This might be the beer talking..
Discussion
But I really want to get into bike racing of some sort.
Do you have to have a full license to race a bigger cc bike on a track day?
Bit of background: been riding bikes for almost 10 years Off Road, with a bit of on road experience, love everything about bikes eg. The communities, the adrenaline the mates you find and the many places you see. Always wants to be a racer of some sort and I will give as much as I've got to get there of I can. My step dad is a hopeless cock, so I can't seek advice from him either. Only friendly place to ask is here.
It's something I have been pondering for a while.
Cheers.
(please, for this one thread, don't take the piss
)
Do you have to have a full license to race a bigger cc bike on a track day?
Bit of background: been riding bikes for almost 10 years Off Road, with a bit of on road experience, love everything about bikes eg. The communities, the adrenaline the mates you find and the many places you see. Always wants to be a racer of some sort and I will give as much as I've got to get there of I can. My step dad is a hopeless cock, so I can't seek advice from him either. Only friendly place to ask is here.
It's something I have been pondering for a while.
Cheers.
(please, for this one thread, don't take the piss
) In my primary school leaving thingy, we had to do a what to do you want to be when you get older...Everyone with there 'normal things (wierdos)' zoologist, achearlogist, biologist, vet, doctor...RACING DRIVER!
Since I can ever remember all I wanted to be was a racing driver, the thing I have realised since that time is that you really need to start when you are barely walking...Rossi, started riding bikes at 3?
I have still got that goal of being a racing driver/rider, and I hope that someday I will have enough in the bank to prepare my own bike/(even a little MR2 or MX-5 of some sort) but unfortunately I cannot be a racing driver as a living, it's too late although that has, always will be, deep down, my ultimate dream.
At this point I have forgot what the question was ( blame the beer/red wine/vodka mix), but I have become to the point where I 'want' to become the next best thing, being a racing engineer mechanic or whatever. Although when I see those guys going out on the track, I will know that is where I wanted to be. Without a doubt in my heart. A racer.
Since I can ever remember all I wanted to be was a racing driver, the thing I have realised since that time is that you really need to start when you are barely walking...Rossi, started riding bikes at 3?
I have still got that goal of being a racing driver/rider, and I hope that someday I will have enough in the bank to prepare my own bike/(even a little MR2 or MX-5 of some sort) but unfortunately I cannot be a racing driver as a living, it's too late although that has, always will be, deep down, my ultimate dream.
At this point I have forgot what the question was ( blame the beer/red wine/vodka mix), but I have become to the point where I 'want' to become the next best thing, being a racing engineer mechanic or whatever. Although when I see those guys going out on the track, I will know that is where I wanted to be. Without a doubt in my heart. A racer.
Well, to be honest I just want to work in racing if it is too much to be a racer. I have grown up with racing, family is F1/D1/TT/BSB etc. nuts.
Is there many jobs in racing to do with IT? Im studying that now in college.
(thanks for the serious reply, especially at this time of day:/night)
Is there many jobs in racing to do with IT? Im studying that now in college.
(thanks for the serious reply, especially at this time of day:/night)
Everything is going computer controlled now mate. I mean there's now electronically controlled suspension (HP4, Panigale) which will no doubt progress to track if not already there.....
But remember trackdays aren't racing. Sure racers use the to test etc, but from what I gather they're worlds apart. There's a big mental difference (coming from car & kart racing myself) between lining up on a grid and lining up in a pit lane...
But remember trackdays aren't racing. Sure racers use the to test etc, but from what I gather they're worlds apart. There's a big mental difference (coming from car & kart racing myself) between lining up on a grid and lining up in a pit lane...
Maybe mate unfortunately.
Someone like focussed events don't have the one year restriction. We often saw people get it as a passing present then get some proper instruction. I'd highly HIGHLY recommend that. Built my confidence up no-end, although I still shot myself at every turn.
P.s. Trackday would certainly be a lot cheaper. BN, Mitzy and Fleegle are you're contacts to talk to about trackdays, as I believe they have done loads (apologies if that's not correct).
Remember we have StuB and Fleegle who both race too.
Someone like focussed events don't have the one year restriction. We often saw people get it as a passing present then get some proper instruction. I'd highly HIGHLY recommend that. Built my confidence up no-end, although I still shot myself at every turn.
P.s. Trackday would certainly be a lot cheaper. BN, Mitzy and Fleegle are you're contacts to talk to about trackdays, as I believe they have done loads (apologies if that's not correct).
Remember we have StuB and Fleegle who both race too.
Edited by UnluckyTimmeh on Wednesday 26th December 03:08
That has really pissed on my chips.
I was looking forward to buying myself a track bike so I didnt have to keep posting about my blue and yellow turd.
I f
king hate who ever thought of this A2 license moving to 19 bullst. I could have theoretically had my dream bike next year.
bks.
Next idea: race engineer or data analasyst. Both sound fun.
I was looking forward to buying myself a track bike so I didnt have to keep posting about my blue and yellow turd.
I f
king hate who ever thought of this A2 license moving to 19 bullst. I could have theoretically had my dream bike next year. b
ks. Next idea: race engineer or data analasyst. Both sound fun.
I worked for a race team (the 4 wheeled kind), and whilst the petrolhead techy nut really enjoyed it, I was working silly long hours, and 25 days in the month, it just ran me into the ground. For 9 months we were racing, and testing the weeks we were not racing, then 2 months of winter pre testing. It is not as bad now. In the end I walked away, for workload and financial reasons (they tried to screw me), and the company killed the fun from the job. The petrolhead in me misses it, but it probably was the right choice.
