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So You Wanna Be A Road Racer by Team MAG Sports Dave Bone (2001) [Page 2]
Have you ever been to a road race meeting and thought "I could do better than that"? Well rather than just watching and wondering, why not get out there and have a go. Here's a basic guide to what you need to know to get on the track.
To begin with your going to have to decide what bike or class you would like to race in and there are a number of factors which could influence your decision. Do you just want to join in and have a bit of fun or be a serious contender, how much have you available to spend, which classes generally attract a good entry, your age. I mention age because there are now junior road race classes for teenies to compete on 125's.
To help you make a decision it's worth going to watch a few local club meetings and having a wonder round the paddock.
There's likely to be club meeting going on somewhere just about every weekend during the season. Chat to a few riders and get an idea of what it costs them to run the bike, whether they've had any particular problems with that model, are spares readily available and are they expensive and anything to look out for if buying one.
You can also find out  how much that club charges for race entry fees. A popular choice is the dependable Honda CBR600 although you could start with a 250LC or a classic.
Bear in mind that if your going to buy a bike that's previously been raced you can just about guarantee that it will have been crashed at some point.
It may also have been subjected to some ham fisted maintenance and botched repairs during it's life, as most riders will do just about anything that will pass the scrutineers to get their bike on the grid for the next race following a tumble.
Look out for rounded off nuts, chewed up screw heads and stripped threads. The advantage of buying a machine that's already been raced is that it's already race prepared.
It's worth asking the seller how much engine tuning work has been done, whether it has been done by a reputable tuning establishment (or by the riders mate with a nail file) and when the engine was last rebuilt.
Most owners will be happy to produce a bundle of receipts to show just how much has been spent on the
motor and what's been done to it. (it has been known for race spec engines which have had thousands spent on them to be replaced with a spare bog standard item from the local breakers so that the race engine can be sold separately at a good price).
Also take into account whether suspension mods have been done and a decent race spec rear shock and race exhaust system fitted. If you were to start from scratch converting a road bike these items alone would be well over a £1000. As when buying any bike make sure you give it a good check over and on race bikes make sure you check engine and frame numbers are present and haven't been tampered with. Unfortunately stolen bikes and parts can make there way on to the track so don't be an unwitting, or for that matter knowing ally in this trade.
Remember that whatever you go for you've got to be able to afford to run and maintain it for the season and a 600 for instance will go through more tyres, chains, brake pads etc than an old cheap and cheerful 250LC.
You'll also need some means of transporting the bike to and from the circuit and to begin with rather than investing in a rusty old transit van a bike trailer is going to be the cheapest option.
Once you've decided on the bike you then need to join an ACU affiliated road race club so that you can apply for your race licence.
There are numerous clubs around the country organising racing events and your choice of club will probably be dictated by where you live or which circuits you would like to compete on. Some clubs only organise events on the local circuits or disused airfields whilst others organise events at major circuits around the country. Membership will probably be somewhere between £10 and £20 for the year.
When joining ask if they can provide you with an ACU licence application form.
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