Getting into racing Part 2: More questions...

[sharp2183]

So just about to have my new NSR250 up an running this coming week after much anguish. I'm going to spend until november toying round with it until I finish uni, but from then I am dead keen to race the thing. So....

Can anyone confirm details for a summer series for F3/Clubmans/another class? I.e. what I could plan for? I know what I need to do bike wise, now just need to know what I have to do to get involved.

And yep I contacted AMCC, but it's the weekend now and Kbers never sleep so I might get more info here!

[sharky]

So just about to have my new NSR250 up an running this coming week after much anguish. I'm going to spend until november toying round with it until I finish uni, but from then I am dead keen to race the thing. So....

Can anyone confirm details for a summer series for F3/Clubmans/another class? I.e. what I could plan for? I know what I need to do bike wise, now just need to know what I have to do to get involved.

And yep I contacted AMCC, but it's the weekend now and Kbers never sleep so I might get more info here!

First round of AMCC is Oct 16 at Hampton Downs. There is an ART day at Pukekohe 2 weeks prior to get your eye in. On an NSR I would just enter F3 and flag Clubmans if I was you. The speed differential between you and a Superbike would not be ideal. PMCC also run their summer series at Taupo/Manfeild. It is a good fun, low key place to start. Dunno about dates for that just yet...

[sharp2183]

First round of AMCC is Oct 16 at Hampton Downs. There is an ART day at Pukekohe 2 weeks prior to get your eye in. On an NSR I would just enter F3 and flag Clubmans if I was you. The speed differential between you and a Superbike would not be ideal. PMCC also run their summer series at Taupo/Manfeild. It is a good fun, low key place to start. Dunno about dates for that just yet...

Gotcha. Is it possible to enter later in the season? I won't be back up to Auckland until November so that could scuttle things straight away...

[steveyb]

The NSR250 is a fantastic place to start racing. It is a shame so few people understand the value of those bikes (NSR, RGV, KR1, TZR, Aprilia RS) anymore for beginner racers.
Ridden and tuned well they are capable of running 1:17 or better around Manfeild, which makes them a really good value way of learning to ride fast on a GP replica bike.

You can enter any race series for only one meeting at a time if you want to.
Check out the clubs websites for dates and entry requirements.

I agree about going the Sportbike(F3) route. Clubmans is a bit of a difficult place to be sometimes with plenty of riders who should really be in Superbike or Supersport classes but don't like getting beaten.

There are more RGV's and NSR's and KR1's coming out of the woodwork at Vic Club meetings this year which is great to see, so you would be in good company. If it is an '89 MC18R5K you can enter in Post Classic junior. You would have to compete against my RS250, but hey that's life ay? I see from your previous post that it is an MC21, so not eligible for Posties, but get into F3 and/Junior racing. Bridgestone do the tyres that you will need, the R003RS. They have the 150-17 rear for the 4.5" rear wheel, which can be hard to find. You can fit a VFR400 front 3.5" wheel straight in there and use the 120-17 tyre, I am not up to speed with who has 110-17 tyres for the 3.0" wheel.

Make sure, and it seems that your are, that you fit new brake pads (racing compounds, I choose SBS dual carbons), chain, and all fluids. You can take the oil pump drive out and block up the oil-feed tubes to the carbs) and run pre-mix which is better on the track. There are heaps of things you can do to the engine and other parts, so this makes the NSR a good bike that can grow with you as your experience and skill levels grow over time and you want more performance. Right now, the best performance mod you can do is BUY TRACK TIME and get out and ride ride ride.

Your next stop should be the suspension shop. The engines are good enough for good laptimes, but the suspensions were all pretty basic at the best of times.

Get into it!!!

[kiwi cowboy]

The NSR250 is a fantastic place to start racing. It is a shame so few people understand the value of those bikes (NSR, RGV, KR1, TZR, Aprilia RS) anymore for beginner racers.
Ridden and tuned well they are capable of running 1:17 or better around Manfeild, which makes them a really good value way of learning to ride fast on a GP replica bike.

