A MENTAL RENTAL
You don’t have to build your own TZR 250 to feel the rush and excitement of racing with the Yamaha Past Masters (YPMs)...
“DO IT, BE A RACER, EVEN IF IT’S JUST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE AND EXPERIENCE IT FIRST-HAND. IT’S A TRULY AMAZING EXPERIENCE.” GARY HARTSHORNE “THE BIKE’S REALLY FAST, FASTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, IT WAS JUST ME HOLDING IT BACK A BIT I THINK. RACING WAS JUST AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE.” LORRAINE ANSON
If ‘motorcycle racing’ has made it onto your 2018 bucket list then this is a great place to start. It was, and forever will be, one of the best things I’ve ever done on two wheels, and that’s saying something. Better still, it’s actually really easy to get stuck in. While having a huge wedge of cash in the bank is beneficial when it comes to racing, it’s not always necessary, especially with folk like the YPM around. YPM is almost a club within the Bemsee club, and they have their own rental racer (a TZR250 2MA) that anyone can hire out for a round.
For £500 a round, you get the bike all prepped and ready, your entry fees, fuel, tyres and even crash damage covered, made all the sweeter by the influx of willing YPM officials who won’t just pit crew for you, but hold your timing board out regardless of whether its scorching or tipping down on the pit wall. All you need to bring is your leathers, helmet, boots and, as this is a professional Bemsee race series, you do need an ACU licence (Novice or above). Too good to be true? Well, the introductory racer programme works very well.
Numerous YPM campaigners I met at racing had started out on the ‘Renta’ racer experience, and after that they were hooked. One guy who was more than willing to go on record about his new-found addiction was Michael Stanley, who first rode the rental bike in 2013, telling us: “The beastly #100 club bike was a dream to ride around the famous Cadwell circuit. It pulled like a train and felt so nimble and light.” All of which I could relate to, having cocked a leg myself. But the best bit wasn’t necessarily the fantastic riding experience, but more the enthusiastic and limitless efforts of the rental’s pit crew – Len Whalin and Gary Button – who were immediately on hand every time I came in from the track, getting the bike raised and on warmers at the same time as providing me with a bottle of water to quench my thirst, while they cracked on and refuelled the bike ready for the next outing. It was silver service stuff, all done with a smile which made me feel profoundly lazy and humbled. Whatever I asked for, be it a change of set-up or a repositioning of the ’bars, nothing was too much for the willing folk and I will forever be in their debt.
Like them, the whole paddock is on your side with all members wanting to enhance your experience any way they can, be that general advice, support, or even parts… it’s all there. But when you are racing, you’re racing. The smiles are still there, but so too is the competition. That’s when things get a little more ‘every man for themselves’, and so it should be. I had a great time on this rental bike at a sneaky test around Donington Park and I’d do it again tomorrow if I got the chance.
But don’t just take my word for it. As racing novices go, I am a pretty standard height and weight, unlike Lorraine Anson who rode it the round before me being 5ft 1in and as light as a feather. Still, add her weight to mine and you are around that of 6ft 2in Gary Hartshorne who lined up against me at Snetterton on the rental bike. Both Gary and Lorraine walked off with trophies (I’m not jealous) and the experience of a lifetime. Lorraine now has her own bike and is a regular YPM racer; Gary is on the hunt for a TZR. The experience will leave you wanting more but even if it ends up being a tick in a box on your list of things to do before you cop-it, then this is the perfect place to fulfil the ambition. For more information go to www.ypmrc.co.uk.