2012 LRRS Suggestions

[sdog30]

Great flyer, Gino! I like that idea.

Things I appreciated as a Novice this year:
Discounted races to start.
Free garage for the first weekend (didn't use it, but appreciate it).
Free transponder for the beginning of the season (didn't use it, but appreciate it).
Trophies and medals (even if they are hand-me-downs, it's nice getting something).
How accessable you experts are and willing to share knowledge.

I like the scoreboard suggestion. Also, the barrels in turn 1 are a real cool place to watch the race, but not allowed. Maybe we could put a bleacher there and just add some fence to the top for safety issues that might be related to putting stands there. I like the on/off road motard race during the classic and was a little disappointed that it didn't happen last weekend (due to wet grass?). Having a dirt path through the grass in the bowl with some burms would probably work better than slicks on grass and maybe you could run that style race more often (like everyother race weekend). Seemed to draw some good spectators. Some stands near the woods would help, too since you really couldn't see that portion of the course from the bowl.

[Kurlon]

My thought.....a program that details all of the information that you were missing would be a good start....spectating areas, class descriptions, explanations of what "Race 4" is, some personal information on class champions, the URL to put into your smartphone for live race results, etc. I saw this done years ago. It's a lot of work and in the end you can usually just get enough advertisers to pay for it. However, I think that it would be a good step towards enhancing the experience for families. I will bring this up for sure.

Eric, I wonder if working with riders with existing good sponsorships that run multiple classes, say Rick Duccette or Scott Mullen could help? They both have Production/Supersport and full Superbike examples of a given machine, so pics of both bikes with some of the key differences highlighted, perhaps with a third bone stock off the showroom floor version included as a comparison would be a great way to show the difference between SS and SB. Find someone (RS Cycles?) with a proper GP machine to show how they differ from street targeted machines? That'd make for a good introduction to the various categories while providing sponsors logo space without it looking like a direct advertisement.

[JettaJayGLS]

I like the scoreboard suggestion. Also, the barrels in turn 1 are a real cool place to watch the race, but not allowed. Maybe we could put a bleacher there and just add some fence to the top for safety issues that might be related to putting stands there. I like the on/off road motard race during the classic and was a little disappointed that it didn't happen last weekend (due to wet grass?). Having a dirt path through the grass in the bowl with some burms would probably work better than slicks on grass and maybe you could run that style race more often (like everyother race weekend). Seemed to draw some good spectators. Some stands near the woods would help, too since you really couldn't see that portion of the course from the bowl.

All of this.

I speak for myself and I know a few of the other guys feel the same, but we absolutely loved that race at the classic. The fans liked it too, so I think running this regularly would kill two birds. It may even get some additional MX guys to participate as it would be possible to be competitive in that race on a MX bike with slicks. No need for a full road racing set up. Despite all the motard dislike, they sure are fun to watch/race and will only bring in more spectators/racers.

If this became a regular thing we could run the same course which would not require laps to learn the course.

[Doc]

6) ULSB - Last I checked, a non-motard bike consistently wins this class.....

Someone has got Gino's number!

Just one more note on the Motards in ULSB debate. How many classes are Motards legal and competative in with LRRS? How many classes are any other ULSB legal and competative in?

[CBR929RE]

All of this.

I speak for myself and I know a few of the other guys feel the same, but we absolutely loved that race at the classic. The fans liked it too, so I think running this regularly would kill two birds. It may even get some additional MX guys to participate as it would be possible to be competitive in that race on a MX bike with slicks. No need for a full road racing set up. Despite all the motard dislike, they sure are fun to watch/race and will only bring in more spectators/racers.

If this became a regular thing we could run the same course which would not require laps to learn the course.

I have absolutely no desire to watch the regular motard races and I think a lot of people feel that way. but throw in the dirt sections and you guys screwing around a bunch and everyone wants to watch. I was very disappointed on sunday when they canceled the dirt part. I think if you do it too much it'll kind of loose its luster though.

[Jim]

I have absolutely no desire to watch the regular motard races and I think a lot of people feel that way.

it's the only ultra LW class i watch, because the cool down lap wheelies are fun

[mzdagrl]

I would suggest, that any time the Motard race is done with the alternate track (dirt sections, tight 10, etc) that it not be part of the points for that class, unless it is always going to be run that way. Other classes don't get new tracks every few weeks, and this puts some at a disadvantage (or advantage) that they may otherwise not have, and the Tom-follery, while entertaining, does not play well with those seriously competing for points.

All that said, I love the alternate tracks for the Motard race, and would like to see it done more often. (the dirt section was closed out this past weekend for a few reasons, not the least of which was the time it takes to set it up and the lateness of the day) Perhaps as a no-points exhibition rather than a points-bearing race would be better for that.

[nt650hawk]

I actualy enjoy the motard race. It is usualy a tight group of riders and all on similar machines that make things interesting.

[OreoGaborio]

My thought.....a program that details all of the information that you were missing would be a good start....spectating areas, class descriptions, explanations of what "Race 4" is, some personal information on class champions, the URL to put into your smartphone for live race results, etc. I saw this done years ago. It's a lot of work and in the end you can usually just get enough advertisers to pay for it. However, I think that it would be a good step towards enhancing the experience for families. I will bring this up for sure.

That's exactly what I was thinking when I was reading that post from jasnmar... An 8x10" 10-20 page program with advertisements to help pay for it. A list of maybe the top 50 racers, a little more info on the top 10 or so, break-down of the different classes, etc.