You can enter any race series for only one meeting at a time if you want to.
Check out the clubs websites for dates and entry requirements.

I agree about going the Sportbike(F3) route. Clubmans is a bit of a difficult place to be sometimes with plenty of riders who should really be in Superbike or Supersport classes but don't like getting beaten.

There are more RGV's and NSR's and KR1's coming out of the woodwork at Vic Club meetings this year which is great to see, so you would be in good company. If it is an '89 MC18R5K you can enter in Post Classic junior. You would have to compete against my RS250, but hey that's life ay? I see from your previous post that it is an MC21, so not eligible for Posties, but get into F3 and/Junior racing. Bridgestone do the tyres that you will need, the R003RS. They have the 150-17 rear for the 4.5" rear wheel, which can be hard to find. You can fit a VFR400 front 3.5" wheel straight in there and use the 120-17 tyre, I am not up to speed with who has 110-17 tyres for the 3.0" wheel.

Make sure, and it seems that your are, that you fit new brake pads (racing compounds, I choose SBS dual carbons), chain, and all fluids. You can take the oil pump drive out and block up the oil-feed tubes to the carbs) and run pre-mix which is better on the track. There are heaps of things you can do to the engine and other parts, so this makes the NSR a good bike that can grow with you as your experience and skill levels grow over time and you want more performance. Right now, the best performance mod you can do is BUY TRACK TIME and get out and ride ride ride.

Your next stop should be the suspension shop. The engines are good enough for good laptimes, but the suspensions were all pretty basic at the best of times.

Get into it!!!

Bridgestone do the 150-60-17 rear and 110-70-17 front that are for 4.5 rear and 3 inch front BT003RS.
Good sticky tyres too but realy need warmers.

[Shaun]

So just about to have my new NSR250 up an running this coming week after much anguish. I'm going to spend until november toying round with it until I finish uni, but from then I am dead keen to race the thing. So....

Can anyone confirm details for a summer series for F3/Clubmans/another class? I.e. what I could plan for? I know what I need to do bike wise, now just need to know what I have to do to get involved.

And yep I contacted AMCC, but it's the weekend now and Kbers never sleep so I might get more info here!

It sounds like you have thought this through well and actually want to be a fast rider, rather than just ( NO INSULTS INTENDED) a fun race rider? If my interpratation is correct here, I would advise that you enter in the hardest possible level class you can to start, NO point in practising how to go SLOW mate as well as some times in clubmans there really are some clubman who do NOT think for others on the track at times

Good on ya for coming out to play and good luck and enjoy

[sharp2183]

The NSR250 is a fantastic place to start racing. It is a shame so few people understand the value of those bikes (NSR, RGV, KR1, TZR, Aprilia RS) anymore for beginner racers.
Ridden and tuned well they are capable of running 1:17 or better around Manfeild, which makes them a really good value way of learning to ride fast on a GP replica bike.

You can enter any race series for only one meeting at a time if you want to.
Check out the clubs websites for dates and entry requirements.

I agree about going the Sportbike(F3) route. Clubmans is a bit of a difficult place to be sometimes with plenty of riders who should really be in Superbike or Supersport classes but don't like getting beaten.

There are more RGV's and NSR's and KR1's coming out of the woodwork at Vic Club meetings this year which is great to see, so you would be in good company. If it is an '89 MC18R5K you can enter in Post Classic junior. You would have to compete against my RS250, but hey that's life ay? I see from your previous post that it is an MC21, so not eligible for Posties, but get into F3 and/Junior racing. Bridgestone do the tyres that you will need, the R003RS. They have the 150-17 rear for the 4.5" rear wheel, which can be hard to find. You can fit a VFR400 front 3.5" wheel straight in there and use the 120-17 tyre, I am not up to speed with who has 110-17 tyres for the 3.0" wheel.

