Want to Ride?

Here are the basics about riding at Racing 2 Save Lives:

Our sessions are three hours long, three per day, with an hour break for lunch.  For more information on how the events are structured, please visit our FAQ Page.

Any rider is eligible to participate in Racing 2 Save Lives! You do not need to have a roadracing license, and we even have free beginner instruction available every session for those new to the track environment. Please see the next section for bike requirements.

2008 Racing 2 Save Lives event

VIRginia International Raceway will host R2SL for a second season from August 10th through the 14th. Virginia International Raceway is about 12 miles east of Danville, VA.  Directions to VIR can be found at www.virclub.com/vir. Participants at the 2007 VIR event were begging R2SL to come back for '08, and they will get their wish! The AMA Superbike Big Kahuna round will follow four days of riding the beautiful turns and elevation changes that make up VIR.

The "cost" to participate is a minimum donation amount (though we definitely appreciate more!), which is based on the number of sessions you ride.  If you ride multiple days, the cost per day does go down.  You can choose to donate either by paying yourself, or by having people you know pledge donations towards your efforts.

To make donating as easy as possible, we even give pre-registered participants a special web link you can send to people you know for them to pledge towards your contributions.  They'll be able to pay using credit card or Paypal through our website, and it will automatically credit your account.  Please note that we've done away with the paper pledge form of years past, and have gone to a completely electronic system.  If you need to collect a cash or check pledge, you may still do so and bring it with you to the track.

Curious about what to expect? Here are some key points about the event:

• We do require that you have a sport, sport-touring, or motard motorcycle, as big cruisers and full touring type bikes are a bit cumbersome to handle on the track.
• Full track safety gear will be required.  This means either a one-piece race-style suit or a two-piece suit that ZIPS together most of the circumference (no duct tape, please).  Leathers and textiles are both fine.  You will also need a Snell/DOT-approved full face helmet in good condition, motorcycle boots which cover the ankles, and gloves which extend over the wrists.  Back protectors are strongly recommended, but not required..
• All motorcycles, whether street or race, will be required to pass an initial tech inspection and get a Session Sticker placed on the fairing before entering the track each day.  We'll be looking for loose parts, leaking fluids, tires too worn for track use, and any other issue we feel will present a safety issue for you and other riders.  We do require that you disconnect all lights, and strongly recommend you tape them up and either remove or fold in mirrors as well.  Safety wiring is not required, but encouraged if your bike is prepped for it.
  
  You will be required to drain and flush any Glycol-based coolant (i.e. antifreeze) prior to riding at R2SL, and refill with water or a mixture of water and Water Wetter (i.e. non-Glycol based).  Help will be available at the track if you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself.  This will not damage your motorcycle, and avoids dangerous coolant spills which take significant time and energy to clean.  At this time the only safe water additive we know of is Water Wetter; we do NOT allow Engine Ice, due to its Glycol base.
  
  

• We do accept "walk-in" registration at the track, however we strongly recommend that you sign up in advance with our online registration! This will save you both time and money. We also encourage you to form a team with other riders, which keeps bikes on the track and makes it even more fun.
• Arrive early, to make sure you ride as much as possible. Our track goes "hot" sharply at 8:30am each day, however we will begin allowing riders to set up their pit spaces and garages as soon as they sign in.  If you reserve a garage for multiple days, you will be able to leave your bike in it overnight.  We recommend you arrive at the track at least one hour before your first session starts each day to allow for tech; on your first day of riding you will also need to pass through registration, so please allow extra time for that.
• Riders new to track riding should attend our free New Rider class, taught by a dedicated team of Rider Coaches and professional instructors. These classes will run at the beginning of each three-hour block, and include classroom as well as on-track instruction.
• Seasond Riders are also encouraged to take advantage of our Rider Coaches and professional instruction.
• The track will be staffed with corner workers and full medical response at all times. Though we hope we don't need to use them, this provides the safest possible environment for our participants.
• Please visit our FAQ Page for more answers to your questions!