:) hey do u guys or gals have n e tips for a up and comer in motorcycle racing. i am only 16 and hoping to get racing soon. im going to go to MMI in arizona to become a race mechanic but i wont to race.
The best way I can think of to prepare for racing is like this...
Every winter go to your local bike shop and give them ALL your money. When you get paid, sign your checks over to the parts manager.
During spring & summer borrow a truck and trailer, drive all night to the middle of no-where (that's where the track is), get up at 6:00 am and give ALL your money to the registration desk.
If this sounds like alot of hassle you can try this instead, make a fire & procede to throw $100 bills in your fire (5 at a time) until your poor.
No seriously, what ever track is near where you live, go there when they do races. Just walk around and talk to people. Everyone there will be happy to tell you about there bikes, what to do, etc... You should also look into being a corner worker, those are the guys that pull the down racers off the track & do the flags. You might need to be 18 but I'm not sure.
I'm not sure if they still do or not, but MMI use to give course credits to students who did cornerwork for CCS. Look into it. The CCS Southwest region is based (sorta) in Phoenix at Firebird Raceway. Head on out to one of the events and speak with the people there. Racers are always happy to talk about their bikes and racing to anyone who'll listen.
Unfortunately we don't return to Phoenix for racing for quite a while since it's too hot there or something. You can also find a lot of the racers at the track day events in the area and learn most of what you would find out on a race weekend. The bonus is that the people should have a lot more time to talk and are generally in a little more friendly outgoing mood since they aren't wearing there race face that day. The nearest ones i know of are at the new track with TeamAZ, look at www.teamaz.com for the information. If I get back in time I will be there working one of the corners but you can stop by and say hi when i'm near my bike, which should be an RC51 wearing race skins that don't even look close to being done yet. I was going to have fresh paint but got stuck going out of town (country actually) for work so I won't have any time to paint them but will hopefylly have all the holes patched.
Quote If I get back in time I will be there working one of the corners but you can stop by and say hi when i'm near my bike, which should be an RC51 wearing race skins that don't even look close to being done yet.
John, are you and Billy going to be in Vegas?? We'll be there w/toyhauler in tow.
Hope to see you there.
D. Dave
hey do u guys ever come out to Road Atlanta.i live right next to it.in two weeks i will be going to the AMA Superbike race there.Ill try to et a job there as a corner worker this summer.But im going to get a job at a motorcycle shop already so. About how much do u guys think it would cost for me to start racing.Ill check into that extra course credits with MMI.Oh ya i live in Braselton,Ga.If n e body has AOL instant messenger you can talk to me at RC51SuperbikeAMA.................. ;D :o :D
I just got into racing last year and was on a hard core budget. I spent $1,500 on bike, $500 fixing it and prepping it, $1,200 on safety gear. It may be tempting but DON'T skimp on the safety gear. Your young, that means you could spend along time paralyzed... Spending $2,000 on a bike will get you on the track but if you want to try to win something it's gonna cost lot's more. You'll also need to pay or a race class, licensing fees, track fees, etc... Between tires, oil, food, etc I pay about $350 per weekend.
thats the one thing that im going to spend the most on would be saftey gear.i might be young but im not stupid.
Quote:) hey do u guys or gals have n e tips for a up and comer in motorcycle racing. i am only 16 and hoping to get racing soon. im going to go to MMI in arizona to become a race mechanic but i wont to race.
MMI won't teach you what you need to be a "race mechanic". You'll learn diagnostic stuff and all, which is great, but no speed secrets.
Often, that comes from experience in working a racing enviornment. There are lots of little tricks that some of us old racers do out of habbit that we don't think about. Things that they don't teach in AMI, MMI, etc.
You say you're an up and comer in motorcycle racing... are you going to race or just be a mechanic?
Quote Between tires, oil, food, etc I pay about $350 per weekend.
$350 PER WEEKEND !!!!!!!!!!
I wanna race where you do!!
I'm spending close to $1,000 per weekend!!!
That grand per month would sure buy some cool stuff. But racing rocks!!!
See you on the tracks. I'll be the one with the empty pockets...less weight, I'll go faster. ;D ;D
$50 gas & tolls (from Philly to Summit Point)
$50 food & drink
$50 entrance fees for me & girl friend
$200 race entries
I guess I also need to factor in consumables...
Gas = $10 (pump)
Oil = $20
Tires = $100 ($200 per set, replaced every other weekend)
Practice day = $75 (I haven't been doing these due to work schedule but have to start)
How do you spend $1K Dave?
Quote$50 gas & tolls (from Philly to Summit Point)
$50 food & drink
$50 entrance fees for me & girl friend
$200 race entries
I guess I also need to factor in consumables...
Gas = $10 (pump)
Oil = $20
Tires = $100 ($200 per set, replaced every other weekend)
Practice day = $75 (I haven't been doing these due to work schedule but have to start)
How do you spend $1K Dave?
I live in the Southwest region. Everything is far away. I'll show you...
Toyhauler (rented from friend) = $50
Gas to tow Toyhauler = $150-250 (includes generator fuel)
Food = $100
Race fuel = $50
Tires (every weekend) = $300
Entry fees = $300
Gate fees = $40
Do the math...everytime I do...I cringe. My wife and 2 year old daughter love this stuff. Doesn't hurt that I'm doin' well in the races though.
