Which class would it be best for a rank amateur to try racing in?

**Pace Cadet** · 2nd June 2010, 19:58

Hi all, apologies if this topic has been done to death, I searched but found nothing...

I've recently decided that the race track is the best place to ride motorbikes. Therefore, to maximise my opporunities to get onto a race track, I think I need to buy/build a race bike.

My question is, what class should I be looking to get into?

Budget is fairly limited (approx $4-5000 to buy a bike) and I've got no experience with high powered machinery, so I was thinking of getting into the shallow end of the F3 pool with a 400.

A bit more reading suggests that I would be at best a mobile chicane and at worst dangerous as I wobble round at the back trying not to get in my own way. Whilst I appreciate that I will be slow, I do not want to be so slow as to be a nusiance. I would also like to be close enough to others that I can learn from what they are doing.

Can anybody suggest a class that would be cheap to get into and suitable for a novice?

I do quite fancy the idea of a bucket, but would also like something that can do a reasonable lick around full size tracks.

**Smifffy** · 2nd June 2010, 20:01

Following this with interest, I'm kinda keen on a 250 ninja or something myself, but uninitiated in the ways of racing/trackdays.

**Corse1** · 2nd June 2010, 20:05

Arrh Errr lets see, Umm no I thinlk I will look at the new replies to this post! I am like you where I am beginning to think about getting into some track time....Track days are ok but competition would be better.

You say rank amateur...done any track days before? If so which group would you be comfortable riding in? Just might make it easier for other members to answer if they new some history or experience level.

**Mental Trousers** · 2nd June 2010, 20:06

Clubmans is where most people start. They can make sure this racing thing is for them before they get serious about it. The rules mean it's inexpensive (unless you crash of course)

Posties is a good, competitive class that's relatively inexpensive and has a great community. There's a large amount of machinery you can run so your choice of bike is much more flexible and costs tend to be lower.

F3 is a great class, but on a 400 you're looking at going up against modified SV's on a bike that's 20+ years old. Great fun though.

There's also the Street Stock class where you can race a 250 twin. Cheap racing and still lots of fun.

Only problem you'll have is you'll probably spend about $4000 on getting setup for racing so your budget could be a problem.

**=cJ=** · 2nd June 2010, 20:44

Buckets or street stock would probably be the two classes to look at starting in. Also have a look at the VMCC Lite class.

I'm starting out (in fits and starts...) racing buckets (AKA F4)

www.bucketracing.co.nz

**woodyracer** · 2nd June 2010, 21:54

250 twins mate, get a ninja or gtr250 and go racing, $5000 all set up,
400's are good....but alot of work as ive heard from everyone ive spocken to that owns one-so probualy not the best

**Smifffy** · 2nd June 2010, 21:55

Originally Posted by woodyracer

250 twins mate, get a ninja or gtr250 and go racing, $5000 all set up,
400's are good....but alot of work as ive heard from everyone ive spocken to that owns one-so probualy not the best

Which class?

**xr-rider** · 2nd June 2010, 22:19

just buy my street stock. well under your budget, teaches ya heaps, damn cheap and lots of fun
Heres the link http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-292698722.htm

**CHOPPA** · 3rd June 2010, 00:10

If your not to big id suggest finding a cheapish Rs125 Aprilia and race it in streetstock.

**steveyb** · 3rd June 2010, 09:19

My opinion is that the 250 twin Production Light class (which will have a name change soon) or the Streetstock 150 class is the best place to start if you are, as you say, a complete beginner.
Clubmans is not the place to start learning to race, it is too mixed up. 1000cc bikes ridden too fast on the straights by road riders and slow around the corners.
The only problem right now is that the 250's are still new and therefore expensive. But if you want to race at Victoria Club meetings at Manfeild it was recently shown that a VTR250 is pretty fast around the track in the Vic Clubs Mini-lite class (The Streetstock 150, Pro-Light and Mini-lites all race in the same race). There are a few RG150s around, but they are all getting old and parts are harder to get hold of. A 250 4 cylinder bike is also an option for the Mini-lite class.

The best advice therefore, is start at the beginning, not halfway along.
Get an entry level bike, in an entry level class and learn from there in a much cheaper and safer manner.
Bike racing is not a place for showing everyone how big your balls are by getting into it halfway up the ladder then ending up on your head showing your balls to everyone.
Take it a step at a time.
By the way, the actual racing in the Streetstock etc class will be better than most classes.
Don't forget that you also need budget to buy GOOD racing gear on top of the bike purchase.

Cheers

Steve Bagshaw
Moto Academy NZ

**Biggles08** · 3rd June 2010, 10:25

Originally Posted by Pace Cadet

Hi all, apologies if this topic has been done to death, I searched but found nothing...

