Heritage Lightweight Class Interest

mngforce

Old Guard Newbie
Hey all:

How many Racer’s, current, past or future, are interested in a class based on AHRMA’s NextGen Lightweight class (Rules below):
https://www.ahrma.org/rules/next-gen-lite-rules-writeup/

It would possibly be run with CSRA (I’m talking with Kevin now). I have a customer who says he an put six bikes on the grid. I can put 2~4 more. The bigger the interest, the better the chance of happening and the more fun it will be.

Also, to really liven it up, G-Force Engine Development might offer to sponsor the class with a payout something to the effect of $500, $250, $125 for top-three finishers. We all know money brings out the best in us. Lol.

Thoughts please...

Mike Norman
G-Force Engine Development
www.mngforce.com
 

chuckie90

Active member
lightweight heritage

Hey Mike,

Love this idea, I would love to ride something that fits in this class. Did you sell the RVF superbike you built?
 

mngforce

Old Guard Newbie
Hey Mike,

Love this idea, I would love to ride something that fits in this class. Did you sell the RVF superbike you built?

Hey Chuckie! No I have not sold it (them) but they don’t qualify anyway. They’re too new (cut off is 1993 NC-30/VFR) and the fuel injected bike is definite out. But, the bodywork also needs to be period-correct. It would be best to get a VFR400 and build it out.

Mike Norman
 

mngforce

Old Guard Newbie
I'm very interested! Can I run my CBR250RR (MC22)?

Hey Danno! You could. But you would be out-powered. A good MC22 makes 60-ish HP. A good V4 Honda makes 75~80hp under the class structure.I would love to see all the old bikes come out of the “barns” for this.

Mike Norman
 

mngforce

Old Guard Newbie
I got very excited when I saw both EX500 and RZ350 mentioned, thinking I could put 3 or 4 bikes on the grid... but then further reading saw where it says no aftermarket frames. So I'm out:x


Since all this is speculatory anyway, what are your bikes and what kind of power do they make. The rules could possibly be altered I guess. The idea is to have a good grid and to HAVE A GOOD RACE.
 

Frame Maker

Well-known member
Since all this is speculatory anyway, what are your bikes and what kind of power do they make.

Back in 2001 I built a batch of frames that used EX500 engines. I put together a small team and raced these in AFM 500cc Twins class in 2001 and 2002.

More recently I've been developing a similar batch of frames to use RZ350 engines (first prototype is currently being tested). There's a race team on the east coast that has already expressed interest in the RZ350 frames, but I guess they must be racing in a class that allows for frame changes.

I'm not an engine builder so I can't say what power they make. The bikes we raced in 2001 used stock EX500 engines, so what ever the power is of a stock EX500 with a pipe and jet kit.

If these were to be allowed, I'd certainly be sure to have additional frames available to the public for purchase to keep things fair.

6233016553_e15a283cdd_b.jpg
[/url]DSCN0090 by andbike, on Flickr[/IMG]
 

DannoXYZ

Well-known member
So what kinds of lap-times @ Thunderhill were those A•N•D EX500s doing way back then? I wasn't into racing yet, but heard they were kicking some serious ass!
 
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mngforce

Old Guard Newbie
Back in 2001 I built a batch of frames that used EX500 engines. I put together a small team and raced these in AFM 500cc Twins class in 2001 and 2002.

More recently I've been developing a similar batch of frames to use RZ350 engines (first prototype is currently being tested). There's a race team on the east coast that has already expressed interest in the RZ350 frames, but I guess they must be racing in a class that allows for frame changes.

I'm not an engine builder so I can't say what power they make. The bikes we raced in 2001 used stock EX500 engines, so what ever the power is of a stock EX500 with a pipe and jet kit.

If these were to be allowed, I'd certainly be sure to have additional frames available to the public for purchase to keep things fair.


6233016553_e15a283cdd_b.jpg
[/url]DSCN0090 by andbike, on Flickr[/IMG]

I totally recall those bike’s. And was a fan. I would have to see what could be done. But they don’t fall within the “Heritage” theme.
 

Frame Maker

Well-known member
So what kinds of lap-times @ Thunderhill were those A•N•D EX500s doing way back then? I wasn't into racing yet, but heard they were kicking some serious ass!

I was pretty busy just keeping the bikes running, so I didn't pay too much attention to lap times. I probably have them in some old notes somewhere. We did have a lot of fun and won a few races.

I totally recall those bike’s. And was a fan. I would have to see what could be done. But they don’t fall within the “Heritage” theme.

If they don't fit within the class being proposed then no worries. I was just curious since I saw EX500s and RZ350s on the list.
 

mngforce

Old Guard Newbie
I was pretty busy just keeping the bikes running, so I didn't pay too much attention to lap times. I probably have them in some old notes somewhere. We did have a lot of fun and won a few races.



If they don't fit within the class being proposed then no worries. I was just curious since I saw EX500s and RZ350s on the list.

I would LOVE to have a “Builder’s Class”
 

Frame Maker

Well-known member
I would LOVE to have a “Builder’s Class”

A builders class would be all over the map. Also, not too many people doing this type of work at the club level. Having some of the already established classes be a little more relaxed in the rules to allow for custom frames would be a much better option if you want to encourage these types of entries. The AFM twins classes are a perfect example. They define a specific engine capacity and configuration, but leave the chassis configuration wide open. Most people are still going to use stock OEM frames, but the rules allow for custom frames if someone thinks they can build a better frame than OEM. This is exactly why I built the AK-1s.
 

DannoXYZ

Well-known member
What Frame? What Engine?
I would build my own frames and cast my own MMC engine blocks from scratch.

I really want to have races based on skills other than size of pocketbooks. Heck, anyone can buy $15-35k bike and toss $10k in upgrades to be pretty competitive. And sure, rider-skillz acquired over many years of track-riding is to be admired, but what about design and engineering prowess? How about craftsmanship and fabrication skills, those should be allowed to be a factor in results.

If I can build a 15-lb chromoly, titanium or carbon-fibre frame to hold a 100-bhp engine in 200-lb package, I should be allowed to race it in regular displacement classes with certain allowances. Such as twins being able to drop down a displacement class or turbos having 1.4x displacement multiplier. Custom builds shouldn't be relegated to Siberia-like "Formulae" classes where there's only 1 or 2 bikes.
 
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GPzPop

Ask me about my B-1-D
Julian, what does A.N.D. stand for?

lovely bikes, I recall the AFM prez a couple (3?) before Berto ran one
 

KazMan

2012 Fifty is Nifty Tour!
Staff member
All the AFM Formula classes are builders classes....just sayin :teeth
 
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