Whats up with Formula 40 next year?

[criminalspeed]

All I have to say, being an F40 mofo, is please tell me now so I know what bike to buy/build over the winter.

I have noticed that F40 is smooth and predictable, a refreshing change from the suicide 600 class.

[hooter31]

i think most of you are missing scott's point...to be competive in the f40 you must be on a suzuki gsxr 750...the results don't lie.Since the class was formulated,suzuki 750 has won every nat'l...if they go to unl ss rules combine it with the regular unl ss class,the grids will be bigger and if someone wants to be scored in both,charge them double entry fees.one less race to run.as far as the f40 being a gentelmans class,if you feel that way please stick with track days.this is racing not crusing.there is a large group of f40 riders that can place in the top 5 at any ccs race.

[H-man]

as far as the f40 being a gentelmans class,if you feel that way please stick with track days.this is racing not crusing.

 :-X :-X ::)

This could be interesting to watch.

[H-man]

Seriously though, I think there's room for a misunderstanding of the term "the gentlemen's class"

When I read that term (I haven't used it myself), I don't think the writer is intending to convey an image of a rider leaving a gap to be passed or skipping every opportunity to make a pass.  I believe it's more a matter that F40 riders recognize we aren't likely to travel the nation's (or region's) tracks chasing contingency money, we aren't likely to be invited to ride for anyone.  This is done purely for our own entertainment and enjoyment.  Besides, we have to go to work on Monday as we're the main or sole wage earners.

Given the above, there's an realization (rationalization?) that riding on the edge or going for daring passes just to achieve the next place higher or the podium has a very low return for the associated risk.

Speed is addicting and fun.  Dicing is fun.  Winning is great!  But given the magnitude of the return for a 40+ year old, I doubt the rest is likely to be attempted.

IMHO.

Peace bra.

[Arnziffel]

I think everyone as their own reasons for running F40.I have raced F40 for 4 years now and it has become much more competitive than it was in 2001,yet no less fun.
Criminal speed build and race what you want to race not what you have to, unless you want to go for a national championship, Hooter31 is correct about that, but at most other events not held at Daytona the 600s still do pretty well.
I would like to see the displacement lowered to 600cc myself to level the playing field since Suzuki is the only choice  in 750 trim.
Anyone wishing to give F40 a try just needs to come out and check it out for yourself, its definitely worth it

[r1owner]

I think everyone as their own reasons for running F40.I have raced F40 for 4 years now and it has become much more competitive than it was in 2001,yet no less fun.
Criminal speed build and race what you want to race not what you have to, unless you want to go for a national championship, Hooter31 is correct about that, but at most other events not held at Daytona the 600s still do pretty well.
I would like to see the displacement lowered to 600cc myself to level the playing field since Suzuki is the only choice  in 750 trim.
Anyone wishing to give F40 a try just needs to come out and check it out for yourself, its definitely worth it

I'll be there next year Keith! :)

[Mark Bernard]

I took 2nd place in the MW region/LW-F40. Let me tell you, just to get 2nd overall was a very hard battle all year. There is some very stiff competetors in both F-40 and LW/F-40 classes. The grids are getting bigger, bikes are getting faster, and the riders are top notch... all of them! I also have been running the F-40 class for 4 years now and it just gets bigger and more competitive every year. Gentlemans class? I wouldnt say that, but I will say that in the F-40 class maturity does have its place. IMHO.... Mark.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I haven't done so well trying to beat Calven Martenez in F40, so I guess I'll get an SV and go beat up Ed Key in F40 Light.  Yeah, Ed should be a pushover.... ;)

[hooter31]

just throwing stuff out to get reactions ;Di do agree unless it's for a nat'l championship ii don't think many of us would pull a kamakazi move.

[quicktoy]

AGAIN...what fun is a 750 class...cause in the South east and Midatlantic regions they guys winning races are either on 750s or built Ducs

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I"ve tried to keep out of this discussion other than to poke fun at some friends, but now I feel compelled to speak up.  Probably no one will like what I have to say.

If I'm reading this thread correctly, we have several different topics being discussed.
1) Should 1000cc bikes be allowed in F40?
2) Should F40 be limited to 600cc bikes?
3) Is F40 a duffer's class, or a senior pro class?

My opinions:
1) 1000cc bikes are cool for the guys who can afford them, but not in F40.  CCS is running F40 in combination with F40 light, and both classes are EX/AM.  Surely, if 1000cc bikes are allowed, Experts on 1K bikes are going to be lapping Amateurs on lightweight bikes.  This happens already with the 750-4 and 1000-twin bikes we have now, but it will be even worse with 1000-4 machines.  The closing speeds will be horrendous.  Something really bad might happen.  I don't think this is a very good idea, as long as F40 and F40 light are combined into one race.  Besides, then all the guys who invested in a GSXR750 or 1000 twin to be competitive in this class would be screwed.  I don't even have a competitive bike for any class right now, so I'm not just whining for my own sake here.
2) Limiting F40 to 600cc bikes would give an F40 rider more options, and would be somewhat more compatable with F40 light machines in a combined race, but how many of the F40 crowd isn't racing a 600cc bike because they don't like the "meat grinder" attitude in every other 600cc class?  Supertwin or Heavyweight grids aren't as full or frantic as 600 grids are, and many older racers appreciate this.  Sure, some guys are good enough to win 600cc superbike, but others aren't.  The slow guys would either have to get a 600 and race in groups that they currently try to avoid, or buy a lightweight bike instead.  (As many of the older guys are doing already.)  So, letting the few who want 1000cc bikes in F40 have their way means instantly ostracising everyone else with a 750-4 or 1000 twins.
3) My answer to #3 is "Yes."  Anyone who doesn't like that answer can go play somewhere else.  Wicked fast guys and slow guys should be able to coexist in F40, and should give each other some room and respect.  If some codger is running 20 seconds off the pace, the National Champ should just accept that and deal with it.  The codger should likewise not complain about the National champ.  F40 is, after all, a class for old people.  Some guys get faster with age, and some get slower.  Who should be banned?  No one.

I think the rules should be kept as they are.  If a 40+ guy wants to buy a 1000cc bike, there are other classes he can ride it in.
That's my opinion.  Flame away!

[Baltobuell]

K3, If I knew how to make sounds on the computer you would be hearing applause. Very well said.