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Fill out the RRS application
MARRC Roadracing School
 Imagine riding your sportbike on one of your favorite roads with a
dozen of your best friends. Now imagine no traffic. Or gravel littering the
road. Or for that matter, the need for a cell phone if you break down. Put
that all together, triple the speeds, and you've got an idea of why
motorcycle roadracers love their sport. The MARRC Roadracing
School (MARRC RRS) can
let you experience this exciting motorsport first hand. The MARRC RRS is one
of the few schools recognized as a qualified licensing school by both WERA
and CCS, and is one of the most economical schools available. The school is
usually run on Fridays before motorcycle racing weekends at Summit Point Motorsports Park.
Sponsored by Dunlop
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2009 Schedule
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May
23
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MARRC Roadracing
School (Summit Point, Main Circuit)
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July
3
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MARRC Roadracing
School (Summit Point, Main Circuit)
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July
24
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MARRC Roadracing
School (New Jersey Motorsports Track)
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August
31
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MARRC Roadracing
School (Summit Point, Main Circuit)
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Racing School References
Bike Preparation Chapter from the MARRC-RRS
manual
Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club
Roadracing School Application
What
is the MARRC roadracing school?
Course Structure
How much does it cost?
How do I register?
How can I check it out beforehand?
What racing equipment should I bring?
What are the recommended motorcycles?
What personal equipment should I bring?
What's available at the track?
How do I prepare my bike?
Still have questions?
What is the MARRC roadracing school?
 The MARRC-RRS is a one-day
course that can have you racing that very weekend. The school combines
classroom and track time to teach you everything you need to know to safely
start your first race. The school's staff boasts some of the fastest and most
knowledgeable racers to attack the ten turns of Summit Point. The school has
been taught at Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia for more
than 14 years. This year, two classes will be run in conjunction with MARRC
Practice Days. Our school also has the distinction as one of the only
non-profit schools in the nation, run exclusively by volunteer enthusiasts
and racers. They give their time solely to help you be a better and safer
racer.
Course Structure
The MARRC RRS is a one day class, see the schedule for dates. The school is
run on a very tight schedule. It is strongly recommended that students arrive
as early as possible to the track on school day, see the schedule to see
which day, class is not available friday and saturday, just one or the other.
Registration and tech inspection open at 8:00 AM. , and be prepared for
technical inspection at that time. If you do not pass, you will have until 12
noon correct safety items. During that time you will be in class, so bring a
friend can help. When on-track instruction begins after lunch, your bike must
pass inspection. You will be in class all morning on race school day, and on
track until about 6:00 PM.
- Registration and Tech -
morning
- Track Tour (time
permitting)
- Classroom
- Practice
- Student Mock Race
 In the classroom, you will learn
safety rules, flag signals, and riding techniques. You will get several
sessions on the track with instructors who will assess your riding and offer
advice. After your practice laps with our instructors, we prepare you for
racing with a mock race with the other students and instructors. The start of
a race is the most stressful and dangerous part of a race, so the MARRC race
school lets you setup and practice them in a controlled environment as part
of the student race around Summit Point's 2-mile circuit. If you perform well
in each aspect of the RRS, including the written test, you're ready to get
your racing license.
How much does it cost?
The cost is very competitive; only $275, with a $25 discount for pre-entry
(at least two weeks prior to each class). To register, fill out the attached
entry form and send it with the full tuition (checks or credit card using
PayPal).The school's tuition also includes a one-year membership in the Mid-Atlantic
Roadracing Club, with its many benefits.
Other expenses you must
consider include the gate fee($25) to enter the track. If you pass the course
and wish to race, you will be required to purchase a provisional CCS racing
license ($100), and race entry fees average about $50 per race. Electricity
at Summit Point also costs $20 plus a $10 deposit for the weekend. Don't
forget other items you'll need like racing fuel, food, and especially water.
How do I register?
Fill out the registration
form and mail it with the full tuition (checks or PayPal) to reserve a
spot in class. Class size is limited, and classes fill up quickly, so
pre-registration is strongly suggested. Registration is on a first come,
first served basis.
Once we receive your
deposit, we will mail a MARRC-RRS information package to you. This will help
you prepare your bike for the race track. Safety wiring techniques, street
equipment removal, suggested bike improvements, safety gear, and equipment
suppliers are covered thoroughly. The student manual also contains much of
the information that you will be required to know, such as racing rules,
regulations, and safety precautions. A thorough reading of the manual
beforehand will help prepare you for the school and get the most out of your
time at the track. You can read the chapter on bike
preparation from the MARRC-RRS manual on-line to get an idea of what the
manual covers.
Please contact our
Registar at for any questions about signing up for the school.
How can I check it out beforehand?
If you have not seen the racing action, and are undecided about sending
yourself out onto the racetrack, check out the MARRC
schedule and spend a weekend spectating or cornerworking.
If you cornerwork with us, you'll get discounts for the MARRC Roadracing
School tuition, and it
will certainly help you make your decision. Cornerworking will help you understand
the flow of a race day.
While you're at the
track, you can also walk around the paddock area to look at race bikes and
talk to racers. Go ahead and ask any of the racers about bike preparation and
racing. Generally, racers are happy to talk about their bike as long as it's
not right before a race! You are welcome to watch some of our training
sessions to see how the school is run. Our instructors
can also help you along if you have questions away from the track, but there
is nothing like seeing it all in person.
What racing equipment should I bring?
Each student must provide a fully race-prepared motorcycle, a set of race
leathers (either one-piece or a two piece suit that zips together completely around
the waist), a full-face DOT and Snell approved helmet, boots, gloves, and a
back protector. MARRC instructors will check all of your equipment prior to
track time. If you have questions about any of your equipment, you should
call one of the school's personnel beforehand to ensure that you will be
ready to ride Friday morning. There is little time to correct any problems
Friday morning, so it is important that you are prepared and ready to ride
when you arrive at the track. You'll also be need to have all these items in
order to race on Sunday.
