I am new to the sport and like all of u LOVE it. There is so much to learn and take in at one time but I seem to be doing it ok. The bike came home in one peice after my first race weekend. I look forward to Sept 5-7 at the point.
I corner worked at the summit for the WERA Nationals and I just watched the lines and was just in ahhhhh of the Versah racers they were so dam smooth. I have so much to learn!!!!!!!!!! My lap times did drop over my first weekend but I still have a ways to go to get to were I want to be. Dam this sport is so expensive. I spent a rack to get my gear and bike ready. The first year is expesive like u all said. and what did I do today put a damm deposit on the 04 gix 600. Am I nuts or what, just to race and re prep a bike. I got the fever like the rest of u. I just want to be faster and take my time at it. Sorry for the rant but I'm a newbeee. ( Thanks to all on this board I read it every day and learn something new please keep it comming!) So if any of u guys want to train a rookie hit me up. I want to win a one race just one race next year.
Paul's first year of racing the whole goal was not to finish last. Paul accomplished that goal.
Paul's second year of racing was to improve upon the first and he got a few chunks of wood. :)
Paul's third year of racing (and second year on the same bike) he is leading the points in his region for LWSS and LWSB. :D
Give it time, take a school, listen to your mentors...
... and the most important.... Have fun!
Dawn :)
i found as you have the 1st year is very expensive. race preping a bike, extra wheels, trailer, generator, you name it you need it. Many track days and 6 ccs races later im still having fun!
One thing to consider seeing as how it is your first year in racing would be to not purchase a brand new bike. Instead, try to hit up any local motorcycle salvage yards. You might be able to find a fairly new bike with low miles and little damage outside of cosmetics. That may help save you some cash. I have a friend who picked up an '02 CBR 600 F4i with only 700 miles on the motor for $3800 last year. The bike still had the 30 day tags on it. It had some light scratches on the tank, frame, and swingarm (hence why it was totalled), but other than that the rest of the damage was to stuff that you would replace for racing anyway (bodywork, rearsets, clipons, etc).
This is my first year of racing as well. It is expensive to get started but it sure is fun! Like others my goal this year is to learn more, get faster, try not to crash for a dumb reason, and to not be the last guy across the line. So far I am meeting most of my goals. I crashed for a dumb reason though, I was going to fast on DOT race tires in wet weather on the first lap at a track day and high-sided. Other than that I have gotten much faster, learned a whole lot, and have gotten wood in the 4 races I have entered so far. The only person that can complain so far is my wife for worrying her to death. ;)
Not to be O/T, but nice crash photos in RRW, Greg! :o
you think only the first year is expensive? try destoying the frame, motor, forks, subframe, swing arm, front end, rotors, bodywork and oh, the tank in one race :o
Wait that is the entire bike!!! Plus the helmet. Hey my clip-ons are still good!!!!! :D
And then get $35 back per race even though all of them were more than $35 each (for the races that I didnt get to race).
next time call me..i'll help you on the parts end ;D
actually I get everything at cost. But its the money I am having problem with.
Well I guess I get most at cost too hahahahah
Thanks for the offer
QuoteNot to be O/T, but nice crash photos in RRW, Greg! :o
I noticed those too! Yikes! :o ;D
Quoteyou think only the first year is expensive? try destoying the frame, motor, forks, subframe, swing arm, front end, rotors, bodywork and oh, the tank in one race :o
Wait that is the entire bike!!! Plus the helmet. Hey my clip-ons are still good!!!!! :D
And then get $35 back per race even though all of them were more than $35 each (for the races that I didnt get to race).
Thats right!!!!!!!! I saw your bike :o have u gotten a new one yet and will u make it down for the sept 5-7 weekend.
The not finish last goal is still there but I did finish last in my last race but I was faster. So was every one else. That was the race hector droped a 1:18 on.
My take?
Too much emphasis on parts...
A bike that is a few years old is fine. Suspension is key, and the new aftermarket pipe is just about a waste of money for most.
Lots of extra wheels and spare parts, and everyone wants to do track days where they do the same things over and over again and again.
Companies that pull young riders into purchasing products that really are not necessary for racing, and the owners of those establishments don't have a whole lot of real world racing experience themselves.
Riders are too conservative and just ride things the way they are. After a couple of years, the new riders are all gone and a new group comes in. More guys for some of the aftermarket vendors to get some cash flow from again.
Manufacturers, and the regular mainstream press, hype the new models to the moon when in reality they are only a little better than the previous models.
Experienced riders are in short demand because of an industry that places no real value in racing. Dealers cannot be involved in racing...no knowledge, etc.
