Gauging interest in a new class

Having rented a penguin bike, the cost wasn't all that bad for what you got. I don't remember his name but there was a corner worker who used his pay from working a weekend to cover one race entry and a rental bike each weekend. They'd station him in 12 so when it was time he could trot in quickly, gear up, do his race and then make his way back into the corner. Never had to worry about gas, tires, etc, just show up and ride like a factory rider. I want to say Dana was handling the care of those machines and from what I saw, they got more 'periodic' maint than just about any other bike at the track.

so youre upset about the cost of renting an imaginary bike in an imaginary series now?

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Originally Posted by SVRACER01

so youre upset about the cost of renting an imaginary bike in an imaginary series now?

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Not upset...just trying to figure out how its a good idea...

its just an idea. the logistics of it all could easily be worked out. i have plenty of ideas around your "concerns", but i am not going to go into all of them now as its just a waste of time since it will most likely never happen

After racing two years on a 600 I4 I realized two things. To much motor. To much money.

IF I were to race again this would be very appealing.

I have run Ninja 250's at track days. In stock form it was just ok. If I could get some decent rubber on one I would race it.

I run with the USCRA on a small bike so a 250 class would be a lot of fun for me. Plus you guys run like 7-8 races a year for short money. I just sold a nice 2007 Ninja 250, now I may need to find another.

If I lose 100 lbs I might have a chance at this class!

I think this is a great idea. From what I hear that other tracks that are running these bikes the racing is fun as hell and very competitive.

I say bring it.

I know how to crash a Ninja 250 coming out of 12. Ask Roland!

KB

I am a definite rider if the class opens. I can also locate cheap salvage bikes for anyone who dont want to buy a new or clean title used one.

I like the idea. It may get me out of retirement. If you really want to create it for the cheapskates keep it at one race per weekend. But I like the idea of either racing it in another class or setting up double race weekends for a championship.

Im still waiting for people who say they're in if its created (especially those that would come out of retirement for it) why the EX500 class isnt good enough?

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Originally Posted by Pittenger5

Im still waiting for people who say they're in if its created (especially those that would come out of retirement for it) why the EX500 class isnt good enough?

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Because there is more interest in racing the 250s than the 500s. Other than being down on power, the 250s are generally all around better machines than the 500s, and depending on the region and brand choice there is even mfg support.

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Originally Posted by Pittenger5

Im still waiting for people who say they're in if its created (especially those that would come out of retirement for it) why the EX500 class isnt good enough?

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We're on the same page. However, I'm actually more interested in the reasoning from the people who have never raced (yet).

My pessimistic suspicion is that lots of people will claim "oh yeah, I'd definitely do that!" because it sounds fun on a forum to talk about going racing, and then never follow through.

I am confident that more than just a bunch of people chiming in will be needed to get this moving, and I think it's good that Eric brought the discussion online.

Oh...also, MTAG can get the Pirelli Rosso II that is used as a spec tire in the Canadian Superbike CBR250 class and the World Kawasaki 250 Cup. :D

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Originally Posted by Pittenger5

Im still waiting for people who say they're in if its created (especially those that would come out of retirement for it) why the EX500 class isnt good enough?

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Speaking for myself, I'd rather have a 250 to beat around on. Don't like the EX500's.

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Originally Posted by csmutty

Eric...could a multi-heat class be developed for the 250 class? So they could run 2-3 sprints/gt races per weekend. And all results would go towards one championship/class?

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Knowing that thy may no thave the ability to be competitive in other classes I was thinking on the similar lines of WSBk and AMA, when they run 2 races duting a weekend. Run one race on Saturday and one on Sunday. Each with their own enrty fee.

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Originally Posted by pasta-rocket

I can also locate cheap salvage bikes for anyone who dont want to buy a new or clean title used one.

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find me a 600 Yet??? get My e-mail....

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Originally Posted by Pittenger5

Im still waiting for people who say they're in if its created (especially those that would come out of retirement for it) why the EX500 class isnt good enough?

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I don't like EX500s. They're toilets. (no offense to the guys racing them) I like the 250's. They're newer and look good.

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Originally Posted by Speed Demon 828

I don't like EX500s. They're toilets. (no offense to the guys racing them) I like the 250's. They're newer and look good.

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been sitting on the sidelines for this one but since a number of people that no longer race are weighing in I will too. I think this is an _awesome_ idea and it really makes me wish I could come out of retirement... it's actually exactly what I was looking for when I blew up my trans and wanted something different a few years ago.

