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Racing School References
Bike Preparation Chapter from the MARRC-RRS manual
Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club Roadracing School Application

What is the MARRC roadracing school?
Course Structure
How much does it cost?
How do I register?
How can I check it out beforehand?
What racing equipment should I bring?
What are the recommended motorcycles?
What personal equipment should I bring?
What's available at the track?
How do I prepare my bike?
Still have questions?

Course Structure
The MARRC RRS is a one day class, see the schedule for dates. The school is run on a very tight schedule. It is strongly recommended that students arrive as early as possible to the track on school day, see the schedule to see which day, class is not available friday and saturday, just one or the other. Registration and tech inspection open at 8:00 AM. , and be prepared for technical inspection at that time. If you do not pass, you will have until 12 noon correct safety items. During that time you will be in class, so bring a friend can help. When on-track instruction begins after lunch, your bike must pass inspection. You will be in class all morning on race school day, and on track until about 6:00 PM.

• Registration and Tech - morning
• Track Tour (time permitting)
• Classroom
• Practice
• Student Mock Race

How much does it cost?
The cost is very competitive; only $275, with a $25 discount for pre-entry (at least two weeks prior to each class). To register, fill out the attached entry form and send it with the full tuition (checks or credit card using PayPal).The school's tuition also includes a one-year membership in the Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club, with its many benefits.

Other expenses you must consider include the gate fee($25) to enter the track. If you pass the course and wish to race, you will be required to purchase a provisional CCS racing license ($100), and race entry fees average about $50 per race. Electricity at Summit Point also costs $20 plus a $10 deposit for the weekend. Don't forget other items you'll need like racing fuel, food, and especially water.

How do I register?
Fill out the registration form and mail it with the full tuition (checks or PayPal) to reserve a spot in class. Class size is limited, and classes fill up quickly, so pre-registration is strongly suggested. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Once we receive your deposit, we will mail a MARRC-RRS information package to you. This will help you prepare your bike for the race track. Safety wiring techniques, street equipment removal, suggested bike improvements, safety gear, and equipment suppliers are covered thoroughly. The student manual also contains much of the information that you will be required to know, such as racing rules, regulations, and safety precautions. A thorough reading of the manual beforehand will help prepare you for the school and get the most out of your time at the track. You can read the chapter on bike preparation from the MARRC-RRS manual on-line to get an idea of what the manual covers.

Please contact our Registar at for any questions about signing up for the school.

How can I check it out beforehand?
If you have not seen the racing action, and are undecided about sending yourself out onto the racetrack, check out the MARRC schedule and spend a weekend spectating or cornerworking. If you cornerwork with us, you'll get discounts for the MARRC Roadracing School tuition, and it will certainly help you make your decision. Cornerworking will help you understand the flow of a race day.

While you're at the track, you can also walk around the paddock area to look at race bikes and talk to racers. Go ahead and ask any of the racers about bike preparation and racing. Generally, racers are happy to talk about their bike as long as it's not right before a race! You are welcome to watch some of our training sessions to see how the school is run. Our instructors can also help you along if you have questions away from the track, but there is nothing like seeing it all in person.

What racing equipment should I bring?
Each student must provide a fully race-prepared motorcycle, a set of race leathers (either one-piece or a two piece suit that zips together completely around the waist), a full-face DOT and Snell approved helmet, boots, gloves, and a back protector. MARRC instructors will check all of your equipment prior to track time. If you have questions about any of your equipment, you should call one of the school's personnel beforehand to ensure that you will be ready to ride Friday morning. There is little time to correct any problems Friday morning, so it is important that you are prepared and ready to ride when you arrive at the track. You'll also be need to have all these items in order to race on Sunday.

What are the recommended motorcycles?
Most of the current sport bikes make excellent teachers: any modern 600 such as the Yamaha R6 or Suzuki GSXR-600, and lighter machines such as the Suzuki SV650, and the Kawasaki Ninja 500. Older models such as the Yamaha FZR400 and Honda Hawk 650 are exceptional race machines, as are a variety of other popular models.

Attendance for each section of the RRS is mandatory, so we strongly suggest that students use a motorcycle which is reliable and in good running condition. Motorcycles which are close to stock condition are best suited for the school. Vintage race bikes can also make good starter bikes, but make absolutely certain that you have a reliable machine. You won't have time for wrenching, so keep things simple!