Make sure, and it seems that your are, that you fit new brake pads (racing compounds, I choose SBS dual carbons), chain, and all fluids. You can take the oil pump drive out and block up the oil-feed tubes to the carbs) and run pre-mix which is better on the track. There are heaps of things you can do to the engine and other parts, so this makes the NSR a good bike that can grow with you as your experience and skill levels grow over time and you want more performance. Right now, the best performance mod you can do is BUY TRACK TIME and get out and ride ride ride.

Your next stop should be the suspension shop. The engines are good enough for good laptimes, but the suspensions were all pretty basic at the best of times.

Get into it!!!

Cheers for the info, thats the kinda stuff I want to know. Yep it is a MC21. Considered an MC18 but on advice went for the newer model. Got myself a spare engine/wheels etc as well so have backup gears for when needed. Also have a spare set of ZXR400 forks that I can have tuned for my bike when I get it set up - good idea or no?

Re. the tyres, can you choose whatever you like? I have some experience with Dunlop GPR-A12s and love them. But if the 003s are better then that would be the way to go...

F3 sounds like the go for me. From all accounts it sounds like a pretty sweet class so I should be suited to it after I pick up some skills. Will have to find out when the classes are being run over this summer. Any track in the mid north island is possible so there should be some options.

Anything else I should know?

[eelracing]

you can enter in Post Classic junior. You would have to compete against my RS250, but hey that's life ay?

Get into it!!!

Don't let Steveyb put you off Sharp...he's bloody crap in the corners,so he needs a GP bike for the straights

Check out the pic of him (in typical gusset stretching pose)running wide.
Takes some mug on an RGV to show him the proper line.

Thanks to Pipson for the picture Rd 2 VMCC 2011

[steveyb]

Don't let Steveyb put you off Sharp...he's bloody crap in the corners,so he needs a GP bike for the straights

Check out the pic of him (in typical gusset stretching pose)running wide.
Takes some mug on an RGV to show him the proper line.

Thanks to Pipson for the picture Rd 2 VMCC 2011

Oh, you so gonna get the jandal for that!!!

As I recall, very clearly now, I was giving some other old bugger extra room incase his old arms gave up on him while he was trying in vain to outbrake me into the hairpin.
As I also recall, it was the last time you saw me that race!!!!
heheheheheehehehehhe
GP bike helps you go 4 sec a lap faster than the winning FZR1000, but ex team Toth MotoGP 250 Dunlop rain tyres also helps!! Starting from 13th cos the rider is a woussy on Saturday mornings does not help.
But still smoked yo asses!!
Take that.........................

But cereal now....
I have no experience with the recent Dunlop proddy tyres, but I have been using the Bridgestone racing slicks on my RS125s and on the 250 for a couple of years now and the R003RS rear on the 250 and they are all awesome.
If you choose F3 racing class tyres are open, so that means any tyres you like. Later on in the life of 250 proddy riders chose to use slicks, but it can be argued that the bikes suspensions were not really designed for slicks. Modern proddy tyres such as the R003RS are getting very close to the customer slick tyres that we can buy. They are not as good, but are very close. You will need tyrewarmers to make the most of these tyres.

There is really very little difference between the MC18 and the MC21 except for the swingarm and the rear wheel (18" on the MC18). EDIT: Actually after some research there are quite a few differences, but not much in ultimate performance. But as mentioned, MC18 parts might be hard to get now.

There are a few NSR riders on here, so they should be up for some info.

And I totally agree with what Gremlin (Shaun) said. Enter the hardest class you can for your bike and you will progress faster. As he and I said, Clubmans can be a bit of a graveyard sometimes as most of the bikes there are Superbikes and Supersport bikes which go fast down the straights and slow round corners, or are fast everywhere but don't have the balls to enter a race class.

