I'm club racing in an organization which has produced some of the best riders in the world...including a couple of MotoGP winners. I'm watching two or three future superstars right now and the ages are between 10-15. These kids are unreal on the track and they are they getting professional assistance and limited sponsorship. Last year I went up against a 16 year old who has run in the AMA and done very well. We were on the same make/model and equally prepared machine. That kid made it look like I was going backwards. OP...unless you're under 16 and already winning races in one of the large club series you can forget it....save yourself some pain and money..buy a Ninja 250/300 which is race ready and go have fun at your local track.
You know, that Rossi guy is getting pretty old. I am sure once Yamaha find out you have been riding that sweet Ninja for the last five years, you are a shoe in. I am guessing that might even allow you to do a test on an M1 to see how good you really are.
Its not as bad as all that, but even if you have the talent it will be a huge struggle. Start winning everything you enter, and be willing to put a lot of time and money into travelling around to the various events (state wide, then nation wide, then international). If you really stand out, maybe you can secure some sponsors. Some guys I know are friends of the family to a guy who is working his way up through AMA Pro Sportbike (he won his class last year at the Laguna Seca event). He has boat loads of talent, but it still requires all the support the entire family can muster. His mom was in tears (of joy) after the win.
2nd step: Show up at the offices of one of the backmarker/satellite teams with a bag full of some of those millions and they will do the rest. They'll expedite your GP license and get you on the grid, especially if you have more bags of those millions. Some say talent counts, I say BS. Big money trumps talent every time. It takes talent to win, it only takes money to race. Your title says you want to compete, that only takes cash. To win, the rest of the posts become more relevant.
He has been riding a Ninja 250 for 5 years, he should be a lot less than 20 seconds of the pace of the front runners. I would be disappointed if he didn't at least podium by mid season.
Probably explains the disparity in talent in MotoGP. Reminds me of CART back in the 90s. Some driver was the son of I think the Toyota CEO and would turn laps about 10-20mph slower than the field. But he never got canned.
So if someone was interested in competing in club level racing ( not a track day) what are the options? I don't see ANYTHING on the AMA website that is not motocross or an enduro. Is there an amateur/ old guy motorcycle road racing scene in the southeast? Canoli
In the Southeast check WERA and CCS for amateur road racing. You can also look into Supermoto and mini- moto racing. Big fun for low dollars.
Thanks for that. Now all I have to do is decide is do I want to continue along the dirt path or try something a bit faster when I get home. Canoli
Save lots of money, then spend it as a privateer... then be happy with being in the back of the pack...