The motard and the Carolinas

[Avatard]

Troy, I don't have any specific info on racing, only mini-racing as a concept.

I used to import and race pocket bikes. Not the shitty Asian things - real mini GP racing bikes (think 2-wheel analog to shifter kart racing). These things were carbon fiber, billet aluminum, trellis framed hand made works of miniaturized motor art, made by private Italian racing families, aftermarket parts manufacturers, and racing teams...some costing upwards of $3800.

I learned something messing with these little evil two-strokes from hell. Actually, I learned a lot of shit. Throttle control, for one. Nothing will loop faster than an open class pocket. Balance, for another.

Remember: You have effectively a shorter lever with a smaller bike. The balance point is close, and the bike is many times more reactive. You can balance a broom on your hand, right? How about a pencil? No. Why? Shorter lever, goes over center faster, and thus "telegraphs" its motion less, thus you have less time to compensate with balance.

When you get back on the big bike, it feels like slow motion - the bike can do no wrong, can't surprise you...it's totally slow-mo.

What I'm saying is; There is no shame in racing minis. Yes, they may look a little dorky, but the costs are far less than full-sized racing, placing it more in the budget of the average person being able to really afford it over time, when one can really improve their skills...and the thrills and challenges aren't any less, they're actually more.

I presume mini-motard is no different, and is a fucking scream.

Keeping the more extreme riding to just the track is always just good sense.

[fasternyou929]

Hey Troy,

VIR Patriot course is a motard's wet dream. Also, North has ONE long straight but the rest is great riding for Motard's too. If I can't pass a motard early in the straight, I'll just hang back and let them have their fun in the twisties. No sense late braking them just to park it in front of them in their playground.

CMP has no long straight, but it fairly high speed in general. Summit Point Shenandoah is the only track I've ridden where liter bikes have a ~1 second handicap to 600's. And motards rule the day there.

Those are the best local track options, IMO. It doesn't sound like much, but VIR North and Patriot alone will keep you happy for a long time!

Let me know when you want to head to any of them, I'd be more than happy to meet you there (or pick you up if we head to Summit Point or something far away).

[CasterTroy]

Originally Posted by Avatard

What I'm saying is; There is no shame in racing minis. Yes, they may look a little dorky

You've got an EXCELENT point, and Clay has tried to talk me into that...but at 6'-2", me on a mini-ANYTHING is like a monkey humping a football

I'm not at all concerned what others think, but, comfort and getting the bike set-up for my big ass may be difficult.

Still...not something I'll write off totally

Thanks for the imput!

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Hey Troy,

VIR Patriot course is a motard's wet dream. Also, North has ONE long straight

yeah I've been on North with the TLR....the straight along the pits was wicked!!!

But you're right, the OTHER 90% is awesome.

I've been on the south in a prep'd GTI, and done BOTH in a RX7 endurance a few years ago.

I need to check out patriot....is that somewhere else on the campus?

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Hey Troy,



CMP has no long straight

Well except that section after the carousel...goes into a deep dip, then a SUPER hard right. I'd be passed by everything till that hard 90, then it's those technical short switch-backs which I could molest everyone on but then I'd get waxed again after turn 4(I think it is)

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

yeah I've been on North with the TLR....the straight along the pits was wicked!!!

But you're right, the OTHER 90% is awesome.

I've been on the south in a prep'd GTI, and done BOTH in a RX7 endurance a few years ago.

I need to check out patriot....is that somewhere else on the campus?

Patriot course is nestled right in the middle of North and South, using bits of each course:

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

Well except that section after the carousel...goes into a deep dip, then a SUPER hard right. I'd be passed by everything till that hard 90, then it's those technical short switch-backs which I could molest everyone on but then I'd get waxed again after turn 4(I think it is)

True, I forget about that one (I ran VIR full before going there so any straight <4000' felt like a quick sprint ). You'd definitely be dicing it up with the same people all day... you'd see them before the high speed right, then roll by in the switchbacks.

Check this strack out too. I wish there were a 3D map of it so you could see the 13% grading on some of it... still my favorite track of all time:

ETA: The pair of underwear in the middle is pit road, pit in, and pit out. The rest is up to the org how they want to configure the track. LOTS of options, and the long straight on the left I only get to wind out 3rd gear on my bike, so it's not that long. (read: those areas that look tight are INSANE)

[CasterTroy]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Patriot course is nestled right in the middle of North and South, using bits of each course:

Hmmm as many tiems as I've been there, I've never seen that run (they were always running north and south at the same time)

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Check this strack out too

HOLY CRAP!!

Is that the one they're trying to put near Salisbury?

[zer0t]

I have a 2006 CRF50 laying around an now I want to make it a mini-motard after looking at that forum! I wonder if anyone makes a kit to do the conversion.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by zer0t

I have a 2006 CRF50 laying around an now I want to make it a mini-motard after looking at that forum! I wonder if anyone makes a kit to do the conversion.

You don't need a kit.

Spoon on some 10 inch TT91's and you've got a Motard.

Take it to the local kart track and get your butt handed to you. That's when the mods start.

[zer0t]

Yeah, I am going to stay basic. I found fast50s.com and they have a ton of crap. I'll start with the tires and the bars and go from there. They have nice brake kits, levers, pegs, etc, etc......

There is a another company thumpstar that builds spec bikes for 1600 bucks. I should sell my 50 and send that guy the dough.

As for the track, it may be my drive way and back yard!

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

Hmmm as many tiems as I've been there, I've never seen that run (they were always running north and south at the same time)




HOLY CRAP!!

Is that the one they're trying to put near Salisbury?

They either run North and South at the same time, or Full and Patriot. Pretty clever configuration, lets them run 2 tracks at any given time.

Shenandoah is at Summit Point, WV (4 tracks there: Shenandoah, Main, Jefferson (another good motard tarck) and a kart track). It's about 5.5 hours from here but worth the drive up a couple three times a year.

Here's a few laps there, pretty tame until lap 3 or 4: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...5783613976890#

[shmike]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Here's a few laps there, pretty tame until lap 3 or 4: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...5783613976890#

Looks like a fun track!

Quit using your clutch on upshifts.