Getting back into racing

[nick5446]

I grew up racing dirt bikes, spent a bunch of my 20's racing Ninja 250's and SV650's with moderate success. I've never taken a break from riding, but I haven't raced in about 5 years since moving back to the Boston area. When I lived in CA and OR I had plenty of friends racing, and tracks were never too far away. I've been feeling sort of in a slump lately because I'm lacking the motivation that competition brings, so I'm making the early New Years resolution to get back into racing.

Now for the hard part...what type of racing??

I'm leaning towards drag racing, for a few reasons:
1) I've never done it.
2) It's somewhat local (Wednesday and Friday nights in Epping for open practice). In general don't need hotels or campers and all that. Light on commitment.
3) I have a buddy with a drag car who takes it to Epping regularly.
4) Cost is relatively low (have all gear, seems like decent prepped bikes can be had <$3500 (already own some bikes I could potentially build), I think fees for street nights are $40 for unlimited passes).

Other forms of racings I'm considering, along with reasons and questions:
- Vintage MX - where (if anywhere) are clubs racing? This would be my top choice if there was somewhere local.
- Flat track - only done it a handful of times and always had fun, but doesn't seem too common around here
- Bite the bullet and do LRRS. My biggest hesitation here is the time commitment.

So...can you talk me into, or out of, getting into drag racing?

[Rada]

Don't forget Supermoto at Boxshop. NETRA hare scrambles or JDays.

[maxim_X]

I did some drag racing before discovering turns. I don't think it can compare that well to road racing, but if you want to tinker and hang out at the track it might scratch that itch. It's definitely cheap, and you can go way fast for cheap. I thought maybe land speed racing would be in the same genre and pretty fun.

I can't speak for vintage MX or flat track, but I will second Rada and suggest giving supermoto a try. You can get on a competitive machine for less than 5k. If you want a 450 you could run a round or two with LRRS, then hit real supermoto races at box shop, ovrp, vir, etc.

[Rambunctous]

trials. almost as cheap as a ten speed mountain bike

[Paul_E_D]

The only one that's going to be right down the road from you is drags, but... I'd try almost any other discipline first. Probably flat track or boxshop for easy entry.

[xrocket21]

Yes street nights are unlimited passes for $40... but you're gonna get like 4-6 passes... if that.

[MUZ720]

Drag racing has a appeal if you have a bike already it would be the cheaper option until you want to go faster Flat track is fun used to be more places to run not sure what Loudon is going to do with there new track. kinda a waist if they don't have some kind of series, Jolly Roger used to have a track not sure if its still running? Time commitment? not sure one form of racing has less then any other?

[tucktuvak]

I think Jolly Rogers still has a flat track, and Wachusett Valley Riders club also has flat track regularly.

[MUZ720]

I think Jolly Rogers still has a flat track, and Wachusett Valley Riders club also has flat track regularly.

Is that in Winchendon MA?

[TheIglu]

Yes.

[tucktuvak]

And you can race there on small bikes (xr100 etc) for next to nothing without having to buy real flattrack stuff!

[Paul_E_D]

Jolly Roger is now NHMX? Flat track in winchendon is called WVRC Wachusett Valley Rider's Club.

[nick5446]

Thanks guys! Yeah flat track and sumo would both be awesome. I've done some supermoto track days as well and obviously always had fun. Sounds like I need to look into some of the local series/clubs.

[nick5446]

I did some drag racing before discovering turns. I don't think it can compare that well to road racing, but if you want to tinker and hang out at the track it might scratch that itch. It's definitely cheap, and you can go way fast for cheap. I thought maybe land speed racing would be in the same genre and pretty fun.

LSR was kind of a thought too. I have a few friends into it. Spend 6 months prepping your bike, drive 500 hours to the race, get rained out, start prepping for the next race 6 months later, repeat.

[Paul_E_D]

Of course, LRRS is a great club and right near home. Grab an SV and join the fray.

[nick5446]

Of course, LRRS is a great club and right near home. Grab an SV and join the fray.

That's been a temptation, mostly because I love SVs. Really interested in trying something new.

Here's my old bike putting around PIR.

[typeone]

vintage hare scrambles, maybe? Dave Dussault (Motoworx > Montys Beta) is into it and should have a bunch of info. good dude. his kid Brian is faaaast.

[MattR302]

If you can’t devote all the time to LRRS, why not just try to win at occasional track days?

[JettaJayGLS]

I've been feeling sort of in a slump lately because I'm lacking the motivation that competition brings

What type of motivation are you looking for?

-Get back in physical shape? MX, SuMo, or a more physical sport would be the ticket. Road racing could do it, but eh, lots of folks in the paddock are proof you don't need to be fit at the amateur level (but it sure does make it easier)

-Looking for a mentally stimulating workout? I think drag racing could do that - to me, that is more about research and building the bike than actually racing - but depending your personality all of these activities could fulfill this one. -Road racing can ranging from being incredibly mentally stimulating to just riding by the seat of your pants. For most its in the middle.

-Something in the middle? Road racing, box shop, flat track, etc.

-Just looking for human interaction? Track days is a really easy fix for this.

Maybe something else? Chess, MMA, bowling, I dunno?

[Rada]

-Get back in physical shape? MX, SuMo, or a more physical sport would be the ticket. Road racing could do it, but eh, lots of folks in the paddock are proof you don't need to be fit at the amateur level (but it sure does make it easier)

[nick5446]

What type of motivation are you looking for?

-Get back in physical shape? MX, SuMo, or a more physical sport would be the ticket. Road racing could do it, but eh, lots of folks in the paddock are proof you don't need to be fit at the amateur level (but it sure does make it easier)

-Looking for a mentally stimulating workout? I think drag racing could do that - to me, that is more about research and building the bike than actually racing - but depending your personality all of these activities could fulfill this one. -Road racing can ranging from being incredibly mentally stimulating to just riding by the seat of your pants. For most its in the middle.

-Something in the middle? Road racing, box shop, flat track, etc.

-Just looking for human interaction? Track days is a really easy fix for this.

Maybe something else? Chess, MMA, bowling, I dunno?

Good question...not sure I know the answer. I've been competitive my whole life through either team sports through college and briefly professional, and club motorcycle racing. But for the last few years I haven't had that *thing* to look forward to all week.

I'm going to look into sumo, but I think I'm going to give drag racing a shot. Worst case I'll have another bike collecting dust while sitting on CL.

[Tas]

Ice racing in Sturbridge is starting soon.

[nick5446]

I definitely plan to attend a few of those. I've done it a few times.