I've recently decided that the race track is the best place to ride motorbikes. Therefore, to maximise my opporunities to get onto a race track, I think I need to buy/build a race bike.

My question is, what class should I be looking to get into?

Budget is fairly limited (approx $4-5000 to buy a bike) and I've got no experience with high powered machinery, so I was thinking of getting into the shallow end of the F3 pool with a 400.

A bit more reading suggests that I would be at best a mobile chicane and at worst dangerous as I wobble round at the back trying not to get in my own way. Whilst I appreciate that I will be slow, I do not want to be so slow as to be a nusiance. I would also like to be close enough to others that I can learn from what they are doing.

Can anybody suggest a class that would be cheap to get into and suitable for a novice?

I do quite fancy the idea of a bucket, but would also like something that can do a reasonable lick around full size tracks.

Hey Pace Cadet, great choice to get off the road and onto the track! As Choppa has already suggested, alot depends on your size. If your a big fella then I would be looking at minimum a SV in F3 class as your 'goal' class. If your a small fella then this opens up a few more doors with regards to what class you could eventually be competitive in. Regardless, the first race meeting I would suggest you enter into clubmans (bring what you ride class - no limitations to size/type) to get a feel for what a race actually feels like. It will give you a chance to try starts, get your head around flag colors and still provide some competition with other people of similar pace. You will have a blast! Good luck

**Pace Cadet** · 3rd June 2010, 18:14

Thanks for the replies people!

At 1.78m and 80ish Kgs I'm on the smaller side of average, so I think a street-stock would be do-able and is the way I'm kinda leaning now.

I've done a couple of the AMCC ART days at Pukekohe in the slow novice group and I'm hopefully going to be at Hampton Downs for the ride day next weekend, in the slow group again. Being as I'm based in Auckland those two tracks would be where I would do most of my racing, which leads to my next question...

If I've understood it right, Street stock is for bikes up to 150cc (or 250cc 4 stroke twins? I'm a little confused). Either 2 or 4 stroke (for the 150s), but at that capacity a 2 stroke is surely the way to go. Both Pukekohe and Hampton Downs seem like quite fast, open, tracks. Does a 150cc bike cope ok?
It's not a case of crack the throttle wide open, brake twice a lap and hope nothing blows up?
I only ask because my VFR400 hits an aero-dynamic wall about three quarters of the way down the back straight at Pukekohe. I can only imagine a 150 is even worse?

**Pace Cadet** · 3rd June 2010, 18:14

Thanks for the replies people!

At 1.78m and 80ish Kgs I'm on the smaller side of average, so I think a street-stock would be do-able and is the way I'm kinda leaning now.

I've done a couple of the AMCC ART days at Pukekohe in the slow novice group and I'm hopefully going to be at Hampton Downs for the ride day next weekend, in the slow group again. Being as I'm based in Auckland those two tracks would be where I would do most of my racing, which leads to my next question...

If I've understood it right, Street stock is for bikes up to 150cc (or 250cc 4 stroke twins? I'm a little confused). Either 2 or 4 stroke (for the 150s), but at that capacity a 2 stroke is surely the way to go. Both Pukekohe and Hampton Downs seem like quite fast, open, tracks. Does a 150cc bike cope ok?
It's not a case of crack the throttle wide open, brake twice a lap and hope nothing blows up?
I only ask because my VFR400 hits an aero-dynamic wall about three quarters of the way down the back straight at Pukekohe. I can only imagine a 150 is even worse?

**koba** · 4th June 2010, 07:35

Originally Posted by Pace Cadet

If I've understood it right, Street stock is for bikes up to 150cc (or 250cc 4 stroke twins? I'm a little confused).

I'm confused too.

It's in a transitional phase, the 150s have been the biz but now it is changing towards 250 4stroke twins, they are both very close in how fast they are capable of going.
Most of the 150s are old and flogged out BUT the parts support is good on them because they run so many down south. Peter Jones is the man to talk to about that.

They all to about the old Ton. (160Kph) They seem a bit slow to watch but if you are racing against someone on an equalish bike it i really good fun.

I'm not sure how much support there is for streetstock (or if they even run it) up your way, someone who knows more about this may want to contribute.

If you are Auckland the Bucket racing scene would teach you HEAPS about racing, a write off FXR150 straightened up with a new cab and slicks is capable of doing the biz, and its way more intense than you would give such "slow" racing credit for as it is all happening in such a small space.

I also wouldn't bother with Clubmans, as Steveyb says its to broad in bike spec, a 400 in F3 is a better idea.