$$$$$ question

[Clay]

Ok, I don't know what I'm gonna do.  Arrrggghhhhh  

BTW, this weekend isn't listed as a twin sprint event.  So I'm still confused as to whether there is two of the same race or just one of each.   :-/

Melk, I don't know what events I'm doing this year.  VIR is just looking so inticing because my friend that races pro formula USA will be there...so I'll have lots of help from him and my friends.  

I'm already doing the Bargy school on Thursday at CMP.  So I'm just thinking, why not come on over Friday and do my first race with my friends?!?!  

Ok, so for a guy who is "ok" on the track (I'm pretty sure I can hit 1:23's at NFMP now that I've got suspension done..was doing 26's with absolutely horrid clapped out 25000miles on it stock suspension...) do you think I can possibly hit top 10 in any of my amateur classes?  

I'm heading down to NFMP for a track day on March 15th with STT.  I'll see if I can truly get down to 23's now.  But I know I can get close to them...as I was wanting to go faster while doing 26's.  Ok, ok...I'm still a newbie and I've got to stop thinking I'm any good :p  I guess this race will tell where I rank in the pack!  I'm just wondering how much harder amateur unlimited will be over amateur supersport.  

Ok...I'm rambling, LOL.  

[Dawn]

Clay:

Go to this link and download the schedule.  It should answer a lot of your questions.

http://www.formulausa.com/factsheets03/VIR%20April%20SCHEDULE.pdf

Dawn   :)

[Clay]

Ooh, thanx Dawn...exactly what I needed :D

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Dude!  Don't sweat it.  You're new.  I'm guessing that you've already got the bike you plan to run, but the EX/FZR advice was good.  You'll be overwhelmed when you first start.  Just getting through tech, making all your practice sessions, getting your bike signed up for the proper classes, and actually showing up to the grid, ready to race, at the proper time is going to be pure mental overload.  
You're worried about where you'll finish?  Don't.  You still have so much to learn.  Tires, suspension setup, gearing, jetting, ect, ect, ect.  This will be an exciting and mystifying journy for you.  If you decide that you should be finishing in a certain position right away, you'll get discouraged quickly.  Worse, if you do excell right away, you'll never learn all the hard lessons that the rest of the beginners are forced to figure out, and when you run up against real competition, you won't know what suddenly went wrong.
Racing is all about the learning curve.  For the first few weekends, it's the learning virtical line.  Eventually, the arc will begin to flatten.  To begin, make your goals to survive and not endanger anyone who is sharing the track with you.  Remember, this is supposed to be fun!  Take it slow and enjoy yourself.  There is no dishonor in not being the best your first time out.  You'll hopefully have years of racing ahead of you, and you will improve each weekend.  Just don't fixate on your finishing position.  Trust me.  You'll have plenty of time later to chase championships and spend yourself into the poorhouse.  For now, Just enjoy the ride. ;)

[Clay]

Thanx for the kinds words.  You folks over here are definitely a little nicer than the guys over at wera.com, LOL!  I've already been flamed x10 for saying I'm racing a 929 :-/  I'm just racing what I've got for this season.  Next season it'll be down to a smaller class.  I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about running an SV.  

[ecumike]

Yea, VIR is not a twin sprint race weekend.

Also... MAKE SURE you fill out the contingency forms for tech. Even if you don't think you'll place top 5/3... I almost missed out on some contingency $ my first race weekend.

[ecumike]

that will be 6 races. You can count on spending 800-1000 bucks every race weekend EASY.

Holy crap Trey, are you serious, that much per weekend?  I guess that's what being fast will do to ya huh?

Do you/600cc+ riders really go through a set of tires a weekend?

Makes me even more thankful for my underpowered priller.

[sdiver68]

Yes, I budget $1000 per weekend.  What I don't spend one weekend I'll probably end up paying the next weekend.  If races are local then it can be cheaper, also, if you run regualr posium then contingencies help a lot.

Definitely at least 1 set of tires per weekend, but those tires also last for the next weekend's practice day.

[Clay]

So who all pays contingencies?  

[EX#996]

So who all pays contingencies?  

Clay:

You really need to check out the www.ccsracing.com site.  There is a lot of information out there including the rule book, entry forms, schedules, results (eventually) and up comming events.

The contingentcy information however has not been updated.  Last year the tire maufactures of Dunlop, Michillen, Pirrelli paid as well as EBC brakes, Vortex Sprockets, AGV, Vanson Leathers, Sikolene (that's all I can remember off the top of my head).

Dawn   :)

[Clay]

Yeah, I've been looking over all the rules and such.  But like you said, nothing on contingencies :(  All of those you listed, I'm not using either :(   Metzler tires, Carbone Lorraine brake pads, Pro-tek rear sets, vortek clip ons, renthal sprockets, DID chain, Micron pipe, factory PCIII, goodridge lines, sprint damper, race tech valves/springs, ohlins shock, airtech body work, tyre sox warmers, MAYBE VP fuel... I think that's all.  Any of those sound good?  

[EX#996]

Yeah, I've been looking over all the rules and such.  But like you said, nothing on contingencies :(  All of those you listed, I'm not using either :(   Metzler tires, Carbone Lorraine brake pads, Pro-tek rear sets, vortek clip ons, renthal sprockets, DID chain, Micron pipe, factory PCIII, goodridge lines, sprint damper, race tech valves/springs, ohlins shock, airtech body work, tyre sox warmers, MAYBE VP fuel... I think that's all.  Any of those sound good?  

Oh my goodness Clay, your post gave me a really good laugh.   ;D

The reason it did is because I don't remember any of those on last years contingency sheets.  BUT....  Don't worry about it.  When you first start out, unless you are really good or lucky you probably wouldn't qualify for them.  So...  when you do need to replace some parts or tires, then you may want to look at the contingecy information.

Good Luck!

Dawn   :)