Why do you race F2?

[Eddy Wright]

When I had my LCR Krauser I absolutely loved the thing, small engine loads of power! a really nice package, But it was banned from the TT. So I bought an Ireson F2 with a Honda 600 motor.It was a fantastic bike, and cheap to run! no more £1000 ignition systems or new tyres every meeting. I suppose I just got sucked in. Given the choice now I would still race F2. I dont like the big heavy 1000cc engines,and I think 200bhp plus is far too much power for three wheels with a pasenger on to the side.

[steve-e]

I know I'm not FII so shouldn't post. But maybe a new thread. Is a 1000 that much heavier than a 600 now?

To reply, please start a new thread with Yes or No

[Eddy Wright]

Hi Steve, I was comparing the weight to a 500cc Krauser not a 600cc fourstroke unit. Are the 1000 units heavier than a 600? I would think they are.

[Alan Richardson]

See post in F1/F2.

[Anyline]

How's about a F2 chassis with a 1000 lump

Not some old bed iron but a pukka F2 chassis
with shoe horned in motor.

OK the back ends been redesigned to cope
and obviously not a TT bike, unless you drop the 600 back in.

But great FUN

To much power
please sir can I have some more

[oldbelly]

Terry Windle built me a new chassis for the 2000 season. It took R1 + Thundercat engines. The 1000 motor was left standard and obviously the 600 was tuned. It was the worst handling outfit Ive ever raced (with the 1000 engine fitted). With the 600 engine in it was perfect ,like all Windles. The last time we used it as a 1000 we crashed ending Graham Biggs racing career. It was very quick in a straight line but we were still lapping Croft nearly a second per lap slower than my best 600 time. Scott Parnell passenger for me at Brands, he called it evil. Looking back it was an F2 chassis, if it had been built as a short open class bike (longer and wider) it might have been better. They make a good club bike ( 1000 in a short chassis) but if you start to race them I feel they are a bit dodgy, too much torque for a short bike.Steve Norbury tried the same thing with a new Shelbourn chassis, after us and came to the same conclusion.

[Anyline]

Terry Windle built me a new chassis for the 2000 season. It took R1 + Thundercat engines. The 1000 motor was left standard and obviously the 600 was tuned. It was the worst handling outfit Ive ever raced (with the 1000 engine fitted). With the 600 engine in it was perfect ,like all Windles. The last time we used it as a 1000 we crashed ending Graham Biggs racing career. It was very quick in a straight line but we were still lapping Croft nearly a second per lap slower than my best 600 time. Scott Parnell passenger for me at Brands, he called it evil. Looking back it was an F2 chassis, if it had been built as a short open class bike (longer and wider) it might have been better. They make a good club bike ( 1000 in a short chassis) but if you start to race them I feel they are a bit dodgy, too much torque for a short bike.Steve Norbury tried the same thing with a new Shelbourn chassis, after us and came to the same conclusion.

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Thus far have found it OK Geoff, think the length is the same as a modern F2 but looks wider than most.
I am a rookie driver and even with my limited experience have already concluded that even at my level
we would be just as quick if not quicker on a 600, but at what price

Bike is being used to learn the craft at club level, have tried a monocoque F1 and simple did not like it.
Only time will tell, but as I said for now just having fun and going steady.

Dave.

[powerhouse]

when i decided i wanted to race the natural choice was f2.there are more for sale,there cheaper and quite easy to get your head around and transport.
i cant realy imagine someone starting out on a f1 without progressing from f2.is that wise?
parts are readily available and if you break it its relitively easy to fix.theres nothing better than starting at the bottom with the best equipment you can afford and working hard to get to the top.
also the closeness of the racing gives me that buzz.
testing at mallory we were behind the birchalls testing, MY GOD how fast .there bike was beautifull though.......................................maybe one day

[oldbelly]

Most foreign driyers start on F1s Brian. My younger son has started on the F1 and he seems to be managing OK, Whereas Phil started on my F2s, before changing to the long bikes. The only difference between running the F1s cost wise is tyres. I personaly think its better to start on the F2s because they are slower, in a straight line that is .

[Anyline]

At risk of digressing from the post, a progress report...
hopefully this may be of interest to any would be newbie crews thinking
of having a go next year F1 or F2.

Please bear in mind I write with from a total novice angle with
with very limited experience at the lowest end of competition, though
my passenger does have a few years experience.

As previously stated we race a short bike F1 and have now completed our second
race meeting ( Aintree )

We enter with the intention of using the weekend meetings to improve our times
and get the very important track time, getting down to Mallory in mid-week is out for me
due to work commitments.

The F1 is going fine, we seem to be under control most of the time and fortunately have managed
to stay on the tarmac ( six starts six finishes )

Our strategy is to run from the back of the grid and steady away.
Seems to work for us, times have dropped from 1.18 first ever race to 1.7 so we are progressing
in the right direction.

The F1 is not daunting and I see no reason why any other new crews should not use one.
though in my personal opinion a monocoque chassis is not ideal as a starter outfit.

Next year I may run a F2 not decided yet, for now the current bike "does what it says on the Tin"

Happy and safe racing to you all Dave Team deView.

[oldbelly]

The reason for doing this racing thing Dave is to enjoy it If you are then your doing the right thing. All the best with your racing and hope you are still at it for many more years.

[Anyline]

Thanks Geoff, certainly enjoying it but for how many more years I don't know.
Very much a late starter, suppose I should have done it 20years ago though having
said that would have nowt to look forward to now.

Things were getting a bit stale for me so this sidecar game has given me a fresh lease of life.

See you around for a chat, did actually speak to you once at Darley but forgot my interpreter

All the best Dave.

[sidecarcop]

Been done, still being done, Ireson bigfoot and Keith Walters Ireson with big Yam. Steve Pullan is kicking arse in F1 races with a F2 MR Equipe fitted with a 750 motor

[peachy]

Not sure but think I am cured of them now unless I go to the TT good fun but prefer 190 hp

[Saunders]

brought f2 to get to do the tt