I want to go racin'! But I don't know how....

[konichd]

So I've decided that I'm going to do a couple races in the MRA schedule next year. I'm going to register for Sportsman and Novice GTU. Do my 3 races in each and decide if I want to pursue racing in the MRA in the upcoming years. I will be taking my MRA class in the spring from Mark Sellinger.

So I have to get started. I have a vehicle, I have a trailer, I have a bike (with a few things to prep), I have the gear, canopy, cooler, gas can, tools, etc. But attending the last MRA race I noticed a few things that I'm trying to decided if they are needed/wanted.

-Full one-piece leathers? Or do my 2-piece zip togethers work just fine? Any advantages disadvantages?
-Tire Warmers, do you honestly need them or is it "cool" factor for the most part?
-Spare parts, I've seen everything from backup bikes to just a bag of zip ties. I know there are a few critical items (levers, clip-ons, rearsets) but do I need extra cush drives and all that?

I've done a number of track days and so far I think I have a lot of the major items covered. I'm just a little unclear as to what it takes to make the trackday to raceday transition. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions.

FWIW I have plenty of spare knee sliders

[McVaaahhh]

About the only thing I can see that you're missing is talent.

Good luck racing man, it'll be a blast for sure!

[pauliep]

yeah, you're nothing without roadies and a reasonable fanbase. Not to mention at bare min, three CSC'ers running you're race number in their sig.

+1 on the 1pc suit. I felt much better in that then the 2pc. Should you go down, I imagine the repairs on 1pc are more managable for repair then the 2pc.

[salsashark]

About the only thing I can see that you're missing is talent.

Good luck racing man, it'll be a blast for sure!

But he's on a Kawi... that alone makes up for any lack of talent!

[Jayock]

Tire warmers will help you be competitive into turn one on the start. You want that heat there immediately. They will also help to prevent heat cycling your tires as much, and get a bit better life from them. Might even save a cold tire crash (and pay for themselves right there)

The one piece is convenience. Its much easier to move around in, and less restrictive to really hang off the bike, but if you are just doing a "get my feet wet" season, I would save that expense.

For spares, extra levers, cables (clutch and throttle) , clipons (or bars if aftermarket), and rearsets. I keep my stock rearsets around as backups if absolutely need em. Everything else is unnecessary. People keep extra drives and sprocket carriers for quick changeout if they find that one gearing isnt working and need a quick switch between races.

[Sortarican]

..... Not to mention at bare min, three CSC'ers running you're race number in their sig....

One down....two to go.

[konichd]

Thanks for the support Jeff

[Shortcake]

One down....two to go.

Fine! I'll be your #2 fan. But only if I get a scooter out of it to ride around on at the races.

[pauliep]

Alright, there's two sigs now. You're on your way!

[Devaclis]

Fine! I'll be your #2 fan. But only if I get a scooter out of it to ride around on at the races.

^^ Sell me your bike!!

[konichd]

She can't! Thats my race bike!

[rybo]

Oh what the hell....I'll be #3

The 2 pc. will be fine for the racing you plan to do next season.

Tire warmers are nice, but not necessary. As Justin said, they are really good for the first corner of the first lap. Since you are racing in opposite classes as me, you are welcome to borrow my warmers and generator for your races.

Glad you're coming out to play!

Scott

[Devaclis]

Holy shit! A post from Scott!

[rybo]

Holy shit! A post from Scott!

I'm the new dave....

[BlueDevil]

Mise well sign up to race NGTO as well.... The 1st race is the most expensive... After that its only ~20 more to race another race... Plus whoopin liter bikes on a 600 is good fun.... Enjoy... Its a blast ! Start savin up now... eeeek

[AshliRider44]

I cant believe you asked if tire warmers are just " a cool thing " ... Good stuff LOL, uhhh I've never seen anyone race without using them I do know that whenever we talk to Novices in the morning or even a few experts that just crashed, they usually tell us they went out on cold tires. Talk to my Dave on this one if you want better input.

I disagree with Scott completely, I think 2 piece leathers are a bad call unless you like road rash and bruising from the zipper (if it does actually hold) most of the people at the track who had 2 piece leathers and crashed in them looked for one piece leathers before the next race. Theyre okay for track days yeah, but not racing.

My .02

[cdbouncer]

this thread title put a song in my head.....

i wanna swim away but don't know how

[pauliep]

I knew I was onto something with the 1pc advice

[~Barn~]

this thread title put a song in my head.....

i wanna swim away but don't know how

Blue October - Into The Ocean


Oh... and the only advise I would give you DK, would be to make friends with your fellow competitors.

[All-Labout-me]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Fl2yWalH4
Into the Ocean video

[Slo]

If you get your MRA novice license, what will be your 3-digit race number? Everyone here is gonna have to edit their signatures haha. Good luck on it, I should see you out there....

[Sortarican]

Oh... and the only advise I would give you DK, would be to make friends with your fellow competitors.

Screw that, drink not with thy enemy.

Ya gotta play this game with fear and ignorance!

[konichd]

If you get your MRA novice license, what will be your 3-digit race number? Everyone here is gonna have to edit their signatures haha. Good luck on it, I should see you out there....

I hope to see you out there J!

Looks like #156 then To represent the number of Honda's I'm going to demolish!

[Sortarican]

Looks like #156 then To represent the number of Honda's I'm going to demolish!

Anyone want that #1 fan designation?

Seriously though, do you get to pick from the unused #'s or do they assign them?