Getting into racing?

[sharp2183]

Hi guys, I'm friends with a few guys who race and it sound like heaps of fun. What I'm after is a few opinions on getting into racing.

1. What class is good for a rider with a fair amount of track day experience on reasonably good bikes?
2. What bike will balance out a good amount of speed without needing stupid amounts of money or superbike-level skill? This question is pretty much linked to the first I guess..
3. I've had 400s in the past and loved them, are these in any way worthwhile in racing? Or could I use my litre twin in a relatively social class?
3. How do I actually go about signing up/getting involved?

I'm really out to have a good time and try and improve my riding, at a lowish cost. Any help, opinions or ideas would be great.

[Grubber]

Waiting patiently for someone to answer this....:blink:
I'm keen to look at this too..

[CHOPPA]

Hi guys, I'm friends with a few guys who race and it sound like heaps of fun. What I'm after is a few opinions on getting into racing.

1. What class is good for a rider with a fair amount of track day experience on reasonably good bikes?
2. What bike will balance out a good amount of speed without needing stupid amounts of money or superbike-level skill? This question is pretty much linked to the first I guess..
3. I've had 400s in the past and loved them, are these in any way worthwhile in racing? Or could I use my litre twin in a relatively social class?
3. How do I actually go about signing up/getting involved?

I'm really out to have a good time and try and improve my riding, at a lowish cost. Any help, opinions or ideas would be great.

Get out there on your Ducati. Just do clubmen class or pro twins.

If you can get to the VMCC winter series, its the best club series actually prob the best series in NZ. Its mainly beginner riders and just do the Clubmen class.

You need a club membership then go onto mnz and get a race licence.

look at....

vicclub.co.nz

amcc.org.nz

mnz.co.nz

Buy some good tyres possible s/h (email me) and get a set of wets

Manfeild is where most the racing will be....

[sharp2183]

How about the next summer series? I'm based in Auckland so anything at Pukekohe/Hampton Downs/Taupo would be best.

Would going into a higher powered class be better than something like F3?

[CookMySock]

Get out there on your Ducati."Just go and do it" is always good advice, but itsa little pricey to drop and slide a 996 innit? :blink:

[Mental Trousers]

Like Choppa said, just use what you've got and give it a go. You'll find out in a hell of a hurry how much it costs (everybody underestimates how much racing costs). After doing a season in Clubmans you'll be able to target what you can afford.

Post Classics is about the cheapest class you can get involved in. Formula 3 tends to be a bit more expensive but on better machinery. After that you start looking at how close to getting divorced you want to get as to what class you get into.

But basically, the larger the capacity and the more modern the machinery, the more it costs (like at least double).

Btw, the day you can slide both wheels on a 400 at will or finish as the 1st 400/650cc home all the time is when you've out grown F3. Until then there's years worth of lessons to learn.

[Rhys]

what would a realistic cost be to race post classics or F 3, and be reasonably competitive :scooter:

[Biggles08]

Hi guys, I'm friends with a few guys who race and it sound like heaps of fun. What I'm after is a few opinions on getting into racing.

1. What class is good for a rider with a fair amount of track day experience on reasonably good bikes?
2. What bike will balance out a good amount of speed without needing stupid amounts of money or superbike-level skill? This question is pretty much linked to the first I guess..
3. I've had 400s in the past and loved them, are these in any way worthwhile in racing? Or could I use my litre twin in a relatively social class?
3. How do I actually go about signing up/getting involved?

I'm really out to have a good time and try and improve my riding, at a lowish cost. Any help, opinions or ideas would be great.

Best advice I can give is to join up at a club (cheap), turn up to one of their club days (ask whatever club you join for when that may be) and enter in Clubmans as Chopper said (with a day license). Clubmans is a 'race what you brung' type scenario so its good for dipping your toes without choosing a route.

Give it a crack before you commit too much $$$ and you will soon discover what road to take :yes: (usually the expensive one).