New motivated riders seem to find cash sponsors, but have neither the experience or ability to bring about results with the cash infusion...back to the experience problem.
A professional racing organization that is run by the manufacturers, and the rules a built to ensure the maunfacturer's teams existence.
A sport that has seen an amount of decline because more riders are interested in just the "track experience" rather than the rigors of competition.
wow you seem to be very experienced in such things ;) I guess it would take years to form such an insight.
I know what you are saying, although I am a exception to the rule. I am committed to stay in the sport, and not expect any payout, or gain from it except the satisfaction of my personal goals. I don't have an illusion to make a career out of racing. I enjoy competition and think it is fun and rewarding, and I don't mind paying to get there.
So there, more people like me and the sport will see a healthy growth :P
QuoteThats right!!!!!!!! I saw your bike :o have u gotten a new one yet and will u make it down for the sept 5-7 weekend.
Who didn't :D I left it at tech cuz I didn't feel like seeing it and dealing with it. Too busy drinking hahaha
I am going to rebuild the bike. I am actually getting all new parts. Getting the motor fixed, and everything else is going to be new. I could have gotten a new bike I guess. But that motor, boy I am trying to save that motor for daytona. I may be on my B bike for summit, but I will have the A bike back for Daytona.
I see you have discovered the problem of when I go faster, everyone else go faster problem ;D Well my buddy got wood for the first time that weekend (thanks for me not racing) so I was happy for him. My arm is healed a lot more, and I think I am back in shape to turn 19's if I have my A bike. We will see.
QuoteSo there, more people like me and the sport will see a healthy growth :P
You're kind of missing the point...
It's great that you're dedicated, but being a long term player only comes from...well, doing it for a long time.
Regardless, industry support is poor. Look at all the H-D dealerships that still honestly put in a great deal of support in to the Buell riders for FUSA. Honestly, the things blow a whole lot and take a great deal of parts and knowledge support.
On the flip side, look how many local dealers on the other side don't even know anything about local races, track days, etc. It's really too bad. It hurts the sport of road racing. Maybe that's why "stunting" has become so popular in its own right...it can be done just about anywhere without the need for organization, etc.
Not to mention that when they do organize and do something, you're "rated"...not a competition where position and time matter...a real race.
well I have the commitment.
I have to say through working in the industry for the last 2-3 years, and then racing as well, I don't see this sport grow by leaps and bounds any time soon. The industry lacks vision and leadership. Everyone is just interested in maintaining the status quo, and the little bit of business that they have, the industry as a whole is not really trying to grow.
Yes, stunting is very popular and getting more by the day. It is not only that it can be done anywhere, it can also be seen anywhere, anytime, anywhere. Its free publicity and the world is their stage. So more people are going to see the thrill and follow suit. Its like we all want roadracing to be on TV more, well extreme riding don't have to. Anyone can see it on the street.
But, to the original point. just because I haven't done it for a long time, doesn't mean I won't. It also doesn't mean I am not deeply involved in this riding on the track and racing business. I may be a computer geek but I am more involved than you might think. and yes I will be doing it for the next quarter centry if I get to live that long... you will see and hear about me more, soon... ;)
Quotewell I have the commitment.
But, to the original point. just because I haven't done it for a long time, doesn't mean I won't. It also doesn't mean I am not deeply involved in this riding on the track and racing business. I may be a computer geek but I am more involved than you might think. and yes I will be doing it for the next quarter centry if I get to live that long... you will see and hear about me more, soon... ;)
I like the commitment part...
But you're talking like some riders I hear about..."They have so much potential!"
Potential is a rock at the top of a hill. Push it down, and it can do something. Racing is about pushing the rock up the hill. Sometimes doing your best isn't good enough; riders come and riders go. Average life of a racer is about 2 to 2 and 1/2 years. Pretty bad odds.
I hope it all works well and keep your commitment. It doesn't get easier. Riders do decent as an amateur and go expert and realize that it's a whole new game. They go to a pro race and realize it's a whole new game.
Not sure why you want to disagree with me so much. I could have disagreed with the people that helped me. They had experiences that I didn't need to experience because they had already done it; why would I need to try to find out for myself? But that's fine. You've got to learn your own stuff.
Back to extreme riding...
It's terrible for the whole sport of motorcycling. It isn't safe: guys on street bikes stunting in traffic, on the interstate, etc. Videos, etc. Sport bikes have a bad enough name because of their speeds...this ain't helping.
actually I am not wide eyes and thinking that things will be easier and as long as I work hard, results will come.
