Endurance Racing - No Limits

[Fawbish]

Current Licence: Full UK
ACU Licence: Soon

Easy there fellas. Some may know of me, though don't hang around here that often anymore since work clamped down on the usage a little!

So after two years of various ThundersportGB/Auto66 rounds from my brother (Matty21 on here) during which we experienced many, many highs and lows (not even over full seasons) I've recently decided that it might be time to give it a go. Moneywise I'm at the best I've been in recent years with only one way to go.

My father, who is 50 in 2014, apparently decided he felt the same way, before I did! So the old man wanted to do an endurance race with his two sons for his fiftieth birthday. F*ck it, ses I - it's on.

That was about a week ago.

This is now in my garage.

https://s7.postimage.org/cralj0azu/gsxrthou_NL.jpg

Advertised at £3200, so went for a viewing on Sunday with the family. Bike is great condition - some minor crash damage that will be easy to sort, smooth as a nut, about 3.5k miles, 1 owner. Apparently has uprated cams - no proof of this so treating it as stock. Pretty certain I'm not gonna be wondering whether I can get more than the standard power out at the moment. The fella also had wets on wheels (not advertised) - so boom, £250 for a spare set of wheels with almost new wets. That'll do me. £3100 for the bike in the end. So £3350 altogether for a race bike that is pretty much ready to go. Few small things to sort out.

It's been about a year and a bit since I've ridden in anger, and that was on a '99 6r. Time to get back up to speed. I'm 24 now, been riding since I was 17.

Started the thread so that there's at least a small amount of record showing how things are progressing.

29th March I'm booked in at Cadwell, in the novice group (no spots in fast, and non in inters) - hopefully I'll get moved up sharpish. Won't be an awful thing though, because if it's wet - I'll be trying out wets for the first time, on my first ever thou. Nothing quite like a challenge.

Plenty of dollar backed up for repairs etc, and this year it'll be trackdays (with fitness training inbetween) to get back up to speed in preparation for a few rounds next year, we hope.

Just thought I'd start mesen a thread.

Cheers,

Fawbs
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Deano]

Awesome Fawbish, for some reason I always new you'd give it a go.

Dont spend any money on the engine unless it needs a rebuild/refresh just spend the money on suspension.

The K6 are still good bikes and can still win races just dont bin it as the frame do tend to snap at the headstock so keep checking that area for cracks as it could ruin your weekend if a scrutineer finds something.

also dont keep doin trackdays if you wanna go fast keep racing, you can do a full day at EMRA for £150 which will be 4 races and a 2 quallys and they now have a proper rookie championship which is 2 races in one day.
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Dean Stone #777
EMRA 2012 final standings, Formula 600s 3rd, Superstock 600s 3rd.
www.triplesevenracing.co.uk: www.ljmotorcyclerepairs.co.uk www.gettaylored.co.uk BN RaceScience, Now officially run out of money to carry on racing

[Fawbish]

Yeah I'll check it out Deano.

My funds allow for a few rounds of the endurance next year, but to be honest the trackdays are purely to get me used to being on a bike, no matter this bike, again. I feel well out of it. And my fitness is seriously down the sh*tter, so I'm getting back to the gym again. Plus trackdays a bit easier to sort out at the moment, as with work I'm away for unpredictable periods - it's extremely frustrating.

Just this week I'm off to Cork in 2 hours, back on friday, and then off to dublin for 2 days tues/weds next week - beyond that unknown. Just put a holiday form in for 22nd april, for Snetterton trackday. Manager says he'll accept but might ask me to cancel it depending on resource. Awesome.

No engine work planned at all. Leaving suspension as is for the first trackday, after that I'll decide if I need to send them off to someone for a refresh. Gotta wrap my head around suspension settings again, can't wait. Work takes way too much of my time up, so it'll be nice to utterly divorce myself from it.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Gman360]

K5 gsxr thou was the best bike I ever had.. it bailed me out time and again on track, so easy going.
If its not already got one, stick a brembo master cylinder on coupled with good lines, discs pads rocked, I really used to take the piss on the brakes.. good luck with the racing man
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HONDA VFR400NC24, YAMAHA FZR600R, LAVERDA 750 FORMULAS, CB250 SUPERDREAM, SUZUKI GSXR750K1, YAMAHA R1 5PW, APRILLIA RSVR, SUZUKI GSXR100K5, SUZUKI GSXR100K5 TK2, SUZUKI GSXR750K7, HONDA CBR600RR, YAMAHA R1 5PW, KAWASAKI ZX6R C1H CURRENT

[Red Devil]

Nice one, good luck with it all.

