Motorcycle Racing Forum

Anyone start racing after age 45 or so?
Did you find age to be a significant disadvantage in the AM LW classes?
Tom

I started 5 years ago at age 50, I started with an RZ350.  I spent more time under the fiberglass than on the track, almost 3 years went by before I woke up to the fact that a new motorcycle (Aprilia RS250) would give me more track time.  That was my only disadvantage, the age wasn't a factor unless you consider it took three years to wake up.  Unless you want to spend the weekend wrenching, get a reliable new bike for any class you want to race in. ;D

YEP! I started racing at 31.

Paul started at 34.

Started this year at 33. Fourth weekend got wood and $$, surprising.

I started this year at age 37.

36



wish it was 26, or even 16

Quote36



wish it was 26, or even 16

Ike..
You're 36??????  :o

Started this year. I'll be able to race formula 40 next spring.

I consider myself having a serious mid-life crises.

The fun this sport has brought me is outstanding.  Have you ever noticed you never see a depressed racer. ( well maby Dasouix, when he gets smoked by a 39 year old)

Ding...ding....Bring it on KWAK!  Kwak ..its not just a name , but a state of mind.

QuoteIke..
You're 36??????  :o

not since july 24th....

i started in march....37 now  :-X   doh!!!

28

I started this year at 39. (although I prefer to call it 27....with 12 years of experience)
This is definately the coolest kind of mid-life crisis to have.

QuoteStarted this year. I'll be able to race formula 40 next spring.

I consider myself having a serious mid-life crises.

The fun this sport has brought me is outstanding.  Have you ever noticed you never see a depressed racer. ( well maby Dasouix, when he gets smoked by a 39 year old)

Ding...ding....Bring it on KWAK!  Kwak ..its not just a name , but a state of mind.

Started this year... yeah right!.. Go on.. tell everyone when you really started. I saw that picture in your living of you dicing it out with Gary Nixon in 1976 you old bastard! :)

QuoteStarted this year... yeah right!.. Go on.. tell everyone when you really started. I saw that picture in your living of you dicing it out with Gary Nixon in 1976 you old bastard! :)

LOLOL !!!!!!
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

see what you started, TomC ??

;Di started at 36...was very slow...can remember the 1st time i broke 1:30 at roebling...it was just as rewarding as breaking into the 1:15s...just keep everything in perspective and remember we do it for fun,at our age nobody is going to pay us to race

36... first time setting foot on a racetrack.  It will only get better from here. :)

 I started at 46 and started picking up wood at 47. Age has nothing to do with it except in your own mind. So stop thinking that way. I appriciate it more now than I could have as a kid and can enjoy it more for what it is, FUN.  If you're comfortable with Nesba, Reduc, Team promotion or anybody elses track days, you'll be fine. It's a ton of fun and you'll meet a ton of good people. The downside is you'll also spend a ton of money, but it's worth it.

Started road racing motorcycles at 30. ;D

I started racing in 2000 when I was 53.

Is age a disadvantage ?  yes

I figured that out when I tried to play video games with my Grandchildren !

 ::)

TZDeSioux how old are you? i thought you were my age...27.

you're 30+...oh man :P

Nexus.

Are you speaking about mentally or chronologically?

Bought my first bike at 39. Started racing when I was 40. Won the first race I entered ;D (Formula 40) Took last the next race. :(  My wife says it's a midlife crisis. Truth is I just refuse to grow up. I'm having more fun than I thought possible. Brian, see you at the track!
Oh. Ron Springfloat started racing in his 50s.

32 :)

I started racing at 39. The only disadvantage I've found is that after you fall down it takes a lot longer to heal! ( both physically and mentally).

Started racing in 1985 at 42.   ::) Go for it! Greatest bunch of folks you'll ever meet and it is fun.  I picked wrong class, middleweight, to start in, took until '89 to trophy.  The younger set bounces better. I prefered to rest after falling  ;D.

