Racing - Help me decide please

[WeeJohnyB]

New Era membership and race entry forms are waiting for me at home.

I had a crap 2005 season and totally lost my confidence/speed - crashed on Monty's TZ250, picked myself back up and entered CB5's at Oulton, crashed on the brakes on the way into esses, (my fault), picked myself up and again entered CB5's at Brands only to be shunted off by guy behind me on full chat on half way around Paddock Hill - OUCH:mad:

So, I THINK I still want to race.....what should I do?

Have to apply for races now or the grid will be full, so...

CB5's or 600's???

CB5's - cheap, I should be at the front of the field, might get my confidence back, know lots of people, all on the 'same'!!! bike, been there done it though

600's - not cheap, will be mid pack at best, will stretch me - maybe improve my riding/times, my 600RR will be uncompetitive at only 115BHP, a new challenge for me as I get bored easily, will sort me out as to whether I want to continue racing

HELP:(

All comments welcome

WeeJohnyB

[Rattler]

As before mate;

- CB500 for 2006
- 600s for 2007 (or later in 2006 to test the water)

Tim

[everton]

I'm not a racer:D but ..

I do know you have to be focussed to be succesful and you should always play to your strengths. The considerations I think you have are

[list=1]
Financial - CB500 wins
Confidence - CB500 edges it
Challenge - CB600
[/list=1]

On the strength of that, 2-1, Tim is right.

[andys 900ss]

Yeh, I agree with Tim Jon, build back your confidence at the front of the CB500's and then go into 600 with lots of confidence.

Andy

[skidlids]

In your position I would pick my circuits/race meetings and enter both classes as the 2nd class usually works out quite cheap. Always plan on doing both 500 races and the first 600 race and if your having a good day do the 2nd 600 race as well, if your not put the 600 back in the van after the first race and save it for a better day.
A good day with the Extra tracktime could help build your confidence more quickly.
This is from someone that has done 6 races in one day on two different bikes and even done 12 races over a weekend.

Kev

[psychlist]

With your previous experiences of finishing at the front in CB5's would you be truly happy racing for a mid-pack place in 600's?
What is it about motorcycle racing that you enjoy?
If you "just" want to race and enjoy the thrill then stick with CB5's, if you find you're getting bored then you're probably not concentrating hard enough. If you really want to improve even more then you need to go where your inimitable talents will be stretched, maybe 600's?
You know the above holds true whether we're talking about racing or day to day life, no matter who's the subject.
What do YOU want John? Only you know the answer.

[Felix]

Know exactly what you mean, WJB. I think skidlids comments make a lot of sense to me. The one aspect that would be nearer to the bottom of my list of priorities is how competetive the 600 will be. It sounds like 2006 will be a rebuilding year. I presume both bikes are race ready?

Other than that, I might be in need of a test rider in the second half of the season.;)

[weeksy2]

i'm not convinced your heart is in it at all WJB. The time to quit is about the time you question it in great detail.

You've proven yourself as a quick chap, i'm not sure you'll acomplish anything by throwing money down the pit for a season you really don't want to be in

[TP]

Originally posted by WeeJohnyB
New Era membership and race entry forms are waiting for me at home.

I had a crap 2005 season and totally lost my confidence/speed - crashed on Monty's TZ250, picked myself back up and entered CB5's at Oulton, crashed on the brakes on the way into esses, (my fault), picked myself up and again entered CB5's at Brands only to be shunted off by guy behind me on full chat on half way around Paddock Hill - OUCH:mad:

So, I THINK I still want to race.....what should I do?

Have to apply for races now or the grid will be full, so...

CB5's or 600's???

CB5's - cheap, I should be at the front of the field, might get my confidence back, know lots of people, all on the 'same'!!! bike, been there done it though

600's - not cheap, will be mid pack at best, will stretch me - maybe improve my riding/times, my 600RR will be uncompetitive at only 115BHP, a new challenge for me as I get bored easily, will sort me out as to whether I want to continue racing

HELP:(

All comments welcome

WeeJohnyB

John, I think you already know the answer. But I think you should do CB5's and work your way back into it. When your confidence returns you can dust off the RR and get her out there and also, if you're in a good position in the CB5 championship, you can go on with that as well. Or leave the RR for a year.

Either way, you're out there doing the business and building back up.

Will Paul (my roomy from Jerez) be at Cadwell? He's offered me the CB for a runout so I could get out on that. Looking at the entry forms there is enough gap for me to do that and have a break before the DD races on the Sunday, or I could just do the Sat on the CB.