If you are booking track days through no limits let me know, I’ve got a track day deal which I’m not going to use all of and need to raise some funds for a TSGB round in June. I’ll book it under my name then swap it over the week before, you can have it for a tenner less.
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Fawbish]

I'll let you know RD - currently looking at booking Snett for 22nd April.

Gman, cheers for the advice - it already has a brembo/lines etc. Was previously raced.

Praying like hell the weather is good for the 29th at Cadwell!!
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Fawbish]

Some cheap tyre warmers to replace the ones I set on fire, purchased.

And a new exhaust, though it's technically a spare, or until I hit noise restrictions. Ordered it with a baffle.

https://i.ebayimg.com/t/Suzuki-Gsxr1000-K5-K6-Carbon-GP-Exhaust-End-Can-Link-Pipe-Race-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqRHJBsE60e3u4,8BO31w93(u!~~60_12.JPG

Thought I'd give it a crack - not like I'm using it year round so wasn't too fussed about long lasting etc.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Fawbish]

So apparently when I have the funds and work forces me to fit fun things inbetween shit things, I work pretty fast.

https://s14.postimg.org/6glgwale9/IMAG2251.jpg


Mmmmm silkolene race



https://s14.postimg.org/exkz77q35/IMAG2258.jpg

And a new cheap exhaust which sounds throatier than the (unfortunately damaged) Yoshi (which is now a spare), but crucially...has a baffle.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Red Devil]

Looks nice

Don't fancy another trip to cadwell on the 15th or 16th do you? Should be a couple of us going.
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Fawbish]

Unfortunately not mate, I can only get a certain amount of holiday time in at the moment. Even my 22nd planned at Snett is looking dodgy.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Fawbish]

Cadwell over with. No issues with the bike (well, apart from my cheap exhaust being ridiculous (107 dB no baffle, baffle....105.9 dB ) haha. Getting another baffle made up, longer and woolwound.

So the bike was fine really. Didnt go mental, pushed beyond my own limits currently (fitness) and ended up with cramp in my right leg, had to stop in two of my sessions to rest it and massage it out. Didnt help as it was always twinging. It was freaking cold, but stayed in relative sunshine all day and most importantly, was dry. Heavily enjoyed being out on a new modern machine!

My fitness levels were proven even more dire than I'd imagined, with my single fast laps (10 of which I could have done on the zx6r in fast last year) being barely quick enough to embarrass any normal novice.

Couldnt string more than 3 laps together with consistency. Not too fussed as I'm still getting used to everything again, with new gear and new bike and no riding for a year or so. Felt a lot more confident by the end of the day, but my body had given up!

So gym was joined last weekend again, and I'm currently using some wrist grips to build up some wrist and hand strength before 22nd where we will be travelling down for a monday at Snetterton 300.

Photos were crap of me (great of me old man) but here's one just to keep the thread updated.

https://s9.postimg.org/5iw5xizqn/Mansfield_UNFIT.png
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Red Devil]

Good to hear it went smoothly. Can’t wait to get out at Cadwell again next weekend!

When’s your first race meeting?
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Fawbish]

Not for a while yet mate, any racing will take place 2014. This year its all prep and gear with limited funds.

Recent developments:


Me old mans triumph has blown its little end. Que us driving across to Market Rasen and BOOM, he now owns a zx9r. Very clean example, £1200, been a trackbike for a while. Lockwired in places so possible a low level race bike in the past. I have a zx6r of the same year (99) in the garage so spares for certain parts wont be an issue (for instance my zx6 has a zx9 fuel pump)

My brother swapped his 97 CBR6 for a full clean CB500 once more, with three spare wheels. Probs £800 worth of bike (The CBR was in shitty condition) for £1200 worth of clean CB5. Ridiculous.