Racing, and be sucessful at racing, even at the Amateur level, has so far, been the hardest thing I ever choose to achieve in my live. I will be 30 soon, and everything else I picked up has been a lot alot easier than racing has been. But then that is the reward. I treasure the path, the try, the pursue of the elusive success in racing. And everyday I try, I am happy about it.
I don't know how much potential I have in riding. I know I am pretty fast, and I know I am not a natural talent like some. I approach riding like I approach everything else: look at what I am doing, make an accurate assessment, make a determination and try to improve. I don't just go out and ride fast, it doesn't happen for me that way.
I will not have a short lifespan as a racer. Because I truly enjoy racing, enjoy trying to get better at racing. I will not get discouraged if I don't win, and I don't improve as fast as some would want to. Because its about me and what I enjoy, not what I can achieve. I am a little over the age of picking what to do in life as a career. I have my career, what I choose to do for a living, and I am pretty darn good at it. So this is for me to enjoy.
So I will continue to race, and I am fairly sure through hardword I can be a player for a while. And I will enjoy everything second of it, winning or loosing, or trying to keep up with the front running experts.
I am not really trying to disagree with you. But I seem to pick up more knowledge through debates and talking to others. I am strongly opionated, but I also listen very well.
I look forward to meeting you, maybe you can help me some more, I want to be a good racer, at any level. More importantly, I want to do it for the right reasons.
QuotePaul's first year of racing the whole goal was not to finish last. Paul accomplished that goal.
Paul's second year of racing was to improve upon the first and he got a few chunks of wood. :)
Paul's third year of racing (and second year on the same bike) he is leading the points in his region for LWSS and LWSB. :D
Give it time, take a school, listen to your mentors...
... and the most important.... Have fun!
Dawn :)
3rd year? Who's the sandbagger now? ;D
QuoteRacing....has so far, been the hardest thing I ever choose to achieve in my live.
I don't know how much potential I have in riding.
I look forward to meeting you, maybe you can help me some more, I want to be a good racer, at any level. More importantly, I want to do it for the right reasons.
I think that, generally, motorcycle road racing is one of the most frustrating/rewarding things most people ever do.
Potential again? We ain't rocks at the top of the hill...LOL.
Look forward to running into you too...
As for helping, well, that's a fine line. I have to reserve that to my guys that pay for my services. I've spent a couple of houses of money on my racing career and even more of my time on the road. The knowledge wasn't cheap, but I've got it. I can share, but it has to be to my select few people that take the plunge to pay to come to my schools.
Make sense?
Quote3rd year? Who's the sandbagger now? ;D
You....
Amatuer Formula Forty Champion!
Dawn :)
QuoteI think that, generally, motorcycle road racing is one of the most frustrating/rewarding things most people ever do.
Potential again? We ain't rocks at the top of the hill...LOL.
Look forward to running into you too...
As for helping, well, that's a fine line. I have to reserve that to my guys that pay for my services. I've spent a couple of houses of money on my racing career and even more of my time on the road. The knowledge wasn't cheap, but I've got it. I can share, but it has to be to my select few people that take the plunge to pay to come to my schools.
Make sense?
hey Dave, you mis-understood me again. Your knowledge was obtained through many of your experiences and are certainly some of the most valuable things out there. I am very clear of what I would get from you, and how valuable it is. So I would not expect you to just give away your knowledge without any returns. Unless, of course you like me, what I have in me, and decide to help me.
I was actually thinking/talking about coming to one of your school days and get something from it. But of course I am looking for your insights and something more personal than just a school and the general curricular, if you know what I mean. If you feel like it, I am definitely intereted in the opportunity.
QuoteSo I would not expect you to just give away your knowledge without any returns. Unless, of course you like me, what I have in me, and decide to help me.
I was actually thinking/talking about coming to one of your school days and get something from it. But of course I am looking for your insights and something more personal than just a school and the general curricular, if you know what I mean. If you feel like it, I am definitely intereted in the opportunity.
I seldom give any free advice. I have done it, but usually the people that get free stuff are too stubborn to use it. Their loss...(boy, do I have stories.)
As for my school day, next year will be different. Will probably to more one on one days since they are better for a rider, or smaller groups. I doubt that I will have a racing school program like I have had in previous years...It takes too many people to get the volume up to rent the track, and then things get spread a bit thin.
The other side is that I'll be beating the bushes for something. Not sure what yet, I'm looking for something to do, but I need to see what I can come up with first.
QuoteNot to be O/T, but nice crash photos in RRW, Greg! :o
like those did ya!!! :D