Any racers or trackday enthusiasts?

[ZXR400Lee]

Hello all

Me and my mate want to get off the roads and start regularly attending trackdays with a hope to progress onto clubman racing eventually..

Does anyone have any advice as to types of stuff we need to getting started other than the obvious stuff?

- Van/Trailer
- ACU approved equipment
- Bikes
- Money!!

I am looking at purchasing either a GSXR1000 or R1, already prepared track bike rather than building my own..

Is a litre bike the right place to start or should I be looking at 600/750?

Are there any websites dedicated to helping out people that wish to start motorcycle circuit racing?

Thanks

Lee

[graham22]

ThundersportsGB seem to have a good mix of events. North Glos are the more local club but many of their events used to be airfield events.

Get a van rather than trailer as not being able to use the outside lane of the motorways will crucify your journey times.

Suggest you watch a few rounds and then decide what size bike you'll want to use - guarantee it won't be a 1000 to start with.

Also costs, a couple of friends were racing an R1 & GSXR1000 until 2 years ago, reckoned it cost £100 -£1500 per meeting each, this included 6 race tyres per weekend, entries, fuel in the bike & lorry (7.5t) and this was before anything going wrong.

Unless you are loaded, may be worth considering something like the Hornet class, this will also let you compete in their streetfighter cup too. Otherwise a couple of year old 600 with history rather than a damaged road bike from e-bay.

[billinom8s]

have you done any trackdays before ?

paddock stands
tyre warmers
genny
tyres - lots - wets/inters/soft
fuel
more fuel
visors
leathers
a good tool kit
knowledge on using the tools/fault diagnosis
understanding partners
license
tent
food
water - plenty
ear plugs
spare levers
spare rearsets
extension cables

i'm sure others will be along to add to this list

[ZXR400Lee]

Cheers Graham..

I've never done a track day before, but since my accident in 2008, I'm not enjoying my road riding but love bikes, so want to try this whilst I still have zero commitments and a good job.. ;)

I'd thought along the lines of 1000cc since my friend wants to use his current Honda VTR1000 road bike..

My initial thoughts were CBR600 since I am not selling my or using my ZRX1100 on track I am looking to purchase another bike but when you hear things off other people, especially when you have no experience, you have to ask these questions.. suppose its quite naive to think its possible to start on a 1000cc bike when you have zero track experience.

I'll check out those sites..

Lee

[billinom8s]

600's are more forgiving than 1000's especially when you pin it on an exit.

get your name down on the Llandow trackday we run, it's cheap and a really easy inro to trackdays. how tall are you ? only asking as some of the 600's on the market seem to be designed for midgets so something like that is worth looking at too.

speak to deej on here, he has had just about every bike going so will be able to guide you in your choice.

Riding on track is a lot of fun, if you hear of one going on near you, pop along and watch, get some idea of what it's like. there is alot of td interest on this site so you will never be far from someone who you can pick their brains - don't be afraid to ask.

[TLS-Moose]

Given your location forget about a van and buy a boat - that'll be the quickest route for you to a track at either Anglesey or Pembrey

[Scotty]

To add a couple of things you'll need to Billinom8s' list:
Money - more than you imagined
Time - even more of that for spending long hours in the garage on preparation and repairs, travelling, practice time etc...

Not wanting to put you off at all, as racing is excellent fun, but it is really hard work.

As you currently have zero track experience I'd suggest spending at least a year doing lots of trackdays to start learning how to ride on track and I wouldn't recommend considering racing until you can at least hold your own in the fast group on a commercial trackday, not just at Llandow with your SWB buddies. Racing is faster and more intense than a trackday, and there's no backing off for a couple of laps if you're tired, it's flat out all the way.

Starting on a 1000 would be dangerous and demoralising, especially if you're not used to riding one. A VTR thou isn't a race bike either, it's more of a tourer, too soft and heavy to race seriously. Get something like a steelie (steel-framed CBR6), there are plenty about, they're reliable, mechanically simple, easy to work on and spares and advice are plentiful. It's a good bike to start on and learn your track-craft.

Oh, another thing to add to the list:
Ibuprofen, lots of it - falling off hurts!

[ZXR400Lee]

Thanks for all the replies..

If it wasn't going to be a challenge then it isn't worth doing!

I would like to find a bike that I can be happy with and yes, plenty of track days before even considering racing but ultimately that is where I would like to be eventually.

Height wise.. I am 5' 10" and always felt quite comfortable on ZX636 and GSXR600 when I've rode them on the the road.

Mechanically and time are the bits I'm confident about.. I have large garage, millions of tools (that I know how to use!!) and loads of free time and potentially flexible working hours.

[billinom8s]

sounds like you are in an ideal position to get on track

just remember that trackdays aren't racing so your big bike would be fine to 'dip your toe'.

the 636 is a pretty good bike, they are very popular on here and are always seen flying round the track, the older R6's go pretty well but tend to drop 2nd on a regular beat.

the RR's are awesome, excellent engines and handle really well

[DynaMight]

Dont worry about racing until you have a fair few trackdays under your belt. I personally wouldn't even think about racing unless I was barely getting overtaken in the fast group on trackdays at almost every track.

Start off with something slowish, it'll teach you corner speed, exit speeds, late braking etc rather than relying on the point and squirt of a big 1000.

[deej]

CBR600RR - perfect choice for trackdays and racing, best bike ive ridden on a track and as billinom8s says ive tried a fair few out

my mate does the michelin power cup, it costs him over a grand a weekend and for that he gets a 15 min qualifying session and 2 7-8 lap races. start off on trackdays then build upto a race school and get as much instruction as you can. I'd personally recommend a european trip as you get 3-4 days in a row on track where you can really get to know your bike and get into a ryhthmn, the other thing is good instruction. I used Neil Hodgson in Almeria last month and it knocked 10 seconds off my lap times from last year, best money ive ever spent on a track !!

[gazaR1]

come up to mallory on saturday,there's quite a few of us off here going up, theres plenty of viewing points to see whats happening on track.I know its not racing,but watching some of the fast group tipping into gerrards will give you an idea of what you would be up against

nows a good time to buy a van,for some reason older vans in london are having to pay some new tax,i just got a 1999 transit for a grand

[deej]

quick point to check is if the 636 can be used in a supersport class due to the extra CC's, if your after a kwak look for the 6RR that was a 600 and came with a slipper clutch to keep the race boys happy

[ZXR400Lee]

come up to mallory on saturday,there's quite a few of us off here going up, theres plenty of viewing points to see whats happening on track.I know its not racing,but watching some of the fast group tipping into gerrards will give you an idea of what you would be up against

nows a good time to buy a van,for some reason older vans in london are having to pay some new tax,i just got a 1999 transit for a grand

Cheers for the invite! but unfortunately too short notice and I have other commitments...

I am selling my BMW to get a van.. need to get rid of BMW first..

[ZXR400Lee]

quick point to check is if the 636 can be used in a supersport class due to the extra CC's, if your after a kwak look for the 6RR that was a 600 and came with a slipper clutch to keep the race boys happy

Good point... I was thinking about this last night! so ended up looking at 2002 ZX6R J2 models..

What is the RR? not sure I've seen one before?