Getting into racing

[superman]

Ok I've had my little 250 ninja for 4 months now, used to ride little dirt bikes back when I was 8 and had a blast on em. I am now considering getting into some proper racing but apart from just attending track days are there any other courses around for novices getting into racing? Maybe a training weekend from an experienced ex professional or something as such?

Not really looking at the mainstream california superbike school sort of thing at the moment.

Just want an intense few days packed together to gain some insight.

For now I'll stick to pootling on the road. :scooter:

[koba]

Ok I've had my little 250 ninja for 4 months now, used to ride little dirt bikes back when I was 8 and had a blast on em. I am now considering getting into some proper racing but apart from just attending track days are there any other courses around for novices getting into racing? Maybe a training weekend from an experienced ex professional or something as such?

Not really looking at the mainstream california superbike school sort of thing at the moment.

Just want an intense few days packed together to gain some insight.

For now I'll stick to pootling on the road. :scooter:

Just do it mate!

get out there to a race meeting and have a look, get chatting to the locals and I'm sure they will show you the way.

I've lost count of how many people I've met that say something along the lines of: "Shit, I should have got into this racing lark years ago".

It is really worth it and the new prolites or whatever it is class even suits your bike.

[sidwyz]

Head along to Mt wellington go-kart track this weekend there is a bucket meeting on.
Practice today, racing is on Sunday

Address is Tainui Rd off Morrin Rd, Panmure.

A great cost effective way to start racing and learn lots of race craft.

[superman]

It is really worth it and the new prolites or whatever it is class even suits your bike.

Race my Ninja? :shit: I can do that?! My god I must start already... I feel like I've already been putting it off :yes:

[Billy]

Ok I've had my little 250 ninja for 4 months now, used to ride little dirt bikes back when I was 8 and had a blast on em. I am now considering getting into some proper racing but apart from just attending track days are there any other courses around for novices getting into racing? Maybe a training weekend from an experienced ex professional or something as such?

Not really looking at the mainstream california superbike school sort of thing at the moment.

Just want an intense few days packed together to gain some insight.

For now I'll stick to pootling on the road. :scooter:

If youre serious about giving it a crack,PM me on KB or contact me through www.racefairings.co.nz,We have a number of bikes available to lease for those wanting to give it a try but dont want to risk damaging their pride and joy,Or we can do you a complete fibreglass bodykit for your EX to eliminate the risk of wrecking your genuine roadkit

[sil3nt]

I have been wanting to do it for years. Need a decent job though. Can't race on a student budget :(

[superman]

I have been wanting to do it for years. Need a decent job though. Can't race on a student budget :(

Haha, I can just afford to start off with my 15 hours a week job and my little vending machine investment :yes:. Luckily I still get free board at home :p

[superman]

Head along to Mt wellington go-kart track this weekend there is a bucket meeting on.
Practice today, racing is on Sunday

Address is Tainui Rd off Morrin Rd, Panmure.

A great cost effective way to start racing and learn lots of race craft.

I'll come along tomorrow and watch then! Free to spectate? :yes:

[Mystic13]

There's a sticky thread up the top for what you need to do to the bike to go racing and it ain't much.

There are also test days at the tracks which give you cheaper track time and if you can find another racer to hang with you can get a feel for things. The racing boys are pretty supportive getting you on the track. The clubs are worth checking out.

AMCC does rider training days that you may find useful.

You'd learn a lot on the track following people. There are some good books to read if that's your thing. Like "Twist of the Wrist 2" and "Performance Riding Techniques: The MotoGP Manual of Track Riding Skills". I like the second book for the pictures. Not much of a reader.:scooter:

There'll be heaps of other books and stuff. I also thought I saw a post on here for "Prorider Courses". Search should help you find that.

Cheers

[lostinflyz]

I have been wanting to do it for years. Need a decent job though. Can't race on a student budget :(

lies, i first started on a student budget. well i had to have a job but it was worth it.

if you think student life is poor, wait till you live racer life. hahaha

[scracha]

If youre serious about giving it a crack,PM me on KB or contact me through www.racefairings.co.nz,We have a number of bikes available to lease for those wanting to give it a try but dont want to risk damaging their pride and joy,Or we can do you a complete fibreglass bodykit for your EX to eliminate the risk of wrecking your genuine roadkit

Billy's offerings are seriously good value mate and I wish they'd been available (or I'd known about them) when I'd started.

[kittytamer]

AMCC run ART (advanced rider training) days at Pukekohe and their instructors will show you what you want if you ask them.
Most trackdays will have someone there who knows the track and can show you lines and give you tips on the track etc.
I also know of a couple of racers who may spend a day at the track with you if you pay for their trackday and costs. Get along to a race meeting and talk to people face to face, you will learn so much more and it will be relevent too.
Come down to Pukekohe next weekend for the last 2 rounds of the AMCC club series, its running both days so if you come and watch on Saturday and feel you want to give it a crack you can enter on the day for Sunday. Although you will need a race licence to do this, not sure how quick MNZ can sort this, but that answer is only a phone call away.
Good luck, you won't regret it, racing is fun & addictive:woohoo:


Ok I've had my little 250 ninja for 4 months now, used to ride little dirt bikes back when I was 8 and had a blast on em. I am now considering getting into some proper racing but apart from just attending track days are there any other courses around for novices getting into racing? Maybe a training weekend from an experienced ex professional or something as such?

