OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: YZ250H on February 17, 2009, 05:15:49 pm
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Hi guys,
I'm getting tired of reading all the tripe, so I thought I'd ask everyone's opinion on their #1 race tip for a first timer. My first (ever) official race will be this year.
Freaky gave me one last year which was to keep a race book. A great tip.
Hilly reckons to ride around at the back until I get the hang of it. Also a good one.
Let's hear yours.
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Have fun. Dont take it serious.
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Stay away from take away curry joints and ease up on the turps the night before ;)
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Sounds like there is a story behind that one KB. I must remind you to tell me when I catch up with you next ;D
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Don't try to be first into the first corner on your first race.
Noel
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Watch, listen & learn -- and still have fun!!
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Dont rock up to the race meeting and tell anyone your a virgin ;D
Dont worry about whats behind you, its their job to pass you, not your job to let them by.
Dont stall it on the line ::) ;D ;D :-[
If in doubt, pin it. ;)
Dont fall on the wooden pegs ;)
Know where the toilet is, you'll probably have 3 or 4 nervous ones ;D
Remember to turn your fuel on ;D
Dont be put off by the grimace on TMBills face, he is really smiling ;D
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/djracingyz/CD52008353.jpg)
Just have fun
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Whether your at the front, middle or back there will be someone to race. So just go for it and have fun. ;D
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I'm starting to get the theme here - have fun. No problems there. Geez DJ, there are a couple of ugly mugs in that photo :o :o
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When lapping me don't forget to wave, I'll appreciate the gesture, I'll appreciate you not using me as a berm and I will enjoy being fit to go to work the next day. Ride to your limit but remember it's for fun not titles.
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Being a flaggie once or twice can be fun too ;D
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To win , first you have to finish.
take your time , learn all the quirky things your bike does or does not do and most importantly have fun.
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If we were all still 18 its "Go hard or Go home" thankfully we are not and DJ 's is the best first time advice you can get , he, been there and done it as a new to racing rider first up in VMX. Make sure you DONT change lines on a passing rider , that will end in tears.
Have fun and welcome to Racing
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don,t be getting to the frount on the first lap of your your first ever race at your first ever vmx meeting ,and seize the engine on the second ! ouch , and don,t lend vital engine parts to your opposition ! thumbs up andy !
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Dont have expectations.. one expection is.. expect to have fun no matter how fast,slow or othwise u are.
Also,If it dont feel comfortable.. dont do it!
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its all about the holeshot once youve got that the rest of the race dont mater ;D but seriously its about the fun factor
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just let them all go and then try and catch as
many as you can and pass them
most prangs happen in the first 4 corners after the start
eh tm bill ::)
you will have more fun catching riders than banging bars up the front ;)
dont let other riders psych you out about the track
take your time in practice and have a good look
try different lines and watch were the fast guys go
but mainly have fun and finish in front of your mate
no matter were you come so you can bag him back in the pits ;D ;D ;D
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the word FUN is coming up alot on this topic 8)
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Don't worry if you don't do all that well, I have won most of my races around a camp fire at 2 am when the rum bottle is empty.
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If your first race is a vintage event - all of the above. But especially, wander the pits, check out the bikes, get to know the lads. The most fun is under the quickshade after the race talking it up and pretending you went better than you actually did!
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Enjoy Mate, heres a few practical tips
Make a check list before your event so you don't forget anything on the day, some ideas as follows
spare gloves & tops
tear offs or roll offs
bucket and brush to wash numbers if muddy day (not much chance lately)
spare levers and other spares you have (no good in the shed)
have you got all your club membership done, Ambulance subsciption joined, race licence or one day stuff sorted
bike preparation & checks (at least a week before so you have time to get that last minute stuff)
Bike stand
spare tubes if you get a flat, levers, mallet etc
get to track a bit early, suss it all out feel relaxed as you have plenty of time to get ready
chain lube
spare air filter for dusty days
tools you may need on the day
poweraid or lots of water to drink
food
chair
A warm coat for winter (ok i'm a Vicco)
A camera for the missus to take shots with
Esky with good Victorian beer, not that Barbed Wire shit you blokes drink :D (get ice on the way so those beers are well chilled at days end)
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second that hoony the vic beer is an essential
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Get someone to video your first race Barsby coz we want to see it. Ride slow enuff that you dont fall off and let it come to you. And make sure you pull a mono every time you get on the straight. Hah good luck mate dont get hurt.
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if you do every thing Hoony says you'll be set,
as every body else will come and borrow your tools and spare parts and drink your cold beer,
get to meet lots of people that way ;D
Cheers
Noel
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SEE - THIS is what this forum is all about. Well it is for me anyway.
Some excellent stuff here. I'm sure I wont be the only newbie this year, so hopefully other people are getting something out of this as well. I like that list Hoony - good advice for someone like me 8). Actually all of it is ;).
