yamfz

THANK YOU, but FYI I actually emailed the guy BEFORE I posted on the forums and he told me he would forward it to someone else and I was to get a response in a week... But that never happened. But now's all and well... I will be planning to head down to CSS as soon as I get everything set up.

Thanks guys but I DID ask my local race club and THEY didn't even know.... http://www.westwoodracing.com/forums/showt...26884#post26884 But I'll probably have to get my license and everything locally... Oh well.

Most racing organizations have accepted our school, though this has gone off and on over the years and in several places. I'll let Keith know that we aren't currently on the CCS list (we have been accpeted before) but I bet you could get them to accept it. Many "race schools" are so you learn the flags, how to exit and enter, maybe a few practice starts and generally know their procedures. We give certificates at all our schools, you will have proof of having dong the school, and we keep a record if for some reason you don't have it. Best, Cobie Ok so would we get a race license for taking level 1? or does it have to be the code race course? I actually made a thread at wmrc and someone that has taken your lvl 1 - 4 didn't get a race license. Maybe you offer race licenses now?

I live in vancouver Canada, so I plan on racing in the wmrc (vancouver canada) and the wmrra. I don't like the racing school we have here, but if it seems like the smartest choice there is... then I guess I'll go there. I don't mind driving down to the states as long as I know the school is really good.

Hi I was just wondering which courses I could take that would give me a race license? I heard that only code race would grant me one, and that by taking level 1-4 I wouldn't be entitled to one. Thanks.

CBR600 FV's and below are the most used over here in the UK, You can also get Thundercats, and Kwak ZX6R's too. They're hardly the worlds most predigious machines, but with a race tune, it's possible to get 110-115bhp at the rear wheel out of them, so they go at least as well as latest 600's do. Bullet I don't think we have any cbr600 fv's here in Canada or those other bikes (except for the zx6r, but I don't know which are steel framed). I already posted a similar thread on another "local forum", but I think more than likely I'll probably end up getting an SV650. I'm just really worried that I won't be able to run in as many categories as I'd like to, to gain more racing experience.

Hey guys I don't race or anything (yet!), but I always hang around the track on raceday and I was talking to this one guy that was planning on writing a book on motorcycle racing techniques. He told me the reason some of the guys go really fast for a few laps and then slow down considerably (from leading the pack to being ditched in 5th place), is because the longer a race goes on the more we think about the corner we just took. My local track doesn't have a long straightaway so there aren't any breaks, therefore our mind "lags" so behind that it makes our performance worse and worse. Eventually, we'll probably be entering corners while our mind wanders a few corners away? I don't quite understand this concept, and I sure as heck didn't find it in twist of the wrist either. Could some of you pros explain this to me please?

Steel framed 600's? Which late model sportbikes are steel framed, competitive, and easy to get parts that you speak of?

Hey guys I am planning on getting a track bike pretty soon, I was told that an sv650 was a good crashable bike, but another guy told me that to BE competitive you need a 2003 and up gsxr or cbr (600 or 1000 depending on which class). I'd like your guys' opinions. I'm looking for something that I can do decent times with (of course I'll be heading down to Cali to take the superbike course, so skill won't be a problem ), something around 2500 - 4000 USD, crashable with lots of aftermarket, and can enter many racing categories (more seat time is better, right?).

Wow, quick reply Well, during a recession like this, I'm pretty sure most sponsors won't be trying to look for anyone to sponsor. I understand that in this situation, sponsors would like someone to market their products for them and they hop onto the "racing sponsorship marketing" in order to do so. But the thing I want to know is, do you guys think it would be a waste of time going through school for a marketing degree? I want to know that I'm getting the right idea, and from what I know, racers don't all have to get 1st in order to get sponsorship. From all the racers at the track that I talk to, they don't make any mention of going to school to learn to market or even BOTHER with a marketing degree. They all say the same thing : Seat time, money, and get 1st. If you were in my position, would you think this would be the way to go? Thanks for reading.

Hi I was just wondering if you guys would think that a marketing degree would be helpful if one were to go pro racing, because the way I see it, racing is still a business and racers need sponsors. Right now, I am going to school to learn how to market myself better in order to attract sponsors. Come next year I'll be able to start my first race. I How do you guys get sponsor ship? I know some people just get lucky, and the sponsors find THEM instead. I ask the people at the track and all they say is "just be fast, just get in the top 3" I've always wondered, do you pro racers go phone a shop and a company and ask "hey can you sponsor me? I got x, y, and z. I can do this and that! Can I get a contract then?" or show them a power point presentation? I don't like the idea of "getting lucky", because I'm a go-getter when it comes to this type of thing.

