If you could do it again.

**Mad Max** · 10-17-09, 05:13 PM

Hindsight is 20/20. If you could go back in time and tell your former self some things about racing that you know now but didn't then what would it be?

I am asking because I am looking to start myself. I have been watching other people talk about it long enough

**Pestilence** · 10-17-09, 05:20 PM

Rev limiters are there for a reason. I blew up two mini bikes as a kid.

**Pittenger5** · 10-17-09, 05:25 PM

If I could tell my former something about racing, I would tell myself not to race and pick up a nice crack addiction instead. Its cheaper and safer in the long run.

**GixerJockey** · 10-17-09, 06:09 PM

I'd have told myself to start racing at 20... instead of 35.

**Jim** · 10-17-09, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by GixerJockey

I'd have told myself to start racing at 20... instead of 35.

holy fuck you're old

**Mondo** · 10-17-09, 06:23 PM

**crazyirish101** · 10-17-09, 06:23 PM

im with noel on that one. the younger the start the better, remeber the younger you are the less responsiblities you have and less to worry about, plus you have less built in fear when your younger also more on tap testosterone to tell you not to listen to yourself and go faster

**Kitt** · 10-17-09, 06:24 PM

...not to be a pussy.... Through all my lap times getting shorter, it always feels SO FAST... now if I run a lap time from a season ago I feel like my visor should be up and I should be waving to people as I go around the track.

**DuncanMoto** · 10-17-09, 06:30 PM

Start younger simply because you'll heel faster and better.

**brady** · 10-17-09, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by DBKromz

holy fuck you're old

hey you watch your mouth!

PS: where you been hiding Chris?

**Paul_E_D** · 10-17-09, 08:25 PM

I'd tell myself to keep racing in perspective (it's a hobby). Everything worked out in the end, but I put racing before pretty much everything else, and that was risky. I don't come from a racing/moto family, and it was a strain to be sure.

**Doc** · 10-17-09, 08:57 PM

I am with the start younger crowd...

**Trouble** · 10-17-09, 09:08 PM

You guys are so helpful. There are aspiring racers watching this conversation and some of us are "old" (since when is early thirties considered old?). I couldn't have afforded to race 20 something years ago anyway so it's pretty much a moot point. Now I think I have the money and can arrange the time, so I'm going with what I'm given. Quit your bitching and give me some real advice you old farts.

**Doc** · 10-17-09, 09:12 PM

Ok... Brake later, Gas sooner.

**Trouble** · 10-17-09, 09:15 PM

Ah, see that is something that I can use! Thanks!

**Pittenger5** · 10-17-09, 09:15 PM

Want some real advice?
1. Find an expert with the same bike as you, make friends
2. Dont look at the credit cards during the season, you got all winter to pay em off
3. Racing incidents happen, let em go
4. Mechanical DNFs happen. If they happen enough make sure you got friends that wont let you leave the track when youre in a bad mood.
5. Support the cornerworkers BBQ. Good food, and help the people that sit in the rain all day making sure your ass is safe.
6. This ones personal. No matter the cost, have a spare set of wheels with rains mounted.

**Mad Max** · 10-17-09, 09:25 PM

Brady, I was in Worcester and I just graduated from school. I am living in Gardner now (at home). Looking for work in something related to motorcycles. I studied mech. eng. and have a BS if you know someone who is looking

Great responses guys keep them coming.

I am 24 and up until now racing has been a long off idea, mostly because of funds. I have more debt than I can handle and an expensive hobby is not easy to accommodate. It can be done and I give credit to the guys who take on an extra job or two just to pay for racing, that's dedication.

**TheIglu** · 10-17-09, 11:15 PM

It's a hobby. It's plastic trophies. It is for fun. If you aren't having fun, don't be out there.

The good thing about racing is that you can stop at any point, then start back up again within a reasonable period of time with very little disadvantage.

Racing should not be your life. It should be a very fun part of it.

**spydah** · 10-18-09, 12:14 AM

An acceptable race bike is cheap, under $1000 for an older ex500 and some elbow grease to get it prepped. $30 a race. Don't use funds as an excuse to not do it! START EARLY!

Other things I would do differently. You cannot turn hard unless you have good body position. Listen to what everyone tells you about body position, they are all right!!! Anyone can twist a throttle. Not everyone can get their weight distributed on the bike properly and commit to a turn at a high rate of speed.

**BMFR6** · 10-18-09, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

I'd tell myself to keep racing in perspective (it's a hobby). Everything worked out in the end, but I put racing before pretty much everything else, and that was risky. I don't come from a racing/moto family, and it was a strain to be sure.

probably some of the best advice in here, but the most difficult to heed. racing can become all consuming very quickly even if do you start with the best intentions to keep it as a hobby.

**GixerJockey** · 10-18-09, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Trouble

(since when is early thirties considered old?).

Since your body takes 5 days to totally recover after a weekend of racing... And you can't wait to do it again.

Originally Posted by spydah

$30 a race.

Where do I get these wonderful $30 races? I'm doing something wrong.

**RyanNicholson** · 10-19-09, 09:48 AM

stay humble and have fun, do not prioritize racing ahead of real life. Its funny, I once asked one of the super fast guys for advice on racing and he said the best thing I can do is quit. Pay off my debt, buy a house, save some money... then come back to it. Wasn't the advice I was looking for, but its the advice I ended up taking two years later.

**Paul_E_D** · 10-21-09, 05:30 PM

Did Chuck Chounaird give you that advice?

I did it the other way around. Lived in the ghetto for the 6 years I raced full stop. I stayed out of debt so that when I sold my race program I could actually pocket the money. I bought a home in my final season and it was clear that I had to quit. Even Bush's funny math couldn't make the numbers work.

No regrets. I don't think I would have been able to go all in with racing if I owned a home. I just don't have that kind of earning power.

**catahoulabuldog** · 10-21-09, 08:28 PM

Start younger

**GMAN226** · 10-21-09, 08:48 PM

Take the inside line when passing lappers out of turn 12.... and don't start on a 600.. Light Weight Bikes are way more fun and so much cheaper to run..

G-man

If you could do it again.

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