I also agree completely with the quote. ex500s do as much for me as hawks do for kurlon. sorry, but i like a decent frame (where I define what 'decent' means since it's my taste ;))

for the guy that has never raced, but done a handful of trackdays and had a blast. this idea of 250 racing seems awesome. Not counting the hassle of getting time off work, racing seems awesome and something that i would "like" to do, but after seeing what some of you guys spend in your budgets, racing seems further and further away.

regarding ninja 500s, ummm yeah fuck that, (sorrt guys that race and love them) there is nothing cool about that turd. old gen ninja 250s also fall in that catergory. sorry ive got no desire to race a bike that has been around longer than smutty has.

granted the costs to set up a 2nd gen ninja 250 are more than an old school one, there is just something about the newer ones that clicks with me.
im sure that if you did the math at somepoint you could probably get racing with a SV cheaper than a ninja.

I think what makes the ninja more appealing the horsepower, its not intimidating, which is good, and i feel that is a good thing, as there is something about riding a 100 hp 600 around loudon that scares the piss outta me. Also the ninja wont chew up tires like bigger bikes will.

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Originally Posted by nt650hawk

Knowing that thy may no thave the ability to be competitive in other classes I was thinking on the similar lines of WSBk and AMA, when they run 2 races duting a weekend. Run one race on Saturday and one on Sunday. Each with their own enrty fee.

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I like this idea alot...like I said previously, 1 race a weekend is not enough. But being able to be competitive in 2 races, and then most likely run a 3rd for additional tracktime and the free track entrance fee is way more plausible.

I would love to see the production and modded 250's back out there .. Problem is .., the 300's just came out and the Honda's won't be able to keep up .... Idk if these class's can get to full force in 3 yrs or less .. :dunno:


What do you guys think would be a reasonable tire budget needed to get you to the top spot on the box every weekend .. Rains etc ???

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Originally Posted by BackMarker-943

I would love to see the production and modded 250's back out there .. Problem is .., the 300's just came out and the Honda's won't be able to keep up .... Idk if these class's can get to full force in 3 yrs or less .. :dunno:


What do you guys think would be a reasonable tire budget needed to get you to the top spot on the box every weekend .. Rains etc ???

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I bet you could get an entire season on a set of tires and still fight for the podium.

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Originally Posted by SVRACER01

id rather see a spec class that is owned and operated by LRRS. they get 20 of the same motorcycle (doesnt really matter what they are...monsters?) and race prep them with suspension, tires, bodywork and such. and to race you pay an entry fee and a crash deposit and get whatever bike they give you. everyone is on the same equipment.... guaranteed. seal up the motors and even at the end of the race day the bike has to go into a locked garage. you could even pay for the season and get the same bike every week. you can make suspension changes, tire press changes but really that would be about it.
cost could easily be offset with sponsors (ex: tire manufacturer, suspension, brakes, body work bike maker/dealer)
obviously the entry costs would be higher to pay for bike maint and series upkeep, but that would truly be a cheap way to get into racing

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This is kinda similar to the plan that Scott Mullin was kicking around when I talked with him about this a couple of race weekends ago.

Get a bunch of bikes from Kawi, number them, keep them in storage, they're all maintained by trained personnel. Bikes are assigned randomly each weekend and you can change springs & maybe tires.

I'd consider something along those lines.

Oreo .... I would think that this kind of undertaking is gonna be a really huge nut for any organization to absorb ????? Not to mention ..., a major pain in the butt to keep track of for only one race to run ????
And then to even try this in this kind of economy ????

:dunno:

Fuck if I know. Ask Scott Mullin of Souhegan Valley Motorsport. He was the one exploring whether or not he could make it happen.

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Originally Posted by BackMarker-943

Oreo .... I would think that this kind of undertaking is gonna be a really huge nut for any organization to absorb ????? Not to mention ..., a major pain in the butt to keep track of for only one race to run ????
And then to even try this in this kind of economy ????

:dunno:

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youre looking at it all wrong. dont look at it as only 1 race per weekend (because there could easily be a second race on sunday) but as an additional race without having a 2nd bike

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Originally Posted by BackMarker-943

I would love to see the production and modded 250's back out there .. Problem is .., the 300's just came out and the Honda's won't be able to keep up .... Idk if these class's can get to full force in 3 yrs or less .. :dunno:


What do you guys think would be a reasonable tire budget needed to get you to the top spot on the box every weekend .. Rains etc ???

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CCS rules as written, the Honda is allowed unlimited engine mods, no problemo making that 250 scream enough to tackle the 300.

Of course that costs money...