The guys trackside worked 18 hour days, mostly bored out of their brains, but they have some benefits like getting paid sitting in Malaysia by the pool because it was cheaper than flying them back to the UK for a week. But really for the grief they went though it was a small win. They did get invited to some great free parties, but it really is a young (or single) mans game. It is sort of like the army, wake up very early, mini bus to the circuit, get fed, spend the day and night in the garage, get fed lunch, dinner, once everyone has finished, then you all get buses back to the hotel.
I still have many mates who work in the industry, and they talk about getting me back in to fix their problems. My response is if you can sort out budget to get me in as a consultant, I will happily spend 6 months in Northern Italy enjoying life, if you are serious about sorting things out, but I know what I will get dropped into from experience.
The guys trackside worked 18 hour days, mostly bored out of their brains, but they have some benefits like getting paid sitting in Malaysia by the pool because it was cheaper than flying them back to the UK for a week. But really for the grief they went though it was a small win. They did get invited to some great free parties, but it really is a young (or single) mans game. It is sort of like the army, wake up very early, mini bus to the circuit, get fed, spend the day and night in the garage, get fed lunch, dinner, once everyone has finished, then you all get buses back to the hotel.
I still have many mates who work in the industry, and they talk about getting me back in to fix their problems. My response is if you can sort out budget to get me in as a consultant, I will happily spend 6 months in Northern Italy enjoying life, if you are serious about sorting things out, but I know what I will get dropped into from experience.
You could go for the race licence but then you'd be limited to test days (or so I believe).
But that may also require competition insurance I.e. track cover and I guess that could be ££££s
I went out to Almeria wih my work this year to test the new 2012 S1000 RR. It cost them €1,800 in insurance alone to cover me so I'm told. (24 y.o. With two previous track experiences on a bike).
But that may also require competition insurance I.e. track cover and I guess that could be ££££s
I went out to Almeria wih my work this year to test the new 2012 S1000 RR. It cost them €1,800 in insurance alone to cover me so I'm told. (24 y.o. With two previous track experiences on a bike).
or at least he did, Yamaha Past Masters. UnluckyTimmeh said:
I went out to Almeria wih my work this year to test the new 2012 S1000 RR. It cost them €1,800 in insurance alone to cover me so I'm told. (24 y.o. With two previous track experiences on a bike).
Jerez would cost us 24k to rent the circuit a day in winter. I can't remember if that was our shared cost, but we had to have the circuit marshaled, with a medical team at the track for the day, which probably an FIA requirement. That gave us circuit timing, a garage, and power, or a big industrial generator if the power was not up to what we needed - racks of tyre warmers draw a lot of power....That is before we sent 2 lorries down to Spain with the cars and kit, a catering team and lorry, flown all the engineers and support staff, working away flash cash, put them in hotels, hire cars/people movers.
Then the cost of cars, tyres, and fixing it when you crash it (fuel around @5 quid average cost over the year a litre since it is not pump fuel, is probably the cheapest part of the week)
Racing is very expensive....
LiamB said:
Cheers for the reply Smack, much appreciated. Can't read it though my visions blurry from tiredness and I cannot find my glasses either..
No problem Liam. One of my mates I worked in my motorsport days is a BBer (and a few more more in mainstream PHer too), and we can give you advise on this. We worked in F1, it is not an easy industry to get in to, we can tell you the facts, and not sugar coat it. If you are dead set you want to go that way, then got for it, but it doesn't smell of roses. Most of us no longer work in that industry for a reason.LiamB said:
Ye olde Fleegle races?!
You cheeky little fecker 
I understand your frustration, but there are ways to get on track without a full bike licence. It's gonna cost you though.
Your age is irrelevant here, as I believe you are 16? (apologies if you are 17). When I started racing, which wasn't that long ago, the criteria for the Superteen 125's and Metrakits was that the rider could get one foot down to support themselves when lining up on the grid. Some of them were on tippy toes to do this. Providing they were able to do the grid start and show competency on the track (going in the right direction
)they would be awarded their ACU licence. However the teenagers only got tracktime at meetings. You are older so providing you had this licence I don't think you would have issues on getting on most of the trackdays in the uk, but this would need checking with the TDO.http://www.bemsee.net/component/content/article/1-...
Read this, it will give you some info about what you need to do. The cost for this is £190 but to get your ACU licence (£43) you need to be a member of a club (£40-50). You can see the endless pit already forming can't you...?
No Limits also do these days and I'm sure they have details on their website, but I would always recommend Bemsee for the paddock/raceday atmosphere on the course
I've not even mentioned bikes yet. Do not turn up to one of these days on your Husky as they won't take you seriously and look for any excuse to jog you on.
Before I go any further, you need to know that racing even at a budget level is not cheap. Trackdays are cheaper, but it's like taking heroin, once you've got that first experience under your belt you are hooked. And before you know it, you are modding the bike, trying different tyres, rebuilds, etc.........It all adds up to not being cheap as far as hobbies go.
I have a load more snippets I can offer you but let me know that this first bit hasn't made your wallet (or purse) have a seizure
Edited by Fleegle on Wednesday 26th December 07:52
GTIR said:
Are you even old enough to drink alcohol?
He isn't, but that's irrelevant in terms of racing. I started at 8 on 4 wheels. There are a number of rookie/young bike racing series such as red bull rookies, those metrakit race bikes etc... I don't know enough about them to give much advice only that you do not have to be 20 odd to start racing.Track days may be a different story though, as far as I'm aware it's either a full uk road license or a valid race license to do a trackday - this being because there's a lot of lads not old enough to have a beer, a road license or even a legal shag that have a race license and are out there at the weekend putting the laps in.
Edited by Yazza54 on Wednesday 26th December 07:56
What about something like this as a taster to riding on track with some instruction?
http://www.haslamraceschool.com/courses.php
http://www.haslamraceschool.com/courses.php
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