250 production racing.

[FROSTY:Me]

I'm looking for feedback from you lot on a new (actually no so new ) racing class for NZ road racing.
250 Production.

I believe we need to reintroduce a 250 production class to road racing
The bikes I'm thinking of are twin cylinder 4 strokes.
1) a gsx250 or zzr250 or Vtr250 or The Hyu sung (sp) are well under 7 grand to buy new.. so the cost is (relatively ) low.-and keep in mind that those on a budget could buy second hand
2) By being production --Ie no modifications allowed at all.It would be a cheap class to run in and the cheque book racers would have no advantage.
3) Tyres would be control brand/type.By having control tyres--and the event being sponsered by a tyre maker again the big buck guys have no way of gaining. -no slicks just say as an example all must run GPR70's this season. -There are good comercial reasons for an importer to support this as long as the tyre isn't flavour of the month.
4) by keeping it to 250cc the speeds are relatively slow which is perfect for a novice racer but everybodys in the same boat so it encourages close racing
5) Commercially speaking the manufacturers have a lot to gain by having a bike that joe bloggs can buy brand new out winning races That hopefully could mean the manufacturers getting behind the whole deal.
6) exposed front sprocket compulsury -making it very difficult to run different gearing.
7) the zero mods would not allow after market air filters,cdi boxes lightened cranks etc but would allow fibreglass replica fairings. crash bungs,stock height,position handlebars,exact copy footpeg brackets (No rearsets)
Removal of road gear would be allowed to the point it still looks like the road bike No fancy lightweight tail units etc.
Suspension would be stock components allowing only fork oil changes
Exhaust system must be stock and no jetting changes or special air filters allowed.
8)WITH the support of the importers/manufactureres elligable bikes would be named at begining of the season. Only those bikes will be allowed in the class This will prevent homologation (sp) specials being brought in that are truck loads faster than everybody elses bikes -and at 600 supersports pricing to purchase.
9) scrutineering MUST be no more complicated than any other class

The whole idea is a safeish ,cheapish class for beginner racers and those on a limited race budget.It would produce very close racing in that it would be rider ability rather than trick handling or extra HP that wins the races.
20 years ago right up to 10 years ago 250 production (2 strokes) was the biggest class and one of the most hotly contended.
Im talking feilds of 40 or more bikes at the nationals.
To the point I think we had to have A and B grade at some meetings to cope with the number of entrys.
Feedback please

[John]

Yup I would dearly love to see this class back up and going I would defiantly take up the racing when I get my full - with the amount of money I've spent on the ZXR I'd love to be able to keep it and use it for racing.

As you said It would be a cheap racing class since there are so many parts flying around for them, would make racing a lot more accessible.

Great Idea Frosty.

[FROSTY:Me]

Yup I would dearly love to see this class back up and going I would defiantly take up the racing when I get my full - with the amount of money I've spent on the ZXR I'd love to be able to keep it and use it for racing.

As you said It would be a cheap racing class since there are so many parts flying around for them, would make racing a lot more accessible.

Great Idea Frosty.

John--the idea is to limit it to 250 twins--why you ask??
Keep the HP low and ensure the bikes are available new. To the point that the top 3 bikes on the day would be dyno tested to ensure they aint putting out more HP than the other bikes.
Think of this --Advert inb the paper to bring spectators to a club race round
Whilst you're watching the close racing get your bike dyno'd for only xxx$
It would help bring in the crowds so sorely missed

[John]

John--the idea is to limit it to 250 twins--why you ask??
Keep the HP low and ensure the bikes are available new. To the point that the top 3 bikes on the day would be dyno tested to ensure they aint putting out more HP than the other bikes.
Think of this --Advert inb the paper to bring spectators to a club race round
Whilst you're watching the close racing get your bike dyno'd for only xxx$
It would help bring in the crowds so sorely missed

Sorry I noticed you said GSX and thought of the older ones (R's) - sorry Still think its a good idea, I do realise that the inline 4's and such are better off in with the 2strokes so yes I will shutup.
I had a twin and I loved it they would be Ideal for racing they would be putting out a very low hp around (30max) and would insure that skill was of a great level - I still would join in with the racing if it came about, plenty of cheap twins around.

But would love to see dedicated (dedicated being the key word) open production 250 class like AU and US..

[Coyote]

Sounds like a good idea. Allowing fibreglass fairings is a brilliant idea, unlike only being allowed them as replacements so your forced to destroy your originals i.e what I have done

[FROSTY:Me]

john there already is -the vmcc runs 250 4 stokes in with the 150 streetstocks. Also the PMCC had a 250 4 stroke class in their series.
I really pushed to have it allowed but noone entered

[HDTboy]

I'd like to be able to race My 4 banger in a production class, or am I just being a silly n00b in saying that

[dhunt]

It sounds like a good idea, as long as the bikes are kept in production. The biggest problems with 250's is the price markup on them. What about including things like the goose etc in as well and making it under xx hp instead of under xx cc?

I would love to get into some sort of racing next year as I should have a bit more time & $$ to play with. So will keep an eye on how this progresses. As I'm wanting to maximise the fun level while minimising the $$ needed.

[FROSTY:Me]

Sounds like a good idea. Allowing fibreglass fairings is a brilliant idea, unlike only being allowed them as replacements so your forced to destroy your originals i.e what I have done

Nope--the idea is to prevent as much damage as possible whilst retaining the stock look of the bike.
The advantage there is that given there are say only 3 bikes elligable for the class then economy of scale would make after market fairings shit loads cheaper.

[John]

I'd like to be able to race My 4 banger in a production class, or am I just being a silly n00b in saying that

Dont worry I share the same dream.

But not to kill the thread Would you HAVE to keep the fairings on or can you be naked

edit: I answered my own question VTR's HYSOSHITS are neked

[dveus]

I like the idea, race on sunday, hopefully ride it to work on monday sounds good to me.

[FROSTY:Me]

Dont worry I share the same dream.

But not to kill the thread Would you HAVE to keep the fairings on or can you be naked

I'd suggest we would revert back to the lold 250 proddie rules-If ya wanna take the fairing off--Your call Provided you have a 280x230 number board on the front. (MNZ rule for race numbers)
Personally I would fit glass fairings -when you only have 40 odd HP to play with you sure dont wanna loose any of its effectiveness
Mind you I recall on the south island rounds of the nationals in 87 or 86 it was so bloody windy a lot of guys took their fairings off they were getting such huge side gusts.

[justsomeguy]

Where do I sign??

[FROSTY:Me]

I'd like to be able to race My 4 banger in a production class, or am I just being a silly n00b in saying that

Again pacific club and Vmcc ran a 250 4 stroke class in with the 150 strokers last year.
Look heres the deal -If I can get 6 of you blokes on ya 250 4 strokes who will turn up at EVERY round of Pmcc racing at Taupo I'm 100% certain you will have your own class -mixed in with the 150 strokers for the actual racing

[Kickaha]

Gearing should be open,as you'd want to change it track to track and the GSX would require different ratios to the Hyosung to the VTR