What is keeping you from racing?

[chrobis]

The MRA's Rule Change process is in motion for the 2010 race season. We would like to entice more street riders onto the racetrack with us. What is keeping you from joining us?

Look here for more information: http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewforum.php?f=3

[Nick_Ninja]

Old decrepit body and less testosterone than 20 years ago.

[RajunCajun]

I've always wanted to race more than anything. But since I've been riding, I've been moving and changing jobs too much to be able to afford it. Hopefully next year.....

[Graphite675]

Old decrepit body and less testosterone than 20 years ago.

^I can relate to that!

Seriously I think for most it will come down to cost, plane and simple. Of course you must have the desire to race as well.

I believe the way to get more people interested in racing is to make track day's more accessible and affordable. Once you get more riders off the street and enjoying track days there will be a natural progression to racing. Your not going to get people right off the street to go racing. Promote track day's, make them more affordable, more accessible and the racing will benifit.

.

[racedk6]

I believe the way to get more people interested in racing is to make track day's more accessible and affordable. Once you get more riders off the street and enjoying track days there will be a natural progression to racing. Your not going to get people right off the street to go racing. Promote track day's, make them more affordable, more accessible and the racing will benifit.

.

That is a very good point but the MRA does not run any trackdays, they are all done by out side organizers.

[Graphite675]

That is a very good point but the MRA does not run any trackdays, they are all done by out side organizers.

Yeah I know they are a "race" organization and don't do track days but maybe they should try and have some involvement in the future? I know it's not there cup of tea but I was just trying to think of way's to get more folks out there and involved.
If they were to organize some day's or have a presence at the track day's they may be able to promote themselves a little better?

Just trying to think of something a little different? It's really going to come down to money for most.

.

[racedk6]

Yeah I know they are a "race" organization and don't do track days but maybe they should try and have some involvement in the future? I know it's not there cup of tea but I was just trying to think of way's to get more folks out there and involved.
If they were to organize some day's or have a presence at the track day's they may be able to promote themselves a little better?

Just trying to think of something a little different? It's really going to come down to money for most.

.

Very very true!

Another thing as well is the track day fees are high because the the track rental fee is high. As well as getting the event staffed and covered by insurance. Im sure the fees for track days could be alot higher if they actually wanted to make a lot of money.

Also the MRA does have a pretty good presence at Chicane track days. All the instructors are MRA licenced expert riders. Also Mark Schellinger is always there with tire support. He is also the new rider director for the MRA as well

[DorJammer]

Old decrepit body and less testosterone than 20 years ago.

nicely put

[jplracing]

The main vote on the poll seems to be the on going cost of racing. So I thought I would add my .02

Everyone is correct when they say it is expensive. The bike, gear, travel, entry fees, tires, trailer etc.. etc... If you are not careful, it can consume a life time of savings (or credit card debt). However, there are a few things I have learned over the years about keeping the costs in check

First, you don't need to have the latest 2009 GSXR 1000 with a superbike motor built by Clarkie and Ohlins gas charged forks from someone like Thermosman. The reality is that you can pick up a very competitive bike for around $3k. Look at used tire warmers ~$200. Look at different websites for left over last years gear (ebay has great deals on name brand high quality helmets, 888 Fast lap sells very nice quality leathers for >$500 and will give you a free set of gloves..etc)

So yes I can understand how ~$4000.00 can be expensive to invest in..trust me I get it. But the reality is that once you have done this you can race on the cheap. As I have told some of you in person this is my take on it.......

1) Pair up with a buddy to split the cost of the generator, tools,travel, food etc.. I think for the last race in HPR my personal travel expenses were less than $50 which included food and gas

2) Transportation to the track can be had in a simple pick up or a Moto tote or a simple harbor freight trailer...you don't need a $60k toyhauler and a F350 to get to the track

3) You don't need $20 per gallon race fuel...pump gas is fine

4) Entry fees in the MRA CAN be as low as $50 per weekend. For that money you get Saturday morning practice (4 - 20 minutes sessions) Endurance practice (1- 15 or 20 minute session) The half hour endurance racing and you can do the Sunday morning practice if you wish...for those of you that have done track days ... this is ALOT of track time

5) Tires...if you are new or on a budget RUN TAKE OFFS!!. There are a few higher end racers in the MRA that will only put 7 or 14 laps on a set of tires. These take offs can be bought for $150 (sometimes less depending on who you are dealing with) with mounting and balance. Ask racedk6 about this. If I am not mistaken he did this all year and ran near the front. And as another example...I used the same set of tires for 3 race weekends and 5 trackdays...were they complete trash when I was done..you better believe it...but I got my money's worth.

So the overall point I am trying to make..is that if you want to keep expenses in check you can you just need to be creative. Is it still expensive..sure. But also realize when you are done racing..you can sell the bike, generator, tools, warmers etc... etc... etc..

Edit - Oh and one point I forgot to make. If you don't mind spending the weekend at the track, you can sign up for the Endurance race...pay your $50 do your race and practice. Then cornerwork on Sunday..and get paid $50 (i think it is $50) and your entry fees are covered.....remember creativity

[co750]

Edit - Oh and one point I forgot to make. If you don't mind spending the weekend at the track, you can sign up for the Endurance race...pay your $50 do your race and practice. Then cornerwork on Sunday..and get paid $50 (i think it is $50) and your entry fees are covered.....remember creativity

Actually you can make even more if you become a regular

[racedk6]

5) Tires...if you are new or on a budget RUN TAKE OFFS!!. There are a few higher end racers in the MRA that will only put 7 or 14 laps on a set of tires. These take offs can be bought for $150 (sometimes less depending on who you are dealing with) with mounting and balance. Ask racedk6 about this. If I am not mistaken he did this all year and ran near the front. And as another example...I used the same set of tires for 3 race weekends and 5 trackdays...were they complete trash when I was done..you better believe it...but I got my money's worth.

