Getting started...

hondacbr600rr · 07-05-2007, 09:24 AM

Hello,

I will admit I am just a beginner on a sportbike but I have been on dirt bikes my entire life and also with snowmobiles. I use to race snowmobiles on the side and I had a lot of fun and I would probably done it full time and gone semi-pro if the weather didn't suck so much in Minnesota.

Its been a couple of years now and I want to get back into racing and honestly I don't care what I race. I just bought my 06 cbr600rr and I love it. I drive it as much as I can. I don't plan to go pro and if I make one 1st place cool but I just want to give it a shot and see if I like it as much as I liked snocross. Keep in mind I want to race in circuit with a 600, NOT my new one, but with a 600.

Alright so here is my questions:
What is the best racing circuit I can join near me? (Minnesota)
Any advice from any one?
Racing costs, entree fee and so on, just an example nothing prefect?
What do you recommend?

Thanks!

Al

OreoGaborio · 07-06-2007, 07:12 PM

At this point in time, have you ridden at a track day yet? that's by far the best way to get the ball rolling. I did track days for about a year & 1/2 before I began racing & it's a blast. It doesn't matter what bike you're on, you can even ride your street bike as it's NOT racing. It's just like street riding but in a safer environment so you're able to ride a touch faster than you would on the street w/o adding any unnecessary risk. Racing is a WHOLE different world. Get into it slow.

Later on, down the road once you finally get into racing, my best suggestion to you is this - don't race a 600 right off the bat. Work your way into it on a lightweight. Ex500, SV650, Duc 800 supersport, Honda Hawk, something like that.

The 600 class is known for it's maneating potential & it's also one of the most expensive classes to race in. I've got a number of friends who have done well in the 600 class & a number of friends who DIDN'T do well in the 600 class... but most of them will still tell you they wished they didn't start out in the 600 class.

I began racing an EX500... sounds like a "pussy" move, but lemme tell ya... I spend less than HALF of my buddy's that race 600's and I had just as much, if not MORE fun than alot of those guys during our rookie years and I learned a SHITLOAD about how to ride a shitty bike fast. There's just something about flogging the living hell out of an EX that you just can't put your finger on

hondacbr600rr · 07-06-2007, 07:46 PM

Thanks for the input, in a month or so I will get some track time. A guy I work with he is the one that got me interested in racing, he runs a Ducati, and told me he will take me up to the track and learn what its all about on his back up bike.

if you don't mind me asking what to you spend on an average weekend.

OreoGaborio · 07-06-2007, 08:22 PM

well, if you see my team name.... Cheap Bastid Racing.... that gives you an idea on how we operate

i do 3-4 races per weekend... costs me 50 bucks a pop per 8 lap sprint race, 75 for a 20 minute GT. 25 bucks to get in the door & camp for the weekend... Gas, food etc.... typically it all ends up being around 300 bucks per weekend for me on my lightweight.

BUT... race a 600 & you'll be going through tires at a much faster rate.... so there's another 3-400 dollars a set for DOT Race tires. Some guys can squeeze 2-3 race weekends out of a set, others are much faster & burn through a set in a weekend.

Crash & there's even more money out of your wallet. Bodywork, parts, chasis straightening, leather repairs, medical bills etc.

Basically, bring cash... lots of it... and then a credit card or two for when you run out of cash

The "Thousand Dollar Weekend" is far from unheard of.

hondacbr600rr · 07-06-2007, 10:15 PM

Thanks again for all your input, I will have to debate on the bike, I figured I'd start next year so I have till then to plan and get ready and set aside some cash. I figure I won't do all the races that year maybe just 2 weekends and spend more time practicing then racing.

Its a good thing I work at a Honda/yamaha dealership and I am good friends with the owner so hopefully that will cut down on some costs. He said he would sponsor me if I do it, when he sold ski-doo snowmobiles he sponsored me then so I think the money end of everything won't be to bad. I will also attempt to get all my old snowmobiling sponsors to sponsor me. Will see.

I will defiantly keep you in mind if I have any other questions. And if I ever win some money I will try and send some your way, as a special thanks!

OreoGaborio · 07-06-2007, 10:21 PM

no money, thank you... i've got enough as it is.

OOOHHHHhhhhh boy...... hold on, lemme catch my breath....

Ok, seriously though, no money. Just pay it forward

hondacbr600rr · 07-06-2007, 10:32 PM

Alright well I offered. Thanks again!

Woodyracing · 07-06-2007, 11:17 PM

haha, making money
I dream of one day breaking even just one race weekend

and Oreo, I hear ya on the "Thousand Dollar Weekends", two words for ya: Cycle Jam... OUCH, I spent over $2,000 in one weekend (okay, 4 day weekend) and didn't earn a cent back

but yeah, lightweights are the way to go, depending on what series you run with (I'm a WERA guy myself) so I like the SV650. Its not just a total departure from 600s but its definitely different and the classes are a hell of a lot better (smaller grids and you don't have to have a brand new bike with $10,000 worth of mods just to finish near the front (it is a very competitive class around here but not as crowded)

of course you might want to check and see if the shop will still sponsor you if your not running a Honda or Yamaha, that cuts your choices of lightweight down pretty good, but the Honda/Yamaha 600s are badass if you stay with that route

RRRR6 · 07-16-2007, 10:37 AM

Here's my race weekend budget:
(dollars)

100 tow vehicle gas
25 gate fee
30 bike gas (i run pump)
400 tires
300 entry fees

these are estimates and averages. looks like about $900...probably $1000 if I counted every little bit.

those are the bare minimums...I sleep in a tent so no hotel cost. I bring a huge cooler of drinks. I bring bagels, power bars, fruit, etc. I never get suckered into buying anything from vendors.

Oneris · 07-19-2007, 02:47 PM

Oreo, can you/how much can you win if you place for the class of races you enter?

RRRR6 · 07-19-2007, 03:55 PM

you didn't ask me but I run CCS too. The answer to your question isn't easy. There are payouts in many forms. I can tell you that Robert Jensen just won about $10,000 last month at Summit in two days. That's the ceiling for a club racer in a weekend.

I'll let Oreo answer the rest!

OreoGaborio · 07-19-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oneris

Oreo, can you/how much can you win if you place for the class of races you enter?

Uh.... I get a particle board plaque

VP Fuels will also give me a 20 dollar gift certificate to use on my next fuel purchase.

There's really not much money in it, even if i win. Once i start racing in the SV650 classes I'll have more opportunities to win contingency though.