Is 600 AM Really THAT bad?!

[Grashopr]

In another post another new racer asked about whether to get into the supertwins or the 600 AM class and some of you guys were making the 600cc AM class seem like a cutting room floor scene of Saving Private Ryan.   Is the 600cc AM class really THAT bad?   This is my first year racing also, and I'm going to be smack-dab in the middle of the class and now I'm wondering if I dont need to forgo the case savers and go for some of those spikes to stick out from my axles to cut the other guys (and gals) achille's tendons.   

Is it REALLY as bad as you guys are makin it out to be? 

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

A few years ago it would be packed to the gills. This past season it didnt seem that large. Maybe 30ish bikes instead of 50.

I should add this is from my experience for the midwest region at Blackhawk Farms

[roadracer162]

It's that bad with two wave starts because the field is that big and some guys coming from the second wave trying to make it to the front of the first wave. It can get crazy when a bunch of amateurs are trying to prove something.

There's gotta be a better way for new racers to start out other than 600 and sometimes even 1000cc bikes. I believe that the fastest bikes should be left for the Experts. If a new racer is that good then maybe forgo the amateur year and move up to Expert.

Just my thoughts

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

The 600 classes are generally the ones that have the most accidents and red flag situations from what I've seen. Because of this they are often times the reason the schedule gets so screwed up from all the delays. I've seen multiple restarts (in 1 race) in the 600 classes, at many events on top of it!

I personally feel very strongly if 1 particular division of bikes is so much of a problem then all it's races need to be moved to the end of the race days, that way if there are delays from red flags it doesn't screw everyone else out of their track time. I don't see how that is unfair at all, I mean why should the class that screws up the whole schedule on such a regular basis be given any privelage of earlier races at all? Middleweight bikes are easier to ride than Heavyweight and Unlimited bikes, yet they seem to have the most red flags, "Houston we have a problem"!

Sure you can race in the 600 class, and you may be fine, but I think it would be a safe bet that your chances of 'incidents' in that class are much higher than other classes. Good luck with what ever you chose to do. 

[Grashopr]

Good luck with what ever you chose to do. 

Thanks, but no real 'choice' to it at this point.  It's either race with the 'bad group' or dont race;  I've already got the the bike and changing isn't an option.  However at least I wont worry as much about how the bike looks if it's just going to get beat to piss by the other bikes (and ground) anyways.   Lol... 

[Jason748]

Here is the Midwest & Great Plains regions....  NO it's not half as bad and most make it out to be, I've been running Middleweight for the last two years, and before that Lightweights off and on.  Honestly other than more bikes on the grid (more chance of getting caught-up in someone else's mistake), I have never really though is was any more dangerous than other classes.

[Grashopr]

I will be in the GP region for 2007 also.  Thanks for the heads up on the lighter grids from what the 'doomsdayer's were obviously referring to when they were saying that the AM 600 classes were trips to hell and back.

[Super Dave]

Exactly...

600cc sportbikes are very popular and have been very popular for quite a long time now.

Most new racers begin racing with their street bike following the completion of a riding school, etc.  So, it follows that amateur middleweight grids are pretty large.  With the distribution of rider ability, maturaty, and set ups being distributed all along a bell shaped curve, well, crashes happen.

Some of the middleweight amateur crashes even occur when amateur and expert grids are combined, which can be seen as a cause of some accidents.

Some say that it's caused by young riders in amateur middleweight classes, but the average age of club racers has continued to increase.


Advice?  Buy good tires, replace them with regularity, work on developing a bike that handles well.  Your body positioning can be a reflection of what the problems might be.  Things aren't always as they seem.

[Court Jester]

Thanks, but no real 'choice' to it at this point.  It's either race with the 'bad group' or dont race;  I've already got the the bike and changing isn't an option.  However at least I wont worry as much about how the bike looks if it's just going to get beat to piss by the other bikes (and ground) anyways.   Lol... 

just like everything else, it is what you make of it. (most of the time)
you're going real fast on two wheels in turns real close. shit happens. but try to keep a postive tude about what you can do and where you can put your bike, stay on your toes and you'll do just fine. just don't go into it thinking someone's going to take you out.
if you have the 600 and are ready then jump in with both feet and you'll do fine. be be aware of what's going on around you.

[brotekind269]

This was my second year as a novice. I (was)wrecked 5 times, one of which was my fault (but I didn't hit anybody). Maybe it's the color of my bike, but people just love slamming into me. Maybe I shouldn't have painted that big target on my back. Already committed to my 600 and love my 600 so I'll go through it again next year.

Mid Atlantic really is that bad; and it seems the faster you get, the worst it gets.  I had no problems with people my first year.

[Grashopr]

I've only been on the East Coast a couple of times, but if you guys race like you drive, I can imagine that it would be like Mad Max meets Torque. 

You were 'taken out' or you were 'hit' 5 times (4 times?)

[George_Linhart]

I think the real answer is usually but sometimes not.  The 600SS riders tend to be very agressive and willing to take chances.  A lot of really questionable moves out there by people that don't necessarily care if they take you out or themselves.  Quite a few "win it or bin it" type of people.

With me this is a hobby - I do it for pure enjoyment and the thrill of competition.  What I did a lot of time was just avoid 600 SS and 600SB - I would run MW GP, HW SB & HW SS.  These classes were not so crowded and it just seemed easier to avoid problems.  If you are fast a 600 will still do very well against the HW and Unlimited class bikes with yellow plates.

As a personal safety issue I would purposely take it easy on the start and enter T-1  towards the back of the pack.  I watched a lot of first turn accidents from behind.  I think it is a lot better to pick my way past slower riders on the track than to try and win the race to turn one only to be taken out by the kid that things they are Nicky Hayden.

When I went to racing LW and Thunderbike the riders did seem to be a bit more careful (or at least aware of their mortality) and I didn't have the same reservations racing from green flag.

George