First step is to contact race organization and see when you can take race school and get rule book and read it.
Once you get license and bike ready to race it is up to you when you want to race.
It is not cheap

 

Yeah I'm just kind of confused as to what organizations are around or active in the NE. I guess the NJMP RRS would be a good start?

As far as costs, aside from tires and gas, maintenance, and transport, am I missing any biggies? How many tires do beginners go through in one weekend, between practice, quali and race? I guess that would be the biggest cost.

 

There is only one answer to the "how much does it cost to go racing?" question.

ALL OF IT!!

Whatever you have, you will spend.

 

Don't know what club is in NJ but there is one in Loudon. You can find them all in Roadracing World magazine and probably on their web site http://roadracingworld.com/
Tires, gas, entry fee, room, food, $$ for gear and parts if you don't have it....etc.
One set of tires should last you couple weekends for now.

 

And nothing worst than counting

 

+1

Me and my racing budget are on a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" basis.

But if you've got an SV and it's running well, you're off to a good start. Don't get caught up in expensive unnecessary parts. The stock bars, levers, and rearsets (with riser plates) are fine. I've seen newcomers drop nearly $700 on aftermarket bars, levers, and rearsets; that would have bought them a racing shock. Assuming you've got the gear you need, spend your money on a shock, tires and track time.

CCS runs a four-weekend series at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Info is at www/ccsracing.us. Loudon is at lrrsracing.com.

Good luck.

 

A common number I hear here is $1000 per race weekend. Those are guys trying to be good with their money but still racing late-model 600cc and 1000cc bikes. It's a little cheaper with the SV and there are other guys who go even cheaper, but not much.

 

WERA would be a good place to check into racing in your area. Just attend a race weekend to see what goes on, ask a lot of questions. Racers/trackriders are generally friendly people and love to help out. WERA has a riders school on Saturdays at most weekends. It's an all day class/track school and a mock race at the end of the day, $125 cost. You can then race on Sunday as a Provisional Novice. 2 race weekends as PN and you can get a Novice license. I'ts a blast....I would say go for it....good luck!

 

Another thought....you can race fairly cheap on an SV650. A good set of tires can last 2-3 weekends or longer...$320. The enrty fees are about $125 for your 1st race, then $100, then drops to around $80. Hotels, food, fuel and all the extras add up also. Sleep in your trailer, or race with a buddy and you can save a lot there. You can race a weekend for as little as $300-$500, just depends on where you live....

 

Yeah, $1,000 is awful high for a weekend on an SV. I've done a one-day, one race gig with WERA for under $200 - and that includes entry fees, gate fees, and the gas it took to drive a V-10 van from LA to Vegas and back. Slept in the van.

See, you've got to subtract the amount you would have spent anyway that weekend if you hadn't gone racing. I mean, if you stayed home, how much would you have spent on food, gas, movies, beer, etc? Now subtract that figure from your racing weekend expenses, and you have a truer idea of the cost of racing.

The trick here is to develop ridiculously expensive non-racing hobbies and habits. That way, when you go racing, you can smugly congratulate yourself for actually saving money ...

 

Welcome to the addiction.

www.penguinracing.com
www.lrrsracing.com
www.ccsracing.com

The first link is to Penguin Race School. They're THE guys to go to for a race license at Loudon NH. The other two are organizations that you wanna look at if you plan on racing in the North East. LRRS is sanctioned by CCS which means the rules are VERY similar and you only need one CCS license (which you get with Penguin) to compete in either series.

LRRS races purely at Loudon NH, where as CCS races at many other venues, including NJMP. I've raced at both venues. To my knowledge, there will be NO motorcycles (be it racing or track days) at Monticello in 2011.

As for cost, a typical LRRS weekend costs me about $200-250 in race entries ($65 for each 8 lap sprint, $85 for a 20 minute GT), plus fuel, food, etc. Lodging is available as well (I camp at the track but there's a Red Roof Inn about 6 miles down the road that most people stay at).

As far as tires go, back when I was less experienced, tires would last me a while... I'd go through probably 100 bucks worth of rubber per weekend. Now i'm going through a rear per weekend and a front every 2, which translates into about 200-250 dollars worth of rubber per weekend (however I'm also doing track days in between each weekend, too.).

So really, you could probably plan on spending an average of about $400-500 per weekend, assuming you do 3-5 races each weekend. You could easily spend less if you don't do as many races and are frugal with your money. Some weekends you'll spend more, some weekends you'll spend less. That's just how it is. It's different for everyone based on how fast they go through tires, how money conscious they are, how good they are at keeping it on two wheels, etc.


I plan on racing all 7 LRRS rounds, hopefully one or two rounds at NJMP... and maybe a round at another venue. So feel free to hit me up if you have any questions.

I'm also doing many, many track days at NHMS and NJMP with Tony's Track Days if you're interested in joining us there. I'd be happy to help you with your riding myself or set you up with another instructor if you want.