Not really looking at the mainstream california superbike school sort of thing at the moment.

Just want an intense few days packed together to gain some insight.

For now I'll stick to pootling on the road. :scooter:

[k14]

lies, i first started on a student budget. well i had to have a job but it was worth it.

if you think student life is poor, wait till you live racer life. hahaha
Ditto, I managed to race a 91 RS125 in my last year at uni. Summer job paid for my van and bike (both under $1500 each) and managed to race once a month. Wasn't setting any lap records but was out there having a crack.

[superman]

So really I shouldn't be racing my road bike I should get a track only bike?

Hmm... what to do what to do

[Wingnut]

if you think student life is poor, wait till you live racer life. hahaha

Its all relevant though. Lostinflyz has invested a considerable amount of time and $$$ to develop a bike and run at the nationals. On the flip side you can spend (as far as motorsport goes) very few $$ and have a reliable fun racebike to be used at club racing. I ran a CBR 400 on a set of used race tyres which would have been fine for near the entire season. Change of oil here and there - its still bloody good fun and you don't have to mortgage the house to do it. All the best.

[Mystic13]

I'd say just get out there first and give it a go. And see where it goes. If you wait for the right bike, the money, etc then it'll be some time coming.

There are usually a few race bikes for sale on TM and on here.

e.g.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=357292826

This I think is incredible value for money. I'm setting a '88CBR 600 up for the track and bought a bike cheap but there are a fair few dollars to spend and time getting it sorted. Then there are bikes that are already sorted.

To get to the track I don't need much;
- the stuff in the sticky and race pads (wired the sump plug, oil filter and set a bottle for the fluids etc)

so far I've;
- pulled the steering head out and cleaned and greased
- stripped the bike down, cleaned and checked (really cleaned with 20 years of gunk gone)
- greased the swing arm
- sold all my plastics (lucky that)
- oiled and sealed the front forks
- new engine oil and tune
- removed the centre stand

Still to do
- add a kill switch

Then what I want to do next is;
- remove and thin down the wiring
- direct wire the fan to a dash switch

Then my list of future work
- find a glass fairing (or get one to fit). If anyone has one that might fit that they want to see the back of, even if it needs repairs please PM me.
- This includes the tail cowling. (I only have a CBR600 seat at present)


Work that people who got into racing might do;
- find rims for bigger tyres front and back
- change the front rotor to 4 pot
- change the front rotors to the next generation
- re jetted
- performance bits
- race pegs
and the list goes on.

A bike like the one on TM probably couldn't be built for that price. I thought there were also some 250's here and on TM as well.

Like people have said above if you talk to racers you'll start to form an opinion of what you want. The 400/4 offers a few advantages. I felt comfortable on a physically bigger bike.

My experience of the CBR 600 so far is that it tracks well and is stable. It is due to make it's track debut in the coming months.

[racefactory]

Go to pukey open day for 90 bucks... it's mad fun even on a 250 and you can meet decent guys who will chat with you about ways to get into it.

[lostinflyz]

Its all relevant though. Lostinflyz has invested a considerable amount of time and $$$ to develop a bike and run at the nationals. On the flip side you can spend (as far as motorsport goes) very few $$ and have a reliable fun racebike to be used at club racing. I ran a CBR 400 on a set of used race tyres which would have been fine for near the entire season. Change of oil here and there - its still bloody good fun and you don't have to mortgage the house to do it. All the best.

oh yea thats right most people arent as stupid as me!!!

Racing can be anything you want it to be. You don't "need" a race only bike, so long as you are aware of the risks and the time needed to convert back and forth. What Billy's offering is well worth considering.

First things getting out there and doing it, don't talk about it, just do it. best advice ive ever received!!! If its for you, you'll find a way to get there, pay for it, build a bike, make the time, whatever.

But you'll never know till you give it a go......

[superman]

Yeah I have the feeling if I end up really liking the whole racing thing then my ninja will go bye bye and I'll buy a race bike and a cheap 250 for commuting like a cbr250. Sacrifice my ninja till I can afford a ZX-6R and then be reunited with the older sister :eek:

[LankyBastard]

Yeah I have the feeling if I end up really liking the whole racing thing then my ninja will go bye bye and I'll buy a race bike and a cheap 250 for commuting like a cbr250. Sacrifice my ninja till I can afford a ZX-6R and then be reunited with the older sister :eek:

I'm keen as to join in on the racing too, what is the series that the ninja and hyo 250's are in? I'd be mad keen to give that a crack!!!!! Had a blast on my little ninja at the puke ART day and now want more..........

[Billy]

I'm keen as to join in on the racing too, what is the series that the ninja and hyo 250's are in?

Prolite 250,Rules are available on either NZSBK or the MNZ websites