racing school

[ky_rsv_rider]

I live in central ky, and I am having a hard time deciding what school would be best for me. I would like to start racing on the weekends but dont want to travel real far. From what I can tell the Ed Bargy school would be a good place to start, I am a fairly experienced rider with good handeling skills but with a one day class I dont see how they can evaluate me as a canidate for the full cometition certificate with never taken a school. Also do they go over suspension setup. Any insight into how this works would be nice, I should have everything ready to go by this late spring.

[jkflatt]

I would recommend Ed's school. I took it about 3 yrs ago and have friends that went to others.. Ed's is more technical with equal amount of class & track time. Starts everyone out with the basics and lets you apply the technique on the track.....don't think they will go into any suspension but did discuss gearing issues...ends day with mock race....

Then you'll have a provisional race license.....do two races and earn your regular license...(that's the way WERA did it)

good luck....

Jeff

[ky_rsv_rider]

thanks for the heads up. I was really hoping that they would go over suspension setup because I know it makes a huge difference on the track. On the road I like a fairly stiff setup, but from what I hear thats bad for a track. The only 2 speed shops around here that deal with aprilia are not up to speed on racing. One shop cant even order parts right the other really just sells the scooters. I guess i'll have to pick their brains when I pay the money for the school

[(diet)DrThunder]

Hey there!

I'm in Louisville, and i just started racing last year. I'd absolutely recommend Ed's school. It consistently gets rave reviews, gets you a comp. license, and it comes with a nice side bonus...Ed is a WERA official, so you get face time with him, which is nice so that you have a rapport if you ever need anything at the races.

I'll be starting my season as Tally in April...when were you thinking of taking the school? maybe we could wagon-train to the track, cuz I generally do the practice day in conjunction w/ the school.

Lemme know...

[ky_rsv_rider]

I am going to do my best to get my bike staightend out, I need to get my clutch plates and springs put in, along with new rotors and pads. I am guessing its the rotors whenever I am trying to do a hard stop from above 60 mph it has a bad jumpy feeling, definately not good for racing. I also need to get a new set of sprockets and a chain as well as re tuning my motor(valve clearance,tb synch and maybe a new eprom for a little more power. I have too many pots in the fire! I've got a guy comming today to appraise my house so I can sell it, and the list goes on. Just curious is scootopia a good dealer, because I will not be back to transport.

[Christian157]

I will be an instructor for the Marrc Roadracing school this year. We have a very informative website at www.marrc.nova.org Has a real good manual to compliment the course, tells you alot of what you will learn in the classroom as well as prepping the bike. I am a veteran expert roadracer that has been racing mille's since 2001. I currently campaign 2 2000 models but may buy a newer one for the contingency. The Marrc school is one of a few that certifies you for both WERA and CCS. I live about 2 1/2 hrs east of you and its 5hrs to Summit Point from my house. (most of the tracks I race at are between 5-9hrs away) Racing school is on the friday preceding a race weekend at Summit Point and we can have you racing that weekend. I bought my first mille from Transport, I know what you are talking about there. If you want someone with real racing knowledge who is active in the sport and could help you prep your bike call Bell's Suzuki down the street from Transport. Roger Bell is an excellent source of knowledge, a former WERA National Champion and a good guy. they have a team that races as well. Let me know if you have any other questions. The most important mod you will need to consider is a Penske or Ohlins Shock, then revalve the forks and swap out the rotors. after that seek hp. There are a number of ways to and all are expensive. (not nearly as much as a Ducati though) I can send you more info on other schools. As previously quoted, I would agree that Ed Bargy's school is another good school. Have you done any track days and if so, how much track time? Again, I can send you some hyperlinks to all of the schools, feel free to check them out. If you have questions, ask away. Take it easy, Christian157

[Jet City Racer]

A few words of advise to Ky_ and Dr. Thunder. Take your time at getting up to speed and listen to what the instructors are teaching you. I see Novice racers think they're going to blow everyone away their first race, crash and never show up again. Work on getting the bike handling properly and attend instructional track days before pumping up the engine. That will make you a much better rider than headwork ever will.

Oh yeah.......& HAVE FUN!!!!

[StefanJ]

I have taken Ed's course(nice guy) and Marteneli's(SP) courses! Both courses have great points and some stress different techniques/put more emphasis in different areas! So what am I saying??? Whats my point???

My point is this, take as many courses as you can!! You will most likely learn good points from each and every different course!!

Now at the track(if you haven't ridden on the track before), just take your time and ride at YOUR PACE!!!! Never ever ever ever should you feel compelled to ride outside your comfort zone!! Track riding and racing doesn't/isn't paying your bills so remember when you first start just take your time, have as much fun as possible and get all the TRACK TIME you can!! Remember its just track time!!! I had to have a good friend of mine remind me constantly that "its just track time!"! He kept me from crashing again when I was riding on a chewed up set of michelins!

I'm not saying don't push it!! I'm trying to say just don't go overboard!
Have fun and enjoy yourself!

