How do i break into amature competition?

risky1 said:

How does one start to get involved? Can I just get a disrtict and AMA card and sign up?

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They have a battery of strenuous mental and physical tests, including aptitude, which are administered to each and every new rider by Ralph Lee, the local District 36 AMA competition manager. In the first test, Ralph places a 12 ounce can of beer on the table in front of you. If you can lift it, you pass the physical portion of the test. If you can open it, you pass the mental portion of the test. And if you drink it, you pass the aptitude portion of the test :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Actually, I think you just show up and go racing

But call your AMA district office District 36 Just to be sure.

Cheers,

Brett Saunders

There is a racing org in Northern Nevada that has a good program also. My club WSRA puts on both AMA dist 36 and MRANN races both are good places to try the novice class. In MRANN if you are a sandbagger they will bump you to the "B" class real fast and I think Dist 36 will let you cherry pick for one season. Check RACEMRANN.com and dist36.org for more info. Both groups good folks and a lot of guys do both.

Hey Risky 1,
Check out www.hhora.org they put on 1 or 2 hare scrambles a year, with lots of classes and some more competitive than others. My son
wanted to race District 36 so I had him join along with the ama and he raced the last youth national. My son is 13 and rides a cr 80 so we signed him up for the C class and he did well getting 12th out of 27. I'm not sure when the next nor cal hare scramble is but he is planning on racing the one in San Jose.

Good luck Phil

I've been wondering about that too and wondered if there are any beginners classes or you just show up at the C race and just try not to DNF.

I'd like my son to really ride seriously, it's a lot more gratifying than playing Counterstrike all day (although online gaming can be fun).

He's 15 as you know and the WR 250F can be considered a serious bike for his age, so what else do you need? I see those guys with the quick fill systems on their tanks, and when they show up they set up a pit with the friends and wife... Do they overdo it or is it required when you want to get serious?

There is nothing to it. All it takes is money. Just pick the event you want to go to, show up, sign paper work, shell out about $95 (includes annual ama, d36 fees, no transponder), and ride. I do not recommend thinking much more about it than that. It is just a motorcycle event.
I prefer enduros to harescrambles. I feel that I receive more for my money as it is a lower cost (no transponder fee), ride for about 5 hours (vs. 1.5 for a harescramble), and no shotgun start with a bunch of amatuer nutballs taking off all at the same time. Most enduros you do not ride on the same trail twice, and there is a lot of single track. With harescrambles one usually rides an approx. 10 mile loop over and over for 1.5 hours. There is a family enduro this Sunday over by Elkins Flat. I recommend trying one of those first, if possible.

I recommend joining a club and working a few events first, just to get the low down and lay of the land so to speak. At this stage I really enjoy working them, it really does have it's upsides.
1) less chance of injury
2) doesnt cost anything but your time and maybe some fuel
3) you almost always get a free t-shirt
4) you get to laugh at all the ya-hoo's

Berger you got that right. A few ( well quite a few) years ago I had mentalpause and decided to see how fast I really was. Well I did the National Hare and Hounds series when you took your best 7 races. Did pretty good but I'm bragging. At the end of the season I was the first "looser" in the over 40 "b " classs. O.K. I'll try a bit harder next year and be in better shape right ? Spent more money on bike prep, practice, work out at gym, get to race a day earlier so I can be rested, and you know what? I blew up my knee on the fourth race of the season and did the rest with no left knee and still finished fourth.

What I learned: I am fat and slow, there will always be a bunch of guys that will beat me, I could have bought 3 bikes each year for what I put into the racing season and finally I didn't win . I have fun with my club and putting on races is FUN! John and I are both in the same club and we are "retired members". Our job now in the club is mostly putting on rides for the other members. Like a trail ride overnight. We set up the trail, get the chase vehicles, food, fuel , hotels sweep riders and leaders for two groups.

I found Dual sport rides to be the biggest bang for the buck as far as miles for the dollar but I still miss the scrap with guys the same speed as me. I still think its a blast to put your front tire under another guy and try to hold the line and make the pass. It's just that now I wont take a chance that will put me or the other guy on the ground. And with dual sport when you have to take a leak you can stop with your buddy pass water and rest then the fight is on again and you didn't loose all the spots you made up before.

Risky1 and Le Frog go to the race pay your money and see what it is all about but remember the reason we do it is for fun. You probably wont be the next Danny Hamel and you aren't getting paid. Nick your son will be just fine without all the fancy stuff until he starts getting in to the top three of his class. If he is there then you need to step up and get him the best you can but remember he is a kid and needs to have fun.

Ok it has rained 3/4 of and inch here in the past 48 hours and the desert is perfect. Lets go ROOST!

The question is "Why do you want to race?"
I can tell you why I like to race...
I like the moment before the banner drops. Moving forward into the blind unknown. I like running down the guy in front of me, letting him know that I am there, waiting for a mistake and passing him. Rubbing elbows at speed as the whooped out trail narrows. Coming into the pits tired and sore but adrenalin pumping as the wife fills the tank. Heading out to catch the next guy, and stay ahead of the 17 year old kid in your class. Finally finishing on my Husaberg (one of few)!

All of this does come at the possible/probable cost that you and/or your bike might break. At least for me.. Another thing you will give up, besides more money, is the ability to have fun riding slow. Kinda weird.. But, I can't have fun anymore because I have to blaze everywhere.. Most of the time I ride by myself because I don't stop for anything.

On the other hand the races have taken the family on some early camping trips. It can be a family sport depending on who your hanging out with.

I suggest you do it for the FUN only and not to win. Treat it like a large trail ride and ride to finish. Don't quit! Ever!

Go to your local shop or web sites and see who's riding. Finding others to ride with can be tricky. It's best to ride with more experienced riders. And ones who know the terrain. They will pull you along. And it will give you an idea where you stand as a rider/racer.
Good Luck!

One More thing. Eating those carrots is a good idea. Actually, getting them into your mouth would be better.

Risky,the best way to get racing is to try getting away riding way more than the wife will allow.telling her you are trying to go pro before you get too old wont cut it.trust me.but its worth a try.the best way to get into the race scene is to just go do it.there is a family enduro tomorrow at Elkins Flat near Placerville.they are pretty civilized.tell the wife you will be home by supper and dont forget to give her the mothers day finishers pin.she will love it!Dan. :lol: