Hello,
I am going to start racing next year and had a couple of questions, How do the find out the gridding system? Is it really how fast you register, How can I register if I dont even have a racing license yet? (taking the first school there is). I hate to be gridded dead last :'( And also how long do a set of tires last? Between practicing and racing say 2 classes. Just seeing how much money I have to put away ;) Thanks!
Quote...I hate to be gridded dead
My 1st race(gto) I got a good grid and went into turn-1 in 5th place. Entered turn-3 in LAST place, and my bike had a bunch of different colored paint/scratches on it :o
;D
What tires, what bike, etc? Heh if you grid dead last then you can only improve, right?
You want to be last in your first race, then have somebody take your lap times. If you are a superstar turning the same laps as the fast ams then pre-enter that weekend for the next round. If you are not turning close to those times, you have no reason to start up front other than watching people blow by you or just move you out of the way. Play it safe and feel it out from the back. You'll learn how to pass riders which is very valuable in this sport.
Matt
ya I guess that makes sense to be gridded near the back so I can play it by ear ...So say I did wait and register say a couple weeks before a race would I even be gridded mid-pack? Oh, I am on a f4i and probably the 208gps and They would last longer with Tire Warmers...Correct?
Tire warmer will make them last longer, but the correct suspension set up will make them last longer, give you faster lap times more consistently, and keep you off the ground.
We offer that kind of help at my school. Don't know if you're in the area for us, but we can help.
Ya I talked to you a couple of weaks ago, I will be attending your school in April...Then will I be able to practice on that Friday and register for the races, when I get the school certificate?
That should be good, yes. Registration might even be open on Thursday evening too. We'll know more when it happens.
QuoteYa I talked to you a couple of weaks ago, I will be attending your school in April...Then will I be able to practice on that Friday and register for the races, when I get the school certificate?
Ahhhhhh! Fresh meat! :D
Another question about gridding ??
Say I pre-enter for a couple of races.
Doesn't CCS makes the first timers run with a blue jersy and start dead last ? for 2 weekends ?
And if i pre-enter and get gridded up front, can i still start in the back ?
The shirt thing is a school thing. CCS decides what works. They don't have a shirt per se that they make you wear. And they don't make you start from the back. I'll have one for you. It will just serve to annoy the guys you pass. LOL!
We'll get you up to speed. Patience will be the key.
if your just starting off your better off in the back. you wont get run over by the faster guys, and it will give you some people to pick off as you try and work your way up front. ;D
I was a midpack amateur this year in the Pacific region riding an F4i. I would get a full weekend out of a rear and close to 2 out of a front. I was running Michelin M2(rear)/S2(fronts). That was with a Friday practice, GTU on Saturday and 3 sprints on Sunday. I would usually buy a new rear before the GTU or right after it depending on how it looked and felt during practice. Also, I had my supension working REALLY well all year. At certain tracks, guys running the same pace as me were shredding rear tires in 2 sprints. Racing an F4i is a challenge. Make sure you invest in an adjustable rear shock, and have the front end revalved and sprung for your weight. The stock suspension is nowhere near up to the task of racing, but properly sorted makes a pretty good racebike. The bike 'needs' all the ride height that you can find. Before spending any money on anything, make sure your suspension is set up or you will just be wasting your time. Good luck. GP
I've heard that about the f4i, I already have a Penske Shock and Racetech front. It felt really good on the track day I went to. I was using a set of Bridgestone bt012ss's. They warmed up promptly and held up really well. Would that be a good race tire though??
Might be a little early in any of Bridgestone's DOT race tire development. Pirelli, Michelin, or Dunlop would probably be a better way to go. You can at least feed off everyone else's ideas, set up, etc. The Bridgestone might be good, but you would have to develop it. Might make things harder than they should be.
No matter where they list you, you can allways put yourself at the back of the grid. ;)
A friend of mine raced on the Bridgestone bt-001R's this year. They worked really well, but did NOT last.
when they went off they went off. Can't comment about the SS's though. GP