Utah Sport Bike Association introduces economical RacingExperience program introducing riders to motorcycle roadracing.
March 30, 2011 Press Release - Utah Sport Bike Association is thrilled to introduce the economical RacingExperience program, giving riders the opportunity to try racing in a streamlined, one-day format during Masters of the Mountains roadracing weekends. Priced at just $200, the program includes a New Racer Certification class, practice track time and finishes the day with race-start practice and a mock race. RacingExperience also allows for "track day" preparation requirements, giving street riders a taste of competition without the expense of a fully race-prepped motorcycle.
Once a RacingExperience day is completed, the rider can apply for a Provisional Novice race license and continue the series as a full Masters of the Mountains roadracer, even racing the following day. Provisional Novices will also have "track day" motorcycle preparation requirements and free transponder rental their first race weekend to help spread out the initial costs of racing.
"Our old Clubman class was very successful at building grids and attracting new racers in years past, and this was the model for RacingExperience. After seeing grids shrink all over the country in 2010, we knew we needed an aggressive new approach that took it one step further," said Kory Cowan, President of UtahSBA.
"RacingExperience is an economical way to get riders interested in racing into a New Racer Certification class, out on the track, and into a mock race all in the same day. The focus is on safety, and with our mentor program each new racer is paired with a seasoned racing veteran to guide their progress throughout the day. The new program is a great stepping-stone to becoming a successful novice racer, and we're excited to get these new racers on our grids and out of the canyons."
The cost for the rider's first RacingExperience day is $200 total, and includes the $75 NRC fee, the $25 UtahSBA membership and $125 for practice time with rate-start practice and a mock race. Tech requirements for gear and motorcycle are much like a common track day, although full race prep is encouraged. RacingExperience participants can get more information and register online at www.utahsba.com/racing. For insurance purposes, participants must also have an AMA membership that can be purchased at www.americanmotorcyclist.com
Download the Start Racing pack
Sign up for a RacingExperience
Register to Race Masters of the Mountains
How to get started racing
IMPORTANT: The RacingExperience new racer certification program is not a riding school. The class is intended to prepare you for the logistics, rules and intensity of racing, and gauge if you have the skills to safely be on the track with other racers. If you intend to race you should be comfortable on your bike and have attended at least a few track days or an Advanced Rider Training class.
This Start Racing pack is aimed at riders new to racing. Also, the UtahSBA forum and website (www.utahsba.com) is a great place to get your questions answered. It is easy to get started racing. The requirements are simple to attend a RacingExperience weekend, begin Provisional Novice racing, and only slightly more involved to race as a Novice. The full MoM rulebook is the final word on requirements and rules for racing with the UtahSBA. Please read the rule book and refer to it for detailed information not in this guide.
- Sign up as a member of UtahSBA
- You have an AMA membership, right?
- Sign up for a RacingExperience/NRC
- Get your Provisional Novice Race License
- Race in Masters of the Mountains!
Get your race license
MoM has three license categories: Provisional Novice, Novice and Expert. All new racers start as a Provisional Novice, you can compete as a Novice, and you may petition for an Expert license if you meet the minimum requirements in Chapter 4 (see 4.3.3). All racers arerequired to purchase a racing license and an AMA membership ($39/year and may be purchased online at www.ama-cycle.org ). As a new racer, you'll need to qualify for a UtahSBA/MoM (Utah Sport Bike Association) racing license. If you held a license and raced with another club, you qualify to purchase a license and can go to http://www.utahsba.com/racing/ and purchase your MoM license. If you are brand new to racing, you must complete a New Racer Certification (NRC).
Once you have completed the New Racer Certification, you will be eligible to purchase either a Provisional Novice or a Novice MoM racing license. You can begin racing as a Provisional Novice or Novice - it is your choice. You will apply for a racing number that goes on your bike when you purchase the license. To purchase a license go to http://www.utahsba.com/racing/ and follow the link.
You also must be a member of the AMA to race in MoM. Memberships currently are $39/year and may be purchased online at www.ama-cycle.org . Be sure to purchase an AMA Competition membership.
New for 2011, UtahSBA has approved private instructors for NRC classes to increase flexibility and the number of classes available. Please check the Forum section for more information.
