Well here it is the weekend before I make my big dabut in the "gentlemans class" the F-40. I am a little nervous but excited at the same time. The one thing that I want to accomplish is to have fun and I am not really concerned about where I finish as long as I am some what competitive and finsh the race. Any suggestions?
Randy
relax. make sure you have enough fuel and everything done ahead of time. when they make 3rd call, wait 1 minute before moving from your pit or have someone watch for when the last bike comes around the back side of the track.
Make sure you start when the flag drops! :banghead:
Quote from: r1owner on August 04, 2006, 09:54:03 AM
Make sure you start when the flag drops! :banghead:
Which should not be confused with the 1 board being turned sideways.
And make sure your pit guy takes your walker off the track. :biggrin:
Take a pee at 1st call. No, seriously, do this. Good luck!
Best of luck to you man. I remember my first race really well. In fact, a think, unfortunately, a couple of people may recall my first race at G-man.
Just remember this. (1) When the "1" board goes sideways, raise your rpms (nearly pinning your throttle). (2) when the green flag moves, DO NOT dump the clutch (i.e., letting it go completely, all at once).
Failure to follow this advice will result in... uh.... more starting grid drama than you expected and call more attention to yourself than you want. ::)
Quote from: H-man on August 04, 2006, 01:20:08 PM
Best of luck to you man. I remember my first race really well. In fact, a think, unfortunately, a couple of people may recall my first race at G-man.
Just remember this. (1) When the "1" board goes sideways, raise your rpms (nearly pinning your throttle). (2) when the green flag moves, DO NOT dump the clutch (i.e., letting it go completely, all at once).
Failure to follow this advice will result in... uh.... more starting grid drama than you expected and call more attention to yourself than you want. ::)
ok, I have a newbie question. Why pin the throttle right before launch? What is the best way to go about starting?
Quote from: Jeff on August 04, 2006, 10:19:20 AM
Which should not be confused with the 1 board being turned sideways.
Uh... yeah, I've done that before too! ;)
Quote from: SuperSpud on August 04, 2006, 01:43:02 PM
ok, I have a newbie question. Why pin the throttle right before launch? What is the best way to go about starting?
I never pin the throttle when launching until after I've started moving.
Starting is so complex, you're going to just have to learn how to do it by trial and error.
From what I understand, the object of pinning the throttle (holding it open, not blipping it) is to raise the revs so when the engine engages, you're off to a flying start.
However, the higher the revs, the more crucial it is to have really good clutch management. easing out that clutch lever fast enough to get going quickly, but not so fast that your bike goes vertical.
I'm with R1. I raise the rpms but I don't pin 'er while sitting waiting for the flag.
ok, I'm with you there then. I raise to maybe 6k, before letting out the clutch slowly. Letting the clutch out at 14000 rpm's seemed crazy to me, but it sounds like some people are bouncing off the rev limiter on the grid.
Just remember it's your first race and you've got alot to learn. there is no shame in starting a few rows behind everyone else if your not comfortable. and definatly go pee at first call :biggrin:
Expect to be SHOCKED at how fast some of the guys you are racing against are. I did some track days (thought I was reasonably fast), and when I did my first race and was lapped by the leaders it was incomprehensible to me how fast they were going. Can be a touch discouraging but speed comes with time.
Quote from: Scott on August 04, 2006, 03:58:44 PM
Expect to be SHOCKED at how fast some of the guys you are racing against are. I did some track days (thought I was reasonably fast), and when I did my first race and was lapped by the leaders it was incomprehensible to me how fast they were going. Can be a touch discouraging but speed comes with time.
Good point! Scott's fast even without a properly working front brake!
I appreciate all of the advise. I'm looking to have fun and do something that I have always wanted to do.
Thanks.
Expect to get beaten. As was mentioned above there is a big difference between "fast" on the street / track days and FAST at the races. When I first started back racing I had a few goals (besides being safe and not a hazard to myself and others on the track).
Weekend #1- don't wreck. No other goals for that weekend.
Weekend #2- don't get lapped (along with the not wrecking thing too).
Weekend #3- don't come in last place.
Weekend #4- evaluate previous weekends and assess where to concentrate my efforts to start getting faster.
Of course HAVE FUN was in there every weekend. Don't worry if you're slow to begin with and don't worry what anyone else thinks about your lap times. As long as you are riding safely and having fun that is all that matters. :thumb:
my advice...
1. go with someone who has done this before. there is alot going on and having someone there to guide you in the right direction is a good thing.
2. dont be afraid to ask questions, folks at the track are happy to give answers and advice.
3. Ride your race, its easy to get caught up following someone and forget what you are trying to accomplish... ride your race.
4. This is for fun, if you think a pass is sketchy, it probably is. you'll learn what is clean and what isnt with time.
5. Dont try to figure it all out at once... go with it, let it happen.
6. racing for 15th place with 3 other guys is just as fun as racing for 3rd with 3 other guys...
7. have your bike READY TO RACE when you get there... dont think "its only a 5 min fix, I'll do it there".
As for what to expect? everyone's first weekend is different. Things happen fast, keep your head on straight and you'll have a blast. and if you see someone crash/ing... dont look at em!! :thumb:
All good advice-i wish you safety :thumb:-ask the tire guys what pressure to use,and use it-pay attention to where the rubber meets the road-i always loved that jingle NJ JOHN