This is very true the only time I ever ran new tires is when contingency money paid for a new set. That only happened twice all year. The last novice GTO race I went from 36thish to 6th with a set of tires that had 6 races and 3 trackdays on them.

This years Michelin DOT tire will last a very long time. So you dont need to replace them every weekend.

[dirkterrell]

Old decrepit body and less testosterone than 20 years ago.

Hasn't stopped me. Yet.

I need the entire off-season to recuperate though...

Dirk

[Snowman]

I don't want to have a race dedicated bike.

I know the potential damage I could do to a street bike, but it would be easier to do minor mods and put it on a track than to invest in a full on race setup.

[willb003]

Gear... in the process....

[Repsol a095]

I would love to race; it's just not affordable. I think I may try to race a couple endurance races next year, but I wish I had the cash to ride in a couple classes!!

[FZRguy]

Time and money. I would like to give the 5280 supermoto series a go.

[Matt]

Not enough track time. You dedicate a whole weekend to the race and only get to ride for a short period. A single track day offers more track time than a race weekend.

[racedk6]

Not enough track time. You dedicate a whole weekend to the race and only get to ride for a short period. A single track day offers more track time than a race weekend.

A single track day does not offer what an actual race does. I used to think just like you and have that same opinion until I did my first race.

[PhL0aTeR]

desire.... if there was a track in the springs, id be more pressed to do it, but i absolutely hate denver, and cant see loading up a bike, load of gear, driving 2 hours, ripping it up hard all day and then doing the same thing in reverse.

I also dont ride JUST to go fast.... i like the difference in scenery and the adventure of finding new roads. partly why my DR got ridden a lot more than the busa this year.

[salsashark]

I also dont ride JUST to go fast.... i like the difference in scenery and the adventure of finding new roads. partly why my DR got ridden a lot more than the busa this year.

I'd have to agree with this. Riding to me is more about the journey. For the cost of a race weekend, I can put a lot of gas in the bike and go any direction I want.

[CaneZach]

Nothing now. I'm taking my race school the first time it's available next year now that I can dedicate my GSXR to full-time race use. I do have to say, the initial cost is high. Race school, licensing, transponder, etc. is around $600+

[brennahm]

I bought a supermoto strictly because I wanted to race motorcycles and it was a much cheaper alternative to the MRA.

No license.
$50 is the most you will spend on a single class (you get discounts for every class you race per weekend after the first class)
$45 season "membership"
Reputation as a friendly series.

Plus, the bike is cheaper, tires are cheaper, crashing is MUCH cheaper.

I'll stick with supermoto5280 for a while.

[BigE]

Having gone thru getting a race bike, licensed, all the gear it is an expensive sport. All racing is. Especially in this economy, you have to be able to take the risk of losing your job and being able to support your family (I am living this now and my crash was almost three years ago).
Which hits the desire button, as in, I can spend $500 (if I'm lucky and it's not more) to go race this weekend or go for a nice long ride in the mountains, stay in a nice hotel and chill out.
Then there is the family aspect. Unless you are blessed with a wife and kids who love hanging out in the hot sun with noisy bikes howling around all day roadracing is more of a single guy/gal sport. There was a lot more family inclusion with MX and SuMo than roadracing.

[OUTLAWD]

I agree with 675 as far as desire goes...in my case, i started running track days to push myself and the bike. now when I'm in the canyons, I find myself riding ALOT faster, even if I am only riding at the same ~60% that I always ride. I am defiantely going fast enough at times to lose my license for sure. This kills the whole aspect of owning a sportbike to ride on the street for me. Yes, the scenery is nice, but I can enjoy that on my sport tourer without needing a chiropractor after a weekend trip. This has made me seriously consider racing...BUT...

A dedicated bike is one part (which I am working on), but the rest of it adds up quickly as well.

Once you have a bike prepped for the track, you need to trailer it to the track, making it necessary to purchase a trailer, or bug a buddy every other weekend and hope you can borrow his. Assuming you are going to be spending the weekend at the track, you'll need food and either a tent or money to spend on a hotel. If you are running race tires, you will most likely want to use tire warmers, which would require a generator. Being that the sun is a bitch here in CO, and you are spending the weekend at the track, an easy up would be a nice thing to keep the sun off between races...and so it continues until you have a small fortune invested in stuff that you use at the track

many people I talk to keep there trailer stocked with all the necessary bike tools, and have a dedicated set that stays in the trailer to ensure nothing is forgotten on a race weekned. So now you have a full set of tools at home and at the track.


This isn't even taking into account the AMA and MRA memberships, the race school, and the necessary components to get your bike ready.

Yes, you could run a frugal operation, and mooch off your neighbors in the pits when you need tools or shade, and as helpful as all the MRA people I have met are, nobody wants to be that guy.

Riding and maintaining a bike is enough by itself, after you account for the gear and everything else that goes along with it, and racing just piles more on top of that, which alot of people simply cannot afford.

that is my view personally on why I cannot commit to racing.

/novel