Morning all, After a little advice from you guys if possible! In 2015 I want to start racing, but have no idea where to start... I know I need an ACU license, but other than that I'm lost! Where do I go from getting the ACU? Hopefully some of you can help! Thanks.
Decide which club you want to join, check their calendar choose the one that suits you best- locality of tracks, tracks you fancy doing and the dates of the race weekends. Then book onto an ACU course with that club at your local track, you can pay all in to get the ACU test, license and club membership. It also gives you a chance to meet the club members/secretary etc. Once you've got the acu you need a bike that's right for your class. Make sure it is safety lock wired at the oil sump, filler cap and filter. You need to remove all roadgoing bits from a roadbike if you're converting. You need a sealed bellypan/catchtray too. Check your class and the ACU handbook for guidance on passing scrutineering. You will also need: Dog tags- name and d.o.b Tyre warmers are a must and WOWs Somewhere to sleep- converted van/caravan Spares- all the things that go easy in a crash basically Obviously decent gear and back protector and an ACU approved helmet 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher Beer A credit card Also make peace with the fact that youre gonna be skint and selling everything you own to pay for what is going to be the most fun youll ever have on a motorcycle. Any questions just ask!
Yup - be prepared for being poor! very poor.... .like student pot noodle poor. once you got your head round that! go for it.... lol Few things to consider, what bike you going on? my advice would be buy a race (not track) ready one, will save a fortune on suspension and spare wheels etc, and a whole HUGE list of goodies you will need. 600cc usually more subscribed, cheaper to run, tyres etc, 1000cc hell of a lot of fun! as said, get your ACU booked up, no limits, bemsee etc run ACU days, which is half a day assessment inc track time and class room stuff, £45 to then get your ACU card. then need to join a club, No limits im in this year is banged out, 30 odd bike grids for New comers and experienced guys with actually a decent pace, also great atmosphere and variety of tracks. but that said, most are the same.... your pretty central so should be ok in terms of travel.... so then you'll need a van, van & caravan, converted van, car and trailer or whatever rig you need to get there and kip in. generator tbh the list is endless and i'm still learning but go into it eyes open about cost - once you have everything i think you can do a round for 600-800 all in imo.... but with racing, you always need something. silly things, but in my first meet i wrecked my boots, and did £40 in knee sliders. BUT Do it - you wont regret it. any questions, just ask mate.
I was half-tempted to do the Senior 300 with the Bemsee after talking to them at the Excel bike show. Can't find the leaflet now but it was something like £4-6K to buy a race-ready Kwak 300 (depending on how trick you want it) and you get parts at cost. Looked like a fun way of getting into racing and learning the craft on less of a beast than the Blade? Some info on racing with Bemsee here: Bemsee 2014 Rookie Info @Jimbo/YT/other racers: any thoughts on the Bemsee? Or is it better to just find a local club, like you say?
Bemsee are a great club by all accounts and would of been where I'd be racing if the NL didn't offer 8 rounds. It's meant to be mega competitive though which isn't a problem but considering my bike at start of this year was basically a road bike with MC and QS on I thought NL would be a better intro in with their newcomers class. Don't regret it for a second now but bemsee is always a good option. Plus the one make classes etc are meant to be great racing.
I think if you have only done the odd trackday here and there and have had no tuition then regardless of which club you choose you will be amazed at the pace change going racing
it's quite an eye opener! i was going sub 2.10 at snet TD and one of the quicker ones in fast tbh - Newcomers were going 1.59's! soon dragged me down to 2.03's in two days racing though. if you want to improve lap times - it's a sure bet you will racing.
Thanks a lot lads! Mega helpful! Just a quick reply now as I'm off out, will pick your brains a little more later! Bike will be my 2010 ZX10R!
hahahaha luv it, beer and credit card is all really need, the credit card is to buy more beer when you run out during hammer time