[Mental Trousers]

what would a realistic cost be to race post classics or F 3, and be reasonably competitive :scooter:

My 450 cost $4000 to buy, rebuild and get to the start line for it's 1st race. It's had another $2500 in suspension work done. It's also had a few things done (fuel mapping etc) that add up to another $1000 or so.

The bike needs lightening as it's a bit over-weight. The rider needs lightening as he's most definitely over-weight. If me and the bike lose 20kgs combined it'll run with the 400's easy.

If I wasn't married I could easily sink $5k into the engine and pick up about 15 horsepower.

Cheapest way to go in F3 is to buy a bike that's already being raced. Something like a VFR with lots of spares goes for approx $3k.

After that, every meeting there's entry fee's (up to $150 for a 1 day meet or $220 for longer meets - this doesn't count Paeroa), transponder fees (up to $45), petrol, accomodation and food. There's oil every 3 months or so depending on what you use (I use Mobil 1 so get away with longer periods between changes), oil filters, regular brake pad changes, brake fluid, and tyres. Buying 2nd hand you can get some great deals (like 1xpair wets, 2x slicks for $400) and a single set will last about 5 heat cycles before you really notice lack of grip.

My advice is: whatever you think you can afford, multiply it by 3 and you'll probably be close.

[Dreama]

My 450 cost $4000 to buy, rebuild and get to the start line for it's 1st race. It's had another $2500 in suspension work done. It's also had a few things done (fuel mapping etc) that add up to another $1000 or so.

The bike needs lightening as it's a bit over-weight. The rider needs lightening as he's most definitely over-weight. If me and the bike lose 20kgs combined it'll run with the 400's easy.

If I wasn't married I could easily sink $5k into the engine and pick up about 15 horsepower.

Cheapest way to go in F3 is to buy a bike that's already being raced. Something like a VFR with lots of spares goes for approx $3k.

After that, every meeting there's entry fee's (up to $150 for a 1 day meet or $220 for longer meets - this doesn't count Paeroa), transponder fees (up to $45), petrol, accomodation and food. There's oil every 3 months or so depending on what you use (I use Mobil 1 so get away with longer periods between changes), oil filters, regular brake pad changes, brake fluid, and tyres. Buying 2nd hand you can get some great deals (like 1xpair wets, 2x slicks for $400) and a single set will last about 5 heat cycles before you really notice lack of grip.

My advice is: whatever you think you can afford, multiply it by 3 and you'll probably be close.

Pretty accurate and honest assesment I'd say, most likely not what the man wanted to hear though.

I used THE VACUUM PRINCIPLE OF ECONOMICS when I started racing.
In short, it roughly means spend everthing you have, can borrow and steal .... and then scramble like mad to fill the the massive money void you have created before it sucks you into financial oblivion.

Hope that helps .....

[superman]

I've just managed to get hold of a 150cc two stroke to race in street stock. :yes: KR150, only $1200. It shall be good tinkering fun until racing season comes up. TBH I wish I lived in Wellington, VMCC looks so much better than the AMCC. Maybe I'm only judging this on website quality. :innocent:

Chose this as the class seemed pretty cheap and a good one to start off with. Not quite as cheap as bucket racing, but not insane as the others. I'm regulated to keep the bike stock (except for looks :bleh:) so it shall be good fun.

[Mental Trousers]

Pretty accurate and honest assesment I'd say, most likely not what the man wanted to hear though.

I used THE VACUUM PRINCIPLE OF ECONOMICS when I started racing.
In short, it roughly means spend everthing you have, can borrow and steal .... and then scramble like mad to fill the the massive money void you have created before it sucks you into financial oblivion.

Hope that helps .....

In that case ....

You'll win your 1st race on a $500 ZXR400 and immediately be swamped with offers of sponsorship from multi-national corporations and gorgeous celebrities. End up on a superbike that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to put together, built by a team of 30 people that are all devoted to getting you to the finish line 1st.

Reality is, if you're not sleeping in the back of the car wrapped up in a tarpaulin cos you forgot a sleeping bag, texting the wife and telling her not to do any groceries this week and to take the kids around to see grandma for a surprise visit before dinner time then you're not racing.

Commitment and no money!!! That's what racing is all about.

[Clivoris]

In that case ....

You'll win your 1st race on a $500 ZXR400 and immediately be swamped with offers of sponsorship from multi-national corporations and gorgeous celebrities. End up on a superbike that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to put together, built by a team of 30 people that are all devoted to getting you to the finish line 1st.

Reality is, if you're not sleeping in the back of the car wrapped up in a tarpaulin cos you forgot a sleeping bag, texting the wife and telling her not to do any groceries this week and to take the kids around to see grandma for a surprise visit before dinner time then you're not racing.

Commitment and no money!!! That's what racing is all about.

Nailed it, but you forgot to mention the bit where you spend 2 years climbing out of the hole which manages to get deeper every-now-and-then cos you can't help dabbling back in every-now-and-then. OR! OR! Your bloody kids start racing even though you can't afford to race yourself:facepalm:

[budda]

I've just managed to get hold of a 150cc two stroke to race in street stock. :yes: KR150, only $1200. It shall be good tinkering fun until racing season comes up. TBH I wish I lived in Wellington, VMCC looks so much better than the AMCC. Maybe I'm only judging this on website quality. :innocent:

Chose this as the class seemed pretty cheap and a good one to start off with. Not quite as cheap as bucket racing, but not insane as the others. I'm regulated to keep the bike stock (except for looks :bleh:) so it shall be good fun.

What the ? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didnt a Minge-Ah just take out the ProLite Championship - couldve fully race prepped and shod what you've GOT !

Really depends on what gets you off - is it riding fast, or is it RACING ? Prolite / Streetstock is amazing bang for your buck, the hoot factor is HUUUUUGE

[ellipsis]

...pre-89...club stuff is cool...can cost you if you want...if you dont want to be spectacularly serious...just do it for fun...

[sharp2183]

In that case ....

You'll win your 1st race on a $500 ZXR400 and immediately be swamped with offers of sponsorship from multi-national corporations and gorgeous celebrities. End up on a superbike that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to put together, built by a team of 30 people that are all devoted to getting you to the finish line 1st.

Reality is, if you're not sleeping in the back of the car wrapped up in a tarpaulin cos you forgot a sleeping bag, texting the wife and telling her not to do any groceries this week and to take the kids around to see grandma for a surprise visit before dinner time then you're not racing.

Commitment and no money!!! That's what racing is all about.

Funnily enough that's what everyone seems to be telling me? Perhaps it's the truth...

Anyway thanks for the great response. It seems that in order to protect my rather nice Ducati, I should look at purchasing a prebuilt race/track bike eligible for a class like F3/pre-89 or whatever and just go out there and not be too serious until I figure out what I want.

Sound like a reasonable plan?

[Mental Trousers]

Sounds like the ideal way to get into racing. It's basically what I did and I've been having a ball. Jumping in at the expensive end ruins things very, very quickly.

Having scared you a bit, going racing is something you won't regret. It's fun, you meet lots of great people and it's horrbily addictive.

[Grubber]

Bugger!!!
Wish i hadn't read all this now..
Had this half beaten idea that this could be a great thing but it looks like a i may have to sell the wife now!
Oh well, it was nice knowing her i guess and shes got other friends i'm sure.
Racing it is then:innocent:
fuck i hope she isn't reading this:facepalm:

[Billy]

Funnily enough that's what everyone seems to be telling me? Perhaps it's the truth...

Anyway thanks for the great response. It seems that in order to protect my rather nice Ducati, I should look at purchasing a prebuilt race/track bike eligible for a class like F3/pre-89 or whatever and just go out there and not be too serious until I figure out what I want.

Sound like a reasonable plan?

OR,You could lease one of our raceprepped Prolite 250s for a few meetings and see if its for you first,Then if you decide its what you want to do,Then do your own thing.

