Name |
Jim Lea |
Age |
51 |
Years Racing |
8 (1984-1988 and 2004-) |
Team Details |
Pete and Mart (sometimes!) |
Website |
N/a |
Sponser Details |
Stoford Developments |
Current Class |
600 and Open |
Current Bike |
CBR600RR-5 |
Race Number |
58 |
Racing CV |
|
First Race |
1984 Aintree Yamaha 350LC Production – lapped! |
Favorite Tracks |
Cadwell Park – got everything, Isle of Man – no comment! |
Worse Tracks |
Silverstone National – flat, boring, flip-flop chicane, fallen off every time (twice, but one of those I was knocked off!) also fell in the flip-flop whilst leading the Streetstock600 class on the last lap |
Best finish |
Won on a CB750-FD in 1300 Production at Cadwell Park in 1985 |
Worse Finish |
Aintree 1984, 1st ever race getting lapped, made even worse that in those days you didn’t get a signature on your novice licence if you were lapped! |
Proudest Moments |
Completing the Manx GP Junior in 2007, Wife and children clapping me up the return road at the end of the race |
Lowest Moments |
Falling and breaking my leg in the Manx Newcomers 2005 |
Why did you start racing |
We used to talk about it down the pub but nobody actually made an attempt to give it a go so I thought I would. Then a few others joined me once they saw what fun I was having! |
Explain your Best racing moment |
As above, the ManxGP in 2007, the whole fortnight is like one long race weekend, surrounded my your mates, its the perfect holiday! |
What is your average year’s budget for racing? |
As little as I can get away with! Difficult to say really as it depends on numerous factors e.g. Crashes, ‘doing’ the Manx etc, entering extra meetings outside of the normal club season. I don’t usuall bother totting it all up as it wold most probably frighten me but you can budget for around £200-£400 per meeting so its going to cost you anything between £2k and £6k at best. Some racers get through a lot more but then they’re having engines refreshed, new tyres every meeting and so on. |
What are your Goals with racing? |
Well, it was to enter the Manx but now I do it just for fun! Oh, and to get the meetings required to enter the Manx of course! Nowadays, it seems to be more for the whole weekends enjoyment rather then just for the racing, the social side has sort of overtaken the racing side. |
Have you been injured when racing |
Only ‘real’ injury was the broken leg and wrist at the Manx in 2005 |
What would it take for you to consider stopping |
Old age! Finances? |
What spec of bike would you recommend a Novice start with? |
Definitely a production based machine to start with unless you know you’re going to be quick from the off. Enter the Streetstocks and Open classes and treat the Open as a sort of practice for the Streetstocks |
Have makes of riding gear to you recommend? |
Well, I used to think buy the best you can afford but after trashing an £800 made-to-measure suit, I now tend to buy from E-Bay but ensure it’s a well known make e.g. Hein Gericke, Teknic etc. I did have a Dainese suit that I bought privately and the first time I came off, it ripped both shoulders out so I wasn’t very impressed, some suits look good but don’t crash good! I always wear a Shoei X-Spirit as I’ve got a Shoei shaped head and I don’t mind paying for a top of the range one – how much is your head worth? Its also very light and comfortable with fantastic ventilation. |
What other gear would you say a novice would need |
You can get away with a trailer and a tent in your first season, then if you can afford it, by all means get a van/caravan cobo and do it in style! We use a van very kindly supplied by one of my sponsors and our sleeping arrangements are a frame tent off EBay for £50! |
What are your words of wisdom for starting racing? |
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid! – Take a road bike, remove all unnecessary road gear, get it track-ready as per ACU Regs, leave the engine, suspension as standard and concentrate on getting as many meetings/laps in as you can afford. Then and only then, when you feel you are riding the bike even somewhere close to its limits would I invest in suspension, and/or engine mods and maybe even a gennie and tyre warmers if you really must! Tyres will last 2 or 3 meetings but I would advise you to buy part-worns in the paddock for £50-£80, they’ll last you a couple of meetings! I managed more or less a whole season on a pair of Bridgestone BT012ss in 2004 so I wouldn’t rule out a more road-based tyre when you’re just starting out. Wets I didn’t have in my first year back in 2004 and even now I’ve got some, I’ve only used the once, so not necessary in your first year. |
What do you wish you had been told when you were starting racing? |
I didn’t have access to the amount of advice and information now available through the likes of this web site. So my only wish is that I’d started earlier! |