Dilema

I've got this 'ere CBR600FW that young Mr Blaney sold me about 2 1/2
years ago. It's done sterling service as my trackbike since then but is
looking a little worse for wear having been thrown in the back of the
race van and taken all over the place to do trackdays.

So, I decided to spruce it up a bit and bought track bodywork[1] which
a mate is painting for pennies, I've sent a Maxton shock I bought on
ebay off for a total rebuild and respring to suit my weight and I have
the forks booked in for similar treatment with MCT in Stowmarket.
Everything not needed for the road has been removed and either lobbed
in the bin or sold on ebay. I know the engine makes 98bhp at the rear
wheel and is in perfect condition, the rest of the bike is pretty damn
good as well.

So, I'm thinking to myself, do I simply use it just for trackdays or
shall I get myself a race licence and enter it in the Steel-framed 600
series run by Derby Phoenix Motorcycle Club. I've got the bike, got the
kit, got the money, got the backing of my mates and use of a race van
at weekends, but I'm not sure I have what it takes to not come last
every time.

Opinions please

[1] I sold the road bodywork to a mate who wrote his identical bike off
3 years ago.

 

What can possibly go wrong?

 

I'll ask Champ and Bonwick when they've healed enough to type properly.

 

You've changed the goalposts already. In your OP you say that you're
worried about finishing last all the time. Now you're worried about
injury & pain. Make your bloody mind up!

Seriously, JFDI.

What can possibly go wrong?

 

Rude not to. If you've got the opportunity.

Racing is the best buzz I've ever had from riding a bike.
Despite being quickly disabused of any pretensions of greatness
I may have had.

 

Can you not get an idea from the times you do?

 

Lap times?

 

Have a go.

You'll find it totally different to trackdays because everyone wants
to either win or finish as high up the field as they possibly can and
the one thing you need to get firmly into your head is that you've got
8 laps to get past everyone so being nice isn't an option.

The one thing you will do is go massively over budget but that's
easily sorted by selling things.

 

I know that from spending so much time working with Danny at race
meetings over the last 3 years.

I'm in the fortunate position of being able to afford to be a lot over
budget if needed.

 

In that case, can you lend me a fiver?

 

Knowing it and doing it aren't the same thing. I found that when I
went endurance racing after having been off a racetrack for years I'd
lost that sense of urgency and I don't think I ever got it back.

We'll see.

 

It's simple, I set my budget unfeasibly low

 

I'm surprised you need to ask.

Go racing.

 

Are you medically fit enough now then?

 

Who knows? I don't have to have a medical, only an eye test which is
carried out with my day to day specs on - I'll easily pass that.

 

Yes.

 

Have you had a look at the ACU licence application form?

 

Which licence is that for then? I thought you needed a road race
licence, which in turn needs a medical.

 

Funny, that's not what I read earlier on the DPMCC site.

 

I've never timed myself or been timed to my knowledge