 

Welcome to the addiction.

If you are thinking of racing... My best advise is to turn and run as fast as you can!

Because its the best and worst thing that you will ever do!

 

And how expensive is it? Aside from bike stuff like tires and gas, is it pretty much a matter of paying registration fees?

My ride is an '01 naked with Racetech emulators and sonicsprings, rest is stock. Would I need to take anything out?

For me, I buy tires every race day. And with tires and 4 races plus practice - its around 800 to 1,000 depending on gas, transport cost, lunch, etc.

Sounds like your setup is perfect! All you need is tires! Mods on an SV are way over-rated. You have the suspension (make sure its dialed in) now just get some NEW RACE tires!

 

For me, I buy tires every race day.

As do I, but not many others on an SV do, especially if their pace and/or riding style is easy on tires.

Someone that's new to racing probably won't go through more than about half to three quarters worth of a tire per weekend at first, depending on how many races they do, how abrasive the track is, etc.

 

Racing is retardedly expensive, there really isnt any way to sugar-coat that.

Tire warmers, stands, (hopefully not) crash parts, getting your license, race registrations, hotels, a good trailer to tow the bike, tools, spares, lots of tires (including rains and a spare set of rims), gas (to and from track, not just the bike), race plastics, spare helmet(s), 1pc suit, gloves, boots, back/chest protectors. This is all assuming that the bike is already raceworthy, if not then add a shock and new or rebuilt forks at the minimum.

I spent literally 20k my starting year which includes the bike purchase and build plus my trailer. If you take the trailer out of the equation I think it comes down to 11k

Oh and dont skimp on safety gear, period.

 

Mike, stop makig me think about how much I've spent over the years :dizzy:

I can't immagine I spent that much my rookie year... of course I also started out on a clapped out EX500, got a good amount of my race gear used and got myself a cheap 400 dollar open trailer to pull everything to & from the track.

 

So besides satisfaction or whatever sentimental value you get out of this activity, what do you get? I would really love to attend one of these racing weekends, but just to watch.

I never realized how expensive this activity is. I am looking at your posts and I am thinking, thank God, I don't plan on joining the crowd but I am pretty sure I would be broke if I did. Track days already sound way too expensive for me(although I plan on doing some).


So the real question is, are you guys rich? ;D

 

So the real question is, are you guys rich? ;D

I've raced two seasons. Today I turned 21. I'm in college working for my Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. So no, I am not rich. Lots of people who race are just barely get by. But then there are the ones that have too much money.

 

There's really no easy way to describe what it is I get out of racing... all I can really say is that having done track days for 6 solid years and racing for 4, they are two very, very different worlds.

Track days are to fapping as racing is to gettin it on

And no, I'm DEFINITELY not rich. Though I probably would be if I weren't racing

Yeah, it's an expensive sport, but some people spend a LOT more on it than others. There are plenty of ways to cut down on costs without cutting down on fun or safety. You could feasibly put together a FULL rookie racing season, starting from SCRATCH, with nothing more than the shirt on your back, for under 8 grand. It wouldn't be glamorous, but you could probably do it.

The good news is, most people here probably woudn't be starting from scratch. You've probably already got a bike (and just about any bike can be raced in stock street trim if you really wanted to) and you should probably already have most of the gear if you're big into doing track days.

The trick is to just go little by little and ease your way into it. But jumping into it full tilt and head first will take a lot of financial backing, espeically if you go with high end equipment.

 

Track days are to fapping as racing is to gettin it on

And no, I'm DEFINITELY not rich. Though I probably would be if I weren't racing

Quoted for truth!

Pete always has some very well-worded replies and this is no exception. I should add before I scare people away that I went into things far harder than was necessary. I spent a ton on a 20' trailer because I plan on doing this for more than 2 seasons so the trailer pays for itself by hotel room savings in the 3rd year.

Also I should add that other than tires and crash parts, most of those are one time purchases that will not need to be repeated. The initial outlay is tough if you do it all at once like I did, which wasnt necessary as Pete mentioned. I prefer to do things right the first time, up front.

As for what I get out of it, for me it is personal improvement as I really couldnt care less about a trophy. I am chasing my times. I want to be the best rider I can be and frankly you cannot get pushed to that level at a track day (nor would it be safe to do so). The competitive aspect of it forces me to push myself harder and faster than I could do without that extra incentive.

I suppose to some extent that I am also chasing my youth in addition to my times. I turn 41 this year and realize that there are fewer years racing ahead of me than could have been behind me =). It is something I have always wanted to do and make some fun memories to take with me when I have to graduate to touring bikes

 

Yeah my main reason to even consider racing was that rush of chasing down an evenly matched guy. Maybe if I got a lap timer, trackdays would be more fun, but otherwise, without knowing if you're getting better or having a goal, it's not as enjoyable as it could be.

