Hey guys, this is my first post on the forum. I would like to get into some race events at some point. I figured here would be a good place to learn. Im wondering what class would the sv650s be in? Im a little intimidated by supersport and was hoping there was a class below it for 250 2-strokes and 650 and under twins. I have talked to some guys out west who race their SVSs, but i beleive thats WERA or some orginaization like that. Any info is appreciated. thanx in advance.
Welcome to our world!
Supersport is the name for a class where the bikes are very close to stock. Bikes of any size can be supersport-legal. Your SV is considered to be a Lightweight bike.
The real breakdown goes like this
Lightweight: SV, FZR400 Hawk GT, Bandit 400, and (believe it or not) Buells. The little two strokes fit in here and there as well.
Middleweight: 600cc machines, and 750 twins
Heavyweight: 750cc 4 cylinder bikes, and 1000cc twins
Unlimited: All the big stuff. Usually literbikes. People don't seem to be racing Hayabusas and ZX12s
If you run an SV, there are many classes to race in.
Lightweight Supersport allows you to be competitive on a bike that's close to stock. Typical mods include a racing shock, gold valves in stock forks, an aftermarket air filter in the stock airbox, a racing exhaust system, DOT race tires, race brake pads, steel braided lines, fiberglass bodywork, etc.
Beyond that , most classes your SV would be good for are running Superbike rules. Take everything listed above for Supersport, throw away the airbox if you want to, and add racing slicks, a 700cc bore kit, ported heads, big cams, flatslide carbs, a fork assembly transplanted from a late-model GSXR, and many other wild tricks.
See, there are two mindsets here. One camp keeps the bike SS legal, then also runs in the SB based classes for more track time, and the other camp skips the SS class and builds a high-dollar rocket. Most amateurs running in SB-based classes do not have a full-on Superbike, so you'll be OK if you stay SS legal and enter the SB classes too.
Lightweight Classes
Lightweight Supersport (LWSS) is a sprint class for mostly stock machines, as discussed above.
Lightweight Superbike (LWSB) is a sprint class for modified production machines, and little 2 strokes. SS legal bike always welcome here.
Lightweight GT (LWGT) is a 30-minute race based on LWSB rules. All other races are sprints, in whatever number of laps equals approximately 16 miles at a given track.
Lightweight GP is another sprint class based on LWSB rules
Supertwins is a sprint class based o Superbike rules, but here, any twin is allowed, so you'll be up against the Ducatis and RC51s. This is still a very popular class with SV riders, and you'll find more SVs than big twins here.
Thunderbike. Another sprint class, but the rules are a bit weird to allow a number of different bikes to be competitive. An SV does well in this class, especially in superbike form.
OK, my fingers are tired now. Is that enough info? ;D
wow, cool. thanx for the info. that clears a bit of things up.
So mostly all of them are 16 mile sprints except for the lwgt which is a 30 minute race? okay cool.
What would i have to do to join ccs and race? i think i caught something about being race school certified? how much do those schools cost? what else do i need before i can join?
QuoteWhat would i have to do to join ccs and race? i think i caught something about being race school certified? how much do those schools cost? what else do i need before i can join?
Go here (http://www.formulausa.com/forms/05%20New%20Racer%20Kit) and read all about it. Oh and prepare to sell a child in the process because even the most skilled craftsmen of this sport need a money tree in their backyard to play. ;D
if there's a race at a track near you coming up...go watch. walk around the pits, find some of the SV guys and trust me someone will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.
starting out can be daunting...we're all here to help.
(and yeah...start selling your extra organs...)
Check the CCS schedule, and find out who runs the license class in your area. http://www.learningcurves.com/ will get you to the Learning Curves site, which may very well be the school that you take. Even if your region uses a different school, the info on this site will be helpful to you.
After you pass the school, you pay CCS for a license, and then you're good to go! You can probably do the school on Saturday, and enter your first races on Sunday.
How much are schools usually?
that sucks about the price. same thing with atv gncc racing, costs a fortune.
the SV's are cheaper to run than most bigger bikes...alot easier on tires and you can run them in alot of classes (the more classes you enter, the cheaper they get.) and you don't have to do alot to them to get it competitive. so you've picked the budget bike at least!
where are you located?
well im currently in florida. i might move to vermont, i might move to new york, i might stay in florida. its all up in the air right now.
but for the sake of conversation, we'll just say im staying in florida.
i saw there are 2 or 3 race schools based out of morosso speedway. has anyone raced at morossoe and/or tkaen race classes there?
QuoteHow much are schools usually?
that sucks about the price. same thing with atv gncc racing, costs a fortune.
A basic licensing school will probably run something like $150 with gate fee.
If you think ATV racing was expensive, you at least have something new to look forward to, the shock of how expensive this sport can be. :o I will tell you this as my traditional warning to newbies to the sport, pay cash for everything or pay as you go as much as possible. The average length of time someone stays in this sport is only 2-3 seasons, mostly due to finacial reasons or sometimes injury. If you still owe for the last season when starting a new one, you better realize it's probably the steps toward ending your racing in this sport.
