Start racing next year

[craig2494]

ye thats right im going to give it ago ( what do ya mean im to old im only 32 )
Got the bike and with zimms help it runs now, im going to get my ACU licence early next year, got the compulsary camper van (VW of course) and most of the gear ill need.

This thread is really to get some advise off you hardy racers, hope to race with the w100 so it will be oulton and anglesey both of which ive done trackdays on my buell so ive had some time to learn them,addvice on sproket sizes, which tyres, anythink really and may be a volanteer to hold my hand might be nice.

Will i have to buy a transponder if so from where ?

[zimm]

excellent ! go for it !

w100 will hire you a transponder for £20 per meeting.. but life would be easier with your own.

I ran the same sprockets at anglesey and oulton (and pembrey.. and the road.. lol) 14/47, but it depends on your setup, 14/48 would probs have been better but setups should be transferable between the two tracks.

i also raced on dunlop alpha 10's in 12/70/17 + 160/60/17

im not dead, but i wasnt quick, and i didnt see anyone else using them.. better than 090's though.

probably best to run super corsa's like everyone else, quite a few ran kr364 inters .. i dont know about wet's cos ive been lucky enough to have not needed them yet.

[THE FLUTE]

Well done mate go for it I didn't start till I was 35 won Derby Phoenix F600 novice championship first year. Also started passengering on a F1 sidecar this year and got second in the championship on that
Tyre's I would say Super corsa Pro,s as for wets use either Pirelli Diablo Wets or Racetec rain,s Soften the front end off about 2 full turns of pre load when running the wets.
Take plenty of gaffer tape and cable ties Best bit of advice Just go out and enjoy yourself

[Ballsout Racing]

I didn't start until I was 35 either

I don't know where you are but it sounds like you're nowhere near Brands, otherwise this is an excellent introduction for Rookies with bemsee http://www.bemsee.net :
http://www.bemsee.net/index.php?option= ... &Itemid=40

[craig2494]

you d be right in that guess, i live in runcorn, cheshire

[Davw]

Go for it - you wont regret it. At 32 - decades of racing fun in front of you.

On the transponder there are pros and cons - hiring is cheaper (obviosly!! - Doh) but with your own you are able to register on mylaps.com and let your mates see how miserable your qualifying time really was!!!

Makes me wonder why I bought one!!! LOL

ps - for the W100 guys - was talking with one of your lot and he tells me it is a great circuit. I am thinking about pencilling in a trip down there next season as having just the 2 circuits up here I might need a change of scenery. Is that a possibility and if so are there any specific events to aim for or avoid.

[jake]

good one mate, always nice to have more zxr's in the paddock.
transponder, i would buy one meself, you see them this time of the year second hand for between 150 to 180. Id get the rechargeable one. They hold there value. so you will get your money back if you ever want to sell it on.
You cant go wrong with the wirral 100. Any of the events are good to go.The 400 class has gone from strength to strength over the last two years, and i dont recall a race this year with much less than full grids. none of this 'dying class'
we normally start the year out with a test day up in anglesey. then first race at anglesey early to mid march. then to oulton park, then 3 meetings back at anglesey, then finish the year at oulton park.
Dont forget about aintree tho, especially if you in runcorn...very good value.. and you will find most of the w100 lads racing there.
tyres go for the dragon supercorsa pros to start with id say. there cheaper than the new style supercorsa's, and are great tyres. Wets, i think anything is better than nothing! I used michellins this year and i like them, onto bridgestones now..which im told are great wth the 400's.

[jake]

there ya go
http://www.motoforum.net/index.php?showtopic=30517
cheap that one

[zimm]

I am thinking about pencilling in a trip down there next season as having just the 2 circuits up here I might need a change of scenery. Is that a possibility and if so are there any specific events to aim for or avoid.

you can race with w100 without being a club member, i did, just rang them a week before the event and paid the entry fee's.. personally i prefer oulton park to anglesey, but that may change in time.. having said that.. coming as far as you would be, aim for the 2 day events.. there's often a trackday on the friday aswell, which gives a chance to at least know where you're going in race 1.

[Davw]

Hi mate - Sounds good. I need to pencil this in asap if I am going tomake it happen. Just picked up the bike trailer yesterday so am just about ready to rock. Let me know when the dates are out and I will get it in the diary. track day plus two day racing would make it worthwhile.

[cbr chris]

Well done M8, I started late last year at the age of 35!! never too old. You will need a Tranny, DONT buy new (I did £245) DONT buy ebay , second hand on ebay go for £180-£200 !! Demand outstrips supply on these!
Also DONT buy new tyres, you would be surprised how many scrubs you can blag in the paddock When I finally take my 090's off I have 3 full sets of scrubbed supercorsas ready for the next season.

NEver listen to advice on what gear where etc at trackside, do a track day first as Zimm sugeested on the Friday and learn the track yourself. Try and stick with someone a little faster then you, you will be surprised how you can catch up/ stay with them. If you do overcook or think you aint getting round a bend, just tuck it in and go for it, you will again be surprised what you bike will do!!

Best tip of all is laminate a tick list of what you need for a weekends racing and check it off as you pack the car/van!! I know someone who forgot his Helmet .

Oh and dont wear your trainers into pitlane for the warm up lap like I did at Oulton (ask Zimm) Had to start at the back of the grid after putting on appropriate footwear.

Finally best advice is don't worry about falling off or coming last and enjoy yourself.

[donald]

do you mean dont buy new tyres,?do you use secondhand ones?
or did i missunderstand

[will#224]

My only confusion with racing is what can and cant be done to the bike.

I note that most use standard forks but brakes from different bikes seems ok? Ti nitride coatings on the forks maybe not ok as i've seen none with them?

I too will be using scrubbed/second hand tyres, racing is 90% in your head, if someone thinks they must have THE best tyres to win then they are easily beat, sit further up the grid and they'll be spending the first few laps wondering why they cant go as fast with new tyres. new tyres are better but only the best riders would notice and then they are only good for 3 heat cycles in an ideal world, sometimes less
Cant wait to start racing again next year!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

[zimm]

My only confusion with racing is what can and cant be done to the bike.

I note that most use standard forks but brakes from different bikes seems ok? Ti nitride coatings on the forks maybe not ok as i've seen none with them?

think the only reason you havent seen nitride coated forks is ££ mate .. precisley what can and cant be done is down to your chosen club, and tbh, unless you are up the sharp end competing for the championship, no-one's going to pay much attention to the spec of your bike.

scrubs are a cheap usable way into racing.. as long as they are recent scrubs and not 4 years old and been sat in a garden most of that time. I Went with new alpha 10's, and they've lasted really well, 11 races in and still more than usable, although the rear has lost its profile a bit due to the road miles I did in between race meets.