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Stuart Thurtle - Mini Moto Racing - MAG SPORT RACING 2007
New to MAG Sport for 2007 is Stuart Thurtle.
In his first report for MAG Sport Stuart gives his background, aims and shares his enjoyment while promoting the “good side” of mini motos
History / Rider Profile
I'm probably not quite what you would expect for a Minimoto Racer at 90kg and 49 years old !! (no pain - no gain)
I am a total privateer just out to share the enjoyment of the sport with others.
I passed my full bike test some 32 years ago.
First Bike: A Honda PC 50 moped, it had peddles to help it up hills !
Current Bike: A CBR 600 RR 05.
Current Car: VW Golf TDI GTI 150Hp
Favourite Riders:
Past - Barry Sheene.
Present - Valentino Rossi / Troy Bayliss.
Best Prospects - Dani Pedrosa and Leon Haslam.
So you want to race Minimotos.....
In 2006 "Team Tortoise" (That’s me) took part in the SEMRC South of England Minimoto Racing Championships run by Phoenix Racing. There are "Team" and "Sponsored" riders just like the real thing.
Be warned this is the sharp end of competition where you need good equipment and it isn't cheap. There are alternatives often one-off events held at Kart tracks - good fun.
Competition race machines are not like the cheap n cheerful Chinese replicas at all. They require constant fettling and TLC to stay at peak performance.
I campaigned a GRC Proddie which is 40cc watercooled producing around 8.5 HP to 10 HP for a real good one. In this class no tuning is allowed hence Proddie or production. The class is split into four weight groups A,B,C & D so that evens things up a bit. I rode in Proddie "D" which is really for the adults over 89kg. The series visits circuits across the south of England down to Lydd in Kent and up to Whilton Mill, Daventry and some between.
The events are optionally two day with the Saturday being practice etc and raceday being Sunday. (it's a good idea to learn the circuit, sort out your gearing, clutch bite etc etc.) Make no mistake these are proper race bikes capable of high speed so don't ever consider riding one without the proper riding gear.
All Minimotos at these events have to pass stringent scrutineering before you practice at a circuit. Safety is paramount.
At the start of the season I found out just how fast some of these guys were, with me trailing round at the back of the grid. Race by race I improved and my confidence grew whilst getting used-to using proper race rubber. Soon I was racing midfield from a grid of 20+ and having a truly great time of it. By the close of the season that had improved to regular 5th 6th and 7th placings.
My overall championship placing was 11th so not bad ! but felt I could do better. In July at the British GP held on my home circuit Ellough Park Raceway, Beccles Suffolk I was 4th in class, WOW ! At the last meeting of the series I rode a second machine in a different class, Aircooled Senior. This was a taster for perhaps contesting two classes in 2007.
Preparations for 2007
Well this all started before 2006 series had finished. Decision to make, yes I was going to do two classes in 2007; Aircooled Senior and Supers. An Aircooled machine was purchased second-hand and after some teething troubles is now running quite sweetly. Nominally these are 4.2HP not much by comparison to Proddies or Supers.
With these it's all about corner speed, they are not so quick in a straight line so everything depends on corner entry / exit making them very satisfying when you get it right and frustrating when you get it wrong. for sure this class will be very tough so don't expect too much too soon ! The theory being that smooth riding on an Aircooled machine will improve my performance on the Super.
Supers are the pinnacle of Minimotos being 50cc and anything goes for tuning and modifications, some claiming 15 or 16 HP. They can be very expensive. I traded-in the proddie against a New Super with specific engine tuning carried out by "The Man Himself - Scott Finley" My Dyno print shows a genuine 14.49 HP not bad !! These things pull wheelies and are capable of 65 / 70 mph ! So look out guys Team Tortoise is back in 2007,.... only faster.
At £2800 outlay you get to wear-out your knee-sliders just that bit quicker !! (Oh, and a massive adrenaline overload)
First ride on the new Super a few weeks ago (trackday at EPR) was very encouraging, straight on the pace with the established "Super" Heroes who were there. A second Trackday at EPR served to further refine the gearing and clutch settings in readiness for the new season which kicks off on 30/31st March at EPR (My home track so that's handy).
MAG Sport welcomes Stuart on board for 2007 and you can follow his exploits throughout the season at MAG Sport.
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