With that said I wish you well in this new and exciting addiction for you, after all this will become an all encompassing aspect of your life from here on out! :)
Kidneys come in pairs, and guess what,
You've got a spare!! ;D
Welcome to the disease...
I think the first school was 150 with Learning Curves, then 100 for the license itself, and then you're off to the clinic to be an organ donor!!
Good luck...
Quote A basic licensing school will probably run something like $150 with gate fee.
okay, thats not to to bad. i remember reading about a suzuki school that charged like a grand or 2 a weekend. i was like, holy crap, i hope they all aren't that expensive.
So after liscensing and such, what costs so much? gas? gear? damages? its hard for me to speculate.
Does anyone have sponosrs in CCS or FUSA? like where they can get discounts and such. if so, how hard was it to get some and after how long. just wondering.
Tires, fuel, entries, crash damage, suspension, suspension, suspension. Motor work, more crash damage, more tires, more entries, travel expenses, food, lodging if you so choose. tires, entries, crash damage... ;D
Sponsors help out a bunch! Go to Lockhart Phillips team privateer and fill out form to get sponsored. They will help you out a ton. A couple of others you can try is Street & Comp, VP Fuels, or whatever tires you are running. Like for me its Pirelli. Good Luck!
Generally, lightweight racing is the least expensive. The bikes are cheaper to purchase, tires last longer and cost less. Bikes can be competitive for quite a few years. Ed Key is winning on a 1999 SV650.
Crashing drives up the cost of racing dramatically.
Quote. Ed Key is winning on a 1999 SV650.
That's Ed Key...cagey veteran. (I got to touch his Trophy)
;D
QuoteCrashing drives up the cost of racing dramatically.
Two kinds of racers: Those who have crashed and those who will crash. Guess which group has the bigger percentage? ;)
Brian, did you guys pick up Stile's suit? I thought someone said you were leaving early and Mark had the last race of the day.
Yes, I have Mark's suit, but not my cell phone. We met up with them for dinner and Kathleen has the suit in her car. Call me at work if you get the chance - 262-691-5112 before 2:30 pm.
Hi Brian, Kathleen just called and she's going to drop by later. Thank you! You guys rock! ;D
QuoteHi Brian, Kathleen just called and she's going to drop by later. Thank you! You guys rock! ;D
No problem. If you need any dropped at BHF, let us know.
Cool, thanx!
QuoteSponsors help out a bunch! Go to Lockhart Phillips team privateer and fill out form to get sponsored. They will help you out a ton. A couple of others you can try is Street & Comp, VP Fuels, or whatever tires you are running. Like for me its Pirelli. Good Luck!
You think they would give out sponsorships to newbs? or would i have to work my a$$ off to make a name for myself.
I'll try to combat this price thing. Kinda hard being 16. need to find better jobs....
Lockhart Phillips gives sponsorship to ANYONE with a valid racing license. It's about the equivilent to getting dealer price on anything you buy, with extra special deals from time to time. You also get a free windscreen. Of course, you have to get the license firts. I'm pretty sure that if you sent them a copy of your school diploma and a copy of the recipt from paying CCS for your license, they'd hook you up immediatly, so you wouldn't have to wait forever to get the actual license in the mail.
QuoteLockhart Phillips gives sponsorship to ANYONE with a valid racing license.
and I was feeling so special. :(
Page 148. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Who's your daddy...
Who's your Jedi master...
;D
QuoteLockhart Phillips gives sponsorship to ANYONE with a valid racing license. It's about the equivilent to getting dealer price on anything you buy, with extra special deals from time to time. You also get a free windscreen. Of course, you have to get the license firts. I'm pretty sure that if you sent them a copy of your school diploma and a copy of the recipt from paying CCS for your license, they'd hook you up immediatly, so you wouldn't have to wait forever to get the actual license in the mail.
awesome.
Quoteand I was feeling so special. :(
Page 148. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Who's your daddy...
Who's your Jedi master...
;D
I've FELT your version of the force, Don....
Hey Chris, maybe Don never really hit you. After all, from the pics I've seen, you're the only one on the ground :P ;)
He could have been playing one of those Jedi mind games on ya ;D
Nope. I saw his number plate hit my shoulder. There may have been some Jedi magic keeping him up, but it was a good old fasioned punt that put me down! ;D
Bah! That was the 600. If I'd hit you with the SV it would have just bounced off. :P
Quoteokay, thats not to to bad. i remember reading about a suzuki school that charged like a grand or 2 a weekend. i was like, holy crap, i hope they all aren't that expensive.
That was probably Kevin Schwantz's school at Road Atlanta? Just hire "Super Dave" Rosno. He knows a lot more than that Kevin guy anyway.
QuoteBah! That was the 600. If I'd hit you with the SV it would have just bounced off. :P
We'll see! ;) ;D