[dickieducati]

cb5's definitely

[Loz]

John
Only you will know the answer in time, but I know you'll succeed at whichever series you put your mind to.

If it's a re-building season for you, stay with CB5's, that way you're only concentrating on getting back what you think you've currently lost (but really, you've only misplaced it a little!).

Best of luck however you go!

[chris.p]

Why not give the 400`s a try, not so aggressive as the 600`s but in my mind more competative as it is more about you as a rider rather than the bike, plus I do think they are (tongue in cheek) more fun than 600`s, and a good confidence builder. just a thought.


Chris.:burn:

[Fordie]

John , stopping racing must be like stopping smoking,after all the years your have been doing it ,its in your blood. We all no you as a racer , a teacher , a all round good guy. Never the less, when we hear of an off which you say has been more often this year what's the reason. Pushing to hard, bad luck, unfavorable conditions, competitive oposition who knows. There comes a time in all competitors when you think about, do I need to keep doing this, not only for yourself but the family, Ive been through it . Its not a bad think to go side ways some times, you have lot to offer in the field of motor bikes which is some thing you will and can enjoy. There must be niggling doubt in you mind having to ask people on here. Maybe these are not the people to ask . family comes first John ask there . Sorry for been blunt. 4D

[Garry Smith]

Hi John,

Neither - you have already done it in CB 5's and as you rightly point out to be competitive in 600 club racing these days you need something with a spec that wouldn't disgrace a privateer World Supersport bike.

Sell the CB, buy a minitwin and come and join us in NG, a new challenge and experience and one that won't break the bank.

Following that sell everything and buy another Ducati to race S.O.T.

Whatever you decide good luck and above all else enjoy it!

If you fancy a chat at anytime u2u me and I'll forward my number.

All the best,

[WeeJohnyB]

Thanks for all the posts, emails, U2U’s and phone calls and for the honesty and caring many of you have shown to me – despite all the utter nonsense in other posts, this is still a great club and I appreciate the friendship

Thought provoking posts from Weeksy, Fordie, Loz and especially Psychlist

So…….according to the advice given, my options are; give it up, 250’s, 400’s, 500’s, 600’s, 650’s and DD

Give it up – a very serious consideration, not just for racing, but bikes altogether – just not getting the buzz anymore. Racing been there done that, bored so move on…trackdays…I don’t know, Jerez didn’t do what it normally does, road riding, don’t do much anyway and even prefer to drive or get the train at the moment. Maybe need to find another source of interest.

250’s – loved riding Monty’s TZ. Agreed a price on a beautiful RS250 whilst in Jerez, but it didn’t give me the buzz I’d hoped for. Monty and I have spent many hours discussing racing his TZ, but it’s not an option, however I may have a little go on it later in the year.

400’s – considered changing my RVF into a trackbike, but sold it. Would have to buy a bike. Competitive class and the top bikes/front runners have spend loads on them.

500’s – loved it in the past, done well, know the bike and the scene, got one, just need to scrape the mud off it. Bored with it though and feel I’ve been there and want to progress, need a challenge

600’s – got a bike, would be ok for my level, cost me a lot – would I really want to rag it, I would be mid to back of the field, but may provide the stretch I need and improve my riding

650’s – considered it, my ex CB’s mate went to SV’s and loves it and it’s improved his riding, would need a bike but there are loads around

DD – thought about it many times and had the offer a few bikes, but I’ve done the one make cheap racing thing before and can’t see DD being any different to CB5’s, albeit, from what I’ve seen it’s a lot friendlier ON the track than CB5’s, but being part of the DD paddock off the track would be great, however I can still get that without entering

Don’t know what to do, so for want of anything else, I’ll stick to what I know and have loved in the past. I’ve sent off my entries for CB500’s, just to ensure I’m on the grid. Lot’s of new (fast) faces coming in this year and my times are slower than they were in 2002 so getting my excuses ready for not getting a top ten place. Racing has never been about winning for me though, it’s about the enjoyment, so if I can get a buzz from being 10th, then I’ve something to stretch for

Like Kev’s idea – enter CB’s and then do 600’s as an extra race to see if it’s any good. (getting an entry will be a problem mind you as usually oversubscribed), but will give it a try

I will be with the DD boys at Cadwell on 25 and 26 (racing both days), (on the CB5!!!)

So, I don’t know. I’ll see how the first outing goes and take it from there.

Thanks for your support

WeeJohnyB

[AK]

well done mate - decision made for starters at least:D

see you at Cadwell then:cool:

C
xx