What you need to legally race your bike.

[goliathgotit]

For one I know that you need a legal location to do your racing on, but are there other regulations?

I am not asking for a state by state legal review, but I am just lloking to see how much trouble a person actually has to go through to be able to pull his bike out of the garage and go meet with someone to go toe to toe with, without the legal implications of racing illegally.

Is there a special kind of insurance you need, or will it void the insurance you have on your bike?

I'm not sure about you, but I do not plan on becoming a professional rider, but it might be nice to go lay some streaks at the local amateur events.

[Vercer]

A lot depends on the track you're at and what kind of bike/racing you're going to do.

Most road courses have open track days. From what I remember up north (been a few years now) you had to remove or tape up all lights and safety wire several bolts. Check witht he track or organization as to exaclty which ones. You also had to flush the radiator and run with NO antifreeze.

The reason behind the last is that if you do wreck, antifreeze has an EXTREMELY low friction coefficient and a small amount on the track can be deadly.

Most also require a full suit of leathers, boots, gloves and full face SNELL approved helmet.

Drag racing is a little different and depends ont he class of the bike and expected ET's. Check witht he track first in all cases.

[webhustler]

I never knew about the anti freeze rule. I find that pretty cool. Do they run something else made for races, or do they just run water?

As for the tracks, i know that in San Diego they run a street racing forum at times, and the only requirement is that you own the car, before and after the race. They are real hard on pink slippers.

[Vercer]

I know most if not all ran distilled water rather than tap water due it it being cleaner and doing less damage as far as corrosion and such to the radiators and blocks (no chemicals and such). You'll typically find that the bikes run cooler with just water as well.

A lot of tracks also run classes and such where you can get set up to race in classes and offical organisations such as WERA and GLRRA depending on your location.

[jmonte35]

You are all on the right track however not really the correct information. All tracks will require you to change your coolant from anti-freeze to DISTILLED WATER AND WATER WETTER. Water wetter is made by red-line and is pink in color. You should always use distilled water!!! Never use tap water it is very bad for your bike and car for that matter. Some trackday providers require oil filter and plug and cap to be safetied. All trackday providers require a full one piece suit or two piece zip together suit, over the ankle leather boots or racing boots, gauntlet type gloves and a full face DOT/Snell approved helmet and some will require a back protector which I highly recommend. As for lighting most new lighting systems are plastic (glass requires taping) and don't require taping however if you can't pull the fuses just tape over the lights (they just can't be showing) especially the brake light. If you want to race than you will have to talk to the orginasations chief tech inspector to find out what is required. I race AFM in California and the rules are rediculous they are stricter than AMA. Good luck getting your first few laps in.

[adrian]

Actually, I would say just call your local track day school and ask what the requirements are. They differ from school to school; for instance, I know of schools that still require lights be taped, plastic or not... and they don't all require that antifreeze be removed. Just give them a ring, and you will have your answer.

By the way, if you are just wanting a speed contest, go to a drag strip. Most bikes can be run without you wearing expensive leathers... jeans, boots, jacket, helmet and gloves are good to go... just call and ask what the requirements are.

[jmonte35]

+1 for Adrian I'm really speaking just from a few states of track experience...I'm sure it varies from track to track. When I would take my bike to the drag strip none of that crap had to be done....they were more worried about a damn chain guard then having a full set of leathers. The rules at the drag strip were if you didn't have full leathers you couldn't run less than 11:00 or 120MPH. 600's achieve this easily. Road tracks are usually much more strict. Once again have fun and be safe out there and check with your local track/track day providers.