Oh yeah...that doesn't include spending money....sheeeesh :o :o :-/
Gas for Truck and race fuel - $150
Motel for 2 nights - $80
Tires (1 per weekend at least) - $340
Entry and Practice fees - $225 - $275
Food (lunches free from my sponsor) - $40
Drinks, snacks, red bull, etc -$40
Oil change in a Ducati - $47 (oil $30 and filter $17)
Gate fees for me and the wife - $40
Total $962 if nothing goes wrong. Factor in 1 new engine, 1 burnt piston, fiberglass repair, and I'm over $6000 for the season through 3 rounds, and I missed the races at Moroso cuz I broke in practice...lol. Well worth it though, man was it fun battling 3 other guys for the lead at Jennings a week and a half ago!!! ;D
I also spend between 700 and 1000 depending on where im racing. But hey its a hell of alot more fun then riding on the road. Plus you gotta figure how much you earn back on contingency money!!
Are there any contingency's for DAL (dead ass last)? So far I'm un-defeated (5 for 5). :-[ At least I'm not wasting as much money as you guys doing it ;)
QuoteAt least I'm not wasting as much money as you guys doing it ;)
WASTING....WASTING....Bite your tongue man... >:(
I'd spend twice as much to do this if I had too (and, of course, if I had it to spend ;D)
Quote
I also spend between 700 and 1000 depending on where im racing. But hey its a hell of alot more fun then riding on the road. Plus you gotta figure how much you earn back on contingency money!!
Except when you crash twice and finish 12th and 7th...lol. Doh! I'm thinking of racing GTU at Moroso AND GT Lights in the morning. You up for it Steve? Be fun to beat up on some 600's...I think we'd at least be top 10. ;D
I can vouch for the fiberglass repair! :'(
QuoteExcept when you crash twice and finish 12th and 7th...lol. Doh! I'm thinking of racing GTU at Moroso AND GT Lights in the morning. You up for it Steve? Be fun to beat up on some 600's...I think we'd at least be top 10. ;D
Ill think about it gotta see how my $$$$ sitiuation is!!!
Get you a sponsor :) Typical weekend I'd say
Tires $250
Fuel for truck and bike $70
Food $25
Gate fees $30
Race fees $125 at least
and hopefully no $ for repairs
Buy good safety gear is most important..I even have an EVS collar, havent tried it yet, but have seen some guys wearing them.
I am trying to act like a front running amatuer, so here is my budget ;D
Gas for truck/trailer: $125 (avg)
Gas for practice/bike: $10
Race Fuel: $60 (4 gallon MR1)
Gate Fees: $50 (for 2)
Electric/camping: $10
Food/Drink: around $60
Tires: 1 set per weekend: $300 (offset by about $150 contigency, so count $150)
Race Entries: $400 (7 races)
Thats total of $870.
If I finish 5th in GTO/GTU and 10th in ULGP, I get $195, so the cost comes down to about $500-600 depnd on how I do. Oil/brake and little items are covered by contingency.
It is going to be expensive when you start, REAL expensive when you want to make it to the front, and back down to expensive again when you ARE at the front. If by chance you WIN everything, then you might make it even and race for nothing, but still would have spent a lot getting there.
The best way to make a small fortune racing motorcycles is to start with a big one. ;D
QuoteThe best way to make a small fortune racing motorcycles is to start with a big one. ;D
I can kinda agree with that one. If I had started with a R1 I would be able to do less races and win more money. and probably place better too since there are less competition in UL classes :D
QuoteIll think about it gotta see how my $$$$ sitiuation is!!!
Actually, I think it'll be Middleweight GP (race 19) if I do a 4th race instead of GTU. Better chance for wood and plus I've been wanting to race one of the later races in the day.
I'm up for an other class. Alex and I were talking and he said I should race against the 600's. I don't think Moroso is a good track for that through. I'll probably race Thunber Bike so I came start 10 seconds behind LTW SS and to catch Steve.
I can get off the corners with all that torque well enough on my bike to maybe hang with the mid-pack guys I think, even at Moroso. I guess we'll find out...lol. There are usually only 8-12 starters in that race, so wood is a possibility. My other issue is whether or not I can make my tires last through practice and four races. The left side of my rear after Jennings is too bad to get through practice on. I will use the same front for practice though. Gotta keep the costs down somehow.;D
QuoteI'm up for an other class. Alex and I were talking and he said I should race against the 600's. I don't think Moroso is a good track for that through. I'll probably race Thunber Bike so I came start 10 seconds behind LTW SS and to catch Steve.
to catch me huh ::) Well just have to see about that one. ;D
I could always race Thunderbike and hope nobody protests my frame...lol. ;D
HondaRC51- Im only 17 and this is my second year racing. Its fun but expensive so if you have a good job where you work alot see if your parents can help out with financial assets. My parents do cornerworking to help me out some more because they can give me $200 after one weekend. DONT skip out out good safety equiptment. I spend $127 on a alpinestars spine protector and used it last weekend when i crashed. Go talk to racers at the next race and just pick up on stuff. Its a fun sport and everyone is a family trying to help each other out. And you CAN be a corner worker cause if I dont race one day i'll corner work. You can be 16. So get in there and start racing....
erich