Safety gear requirements for New Racer Certification classes
You will need the same personal safety equipment, essentially, as for the ART and New Racer School:
- Helmet (recent DOT or Snell or European certification)
- Leathers - one piece, or two piece with at least a 270-degree zipper. High-end aramid suits such as an Aerostich may be acceptable also. The suit should have substantial padding in knees, elbows and shoulders.
- Gauntlet-style gloves; must overlap your leathers
- Boots that extend above the ankle and overlap your leathers
- Back protector - optional (but highly recommended) for Provisional Novice, mandatory for Novice.
Motorcycle requirements for New Racer Certification classes
- Good tires with at least 3/32" tread depth Stick a penny in the tread upside down; tread must touch Abe's head.
- Tape mirrors, lenses and lights.
- Recommended to remove the mirrors and disconnect the headlight
- Motorcycle must be in good working condition. This means nothing hanging off, general cleanliness, thick brake linings, good chain and sprocket, good fork seals etc.
- No glycol-based coolant. Radiator and cooling system must be drained, thoroughly flushed and filled with water/WaterWetter
Motorcycle Requirements for racing
Your motorcycle must meet the full technical requirements of MoM. The requirements include preparing the bike for additional safety, and possibly ascertaining which classes it qualifies for. Below is an outline of what's required; for full details, see Chapters 5 and 6 of the rulebook.
Bike must have a proper 3 quart catch pan; no aluminum roasting pans. Race body work has a catch pan. Nearly all Novice and Expert racers have race plastic on their bike, for many reasons including reduced costs. If you have street plastic and you're certain you really want to race, it's advisable to replace street plastic with race body work.
Bike must be safety wired. This includes (also see the appendix to the rule book on this topic):
- All nuts, bolts, and caps with fluid behind them:
- Oil drain plug/bolt
- Oil filler cap
- Oil dipstick (if equipped)
- Oil filter
- Radiator cap
- Coolant draing plug/bolt
- banjo bolts and bleeder valves do not need to be safety wired
- Brake caliper bolts, front and rear
- Axles front and rear
- Axle pinch bolts
- Muffler
- Kickstand, all lights, license plate, mirrors, luggage racks, passenger foot rests, etc. removed.
- Frame sliders are required
- Working kill switch
- No glycol-based coolant
- No silicone-based brake fluid (5.0).
- Bike must be in good working order
Classes you can enter
If you are a Provisional Novice Racer, you can only enter Provisional Novice Races. All riders, regardless of bike type/size, race together in Provisional Novice. If you are going racing as a Novice then it depends on the racers bike type.
The following classes are open to at least some Novices (for full details see chapter 2 of the rulebook.)
- Endurance - open to all novices, on all types of bikes.
- Novice GTU - open to all novices on 600cc inline 4 bikes (e.g., Yamaha R6 or equivalent) or smaller (e.g., SV650, Ducati 749)
- Novice GTO - open to all novices on all types of bikes
- Amateur GTU - open to all novices on 600cc inline 4 bikes (e.g., Yamaha R6 or equivalent) or smaller (e.g., SV650). Open to some experts as well.
- Amateur GTO - open to all novices on all types of bikes (some experts are eligible as well)
- Formula 40 - open to approved novices* over 40 years of age, all bike types
- Twins GTU - open to approved novices*; open to bikes such as Ducati 749, 250 GP bike
- Twins GTO - open to approved novices*; open to all two cylinder bikes
*Petition the New Race Director for permission. Details are in the rulebook.
You can register to race online. Grids will be set based on points and order of entry.
This page is, by no means, a complete list of license, bike and class requirments. Please refer to the rulebook for complete details on any subject.
Other Helpful Hints
Many other items and bits of knowledge will come in handy your first race weekend.
- Pre-enter/Pre-register at www.utahsba.com/shop/
- Get a copy of the weekend race schedule and familiarize yourself with it well in advance of the race weekend. Bring a copy with you to the track.
- Make sure you know the gridding and starting procedure.
- Make a list of everything you need to bring to the track.
- In case you crash, the following are important:
- Have a friend at the track who can help you out if you go down.
- Fill out the personal information sheet (rule book appendix), and put it in your leathers.
- Be sure you are covered by your medical insurance.
- Bring a chair, food and water.
- If it's mid-summer, try to bring an awning.
- Bring a tool kit and a tire gauge.
- Plan on practicing, but use the practice for practice not racing; do not risk crashing in practice.
- Tire warmers are helpful but not absolutely necessary. Electrical outlets are available at MMP.