put the 125's up front

[Hankster]

It doesn't matter which group you start first in a two wave start. The real problem seems to be that if you grid experts then amateurs in one class in the first wave, then experts and amateurs in another class in the second wave, the experts in the second wave will always catch the amateurs in the first wave. It would be better to grid all experts in both classes in the first wave and all amateurs in both classes ( 125GP and ULWSB ) in the second wave.

[gpswag]

I agree with alfauno as the 125 should be up front.. Its a lot easier for a bigger bike who is running 17's to pass us on the straight as it is for us to pass over half the field who is not doing the 17's. There is only about 3 bikes in HWSB that are in the 17;s and Although I wasn't able to race the last round at BHF because of my broken collar bone (that happened passing a SV in a turn) I run 18's and can say I absolutely hate the first lap in our race..
Thanks amydiaz for listening and I would really hope to see us up front from now on..

[Baltobuell]

I like Hanksters idea. Expert 125's lineup behind quicker off the line experts and the 2nd wave amatures with 125's in back. The safety thing with 2 strokes off the line is unreal and I feel for them when I'm in the way in the corner but seriously, cutting through 3 lines of two strokes off the grid IS not safe.
 Now I'm gonna Brag, at the dragstrip my bike does low 11's and with practice could be in the 10's. The 125's, though they have my deepest respect as roadracers because they absolutly fly, I can't imagine them turning less than 25. The difference in the first 5 seconds is HUGE!

[alfauno]

Okay, so it's settled- 125s get a rolling start! ;)

[Protein Filled]

Okay, so it's settled- 125s get a rolling start! ;)

nah, it really should be a LeMans start! That would be cool!

[cstem]

Ilike the idea of all experts starting up front, but with a two wave start.  I don't care how fast of a 125 rider you are, going to the proctologist to have a 4 stroke removed hurts.  In a perfect world more people would have interest in two stroke racing and you could have your own race.  Just putting you up front will get someone seriously hurt.  I agree that two strokes usually carry more cornering speed, but if it were me, I would rather have trouble passing than closing my eyes on the start waiting to mate with an SV.

[Thorny]

Apparently you all have forgotten what a two wave start is, one group starts then as that group crests turn one the second wave is started. If you a$$ pack anyone apparently you DON'T know what a two wave start is, or you walked into the wrong bar.
  The Two stroke racing that I was involved with I was lapping riders mid way through lap two, riders started in the second wave. I guess I just took it as those riders were going through the same learning process I also had to go through in the past. In a GT lights race I was in on the 125 some of the huge numbers of SV guys were so learning that while out breaking and out corner speeding those riders I had to deal with such unsmooth riders that I traded paint with literally 6 riders in one race. People there is no perfect way, you will always have a problem with the way things are. I may think the same thing you are trying to change is working just fine, and vise/versa.  
 Bottom line, other people have to learn too. I might have been able to do well right away but someone else didn't, so do I say things like, "He isn't as fast as me on the 125's he should start in the back so he is out of my way," No, I just pass him if I can when the race starts.
 You are racers, that means you are trying to be first after the certain amount of laps. So rather than asking for people to start behind you, just pass them all!

[Super Dave]

Well stated.

[ecumike]

Yea... scarry is racing in the GTL race with the SVs... even scarier is being on pole for the race.

I need all the advantage I can get against the SVs, but sometimes I really consider gridding at the back b/c I feel someone gonna run into me.  :)

But, the good thing is that I get to miss, sit back, and watch everyone cram into T1, and by the time I catch up, it starts to thin a little and be less crazy.

Check out the SV melee I got on tape from Barber.  I was on pole, and thought to myself. "I must have a death wish" :D

I mean.. I'm on pole, and have what, like 15 bikes pass me already going into T1. And that's a short straight... VIR is worse.. most of the field passes me b4 T1.

[Protein Filled]

Well, being an SV rider, I find it great when I see a whole bunch of 125's gridded in front of me. At least I know I won't have to fight for position with them when entering turn one... all I have to do is grid a foot to the side and prepare to blow by.

;D ;D ;D

[PJ]

Thanks, Paul.  Very telling.

Any cool jobs at H-D for someone like me?

Sure! We're always looking for more underwear models!

Seriously, Harley has a good section on the website that describes current career opportunities.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/CO/CAR/en/careeropportunities.asp?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

Or call me sometime to discuss. 414-343-8735.

[racerxgirl]

I agree with cstem on this one...put the experts all up front and the 125's wait for the 2nd wave...
No matter how much you smoke the clutch on a 125 to get a good start, you will never be able to catch a SV, or thumper, or whatever bike is in front of you in the first turn...
I personally don't mind having to go through traffic, its a challenge and it is a race, even though they may be in their own race class, its still fun to try and get around an SV, or thumper, or whatever bike is in front of you...
and, if you want to race with other 125's try usgpru...pretty cool to watch everyone fighting for position, just waiting patiently for someone to make a mistake, and then you watch 2 or 3 riders whiz by!
Yes, i do wish there were more 2 strokes out on the track....until you have ridden one, you will have no idea how much fun they are!!  ;)