How did you all get into racing?

[RAZRBAKK]

Hey guys,

I'm an early rider, and I'm looking to get into racing in the next couple years(not dragging, that's not for me). Obviously, I'm in no rush(18, and in college. There's no way I can afford it right now), but I'm wondering how all of you got involved.

I also figured this could be a good place for you all to share stories of when you started, how you started, where you go, and how long you've been doing it.

So post up with what got you into tracking with your bikes!

 

[Buffalo Bill]

How don't matter, it's why?

How don't matter, it's why?

It's not so much how, because a little research and you can find out how to get started.
For me it was all about why I needed to race. I think there's a big difference between liking to ride or drive, and having to go all out or bust. :twistedevil:
You can never get closer than 50% of your's, a car's or a bike's race potential on any public street. Only on a track can you let it out, all the way. Just as you can never run full out, or play a ball game on a crowded sidewalk.
There's a big difference in our brains, it has a racing appetite that must be satisfied, and for me it's been there since before memory.
Bill

 

[madjack57754]

I started with box stock motorcycle roadracing at DonnyBrook (Nee Brainard) in 1971. Parents had a weekend cabin less than a mile from the track and I had a 1966 Kawasaki 250 A-1. Found I had a need for speed and moved up to an A-1R boyracer. Started racing Karts, then moved to power boats and stockcars.
A guy a couple blocks over was a touring nitro dragracer, and he took pity on me and started taking me with him and his family on weekends to "local" tracks. The bikes looked funner than the cars , so that's where I ended up. 40 years later I'm still dragracing...jack

 

[Mindless]

Pretty much in the same seat as me. I'm 22 years and I'm going to college soon.

I was pretty much born on a motorcycle so there has always been an interest in it for me. I've followed MotoGP and other championships longer than I can remember so naturally I was curious about racing when I got my own bike and license.

Being a big fan of 80's superbikes I decided to turn my own GS1150 into a superbike. After that it was just a matter of taking it to the track and give it a good flogging.

As Bill said, there's no way you can appreciate a motorcycle's performance to the max on the street. It's just not safe. For me it's unthinkable to take a corner at 100mph and drag my knee on the street. I could do it but nothing good can come out of it. There's no thrill in being scared when riding.

But, there's a hell lot of thrill in being able to ride on the edge comfortably. Sooner or later you'll find yourself in the zone, humming in tune with the engine revs and thinking "Life sure is beautiful.".

There's also a lot to learn on the track. The way you repeat cornering techniques over and over again is almost impossible to do on the street. Four days worth of riding on the track can make up for years of riding on the road (when it comes to learning). But not only that, you learn to control the bike much better as well.

I've only been to four trackdays so far and it's been a great experience for me. You meet some great people too.

 

[RAZRBAKK]

Pretty much in the same seat as me. I'm 22 years and I'm going to college soon.

I was pretty much born on a motorcycle so there has always been an interest in it for me. I've followed MotoGP and other championships longer than I can remember so naturally I was curious about racing when I got my own bike and license.

Being a big fan of 80's superbikes I decided to turn my own GS1150 into a superbike. After that it was just a matter of taking it to the track and give it a good flogging.

As Bill said, there's no way you can appreciate a motorcycle's performance to the max on the street. It's just not safe. For me it's unthinkable to take a corner at 100mph and drag my knee on the street. I could do it but nothing good can come out of it. There's no thrill in being scared when riding.

But, there's a hell lot of thrill in being able to ride on the edge comfortably. Sooner or later you'll find yourself in the zone, humming in tune with the engine revs and thinking "Life sure is beautiful.".

There's also a lot to learn on the track. The way you repeat cornering techniques over and over again is almost impossible to do on the street. Four days worth of riding on the track can make up for years of riding on the road (when it comes to learning). But not only that, you learn to control the bike much better as well.

I've only been to four trackdays so far and it's been a great experience for me. You meet some great people too.

I'm really the first in my family to be any sort of automotive enthusiast. I've followed MotoGP for as long as I can remember, and I've always wanted to get into racing. I rode a dirtbike for a few years, just out on the trails, but I've never actually competed, and I'd love to.