Entering F3 also allows you to modify the bike as you grow. Eventually you can put the 300cc kit in it and have a pretty competitive bike.

Make sure you check the length of the ZXR forks, they might actually be too short, I'm not sure about that. But if they are the right length, it would be good. The brakes are larger dia, the wheel is wider and the forks should be a bit better. But if you do do that, save some money and get a good rear shock and get the forks re-valved by CKT, or even better, buy the valve kit and do it yourself, it is deceptively not difficult. Just bunging stock stuff on is a bit of a waste of time.

[Billy]

There is really very little difference between the MC18 and the MC21 except for the swingarm and the rear wheel (18" on the MC18)

Err,Wrong there Stevey,About the only things the same between the 2 models are,Front wheel and discs and the rear shock.

Do not buy an MC18 unless you know somebody that can rebuild the crank,They seize the mainbearings at an alarming rate and you cant by the parts to rebuild them or even buy a new crank complete,MC21 crank and cases are different.

[sharp2183]

Make sure you check the length of the ZXR forks, they might actually be too short, I'm not sure about that. But if they are the right length, it would be good. The brakes are larger dia, the wheel is wider and the forks should be a bit better. But if you do do that, save some money and get a good rear shock and get the forks re-valved by CKT, or even better, buy the valve kit and do it yourself, it is deceptively not difficult. Just bunging stock stuff on is a bit of a waste of time.

I had thought of getting Robert or Kerry (I'm not biased either way btw, though I do find the competition between the two interesting) to do the forks. But any ideas where I would source a good shock for one of these bikes? Suspension setup is something I have experimented with very little. Mostly because I buy big old heavy Dukes that have a pretty sticker that says 'Ohlins', which must mean perfect suspension straight out of the box right?

But in all seriousness, cost is a major issue so suspension will be done once I have a few more skills. But knowing what steps to take is a good place to start.

Thanks for the push in the F3 direction, the more I hear of it the better it sounds. What is the field like in this class? All pretty close or a massive variation in bike and rider capabilities?

[codgyoleracer]

Thanks for the push in the F3 direction, the more I hear of it the better it sounds. What is the field like in this class? All pretty close or a massive variation in bike and rider capabilities?

There is a big range of machine types and rider skills in F3, but sorta depends on what meeting you plan to attend - the quicker rider/machines tend to be floating around and playing by Tri-Series & nats time. This is not unique to F3 and applies to all the classes in fact.
As Shaun says though - unless you mix it up with the quicker riders , its hard to "learn or entrench" an acceptable / achievable corner speed.
There were some new riders in F3 this year at national level - and the differences in their corner speed/lap times from the start of the season compared to seasons end showed this to be true.
Cheers & see ya out there soon ! Glen

[Dodgy]

Buy an Ohlins shock from Robert Taylor for your MC21 (still a current list item) and while you are there, get him to fix up your forks.

[Sarah311]

Don't let Steveyb put you off Sharp...he's bloody crap in the corners,so he needs a GP bike for the straights

Check out the pic of him (in typical gusset stretching pose)running wide.
Takes some mug on an RGV to show him the proper line.

Thanks to Pipson for the picture Rd 2 VMCC 2011

I noticed some mention about suspension, and I'm sure it's all unfortunate camera angle and all - but someone's bike looks just a tiny bit sagged to the tarmac lol!!

[Sarah311]

So just about to have my new NSR250 up an running this coming week after much anguish. I'm going to spend until november toying round with it until I finish uni, but from then I am dead keen to race the thing. So....

Can anyone confirm details for a summer series for F3/Clubmans/another class? I.e. what I could plan for? I know what I need to do bike wise, now just need to know what I have to do to get involved.

And yep I contacted AMCC, but it's the weekend now and Kbers never sleep so I might get more info here!

Just a note to say - Yay another racer!! Enter what you can, when you can (full or part race series). Go to track days and get some miles under your belt, and have fun!!! Nothing compares...