp
450 lb bike + 300 lb rider = 750 lbs / 150 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp

Do that and your going to see a whole lot of competition and a bunch of new people finishing Top 3. Even with the PWR equalized amongst competitors the heavier riders would still be at a disadvantage due to less traction available in turns and longer braking distances, but it would still result in one Hell of a lot closer competition thru out the entire field than there is now. This would also give racers like K3 a chance at winning 'fair and square' due to his ability, not like it is now where even if everyone has the same tires winning can be very influenced by who has the lowest amount of weight per Hp. This would also give heavier racers who currently finish well a chance to show just how good they really are (they might even run away with wins once the playing field is leveled out).

Worried about cheating? These type of classes are about competing on a level playing field and would be on an honor system of stating your Rear Wheel Hp to tech - if you have to cheat in this class then it's obvious your not confident in your ability as a racer. If you want to prove to yourself that your a better racer than the competition, and that your not winning because you have a power to weight ratio advantage, this is where you race. No purse money in these classes (unless a dyno is available to confirm PWR), just plaques.

That's my idea. 

[funsizeracing]

Or.....like I've been saying FOREVER - Power to Weight Ratio (PWR) classes. Have some classes with a minimum weight per Horsepower, for example there would be a minimum of 5 lbs per Hp in the class shown below:

combined bike & rider weight divided by rear wheel HP
375 lb bike + 125 lb rider = 500 lbs / 100 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp
400 lb bike + 185 lb rider = 585 lbs / 117 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp
425 lb bike + 250 lb rider = 675 lbs / 135 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp
450 lb bike + 300 lb rider = 750 lbs / 150 Rear Wheel Hp = 5.00 lbs per Hp

Do that and your going to see a whole lot of competition and a bunch of new people finishing Top 3. Even with the PWR equalized amongst competitors the heavier riders would still be at a disadvantage due to less traction available in turns and longer braking distances, but it would still result in one Hell of a lot closer competition thru out the entire field than there is now. This would also give racers like K3 a chance at winning 'fair and square' due to his ability, not like it is now where even if everyone has the same tires winning can be very influenced by who has the lowest amount of weight per Hp. This would also give heavier racers who currently finish well a chance to show just how good they really are (they might even run away with wins once the playing field is leveled out).

Worried about cheating? These type of classes are about competing on a level playing field and would be on an honor system of stating your Rear Wheel Hp to tech - if you have to cheat in this class then it's obvious your not confident in your ability as a racer. If you want to prove to yourself that your a better racer than the competition, and that your not winning because you have a power to weight ratio advantage, this is where you race. No purse money in these classes (unless a dyno is available to confirm PWR), just plaques.

That's my idea. 

But I don't want to race a moped!

[Team Spalding]

They got rid of the power to weight classes last year because it cost too much to haul around and run the dyno at races.

[Super Dave]

They got rid of the power to weight classes last year because it cost too much to haul around and run the dyno at races.

And that there are ways to have multiple maps in a system...

[Ducmarc]

i was thinking maybe use it in lightweight as an basic class for slower , older or less funded riders could ride with older bikes rather than parting out a nice race bike on ebay it still could be competitive  it might even help bike shops and aftermarketers with engine rebuilds and parts sales . it must suck to have a hole bin of of rear sets that fit  an RC51  and no one to sell to. mashing the brake at the line is a problem and is illegal in bracket racing they use brake lights to watch for that. I'm not sure we could do that. we all know after practice about what we and everyone else is doing. and if you want to spend stupid money go unlimited  but it would have to be a true lightweight index . not taking the fastest time from the last race .maybe average everyone in the class.   could take one or to classes and try this like f40 or lightweight grand prix and see if it works.    drag racers have  11.90 10.90 9.90 8.90 classes with 9.90 being the most popular since it doesn't take a million bucks to race it .    i think we are going to be stuck with a sour economy with tight credit for several more years and if we can't find a we to keep cost down and more people riding the whole series may unravel

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

In a power-to-weight class, Billy Casper would be God.  I'd do my best to keep him honest!

[ScubaSteve]

Marc,
 What are you thinking, $20K for a Bimota try $34K now that everyone wants one. The Bimota is good but I think your ebay special Ducati 748 is the way. It is what it is where some guys or gals have the money and maybe they need that bike. I found myself this past weekend keeping up pretty close to those guys with my Ducati 800.

That $50K SV built by Prieto would certainly give them a run for the money.

you talking about the SV Mills and I ran? If so it was still less then a Bimota. It wasn't 50k in it. Bike was built from parts and majority cost was motor and radiator. We never had a mech dnf and it put out 98hp. The weekend I crashed it it was making 103hp. Rob Buroker bought it after my injury and ran it a few year without freshing it up before he blew it up.

Still waiting on the bimotas to catch my times from the SV. I think Edmunds or Kevin finally caught them at Homestead. I heard they ran 31 in June

[majicMARKer]

It is the SV that I am speaking of. I am only going by what the mechanic at the time I took my FZR600 there to be tuned. My FZR600 produced the same horsepower on that dyno but the SV was much stronger especially right from the apex. In those years that Rob had the bike I was competing against him in the Thunderbike ranks as an amateur.

The Bimota is $34K to start before any mods.

I also had heard that Edmonds and Kevin were in the 31's but I didn't see it on the time sheets. Those times may be from Kevin's GPS.

[Ducmarc]

 i was looking for a way to slow down lap times and expense so the average yoke can  stay in racing sure it will piss a few people off  but  i think it would narrow the disparity between the fastest and the slowest riders and keep from losing more riders   of course we can not change anything and let it all go to pot.

[majicMARKer]

For me to keep racing it's a matter of me keeping my old bikes and continue to run them. The option of purchasing new becomes too much for my racing budget which is what I think leads to many racers dropping out. Of course the mentality of most only settling for being at the front comes into play.

For me it has been quite a challenge to run on equipment and resources of very little. It was very satisfying running that ebay special Ducati 748 against the likes of the leading LW group. There was something to be said having a $700 bike bringing me half way through the 2008 Ultralight SB Championship which ultimately I won.

It's nice to have a place to run my old bikes. Not necessarily vintage but the ten year old stuff and not get too badly bruised.

Racing is what it is. If you have the money to afford the upgrades to run at the front then by all means I can't complain. If you want me to keep racing give me an incentive. I do it because I love it. I'm not the fastest guy out there but I do win some races.

[Fast Eddy]

Hi gang,

Just thought I would share my experience. I had NO interest in racing. I have raced cars and know it is not cheap to race, period. I wanted to ride fast and have fun. With a little encouragement from others, I got my license this year and can't wait for the next round.

I think track days need to be treated like a talent pool to recruited from so to speak. We need to encourage track riders to try the next level. We need to explain to them how much fun you can have without being the fasted.

One of the best things that has happened to me was having another rider I know comment on how he was comfortable riding near me cause he trusted my riding. I thought that was a great compliment and as good as a win.

We must stop huddling in our little racer groups and venture out into the squids and spread the word.