racing questions

[OreoGaborio]

they spend a little bit of time on riding technique, but for the most part they concentrate on rules & regs. It's not the place to begin learning how to ride on the track if you have any insecurities about your technique.

[hammadown]

I have already begun my mac and cheese diet so I can start racing next year...maybe Kraft will sponsor me?

[catch2otwo]

mmmm mac and cheese. hot meals.... things dreams are made of

[Puppet]

The two day schools get into "how" to ride a lot more than the one day school does. Mostly they teach you how not to be a hazard to everyone around you...stay on the line, proper pit in/out, what the flags mean, what to do if you stall the start, etc...

There is a lot of knowledge in the instructor base and they'll all take the time to help if you ask, but there's not much time in the single day school to cover it all for first timers. Trackdays first definitely help. The first time you go on the track is very much sensory overload (at least it was for me) so getting comfortable with people around you is a little more controlled at a TD.

[McBiggity]

i only did one track day before I started racing. wish I had done more though

[xxdcmast]

This is my path that I would reccomend for you.

Penguin race school - 250
Open practice thursday and friday - 100 sometimes 150

Do a bunch of open practice to get yourself comforatble for racing.

[catch2otwo]

whats the difference between open practice and a trackday?

[s a x m a n]

whats the difference between open practice and a trackday?

no passing rules ... out with racers


i don't think that is the safest way to go, for anyone never having been on the track.

Do ATLEAST 1 track day (with Tony ofcourse) ... you'll learn the line, learn about body position (and why its important), throttle control, etc;. This way, when you take the race school you are not so worried about "which way does turn 1 go" that you can focus on what they are teaching you about rules, being passed, and all the stuff that racing involves

[derrickhackman]

the penguin racing school will teach you how to ride and how to race (within reason). rather than the 1-day school i would opt to do the 2-day school.... much better.



you can always do some bicycle races ... way cheaper and not so hard on the body ....

[Kitt]

I didn't do a track day... and you can tell a big difference in the newer guys who had done a bunch.

As far as racing $: I run a tight budget... It's expensive... I make decent $... and I'm not saving much money during the season.

[RyanNicholson]

yea track days are a good way to go, its fun on the track without any pressure to "go fast" or "race" so you can learn in a much more relaxed environment. Also TD's have instructors that can work with you 1 on 1 more than penguin, penguin instructors have a lot on their plate in the basic class....doing the follow the leader and making sure everyone knows the rules and reg's, flags, etc.

and TD's are more track time for less $$

[Doc]

Do I search on this site for more info.

"How do I start in racing"
"new to racing" ETC. All this has been covered before (very recently as i just started this year and had the same questions)

I HIGHLY reccomned a few trackdays first. More tracktiime to get your lines down and CHEAPER than racing.

Start on a race prepped EX500 then move up. (Or a Hawk GT but those guys are crazy fast on that dated tech)

Oh yeah and save up about $4000.

[RyanNicholson]

also. TALK WITH EVERYONE YOU CAN. seriously.

make friends with everyone you can at the track, its a GREAT group of people....and camp at the track and be social. I learn more just shooting the shit at night havin beers with all the experts, than i do actually being on the track.

they'll teach you without even knowing it

[BMFR6]

You can really tell who's done track days before diving straight into racing & those who haven't. Dive straight into racing & there's minimal instruction. Do track days & you're learning about body position, body movement, bike control , the racing line etc etc etc.

I did track days very regularly for about a year & 1/2 before I began racing.

PS... Nice sig

hey, my first time on the track was Penguin.

[RyanNicholson]

hey, my first time on the track was Penguin.

me too....

actually, i never even attended a track day until i instructed at one lol but i always run thursday and friday practices

[smf]

Do ATLEAST 1 track day (with Tony ofcourse) ... you'll learn the line, learn about body position (and why its important), throttle control, etc;. This way, when you take the race school you are not so worried about "which way does turn 1 go" that you can focus on what they are teaching you about rules, being passed, and all the stuff that racing involves

+1. also doing a trackday will allow you to evaluate if you really want to continue down that road without all the startup expenses associated with racing. you never know, you may hate it out there... not likely, but possible. i've seen it happen. learning that after spending $$ on a race setup sucks.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

suggestion- Get a cheap lightweight racebike, you'll learn more and won't go dead broke with tire costs/crash repairs, cause you will crash.

Ouch, This is by far the best Advice, I went the other way Big bike to little Bike. It all became clear when I got off the 600 in one race and got on an Ex500 for a grudge match with Pittenger5, I have never enjoyed being on a BIKE more then the lightwieght Bikes (I have not been on the track since with a 600) its not about the speed, Its about the racing,

[daviid]

buy my ex500

[catch2otwo]

i figured a track day would be more of a relaxed pace. im definatly planning to do one, just gotta figure out when.

[GMAN226]

ahh i just remember the sv. typically how much needs to be invested into a stock sv to get it track ready? im assuming tires, saftey wire, rearsets?, clip ons?

Don't buy a stock bike and convert it. It is way cheaper to buy a race bike they are for sale everywhere. I have done it both ways..

G-man

[s a x m a n]

If your goal is racing ... doing too many track days can actually hurt you in the long run ... two total different mindsets and habits

So if the goal is to race, then do a track day or two ... then jump into the deep end!

[Awesome]

Don't buy a stock bike and convert it. It is way cheaper to buy a race bike they are for sale everywhere. I have done it both ways..

G-man

[nefarious]

isnt and sv some 30lbs heavier then a 600?

[s a x m a n]

isnt and sv some 30lbs heavier then a 600?

doesn't matter

weight, power, fast bits (except suspension) don't matter when you start out ... its all about technique

[nefarious]

doesn't matter

weight, power, fast bits (except suspension) don't matter when you start out ... its all about technique

just asking because someone said start out on a lighter bike like an SV or something like that