Our bikes are delivered too the track ready to race,Contact me at www.racefairings.co.nz or PM me on this site.

[ClutchITUP]

Man those guys are commited or should be.
Wire up the sump plug of the Duck. join a club for 50$. Turn up an race in Clubmans by getting a day license. An dont crash..... thats the key You would be pretty unlucky if someone crashed into you

I have raced about 15 times over the last 2 years an had a blast here in Chch on my road bike it hasnt cost me buggar all! other than race fees an you can see that money is needed to run the whole shabang

[discodan]

You should consider an SV650 as an alternative, they are more modern and reliable and will be much more competitive than most of the 400s.

I will have a couple for sale shortly both of them competitive at national level and one of them for not much more $ than a 400. Plus there are a few on Trademe at the moment.

[lukemillar]

You should consider an SV650 as an alternative, they are more modern and reliable and will be much more competitive than most of the 400s.

I will have a couple for sale shortly both of them competitive at national level and one of them for not much more $ than a 400. Plus there are a few on Trademe at the moment.

Are you switching classes, Dan?

[sharp2183]

You should consider an SV650 as an alternative, they are more modern and reliable and will be much more competitive than most of the 400s.

I will have a couple for sale shortly both of them competitive at national level and one of them for not much more $ than a 400. Plus there are a few on Trademe at the moment.

Interesting, how much is 'not much more' if you don't mind me asking? One of the reasons I was looking at the 400s was that I could get into a pre-89 class. Meaning I could at least start with a bike worth not too much, just to have a good time and decide what to do. Or is it worth skipping that altogether?

[CHOPPA]

Dans will be better but this is where they start

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-357588911.htm

[discodan]

Are you switching classes, Dan?

Yea Mate, I'm gonna have to lay low for a bit to get some cash together but I'm thinking 600 SSTK looks like it is going to be fun next year!


Interesting, how much is 'not much more' if you don't mind me asking? One of the reasons I was looking at the 400s was that I could get into a pre-89 class. Meaning I could at least start with a bike worth not too much, just to have a good time and decide what to do. Or is it worth skipping that altogether?

That's the good thing about 400s but if your no slouch you can cross enter into the 600 class on an SV as well. Mine would probably be around 5-6K with an Ohlins shock and a bunch of tyres if you want. I've just got to tidy up the fairings for it and take it for a test run as I haven't used it since it had a big crash last year.

PM me if your interested and I can give you all the details. :2thumbsup

[das134]

Dan I will be in touch...

The reason I was leaning towards a 400 is due to the lower cost in purchasing a race bike. My theory was that I could do a few months on it and if I really felt like moving up, I could do so without losing heaps of money.

I know it would hardly be competitive, but is a 400 worth having a go in clubmans?

At this stage I live in Christchurch. What classes are being run here that are social(ish). I'm thinking clubmans/pre-89.

Lastly, as an example, would either of these two bikes be worth looking at just to get into it?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=346175692

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=362890345

These seem within my purchase price range, and I don't mind going slightly slower (compared to an SV) if I get some good experience in exchange. I.e. I'd rather bin a cheap bike for starters.

Thoughts?

[discodan]

Dan I will be in touch...

The reason I was leaning towards a 400 is due to the lower cost in purchasing a race bike. My theory was that I could do a few months on it and if I really felt like moving up, I could do so without losing heaps of money.

I know it would hardly be competitive, but is a 400 worth having a go in clubmans?

At this stage I live in Christchurch. What classes are being run here that are social(ish). I'm thinking clubmans/pre-89.

Lastly, as an example, would either of these two bikes be worth looking at just to get into it?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=346175692


http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=362890345

These seem within my purchase price range, and I don't mind going slightly slower (compared to an SV) if I get some good experience in exchange. I.e. I'd rather bin a cheap bike for starters.

Thoughts?

I haven't personally owned an older 400 but they look like pretty decent bikes for the money to me.

