How can a 14yr old make his way to the top?

[Coyote]

I'm only 14 and I've recently started to race with the Wellington Bucket Racing club in a junior supermotard class and I really want to get into top road racing with proper 1000cc race bikes. Only I dont know how to get there. How do I make my way up to such a high level of racing?

[Ms Piggy]

I have no idea sorry but, good on ya!! Go for it! If you want it enough you'll get there!

[Blakamin]

I'm only 14 and I've recently started to race with the Wellington Bucket Racing club in a junior supermotard class and I really want to get into top road racing with proper 1000cc race bikes. Only I dont know how to get there. How do I make my way up to such a high level of racing?

What you riding??? i will say hello at the next meeting (spectator)(and when is it?)
practice is the only way i can think of!

[Coyote]

I'm riding in what they call supermotard. Thats were you put road tyres on a MX bike and go racing around. The only chance I get using the bike is with the Wellington Bucket Club cause they let us with our motards race with them. It's a whole lot of fun. Plus, just switch the tyres round and your ready for the dirt. There is also supermoto where part of the track is dirt, therefore theres jumps. I havent tried it but it sounds awesome.

[Blakamin]

I'm riding in what they call supermotard. Thats were you put road tyres on a MX bike and go racing around. The only chance I get using the bike is with the Wellington Bucket Club cause they let us with our motards race with them. It's a whole lot of fun. Plus, just switch the tyres round and your ready for the dirt. There is also supermoto where part of the track is dirt, therefore theres jumps. I havent tried it but it sounds awesome.

Were you at the Tawa meet las time??? i was there all dressed in black on my Zeal... till about 11.30... was frozen!
Next time you'll spot me... got a KB sticker on my screen!
when is the next buckets??

[pete376403]

I'm only 14 and I've recently started to race with the Wellington Bucket Racing club in a junior supermotard class and I really want to get into top road racing with proper 1000cc race bikes. Only I dont know how to get there. How do I make my way up to such a high level of racing?

You progress by winning the class that you're in now. Get noticed by people. Always make sure you and your gear look as good as you can. Andy McGetchan (sp?) from Kiwi Rider has written articles about sponsorship and the like. it boils down to getting noticed, getting written about.
And the jump from an 80 to a 1000 might be a bit much to do in one hit - spend time on 150s, 250s, 400s and so on.
It will be expensive in time, money and pain.

[Joni]

Alarumba, Motoracer will be back in NZ next week, he will be able to give you a few real good pointers... I would suggest you talk to him...

[Coyote]

And the jump from an 80 to a 1000 might be a bit much to do in one hit - spend time on 150s, 250s, 400s and so on.
It will be expensive in time, money and pain.

I know I have to progress. Just I don't know who the clubs are and where. I was thinking about possibly joining a 125 club, but I assume the nearest track is Manfeild Raceway. I could go there on occasion but if it became a constant going for 3 hours by car to manfeild thing, it might become to much on my Dad (If it wasnt for his support, I wouldnt even be thinking of this). I guess all I can do (at least till I leave home and get a job) is stick to my motard, and help my dad whenever I can.

[Coyote]

Were you at the Tawa meet las time??? i was there all dressed in black on my Zeal... till about 11.30... was frozen!
Next time you'll spot me... got a KB sticker on my screen!
when is the next buckets??

I'm the new kid on the old '95 KX80. I was the one who had the guy in the car drive in front of me. Luckily I slowed down thinking 'jeez, is he going over that tape? Better slow down just in case'.

As for the Next Buckets, I have no idea.

[Posh Tourer :P]

If Manfield is too far away, try dirt racing too, motocross and such like, or even speedway/flat-tracking.

As Motu will tell you, all the good American WSBK/MotoGP were flat-trackers, hence they, especially Colin Edwards, are happy sliding the tyres around a bit, and riding on the ragged edge.

Dirt-biking can be a good start for racing, so if it is easier to go that way, you can do so.

The other option is to get to know someone who goes up to Manfield for all the races, and get transport that way. Race 125s are a fairly big class, and after that, Clubmans, F3, F2 and F1. F3 requires a 4cyl 400 eg ZXR400, then I dunno above that. Win classes, and then move up. You could probably get a 400 that isnt road legal relatively cheaply if you are prepared to do the mechanical work. If you want to get into racing, be prepared to do lots of your own mechanical work.....

Thats basically what I've picked up. But I have no desire to go racing, so I'll let everyone else correct me...

[Yamahamaman]

I'm only 14 and I've recently started to race with the Wellington Bucket Racing club in a junior supermotard class and I really want to get into top road racing with proper 1000cc race bikes. Only I dont know how to get there. How do I make my way up to such a high level of racing?

For road racing, try and get a hold of a book called 'You Don't Know The Half Of It' autobiography from Aaron Slight. Oh and win Lotto.

[Ghost Lemur]

That fact that you are only 14 and already racing is exactly how you get to the top. Think by the time you're 25 you'll have over a decades experience.

Also joining this forum will do you wonders. There is a huge, I repeat HUGE network of helpful experienced riders (street, track, everywhere else) who are more than willing to lend a hand or advice.

As for getting to manfield (or where ever) regularly, I'm sure more often than not some others will have a bit of space, maybe for a chip-in for gas, still make things a bit cheaper.

One more tip for this advice. Whenever you meet a rider who's better than you, watch, learn, ask lots of questions.

[gav]

Simple really, keep winning and it will look after itself to some extent. You could approach some shops for sponsership, but dont expect a hand out for nothing, offer to work in a bike shop after school or weekends. Don't do drugs, don't smoke, study hard, train hard, get good grades and don't bad mouth your shop or competitors. Keep your bike and and riding gear immaculate. If you have some good results build on this, keep a CV/file of your results, knock up a website of your racing and go from there. Maybe look at racing in 150 class, keep winning, send your profile and results to local papers and with some luck you may get noticed. Dennis Charlett used to race buckets and now is racing for NZ Suzuki team. So get out there and win!!

[Coyote]

Thanks for all the advice. Big help. Still stuck on what I should get for my licence though. I need a road legal bike so I can get my riders licence, but I want a bike for my motard. My Dad and I are looking around all the bike stores and my Dads tested a RMX and a CRM and we've also been looking out for a nice KDX. We're still looking and we aren't sure if there’s anything else to look out for. Any suggestions?

[The One]

Thanks for all the advice. Big help. Still stuck on what I should get for my licence though. I need a road legal bike so I can get my riders licence, but I want a bike for my motard. My Dad and I are looking around all the bike stores and my Dads tested a RMX and a CRM and we've also been looking out for a nice KDX. We're still looking and we aren't sure if there’s anything else to look out for. Any suggestions?

Remember that to get to the top you must push yourself and machine right to the very edge of perfomance. If your serious about getting to the top, it's time to change that "give it a go/have fun" attitude to "I will win/have fun"attitude.

Get your car licence so that you can borrow dads car and take yourself to manfield.

Good luck with your goal and might hear of you in the future.