Should I request to stay AM

[Super Dave]

Maybe trackdays and schools (pre license) are becoming the overwelming norm.  Maybe such prerequesites will be required to stay even remotely competitive in amateur eventually.  I dunno.  Maybe I need to get w/ the program and say coming into amateur w/ already competitive times makes for better and safer racing.  I dunno.[/img]

Love the picture...

Doing a time and racing can be two different things.  Race craft, the abuse of racing head to head, is something that does need to be experienced to be learned.  Trackdays are about riding on a track at a reasonable percentage within one's ability.  Yes, some play a little harder, and some can go faster while riding within their set up and personal ability.

Too many variables.  And I've let loose riders with no experience on a road racing motorcycles that have put themselves in the top three immediately, and I've worked with riders over many programs to have them go slower racing than they have at school.  Too many variables to say one thing or another.

I will say that a track day is just a diversion of money that could be spent on racing.  And with no racing experience, what does a "trackday rider" really expect to work on...

Anyway, enough of my rambling...

[ninelives59]

If you scored enough points in 2005 your ready.By riding with the experts you will become faster and a better rider. 2nd thing the crashing is not out of control either..your decision 8)

[aberg12012]

Maybe this should be asked in a new thread, but as a newcommer this gets me really thinking about my game plan for the 06' season.

I have never been on the track.  I will be purchasing my first race ready bike this winter (an older R6) and planning on taking Learning Curves at BHF or RA first thing before anything else.  I already e-mailed Rick of Learning Curves asking when/where the first 06' session will be.  

I had planned on just jumping in with both feet and attending any races and track days I can, for maximum "play" time.  I'm only looking at this as an enjoyable weekend hobby, not to be a top competitor.  I'm comming "off the street" looking to push my own abilities on a bike, but with moderation in mind.  At least to start with...  I believe in starting slow, and getting the basics before concerning myself with track times, and being up front.

So the question:  Should I avoid running in amature races to start with?  Just stick with track days to get the basics, with less pressure of "keeping up?"  Or should I just jump in and get my feet wet?

Thanks guys, and sorry to bug ya' on this in this thread!

[Ridgeway]

I was in a similar situation at the beginning of this season.  I bought my race bike in the Fall of 04, and did manage to get one track day in on it prior to the end of that year, but didn't really learn much other than getting used to the bike a bit.

I took the LC class at the first BHF weekend, did a couple track days to knock some seconds off, and raced at the rest of the BHF events last year.

Looking back on it, there really isn't much I would have done differently, but I probably would've skipped the last couple track days that I did after my first actual race weekend.  Reason?  With the restrictive passing rules etc. riding at a trackday really didn't let me ride the way I needed to in a race.  Different mindset, different level of aggressiveness etc.

Here's how I would suggest you get going:

1. Do LCR at RA to get it out of the way early.
2. Do a couple track days at BHF prior to the first race there to get the bike dialed in, and learn the track.
3. Race, and have a blast doing it.

Don't worry about lap times or finishing position while you're just getting started.  Concentrate on your riding and bike setup and the lap times will come.  From LCR to my last race, I went from 1:40's to a best time of 1:21 over the space of 5 weekends, and it was raining for 2 of them.  I was definitely shellshocked my first real race weekend and was riding like an idiot (and slow one at that), but that would've been the case had I had 100 trackdays or 1.  Just part of the learning curve.

Also, track down a copy of Highside.  The first half of the book will really let you know what you're in for the first couple weekends!

[Ridgeway]

One other thing I thought I'd mention...

Have you considered starting out in Lightweight vs. going with a Middleweight out the gate?

[r1owner]

Maybe this should be asked in a new thread, but as a newcommer this gets me really thinking about my game plan for the 06' season.

I have never been on the track.  I will be purchasing my first race ready bike this winter (an older R6) and planning on taking Learning Curves at BHF or RA first thing before anything else.  I already e-mailed Rick of Learning Curves asking when/where the first 06' session will be.  

I had planned on just jumping in with both feet and attending any races and track days I can, for maximum "play" time.  I'm only looking at this as an enjoyable weekend hobby, not to be a top competitor.  I'm comming "off the street" looking to push my own abilities on a bike, but with moderation in mind.  At least to start with...  I believe in starting slow, and getting the basics before concerning myself with track times, and being up front.

So the question:  Should I avoid running in amature races to start with?  Just stick with track days to get the basics, with less pressure of "keeping up?"  Or should I just jump in and get my feet wet?

Thanks guys, and sorry to bug ya' on this in this thread!

I took the LC school too without ever being on the track.  I never attended a trackday before racing either.  You can do it.  

One thing I will say is to practice your starts before you ever get on the track, cause that first time it all goes so quick!  Not saying you have to do it a lot, just enough so you don't pull a huge wheelie or stall it. :)

[aberg12012]

Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like a plan.  I'll take LC at RA in April.  Is there also a track day at RA with the April date?  If so I'll hit that as well.  Can't wait!

Oh, and yea I did think about lightweight... however I have an R6 all lined up, and I've been riding middleweight class bikes on the street for a few years, (before that Goldwings) so I think it'll be a good place to start for me.  (Not that riding on the street is anything to prepare me for the track...)

Sorry to steal the thread, but thanks again!

Alan

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Also, track down a copy of Highside.  The first half of the book will really let you know what you're in for the first couple weekends!

Thank you sir!  //www.chrisonwiler.com will let you read the first chapter of Highside.

[aberg12012]

GREAT Cover Photo!  That photographer sure got lucky! :D  (I also do a bit of race photography, so I can appreciate the chances of getting a shot like that!)

[aberg12012]

Read the first chapter... YES!

I was suprised to recognize what you were describing was Blackhawk. :D  Although I've only been a spectator at BHF, I've rode through each corner a thousand times in my head.  Can't wait to read the rest.

[cbr806]

... Or should I just jump in and get my feet wet?

This quetstion comes up often on this BBS.  I didn't race the week-end of my school, but that's just because it was snowing.  I really think you should go ahead and race.  Just grid in the back and pick-up some stuff from the guys in front of you.  You'll probably be surprised in that there will be guys you'll be able to run with.  Just keep a consistant line and keep moving your brake markers in.  You're likley not to even get lapped at RA.

Re: staying AM - I passed the first time they bumped me up.  I really enjoyed running up front for a year.  I was 40 also though.  I look fwd now to running with the experts & when I have had the opportunity to run with the experts in combined evets, I could see that it is alot safer.  AM can get pretty harry with the lack of experience.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

GREAT Cover Photo!  That photographer sure got lucky! :D  (I also do a bit of race photography, so I can appreciate the chances of getting a shot like that!)

The rider and photographer were friends.  As the rider approached the corner, the photographer laid into the motor drive.... :o
Yeah, the story is set around the midwest, and much of the action occurs at Blackhawk.  It's the story of a beginner earning his license and going racing.  So far, 100% of the people who've read it have loved it, but we'll see what Super Dave has to say.... ::) ;)