Is 600 AM Really THAT bad?!

[Spooner]

I have been racing 3 seasons now all on a 600, and also on a lightweight this season.  I don't think its all that bad other than HUGE national rounds like Barber.  I have never been taken out once, but have been bumped a couple times.  Getting good starts seems to help along with getting good grid positions.  Its the guys at the rear that feel like they need to pass everyone going into T1 that can be a problem. 

Like the above poster, I often bumped up to heavyweight and even unlimited as an amateur and was very competitive plus the grids were a fair bit lighter. 

Hell I thought the lightweights were rougher because we all had slow bikes so we put in some pretty close passes lol! 

[funsizeracing]

Lightweights rough? 
I have no idea what your talking about 

[tstruyk]

Hell I thought the lightweights were rougher because we all had slow bikes so we put in some pretty close passes lol!  

I think also with experienced racers suggesting racing LW to new racers more and more guys are leaning that direction.  I remember at Barber and ACC in 05 talking with Randy and Harvey about how many red flags seemed to be coming from the LW grids...

that being said, I only felt uncomfy at Barber... 5-6 crashes in MWSS (might have been SB) several close calls, it was VERY dicey!  Back in the midwest/great plains though things where never a problem.  MWSS red flagged twice at ACC but it wasnt that bad.  First one was Brian Eaton getting tangled under braking with 2 other riders, ended up unconcious.  I think the one rider had checked up forcing the other to turn in late, forcing brian off track.  the 2nd was because the remaining ambualnce had to role for a guy that tucked the front in 3, he saw me come up the inside (4-5 feet between us) got spooked and grabbed the front brake... no mo busses means no mo racey

errors are going to be made in any AM race, part of the learning process...

[tstruyk]

Lightweights rough? 
I have no idea what your talking about

bully... 

[rwracer]

Take most of the negative remarks, more or less reverse them, and you have a more accurate description.   In CCS at least, small grid combined classes have way more problems with needless wrecks than the large grid 600 classes.  And most of the incidents are caused by the kind of rider errors that you would have regardless of grid size.

Decide what class you want to run in based SOLELY on your goals for the sport and your financial backing.  You'll be glad you did.

[mdr14]

Thats one of those urban legends that seem to endure. I remember hearing those same naysayers stating how crazy racing was and the 600 class was dangerous..blah blah blah...

Racing amateur 600 will be fine. Just hold your line and don't be a bone head and it will all be good

[Scotty Ryan]

You gotta start somewhere... I personally started on an SV 650 so I could learn the basics.... Then moved up to the 600.......But I also had quite a few knowledgeable people helping me out and pointing me in the right direction along the way..... I agree with Super Dave - make sure that the bike and yourself are well prepared each and every time you go out on the track...... 2 cents

[motobenco]

yes

[Spooner]

SV's are cool bikes too.  I think riding one made me a little faster on the R6 this year.  But, I think a fast rider is fast on any bike so I see no problem starting on an SV, then bumping to a 600 when going expert. 

[Z-man]

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? 

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? 

It is called the meat-grinder class for a reason.  I didn't read all the posts so I'm sorry if I'm repeating someone.  But just because you have a 600cc bike it doesn't mean you can only race the 600 class.  The heavyweight and ulimited classes generally have much fewer riders.  I live out in NJ and the closest track is Summit Point and next closest is VIR, these events sell out much of the time in the middleweight classes.  When you have 60 guys all trying to get to the front of the pack in 7 laps it can get a bit hairy and agressive in the turns and since there are so many people in the same portion of track, once one goes many types multiple people go. 

However, once you go past VIR and hit some of the other tracks like CMP, Roebling and even Barber to some degree aren't nearly as busy as the two tracks within 10 hours drive of NYC, Philly, DC, Baltimore, Richmond ETC.  I would say if it is your first time racing hit a less populated event or go for the heavyweight class or Unlimited class.  This year in the Mid Atlantic region and much of the Southeast the Heavyweight class and Unlimited classes were won by people on 600's, I picked up unlimited superbike MA and SE and Bret Garretson picked up a few classes on a 600.

First race can be a bit hairy, it is very very different from a trackday.  Nerves are flying, adrenaline is pumping and there is always a story on the boards the day after the first race weekend of someone all bent out of shape because someone cut them off or someone fell right in front of them and took them out.  There is a phrase for that, "that's racing" take it easy the first time out and get a feel for things.  You can also grid in the back and wear a bright colored t-shirt over your leathers to give the more senior guys a heads up that you are out for your first couple times and to be sure to give you a bit more space.

Z

[Rich]

Hell I thought the lightweights were rougher because we all had slow bikes so we put in some pretty close passes lol! 

If you would have just stayed behind me like I told you to none of that would have happened.

[jimmyboost]

You can also grid in the back and wear a bright colored t-shirt over your leathers to give the more senior guys a heads up that you are out for your first couple times and to be sure to give you a bit more space.

Glad you mentioned that.  From what I've been told, wearing your racing school shirt your first few races will definitely get you a little bit of slack from the other riders.   I will definitely be sporting my mean green EBRS shirt for my first couple races.  Its a shame Ed got rid of all of those sexy pink shirts though.