I hope this page will answer some of the questions you may have if you are new to motorcycle racing or just wanted to know a little more. If your questions are not answered please drop me a line and I will be pleased to answer them. Click on a question to get the answer!!!
| Q1: | |
| A1: |
Sponsorship
is critical for any successful racing team, particularly at a high level
of competition. I have been
self funded for the majority of my successful racing career and I could have achieved even more
success than I have achieved had bigger and better sponsorship been
available. Hopefully there will be sponsors that can see the potential
and back me to win. There is no substitute for being a winner! |
| Q2: | |
| A2: |
It's easy. 1. Join
a club such as Bemsee (www.Bemsee.co.uk) A new rule now states that all new racers must attend a "race school". These details are given out by your club. This is a great idea as it gets you used to the flags, race day and procedure. It can be quite daunting! The best piece of advice is be prepared well in advance with your bike and when you go out on the track do not try to be the fastest thing since Valentino Rossi! Take your time. Racing IS a skill and you need to learn it. Just ask the novices in the paddock . I'm still learning after 12years of racing! I'm
always happy to talk about it if you want to get started. |
| Q3: | |
| A3: |
Both the Powerbike, MRO and the Endurance Championships are great for this. You can get full pit access and really feel part of the day. See the machinery and talk to the riders (Some are friendlier than others!). It's always good to have
supports at the track as this is good motivation. If people come into
the pits and look at your bike take time to talk to them. It's nice to share a
passion with whoever they may be! I know that some have gone on to race after
my conversations and this is great. |
| Q4: |
How many different levels of racing skill are there in motorcycle racing? |
| A4: |
There are many different levels of racing depending on the riders experience and ability. A new racer with no full licence to ride a bike on the road will have to apply for a "Novice" licence. If they have a full bike licence they can apply for an "Intermediate Novice" Licence. At both levels you must wear an orange bib on your leathers to identify that you are a new racer. You must then finish 10 races at 3 different tracks to upgrade your license to a "Clubman" and be rid of the orange bib! From Clubman you upgrade to "National" by finishing in the top 50% in 10 races at 4 different tracks. Once
you have competed at National level for a year you are eligible to
upgrade to a Continental and FIM International licence. |
| Q5: |
I have heard the term "class" used for certain races. What does this mean? |
| A5: |
There are may forms of motorcycle racing and these are known as "class". These classes define the requirements of the motorcycle to enter a particular race. I race in the Powerbike class on my Yamaha R1. This has a 1000cc engine and the Powerbike "Class" is specifically for the highest powered machines. In the
Endurance racing there is a mix of all classes of bike. There are
1000cc, 750cc and 600cc. I race a Yamaha R6 which is in the 600cc class.
Although the bike is in one of the smallest classes, because of its size
it can be an advantage on twisty circuits. As well as finishing second
in class this year, we also finished 4th Overall in the Championship
beating many other bigger bikes. Riding ability is also a key advantage! |
| Q6: | |
| A6: |
I usually turn up at the circuit the night before the race and unload the bike and my equipment. Although the bike is prepared before going to the track I check the bike over from fluid levels (Oil, petrol, water), and then check every nut so I know there is nothing mechanically to do on the morning. Up at 7.30am and I take the bike to Scruitineering. This is where the officials from the racing organisation give the bike a race "MOT". They check for any infringement of the rules on the bikes as well as check it for safety, such as loose items that could cause an accident. Once the machine has been checked I need to get my leathers, gloves, boots and crash helmet checked. Once these are all deemed safe I have take the scruitineering card that has been signed by the testing officials to the paddock office and "sign on". This is the point where I am officially registered to take part in the races I have entered for. I take the bike back, check the tyre pressures and put the tyre warmers on ready for the first race. It is imperative that the pressures are checked before the tyre warmers go on as the pressures change with the heat and inaccurate readings can be given. Once the first race is over I immediately put the tyre warmers back on and re-fuel. I also check the fluids again and lubricate the chain. the chain can wear and stretch very quickly if it is not kept well lubricated. It's a re-occurring schedule before and after each race with wheel changes to different tyres if needed depending on the weather and wear. If everything is ok with the bike I often walk up and down the paddock talking to the other competitors and swapping notes! It's also very good to build a rapport with the folks you are on track with as this builds a respect that helps avoid rash overtaking manouvers! At the
end of the day I usually go and collect my trophies!!!!! |
| Q7: |
What is the main difference between Powerbike and Endurance? |
| A7: |
There is a big difference between the two types of racing I competed in. Powerbikes are 8 or 10 lap "sprint" races (known as "short circuit racing") where we line up on the grid and watch a set of lights to start the race. The racing is 100% full throttle from the green light. Every move needs to be made decisively, quickly and safely. With such a short time to make positions up to win the race it is very exciting to watch and compete in. With such intensity crammed into such a short time space the action is always fantastic! The Endurance has a completely contrasting setup. The race is run over 6 or 8 hours with teams consisting of 2 to 3 riders and one bike. Each team has a pit crew that needs to refuel the bike, attend to any mechanical issues throughout the race and change wheels with new tyres. The race is started with the bikes lining up in their qualification positions from morning timed sessions. The riders have to run across the track "Le Mans" style, jump on their bikes which is held by a fellow rider, then start the engine and pull away. The riders are often on the bike for an hour at a time before coming into the pits for a rider change and refueling. As you can imagine it is very physical and the riders need to be fit. Riders usually have to ride two sessions of an hour each to complete a 6hr race. Unlike the Powerbikes there is far more strategy involved in Endurance. The weather conditions, rider fitness, pit crew actions and tactics all change throughout the duration of the race. It is a teams experience in all of these areas that brings success. The riders will race at 98% instead of 100% in the Powerbikes as finishing the race is everything. There is plenty of time to plan overtaking maneuvers rather than the "death dive" down the inside because you only have 8 laps. You can be the fastest qualifier but the first crasher! It's no good if you still have 5hrs and 55 minutes left of the race. The Endurance is extremely exciting and very close. I have won and lost 8hr races by less than a second!!!! The race is over when the leading team that has completed the most laps crosses the line after the allocated race time (6 or 8 hours). Bikes are kept in Park Ferme for 30 minutes in case any protests are lodged. I love both forms of racing. The Powerbikes for it's intensity and individuality and the Endurance for its amazing strategy, consistency, teamwork and physical demands. The different styles and
requirements compliment each other to make a good all-round tactical but
fast rider. |