Hilly - Monos on the straight will be a certainty as I'll be taking the 465, but as per your previous advice it will be "sit on the tank and give it heaps" :D :D :D Don't worry - I'll be taking it very easy.
I'll be sure to take the video camera and someone that is better at using it than me ::)
Good shit fellas - keep em coming.
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sit on the tank ? shit i could sit on the bars of mine and it,ll still come up , have fun and stick one of those big # one,s on the frount
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what race you doin mate
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I'm sure I wont be the only newbie this year, so hopefully other people are getting something out of this as well.
Well I am! (A newbie and getting something out of this)
Good thread, I'm glad you asked. :)
Tracks would be a bit muddy up your way at the moment wouldn't they?
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The 7 P's 8)
P.P.P.P.P.P.P.
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance ;D.
Prep your bike and yourself, body and mind.
Arrive early, get your self together, walk that track, visualize. Relax, enjoy.
It's you and your bike working as one pitted against the track - what others think etc doesn't matter.
Do it smooth and ease and speed will come.
Pace yourself through the race and through the day.
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I'm repeating a lot of stuff here, but:
Let the officials know that you're a virgin, and they'll be gentle with you.
Sit back off the start of your first race or three - the first corner or two is where it is most likely to get ugly.
Expect to get hosed at first - and maybe forever. There is no shame in this - last place racer beats first placed spectator, every day of the week!
Missing races is damn easy to do... Esp at a non-VMX specific club day where they usually churn through the races with military precision. Don't get too caught up in talking shit if you'd prefer to be racing.
Don't meekly follow a slower rider around, even in your first ever race. If you've caught 'em, you can go around them.
Obviously you don't want to be the jerk who races like its the last corner of the last round of the world championship (ie: Make sure you race clean), but its very easy to get into the habit of following someone. You'll already be concentrating harder than you ever thought possible, but if you can find the mental strength/capacity to concentrate even harder for a few seconds, you'll be able to pass them, without crashing.
I'm still un-learning this habit, particularly if they're using my preferred lines.
But most of all: ENJOY.
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Stretching, particularly the forearm muscles.
Bend the fingers back and stretch coz you won't realise how tight you're gripping the bars until you finish.
The arm pump is huge!
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bloody hell Tony! and all this time i thought you were a pro!
drink/sip {whatever} plenty of water throughout the day and keep your fluid levels up. nothing worse than getting a headache from dehydration. and most of the stuff these guys have said.
enjoy your bike! get the damn thing dirty, then do it again!
good luck champ! and have fun!
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There are a lot of good tips here. Here are some of the tips I give to juniors when I am coaching,
My No.1 tip: Remember that the throttle works in both directions, you are allowed to slow down!
No.2 tip: Ride to your limit, not some other guys limit. It isn't classed as a finish if you cross the line in the back of an ambulance!
No.3 tip: Enjoy yourself, and smile even if you are coming last as it really confuses the opposition.
CJ
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Good one Nathan about last place race beets the spectator!
Sit back enjoy the show in front of who knows it could end up like the winter olympic ice speed skater a few years back- what was his name? Gold medal aussie dood
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...the winter olympic ice speed skater a few years back- what was his name? Gold medal aussie dood
Steven Bradbury.
His name is mentioned often (amongst my crowd at least) when someone wins coz others fell over. ;)
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Some easy points:
1. Turn on your fuel.
2. Remember to breathe.
3. Make sure you have fun.
4. Get to the venue early.
5. Prep your bike - in fact this should be number 1. No fun breaking down amongst all the excitement.
6. Pace yourself
7. Have fun.
8. Write down your bike snag list the day after
9. Make a note of where you felt slow on the track, go back the next week to re-ride the section if you can
Good luck
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I went to one of Craig Dack's schools once..... he said "slow down to speed up" works, take your time and learn the track at first. If you can get some alone time at a track jump the same jump or ride the same section of whoops a few times in a row, you can push it a little more each time and find your limits. Theres a reason guys are faster on their home track.
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Some Brilliant tips here. If I follow all these I'm sure to be a lot better off. Thanks Guys - you've done it again 8).
I probably should have mentioned that we have Evo class up here, but sometimes there is not enough to run a class (which is a shame). A couple of the guys on here sometimes ride in it. If there is not enough for an evo class there are a few other to choose from - Veterans, unlimited, or if I'm desperate trailbikes.
By all accounts the track is "the best in the world" (possibly one of those north Queensland exagerations ;D ). Slippery when wet, dusty when dry. Natural terrain (mostly) and Evo friendly. Perfect.
I took a picture of the track layout, but won't post it here for fear of offending the club. I will seek permission and post it later if they let me. Would be a good topic for bench racing on how to get around the fast way.
I'll be sure to get plenty of photos and some video. I think I'll get a few practice days in first, so first race will be a little while off.
Steven Bradbury is an inspiration to most Australians - his MO is probably the only way I will ever get a place :D
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best advice I've seen here is one posted by MarkFX.
