Need Help Trying to Start Racing, What class/bike?

[mc4004]

 Hi,

I will be graduating college this year and will hopefully have more time and money to try my hand at racing. This is my third year doing track days but I was only able to do about 3 per year. During track days I ride in the intermediate group a little bit past mid pack. I am currently ridding a 07 gsxr600 with  ohlins 25 mm kit, ttx shock, brembo front master, and some other small upgrades.

I was looking into Wera and CCS as possible options, but since I live in the NYC area and CCS races seem more accessible for me. In Wera's rule book I clearly found a C superstock class I could run in. I am having a hard time finding the superstock section of the CCS rule book.

Does CCS have a superstock class or only supersport? If so how beginner friendly is it and what other classes would I be able to race in.

Thanks for the help and info,
-MC

[IFMracing]

MW SuperSport
MW SuperBike
MW GrandPrix
GTU

You can also race up if you would want, meaning in the Heavyweight and Unlimited classes.

[Kadius]

Middleweight Supersport is probably the class you're asking about. It is a 600cc class with limited modifications allowed. Some people say that the MW classes are meat grinders since they usually have the largest grids, but it's really all in how you race. Since every track org is different, I won't assume anything about the intermediate group speeds you run, but chances are, there will be significantly faster guys. Don't let that be a deterrent, you'll only get faster when pit against faster guys.

[leeroy996]

I race Lightweight and Middleweight and enjoy both classes.
I have never had a close call in Lightweight.  In Middleweight I have an incident every race weekend.

[roadracer162]

I race Lightweight and Middleweight and enjoy both classes.
I have never had a close call in Lightweight.  In Middleweight I have an incident every race weekend.

..and Lee you forgot the most important part. You are one of the fast guys in the class at ;east at the regional level.

[roadracer162]

MC- my response is based upon the current bike that you own. My belief about the difference of WERA and CCS is that WERA more resembles a stock bike where CCS allows more updates. Supersport in WSBK is nothing close to stock at all much like AMA Daytona sport bike.

Your most competitive class with CCS as far as bike goes is the Middleweight Supersport class. There are many that run Heavyweight Supersport with their 600 and are competitive. There are more competitors in Middle weight and less in Heavyweight. Heavyweight is designed more for 750cc bikes or comparable equipment. A 1000 twin would fit into Heavyweight.

What class you are in on a track day really has no relevance. If you are slow(lap time) but predictable and smooth then you are advanced in my book.

[mc4004]

 Thanks for all the info guys this was the type of stuff i was looking for. My main concern is going out to have fun while keeping other and my safety in mind which. It seems that mw supersport along with hw supersport may be a good place to start. Anyone have experience with mw granprix?

[roadracer162]

Honestly at your level which class you compete in isn't a large difference. Most competitors use a superstore bike and race GTU, GP, SB, and SS. There is little difference between GTU and GP or SB. Supersport is just less mods. Some of the fastest supersport racers will race all classes and do well. Many times it will be the older bikes with mods racing in GP,GTU or SB. Supersport requires the use of DOT tires. All other class use allows the use of slicks.

[design-engine]

race them all.  If your going to do 600 races might as well do every race you can to increase your experiance faster.  I race even the heavyweight.  Others race with the 1000's too. 

[07gsxr.karl]

In addition to the classes listed, you can also race Rookies Cup, which is for new racers who are in their 1st year. I raced RC this year, it was great, It gave me a good gauge for who I will see in MWSS MWGP and MWSB, along with meeting a few of them.


This is from my experience, I started racing MWSS, but leaned away at the middle of the season, The riders in supersport aren't overly aggressive, but you DO have money on the line (or more than other classes). So for a new rider, it may be exactly what you want, or may be a shot for the following year. Its all up to the racer. I ended the season with SB. RC, GP. All of those classes are great for newer riders. Its not about winning your first year but having fun and keeping the hard parts off the ground.


I don't know if WERA offers a rookies cup type race, but that is why I went with CCS. It was a very easy platform to get my feet wet.

[Burt Munro]

One thing to keep in mind when looking at the WERA and CCS Rulebooks......
WERA - you can't change something on the bike unless the Rulebook says you can.
CCS - you can change something unless the Rulebooks says you can't.

Slightly different approachs to how their rules are setup.