[a13x]

Actually no, it doesn't.

I'm re-researching what I need to do in order to run with the local club out here (AFM). Egads! Nightmare. The think they are the hottest club on the planet and the 'rules' will make you cringe. It's basically red-tape central with a healthy dose of 'no fun' simmering in a 'we're so awesome' sauce.

For example, here's what ex-LRRS racer Go-Go Gulbransen has to say comparing the two:

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

Brother. Welcome. You're gunna like it here.

Let me help you out on some fronts that caught me off guard when I first came on the scene. There are big differences in how things work out here that you'll need to keep in mind:

You can't sign up at the track. Doesn't matter who you rub, where - you're gettin' shut down. But when they shut you down here and tell you to go home, there's nicer places to visit on the way..

Race entries costs more here, and you actually have to pay for practice.

You can't bullshit your way onto the track without health insurance - so don't even try. This is actually one of the best rules the AFM has.

There are no amateurs here. You go straight from the freezer, to the fire. But you're lucky because you're coming now. Had this move come sooner you'd have been lining up sixty eight feet from the fire on your first go-around.

Back home they run practice by your plate. A novice is never on the track with an expert - practice or race. Here they run you by time. Seems to work pretty well, too.

You'll hear talk sometimes about this track or that, being dangerous - and you won't understand any of it because of where you come from. This will make you feel tougher than most. But it should make you feel stupid. You'll understand what I mean in time..

In the east they grid you by the order you signed up. In the west it's by your points. You got no points, you're in the back. Oh, and there's a "Known Fast Guy" rule that they actually call "KFG". But it's named wrong because it doesn't matter worth horse manure if they "Know" you're fast or not - they only move you up the grid if you record fast times on their watches in practice.

Also... You know how back east if you crash on the second lap in the rain - pick your bike back up with no front brake lever and press on to finish the race in second place anyway - you're a hero? Well, you can't do that here for two reasons: One, first sign of rain and the whole world stops. Two, your bike hits the ground - you're done. On top of that, someone in the tower just put a mark next to your name. And you only get so many marks - then you're really done.

Back east when you have a problem, or when someone has one with you, you go throw them through a tent (or they do you). Out here you might never even know you screwed up until you get a letter from the supreme court the next week. Then I think you're supposed to write back, or submit an appeal in a certain number of days? I'm a little foggy on this but believe me, they do have trials sometimes for shit that happens out there on the track. And shit definitely does happen out there on the track. We won't even talk about what will happen to you if you ever throw someone through a tent.

The girls out here are hot. And lots of them actually race. I know, I know - what are their names and where do they live.. There's one problem though. More than half of them will spank your ass out on the track. And one of those chicks is like twelve. You see her out there - go home. Believe me. You'll never recover emotionally.

In the AFM there's this woman who always wears white on the weekends. Her name is Barb. She's as cool as they come. But, having said that, she'll hand you your head in an instant if she thinks that's the right call - and she's got pretty good judgement. Go introduce yourself to her, BEFORE she introduces herself to you.

Lastly, you know how back east there's like three really fast guys? Well hold onto your ass my friend, cause there's like three hundred out here.


Good luck brother

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

Ah jeezus.

PS: My motard is really only slightly good for one track (Sear's) and it can only run in two classes. One of those two is against 95HP SV's.

AWESOME.

[BMFR6]

hahaha. thats actually a good write up. good luck!

[nt650hawk]

You're actually thinking bout this track.

[Tricky Mike]

Sounds like dogshit. Except for the hot chicks, of course.

[Ken C]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Paul_E_D]

Zack set a 125 track record in his first race there. Can't be that many fast guys out there! I've actually heard from my boys that there aren't any really fast guys in AFM. Something about those crashing rules would seem to prevent pushing to the limit very often...

[Crash Dummy Denno]

what bike/classes are you thinking of racing?

[a13x]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

Zack set a 125 track record in his first race there. Can't be that many fast guys out there! I've actually heard from my boys that there aren't any really fast guys in AFM. Something about those crashing rules would seem to prevent pushing to the limit very often...

hahahah yea man! I was cruising the results two nights ago and started dying when I saw that. Zack showed up and won the 125 race and was a few seconds ahead of the next guy.

Typical conversation (I just had with AFM racing coworker):

"Yea I'm going to race my motard I guess"
"You'll get destroyed"
"Nah we race motards with SV's and stuff at Loudon and do okay, long as track isn't huge, whatever it'll be fun"
"This isn't Loudon, the guys out here are so fast blah blah blah"


WHATEVER.

