Death Race classes

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Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
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Aztlán, Arizona
I am always being asked about classes and it always seems to come up at Death Race. Little hard to come up with something just minutes before Death race so lets get some input now.

I have had a brief conversation with Roland about classes I believe last year. Roland is cool with whatever we want to do but we must do it ourselves. He is too busy and just getting the race going is takes enough of his time.

My first concern is the cost to Spooky Tooth Cycles, more classes means more prizes to have to hand out to the winners. The easiest way to solve this problem is to charge a separate fee from the race track. Remember the fee for the track is only $15, for P1 to charge us only $15 to use the track is absolutely amazing! I know several that have gone to local tracks just to find out it will cost thousands to rent the track out. We are so very lucky and should be grateful to Charlie at http://www.p1kartcircuit.com/

With a separate fee from the race track will help cover the cost of prizes. Or better yet some other vendors can step up and help sponsor Death Race but I think if any vendors are interested please contact Spooky Tooth Cycles first.

Second, do we have enough bikes to have different classes? Does not make sense to have for example a e-bike class if there is only gonna be one or two e-bikes. We have to look on how long it will take to run all these classes. Track time is limited, and if it takes too long a whole class could get left out if time runs out.

What classes do we want?

E-bike
Diy
50cc
66cc
4-stroke only
2-stroke only
50cc 2-stroke
66cc 2-stroke
50cc 4-stroke
Whizzer class?
Non-china motor class or mod class?
Rear mount
Rear mount 4-strokes
Rear mount 2-stokes
Center frame
Friction drive
chain drive
Shifter kit

It can go on and on......

If we have a 50cc 2-stroke class, will that include 50cc 13hp morinis that will be showing up? What about the e-class? One guy will have a 1000w bike another will have a 500w bike and then we will have those goes wanting a race for themselves with everyone running the same watt class. What if two guys have 500w and 4 have 1000w and one guy who has something completely different? Should we create a class just for one guy?

I would like to see..
2-stroke
4-stroke
e-bike
and something like a mod class for us morini or hybrid bikes that just are way more HP then the china motors. But will have enough of these to justify a class for it? And will we have time to run these classes? We have no classes now and just running 2-3 heat race and main event takes up most of the track time.

In order to run multi-classes I think we will have to make the DR a all day event. Right now Roland tries to keep it between 12-5pm. But a all day event creates a problem because we may not be the only ones racing on that day. We would have to pick a day with no other racing and is it really worth it for P1 for $15 a person? I think not.

Will we have enough riders in each class to cover the extra fee's for prizes for that class?

Last Death Race we had so many riders we had to only allow those that qualified fast enough. We had some 60-70 bikes out there and the track can only take I believe 32 bikes. Half the field did not race the main event. Very common in racing and I have no problem with that but Death race should be a event that everyone can participate no matter your speed or bike you run.

So everyone that keeps PM me and asking about classes, and those that participate please give some input so I can run it by Spooky Tooth cycles. I want everyone to have a good time and not feel that some have a outrageous advantage. Remember there are those that just like to cruise around just for the fun, and others that take it very seriously. We must find a happy medium for everyone.
 
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Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
11,199
47
38
Aztlán, Arizona
Also on a different subject, it would be cool for the DR to be live online like using USTREAM, You're On. Free LIVE VIDEO Streaming, Online Broadcasts. Create webcasts, video chat, stream videos on the Internet. Live streaming videos, TV shows

I just wanted to put it out there for anybody who has the time and skill to do this if at all possible.

How many of you would like to watch the Death Race live? Maybe have someone walking around between races talking to racers and interviewing them or something. Is that possible? Am I dreaming?
 

Kevlarr

New Member
Jul 22, 2009
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Will there be crashes? I don't want anyone to get hurt or anything but crashes make NASCAR much more interesting to watch. :D
 

Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
11,199
47
38
Aztlán, Arizona
There have been some injury's, and yes every race there is at least one crash.

My buddy Omar racing my Rockhopper crashed in the heat race, even with gloves he got a big junk of his hand ripped off. He hurt his hand, elbow, hip and ankle. Bad enough that he did not race the main.

I have been lucky with only one crash, I dont plan on doing it again but came pretty close during practice at last DR.

It's just a matter of time before someone needs to be air lifted out, so if you are not willing to except the consequences then stay off the track.

I still never heard what happened to this guy, he looked like he was in serious pain leaving the track. You can see he's handle bars aren't straight anymore.
 

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Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,272
1,810
113
Los Angeles, CA.
I'm not sure how the DR races work?, but maybe you could do it like the nitro R/C car races?

It would be divided into groups determined by what engine you have, (Morini, HT, 4-stroke, electric & such...)
Each group (such as HTs) has to race a 10 minute timed qualifier to determine what 'main' you race in... top 10 fastest qualifiers (most laps in 10 minutes) all race in the A-main, next 10 fastest race in the B-main, next in C-main & so on all the way down to a F or G-main, (if you have that many racers.)

The slowest guys (G-main) race first & the winner of each race gets to 'bump up' & race in the next race with the faster guys. (The winner of the G-main races in the F-main & the winner of that gets to race in the E-main & so on...)
 
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Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
11,199
47
38
Aztlán, Arizona
Great input Venice, Thank You that is something to think about and just what I am looking for.

