I'm curious as to how one gets started in club racing. I assume it's probably something like cars, where you get licensed by a sanctioning body, pick a class, and build/buy the vehicle accordingly.

But i'm sure there are differences too.

And for starters, who to even race with? Seems like there's more choices w/ bikes--in my area, i know of WSMC, but what else is there? what class is a good class to start out in? 600 twins? 600 SS? 125's?

And say i'm still a n00b, (cuz i iz) where do i look to get some "HPRE"? Just start doing a lot of track days? Keith Code? StrEEt RaCE In Da CAnYoNZ?

 

first I would take a class - keith code is good - there are also organizations that do track days.

I am not sure of the ones out in cali, or if these support places out in cali, but there is

NESBA, STT (Sport Track Time), TPM (Team Promotion) and others.

club racing would be with WERA or CCS - there are a few people in cali on this board that do that - I am sure they can help you out.

google also will give you all this information

 

i've though tabout doing this once i become more finnacially stable. i've always though i would go into a 500cc/sv650 type class to start, but that is a ways off.

 

Don't do it. Unless you like throwing money away.

To add on to what's been mentioned, there is also AFM. WSMC is good because they always race at the same track (Willow Springs, the Big Track). AFM uses three different tracks during their racing season - Buttonwillow, Thunderhill, and Infineon. The latter two are northern California based.

Typically, the "popular" motorcycles are the most crowded and cutthroat. So I would advise staying away from the 600 and 1000 i4 classes. You'd be racing with 30-40 other crazies.

FWIW, I would suggest starting with a 125 in the 125GP class. Those bikes do not make tremendous horsepower, so you would not be at a disadvantage against other racers who can afford to build their bikes. 125s also require you to keep your corner speeds high to make up for the deficiency in horsepower.

I have taken Superbike School (Keith Code) and I learned a lot. I'd like to try some of their other levels, or some other racing school such as Jason Pridmore's (the name escapes me at the moment).

 

Sv650 all the way

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't do it. Unless you like throwing money away.

To add on to what's been mentioned, there is also AFM. WSMC is good because they always race at the same track (Willow Springs, the Big Track). AFM uses three different tracks during their racing season - Buttonwillow, Thunderhill, and Infineon. The latter two are northern California based.

Typically, the "popular" motorcycles are the most crowded and cutthroat. So I would advise staying away from the 600 and 1000 i4 classes. You'd be racing with 30-40 other crazies.

FWIW, I would suggest starting with a 125 in the 125GP class. Those bikes do not make tremendous horsepower, so you would not be at a disadvantage against other racers who can afford to build their bikes. 125s also require you to keep your corner speeds high to make up for the deficiency in horsepower.

I have taken Superbike School (Keith Code) and I learned a lot. I'd like to try some of their other levels, or some other racing school such as Jason Pridmore's (the name escapes me at the moment).</TD></TR></TABLE>

oh marm, i love burning money on useless ****. i was about to join honda challenge when this motorcycle thing happened, and it sorta derailed my plans to club race. What i like is that moto racing is actually cheaper than racing cars, so i'm looking into it.

it's a little disappointing that WSMC only races the big track (i'm not a particularly big fan of the big track, in a car at least) and i love me some BW. but i guess the name explains it all

yeah i've heard that the 600 i4 classes are pretty brutal, and i'd love to have a reason to buy a NSR or RS125

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

yeah i've heard that the 600 i4 classes are pretty brutal, and i'd love to have a reason to buy a NSR or RS125 </TD></TR></TABLE>

those classes are no joke either. NSR's have no chance up against RS/TZ250's. I would start with a 250, 400, or 650 twins class.

If I have the funds (+ I need to do more trackdays), I plan to start racing in 2 years with AFM in the 450 production/superbike classes with a VFR400 or RVF400

 

before you jump into club racing - do you ahve any track days under your belt? I would do a few if not a lot of those before jumping into the races.

600 and 1000 class .. meat grinder class

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .paul &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">before you jump into club racing - do you ahve any track days under your belt? I would do a few if not a lot of those before jumping into the races.

600 and 1000 class .. meat grinder class </TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, i wouldn't start racing until late 2007 or 08 (when i can actually afford it), and do trackdays/schools in the meantime.

trying to pick a good date for my first trackday, and thinking about doing a school on 12/26 @ Laguna...

 

personally - just do track days till you are comfortable - and obviously in the advanced or at least the top of hte intermediate group.

when you feel comfortable go for it, it is really easy to get your liscenes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .paul &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">personally - just do track days till you are comfortable - and obviously in the advanced or at least the top of hte intermediate group.

when you feel comfortable go for it, it is really easy to get your liscenes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, definitely.

wouldn't want to start racing just to race. being a backmarker or dangerous to myself and others would be

 

I am so over comparing my ability to others, Measuring yourself against others seems so archaic. this maybe because I am older, but I don't have to "Race" against someone to know how fast I am... I know how fast I am. To me, (and my limited view) unless your getting paid, and piloting someone else's money pit(car/bike) your really just chasing a dream that takes you down a path of constant financial drain in travel costs and equipment repairs/upgrades.

However to some, the art of competition is adrenalizing... Just be prepared for the severe Financial drain, just to be able to keep up on the track. They limit modifications to keep costs down, but it really doesn't. it merely shifts the cost's emphasis to another area.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sv650 all the way </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's the route i'm going.

I want to start doing simple club racing next year with TPM, then take a school and try my hands at CCS.

Or if i win the lottery, i'd like to pick up a 2 smoke and try racing those.

 

Or.....you can go the cheaper route and race mini's (NSR50/YSR50/Mini motards)



*pic from egofreeracing

 

Start doing track days and volunteering as a corner worker at your local track. Then you can start trying to get your race license.