| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
I was talking to a bartender a few months back and he mentioned how he competed in some sort of Vintage class where he raced an old Honda or something. He claimed that one could be competitive with a machine put together for $2000 or so. Does anyone know of this class? I'd really like to get involved in some road racing but want to keep it cheap for right now and jsut don't know what class I should be looking for. He says they race at the New Hamphshire International Speedway, though Pocono and Watkins Glen probably aren't too far out of the way for me. I live outside Albany, NY and I don't know of any road courses in the area. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
honda cb's are quite popular for "cheaper" racing. keep in mind track only sv650's can be found cheap as well, they're pretty reliable and quite popular with club racers. nhis is a fun track for smaller displacement agile type bikes. | ||
| Diablobrian |
motard racing can be done on a reasonably small budget (for racing) in the "mini-motard" class (250 4 stroke/125 2 stroke) | ||
| Gearhead |
Ha, ha, ha, cheap racing?? It's not the cost of the bike, it's the cost of... Quality leathers Boots Gloves Helmet with spare shields Bike stands Spare wheels Trailer and a reliable vehicle to pull it Generator Canopy Gas to get to the race Hotel rooms Track entry Race entry fees Food and water, so you have the energy to race And depending on what you race, TIRES! Just buy a Buell and race in the Lightweight classes with all you pals from BadWeb... It's a riot and worth every penny!!!!!!!!!! My .02 | ||
| Ferrisbuellersdayoff |
why so much stuff? a bike aint that much bigger than a gocart, just get a ford ranger or a small truck. we race gokarts out of the back of my friends CRX with just a portable air tank, basic hand tools, and the suit. | ||
| Mbsween |
Mark, He's probably running in an AHMRA class, maybe this one
Their website is www.ahrma.net Or it could be CCS http://www.ccsracing.com/ or WERA www.wera.com The closest racing to NY is probably Pocono or Loudon, well New Hampshire Intl Speedway these days. Ohio has Nelson Ledges and Mid Ohio. I don't believe there's anything in NY outside of flat track and motocross. You should go to AMA vintage days, they have a ton of classes, I believe they are all ahmra. You can buy a ready to go bike in the paddock to save the hassle of figuring out what's legal and what will pass tech. I've ssen racing bikes for sale from 3 - 5k (and well up) I'm hoping to get an 82 GPz 750 going in some dinosaur class one of these years Good Luck! (Message edited by mbsween on September 28, 2007) | ||
| Diablobrian |
The old adage goes something like: "How do you make a small fortune racing? Start with a LARGE fortune" Assuming you already have your Buell, and a good helmet and at least a 2-piece (full circumference zipper) suit, and boots you can take your Buell racing by getting a belly pan, removing your lights, and doing some safety wiring. You can race in the Lightweight Supersport and superbike amateur classes on DOT tires fairly inexpensively as long as you are doing it for fun, and not a championship. You would need racing stands, but tire warmers would be optional, pump gas is much cheaper than race gas since you'd be running a stock motor, Entry fees and tires are your primary expenses for that kind of racing. As long as you keep the shiny side up. If you get the fever and get competitive racing a your Buell expect a weekend of racing to cost at least$1500 but usually closer to $2k when you are going through racing slicks, and DOT race rubber, Race fuel, repair costs travel expenses and food/lodging etc. The shoestring hobby racer can get by at closer to $300-$400 or so if you just have a pop-up and sleep in your car or tent, pack your food in a cooler etc. | ||
| Gearhead |
Xl1200r, I'm certainly not trying to turn you off!! My first race was one year ago on a rock stock, safety wired, XB12R with a Buell bellypan and number plate. I did purchase a set of Pirelli DOT race tires, no warmers, and a borrowed a trailer to get there. I got hooked and as been mentioned, as long as you go when you want (not chasing points) it's a great hobby with great people that have been very welcoming to this newbie!  | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
If you are near or are going to race at NHIS(New Hampshire)as your home track they, LRRS have a cheep class for ya. It's the production twins class(no Buells), basicly a Kawi EX500 class. You can pick up a race ready EX500 anywhere from $1,200 on up to $2500 depending on modle year and whats under the hood,spare partz, ect.One set of DOT race tires will last a season, maintance is next to nill, don't crash you won't spend much.The suport gear is also what you make of it,how much do you realy need? Easy-up canopys can be had for $60, Camping & cooking, adds a few $$ ect. The inital start up is by far the biggest expance. Race school $225, race licence $100. Its $60 for each sprint race you enter,endurance races are $80, camp fees are $30 for the weekend. I can trailer in on Saturday do two races on Sunday and spend less than $300 on the weekend. If your not doing anything the weekend of Oct 6th & 7th come on up to NHIS Ask anyone as many questins as you can think of, you'll find most are very friendly and helpfull. Hope to see you there. | ||
| Josh_cox |
Race minis. One set of tires for the whole season. One tank of gas for a whole track weekend. Brakes last a lot longer. You can usually pick them up and go if you crash. This is my recommendation for cheap racing. If you want to race the Buell, it will be fun, but NOT cheap. Josh | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
I raced go carts a couple of summers. There is no cheap racing, Tires and clutches for my car just about bankrupted me. The list above is pretty complete. Not to mention spares and tools. Spare boots, helmets, fuel and on and on. Not to mention lawn chairs, coolers, fans to blow air in the pits. The generator because no track has electricity in the pits or the breaker is always tripped. Tents are cheaper than motels but that means all of the camping and cooking gear has to go too. Big trailer and tow vehicle. Don't get me wrong. It is fun, but expensive and complicated. |
