What does it take to get into racing?

[Evil_Weasel]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure nobody wants to look to Jamie as the example of what racing costs. Nobody would race!

i think i actually saw jamies credit card smoking once.

it is expensive but once you see the green flag drop for the first time all that doesn't matter and you will find a way.

if the sale of kidneys was legal no one at LRRS would have more than one.

[RyanNicholson]

I think my tally came to like 12k last summer, never really added it up though...just a rough guess.

Not including the truck and trailer I bought.

[s a x m a n]

Correct me if I am wrong jamie, but if I recall in your first season you also added a new truck and a new trailer to the list??

That is correct

[wiggeywackyo]

Well, it really sounds like I'm going to have to start turning tricks.

[Kitt]

Wow, so what I am gathering from all of this is that I need a bankroll, more bankroll and some cash. Is it reasonable to figure about 5k a year?

I already have the gear, and will be ripping up track days this year. From what I can tell, racing motorcycles is a lot cheaper than racing cars though.

yea, for an sv650 or running take-offs with your f4i

[wiggeywackyo]

I appreciate all the input guys. This has been pretty informative. I am amped just to get onto a track.

[BMFR6]

here you go, a couple answers from the PK thread.

"So, Peter, what does it cost to go racing, roughly?
Roughly?, open your wallet and start shovelling"

"If you have to ask how much you can't afford it"

“If you can't afford to do it right the first time how you are going to afford to do it right the second time.”

"The only way to leave racing with a small fortune, is to start with a large fortune"

[s a x m a n]

i think i actually saw jamies credit card smoking once.

it is expensive but once you see the green flag drop for the first time all that doesn't matter and you will find a way.

dude, I have so many points on my american express ... when I'm done i'm going to be able to fly to all the world superbike events for free! (=


but you are right, once the green flag drops, nothing matters. when I got taken out last year in turn 1 at the start of a race and had to watch the rest of the weekend from the sideline the worst thing I did was go and watch the start of the races. You just want nothing else but to be out there going into turn 1 with 20+ other riders.

[Pittenger5]

least expensive way in is on an EX 500 (unmodified), which I think only runs two classes legally (i think only 2) >>> + /-2500

I ran 4

[Awesome]

Jay I dont even wanna know what your rebuild costs will be! Its supposedly a little more than twice what the 125 will be. Did you get an RS or TZ? TZ cranks are rebuildable a few times, so if you've got one you're ahead of the game. I bet when you learn to really rip on that thing the tires won't last more than a weekend. IIRC, Brent was running 1:13s on his RS250. Granted, they're 160s instead of 180s, so ya might get away a little cheaper anyway.

RS250 and the rebuilds are bank. 160 vs 180 really isn't any savings.

[Ken C]

I raced an MZ Scorpion (against EX500s and motards) for less than $2,000 a season. As a novice on a small bike, you can be pretty cheap. Tires can last half the season, until you start getting fast. Also, don't crash.

[TheIglu]

I probably spent less than $1000 total racing an entire season two years ago.

That included a set of tires.

EX500: For people that don't have the means to do it otherwise!

[Ken C]

I probably spent less than $1000 total racing an entire season two years ago.

That included a set of tires.

EX500: For people that don't have the means to do it otherwise!

And still have a boatload of fun!

[BMFR6]

here's a starter bike for you

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=36005

[Kurlon]

I went the cheap / expensive route. I'm racing in PTwins, aka the cheap class, but I started with a never before tracked bike that I got for $300. Pour some folding money down the drain later, I now have a bike that is still slow, but looks racier thanks to clip ons, rear sets, etc... I promptly tossed it down the track and opted to hang out with Panalon and company in Turn 2 the first race weekend, and spent the next 4 or 5 races playing Gimpy the one armed Pit Pitch.

So, more importantly than the up front cost, make sure you're prepared to watch all your time and effort get wadded up and spat out in the blink of an eye, and possibly yourself along with it. (Check your insurance policy to make sure your health insurance will cover you if you have an accident at the track.) If you can't bear to see it all go away, this isn't the right hobby.

If that hasn't scared you off, and NHMS doesn't muck up the infield too badly with their construction plans, I'll be hanging out in the Turn 1A pits when I'm not on the track defending my GS's honer. Swing by and introduce yourself!

[Evil_Weasel]

oh yeah, besides money you also need to realize you might hurt yourself very, very badly.

honestly though, if you ask anyone here that's just a minor detail.

[rolker]

$2800 Engine rebuild bits...

Neil, is that just for parts or does that include someone else doing the rebuild?

[lrrs313]

oh yeah, besides money you also need to realize you might hurt yourself very, very badly.

honestly though, if you ask anyone here that's just a minor detail.

Worst thing about hurting yourself is having to watch from the sidelines.

Needed to start racing (pretty much all been said):

1. Money (all that you have, plus a couple credit cards)
2. Balls
3. High pain tolerance (asphalt doesn't give, no matter how hard you hit it)
4. Spare underwear (for when #2 runs out)

[butcher bergs]

I am amped just to get onto a track.

Sounds like you're not as excited about racing anymore.

[OreoGaborio]

4. Spare underwear (for when #2 runs out)

"for when #2 runs out"

[wiggeywackyo]

here's a starter bike for you

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=36005

Sweet. That looks about right. Do you think it'll be competitive?

[Doc]

Sweet. That looks about right. Do you think it'll be competitive?

With you on it?

No.

[butcher bergs]

here's a starter bike for you

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/...?article=36005

Does it come with the cheater crank?

[BMFR6]

Does it come with the cheater crank?

have to give Mat a rub and tug from what I heard.

[butcher bergs]

:

<writes check for $59,000>