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How to know when you're ready to race?

feed the throttle
don't whack the throttle.

also
buy a laser thermometer, check the temp of the asphalt before heading out so you can adjust your tire pressures.
 
@Daredevil I have one but haven't used it. Any technical insight to doing this correctly and or correlating to tire operating temps?
 
Honey Badger said:
After yesterday's tire wear issues the shitty cheap ramen is going to be a far more common diet choice...
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I'm finding out slicks are not as affordable as i had thought. Even starting to see if there is a viable alternative to pirelli slicks that won't make make me have to choose between diapers and trackdays...
 
Daredevil said:
if you're asking, you're probably ready.
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that's good.
I always hung with the backmarkers and had lots of fun dicing with folks that were my speed. I didn't mind being lapped by quicker dudes (Budman). This was a while ago, but i can't imagine it has changed that much. Racing is (and should be) different than a track day.

Do it. If you keep your cool and don't fall down, there is nothing to lose and much to gain by the experience, even if it is short lived.
 
jaybocc2 said:
I'm finding out slicks are not as affordable as i had thought. Even starting to see if there is a viable alternative to pirelli slicks that won't make make me have to choose between diapers and trackdays...
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I'm just joking of course, who needs retirement when there are tires to buy.
 
jaybocc2 said:
I'm finding out slicks are not as affordable as i had thought. Even starting to see if there is a viable alternative to pirelli slicks that won't make make me have to choose between diapers and trackdays...
Click to expand...

Dunlop slicks.
 
stangmx13 said:
You never feel ready until that green flag flies. Just do it. Life is short and there is never a better time than now.
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agreed; I had been going to & watching races for years, as well as Turn Working & helping friends (pitman.) I was also riding w/some fast cookies on fast bikes on fast roads, & they all raced & told me I should go racing.

One of these guys (who became famous/still is), dude, what's so different than what your doing now? (going too fast on the street, sliding around everywhere, going faster than most...)

The last straw was the final, expensive, ticket. Now I had too many points & my license was in jeopardy, as well as my "Pro Driver" job. If I wanted to save my licence & job, I had to take it off highway....

Bingo, NWS & racing! Never looked back...

GO FOR IT! Damn the torpedoes, full-speed-ahead! :thumbup :teeth

Had a hella time for years & years, even after retiring f/racing 8 years later (not including trackdays/drags of course.) Still planning on some trackdays again...maybe a few Bracket nights at the drags...:teeth

I made a lot of friends who are still around today. I'm thankful I made the right decision. Hella lot better than being alone, lonely...GO FER IT!
 
kostritzer said:
Damn. Sounds like a fast 450!
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Definitely not.

It was like 70*F at Thunderhill yesterday. The one session with sun on the track really screwed things up. I haven't had any issues when the track is hot.


Daredevil said:
feed the throttle
don't whack the throttle.

also
buy a laser thermometer, check the temp of the asphalt before heading out so you can adjust your tire pressures.
Click to expand...

Throttle is definitely something I could work on. With the 450, it's pretty binary except for mid corner maintenance throttle.

Can you go into more detail on the thermometer use? How do you translate surface temp changes into tire pressure changes?
 
jaybocc2 said:
I'm finding out slicks are not as affordable as i had thought. Even starting to see if there is a viable alternative to pirelli slicks that won't make make me have to choose between diapers and trackdays...
Click to expand...

Pirelli is a tire that does not like throttle whacking. And pressure is crucial. What compound? SC1 and SC0 are lovely tires for traction, but they really wear quickly. SC2's last longer and trade off a bit of traction.
 
SC1 front SC2 rear. I got 5 days out of the rear being as gentle as I could and pushing a bit past the wear bars.
 
if five track days isn't enough tire life for you i don't know what to say!

oh, yes i do - start looking for takeoffs :)
 
5 is unrealistic as I pickup my pace and it's a little cost prohibitive. Also I'm guessing I'll get less than 4 days between bw and th. I might give dunpops a try. Should I need to make any adjustments to my suspension and riding? I have developed a fairly smooth roll on but sometimes I need to be rolling on earlier
 
jaybocc2 said:
5 is unrealistic as I pickup my pace and it's a little cost prohibitive. Also I'm guessing I'll get less than 4 days between bw and th. I might give dunpops a try. Should I need to make any adjustments to my suspension and riding? I have developed a fairly smooth roll on but sometimes I need to be rolling on earlier
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$400 for 1 set of tires is cost prohibitive after uve paid $1000 for 5 trackdays? :confused. yes, race tires are expensive. but really, its speed that is expensive. as u get faster, u use tires faster and cant switch back to street tires. u could switch to a bike w/ less HP if u want to stretch your tire bill, cuz going slower is cheaper.

i can get 4-5 days out of the Med+ (8477) Dunlop rear slick riding at the top of A group at any CA track on 600. ive heard that tire is a little harder than the SC2, but dont have any personal experience on the Pirelli. the Med 7455 front last forever and can be changed whenever. i wouldnt plan on changing anything beforehand. ride the tires. if u find an issue, fix it then.
 
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stangmx13 said:
$400 for 1 set of tires is cost prohibitive after uve paid $1000 for 5 trackdays? :confused. yes, race tires are expensive. but really, its speed that is expensive. as u get faster, u use tires faster and cant switch back to street tires. u could switch to a bike w/ less HP if u want to stretch your tire bill, cuz going slower is cheaper.

i can get 4-5 days out of the Med+ (8477) Dunlop rear slick riding at the top of A group at any CA track on 600. ive heard that tire is a little harder than the SC2, but dont have any personal experience on the Pirelli. the Med 7455 front last forever and can be changed whenever. i wouldnt plan on changing anything beforehand. ride the tires. if u find an issue, fix it then.
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Haha well I buy ticket packs so I save some money there. Just exploring my options to see if there are ways to save some money while maintaining my progress.
 
:bananaI signed up for PTTs NRS July 23:banana
 
thedub said:
Shoulda signed up for Keigwins NRS this Sunday so you can race Rd 4 July 15/16.
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I thought about it but I have ken hill school on june 19/20 so I wanted to be rested up and I cant make rd4 as I'll be pit crew for my friends chump race at Laguna that weekend...
 
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