GT Races no longer 'Endurance' Events

[a13x]

Hot off the NEAR-List presses
----------------
Gang,

Here are some of the changes that are planned for the 2006 season.

GT races will be 8 laps, regular entry fee
Supermotard bikes out of 125GP
Supermotard Class for dirtbikes up to 700cc Novice separate and AM.EX.
combined
Formula 50 Class Amatuer/Expert only F40 rules, one class

Reasoning:

GT entries are way down except lightweights. We can use the track time
to divide and run safer and more popular races.

125GP now has the numbers to run on it's own and the dirtbikes are now
a factor.

Supermotard bikes are our fastest growing group. There are some twin
dirtbikes on the way.

Our core group is getting older, some of our fastest riders are now 40,
the 50 class was well supported. We want those older riders to stay
with us.

Happy New Year

-Jerry Wood

-----------------------------------


Bummer... I was planning on running the GTL's next season (probably still will as a Sprint due to the time it's at). I was looking forward to the 30 minute races actually.

[daviid]

i do not see why to bother keeping the GT races now. all they are now is a 2nd Supersport? (correct me if im wrong) race.

[a13x]

Superbike.

[Onedwn5up]

Some people really like/liked the GT races because of the endurance factor. Yea, thats cool and all but I was never one to pony up 100 bucks (pre-entry) or 120 bucks (post entry) anyway. Thought about it but never did it. I just liked them since they gave me a good window to prepare for my sprints and get the tire warmers going.

I get all of my endurance training during trackdays anyway. Being that I coach I run 40, sometimes 60 minutes straight with hardly a break. Granted not everyone gets that benefit but even 20 minute sessions are great practice as so many people claim to use GT races for. I kinda think that sounds like BS personally. I mean, if you were using GT races for practice, why would you do them before all of your sprint races. Makes no sense to me. Kinda sounds like an excuse for missing the podium.

The motards do deserve their own class as it is a growing demographic and it is just an issue with road bikes and especially the lighter 125's. Turn 3/4 is especially an issue with sideways machinery.

And heck, gotta respect your elders. Formula 50 is a great thing and I hope it does well. I just turned 28 the other day and am realizing that I will be glad to someday race that Formula 40 class and then hopefully Formula 50 further down the line. I give anyone in those classes mad respect and they deseve to have their own time and class and not have to deal with the young whipper snappers out there.

Sorry to all the people that are losing GTL but I am sure you will find another class or something contructive to do with the time. Heck, go buy yourself a motard.

[OreoGaborio]

i can hardly immagine that a 20 minute trackday session that are available to us unspecial non-instructors, even in the faster expert group (been there, done that, 8 times a day) can compare to a 30 minute GT race. I'd be happy w/ a compromize leaving it at 20 min GT races.

[a13x]

I've taught at trackdays and done 30-40 minutes straight on the bike as well. The pace you run there is FAR DIFFERENT than running racepace. It's a totally different mindset. I was running 23's - 26's during Penguin's October trackday and Basic School. Way off my pace yet I was still easily faster than all the students. Personally I didn't feel comfortable running close to the Edge while Instructing. My job was to teach and putting myself in a position where I might crash would have been 'not cool'. Sure I practiced some stuff while out there (like the racing line, reference markers, body positioning, passing lines, etc) but you don't need to be going racepace to do that.

After teaching for 2 days straight.. I then raced a 8-lap sprint at full on pace. Needless to say I was much more worn out after 8 laps on the pipe than 30 minutes at Trackday pace.

My buddy has run GTL for the last few years. He runs some of his best (fastest) laps in the GTL race.

The GT races are cool because it eliminates some of the sprint issues. Starting position for instance isn't as big a deal in a GT. I know you are Mr. Holeshot Eric but when you get to Expert and the top 10 guys are within 1.5 seconds of each other.. starting position matters. I know because I've watched my buddy deal with it for years now.

[Onedwn5up]

I'm not saying that I run race pay for 40 minutes but in terms of using it for "practice" it serves the purpose.

In the AM class starting position still matters. When you have people running 16's in the front row and I am on the back row that is tough stuff to deal with and chances of a holeshot are slim to none.

I'll be running expert class in '07 but 've gotta get through '06 first. 14's are my goal by seasons end. Will be interesting to see if I can accomplish that or not.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, you're absolutely right, guys, there's tons of stuff you can practice during trackdays, but still, the point remains that trackdays are trackdays, GT races are GT races - Two totally different animals.

Of the guys that are actually out there doing the 30 minute GT's, I'm guessing most aren't just out there to practice for their Sprint races, those guys are out there cuz it's a 30 minute RACE not a 30 minute PRACTICE.

If sprint races were all there were to racing they'd just be called "races" not "sprints" cuz there'd be no reason to differentiate between the two.

[a13x]

Those Am's who run competitive Expert times are real jerks