So here we are... time for a new race season, when novice and experts alike start scrambling to get their rides together. Are you ready? Novice racers tend to spend the month prior to the first race getting psyched up, telling all your friends how you'll win and wondering where all the trophies will be kept. Expert racers wonder how in the hell this race season is going to get paid for, changing their phone numbers as fast as creditors can find them. Seasoned vets don't worry, they just show up, run, and let things take care of themselves.
As the race weekend nears, it's important to get organized; you don't want to be running around wondering if you missed something. For the newbies you'll be busy enough trying to find registration, tech and the tire guys. Expert racers and seasoned vets will just have to wait in line wishing they could have slept another hour. It's very important to have a checklist when you first start racing; then as the years go by all the necessary race gear stays together until time for battle.
Novice guys you'll need a front and rear stand, all the necessary tools to take your wheels off, and sometimes make adjustments to various parts of the bike: clip-ons, rearsets, suspension, etc. Have an organized toolbox - you don't want to be fumbling around when they have "last call" for practice or race. If you have aftermarket rearsets, clip-ons or exhaust, take all your stock stuff to the track with you, in case of a mishap you'll want to try and run again, and having spares helps. Also have a good fuel can and always keep your bike's tank filled; it's very easy to forget this and end up stuck waiting for the crash truck.
It's important to prep your bike so it will pass tech without any problems. Always make sure your racebike is spotless; the cleaner your bike, the more professional you look and you'll get through tech all th faster. Make sure your brake caliper bolts are race-wired, as well as your oil drain plug, filter and filler cap. Replace any coolant with Watter-Wetter, if they catch you with coolant you're out of there. If you crash and coolant gets on the track you'll have to answer to whom ever you took out, and again you're banned. Make sure your number plates are legible and there is no "street stuff" on your bike. Have your leathers, back protector, gloves, boots, and helmet at tech for the first race weekend. Oh yeah, and don't forget to take your kick stand off (remember the cut out switch) it's an easy thing to forget. It's also easy to "overwork" prepping the bike and break something simple, remember it takes a week to get most parts, so no last minute guesswork. Sit on the bike and make sure your levers and pedals are where you want them; this will go a long way in relieving arm pump and leg cramps. Make sure your transponder is secure and working. How's your fuel?... just checking.
Once through tech, have something to eat and start a bike log...everything matters. Start with where you're at, the date, the weather, and type of bike you're racing. Set up the suspension, start with a baseline and from there adjust accordingly. Check the tire pressures, cold then hot, this will help later. Go to the tire guys and check your pressure gauge against the one they have; all of them vary to some extent, mark the difference on your gauge accordingly, one pound of air makes all the difference.
As far as your pit, some racers have all the bling stuff, truck, canopy, Snap-On tool box, umbrella girl, etc... Novices will easily find help for race weekends as it's new to all involved. As time goes by you'll find yourself pressed. Experts will get married, have kid's (future racers), and get family involved. Vets will find the biggest, coolest pit and camp next to those guys being sly about pitting in their shade.
So it's finally race time! As far as what to expect, an expert will spend another year getting faster, dodging bullets and trying to make the girlfriend happy, as well as trying to keep the parents in the dark. A seasoned veteran will tend to leave everything alone until one of the guys buying the pitcher asks if all is ready for tomorrow (it's 11:30 on a Friday...no worries, just wake up sooner and drive there faster!)
Novices of course will have the biggest learning curve. Once fastest and baddest on the street, now you'll feel the saddest...not holding your line and throttling down on turn entries. It will get better. Remember all you track day wanna-be racers, if you've never been at the starting grid or seen a checkered flag...you're slow stop bragging about how fast you are. There is a big difference from track days to practice to battle. You do things you never thought you would in the heat of battle, trying to get by the guy in front of you; after all your racing ...right? All this makes you a better rider than you ever thought possible. Either that or a ride in the crash truck is in store, so don't overdo it, there's a whole season ahead.
Now for something weird, but true. It's important to draw up a will, because you never know... Novices will still have a lot of stuff, so detail is important. Experts, if all is well, you'll do the same.
Seasoned vets, if you still own anything, write one, otherwise the survivors just divide your old clothes and posters amongst themselves, you having long since sold anything of value for the cause.
Novices, remember to bring a few extra burgers and dogs, and keep that cooler cold and full of beer. After the days is done, it will be the best beer you ever tasted. BBQ and bragging rights begin.
Experts probably will go to the local hotel for a shower, dip in the pool and an air-conditioned room, not to mention a soft bed for the ladies! Vet's, don't forget the novices have extra dogs and a full cooler... whoever said I didn't look out for ya!
~Cheers, Alx