New here :)

[SilverSurfer]

Hi all, this is my first post.  The gang at SocalSportbikes.com sent me over when I mentioned I was interested in racing.

First off, I'd just like to say I've been riding for 20 years since I was 15 (and have had a motorycle endorsement since then).   But it's only been over the past 7 months or so that I've discovered "canyon" riding.  I've been to the track twice (Big Willow and Pahrump) and gotten a taste of something I would like to do more of.

Let me add that at 35, I have no interest in coming the next Rossi.  I just want to race for fun and am very well aware of my mortality.  I don't wish to mix it up with people competiting for sponsorships and big $$.  I just want to race and have fun.

That's what brings me to CCS.  I understand there is a 35 and over class.  I just wanted your opinions on what cc/class to run.  Right now I don't have a track bike because I haven't settled on what class or cc size to run.

WSMC is out because their "older" class starts at 40.  I don't think I have the skill level to compete with the younger riders either. I can hold my own on a 1200 Bandit but it's too slow and heavy for the track (the right analogy would be a "butterknife in a sea of scalpels.")   I have no intention of racing the Bandit.  Even with a 1216 kit I couldn't get this thing into racing shape (And I have race tech front suspension and a Hayabua rear shock).  

So I guess what I am after are your opinions:

1.  Stick with the 35 and older group?
2.  What CC to race (sv650 is one I was considering)
3.  What race school to take (StarSchools was something I wanted to do, but if I could afford it, Freddie Spencers school would be my 1st choice).

Thoughts/opinions?

Thanks!

Brian

[Protein Filled]

Hi Brian,

I am in the Midwest so things are different here, but there are a couple of things that apply to all. First, the SV is a great starter race bike. It teaches you corner speed and the skills needed to go fast around a track without having to spend lots of money or scaring yourself half to death all the time.

Regarding the classes, our "senior" class here in the MW is Formula 40, which starts at 40 as well. I am not sure if your region has a 35 and over class. The one thing that will not matter though is that regardless where you are racing, the best part of it all is the competition. Whether it's for 1st or 20th place it's irrelevant. The fun of it all is to be out there competing and dicing with people.

Someone else from your area may be a ble to give you a little more insight into what classes and what schools to take.

Edgar

[boo181]

1: welcome to our addiction ;D

2: sv 650 is a great bike for track use regardless of experience

3: i attended the starschool and would do it again if i had the chance to. and if you go you have to take the ride with pridmore, it's awesome

[SilverSurfer]

Thanks.  I will do more research but out of curiosity, how competitive is the class that runs the SV650?  I'll look up the rules, but I am hoping that I can run an older bike so that I can afford to race :)

I am going to try and get the StarSchool as well, I just don't want to ride my Bandit.

[boo181]

light weight anything is what you would run an sv in. i'm not sure exactly how competitive it is, i run middleweight. i do seem to see alot more of the older stile sv's than any of the newer ones.

[brian213]

Brian,

I'm assuming that since you mentioned WSMC that you are in SoCal.  I race both CCS and WSMC, and both have plenty of older riders...in fact, I'd bet you that easily 55% or more of the people that show up at WSMC every month are your age or higher.  :)

Only thing I'd warn about is the bike classes...some tend to be safer than others, based on experience of the riders and the number of them on the grid at a time.  The SV is quite competitive at all of the Pacific CCS and Southwest tracks as well as at Willow.  There's a good sized group of people at WSMC racing the SV.  It's legal in several classes.

Of course with CCS it's legal in nearly every class.. :)  There are lots of them on the grids...I hate 'em because my race (125GP) always starts behind a huge pile of them and they aren't always the easiest things for me to pass.   ;D

WSMC runs every month, always the same 3rd Sunday of the month, always the same track.  CCS Pacific this year has 7 events (one left) at 4 tracks.

So, I'd say do what your budget and schedule can afford.  Just get out there and race, which group doesn't matter...at lot of the same people race with more than one org...I race with 3.  The ages vary in all of the orgs.  I know there are even guys over 60 racing with WSMC...there's even a  Forumula 50 class.

One of my race buddies feels about the same as you and is about our age (I'm 36), he races an SV.  He just stuck out as many races as he had to in order to get his points to get out of Middleweight Novice (had to race with the 600s)...he'd grid at the back on purpose.  Now he's out and can have fun racing with bikes like his and he doesn't worry about much at all.

Anyway, just get out there, it's all fun!  But, I have to say, get a two-stroke, way more fun, but the SV is good too.  :)

-Brian
ps - I know that WSMC normally runs (every month but October) a school for people that want to race.  I think CCS normally does something similar as well.

[motodirk34]

Brian, I was in the same situation as you a few years ago.  I am a little bit older than you, but got bitten by the track bug and decided to take a few schools.  I have taken Freddie's school twice and can tell you that it is (from the school's I have attended) the best school period.  I have also taken Reg Pridmore, Keith Code and Kevin Schwantz.  They are all good in their own right and I learned a little from all of them.

After taking these schools, I decided last year to start racing.  I love it!  Go ahead and take the chance.  As far as a 35 year old class, I am not aware of one in CCS.  I will start racing the formula 40 class this month.  I am doing really well and should win several classes this year.  Not bad for an older guy that couldn't get his knee down a couple of years ago.

Good Luck

[brian213]

Man Dirk, Freddie twice..are you rich?  ;D I'd love to take his classes.

You are doing quite well!  See you at Buttonwillow!

-Brian

[310Lytle]

This was eluded to in previous posts but....

There is no 35 year old class.
Just 40, like Willow.
I race the Formula 40 Light Weight class at
Willow but have never raced the one guy
who does it in CCS.

Mike_

[cstem]

Two tiems with Freddie?  It definitley shows Dirk- wondered what you secret was!