Clubmans racing - what's it all about?

[ellipsis]

...it's quite cool that discussion about skills and reality are taking place...very shortly graded licences are going to be a reality...racing and being quite proficient at guiding a bike skilfully on a track are worlds apart...this should not fuck with anyone's ego if they are wanting to be involved in the sport and they want to learn...racing is always going to be on the edge...we would like to see those at that edge, sharp enough...there will always be classes to learn the skills and starting in the relevant class is essential in that learning curve...anybodies over hyped sense of their experience can be the difference between life and the alternatives, out there...join a club and listen...

[sharky]

Hey Graham,

As far as I am aware PMCC didn't even run a Clubmans class last year (I don't know if they plan to this season??), so that is not even an option there. They just put the newbies in a class relevant to their lap times.

The initiatives that AMCC have taken this season with the hi-vis etc is clearly a step in the right direction.

Guys,

There is a big difference between racing and track days !

To be expected to run around with the quicker track day guys and then expect to be safe and competent in a race is a bloody big ask.

In a race you will be in a lot closer proximity to each other, on occasion touching each other, diving up the inside/outside, out breaking, defending lines...........the list goes on.

These skills (track/race craft) have to learnt and Clubmans class (run and supervised appropriately) is where this should begin, not chucked head long into the teeth of hardened racers.

Until recently Clubmans has been a little loose but this season things have changed and it is a true class to learn in (I'm talking AMCC here).

Put simply you could be a hazard racing for the first time in a full blown class, the responsible thing to do is learn the skills first then progress.

The very start of a race would be a whole new experience for a track day junkie (how many track days have grided starts? non!) How many have experienced being 'lent on' into the first turn? been drafted and out-braked just inches apart.

Clubmans is the class all new racers should progress through and learn in, That's what the class is there for.

I'm not trying to put anyone off, I'm one of the biggest advocates for Clubmans but we aint playing tiddlywinks here, big speeds with big consequences.

[Billy]

Hey Graham,

As far as I am aware PMCC didn't even run a Clubmans class last year (I don't know if they plan to this season??), so that is not even an option there. They just put the newbies in a class relevant to their lap times.

The initiatives that AMCC have taken this season with the hi-vis etc is clearly a step in the right direction.

That is correct on both counts,The AMCC have made good strides under Grahams(wish he'd learn to spell his name correctly) watch,As for the PMCC series,They will either run a proper clubmans class next year,Or not run at all,The set up they ran last year was a disaster waiting to happen.

[tail_end_charlie]

That is correct on both counts,The AMCC have made good strides under Grahams(wish he'd learn to spell his name correctly) watch,As for the PMCC series,They will either run a proper clubmans class next year,Or not run at all,The set up they ran last year was a disaster waiting to happen.

So Billy, along these lines, would a new racer be required to run in Clubmans until seen fit by the stewards to join into thier respective bike class? Is there an initiative at MNZ to push for this to happen with all the clubs? Seems like you can either start out in buckets/streetstock or in clubmans, depending on what type of bike you have.

I'm not trying to cause waves or anything, just want to get into it in the best possible way, for me and for everyone else out there.

[Billy]

So Billy, along these lines, would a new racer be required to run in Clubmans until seen fit by the stewards to join into thier respective bike class? Is there an initiative at MNZ to push for this to happen with all the clubs? Seems like you can either start out in buckets/streetstock or in clubmans, depending on what type of bike you have.

I'm not trying to cause waves or anything, just want to get into it in the best possible way, for me and for everyone else out there.

In your particular case,I assume you have bought Warrens ZXR,You will be okay to start off in Post classic or Formula 3 where the speed differentials aren't as great as they would be if you went out in Clubmans where there are 1000s and 600s,We are working on an entry level system,But the NZSBK series is taking up all my time at the moment and I have left it in the hands of Karel Pavich and Dan Ornsby to work their way through.

[tail_end_charlie]

In your particular case,I assume you have bought Warrens ZXR,You will be okay to start off in Post classic or Formula 3 where the speed differentials aren't as great as they would be if you went out in Clubmans where there are 1000s and 600s,We are working on an entry level system,But the NZSBK series is taking up all my time at the moment and I have left it in the hands of Karel Pavich and Dan Ornsby to work their way through.

Yep, thats the bike I bought. Thanks for the advice. We'll see how I go.

[SILVER SUZI]

Go clubbies! I'm racing in the AMCC clubmans series, and it's awesome. There is a huge variation of bikes, speeds and skills. Perfect place to get accustomed to racing.
I'm one of those middle aged guys just getting into racing and starting out on an R6. If there was no clubmans I'd be in F2, which runs with formula Auckland(F1). That would put me on the track with the likes of Stroud, Clee and Frost on their 1000cc super bikes. I don't know but I'm guessing that may not be as enjoyable for me just starting out.

[cheesemethod]

Had my first ever experience with racing at Round 3. It happens to be the most fun thing I've ever done. Firstly, big thanks to the other riders. Despite acting as a mobile chicane all day, you guys made clean overtakes and I never felt intimidated by the fast guys shooting past. The starts were hugely exciting, and props to the dude who stalled on the grid for actually sticking his hand up and making it obvious there was an issue. The heat was a bit of an issue all day, and with the track falling apart on turn 4 I was probably loosing seconds every lap - had no confidence after seeing several incidents right in front of me at T4. I got absolutely smoked by everyone in the field, but still had an absolute blast. Hopefully for the next round I'll be a lot more relaxed and managed to pick up the pace.

[rapid van cleef]

Want to start in clubmans later this year, but which bike?