QuoteTZDeSioux how old are you? i thought you were my age...27.

you're 30+...oh man :P

Nexus.

your age? nah.. i'm 31 going on 32.... :-/

My first crash was at Gingerman a few weeks ago.  Turn 3.  I crawled for abit....made sure everything was working, than slowly stood up.  

Your so right..I no longer bounce.

37 Here.

This is great!  I don't feel old anymore!!! 8)

QuoteMy first crash was at Gingerman a few weeks ago.  Turn 3.  I crawled for abit....made sure everything was working, than slowly stood up.  

Your so right..I no longer bounce.

Your inability to bounce has nothing to do with you age. You don't bounce because you eat too many dog gone hotdogs. Apparently the crash didn't affect your riding in anyway because you're riding just as slow as before the crash. God forbid I crash this year.. it will definately scare me to go slower so that I only lap you twice in an 8 lap race. 10 second rule applies chief. I'm coming by around 7:30 tonight.
:P

Age? What's age. 1st operation from morocycle racing 1964. Last operation from motorcycle racing 2002. Those doctors will take your money no matter how old you are. :'( :'( :'( :'(

it wasnt hot dogs it was the red beans and rice that guy at Gingerman serves.  

Good god he can cook up some grub.

See you later :o 8)

Y

Rode (& raced a few times) when I was 16-17years old.  Stopped riding for 12 years.
Bought a new gsxr600 in feb2001 at the age of 30, and was on the track 3 weeks later.

16yrs old= Fast, fearless, & light ;D
30yrs old= Slow, scared, & fat ::)

Started racing in 1999 at age 42 in LW classes.  First crash in 2000 in MW.  Second crash in 2000 in LW.  First wood in 2000

30...
First time ever on the track a month ago... going on my secound race this weekend...
Age?...  thats somehting for the youth to worry about  ;D

Well now I feel like a young'n at 25!  

Motorcycle racers must age well, cuz of the few of you I've met, I had pegged at late 20s, TOPS!!

Tho I kinda wish I would've started racing back when I initially wanted to at 17 - I was sooo much stupider and fearless then - I'd probably be 10x faster today!  (or permanently disabled, I suppose!)

QuoteTho I kinda wish I would've started racing back when I initially wanted to at 17 - I was sooo much stupider and fearless then - I'd probably be 10x faster today!  (or permanently disabled, I suppose!)

LOL, I feel the same way.  I wish I could have started when I was MUCH younger!

Oh well, I am still having a blast.

Speedballer - 30 = FAST!!!
Speedballer - 30 (with broken frame) still gets on the podium!  ;D

Started at the young age of 41 thought I was fast and was showed by the kids in mw that I was slow.
Have crashed twice and both times tought it was like a ride from the past it was a blast except for putting the bike back together. Now I'm out for the rest of the year because of an injury that happened at work.
Work sucks should race for a living lol

"Motorcycle racers must age well, cuz of the few of you I've met, I had pegged at late 20s, TOPS!! "

 :-* 8)

QuoteSpeedballer - 30 = FAST!!!
Speedballer - 30 (with broken frame) still gets on the podium!  ;D

Thanks man, but I would have rather had you say I wasn't fat :(  ;)

Are you going to Gateway next weekend??  Is your bike fixed yet?  I haven't started fixing mine yet.
I have a lacerated liver from the last gateway, so I am thinking of sitting this one out.  Gotta wait and see how I feel that weekend.
Call me if you need help w/ your bike :)

QuoteThanks man, but I would have rather had you say I wasn't fat :(  ;)

Are you going to Gateway next weekend??  Is your bike fixed yet?  I haven't started fixing mine yet.
I have a lacerated liver from the last gateway, so I am thinking of sitting this one out.  Gotta wait and see how I feel that weekend.
Call me if you need help w/ your bike :)

LOL!!!!  ;D

I can't make it next weekend, not even to help.  I am going to be out of town attending a wedding. :(

WOW, I didn't realize your liver got messed up.  Did you end up going back to the hospital?  My arm still hurts pretty bad.  I made another appointment to have them look at it again.  Even if my bike was together, I don't think I could hang onto it.