So? When are we gonna see you out here rubbing elbows with everyone? It seemed like last DR the entire Southern California showed up but you. I think there was more Cali guys then AZ guys.
 

corgi1

New Member
Aug 13, 2009
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KCMO
OK ,now these clases are for teaching us how too get around the track faster without wrecking like the orange bike,right? ,,,,Are there like colege type credits?




lol
 

Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
11,199
47
38
Aztlán, Arizona
OK ,now these clases are for teaching us how too get around the track faster without wrecking like the orange bike,right? ,,,,Are there like colege type credits?




lol
I listen and take advice from the supermoto guys. After taking there advice my lap times got so much better. So much track knowledge all you have to do is ask.
 

Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,272
1,810
113
Los Angeles, CA.
Great input Venice, Thank You that is something to think about and just what I am looking for.

So? When are we gonna see you out here rubbing elbows with everyone? It seemed like last DR the entire Southern California showed up but you. I think there was more Cali guys then AZ guys.

I've been thinking of rolling out there someday soon to at least check it out... I've been planning on building a real fast all aluminum bike after seeing how well all the engine work I did on the new red boardie worked.
 

scotto-

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder
Jun 3, 2010
6,505
24
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Ridin' inSane Diego, CA.
Hey Dave, I was thinkin to keep it fairly simple with not a mass amount of classes, until it may be required to do so. Was thinkin a simple breakdown of:

2-stroke less than 5hp.
2-stroke 5hp. and up
4-stroke less than 3hp.
4-stroke 3hp. and up
Electric up to 1000w
Electric 1000w and up

And perhaps an OPEN class for the outlaws and mods.

Could implement Venice's format of elimination and advancement as well.

Just really depends on how many riders show or register in advance. If not enough electrics show,
cut it down to one class. I think 5-7classes would be quite do-able in a day, if money and track
time permits. Just some food for thought...cheers!
 

Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
11,199
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38
Aztlán, Arizona
bout time for a little humor around here, i am probably coming to tempe in april is there a date set yet?
All April Death Races will be as close to the 20th as possible, it all depends on when the track is available. Thats all I can say right now. I am notified by Spooky Tooth usually 1 month before any race day...or close to a month.

As soon as I have any info, I always post it immediately. There is me and few other guys that get the heads up of any race by Spooky Tooth as soon as it is schedule.
 

Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,272
1,810
113
Los Angeles, CA.
Here's a question... How many different engine types usually show up??
I think you could probably get away with just a 2-stroke HT 66cc class, a HT 49cc class, 4-stroke 49cc (honda clone), electric under & over 1000W classes & maybe just put the Morinis & frankensteins in a outlaw (unlimited) class??

Do you guys use transponders to count the laps & lap times??
 

Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
11,199
47
38
Aztlán, Arizona
Here's a question... How many different engine types usually show up??
I think you could probably get away with just a 2-stroke HT 66cc class, a HT 49cc class, 4-stroke 49cc (honda clone), electric under & over 1000W classes & maybe just put the Morinis & frankensteins in a outlaw (unlimited) class??

Do you guys use transponders to count the laps & lap times??
Well thats just the thing, I really don't know? I am so busy getting ready for the race and helping others get there bikes prepared I don't have the time to see everyone and keep track of everything. There is nobody doing any organization or planning or anything.

There is always a few of everything. I am hoping we have more E-bikes show up, but I think thats gonna take time until we get a nice field of them.

I am starting to think it's best to run a 2-stroke 49-66cc class. As far as I know only a hand full run a 50cc, so I think lets just toss them together until we get bigger numbers. Same goes for the e-bikes, No matter what watts you have, run all e-bikes together.

2-stroke
4-stroke
e-class
outlaw

Also, if the field is small enough we can run two classes on the track at the same time. But we need someone to pay attention to who is who and who finished where. This makes more sense and saves time then having a race just for one class.

E-class, 4-stroke and outlaw will defiantly be the smallest field of riders as of right now.

I would also like to start numbering everyone, there is only one guy (flag man) that watches the race. He only pays attention to 1,2 and 3rd. After that it's up to the racers to pay attention where they finished. And I am not talking anything fancy just a paper plate and some tape will do.

It would be nice for a non-racer to volunteer to score the riders. And just for the simple fact we dont have two guys/gals who start fighting about who finished where, which eventually will happen.

Or we can keep it the Outlaw Rebel Race, run what you got kinda thing which is the kinda what Death Race really is.

BTW, we have classes I will try to race in everyone class lol.

Nobody counts anything except for the flag man and he gets overwhelmed sometimes.
 

scotto-

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder
Jun 3, 2010
6,505
24
38
Ridin' inSane Diego, CA.
Here's a question... How many different engine types usually show up??
I think you could probably get away with just a 2-stroke HT 66cc class, a HT 49cc class, 4-stroke 49cc (honda clone), electric under & over 1000W classes & maybe just put the Morinis & frankensteins in a outlaw (unlimited) class??

Do you guys use transponders to count the laps & lap times??
That sounds pretty good, one less class than what I mentioned above. I was taking into consideration the whizzers and larger HF and Lifan 4-strokes. Or they don't count?
 

bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes
Aug 18, 2009
6,537
264
63
living the dream in southern california
when i used to race Solo2 and Autocross races in my '75 Honda Civic, it was always a "work/run" event. everyone had to work the course for another class, setting up knocked down cones, being a flagman, radioman, etc...

i'm gonna make the next race no matter what, even if i have to ride my bike all the way there, and i wouldn't mind working the course for a class i'm not racing in.