How easy is it to start racing?

Hi everyone. I'm only 19, but been wanting to do Bantam racing for a very long time. I have already completley resorted 2 scooters and a Bantam that had been tuned to do 70- so I know my way around a bike pretty well. Was just wondering now easy it is to source parts (most worried about front forks/ front hub and disc brake/ engine tuning goodies/ exhaust) and also if its actally worth me bothering. Been messing around on bikes since I was about 11, and want to go one step further- I have all the best racing kit already. If anybody would be willing to let me have a go on their Bantam to see if i am any good, and possibly offer advice I would be much obliged. I am in the London area, so any track around here will be awsome.

Hi mate, good to see a young hopeful in the ranks. In answer to your question on how to get started, i'm sure alot of the guys currently racing will be able to give you alot more help than me as i retired in 1983. I can offer encouragement though, a great car racer once said, "it doesn't matter what you are driving as long as you are out there". Personally i don't think it is at all important that you try yourself out at a test day first, if you want to do it, go for it. You don't need to be a natural rider, firstly-enjoy yourself(most important). Secondly-gain expieriance and learn from your peers. Thirdly-a degree of dedication. Speaking from personal expieriance, i was never a natural rider but learnt my track craft in the school of hard knocks, i went on to win two championships, runner up in another two, third and fourth in two others. This is because i learnt on the run and dedicated myself to the sport i loved and enjoyed so much, late nights in the garage are a norm so be prepared for brassed off girlfriends. Hope this helps and now endeth the lesson.

Hi There Enthusiast!
Get to a Bantam race meeting. Chat around -- be careful with riders -- better after the rider has finished a race and certainly not if he/she didn't finish...

Like Mick I'm retired from racing -- well retired from almost everything...
The age with the Cadwell pic... on the avatar is what I was then -- in '68. That pic was taken at Mansfield corner, my favourite, whilst winning my first race. Such an experience lasts for ever...

In the good old days there used to be practice days at Brands Hatch on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the circuit was free of racing. The sessions were M'bikes; Cars, Sidecars, M'bikes... and so on all day. Ten shillings a half-hour session, no scrutineering and no licences required. With EC laws taking over, the latter has probably changed. Farther afield, Snetterton - also Wednesdays ... Cost a lot more, of course and you probably have to have a licence plus wearing an orange jacket.
See if you can find a someone who'd give you a ride on his/her bike -- its far more peaceful (at both circuits) than race-practice. And don't be put off by the first time -- even second time out -- I found road racing so uncomfortable after Grass Track and Speedway (sitting up, wide bars and all that...) I almost gave up after two races... In those I was on a 175 Bantam in 250 events and finished 2nd & 3rd from last in both.

Go for it -- and best of luck.
Aye! JayBee.

Hello,
and a warm welcome! I'm VERY pleased to see you here, because I'm exactly in the same situation. I wish you all the best and hope you're as lucky as me, I managed to get on a race bike earlier that year. One thing I've learned... it's not necessary WHAT bike you ride, that's really true. Just go out, ask around, if someone could take you to a race, or practice day, whatever. I managed to get to a race just for watching, but I was really pleased when those guys realized that I'm really keen in racing First I also helped as a mechanic, and soon they gave me a go. atm I'm trying to get an own bike, perhaps a bantam if I can get a cheap one, who knows.
All the best I wish!

Kevin

Hi Kev and CMurdoch!
I'd been retired from Grass Track 9 years and was, by chance, talking to a supervisor at Ford Dunton about those old racing days which had me on a Bantam racer a year later with him as my mentor. At a pub meeting of two motor-cycle clubs Andy Boyle offered me his 250 ABS to ride -- just like that. Both out of the blue -- as it were.
It is said that Luck is preparation meeting favourable circumstance. In these cases I was not entirely prepared and the favourable circumstances happened by chance -- so I had a lot of what we normally call luck...
So, keep on shouting that you want to race...
All the best,
JayBee (as in JohnBoy!)

Hi guys, nice to hear there are riders interested out there. You should definately come to a meet. Everyone will be more than ready to talk to you and maybe even offer help. Lydden is our closest track to London (near Dover) and normally an exciting meet.

I started racing four years ago on what was a slow piston ported 125, now a quicker piston ported 175 and managed to get my picture on the home page last year. You will find similar bikes for sale on the net sometimes but you'll have to be prepared to start on the bottom rung of the ladder and work up. In my experience there's plenty of help available and new friendships to be made.

Hopefully see you at Lydden!

Phil Betty

Thanks for your posts JB and Phil,
I'm afraid I live far away from England.., but I'll visit Cadwell Park CRMC race 4th and 5th August, is there any chance to see somebody out there?
Would be nice to have a chat!

