Yes, but you should consider costs, effort required, and whether there is room in those classes. This is especially important to consider when just starting out, as there is REALLY a lot to learn with one machine, much less the extra distractions of multiple bikes to prepare, maintain, pay for, and most importantly, switching between them without losing some of the close feel for each.

You have to get an AFM Competition license. The AFM also offers reciprocity to license holders from other racing organizations. Email licensing@afmracing.org for a complete list of reciprocal clubs.

Being able to hold a consistent racing line at “A-Group” trackday pace is strongly recommended. Being a predictable rider goes a long way if your pace is a bit slower. Obviously the more riding experience that you have, the better it will be for you and everyone on track with you.

Ask at your local bike shop, your parts suppliers, etc. Your success will depend both on how well you do on the track and how well you can present yourself to prospective sponsors. Think about what you can do for them before asking for their support; present yourself in a professional manner; follow through on what you say you will do. It does take some time and effort to track down sponsors, but many riders have found it to be worth the expenditure.

There are a number of good ways to get such information; 1) Best way…go to a race, browse through the pits, look at the bikes, and talk to people about their setup. Most racers are friendly and willing to tell you what they run; 2) Call one of the AFM’s technical info people for tips (see Contact Info tab, Tech support, for contact information); 3) Read the roadracing newspapers for technical articles and race bike info; 4) Make friends with an experienced racer and pick his/her brain; 5) If you have money, hire the services of an experienced and successful tuner/mechanic to help you get set-up.

While the type of bike you like most is largely a personal preference, we usually suggest something that will allow a new rider to get the most racing time & fun for the least money, and that isn’t so large that it is either intimidating or overly difficult to learn to ride in the turns. Lightweight Twins (i.e. Yamaha R3, Ninja 400, Aprilla RS250, etc.), Thumpers (single cylinder 4-strokes), 500 or 650 Twins, and even 400 fours are thought to be good starting places.

No.

If you are under 16 years of age, you must appear before the board with your parents for approval. If you are under 18, you must have your parents consent and attendance at all race events you participate in. You must be 16 years of age or older to race at Sonoma Raceway. Riders under the age of 16 must either hold an expert license with a recognized Road Race organization or have 2 years asphalt racing experience with 20 race finishes and complete the AFM approved NRS school.

Personal major medical insurance is required for all competition members.

See AFM Competition Rulebook section 8.0 – 8.5 for equipment requirements of all motorcycles.

By completing an AFM approved New Racer School, also known as NRS. The NRS is a one-day class that is available through AFM designated providers and also available direct from AFM at some race weekends.

You need a race-prepared motorcycle and all your own racing gear. You may take the school on any bike as long as it is fully race-prepped, meets the AFM’s safety requirements and it passes Tech inspection. If you pass the NRS, you may begin racing. AFM approved providers are: Carters@theTrack, Fun Track Dayz, Pacific Track Time and Z2 Trackdays. Fees are determined by the provider.

The NRS covers: Classroom…racing lines, braking & cornering theories, AFM rules, practices & race day procedures, warning flags, safety equipment; Riding Sessions… some riding is supervised or observed, some is open practice; and there is a written test. You must pass the school to be able to enter AFM races if you have no roadracing experience with other clubs.

No, you still have to pass AFM approved NRS. The non- approved schools are great for giving you track experience, but the AFM NRS is focused on preparing you to compete in real AFM races, including teaching you about safety flags, bike prep, mental & physical prep, what to expect and do while racing with other people, AFM logistics, etc. Also, the AFM must carefully evaluate students for on-track safety and competency. This involves both classroom and riding sessions. BUT…before going racing, we do recommend getting lots of track time and track experience at track days or track schools.

See AFM Competition Rulebook section 6.0-6.1 for class information

As many as your bike legally fits into, BUT due to race day space limitations (i.e. more entries than we have grid spaces for) be aware that you may not get into all the races you want or sign up for.

One of the best places is from roadrace oriented classified ads, like those in the AFM Forums on Bay Area Riders Forum, in the back of Roadracing World, or by browsing the pits on a race day for “bike for sale” signs.

Of course, we think that the best thing you can do with your license is to go racing. However, if you can’t go racing for some reason, you still get our other benefits. After you get an AFM license, you’ll get our email blasts, any special mailings, and a discounted subscription from Roadracing World magazine. You also are a voting member. A request for a license fee refund must be received in writing and received prior to the last scheduled race event of the year. Other restrictions apply, see rule book Appendix C, Refund Policy for complete details.

Race Results will be posted within a week of the event’s completion on the race results page.

Trophies are given at the track to the first 3 finishers in each class after the results are final, 30 minutes after posting of the un-official results. If you did not get a trophy, you do get the satisfaction of having raced successfully and having finished wherever you finished…no small feat in an activity that most people would not even attempt.

See AFM Competition Rulebook section 2.2.2 for information.