I think it will probably be better for me to sell on my 1000cc bike and go for a 600, maybe a 675. Then, 'IF' I ever get near the cut off laptime, I would not be mixing it up with the F1 superbikes as I would imagine that would not be a lot of fun......being a chicane that is.

What do you guys reccomend? I dont really want to spend a heap of cash on my 1000 cc bike if I get near the approproate lap times to then be getting totally wasted by the really fast guys, or even everyone! I was also thinking that if I go for a 675 then that opens up the BEARS class aswell.

GSXR600 seems to be a pretty popular bike for getting parts etc?

Or, do I spend some $$$$ on my 1000 anyway and see what happens?........

What do you guys reckon?.........answers maybe from current or recent Clubmans class participants

I just want to be able to look back and say, at least I gave it a go......life is for living afterall

Thanks

[busadayz]

Probably not the response you were looking for, but i hope to do the AMCC round 5 at Hampton in April in clubmans.
Havnt done any racing, and will be on a motard, so there will be a large difference in speeds with some of the other bikes.
Having said that i understand the clubmans class at AMCC is big on making sure everyone has the right approach to it.
So i am not too worried about the speed difference and need to focus on what i need to do, i think everyone starts out there
and they can then assess how you go from there. I am definately not going to be breaking any lap records, but if you dont start on something, you wont start at all and my tard is what ive got.

[desmoto]

Want to start in clubmans later this year, but which bike?

I think it will probably be better for me to sell on my 1000cc bike and go for a 600, maybe a 675. Then, 'IF' I ever get near the cut off laptime, I would not be mixing it up with the F1 superbikes as I would imagine that would not be a lot of fun......being a chicane that is.

What do you guys reccomend? I dont really want to spend a heap of cash on my 1000 cc bike if I get near the approproate lap times to then be getting totally wasted by the really fast guys, or even everyone! I was also thinking that if I go for a 675 then that opens up the BEARS class aswell.

GSXR600 seems to be a pretty popular bike for getting parts etc?

Or, do I spend some $$$$ on my 1000 anyway and see what happens?........

What do you guys reckon?.........answers maybe from current or recent Clubmans class participants

I just want to be able to look back and say, at least I gave it a go......life is for living afterall

Thanks

Do it mate, i,ve done all the clubmans rounds of the amcc series and loved it. I,ve got a 675 but i reckon R6s are the pick of the bunch. They seem to have a bit more grunt.

[sharp2183]

Do it mate, i,ve done all the clubmans rounds of the amcc series and loved it. I,ve got a 675 but i reckon R6s are the pick of the bunch. They seem to have a bit more grunt.

Just the ones you run into maybe des? The R6's are easy to improve though, and not too expensive to start with.

In all seriousness though, AMCC should be commended for their clubmans class. The racing is awesome and close, and well policed to make sure it is safe etc. I've done clubmans rounds for Canterbury, PMCC and AMCC and the days at Hampton Downs have been by far the best!

[desmoto]

[QUOTE=sharp2183;1130514360]Just the ones you run into maybe des?



When they stay on the track mate

[steveyb]

Want to start in clubmans later this year, but which bike?

I think it will probably be better for me to sell on my 1000cc bike and go for a 600, maybe a 675. Then, 'IF' I ever get near the cut off laptime, I would not be mixing it up with the F1 superbikes as I would imagine that would not be a lot of fun......being a chicane that is.

What do you guys reccomend? I dont really want to spend a heap of cash on my 1000 cc bike if I get near the approproate lap times to then be getting totally wasted by the really fast guys, or even everyone! I was also thinking that if I go for a 675 then that opens up the BEARS class aswell.

GSXR600 seems to be a pretty popular bike for getting parts etc?

Or, do I spend some $$$$ on my 1000 anyway and see what happens?........

What do you guys reckon?.........answers maybe from current or recent Clubmans class participants

I just want to be able to look back and say, at least I gave it a go......life is for living afterall

Thanks

Advice: Don't sell your 1000 unless you need to. Buy instead a good, low cost Ninja 250 and head out in the 250 Production class.
Learn the good lessons on a bike that will have to try pretty hard to hurt you, will not cost you an arm and a leg to run (one pair of tyres, chain, brakes for a whole season) and race with riders who are there to race while learning and are all going about the same speed (in a straight line that is, not necessarily around the corners), and be in an NZ Championship class so that you can go racing at higher level straight away if you so desire.
At the end of the day there will be very little difference to you on the track between a 1000 and a 600/675 and the both require good tyres, good suspension set up and significant skill and experience to be fast and SAFE.
Do yourself and everyone else a favour and get into 250 Production to start out. It is great fun.

[budda]

Advice: Don't sell your 1000 unless you need to. Buy instead a good, low cost Ninja 250 and head out in the 250 Production class.
Learn the good lessons on a bike that will have to try pretty hard to hurt you, will not cost you an arm and a leg to run (one pair of tyres, chain, brakes for a whole season) and race with riders who are there to race while learning and are all going about the same speed (in a straight line that is, not necessarily around the corners), and be in an NZ Championship class so that you can go racing at higher level straight away if you so desire.
At the end of the day there will be very little difference to you on the track between a 1000 and a 600/675 and the both require good tyres, good suspension set up and significant skill and experience to be fast and SAFE.
Do yourself and everyone else a favour and get into 250 Production to start out. It is great fun.

RIGHT YOU BASTARD - Who are you, and how did you hack into Steves login info ........ choking now, caught myself agreeing with whoever you are !!!!!!!!!!!