grandpaul
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,549
If you've ever thought about racing an old bike, let me tell you - IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK!
Just find a regional roadracing club in your area, talk to the folks that race there, and get a hold of thier handbook. Study up on bike prep, get a set of leathers on e-bay (and a Snell approved helmet), and sign up for a racing school (some are weekend schools, others are one-day classes).
If you ride reasonably well, don't over-do it and fly off the track, and don't clobber another rider, you can get your license. I got mine at a one-day course with CMRA, through LoneStar Track Days at Texas World Speedway in College Station, TX.
There are tracks dotted from coast to coast, with several series that include classes for our beloved classic Nortons, particularly the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA), which is the biggest vintage bike racing association in the U.S. http://www.ahrma.org
In order to help new riders enter the sport, I'm sponsoring AHRMA's novice class, Novice Historic Production, in the Heavyweight division (over 500cc - 750cc). --Sorry, 850 guys, there is no novice class for you.
There are no cash awards in the vintage classes, but I am awarding gift cards from several national chain stores such as Target, Lowes, Home depot, etc., and gas cards that are as good as cash.
Even if you don't get out there and race, if all you can do is ATTEND ONE RACE, sit in the stands, walk through the pits, buy a t-shirt, a hot dog & a beer, YOU HAVE DONE WHAT YOU CAN, TOO; you have made an impact by helping the promoters cover thier costs, encouraging the racers, and helping the vendors make a nickle or two.
By the way, Norton is not yet represented in the N/H/P/H class, and the BSA guys are slathering all over themselves to top the Triumphs, so throwing a Norton or two into the soup might be just what the series needs to wake some people up!
Just find a regional roadracing club in your area, talk to the folks that race there, and get a hold of thier handbook. Study up on bike prep, get a set of leathers on e-bay (and a Snell approved helmet), and sign up for a racing school (some are weekend schools, others are one-day classes).
If you ride reasonably well, don't over-do it and fly off the track, and don't clobber another rider, you can get your license. I got mine at a one-day course with CMRA, through LoneStar Track Days at Texas World Speedway in College Station, TX.
There are tracks dotted from coast to coast, with several series that include classes for our beloved classic Nortons, particularly the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA), which is the biggest vintage bike racing association in the U.S. http://www.ahrma.org
In order to help new riders enter the sport, I'm sponsoring AHRMA's novice class, Novice Historic Production, in the Heavyweight division (over 500cc - 750cc). --Sorry, 850 guys, there is no novice class for you.
There are no cash awards in the vintage classes, but I am awarding gift cards from several national chain stores such as Target, Lowes, Home depot, etc., and gas cards that are as good as cash.
Even if you don't get out there and race, if all you can do is ATTEND ONE RACE, sit in the stands, walk through the pits, buy a t-shirt, a hot dog & a beer, YOU HAVE DONE WHAT YOU CAN, TOO; you have made an impact by helping the promoters cover thier costs, encouraging the racers, and helping the vendors make a nickle or two.
By the way, Norton is not yet represented in the N/H/P/H class, and the BSA guys are slathering all over themselves to top the Triumphs, so throwing a Norton or two into the soup might be just what the series needs to wake some people up!