Howdy from Austin, TX

[Preeminence]

Good afternoon, damned Yankees. Well, you're not all terrible. I married a Yankee from Massachusetts. In fact, that's the reason I'm joining here! We're all going on a fantastic family vacation up to Grantham, NH this coming July. One of the weekends we're there just so happens to line up with a LRRS event. Being a licensed racer with the CMRA here in Texas, well, I just can't pass up that opportunity.

However, the logistics are an issue. It'd take me 3 days to schlep my bike up there and 3 more the bring it back, and that's just generally a trip I'd like to avoid having to take. So I'm investigating alternatives. I know that Penguin rents out their 300s and motards for racing. However, it looks like the novice grids for those classes are pretty sparse. I'd like to have a decent shot at a "race" and not just end up with 10 seconds between me and the nearest rider.

So my novel solution is to find some kind soul here to "rent" me their bike for the weekend. Basically, I'll pay you a fair cash value, in full, for your bike before the weekend. Come Sunday afternoon, you'll buy it back from me, less a few hundred bucks. If ding it up a bit (not planning to, of course), it can be less a few hundred more bucks. If I toss it into grandstands, well, you've got the money in your pocket.

Does that sound like a plan anyone would potentially go for? I figured I'd post here to get some feedback before putting anything on the "Wanted" page. I've raced on everything from a Ninja 250 to an R6, so I'll take whatever you've got. So long as it has some decent rubber on it (I can bring warmers) and runs reasonably well, I'm game. My own bike is probably more zip ties and bondo than anything else right now, so don't let that deter you. I just want to get on the track!

[isaac_]

Howdy and welcome aboard. I'm a Houston transplant, myself. You'll find a bunch of racers on here. I can't help you with your question, but good luck! That'd be pretty sweet if you can pull it off. I'd like to think there's a decent motard contingent, and I would expect the 300 class to grow some this year. So check back after round 1 or 2 to see grid sizes.

[MattR302]

Sounds like a great way to get away from the in-laws.

Welcome.

[jasnmar]

I *think* Penguin also rents EX650s, which you could run in most of the Novice races and be competitive.

[tsorfas]

Welcome. Plenty of options.

[Preeminence]

I *think* Penguin also rents EX650s, which you could run in most of the Novice races and be competitive.

I contacted Penguin about this. The Ninja 650s are available for track days only, not racing

[maxim_X]

I'm just wondering, you say that you have raced everything from an Ex to a 600 but you are worried about the grid sizes in novice, I would assume you race at least amateur class back at home. The EX/AM grids at LRRS are full of motards with some close racing, and the 300 classes are growing all the time. Any way, Justin @ Adrenaline Cycle | Motorcycle Retail Repair and Parts Shop cycle rents race bikes. He has a few to choose from, and I believe he will take care of all transport needs. I hope you find what you're looking for and that we see you next year.

[Pittenger5]

Austin sucks.

Im hoping to do a couple CMRA rounds this year. Fingers crossed.

[Preeminence]

Thanks for the info Maxim. I'll check out Adrenaline. In the CMRA, we have only two license classes - Expert and Novice. What you call Amateur we would call Novice, and what you call Novice we call Provisional Novice, which is "Novice" in all regards except the fact that you have to wear a bright yellow shirt to let other riders know you're a hazard . I'm starting my 3rd year with the CMRA, and I'm still a Novice.

Presumably, I'd grid up as a Novice with the LRRS. Looking at the results I found here, the Novice Rookie 4 and Novice Starter 4 have pitifully small grids. Some races appear to have no entries at all. Motards also seem to have 4-6 entries at best. Would I be riding in another race/class? Would they allow me into the Amateur class, despite me not knowing the track or the bike?

[Preeminence]

Austin sucks.

Im hoping to do a couple CMRA rounds this year. Fingers crossed.

It's worth it. The last 3 Americans to ride a MotoGP bike didn't come out of the CMRA for nothin'.

[isaac_]

Thanks for the info Maxim. I'll check out Adrenaline. In the CMRA, we have only two license classes - Expert and Novice. What you call Amateur we would call Novice, and what you call Novice we call Provisional Novice, which is "Novice" in all regards except the fact that you have to wear a bright yellow shirt to let other riders know you're a hazard . I'm starting my 3rd year with the CMRA, and I'm still a Novice.

Presumably, I'd grid up as a Novice with the LRRS. Looking at the results I found here, the Novice Rookie 4 and Novice Starter 4 have pitifully small grids. Some races appear to have no entries at all. Motards also seem to have 4-6 entries at best. Would I be riding in another race/class? Would they allow me into the Amateur class, despite me not knowing the track or the bike?

I would contact the Penguin Staff/Eric Wood to determine whether you'd truly be in Novice classes or Amateur classes. Assuming you do grid up as a novice and have a 300, race up a class in Rookie/Starter/Formula 3 (if it doesn't race at the same time as 4).

[Petorius]

I would think that you would be competitive on a 300 or motard in our novice 3 classes if you have some racing experience. Probably more so on the motard

[Pittenger5]

It's worth it. The last 3 Americans to ride a MotoGP bike didn't come out of the CMRA for nothin'.

Heh, I just miss racing. Too bad the tracks are a haul, not sure Im gonna have the time / funds. We will see.

[jasnmar]

Our Novice class is provisional as well, but they get their own races (they sometimes are on the track with the AM classes) but are specific waves.

I would think that you would be an amateur in our class structure, if you are no longer in the red shirt class.

[nhbubba]

Rent the 'tard, I bet you'll have fun. If you get classed as a NV and don't like the looks of the grids, bump and race the 3/lightweight classes instead. If you are a decent rider and understand how to manage corner speed, I am willing to bet you would do well in LW NV grids.

I ran novice LW this season and bumped to AM mid-season. I got my pants beat off by guys on motards in both divisions. Got beat by a kid on one who started a wave behind me in one novice race. Moral here; motards can be fast at NHMS!

My understanding is that NHMS is a somewhat unique place in that small, low-HP bikes can do well. Rent the 'tard for the novelty and experience of it.

If I ever race LRRS again, it'll be on a 'tard.

[Pittenger5]

Oh and yes, rent the tard, nothing like it down here (well, harris hill maybe).