Haven't done anything to the bike except take the can and bodywork off, and replace the clip-ons so I can push it around the garage.  I've been epoxying my floor (takes a week to cure), and have been waiting to complete that before I work on it.  Got some go fast parts for the RX7 that I am wanting to put on as well! ;)

I have managed to secure a replacement exhaust system, windscreen and set of wheels.  I think all I need now, is a pair of ft. rotors and possibly a ft. axle.

I will be calling you when I am ready to start doing some serious work on the bike.  Feel free to call me as well, if you need any help with yours.

I got my license on my 39th birthday.  Had never even seen a race until I was in one.  

Hey Jim H. Let me know how things go at Gingerman. Kevin

This is my 3rd season... I'm 46.  Not feeling older...just getting faster!

I started at 19.

But I have had students as old as 61 come to my school, and they went on to race.

The addiction is bad no matter how old you are.  But, I think, that you have some greater appreciation of it all when you are older.  At 19, racing was just this thing that I did that was important.  As you age, you enjoy that time on the track, and, maybe more so, with this traveling group of racers that you socialize with.

The lightweight classes are always cool.  Great for learning, and a bit easier on the pocket book in the tire section.

Hey Kevin and Eddie
I guess we will be seeing both of you in Experts next year!!!
Congrats on fine seasons.

Keith Wilson
CCS/USGPRU #54
TZ125

QuoteHey Kevin and Eddie
I guess we will be seeing both of you in Experts next year!!!
Congrats on fine seasons.

Keith Wilson
CCS/USGPRU #54
TZ125

Thanks. White plates! :o :o. :o  Can I have white ones for F40 and yellow for everything else?  ;D  Will you be at Gateway? Hope to see you there. Later, Kevin

I'm 28 (29 in Dec) and got on the track for the first time this year. STAR school at Heartland Park in June and track days last weekend at Mid-America Motorplex.  Hopefully I'll be racing next year.  I don't feel so old anymore, thanks!  :D

Quote...I don't feel so old anymore, thanks!  :D

That's cause you haven't crashed yet ;D  ;)
You are gonna have a blast.  Godd luck :)

QuoteThat's cause you haven't crashed yet ;D  ;)

Not on the track, I haven't...  ;)

QuoteThanks. White plates! :o :o. :o  Can I have white ones for F40 and yellow for everything else?  ;D  Will you be at Gateway? Hope to see you there. Later, Kevin

Hey Kevin... Do like I do and just close your eyes!

QuoteHey Kevin... Do like I do and just close your eyes!

Like I did going into turn 1 at the start of the F40 race? :o    What did it look like to you? It scared the hell out of me. (I wonder if the'll make me pay for that cone? ;D)

QuoteWhat did it look like to you? It scared the hell out of me.  ;D)

Heck I dunno remember I close my eyes too. ;)

QuoteLike I did going into turn 1 at the start of the F40 race? :o    What did it look like to you? It scared the hell out of me. (I wonder if the'll make me pay for that cone? ;D)

Hey does that make you a CONE HEAD?

Started riding sportbikes this year and goin' racing next year. Probably not with CCS though, I read how you feel about old riders on liter bikes  >:( 56 years old and NOT a midlife crisis. I been like this all my life.

QuoteProbably not with CCS though, I read how you feel about old riders on liter bikes  >:(

I think you have it mixed up, WERA is the one who doesn't allow novices on literbikes, not CCS.

Quote56 years old and NOT a midlife crisis. I been like this all my life.