[(diet)DrThunder]

A few words of advise to Ky_ and Dr. Thunder. Take your time at getting up to speed and listen to what the instructors are teaching you. I see Novice racers think they're going to blow everyone away their first race, crash and never show up again. Work on getting the bike handling properly and attend instructional track days before pumping up the engine. That will make you a much better rider than headwork ever will.

Oh yeah.......& HAVE FUN!!!!

I"m not going to the school...I was just passing on other recommendations. Plus I'm a 300 pounder on an FZR400, so I'm not likely to bother pumping up the motor I definitly second not bothering w. the motor on the Mille as a novice. There is _so_ much more time to be had w. proper suspension setup and practice/skill development...it just isn't worth it.

To give you an idea, after almost all day practicing at Nashville at my first race, I went out for 1 session on a friend's 04 GSXR600. This bike makes 40% more power than my 400 and weighs less.

I went .5 sec slower on it...going faster doesn't always translate to Going Faster, if you know what I mean.

[StefanJ]

I"m not going to the school...I was just passing on other recommendations. Plus I'm a 300 pounder on an FZR400, so I'm not likely to bother pumping up the motor I definitly second not bothering w. the motor on the Mille as a novice. There is _so_ much more time to be had w. proper suspension setup and practice/skill development...it just isn't worth it.

To give you an idea, after almost all day practicing at Nashville at my first race, I went out for 1 session on a friend's 04 GSXR600. This bike makes 40% more power than my 400 and weighs less.

I went .5 sec slower on it...going faster doesn't always translate to Going Faster, if you know what I mean.

that FZR400 must be a blast to ride!!!! Bigger isn't always better!!! My little SV 650 racebike does wonderful things and will do even more once I get her fully sorted out!!

[ky_rsv_rider]

I posted this thread because I want to be a become a better rider, If it dose lead me to racing then great. I know I will not become another Eddie Lawson even though we share the same last name. I consider myself a proficient rider not great by any means, I do need a little help setting up the bike for me. That is why I asked if they go over suspension setup. I know that setup comes over time and requires a lot of track practice, that sux for me because putnam is a pretty long drive. In the short of things I know I have a lot of learning to do and I want to get into a school that will help me learn as much as possible. Yes I was a squid on a dirtbike once and it almost bit me bad. Ignorance (invincability) is no reason to get on a track and go balls to the wall, it'll get you hurt. I now have a little girl in my life almost 11 months old. I want to become the best rider that I can. Im not rich so all the extras like tire warmers for race tires and so forth is not in the picture for now , who knows what the future brings but if it brings good news I want to be a little ahead of the game.

[Jet City Racer]

I have used the twisties for getting my bike close as far as set up. You don't need to go fast to do it either. I will bring a screwdriver with me and make an adjustment, ride for a little bit and then adjust from there. You would be surprised how close you can get it that way. Sure you aren't going to be able to get it perfectly, but darn close. Start with the settings soft/quick and gradually trim from there.



PS: Wish I had a litle girl too.

[StefanJ]

I have a 19 month old boy and I race!! I just wrote that as a reminder since some people have a tendency/feel the need when they get on the track to defend their machismo(or whatever) and then they wreck(especialy when passed up by a little girl on a 50cc smoker) !! I've seen it before, and I am in no way saying that it will happen to you. I'm just trying to give out some helpful advice.

As far as learning suspension setup and adjustments when I get my scanner and everything going again maybe I can send you all the notes I have from the suspension seminar I went to with Max McAllister from Traxxion Dynamics. You might be able to get a copy of "Suspension for Mortals" for some basic help but nothing realy sets you up for success like doing the tuning and/or seeing someone do it themselves.

From what I saw at the courses I went to there isn't much talk about suspension setup. These courses are more geared toward the rider and not towards the bike!

You could also order the video from Max on suspension tuning(I don't know how good it is). Max might still offer seminars so you might try giving him a ring.
http://www.traxxion.com/

I had my days of fun on a dirtbike also!!! Partial spleenectomy, exploritory surgery, pleural scentises(SP) a month long stay at Valley Childrens medical center and about a ten inch scar down my stomach! Dirt bikes sure are fun though!!!!!!

I hope this helps.

[ky_rsv_rider]

I appreciate the info JCR. I will have to give it a try. I dont know what difference it will make ,I understand where to start, but I weigh 165# and the big part of the suspension setup I'm trying to figure out is how much sag to run. Personal preference for me is I like a stiffer setup on the compression but I'm not to sure about the rebound. I'm guessing about half way. And what about the rear spring I know the weight of the spring will have a lot to do with how you set it up. Its a stock spring on a 2000 rsv not an R. I'm not really sure what the stock rate is.

ps: thanks StefanJ imgoing to give it a look now aLso are you stationed at fort campbell. If so you may know one of my good friends.

[StefanJ]

Yes, I'm stationed here at Campbell. I'm in the 4th UA/BCT. I am new here(Campbell and this website) as you can probably tell!