Thank you BH, that was quite inspirational. I'm going to keep this bookmarked

Well, I'm going to go way out on a limb here and suggest that, rather than "auto mechanic", a trade that might benefit you going motorcycle racing might be "motorcycle mechanic" instead? Another job that came in handy for me was working as a parts man. Of course, that was after learning the technical skills of being a motorcycle mechanic. And when looking to acquire sponsorship, there is nothing like good sales training to learn how to sell yourself and what you have to offer a potential sponsor. The bottom line is that unless you plan to hire a mechanic, you will in fact have to BE a mechanic to keep your own bike going. In fact, as a race mechanic, you will acquire skills beyond what the average guy at the dealership might have ... or at least be a whole faster at doing it! The good news is that proper sponsorship is not only for guys that are always on the podium if you can manage to make a name for yourself to any degree. And that does not necessarily mean winning a championship, but, simply being professional in your presentation of yourself and your program. Clean cut, clean machinery and pit, and a good people person. Honest, forthright and keeping it real with yourself and others. My biggest mistake early on was assuming only winners had sponsors and not purposefully going about finding a good mentor. So, if, like most riders, you don't have someone reputable you can trust to represent you and are in need of a mentor, look around the pits to see who has a professional looking pit at the next race you attend and introduce yourself in a forthright fashion and clearly communicate your intentions and perhaps offer a to buy the rider, mechanic or somebody lunch for the opportunity to ask some advice. Chances are they won't accept your offer to buy; but, will be impressed by your willingness to do so such that they will open right up. The key is to open yourself up and be real about it. Don't be shy and don't aim low. Don't be afraid to ask someone in a pro team, unless you wanna be like Joe Dirt. If you wanna be a winner, ask a winner. I'll give you an example from my own "career" .... I ran out of 2 stroke oil at a Formula USA national weekend about ten or so years ago and nobody was selling the brand I needed (Silkolene). As it turned out, Rich Oliver (reigning American 250 king forever and ever at that time) was there and had a big Silkolene banner over his pit (as he would being sponsored by Silkolene) and I sucked up my awe and overwhelm at His name and walked over to his pit to buy, borrow or beg a bottle from his mechanic ... except that the only person there was Rich who looked up and said a big, "Hey man, what's up?" before I could pretend I was just walking by. I stammered through my situation and before I could even ask the question he reached in the trailer and tossed me a full case of oil ... for free. Refused to take any money and insisted I come back if I ever needed anything. (He on a Yamaha, me on a Honda....) D-d-d-duuuh, ok...uh...thanks, um...Rich....c-can I call you Rich? Now this isn't a perfect example, but, the point is that these guys (gals) are just like you. They just wanna ride. And they were once in your position and know exactly how it feels to be you where you are right now. They are looking through a time portal in a mirror at themselves then. And, generally speaking, they are happy to spread the wealth of their success for a lot of reasons. Now Rich being a Silkolene rep obviously didn't hurt, but, I have no doubt he would have done it anyway even if I wasn't riding for Silkolene contingency bucks that day. Or would have given me a bottle of whatever he had even if he wasn't sponsored by anyone. He is one of the nicest guy I ever met (which has a lot to do with why he is a winner). Approached at an appropriate moment, like not when they are pulling on their helmet to go race, most of the winners are. Now, this doesn't mean that they will always tell you what main jet to run if you are competing against them; but, for instance, Roger Lee Hayden was always happy to share (and not afraid to ask!) for that sort of information when we raced 125's against each other. I was having trouble with the old style front brake on my '94 RS one time and asked Izuka for some advice, and he came over to my pit and completely rebuilt my front brake for me, politely explaining everything he did along with tips for each step and making sure I understood it, and even showed me how to modify small screwdrivers to create special brake seal tools. HELLO??? Probably before your time, but, Izuka came over from Japan with Mori to ride for Sam Yamashita around 1994-95. He and Mori were the current champions at that time ... and were, in fact, racing against me in the same class that day! Hmmm ....another champion, another one of the nicest people I ever met. Anyone see a pattern forming here? So, ask somebody else's sponsor what they want to hear from prospective riders. Ask them what made them decide for one rider over another. (Now don't look like you are trying to steal some guys sponsor at the track...duh.) But while you will find some commonalities, some parts of the answer will be different for all of them. Ask a sponsored rider how they did it. Ask a mechanic where he started out ...... Put yourself out there. Show confidence. Smile. Be real. Be honest. And talk to everybody. And no matter what you know, always be receptive and respectful of what others have to offer. Think it through for how it fits for you later and keep your opinions to yourself unless someone asks for it. (Good grief if only someone had said those words to me as young racer... ) So, what job do you need to go racing? ALL OF THEM! (The more money the better!) But, the tool box is bottomless and you never stop adding to it. Any tool you don't have you need to get from somewhere or someone .... Go git em dog! BH Thanks for the very informative post, I can imagine the time you put into this. I did want to switch over to motorcycle mechanics but I wasn't sure if there was a better option for me. Maybe I overlooked something? Guess that's not the case here Reading your story really got me thinking, as I already have someone I sort of know in mind. But tell me, I'd like your thoughts on what the best way to gain sponsorship, I plan on trying for a factory ride (yes, I know that sounds farfetched) and I heard it's taken some riders up to 4 years to get one, and they're still at the club racing level(maybe they don't plan on going further? Who knows?). Would a business course, or marketing course help?

Hi, I was just wondering what type of job would benefit me going racing as a career. I originally planned on becoming an auto mechanic because I thought I could make some decent money to start racing but after a month or so of doing that, my back gave out due to the heavy lifting/stress. Now this has been something I've always wanted to do, and now it's been a while and I still don't know where to go from here. I work the corners at my local race track and I know it requires alot of money to race so I'm thinking, now that I gotta start from scratch again, what job should I take up prior to getting on the track?

Hi Yamfz, There have been very few motorcycle racers that have gone on to become world class car racers--John Surtees might be the only one? There have been no car racers that have gone on to become world champion motorcycle racers. While some form of car racing could be helpful, if you really want to get into racing bikes, you should push in that direction. There are some cheaper ways to get in to it, starting with small, less expensive bikes. Some race YSR-50's in parking lot courses. If you want to race bikes, race bikes! Best, Cobie I'll think about this one, thanks for your input Cobie.