And as far as being competitive, I wouldn't have any aspirations really, aside from having some good fights, trying to figure out a way past the guy in front, etc. Wouldn't even care about getting on a podium. I'm 30. This isn't going to be my career, lol, way too late for that.

As far as costs, a single day trackday can cost $200-$250, so it isn't that much cheaper. Already have spare rims I got for $200. Might need some spare levers, foot controls, and other minor stuff, but nothing major. The biggest expense I might have coming up is a trailer-in-a-bag (1k), but I was planning to get that regardless. A few van rentals -- which I've done to get to the track before -- would pay back for it in less than 5 trips, and I still have a trailer as an asset.

 

As far as costs, a single day trackday can cost $200-$250, so it isn't that much cheaper. Already have spare rims I got for $200.

Except that you usually get a *ton* more actual track time during a single track day than during a weekend racing (racing: 2 short morning sessions and maybe 4 or 5 8-minute races vs track-day: 8+ 20-minute sessions minimum)

 

Yup, having tangible "proof" of improvement is definitely a big part of the fun. Benchracing with friends, etc, talking about lap times, battles with other competitors, on and off the track.... it's just a different world from Track Days and it all depends on what you want to get out of it. If you just wanna go out there and have some fun with the element of competition, you can do that. If you want to get big into it and be "serious" about it, you can do that, too.

Me, I took a medium approach... I'm out there just having fun... but at the same time, riding to the best of my ability, improving my skills and bringing home a tophy as evidence of my accomplishments is all part of the fun for me.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I'd be where I'm at today. I went from being a total track newbie back in 2004 to winning my first race in 2006 to being a club racing championship contender in 2010. Granted, I'm just a big fish in a relatively small pond and there are PLENTY of people out there going much faster and having far more success than I am, but to be where I'm at and riding at the level that I am definitely took me by surprise.



As far as a trailer goes, if you want to go the cheap route, I got myself a harbor freight 4x8 bare frame trailer with 12 inch wheels for just 300 shipped. I put it together myself, spent another couple hundred for a hitch & wiring harness and another 100 for some lumber and I was off and running. I've been running that set-up since 2006 and have barely spent a dime on it.

 

how does one make a small fortune club racing? By starting with a large one.

 

Hey, you stole that joke from the airline industry

As far as a trailer goes, if you want to go the cheap route, I got myself a harbor freight 4x8 bare frame trailer with 12 inch wheels for just 300 shipped. I put it together myself, spent another couple hundred for a hitch & wiring harness and another 100 for some lumber and I was off and running. I've been running that set-up since 2006 and have barely spent a dime on it.

The foldable one was like $225 after a 25% rebate they had over the holidays, but it's 260lb, before adding 3/4 inch plywood (about 25lb per 1/4 inch per 4x8ft), and the weight scared me off. Plus, if would be an eyesore in my apartment building's parking spot lol

 

Racing brings out the animal instinct in you. To hunt that next person, to do anything win.

It's a drug, but it's also the best thing I've ever done with my self. You learn a whole lot of life lessons racing, life friends, story's you can tell you kids, whatever.

It def gives me a reason to enjoy life, otherwise whats the point? i'd prob just be a pot head laughing myself into the next day, but I have racing.

"Racing is life, everything else is just waiting"

 

Yeah I got the one from Uhaul and the other from etrailer.com. Hidden hitch brand.

 

I am on don't ask don't tell with one rule, no credit cards, cash only. No cash no racing.

 

Hahah. Yeah, I pay for pretty much everything with my debit card, including race expenses, so although there's records of it they just get burried in the numbers ;D

I gambled at the end of this year and asked my tire guy what my total bill for the year was... I was nervous but was pleasantly surprised when I found out that it was less than what I earned in contingency Can't do THAT on a middleweight ;D

 

Hey man, I was just joking... I know why we do this. Well, for me not racing but dumping money into hobbies. Plus, as long as you don't rob someone to do it, it's fine.

Guys, get back to the Op.. sorry for:threadjack:

 

Plus, as long as you don't rob someone to do it, it's fine.

uh oh...

 

you don't have to be a millionaire to race, but you really can't be bone broke either. once you get started, you can comfortably race the SV for $400 (and up) per race weekend, depending on how ghetto you go and how few races you do. if you have that kind of expendable income, then go for it.

 

I think I spent around $10,000 in my first season including the bike, but I saved a lot of money running take offs. I can't afford to race anymore so I picked up dirtbiking instead. Honestly I never kept track of the fees because it felt OK to pay them since everyone around me was doing the same.

 

I'm sorry, it's possible not to race?

 

Yup.

But what some guys I know do, is they show up the day before and do the all day race practice for like 100 bucks then sign up for just one race for like another 65-85 bucks and get four more practice sessions (two each morning) and an 8 lap sprint, which is pretty good.

Of course you're sitting around all weekend for the most part, but at least you get to watch the races & hang out with your buddies. SOME people do that, but most that are just interested in pure track time do track days.