We have our mate Adam who is currently leading the TS500 championship, his old man is gonna sort us out some dyno runs and jetting for the CB5 to get as close to the class limit as possible (52hp I think). He's also gonna sort out new fork internals and adjustable rear suspension (new allowance in the class this year)

Ordered some stomp grip equivalent for the GSXR, so next time my bollocks wont be taking as much of a whacking.

Also about to order a headstock front paddock stand, and then blue print and repeat it a few times (Brother is a welder fabricator) to give us all easy access to front wheels, and possible sell a few to make some moolah.

If anyone is interested in a front paddock stand making up (the under headstock type) we'll be looking into it soon, register your interest here.

Also need to order a 3rd set of warmers - we are now at the point where I'm not sure the 2.2kW genny can handle 6 tyre warmers. Though I dont think at any point all three will need to be on, and we know it handles 2 bikes at a time. (No kettle though, haha).
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[garth]

I'm interested in a under the headstock stand.

Bike looks good.

[Red Devil]

[Fawbish]

Good to know guys,

Interest in headstock stand :-


Garth
Red Devil



Will let you know what we're gonna be able to do.

Also yeah I'm aware of the hot rim scenario mate, ideally I could do with some tyre blankets too. The original plan was for all three of us to do an endurance race (45 mins practice/qually) and then 3 hours of racing - now it's all three of us, and now on three bikes. Originally was two bikes and three of us.

So yeah a second genny may be required, even if I sell it again afterwards if we cant afford any more race rounds. (though I've a sneaking suspicion that this is gonna become more addictive than I can imagine)

Gah gennys are ruddy expensive. haha.
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Red Devil]

Keep an eye out for deals on gennys on ebay mate, I managed to pick up a brand new (never been run) 2KW one for £150.

Are you going to be doing any training for the racing? I’m in the gym every night now after round 2 of EMRA highlighted how unfit I was and that was only 10 lap races never mind endurance racing!
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Fawbish]

Indeed I am mate.

Not that I expect it to help a ton, but surely it has to a bit - nightly I'm doing 3/4 x 50 compressions of a pair of grip trainers (the handles with a spring in for each hand) to try and build up some hand and wrist strength (I'm an office lad)
'
I'm back at gym as well but haven't been able to settle into a routine yet as I travel a lot with my job unfortunately. Part of the racing was to force me to try and get fit again!

It's insane though isn't it how it takes it out of you within a few laps
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Red Devil]

Yeah I’ve started doing some forearm excises in the gym to help with hard braking as I started to feel it a bit on Sunday now I’m braking a lot harder! I’m also an office lad so sit on my arse all day which isn’t good.

It does show how fit you are very quickly, your heart rate can get up to 160/180 BPM when racing…pretty mad!
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Fawbish]

If you develop/have been given any small gym programs mate I'd be happy to try them out

My problem is finding someone that can go as irregularly as me. And of course irregular gymming = f*ck all gains bar basic fitness. Yay.

Gonna get my ass to the pool tonight for a few lengths
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Red Devil]

I haven’t got any particular routine that I follow currently, only just back at the gym so trying to build up a basic level of fitness. I used to be quite into my weight training and got pretty strong last year before I fell out of my routine and started drinking beer/eating crap again

I did do some research on the tinterwebs about what sort of training people do for racing and I currently do the following…

Cardio:

Cycling – low resistance high rpm
Rowing
I want to do some swimming as well but there isn't a pool at my gym

Weights (all 3 x 12 sets for endurance/toning rather than building and bulking):

Bicep curls
Tricep pull downs
Forearms (20kg olympic bar picked up behind with palms facing backwards and curling up using wrists is a good one for this – normally do 20 reps per set)
Upper back and light dead lifts (1 x 12 on deadlifts)
Chest press with dumbbells
Squats

Lots of various crunches/sit ups & variations between sets as well.