[nt650hawk]

Jane used to collect all the riders information and do what it did for the team. Maybe there can be a NESR google doc that the racers can update for our friends.

[gumby]

Painfullyslow touched on this regarding better exposure for the sport.

Is NHMS willing to advertise LRRS on their 106 sign the week prior to the event?
Could motorcycle dealers/shops have a poster promoting the series and listing the schedule.

I have always been amazed by how few people (even avid motorcyclists) are unaware of LRRS.
There is a lot of strong talent and great racing to be seen... if only everybody knew.

[timmyho414]

Painfullyslow touched on this regarding better exposure for the sport.

Is NHMS willing to advertise LRRS on their 106 sign the week prior to the event?
Could motorcycle dealers/shops have a poster promoting the series and listing the schedule.

I have always been amazed by how few people (even avid motorcyclists) are unaware of LRRS.
There is a lot of strong talent and great racing to be seen... if only everybody knew.

That always kill me. I'm pulling in to race and the sign is always advertising those cars that only turn left, when its sunny. Really, you could dive right by and not know there was motorcycle racing going, the same day.

To give it up for 7 weekends a year I do not think would hurt the four wheeler sales.

In fairness, I've never sat and watched the sign go through a cycle.

There are fliers at the two shops I go to. I even dropped some off once. I think the track is happy to give them to use to distribute.

[Pigman]

Right up the street on 106 there is a Billboard that’s wide open....maybe a few sponsors and LRRS can work it out to use that during the season... as there is a TON of motorcycles and traffic that go by there. I met a guy at the store right down the street and he had just gone by the track and Had no idea there was any kind of racing going on there.....

[csmutty]

Maybe to keep printing costs down there cam be an electronic version that is available to download off the web/available at a few computers in the media center?

[timmyho414]

Maybe to keep printing costs down there cam be an electronic version that is available to download off the web/available at a few computers in the media center?

I'm really not a facebook kind of person but JohnB sends out a invite for each round. what if we forward those? The only thing I dislike about that is its that same as telling all your "friends" your not home, please rob me this weekend. I only have 40 or so and they are people I actually talk to and like so I'm not that worried. Plus, the single most expensive thing I own is at the tack with me.

[csmutty]

Oh yeah...what about an EX250 production class?

[Kurlon]

Oh yeah...what about an EX250 production class?

CCS already has a provisional UL Thunderbike class for the 250s

[csmutty]

CCS already has a provisional UL Thunderbike class for the 250s

Yes...but LRRS doesn't.

[CEO]

Back to my comment about the starts, Jim sent me this video link of how they do a multi-wave start for the CCS races at NJ. The flagger is on the right. WAVE, count to 2 or 3 mississippi... WAVE.

I don't see a reason why we couldn't do that?

[Pittenger5]

I don't see a reason why we couldn't do that?

Judging from the timing they seem to use its to make sure that wave 1 makes it though turn 1 unscathed before sending a second set of riders tearing into there.

[Woodcraft]

Oh yeah...what about an EX250 production class?

They will make a class for anything like this if the bikes show up. I have seen very few 250's show up at schools in recent years at Loudon.

However, with that said, I have some friends on the west coast who are extremely enthusiastic about the 250 class and they love the close racing that the class produces. A class like this needs to be given proper promotion and then be given a chance to grow. Some places have Ninja250 cups, and I am aware of a CBR250 class in Canada. I'm not sure if the Honda can keep up with the Kawasaki in a mixed class....singles tend to be slower and motor matters more when the engines are small.

[csmutty]

They will make a class for anything like this if the bikes show up. I have seen very few 250's show up at schools in recent years at Loudon.

However, with that said, I have some friends on the west coast who are extremely enthusiastic about the 250 class and they love the close racing that the class produces. A class like this needs to be given proper promotion and then be given a chance to grow. Some places have Ninja250 cups, and I am aware of a CBR250 class in Canada. I'm not sure if the Honda can keep up with the Kawasaki in a mixed class....singles tend to be slower and motor matters more when the engines are small.

From what I have read the Honda requires much more modification to be even remotely competitive. After modification the Honda stilled got pulled down the straight. With that said I might have heard about something being in the works.

[Kurlon]

Plus you've got the fun detail that Kawi is abandoning the 250 and going to a 300 next year, I suspect because of lost sales to the Honda. As written, the CBR250R should be more than competitive in UL Thunderbike as it's allowed to be a full superbike build thanks to being a single while the Ninja has to stay in superstock trim. There have been a couple CBRs sticking it to the Ninjas in a couple series, it looses out on top end but handles better out of the crate and has more torque on bottom. If you're a rider it seems to have slightly more potential for being pushed? Having tried that theory with the GS vs the EX, I am NOT that good a rider.

[Woodcraft]

I like the idea of this class....Ninja 250's are way cheap and there are thousands of them out there. If we get it through, it will likely start as a little sideshow addendum to another race, but if it grows then it can certainly take it's place in a class. The only downside that I can think of is that while these bikes are supposed to be a ton of fun, they will only be competitive in one class.

Thoughts?

[Kurlon]

I guess the question is how it meshes in with Production Twins, as they're both really scratching the same itch, and both are based on a platform that is off the market in 2013 (save for the CBR250R)?

That said, if you want some time, I'll bring my bone stock CBR250R to a Penguin day if you want a chance to try one. I'm having a ball with it on the street, I think it'd be fun on the track but I can't imagine it being on track during a race with any other class, the closing speed gap into T1 even vs PTwins would be decent.