Race prep checklist

[bostongixxer]

I'm planning on hitting Penguin on 8/31 and, hopefully, will be able to run the rookie race on Saturday. I bought my track bike a little over a month ago, had a checkup with Eastern Cycle and put fresh tires on it (now with 1 track day). The bike is safety wired and running water-wetter. It runs and feels great. Other than registering, etc., what should I be doing/checking to make sure the bike passes tech and is ready to run? I'm assuming race tech will be more stringent than Penguin's tech.

[Puppet]

The rulebook is your best checklist. I know it's a "cliche" answer, but if you meet the requirements in the rulebook, you won't have a problem with tech. You can get it at lrrsracing.com or Raceloudon. Make sure your helmet is current and undamaged, and go though tech without your lower fairing on. You probably won't be able to get through tech friday afternoon after penguin, but when you tech for penguin, ask the guys to take a look if they see anything that may cause a problem for the races. Most of the time it's the same guys running it.

Edit: By the way....have fun at Penguin and glad to see another one come to the dark side!!

[bostongixxer]

The rulebook is your best checklist. I know it's a "cliche" answer, but if you meet the requirements in the rulebook, you won't have a problem with tech. You can get it at lrrsracing.com or Raceloudon. Make sure your helmet is current and undamaged, and go though tech without your lower fairing on. You probably won't be able to get through tech friday afternoon after penguin, but when you tech for penguin, ask the guys to take a look if they see anything that may cause a problem for the races. Most of the time it's the same guys running it.

Edit: By the way....have fun at Penguin and glad to see another one come to the dark side!!

Thanks. I plan to start going over all of that and figuring out what all of this entails. I have a feeling after seeing some of the posts about racing that it becomes an obsession. I've been obsessed with bikes for years, and am now becoming obsessed with the track. Unfortunately, my wife doesn't share the obsession and, with two young kids, my race time will be somewhat limited. I plan to join in as much as I can.

[TTD]

Unfortunately, my wife doesn't share the obsession and, with two young kids, my race time will be somewhat limited. I plan to join in as much as I can.

Yeah, my wife and I hit this hurdle after the first year or so...

The solution for us was to get her more involved with the track and my racing.

At the end, she was responsible for much of the light maintenance and in-between session stuff (checking and filling fuel, setting air pressures, removing wheels, safety wiring, etc)

Then, after a couple of years of being at the track, she ended up working for tech as "the helmet girl"

If spouses don't get involved, it can get old pretty quick. Even if you do 4 races per weekend, that's only about 1 to 2 hours of track time... out of the 48 hours they are just hanging out.

The track "family" is awesome ... just have to get everyone involved. Pretty soon, the wife and kids will be looking forward to race weekends as much as you.

[Puppet]

Yeah, my wife and I hit this hurdle after the first year or so...

The solution for us was to get her more involved with the track and my racing.

At the end, she was responsible for much of the light maintenance and in-between session stuff (checking and filling fuel, setting air pressures, removing wheels, safety wiring, etc)

Then, after a couple of years of being at the track, she ended up working for tech as "the helmet girl"

If spouses don't get involved, it can get old pretty quick. Even if you do 4 races per weekend, that's only about 1 to 2 hours of track time... out of the 48 hours they are just hanging out.

The track "family" is awesome ... just have to get everyone involved. Pretty soon, the wife and kids will be looking forward to race weekends as much as you.

Yeah...still working on that one. Glad to see there's some hope!

Bostongixxer: If you run into a problem on Friday, there's a good number of us in the turn 1a area just as you come out of the tunnel. Swing by and introduce yourself and there'll be someone who can answer your question or point you in the right direction for Sat morning. Or just swing by for a cold one

[TTD]

Oh yeah... one footnote to my story.

Early on, I wasn't too happy when my wife was cleaning my front wheels... and got the very slippery polish all over my front rotors.

[Tricky Mike]

Yeah yeah yeah... I think I'm gonna be at Penguin that day too.

Scott, I should have some extra room in my truck if you need a hand hauling crap up to the track.

[bostongixxer]

Yeah...still working on that one. Glad to see there's some hope!

Bostongixxer: If you run into a problem on Friday, there's a good number of us in the turn 1a area just as you come out of the tunnel. Swing by and introduce yourself and there'll be someone who can answer your question or point you in the right direction for Sat morning. Or just swing by for a cold one

Thanks for the hospitality. I may take you up on that. It looks as though I have clearance, so now my head is spinning wondering what I should be doing. Bike is ready to go, with only one TTD on the tires. I figure they'll be fine for Penguin plus the rookie race. I'll look for you Friday. I'm in a red Pathfinder and will be using a bike carrier for the grey gixxer.

[bostongixxer]

Yeah yeah yeah... I think I'm gonna be at Penguin that day too.

Scott, I should have some extra room in my truck if you need a hand hauling crap up to the track.

Mike...thanks. I'm all set for hauling stuff...not much to haul since I really don't know what I'm doing or what I need. All I know is to point the bike into a turn and hang off. Looks like I'll be able to hit the rookie race with you...where are you staying? I didn't make any reservations at the Red Roof, figuring I wouldn't be able to swing a stay over on Friday. I'll PM my cell and work numbers...let's touch base.

[Puppet]

If you have a tent and a sleeping bag you can throw it up in the infield and save the cost of the hotel. I'll definitely be up by noon on Friday, and may run practice in the afternoon. Black jeep liberty, orange KTM #881

[KB]

Yeah guy I'm thinking I may feel sick friday!!!

KB

[Puppet]

sweet...now you're talking!

[Crash Dummy Denno]

can you run any bike in the rookie race?


sorry

[s a x m a n]

can you run any bike in the rookie race?


sorry

yes ... after that its restricted to classes

[Crash Dummy Denno]

yes ... after that its restricted to classes

thank you


ok who wants to loan me their bike for the 3 lapper?

oh and do i need to register for one race this season or do i have a calender year?

[s a x m a n]

thank you


ok who wants to loan me their bike for the 3 lapper?

whats wrong with your bike??

[Honclfibr]

whats wrong with your bike??

I'm guessing it's not wired?

You're welcome to ride my EX, don't worry the shitty brakes are almost made up for by the complete lack of power.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

well i dont have race fairings or anything - not wired or anything - just TD prepped - no numbers

[Crash Dummy Denno]

do i need to register for one race this season or do i have a calender year to get a race in?

maybe i should wait for the october race weekend because i have to work sat night

[s a x m a n]

you have to register for atleast one race that weekend

[Crash Dummy Denno]

you have to register for atleast one race that weekend

ok - thanks for the info - that eliminates this weekend then

[SVRACER01]

you have to register... not race. so if you do the RR and pay for a race then you can do the practice before the Oct race..