"slow down to speed up" I was told this many years ago and it most definately works! I preach it till I'm blue in the face to anyone who cares to ask or needs to know and if you keep this in mind and don't get caught up in the moment you'll do just fine. Slowing the bike is easy but it's the mental attitude that requires the brakes put on :)
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remember to open your eyes,
Breathe
Do not let your wife be your pit bitch
Do not let your wife take up photograph and take those endearing action shots of you
keep the zimmer frame close to your bike when you finish
On Saturday night around the campfire, don't lie, it won't help when people remember the next day
The smile on your face will tell you how much fun you've had and getting out of bed the next morning will remind you how old you've got, but damn it was fun
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Spring washers, Nyloc nuts, Lock wire and Loctite are your best friends.
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As a great man and national champion one said to me,....
"Don't be scared of getting hurt, it's motocross and you ARE going to get hurt! just accept it"... ;)
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Smooth is fast.
Cheers,
K
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Hey Tony, four pages of good info, I expect you to become Club Champ this season ;D.
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Smooth is fast.
Cheers,
K
Hey Mick, I bet you use to love watching Laurie Allerton; l did ;D. Mr Smoooth.
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Yes Graeme, I've already cleared a spot on the shelf for the trophy ;)
I was going to summarise all these, so people could see them all in one place. Then I'll write them in the front of my race book and I can't go wrong ::) :)
Bring it on - if I can apply half of these I'll be doing well. Could take a while to develop the "ZEN like" behaviour of slower is faster ::).
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Yeah, most of the fast guys are so smooth they look slow until you see the lap times. Recently Stefan Everts come to mind while Carmichael is the opposite, super fast, erratic and on the edge. So I guess both styles work.
Cheers,
K
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Hey... that's me exactly! So smooth, and look really slow. So 2/3 of the formula down huh? Never thought of it like that before...
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A classic example of smooth is fast is our old mate Midpack Buddy. Watching him ride he is so smooth he looks slow, but lap after lap he's up there at the pointy end, if not leading, not far off. A great example of a fossil who can teach many a young bloke a thing or 2. Smooth, fast, consistent and no mistakes.
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ah magoo some of us fossils still need to get smooth, fast and with no mistakes! but who cares as long as its fun! cheers wally.
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Ride your own race, make sure your handlebars are plugged, have fun and enjoy the company of the other riders, don`t race for sheep station because their isn`t one,
rust never sleeps.
david
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hold it wide open!!!
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It's not whether you win or lose, but how you place the blame. ;) ;D
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I ditto with albrid-3. Welcome onboard!
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Keep the rubber end down ..........
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Sooo... I finally did it on the week-end. I'm pretty sure I followed as many of these bits of advice as possible. Thanks to Bingil6 and Steve (whose alias I can't remember) for the advice and help on the day, All went well. I took my time and didn't fall off. I'll be much less nervous next time and be a bit quicker.
I did enjoy a lengthy stouch with a T125 - Yes I said TL125 :-[ :o :o
Never mind. I'll see if I can post a short video - otherwise just photos will have to do you.
For what it's worth I can add the following :
Don't forget to take your helmet to scutineering ::);
and start getting prepared 2 races before your own and be at the gate a couple of laps into the race before yours.
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Heh heh, before a 5 hr enduro used to love telling the newbs to go like mad 'cause everyone else will be. 20 minutes after the start they'd be layed up next to the track or in a bush absolutely knackered.
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Just ride you own race at a speed that you are comfortable with and don't worry about the other guys.Just enjoy your own riding.
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Trim your toe nails!!!
My boots are a little bit tight and i forgot to trim my toe nails before CD6. I could barely put on my boots on the second day and riding was a painful (although still fun) excercise. A few days later they turned black and now they have fallen off.
The beer and ice is essential.
A hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer................ 8)
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So called Riding up a class dont go down too well in QLD 8)
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Was it your boots that turned black and fell off- coz thats OK as they are supposed to. But if it was your toes then thats not so normal..... ;D
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The only thing I remember about a first races was rumored to have come from Joel Robert when asked about sex before a race- he answered " anytime up to 2 mins before the start-after that you can't get your boots done up!!"
My only thought was "why do you have to take your boots off!!"
Cheers and good luck on that first race :D
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After doing my first race last month,
Walk the track before the race,
Ask someone on the day, they may just give you a pointer about teh slipery exit of a corner like the one at nepean before the straight..
Last but not least. If you have a lovely Garage queen sitting in your rumpus room be prepared to turn it into a race bike for the next meeting...
OLDYZMAN
C U AT nepean on Sunday......
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EVO550 got it right. Win the night before then the races don't seem important.
I've had fun at most of my Viper events, the ones I can remember.
Wait a minute, I dont remember any. Must have had a wow of a time.
Viper666
Beer officinado, at least Melbourne Bitter