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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 9:57:05 PM
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I have raced for a long time.
Over the years I have seen many people have success and failure, including myself.
I reckon we need to look at having a mentor system in place to help people so they stay racing longer.
I want to start some topics to get people thinking.
Topic one
Learn to race first
Tonight I was listening to a mate talking to a new racer on the phone who I suggested ring for a chat. Grahame was explaining to him, learn to race before you get a hot motor. Improve the bike slowly as you get better at racing, because he too has seen many racers crash and burn, figuratively, trying to get maximum power when they just have to race properly. They waste money on trick bits and cant even execute a start procedure properly, or they burn holes in pistons with new porting and they have not got a consistent braking pattern.
I think its time we shared some of this back ground knowledge to help get more people staying in the activity we enjoy.
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John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Patrick
Level 3 Member
Victoria
314 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 10:58:30 PM
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That is great John - nobody would dispute your knowledge and race craft.
We often spoke of the mentor system - I recall this was for preparation for competition.
I guess that this has now happened.
With due respect how will new entrants find out where they can share this new back ground knowledge and help for racing? |
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peen0_0
Level 3 Member
Victoria
224 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2011 : 10:58:11 AM
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| John, I applaud this idea. As you may recall, Buck and I started out quite modestly with a very basic outfit and near stock motor. The combination helped us to develop some race craft, along with an abundance of advice and assistance from an extremely helpful group of 3 wheelers! We are now up to outfit number 3, the Beast, and hope to have a full on race motor in the bike for later this year. Learning the craft pays off, and the support is also invaluable. It has kept us involved and loving this fantastic sport! Maybe we even have some knowledge to share now? Cheers, Tony. |
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conker
Really - acotrel - Now banned
Victoria
361 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2011 : 3:40:47 PM
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| I would have thought that HMRAV would have an information booklet for newbies, telling them how to get started, and the basics of the racing establishment. Such as which bodies are in control, and how democratic input may be achieved. What happens in the event of a serious incident, and how insurance, and risk management is arranged. I wonder if any of the bureaucrats in MA/MV could develop something relevant? |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2011 : 09:02:36 AM
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Alan, you may have thought like that.
But nobody else has. There are articles about, but this topic is more about encouraging mentors to assist with realism.The GCR,s are something people can choose to read, its all in there.
Keep to the topic please. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Allan
Site Moderator
National
599 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2011 : 09:28:56 AM
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HOW DO NEWBIES GET HOLD OF THE "GCR,s"
new people read bits here and have no idea how to start racing.or wot the GCR,s are.. it would be "nice" to see some one do a artical on
'HOW DO I GET INTO CLASSIC RACING"
Like which club and why, what are the saftey factors,wot race gear do I need, is it a cheap sport,how old do I need to be for open or club level,do I need my parents permission (ask BOB LEMON lol) and so on..
We just take all this for granted, but the "newby" has no idea.
If u want new blood in the
sport u need to encourage new people into classic motorcycling.
I Like AC is supprised HMARV do not have such a flyer for newby's! |
Allan Greening |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2011 : 11:15:21 AM
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The GCRs are on the MA web site You must be logged in to see this link.
I imagine3 most racers would talk to others first and they could read a set. Perhaps a how to get started would be a good idea. Ask David Greening to set it up and start writing Al.
Here is a start
1 Get out of bed and decide to go racing
2 Grab a bike and tear off to a track
3 Argue with everybody about not needing another licence and joining a club.
4 Argue about the rules
5 Get home and blame the world because it has not worked.
A person may ask around
Get onto a friend and finish up with MV or MA.
Select a club and ask questions.
Get a bike
Then argue about rules a stuff
Explain to everybody you are right and they can go jump.
Or a sensible person could find out what is needed and fit in.
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John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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conker
Really - acotrel - Now banned
Victoria
361 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2011 : 5:38:37 PM
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| If I was advising a newbie, I'd tell them to buy a 70s Yamaha two stroke, if they want their racing to be cheap. If they want to be serious - Period 3 is the premier class, and the easiest way is to buy the replica manx frame and tank, Grimeca brake, Triumph gearbox, then ask Neil Street to find a decent two valve Jawa engine in Europe. One of Mick Farrell's return pumps, and the rest from the wreckers, and you're in business. They'd get into historic racing cheaper than the kids get into MX! They'd need to read the GCR's, but where and when race and club meetings are held is often a well kept secret! |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2011 : 9:37:58 PM
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| Grimecas are banned from memory |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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conker
Really - acotrel - Now banned
Victoria
361 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2011 : 08:26:36 AM
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| As I understand it the debate about the Grimeca continues. The reality is that if you want people to join in Period 3, a major disincentive is the cost of the front brake. The Grimeca brake is cost effective, and it's still in keeping with the era. If people want to push their own barrow and try to keep an edge over the others by playing the eligibility card, the sport must suffer. The reality is that use of a single disc on the front of period 3 bikes should be allowed. The Poms can do it, why shouldn't we? At least we wouldn't have people decking themselves through their ignorance about setting up a drum brake. |
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conker
Really - acotrel - Now banned
Victoria
361 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2011 : 09:14:13 AM
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John, A look is worth a thousand words. This shot shows me in one of my first races at Winton. I'm swearing and trying to stop the bike. A second later the leader heated up, and the broke threw me over the handle bars. I slid across Repco corner into the run-off road.
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conker
Really - acotrel - Now banned
Victoria
361 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2011 : 09:21:46 AM
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Here's another shot taken at Phillip Island, after the brake dragged and steered me off Siberia. I went up a 4 foot bank of mud on my back. Your mate Dave Large bought the bits of the brake I used, and put the Hunter backing plate back with the triumph hub. Both he and Jeff Neill were thrown over the front of the outfit at Winton. Do you really believe 'newbies' should be subjected that sort of thing?
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conker
Really - acotrel - Now banned
Victoria
361 Posts |
Posted - 04 Aug 2011 : 09:31:37 AM
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| The really good bit that happened at Phillip Island was when the brake dragged and steered my off through the tea tree at Southern loop. I got back on and rode like buggery to catch up, slipped under Curley at Honda, and barely touched the brake going into Siberia, and the bike instantly dropped to the road, and turned into a ball a screeching metal. I tore the backside out of my leathers. Then I got back to the pits, and touched the brake to slow down, and got thrown into a mud puddle. When I sold the Triumph back to Allan Greening, it had a 7R front brake, which only needed one finger to operate. He changed the linings, then rang me to find out what I had used. It had an ME36 lining on the rear shoe, and an MZ41 lining on the front. You can't buy asbestos linings like that any more. Drum brakes are a recipe for disaster, and a Grimeca which hasn't been tampered with might be a good option. A disc would be better |
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GD66
Senior Member
Western Australia
390 Posts |
Posted - 05 Aug 2011 : 12:02:04 AM
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Quite good pics, Alan. Brake dramas like that are unheard of in recent times, and whoever set up yours like that should be reamed, steamed and drycleaned. Not just for impairing your welfare, but that of your fellow competitors. Hope you had it out with them in the day.
Also, what were you thinking, racing with no goggles ? Might be ok for a trip to the shop, but certainly never, ever a good idea, let alone permissible, for roadracing. Tsk, tsk. |
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Being realistic