Cheers

Kevin

CMurdoch, in answer to you question, Bantam racing is not as accessable as it used to be, it's become specialist racing rather than cheap entry level racing. Back then it was easier to get bikes and parts and me and our Ray starting racing when we was 16/17 yrs old. Building a racer takes time and a fair amount of money along with the searching for parts, but is a life enriching experience, you wouldn't regret it. Having said that get to a meeting chat with the riders get as much advice as you can take photos of bikes and start your project. The other way is to buy a racer, same again go to a meeting and find out if any are for sale, try and avoid the out of date over priced crap on ebay. Where abouts in London are you? I run a couple of Motor Cycle Maintenance/Workshop night classes in East London, my race Bantam is in the workshop at present, you're welcome to pop in. Getting a ride is down to owners and of course you getting your ACU license and entry sorted I can chat with you about this as well if you come over. Also as Phil says nearest track is Lydden, next meeting September

Kevin You'd be better off going to Angelsey that weekend, no one races bantams with CRMCC anymore and the Bantams will all be over in Wales that week end.

Phil Good to see you on here, how's the bike swap going? miki getting used to the 175? you getting anymore power out of that 125? that bike was one of the cheap and chearful bagains of recent years, nice bloke who sold it, shame I fell of his other one (my old one)

Tony


ps Did my first sprint after Op nearly flipped the first run (yam LC) then rode like a wuss for the rest of the meeting, gonna concentrate more on sprinting this season but hopefully be out at Cadwell.

Hi Tony. I am currently doing a degree in Materials Engineering at Imperial in South Kensington. I could probably use the Mech Eng labs to do a bit of work. What dates/times do you have these classes, as I would like to pop along just for a chat- I'm pretty good on the maintanance, have the 7 classic bikes and too many classic mopeds to count!! Lydden seems a good option, and hopefully I can make it down for that, all the other trscks are miles away.
Cheers, Chaz.

cmurdoch wrote:

Hi Tony. I am currently doing a degree in Materials Engineering at Imperial in South Kensington. I could probably use the Mech Eng labs to do a bit of work. What dates/times do you have these classes, as I would like to pop along just for a chat- I'm pretty good on the maintanance, have the 7 classic bikes and too many classic mopeds to count!! Lydden seems a good option, and hopefully I can make it down for that, all the other trscks are miles away.
Cheers, Chaz.

Wed/Thurs nights I'll PM you my numbers, Thursday night's best.

Tony

Hi all

Im new to to the forum and again looking at starting racing. I am currently doing citroen 2CV racing and the odd bit of karting but the entry fees's are getting stupid now and wonder what you are looking at for race fee's on the bantams? My dad is currently sourcing parts with me so we can start building a racer and i need to do my licence still. We are hoping to get to one the races soon. I am hoping that the costs will be alot less than the cars. At the moment each race is £600 to enter a 2hr enduro plus fuel,damage etc and i cant afford that. Whats the a season cost with the bantams?

Hi Marc,
Typically the race enties are £100 ish for a one day meeting, and rise to £180 for a two day meeting, with a little extra if you do another class or a special race. This is a lot for some and not bad for others depending on how you live!
The ACU licence requirements and prices you will know if you already race cars, but can be found on the ACU website.
Race bantams area little thin on the ground at the moment, but occasionally come up on ebay or from retiring racers. Prices vary al lot depending on age of machine, but the most modern ones pass hands for circa £1000 + competitiveness! Older 1970/1980 machines take a lot to bring up to date, but cost less ie: possibly up tp £700.
Worth coming along to Croft on June 16/17th and talking to a few racers to get to know them. You are much more likely to get help that way. So many people say I am starting..... So few get to the grid.....
See you at Croft
Alan

Hi Alan

Thanks for your speedy reply. Will have to check diary but fingers crossed we should be there. I think talking tio my dad last night he is wanting to build a bike from scratch. Believe he has picked up a frame for £40. Have you got any advise on building a competative bike? What parts to use etc. The 2cv racing seems to be having the same problem as yourselfs in regards to grids. We have been strugling to get people on the grid. We have just changed the series to enduro racing to see if that makes a diffrence. So far so good! Im based nr shefield and my dad is in sussex near worthing. Do you know of anyone near either of us that we may be able to go and see there bikes?

Hi Marc,
You are based not far from me, I live in Mexborough not far from Sheffield and fairly regular get out that way, you can email from the forum direct (administrator), and we can get direct contact. You are welcome to see the bike. Also I will be at Croft so we will be able to speak there as well.
Cheers,
Alan