Getting ready for racing

Hey guys as some you know I have a race bike now and want to get into racing

I have done 2 track days now, I have mini twin race bike. I have have had full bike licence for the road since August 31st 07. I road ride as well most of the time!

I want to know what is best way of getting experince to get me ready for racing. I want to do more track days and testing, so that I get use to the bike.

But I need tution really to learn track craft. I can pick things up quite fast, want to learn and really want to.

My track day today was a bit of nightmare, had to strip the bike in the garage to solve a misfire problem, which I did, then something else broke! I finally got on the track whcih was ace I loved it so much, still have a big smile now! Even though I crashed it hasn't put me off. The crash was caused not by me but err something failing on the bike! Luckly minor damage to my ride and me.

I know that also now, need to know my bike inside out! The tool kit I have was the best money I spent in the past week, it saved me today!

Where do I go from here, would anyone want to help me out? Any advice/help would be awesome

[flymo]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

Hey guys as some you know I have a race bike now and want to get into racing

I have done 2 track days now, I have mini twin race bike. I have have had full bike licence for the road since August 31st 07. I road ride as well most of the time!

I want to know what is best way of getting experince to get me ready for racing. I want to do more track days and testing, so that I get use to the bike.

But I need tution really to learn track craft. I can pick things up quite fast, want to learn and really want to.

My track day today was a bit of nightmare, had to strip the bike in the garage to solve a misfire problem, which I did, then something else broke! I finally got on the track whcih was ace I loved it so much, still have a big smile now! Even though I crashed it hasn't put me off. The crash was caused not by me but err something failing on the bike! Luckly minor damage to my ride and me.

I know that also now, need to know my bike inside out! The tool kit I have was the best money I spent in the past week, it saved me today!

Where do I go from here, would anyone want to help me out? Any advice/help would be awesome

Excellent news. All depends on where you want to race, but being North London based I'd assume down souf' I hear from others on here that to race with Bemsee you'll need to attend either their own track training day or a recognised race school.

If you fancy travelling a bit then the school part is unecesary. You could race in many other clubs around the country, I'm in Wirral 100 racing at Oulton Park and Anglesey.

As far as racing experience, just get out there and enjoy. You'll learn so much from just being in a race.

Right first of all Chris get yourself booked into a lot more trackdays before you even think about going racing mate. Secondly, take heed of what the guy said to you in the garage, he was giving you some very good riding tips mate, from what it sounds like, you don't move about enough on the bike yet, get a style you feel comfortable and fast with, get it assessed like you did yesterday, there will be bits that are picked out that you may need to improve more. Make sure before a trackday, your bike is fully capable of making it round in the day, tyres, chain, FAIRING! oil, brakes, the usual that you check for the road.

And remember, not every race has to be a dry race

Don't use what you learnt on the track out on the road to a stupid level either Save the hooning for the track mate.

[flymo]

Am I missing something 'ere? I get the impression that Stu knows a little more background around your current level of riding Chris than I do.

If thats the case and there's a lot more practice required then fair enough, keep plugging away at it. But otherwise I would seriously consider getting out there and racing. Unless you are some hidden Rossi talent you'll be at the back but it still helps and you'll still learn. More importantly you'll love it!

Originally Posted by flymo

Am I missing something 'ere? I get the impression that Stu knows a little more background around your current level of riding Chris than I do.

If thats the case and there's a lot more practice required then fair enough, keep plugging away at it. But otherwise I would seriously consider getting out there and racing. Unless you are some hidden Rossi talent you'll be at the back but it still helps and you'll still learn. More importantly you'll love it!

Was out with him yesterday mate, it was his first time on the new race bike. He needs time with it. We were fixing it a lot during the day though, even when he got it out eventually, he ran outta fuel

[flymo]

Originally Posted by plowsie

Was out with him yesterday mate, it was his first time on the new race bike. He needs time with it. We were fixing it a lot during the day though, even when he got it out eventually, he ran outta fuel

whoops! We've all been there though I guess.

On a serious note Chris, the bike prep is really really important. It can be funny or it can turn out more serious. Running over a dropped bit of bodywork in a corner at 100mph is no fun at all, beleive me.

Its all just practice though, both the prep and the riding.

Yeah I'm trying to work what the best route is, I'm more than aware I need more pratices, just whats the best approah?

More track days is useful but I think tution would be good! I have a lot to learn, but I will get there. I feel like I'm about to climb a huge mountain but its gonna be fun!

Lessons learnt yesterday for sure, so I don't want to be making those mistakes again! I think I need to find a better way of sorting out my farings. All the crash damage to then has taken its toll on them.

Don't worry I'm not taking my track riding to the rode, I need to get my road riding up to Class 1 Level, so while some of the track is useful on the road, its totally different for what I want to do for my job (I have been assed on the road, been told not use racing lines)

[flymo]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

Yeah I'm trying to work what the best route is, I'm more than aware I need more pratices, just whats the best approah?

More track days is useful but I think tution would be good! I have a lot to learn, but I will get there. I feel like I'm about to climb a huge mountain but its gonna be fun!

Lessons learnt yesterday for sure, so I don't want to be making those mistakes again! I think I need to find a better way of sorting out my farings. All the crash damage to then has taken its toll on them.

Don't worry I'm not taking my track riding to the rode, I need to get my road riding up to Class 1 Level, so while some of the track is useful on the road, its totally different for what I want to do for my job (I have been assed on the road, been told not use racing lines)

Nice one, the first step is getting the right attitude and it sounds like you already have that one sorted. Dont worry about your speed, just work on technique. If you can assimilate the information then have a good read of the "Twist of the wrist" books, they give you alot of good info to think about and make alot of sense.

Riding the 'correct' lines is a little subjective as many lines will do the trick, its more that you need to understand why a particular line should be used rather than just riding it. Another good source of information is the MCN track guides, in conjunction with the books I mentioned they will allow you to understand why a particular track should be ridden in a particular way.

If you can afford it a race school day might help you get started proper.

You'll need a club and an ACU licence. And they'll make you wear a big orange jacket for the first few races too They change the requirements every year but last time I raced the ACU were requiring a couple of supervised track rides before they'd issue a licence, your club will be able to sort those for you but they generally only do them on certain days in the year.

And yep, make sure your bike is fit for scrutineering, things like make sure you've got the overflow tubes stuck into a coke bottle, sump plug and oil filter lock wired, toe guard shark fin guarding the rear sprocket etc.

Choosing a club is the important next step. Bemsee are quite big, though I have found them a teensy bit elitist (they're also bloody quick which does nothing for the ego!). I'd always recommend North Glos but they're quite far from London, and their main track is Pembrey, further away still.

EDIT:
oh, you'll probably need a transponder for timings too - decide on a club first tho as different clubs might want different models.