Then what are you waiting for...your running out of time...CCS's cutoff is 58years old for the Logan's Run literbike class ;) j/k
Seriously, get your bike and gear to the track and be prepared to have the funnest time of your life.  You're gonna have a blast!  Good luck :)

QuoteStarted riding sportbikes this year and goin' racing next year. Probably not with CCS though, I read how you feel about old riders on liter bikes  >:( 56 years old and NOT a midlife crisis. I been like this all my life.

maaaannn,  i dont know bout all that hoopla.
but you got a sweet a$$ bike !!!  think i can make a couple practice laps ???

and thankx btw, i am such a young buck!! starting as early as i have at 37,
sh!t, im still young, not too far from dumb, and i remember being full of (kum on now, you know i wouldnt write that)(dawn, i know you were waitin! hug paul for me) (heeeey kimmie, hows john?, tell him wuttup)

That's my backup - Got a '01 RC51 for the track. Been to track days and got my speed certification. You mean CCS isn't where I read that? Maybe it was WERA. If you want to ride my liter bikes come to BeaveRun with NESBA 10/26-10/27, and have a go at it. I just put brand new Michelin Race tires on the 954 last night, and the 51 is on slicks. I need some mentors, so bring it on.
Have bikes, will travel!!!

btw, go to the rules & regs topic and read the poll/comments about the F40 class. That was where I read the remarks about old guys and liter bikes "charging" into corners and knocking over 600's
I got the distinct impression old guys got old by chance, cause they didn't have liter bikes to thrash around on.

maaaan,
a HONDA guy !!!   i love you man, (got any beer ;D )
   i havent been able to upgrade from the 929 to the 954 for my street riding pleasure, due to the racing fund. but that 954 is what ive been salivating over, and since ive been at the track ive got a new found interest in that 51, didnt feel that before.....
   but you sound to be very ready with the slicks and all, im sure you'll have a blast (like the rest of us!!!) welcome, and tho i am doubting that i'll be able to get off work for the beaver run dates, i have a feeling that i'll be seeing you around....

 125ike, I printed off all the rules and regs and it'll take until next year to read it all.  ;D Hey I hope we do meet some day, and you can ride my 954. I have never ridden a bike so fast so comfortably before. It is so sweet and flickable. I just got the 51 last week and I'm repairing plastics and looking over all the mods. I'm cornerworking BeaveRun this weekend for REDUC, so I'll learn how all you experts ride the corners. If you're interested, PM me and I'll send you pictures of both.
Doug

uhhh, that'l be AM125ike......
im no expert...... this subject is newbies starting late on the track, ...
anyway, hell yes, i wanna see the pic's of both and ride, thats what we all love! the 929 is very impressive, and im on my 7th honda and i can only imagine how much better the 54 would be to the 29...... im lickin my chops!!!
 8)
and thats a nice shot of the 954 rite there on the side, you're uh... appearing to have your knee scraping the racing surface....
wussup with that ???

 Damn I found somebody older than me! Bring the RC for the F40, it fits in that class. The only thing they were bitc+'n about was closing speeds of the big inline 4's, but a 51 can smoke the class. They have always been welcome. A serious threat, but welcome. You'll have a great time.

 ???

Started in 1983 at 37, I'm 56 now. I love the riding and the competition.

Started at 37, five years ago, love the fun , love the people.

I started at 36..2 race weekends ago.  I already got wood!!!  ;D

I should have started this years ago.

I'm hoping to start on my '51...

(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmembers.fireblades.org%2Ftigerblade%2Fimages%2FMAMturn5.jpg&hash=37634616113da4baed6cbda08b114fec78845c6a)

(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmembers.fireblades.org%2Ftigerblade%2Fimages%2FTurn14.jpg&hash=e6684e65ec086154020e8abe1862571e46715824)

Tigerblade, fill out your age in your profile! You afraid to tell us how old you are ;D. if you're not a racer of world renown you may find extreme prejudice against racing a 51. I've found that most opinions are that newbies should start on little bikes and work their way up. At my age, I should be ready for my 51 when I'm 80 (according to the current wisdom). If you're over 40 read the threads regarding the F40 class.
Good luck and hit the track days!

Hey, I posted it somewhere in this thread!  :D

I'll be 29 in December.  I know an SV would probably be the ticket, but I love the RC.  Any prejudices are the other guy's problem, not mine.  ;)

You look good on it too, btw. I think I'm gonna' start racing on mine, too.