What are the recommended motorcycles?
Most of the current sport bikes make excellent teachers: any modern 600 such
as the Yamaha R6 or Suzuki GSXR-600, and lighter machines such as the Suzuki
SV650, and the Kawasaki Ninja 500. Older models such as the Yamaha FZR400 and
Honda Hawk 650 are exceptional race machines, as are a variety of other
popular models.
Attendance for each
section of the RRS is mandatory, so we strongly suggest that students use a
motorcycle which is reliable and in good running condition. Motorcycles which
are close to stock condition are best suited for the school. Vintage race
bikes can also make good starter bikes, but make absolutely certain that you
have a reliable machine. You won't have time for wrenching, so keep things
simple!
Studies have shown that
the lap times run by a beginning racer have little to do with the size of the
bike's engine. The best thing that you can do to improve your lap times is to
get quality track time. This is why we always recommend that new riders use a
smaller, lighter, better handling motorcycle in good shape and nearly stock
form. You will spend less time wrenching on the bike, and more time on the
track. Plus, you can't make up for poor technique by whacking open the
throttle.
What personal equipment should I bring?
All schools are run rain or shine. Be prepared to deal with the elements!
Useful items to bring along include: friends, a rain suit, sun block, a
variety of clothes, food, and lots to drink to avoid dehydration.
As a rule of thumb, if
you ask yourself if you will need a part or tool, you should bring it with
you. It is always better to have it with you at the track than at home.
Nearly every racer has a story of leaving a spare part at home that is needed
during the weekend.
What's available at the track?
Those of you who have already been up to "The Point" know that
there are certain things available on a motorcycle race weekend, including
camping, shower, restrooms, electricity (for a small fee), some food,
gasoline, racing tires, number plates and some other racing related supplies.
Hotels and restaurants are available in nearby Charles Town, WV, and Winchester, VA.
Although there are some good trackside vendors, they can't bring the whole
dealership with them, so don't rely on one to have the brake pads or clutch
lever for your particular bike.
How do I prepare my bike?
The MARRC-RRS Manual bike preparation chapter
goes into great detail on how to prepare your motorcycle for the hardships of
racing. Generally speaking, you need to remove all lights and turn signals,
remove the kickstand, clamp all hoses, and route all overflows into a catch
can. You must safety wire any nut or bolt that holds fluids, like the oil
drain and filler cap, brake lines and bolts, and front and rear axle nuts.
Basically, anthing you don't want to vibrate loose. It's not too hard, but it
can take a weekend or two. You will probably want to upgrade some of your
components, especially tires and brakes, and usually the suspension. The CCS and WERA rule books outline everything
that must be done, but it never hurts to wire or secure extra parts.
For more detailed
instructions, you can read the bike preparation
section from the MARRC-RRS manual on-line.
You may want to get
help from a local shop to inspect your bike any changes. Feel free to e-mail
or contact any of the MARRC Roadracing School
instructors or to answer any specific questions. The Internet also has a
wealth of contacts: see our links page for some area
shops, suppliers, or groups to contact for information.
More about roadracing:
Motorcycle roadraces are run on closed-course race tracks across the country.
These races are sanctioned by various national and local organizations;
however, motorcycle roadracing is a small, family-oriented, grass-roots
motorsport. A typical race will be very closely contested with the
competitors, numbering from 8 to 50 depending on the class, pushing their
machines and themselves to the limit. A typical race weekend will have over
150 racers entering three or four of the 25 or so races run during the
weekend. The overwhelming majority of racers compete out of a love for the
sport and pay their own way. Some money can be made up through sponsorship
(free or discounted parts) or "contingencies" (cash or coupons for
top finishes). There are very few people who make a living at just racing,
meaning that most racers work full-time elsewhere. The average racer makes
between $25,000 - $50,000 per year, of which on average $4,000 - $12,000 or
more goes into racing.
Racing is run by a
sanctioning body and the MARRC-RRS is usually run during CCS weekends. Each sanctioning body
classifies its racers as either amateur (also called novice) or expert. Most
have some restrictions on new racers. They split the racing into about 20
performance categories based on bike origin (street-based or race-only GP
machines), engine size and configuration, and allowed modifications. Let's
say you have a stock Yamaha R6. You are eligible to run in middleweight
supersport. But you can always "race up a class" so you can also
run in middleweight superbike, heavyweight supersport and heavyweight
superbike. There are also classes designed for twins like the Suzuki SV650,
Honda RC51, and Ducatis.
For more information on
racing, go first to the CCS and WERA websites. Please visit our Racing Links page to see other racing web sites and
learn more about the sport.
Browse through the rest
of the MARRC site to learn more about our club and the procedures used by the
safety crews and officials. The more you learn about racing before you come
to a race weekend, the more relaxed you'll be and the more fun you'll have.
Still have questions?
Any questions you might have at this point can be answered by one of the
following people:
Roadracing School
Director, Rick
Beggs
571-277-0892 - Sterling, VA
Classroom Instruction Committee, Stephen Harris
301-576-6114 - Friendship, MD
Registration Committee, Dawn Greer
703-517-6700 - Manassas, VA
Tech Inspection Committee, Rick Beggs
571-277-0892 - Sterling, VA
Track Instruction Committee, Rachel Sasse
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Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club
Roadracing School Application
To receive the special
pre-registration price of $250, you must register at least two weeks prior to
the date of the class. To pre-register, send the full tuition (check or
credit card) and the school's
registration form. You can register at the track only if there are
openings available for that school. Call first to check. Walk-in registration
at the track costs $275.
©
Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Club
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