It's not so much how, because a little research and you can find out how to get started.
For me it was all about why I needed to race. I think there's a big difference between liking to ride or drive, and having to go all out or bust. :twistedevil:
You can never get closer than 50% of your's, a car's or a bike's race potential on any public street. Only on a track can you let it out, all the way. Just as you can never run full out, or play a ball game on a crowded sidewalk.
There's a big difference in our brains, it has a racing appetite that must be satisfied, and for me it's been there since before memory.
Bill

I actually plan on owning a less powerful bike that is strictly for street travel, and then a dedicated track bike that's everything I need to throw down on the track. That way I'm not so tempted to gun it through the streets.

 

[Charlie G]

My step dad forced me to race!

 

[Buffalo Bill]

He looks happy to me.

He looks happy to me.

My step dad forced me to race!

Such a mean old man!

 

[RAZRBAKK]

My step dad forced me to race!

I like the guy on the scooter in the background.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I started racing in go karts as a kid. I grew up next to a racetrack (Pacific Raceways) and went there when ever I could. I was around 11 years old at that time.

Then I moved on to dirt bikes 2 years later. But I quit after I crashed the bike in to a ditch, crippling the front end.

3 years later, I moved on to cars. I got my first car, 1993 Toyota MR2, and used that to race a little at Pacific Raceways. This car has been built up to 540 HP to the rear wheel and weighs about 2,000 lbs. The cosmetics were mostly stock. But unfortunately last year, I blew the tranny and clutch racing the monstrous Ford GT40!

After that I just bought another car, a 1974 Chevy Nova and a 1986 Toyota Corolla GTS. The Nova was a drag car but now it just sits. I was never a fan of American muscle. I was always about the Japanese cars.

So with my 1986 Corolla, I have started drifting. The shop is full of tires! I am currently getting the Corolla prepped for drift season.

Lastly, my GS450L. I only went to the track with it twice but it was kinda embarrassing riding on the track on a cruiser style bike . Which is the reason why I have decided to build a cafe racer style bike.

I see that racing will have a lot to do with my future .

 

[Guest]

For me it was something I always wanted to do. I've followed roadracing from the mid seventies. I then bought a brand new GS750 in 1983 and wanted to race it at Loudon, but that did not happen . Life happened, got married, had kids , well the kids have grown up and the wife gave in and now I am finaly racing, not as fast or young and agill as I could have been but doing it and loving it. I have 2 race bikes , 99 sv650 and a 87 ex 500 . The cost can be cheap depending on what you want to get out of it. But mind you if you want to go fast the cost goes up meaning ''The EX cheap fun 4 race, 4 practice, weekend, 1 set of tires a year = 1:28 lap times' or " The SV more expensive 4 race, 4 practice weekend 1 set of tires per weekend =1:18 lap times plus the bike was alot more money to build.

 

[Guest]

My step dad forced me to race!

I knew it! First time I met you I could smell that adrenaline in you Charlie....or maybe that was the bottle of Scotch you were hiding?? oh well what ever it was it's a good picture anyways.

 

[Charlie G]

I knew it! First time I met you I could smell that adrenaline in you Charlie....or maybe that was the bottle of Scotch you were hiding?? oh well what ever it was it's a good picture anyways.

You've guessed my secret of speed. The little flask of "Crown Royal" is hidden in my right leg pants cuff.

 

[Pedda]

It's just for the adrenaline.

And fun.

And tinkering on the bike.

And the wife stays at home (errr...mostly)

 

[RAZRBAKK]

Anyone here racing Supermoto?

 

[trippivot]

too fast for the public

too fast for the public

I spent too much time in county lock up for my riding techniques. On more than one occasion. In more than one state. I decided I want to get seriously fast and NOT GET IN TROUBLE. Street racing only has 2 outcomes if you don't quit before you find out what they are.

I decided to go racing iunstead. I was only crew personel for years. Late Model Stockers, Legends, 3/4 midgets, CCS road racing , Desert Style , Bonneville Top Speed , Outdoor Motocross , Jet skiis , I like competition. I have a high threshold for THRILL.

I'm into Bracket drag racing now. I have a license, I have the gear. I love the mis-concept that the faster bike/car wins. Something about the clock and the constant of time as a factor is the attraction for me. Easy Clean Fun. Loads of great times off the track but on the track grounds. Mopeds golf carts,fireworks, fellowship community etc.... it's the only way to change from a squid to a motor athlete.