You should check out these guys for races in your area - http://www.mci.net.nz/

Clubmans is a good place to start and a 400 would provide plenty of fun in that class except that your competition may be on 1000cc rockets holding you up in the corners and then blasting past on the straight!

[sharp2183]

I haven't personally owned an older 400 but they look like pretty decent bikes for the money to me.

You should check out these guys for races in your area - http://www.mci.net.nz/

Clubmans is a good place to start and a 400 would provide plenty of fun in that class except that your competition may be on 1000cc rockets holding you up in the corners and then blasting past on the straight!

That was the main worry yeah. But a track ready bike for under $3000, I figure it doesnt really matter if it isn't the fastest bike on the straights... I will get in touch with Motorcycling Canterbury I think.

[Billy]

That was the main worry yeah. But a track ready bike for under $3000, I figure it doesnt really matter if it isn't the fastest bike on the straights... I will get in touch with Motorcycling Canterbury I think.

If your in Christchurch,Get in touch with Jenni Gibson,I think her contact number is on the MCI website,She is handling the junior development for the club following Peter Jones withdrawing,

Shes committed to the cause and MAY be able too help you with a club bike to try out,They used to do that when Peter Jones was running it,Definitely worth a shot.

Otherwise you could pm Swerve on this site as hes one of Jenni's righthand men and Im sure he'd be only too happy to help out.

[sharp2183]

If your in Christchurch,Get in touch with Jenni Gibson,I think her contact number is on the MCI website,She is handling the junior development for the club following Peter Jones withdrawing,

Shes committed to the cause and MAY be able too help you with a club bike to try out,They used to do that when Peter Jones was running it,Definitely worth a shot.

Otherwise you could pm Swerve on this site as hes one of Jenni's righthand men and Im sure he'd be only too happy to help out.

Cheers Billy, would be good to get some advice from someone down here. I need to start way at the bottom so hopefully she has some ideas. Cheers again

[Billy]

Cheers Billy, would be good to get some advice from someone down here. I need to start way at the bottom so hopefully she has some ideas. Cheers again

No worries mate,

Didnt realise you were in Christchurch,Probably wouldnt be worth my while bringing a bike down there for you to use LOL.

[sharp2183]

No worries mate,

Didnt realise you were in Christchurch,Probably wouldnt be worth my while bringing a bike down there for you to use LOL.

Oh nah I just live there during the uni year (so now) but have my bike in Auckland and do most of my riding around there. So it's still valid

[sharp2183]

Oh nah I just live there during the uni year (so now) but have my bike in Auckland and do most of my riding around there. So it's still valid

For those who were interested, I got myself an NSR250 MC21. How will these things go?

[ellipsis]

For those who were interested, I got myself an NSR250 MC21. How will these things go?


..what year of manufacture..?

[sharp2183]

..what year of manufacture..?

1992. Which means no pre-1989 but it was cheap so couldn't really turn it down. I'm going to get it into some track days to see how well it runs then go from there.

[ellipsis]

...you should come out to Ruapuna and check out our meeting on the 21st of this month...dont know if you have all the gear and a licence..but its pretty low key stuff we do and we generally run a moderns class at our club days...we smile a lot and have fun too...:yes:

[sharp2183]

...you should come out to Ruapuna and check out our meeting on the 21st of this month...dont know if you have all the gear and a licence..but its pretty low key stuff we do and we generally run a moderns class at our club days...we smile a lot and have fun too...:yes:

That could be good fun actually. I've got the leathers and what not, just need to get the bike up to speed with a bit of work and new tyres. If I didn't make it to that meet when would the next one be?

Forgive me for being ignorant, but whats the moderns class?

[ellipsis]

...CAMS is a classic/post classic club..we run a Streetstock , F4/F5 class and if enough modern bikes that are actual race machines and hold an MNZ licencse turn up we usually give them a class too...at our discretion... F1..600's..F3 that dont make pre 89 etc...

[sharp2183]

Gotcha. Well once I've got it up and running I'll send you a PM and see whats on.