Probably only do 2 weight sessions a week and do around 30 mins cardio before as well as my main focus is not getting strong but getting a high level of all round fitness. I used to weight train 4-5 times a week and split up each section of the body but being big and heavy doesn’t help with going fast on a bike so just do 1 exercise on each part in the same session now.
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Thundersport Pre-National Sport 600 2014 #92
EMRA Roadstock 600 2013 - 3rd
www.facebook.com/MattJohnstonRacing

[Deano]

Bike fitness wise all you should concentrate on is cardio, running, rowing, swimming and cycling. Train like you are trying to do a triathlon.
____________________
Dean Stone #777
EMRA 2012 final standings, Formula 600s 3rd, Superstock 600s 3rd.
www.triplesevenracing.co.uk: www.ljmotorcyclerepairs.co.uk www.gettaylored.co.uk BN RaceScience, Now officially run out of money to carry on racing

[Fawbish]

Helpful fellas cheers.

I was a complete tool over the weekend with food and exercise (lack thereof) - only positive was that I didn't get wasted.

Rowing tonight I think

Not gonna make a difference before Snett. But at least at Snett it's not elevation changes, it won't be freezing (20 degrees!) and the bike/leathers/boots etc wont be new.

Only "changes" since the last time I posted is cheap stompgrip rip off added, and I've extended and packed the exhaust baffle - using a dB app on the ol' iphone (and using my brothers CB5 (which we know tested at about 98dB) as a reference @99dB) we achieved 101 peak at 5.5k revs. However, it still sounded pretty loud.

So I went out and got some wire wool. Now putting out 98/99dB on the app at 5.5k revs. Hopefully we'll be ok (Snett is 102dB and very strict according to me brother).




https://s3.postimg.org/62s36z1xv/GSXR_Stomp.jpg

And us real posh fuckers, we got carpet in our garage. Oh yes.

https://s3.postimg.org/e707bpocz/GSXR_Paddock_Stand.jpg

And my brother has reacquired a CB500.

https://s3.postimg.org/ga615mys3/CB5_Side.jpg
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Fawbish]

Howdy guys, another small update.

Snetterton went well. It was very busy, we got to the track at 20 to 7 and no garages were available. Thankfully we didnt need one, as the sun was shining and it was warm. With us using a LWB transit and having 3 bikes, and only one mother, it proved quite a stressful day in terms of logistics. The woman is a saint - I cant imagine being as selfless as her.

In our first session, myself and the old man (new track to both of us, I have 6 sessions (ie. 1 cold day) at Cadwell under my belt on a thou, he had none on the zx9r) we took it easy-ish. But I was still shattered afterwards. Dad wasnt too happy with the bike, but we perservered, and it turned out to be more nerves than anything. The zx9 is more powerful than anything he has used before, and the GSXR is a lot more powerful than anything I've used.

By the afternoon, we had both sped up considerably, but for my dad, his weakness is unfortunately getting back into biking a bit later in life. He just cannot mentally let loose and be fearless - for all that he does great and held his own in intermediates without any trouble. We didnt manage to time any of our faster laps, but as a guide, my fastest timed (of about 5 laps during the day) was a 2:28. My dads was a 2:40. Both fairly slow.

My brother had a cracking time in fast group getting to know his new CB500, and it was no time before he started getting to grips with things again. He put a 2:24.8 in his 2nd session. We know when he raced here he put in a 2:21, and we believe he broke that later on in the day without much sweat.

Theres 3/4 key areas he can improve on the bike itself, namely, front springs, rear adjustables, race seat unit (will save him fair few kg's) and a few dyno sessions/jetting sorted for maximum class allowance power.

He had a go on my bike for one session and managed a 2:24.8. I think in reality I was close to this later on in the day as I felt a lot faster - I was treating the bike more like a 600 at the end of the day and fully throwing it in and out of the corners.

Still, a few seconds off my brother, with his inate skill and fitness - not too shabby. And my dad, who is nearly 50, on a bike with 40 less horses than mine (and considerably softer/older suspension) was only 10 seconds down on me. Brilliant weekend away with the family. And thats what its all about.



https://s24.postimg.org/isocy3qfp/snetterton.png
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Fawbish]

Just updating this for memories now.

We are on the hunt for MWB (or equivalent) vans! My brother needs main transport once more and had a Connect previously - he wants something a tad bigger now.

I will update you all when we've made progress on the front paddock stands also.
____________________
"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."