How to get into racing?

How to get into racing?

• Hey guys, I would really like to race professionally, or semi professionally. I cant seem to figure out how this all works. I've read things about C, B, and A class road racing. Do I have to join a local club? I just don't follow the whole principle. I'm not talking about Motogp, that is not even remotely an option. I'm thinking more along the lines of working my way up the AMA 600cc ladder. I've been riding sportbikes for three years now, not racing, nor have I ever been on a track. I ride every day, unless weather permits. Every chance I get to go to empty school or factory parking lots, I take them. When I do that I really work on my MSF maneuvering skills, and try to stay as brushed up as I can. I also work on my cornering technique in these parking lots as well. I'll usually read a chapter from "A Twist of the Wrist" and then go out and work on that skillset. This year (again 19 years old) is the first chance I'll get as far as funds go to ride track days, and take classes. Once I'm a regular at track days and have my AMA membership where do I go? Is it just checking the track for local races and signing up? Is there a novice/rookie underdog championship series where a podium win will bring you attention? I'm familiar with how the MotoGP lifestyle works. You ride minimoto and dirtbikes at a very young age, and work to take championships by the age of 10. Then you ride in European minimoto/dirtbike races. If you do good you can get bumped into a 125cc, so on, and so on. Is it that rigorous for AMA (American pro road racing)? I didn't have parents who saw this as a potential future for me! There has to be something I can do.

• Answer:

  Unless you are extremely gifted and have enormous amounts of money, then this will only be a hobby. Start with trackdays. They require classes for beginners. From there you do runs for the fun of it. No competition. It's a great opportunity to see just how fast you aren't against everyone else. Truly is an eye opening experience. From there if you are extremely good, you may join a race club. These clubs have there own trackdays and compete locally and within the clubs. Rarely any prizes or anything. Mostly just for fun of it. From there, if you prove to be exceptional, you can compete with other clubs. If you are gifted in that and do very well, you may be invited to race regionals. This is where people stop doing it for enjoyment and it gets very serious. If fate has it that you are one of the lucky few, you can go on to national race days. These are some of the best am riders in the country. Have an enormous amount of work put into their crews and bikes to be the best. Then from there its onward and upward to however skillful you are. Keep in mind, the guys racing regional and national have been bred for this since they were kids. It's all they do and its extremely competitive. They don't just wake up one morning and decide to go for it this is their life.