good on ya mate, you'll love it. I was at brno this year with a german organisatie, most of the riders were 50+ I'd say, and some were bloody fast. I was looking to sneakily pull one of their plugs out to make it fair
I had the privilege of photographing the Fox's first ever race. He was doing brilliantly but got disqualified for driving across the infield...
I did a few meetings in my mid 30's and loved it. I did learn a few lessons though! 1- club riders are a lot quicker than you think they are! No amount of track days will prepare you for that. Go and watch a few different meetings with different clubs as rider skill levels do vary between the big clubs and smaller clubs. The NL racing seems a great place to start these days. 2 - there's no such thing as cheap racing. You will spend a lot of cash! 3 - don't spend shit loads of money on trick bike parts and go faster bits to start with. There's more time to be had in your head and your technique than in your bike! Watch and learn. 4 - there's a pretty good chance you WILL fall off. Take spares with you. 5 - enjoy it! Might sound daft, but it's easy to forget your doing this for enjoyment when it's not going so well. Having said all that, I'd love another go!
Well said, all very good and sensible advice there, especially on trick bits. things like brake and clutch levers, stick to used standard ones rather than fancy ones. They all break the same, it is just that the fancy ones cost significantly more to replace. Same with a paint scheme too, keep it simple. When you come off, it is much easier to replicate a basic scheme than a fancy full on race replica one, hence my new bike is in bog standard gloss white. But, the most important thing as Chappyr1 said, it is supposed to be fun. You will learn a lot more in the first year by not trying to win every single race, but instead learning and taking time to learn too. It doesn't come overnight and the difference between club racing and track days, is the same as road riding to track days. Enjoy it guys, it is one of the best things you will ever do.
I'm literally bouncing around with excitement everytime I see the bike in the garage and it's only getting worse as the season gets closer. Can't wait for ACU day!!!
I am still quietly putting £10 on the fact that you may well sell the road bike YT, as the appeal of road riding will just go completely when you start racing. Nothing competes or even comes close.
I would miss out on the tour of scotland every year mate!! But you are right I already can't see me going for rides out on the road much this year. SHame really cos I have a lovely blade. THere's just to much you're not allowed to do on the road
It would take a lot to get me back on the road and if i did go back, it would be on something totally different to a sportsbike. However, that is currently irrelevant, as I am going to do my level best to be racing for as many years as is possible.
Sorry, I can't quite read that post YT, my old eyes are failing me. It's a bugger this old age thing. Not like these young uns, all trousers and no mouth. No hang on, something like that anyway. Must be my age getting the better of me again.
Ah you will love Anglesey. Great surface, fairly easy to learn, awesome views........bloomin' lovely place. When are you there?