Studies have shown that the lap times run by a beginning racer have little to do with the size of the bike's engine. The best thing that you can do to improve your lap times is to get quality track time. This is why we always recommend that new riders use a smaller, lighter, better handling motorcycle in good shape and nearly stock form. You will spend less time wrenching on the bike, and more time on the track. Plus, you can't make up for poor technique by whacking open the throttle.

What personal equipment should I bring?
All schools are run rain or shine. Be prepared to deal with the elements! Useful items to bring along include: friends, a rain suit, sun block, a variety of clothes, food, and lots to drink to avoid dehydration.

As a rule of thumb, if you ask yourself if you will need a part or tool, you should bring it with you. It is always better to have it with you at the track than at home. Nearly every racer has a story of leaving a spare part at home that is needed during the weekend.

What's available at the track?
Those of you who have already been up to "The Point" know that there are certain things available on a motorcycle race weekend, including camping, shower, restrooms, electricity (for a small fee), some food, gasoline, racing tires, number plates and some other racing related supplies. Hotels and restaurants are available in nearby Charles Town, WV, and Winchester, VA. Although there are some good trackside vendors, they can't bring the whole dealership with them, so don't rely on one to have the brake pads or clutch lever for your particular bike.

How do I prepare my bike?
The MARRC-RRS Manual bike preparation chapter goes into great detail on how to prepare your motorcycle for the hardships of racing. Generally speaking, you need to remove all lights and turn signals, remove the kickstand, clamp all hoses, and route all overflows into a catch can. You must safety wire any nut or bolt that holds fluids, like the oil drain and filler cap, brake lines and bolts, and front and rear axle nuts. Basically, anthing you don't want to vibrate loose. It's not too hard, but it can take a weekend or two. You will probably want to upgrade some of your components, especially tires and brakes, and usually the suspension. The CCS and WERA rule books outline everything that must be done, but it never hurts to wire or secure extra parts.

For more detailed instructions, you can read the bike preparation section from the MARRC-RRS manual on-line.

You may want to get help from a local shop to inspect your bike any changes. Feel free to e-mail or contact any of the MARRC Roadracing School instructors or to answer any specific questions. The Internet also has a wealth of contacts: see our links page for some area shops, suppliers, or groups to contact for information.

More about roadracing:
Motorcycle roadraces are run on closed-course race tracks across the country. These races are sanctioned by various national and local organizations; however, motorcycle roadracing is a small, family-oriented, grass-roots motorsport. A typical race will be very closely contested with the competitors, numbering from 8 to 50 depending on the class, pushing their machines and themselves to the limit. A typical race weekend will have over 150 racers entering three or four of the 25 or so races run during the weekend. The overwhelming majority of racers compete out of a love for the sport and pay their own way. Some money can be made up through sponsorship (free or discounted parts) or "contingencies" (cash or coupons for top finishes). There are very few people who make a living at just racing, meaning that most racers work full-time elsewhere. The average racer makes between $25,000 - $50,000 per year, of which on average $4,000 - $12,000 or more goes into racing.

Racing is run by a sanctioning body and the MARRC-RRS is usually run during CCS weekends. Each sanctioning body classifies its racers as either amateur (also called novice) or expert. Most have some restrictions on new racers. They split the racing into about 20 performance categories based on bike origin (street-based or race-only GP machines), engine size and configuration, and allowed modifications. Let's say you have a stock Yamaha R6. You are eligible to run in middleweight supersport. But you can always "race up a class" so you can also run in middleweight superbike, heavyweight supersport and heavyweight superbike. There are also classes designed for twins like the Suzuki SV650, Honda RC51, and Ducatis.

For more information on racing, go first to the CCS and WERA websites. Please visit our Racing Links page to see other racing web sites and learn more about the sport.

Browse through the rest of the MARRC site to learn more about our club and the procedures used by the safety crews and officials. The more you learn about racing before you come to a race weekend, the more relaxed you'll be and the more fun you'll have.

Still have questions?
Any questions you might have at this point can be answered by one of the following people:

Roadracing School Director, Rick Beggs

571-277-0892 - Sterling, VA

Classroom Instruction Committee, Stephen Harris

301-576-6114 - Friendship, MD

Registration Committee, Dawn Greer

703-517-6700 - Manassas, VA


Tech Inspection Committee, Rick Beggs

571-277-0892 - Sterling, VA

Track Instruction Committee, Rachel Sasse

 

Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club Roadracing School Application

To receive the special pre-registration price of $250, you must register at least two weeks prior to the date of the class. To pre-register, send the full tuition (check or credit card) and the school's registration form. You can register at the track only if there are openings available for that school. Call first to check. Walk-in registration at the track costs $275.

© Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club