Quick f3 question

[wbks]

its kind of hard to tell from the limited view to be had on the stands and not riding the bikes but for anyone that knows more then me on the subject (que Kiwibiker.co.nz): Is the level of skill between streetstock 150 and f3 in general hugely different? Obviously the lap times and speeds are going to be a lot different but I'm talking about the level of competition etc...

[Benk]

I havnt raced streetstock, but I am racing f3 and posties on a vfr400.

I have only done 2 meetings so far, but I came in with no race experience and about 2.5 track days under my belt, and am getting slightly behind mid pack, or mid pack results.

From my limited experience, there are slow and fast guys in both f3 and streetstock, but the ratio of faster guys in f3 seems a bit higher, and the really good guys are heaps faster than the rest of the pack. Not as level a playing field. If you have previous race experience, and a half reasonable bike though, I wouldnt think it would be overwhelming at all.

[Morcs]

F3 has a few guys who spend a fair bit on money on their bikes. Money buys HP. eg. SV650's.

Streetstock that generally isnt the case.

[wbks]

Aren't 400's competitive with the sv's?

[k14]

Aren't 400's competitive with the sv's?

Not unless you've got plenty of cash to throw at them and are a damn good rider.

[Benk]

The joy of the old 400s though is they are cheap as and can cross enter into posties jnr, a class which they are competitive in.

[svr]

In F3 it doesn't really matter how slow / fast / serious you and your bike are you'll find someone to race with. Mid-packers on 400s seem to have the best racing as theres heaps of them. Nothing to worry about, get out there.

[Billy]

In F3 it doesn't really matter how slow / fast / serious you and your bike are you'll find someone to race with. Mid-packers on 400s seem to have the best racing as theres heaps of them. Nothing to worry about, get out there.

Yip,What he said,Theres a cheap ZXR400 on trade me right now with a buy now of $500.See you out there

[Coyote]

Not unless you've got plenty of cash to throw at them and are a damn good rider.

Mine is practically burnt out and the front end shakes violently after 140k and during braking. I'm not going to be able to even enter my bike I don't think.

[wbks]

Yip,What he said,Theres a cheap ZXR400 on trade me right now with a buy now of $500.See you out there

I can't find it?

[wbks]

Ok just while I'm here, what bikes are generally good for f3? I'm thinking out of the 400's because they're cheap

[neil_cb125t]

I raced SS on an RG150 for just over 2 years - F3 was a good step up - its the cost of things like tyres and warmers and rims with wets etc that puts it up.

There are national champions in F3 - glen williams has a weapon of a bike and is the best there is in f3 thats way he is the champ he does 1:12's or 1:13's at manfield - top 600 riders sam smith, j lawrence do 1:10's.

Jarrod whintle can do great times 1:15 maybe 1:14s on a pro twin SV.

fastest rg150 1:26. ( all times are for manfield )

ZXRs are normally the fastest standard - people will argue but a they will put out 65hp without mods. thats why i have one.

but i have been out powered by a VFR with tiny b*stard on it.

sv's have around 70 - 75 out of the box but will set you back allot to setup - pipes, chips, suspension.

racing is about the rider, a better bike just makes it easier for the rider.

i have spent allot on mine but done alot of work myself which is really fulfilling as this year it cashed in with results , I place 5th overall at Wanganui cemetry circut in F3 - first 400 home behind Svs and a Er6. 3rd overall in the Xmas Tri series.

Out powering SVs in the straights is awesome - worth every penny ive spent on mine!!

im getting to the higher end of the 400 club racers spectrum in $$ spent ( not skill yet ) But it is a great class - you dont have the huge outlay and tyre cost of 600s parts are reasonably cheap - theres alot of support as the 400 boys stick togther and there is the posties which is a really good secondary class you can actually compete in!

[Clivoris]

From the horses mouth there Neil. Great info.

[koba]

I have raced in streetstock and own a VFR400 NC21 I have taken out on the track for the first time in the weekend.

Both are great bikes on the track, from what I can tell Streetstock is the place to start with great skill building for a bargain price.

People worry about being to big but skill is still more important than size and I would think that if Jay Lawrence weighed 100 kgs he would still woop my arse on an rg150.

The 400 had an extra diamesion to it in that power has to be manged closer and you can't just whack the throttle open.

Iw ould think both would be great fun but I think I have made the right hoice in racing streetstock first where I can build my skill up cheaper.
I will move to a bigger class when I'm good enough to make the most of what I've got.

Oh and the answer to your original question:
Comparing last seasons Vic Club F3 to streetstock I would say the top F3 riders are quite a bit faster than the top streetstock riders.
It is hard to tell tho, esp with the different bike in F3.

[CHOPPA]

My choice would be an aprilia rs250!