Racing on a shoestring – yes it can be done.

**GaZBur** · 1st May 2008, 20:26

Well I have had the DR650 for a year now and looking back on what I have done with it I am pretty satisfied. I use it for daily commuting and racing and even an adventure ride or two and put on about 8000km.
Racing in the last year I have done -
1 x MiniTT where I got slaughtered by everyone and covered in mud but it was fun even though I fell down a lot
6 x Motard days at the Kart track. That has to be about the best fun there is to be had on a bike. (3 bins – 2 requiring minor medical attention due to me being silly and trying too hard
2 x Track days at Levels – great mixing it up against quick sports bikes and beating quite a few of them too!
2 x Road Race meeting at Teretonga
1 x Street race at Wyndham
1 x Gravel Hill Climb
1 x Road Hill Climb
1 x Bent Sprint
1 x Quarter mile drag
1 x Gravel Sprint (2 low sides – but still finished
That’s 17 speed events
I won the Social Section of the OMCC Clubmans series (wooohoo prizes!)– not because I am a shit hot rider as I’m not but got points coz I was willing to have a go at anything just for the fun of it.[/
My year’s expenses for racing and 8000k on the road
Tyres Approx $550 can’t be sure exactly as there is one or two meetings left in some of them and two sets came with the bike(1 set knobs, 1 set universals, 1 set road)
Dynojet kit $90
Brake pads $60
Bar ends $18
Set plugs $30
Sprocket $35
Oil $40
Racing license and entry fees $525.
So that’s 17 speed events – I had an absolute ball of a time for a bit over a grand! Yes that’s amazing isn’t it - about $75 per event excluding fuel.
Oh bugger, forgot to add in the Helmet I scuffed and the scruitineers won’t accept anymore so add another $10 per event for that! But I do have a bike that bounces very well and no plastics to break
Two friends who came to see me racing are racing themselves now, which is good as I can get a lift on a trailer instead of having to ride to the track now.

So the moral is – get a bike, any bike and have a go at racing. So what if you don’t impress anyone with your amazing speed or skill but in one year I bet you will double your riding skills, meet heaps of nice people and have a great time.

PS. Anybody out there got some cheap 17in wheels that will fit my DR – needs more traction.

**svr** · 2nd May 2008, 18:24

PS. Anybody out there got some cheap 17in wheels that will fit my DR – needs more traction.[/QUOTE]

Ah so now you want to go faster...
get back to us with the cheap racing thing in 12 months!

**Buddha#81:Me** · 2nd May 2008, 19:19

I've built a post classic (pre'82) wich can double as a F3 or Clubmans bike for just under $750 including purchasing the beast, fitting 17" wheels and slicks, all the fluids changed, XJ550 carbs......Its not going to be competetive but bang for bucks its gunna be hard to beat.