Getting Into Racing

[kb1]

OK so I searched quite a bit last night thinking there would probably be a thread that answers these questions but I couldn't find one. My question is, if I were to get a track bike say tomorrow, what would I have to do to get on the grid for just a couple beginner races and some practice time for the next couple race weekends? What do I need to do? Are there external factors (i.e. things I need to wait to be processed). What has to happen? I'm not looking to be a super racer, just go up, camp with my girl and our dog, and run a couple beginner practice times and races. Thoughts? Insights?

Thanks guys/girls!

[Pittenger5]

My advice, as to everyone: Reconsider racing and take up a good crack addiction. Its cheaper and safer.

[Paul_E_D]

Sign up for the Penguin school on a friday before a race weekend, open your wallet and let the sucking begin!

Rest up, too. It's a busy weekend.

[nt650hawk]

For starters here is the LRRS Rule Book.
http://www.lrrsracing.com/2008/2008_RULES_2.pdf

Penguin School for the RACING school.
http://www.penguinracing.com/

[jtaylor719]

Penguin basic school will answer all your questions.
IMO, if you have dirt bike experience, get/race a motard - best bang for your buck (wish I'd gone that route).

[Kurlon]

IMO, if you have dirt bike experience, get/race a motard - best bang for your buck (wish I'd gone that route).

[kb1]

Penguin basic school will answer all your questions.
IMO, if you have dirt bike experience, get/race a motard - best bang for your buck (wish I'd gone that route).

Don't have much if any dirt experience really so I'm not sure which way to go...kind of getting a feel for what I can and can't do and then post the Z up for interest. Hopefully getting a racebike and some cash which I could get a dualsport to ride on the fireroads behind my house and around my little town where I won't get into any trouble. Then I could get my fun/quick time in on track days and racing. I'm signed up for Tony's in September but that's a long time to go without getting on the track and I can't really get out of work much this summer during the week. Racing would be so fun!

[RyanNicholson]

Don't worry too much about your first race bike, if you aren't sure which classes you want to run just talk to some people that race each and make your best judgement. The nice thing about buying a built race bike is you can always sell it and get something else if you decide otherwise. (ie. Kurlon going from his GS to a tard)

Get up to penguin and sign up for the basic class, they are REALLY good about teaching you how it all goes down and what you need to do to race. Thats just what they do. If you're looking into racing you already know its expensive and all that jazz, so just go up and get the ball rolling man. You won't regret the experience.

[kb1]

Don't worry too much about your first race bike, if you aren't sure which classes you want to run just talk to some people that race each and make your best judgement. The nice thing about buying a built race bike is you can always sell it and get something else if you decide otherwise. (ie. Kurlon going from his GS to a tard)

Get up to penguin and sign up for the basic class, they are REALLY good about teaching you how it all goes down and what you need to do to race. Thats just what they do. If you're looking into racing you already know its expensive and all that jazz, so just go up and get the ball rolling man. You won't regret the experience.

I know the costs of it for sure, I'm going to try and limit and Ive done all the reading on here so I know it's difficult and addicting. That's what I'm hoping for, as it is I would rather ride on the track than the street.

It's just a matter of getting a bike I guess...

Edit: 200th Post WOOT!

[madkaw]

My advice, as to everyone: Reconsider racing and take up a good crack addiction. Its cheaper and safer.

Yeah but you can become very addicted to crack whereas with racing you can...well it's not quite....uh....ah shit, it's an even worse addiction and there's no rehab for it.

[OreoGaborio]

I know the costs of it for sure

no ya don't!

EX500, SV650, Motard.... those are the three "cheap" choices.


Good luck, bro... remember we're always here to help if ya need anything or have any questions

[CEO]

Look in your wallet. That's the most money you'll ever have again. And frankly, you won't care. Fiscal responsibility goes out the window after you take your first green flag... you just won't give a shit.

Like everyone else said do the penguin school... that will get you set up. You can literally show up as if it were a track day and you'll be good to go.

If you're OCD at all like me, or if you intend on racing that first weekend right after your penguin school, you can do more to get ready beforehand... make sure your bike is fully safety-teched to the rulebook standards, not just the penguin standards. Basically remove all lights and the kickstand, safety wire everything listed in the rulebook, and switch to water and water wetter instead of coolant. If you need help safety wiring buy a handful of the little drill bits and show up with some beers and I'll help you out.

If it's an inline 4 you'll need aftermarket case covers (woodcraft). I would recommend their rearsets and clipons as well for a number of reasons, mostly durability/crashability and ease of replacing parts.

Also start a collection of spares... handlebars, levers, footpegs, master cylinders... a spare subframe and gas tank can turn an early-ended weekend into one where you can race on sunday... etc etc...

[Rambunctous]

no ya don't!

EX500, SV650, Motard.... those are the three "cheap" choices.


Good luck, bro... remember we're always here to help if ya need anything or have any questions

Add RS125. With excellent resale value too. Extremely easy to maintain too.

[kb1]

I'm excited just reading what I need to do!

Now I just need to get myself a bike...

[Kurlon]

...I've got a LRRS / USCRA legal GS?

Actually, go buy DB's EX500, cheap, ready to rumble, and easy to unload if you decide to move on.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

EX500 Or an SV650 If you dont crash A few oil changes a season

[kb1]

...I've got a LRRS / USCRA legal GS?

Actually, go buy DB's EX500, cheap, ready to rumble, and easy to unload if you decide to move on.

Need to move the Z first...so I'll have to see if I can get some interest in that.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Personally, it went like this for me.
Decide I want to race
Find NESR
Ask about a bike, buy an EX like everyone told me to
Sign up for a track day
Decide I don't want to wait for the track day. Penguin race school Friday of weekend #2 this year. Rookie race and ptwins race Saturday.
Multiple races per weekend since. Like DB said, crack would be less addictive. It's become all consuming. I've also never been happier. I have no $ anymore, but I don't care.

[Kurlon]

Here's another lil tip: If you can, find a friend to get into racing with. You can carpool, split hotel rooms, food, equipment etc. In addition to helping each other in the pit, there is also the epic bench racing and tip trading.

[kb1]

Here's another lil tip: If you can, find a friend to get into racing with. You can carpool, split hotel rooms, food, equipment etc. In addition to helping each other in the pit, there is also the epic bench racing and tip trading.

I'm sure I can find someone here on NESR that's looking for a buddy

[GixerJockey]

Buy Richie's EX...

[Doc]

no ya don't!

EX500, SV650, Motard.... those are the three "cheap" choices.


Good luck, bro... remember we're always here to help if ya need anything or have any questions

Or a Hawk. I can get ya a Race Hawk for cheaper than a Race SV.

[Doc]

Buy Richie's EX...

Very Good idea!

[kb1]

Might trade my Z for Imkindafukedup's GSXR 600 and cash ... any thoughts...I looked at the for sale thread and there wasn't a ton of interest in it, but I don't think it would be too bad of a bike. I know a lot of people on here have ridden it.

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung Lube.... Er, Glyde: Mozilla/5.0 440x240 Samsung SCH-U940 NetFront/3.4)

Great track day bike... Not so good race bike.