Ben Thompson showed up at AFM two years ago and they made him start in dead last. He was in 1st by 3rd turn. After race ended he was pulled aside and yelled at for riding too aggressively. He did it again Race 2 and then they kicked him out.

[a13x]

Originally Posted by Denno

what bike/classes are you thinking of racing?

RMZ450

Only legal for Forumla IV and Formula Singles. Can't enter it into Superbike classes (like SBK 250 or 450) for some odd reason.

[Doc]

Just get Ducati to Pony up an 848... you know you can!

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by a13x

RMZ450

Only legal for Forumla IV and Formula Singles. Can't enter it into Superbike classes (like SBK 250 or 450) for some odd reason.

cool - best of luck on the motard - you should race the 1098R though

[a13x]

Originally Posted by Denno

cool - best of luck on the motard - you should race the 1098R though

HA! Wouldn't that be nice.

[mmracer37]

I'd like to see just how fast the guys out there really are. Every time someone from the northeast goes out there, they beat up on the locals.


And YES, I am talking smack. It doesn't happen very often.


P.S. Hi Alex

[Pittenger5]

Sounds like that whole situation is a glorified track day

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by mmracer37

And YES, I am talking smack. It doesn't happen very often.

[brewmaster]

There are good riders everywhere. It's all about natural talent, skill development and track time. Out there I would think they get MUCH more track time (and off track time) which must help.
Alex, you are a good rider so my guess is that you'll do just fine. Nothing is cooler than quietly surprising the regulars. It is all about having fun isn't it?!

Show them how we do it on the right coast Alex!

[OreoGitorio]

Originally Posted by a13x

Out here you might never even know you screwed up until you get a letter from the supreme court the next week.

ffffffffffffffekking LAME!

But the rest of this thread kinda makes me wanna go out there & see for myself what the locals can do.

[a13x]

Oh don't get me wrong. Definately some fast mofo's, and bunch of them. So many ppl ride sportbikes out here compared to Northeast. Plus the local roads are LIKE racetracks.

I just don't like the Attitude of the guys that race who think they are the best of the best. That and the club rules / regs are so uptight. Sort of actually puts me off racing here.

Still be fun thou Have a trackday at Sear's Point next month. We'll see how the times are.

[WebCrush]

I'm sure there are a few fast local guys there like every track. Doesn't Dave Stanton race there? He was pretty fast, nice guy too.

[a13x]

Originally Posted by WebCrush

I'm sure there are a few fast local guys there like every track. Doesn't Dave Stanton race there? He was pretty fast, nice guy too.

Oh yea for sure. He's here and he's quick.
Again here's mock conversations (had with few guys).


- Ever start on a grid with 50 bikes.. huh.. have ya?!?
YES

- Yea well our top guys run in the AMA..
GREAT, we have 3-5 of those at any given time and they finish rather well.

- Well just because you run up front 'back home' doesn't mean you can come out here and compete. You'd be surprised how many fast guys we have and deep the grids are
WELL? Sort of like we do?

- We have 1000 entries a weekend?!?!
YAWN

See my point. Again, no hard feelings. Just cracks me up when EVERY time I have a conversation with someone out here about racing with the AFM they treat you like you are some podunk guy and have no idea about 'real' clubracing. Gets old quick.

I just like riding bikes

[OreoGitorio]

"you guys ever finish a race w/ your fucking bike on fire? Bitchiz?"

[Paul_E_D]

Ha! Yeah, I'm sure there are fast guys in most clubs. The bullshit stops when the flag drops, though. That's what I like about racing...

The california clubs seem to have that attitude because so many professional racers drop in to practice. I don't think that makes the field of actual clubracers any better though... having a 12 month season makes it tougher to complete a whole series.

[a13x]

Originally Posted by OreoGitorio

"you guys ever finish a race w/ your fucking bike on fire? Bitchiz?"

bwahahha!! and still finish 4th!

Gawd Damn BBQ

[Doc]

Originally Posted by OreoGitorio

"you guys ever finish a race w/ your fucking bike on fire? Bitchiz?"

I hear they don't run in the rain out there.... Tell em about backing it into 3, only being able to see outta one eye because of the fog and water and LAUGHIN like a pirate as you do it!

[Johnny B]

Originally Posted by OreoGitorio

"you guys ever finish a race w/ your fucking bike on fire? Bitchiz?"

Can't read those numbers, boy!