CrashChris
Well-known member
For the RACE series the only classes that do a timed qualifying is AM 600 and AM SBK.
So its looking like I'll be in Ontario for the summer and the likelihood of grabbing another bike specifically for the track is increasing.
I'm in a toss up for what I should budget and if I should aim for a 300 or a 250. Seems like I can grab a stock Ninja 250 for around $2000. Stock 300 Ninjas seem to be $3500 on the lower end. That $1500 difference could be 3 extra race weekends, no?
My goal is FUN and to get better at riding. I'd be completely happy finishing last as long as my personal lap times are improving. So if I can improve while spending less, that sounds pretty good to me. How much less fun would it be racing on a 250 and being passed on the straights by the 300s....or is this a completely personal thing? It's not exactly a team sport.
Also, what is a typical race weekend expenses? Transponder? Tires? Oil? Camping/accommodations? Entry Fees? How much track time do you actually get for the fees between practicing and races? It's not exactly clear on the RACE/SOAR websites.
I did the Racer5 3 day course last spring and had a blast on the CBR125s!! I've owned a Ninja 500 and currently on a Street Triple 675…reeaaaallly don't want to use that on the track. It's too pretty. I like the idea of small bikes on the track too.
So i guess my questions are if I go "cheap" with a 250, will I sacrifice fun factor? And what are a more clear breakdown of expenses for a race weekend with small bikes and how much track time do you actually get?
At RACE last year I'm pretty sure Eric Quinten (bad spelling) won 300 prod'n on a CBR - you'll have fun regardless of which bike you are on!
An pretty! same reason why I don't want to take my street bike on a track..... and would be WAY more expensive to crash of course!
Thanks a ton for spelling it out for me! Seems like a fantastic amount of track time for the price. If I commit to a weekend, it makes sense to do multiple classes. In the beginning, I'll probably start with only one to see how my mental fatigue is by the end of the day/weekend. The amount of crashes (not me, but the group as a whole) was climbing the longer the weekend went when I did the Racer5 school.On SOAR:
No, racing isn't and it shouldn't be casual. Do track days.I want to take my bike to a track this summer. I have been to Cayuga with my car, but the bike just seems like so much more fun. Is there a "casual" racing series, for those who just want to jump into a race but don't want to pay for any kind of membership? Forgive me, I'm pretty noob at this.
Going to check out another 250 tomorrow. Last one was a bust.
What about this? Isn't this just like the open car lapping days? I guess "casual" was the wrong choice of word, I'm no half-miler, but I don't want to commit to a membership. I AM however interested in the "Intro to track" program they offerNo, racing isn't and it shouldn't be casual. Do track days.
What about this? Isn't this just like the open car lapping days? I guess "casual" was the wrong choice of word, I'm no half-miler, but I don't want to commit to a membership. I AM however interested in the "Intro to track" program they offer
http://www.torontomotorsportspark.com/raceway/motorcycle_lapping.html
That is not racing, that is track days.What about this? Isn't this just like the open car lapping days? I guess "casual" was the wrong choice of word, I'm no half-miler, but I don't want to commit to a membership. I AM however interested in the "Intro to track" program they offer
http://www.torontomotorsportspark.com/raceway/motorcycle_lapping.html
A friend still has a CBR250 for sale if you are interested
Keep in mind that an EX500 also qualifies for LWT production. And you can get 2 bikes for $2500 now a days on kijiji. And there are tons of crash parts/go fast parts around.
I thought the CC limit for lightweight production is 400.
500cc twins (vintage)
400cc multis vintage
390cc multis modern
400cc singles
250cc 2 stroke street based.
There were 4 EX500s last year (at least 1 per race weekend)