W.O.T. slick tire launch with wheelie bars has to be the hugest G pull I have ever felt - ON LAND. - that is #2 reason to race.

#3 did I say NO COPS and you can go as fast as you can handle.

 

[kawazuki]

my father raced when i was little....started on an gs1000 then moved up to and 84{i think, the one with the MONSTER headlight} put a 1428 motor in it and bracket raced every sunday, ran 9.30's {remind you that this was in the mid 90's} so she was fast. got a part time job at the track and been hooked ever since.

 

[OldTimeBiker]

Seeing as the last post was in April you'll have to consider this a bump...
First thing is...don't take an attitude about drag racing. The drag strip is the absolutely best place to learn how to get killer holeshot starts no matter what type racing you decide to do. It's also the best place to get your carb jetting spot on and the absolute safest place to learn how to deal with the racing jitters and butterflies that everyone, especially newbies experience, not to mention honing the eye hand coordination and quick shifting skills needed in every discipline of motorcycle racing.

Personally, racing was foreign to me because my folks had no interest. I had all the fantastic dreams of a small boy that saw it on TV but until a friends Dad took me along to a stock car race I never figured I'd ever see a race let alone compete in one. I got hooked and snuck to the local track (a 1/4 mile asphalt bullring about 10 miles from my home near the airport) every time I had a chance. It was in the summer between my freshman and sophomore year in high school that I snuck off with some friends to a track that was about 30 miles away one night that was a dirt track running motorcycles...I paid the $2.50 general admission at the speedway gate, walked right up to the track side fence and saw flat track for the first time at Santa Fe Speedway...I knew as deep down as deep down can get that this was something I HAD TO DO!...From that point on my life revolved around motorcycle races and girls! I forged the parental permission blanks and competed in scrambles and amateur short track races when I could on borrowed bikes and various "grey market" scoots I'd "acquire" for a couple of summers. When I turned 18 I got my Dad to sign the papers so I could apply for an AMA pro license (In those days you still needed parents permission until you were 21...Boy was my Mom mad at my Dad the first time I crashed bad enough to need crutches!). I raced flat track at the equivilent in other sports double "A" pro level for a dozen years and in between I ran enduros, hare scrambles, ice races and some cross country. I also got to hang out with and actually get to know some of my heroes! When I got too old and gave up the pro license I did some drag racing in the street class, got serious about it but ultimately spent the money I had saved and earmarked for a Super Stock Harley Sportster on a house (my wife insisted) and also qualified for a road racing license and dabbled in club racing a bit until I ultimately discovered AHRMA and vintage racing. I discovered there was more bang for the buck in the dirt and raced vintage MX and started to compete in vintage trials and have been doing that for over 15 years now (with an occasional outing on a modern bike in District Super Senior classes), although I've cut down on how often I get out lately. I have a VERY STRONG desire to go do some drag racing again but I'm still looking for the right GS Suzuki to do it with.
That actually was a long story made VERY short!

 

[Charlie G]

Thanks for the story OTB. Raceing is something I did very early as a kid, but never got to try as an adult.

cg

 

[amxsteve]

At 43 i figured it was now or never so i bought my bike from Bob last winter and have managed to get my NHRA lic this summer.I always wanted to be at the drags but children and financial restraints would not allow it.My dad gave me my first bike a 78 gs750 and i would hide behind the factory across the street practicing my burnouts.For anyone who has experienced the launch of a purpose built bike you understand the thrill.My bike has done a best of 1.30 sixty foot at 9.17 so its pretty cool smoking those 300 hp turbo street tire bikes out of the hole,gotta say though launching my new to me zx-12 with no bar is a special skill that i will have to tune.next year i will be racing in the pbss series which pits pro bikes againt sleds

 

[Guest]

I grew up behind Lemme's Cycle Ranch in Palatine, Il. I sat in the showroom for 3 months aboard a Rupp Digger Mini Bike. I was 12. Finally my Dad lent me the money and I got a job sweeping the floor and helping to put together the BSA's and Bultaco's at 14. I was going to Santa Fe Speedway with John Lemme where he raced flat track. I had a great child hood growing up in that area... 44 years later, i am still dirt riding and going to the drag strip...The disease is PPS... Peter Pan Syndrome.
Curt