I want to run my 14R at bandimere at denver Colorado. I want to go pro someday. What am I required as far as liscencing and equipment? The altitude is 5800. What times would I realistically run?? Any information is greatly appreciated.

Link to the NHRA rulebook. Just look at what et class your going to run, and it'll say whats needed for equipment and liscence req's.

http://bremertonraceway.com/2012_NHRA_RuleBook.pdf

not sure on bikes; but on cars to get a certain liscence you have to have a physical and then make some "soft" 1/8 mile passes just to be sure you have technique down. launch, shutdown, etc. Then you make a couple more passes and if all goes well; the track sign's off on your liscence. Usually there is a fee too, since someone has to observe/witness the runs who is qualified to sign off.

some things I read that will apply for sure. equipment wise.

IGNITION SHUTOFF
Motorcycles 10.99 (*6.99) seconds or quicker must be equipped
with a positive ignition cutoff switch attached to the rider with a
lanyard. OEM cutoff permitted in place of lanyard. Switch must be
on low-voltage side of the ignition circuit. Many stock machines are
equipped with a handlebar-mounted thumb switch that can have a
lanyard easily attached for the above purpose.

CREDENTIALS
Valid NHRA competition license mandatory for riders of all
motorcycles running 9.99 (*6.39) or quicker. Valid state- or
government-issued driver’s license beyond a learner’s-permit level
mandatory for riders of motorcycles 10.00 (*6.40) or slower. See
General Regulations 10:4.

HELMET
Full-face Snell M2000, M2005, M2010, K2005, SA2000, SA2005,
SA2010, SFI 31.2A, or 41.2A helmet mandatory; shield mandatory
(goggles prohibited). See General Regulations 10:7.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Full all-leathers or SFI Spec 40.1/2 suit mandatory on motorcycles
running 120 mph or faster. Two-piece suits must be joined together
with a metal 360-degree zipper at the waist. SFI Spec 40.1/1 or
40.1/2 suit or leather jacket, leather boots/shoes above the ankle,
and leather gloves are mandatory on ALL motorcycles. Gloves must
be Kevlar-lined or equipped with slide buttons. See General
Regulations 10:10.

Liscence requirements:

All license applicants are required to have a physical examination
before making any test runs. Physical forms and license applications
are available from NHRA headquarters or your division office.
(Physical expires every two years. License expires with physical.)
Likewise, the vehicle used for test runs must be current with respect
to rules and regulations for the class/license being applied for.

page with applications:

http://www.nhra.com/competition/forms.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

google is your friend.

Thank you so much!!!

oh, and you asked about times. not totally sure how the altitude would effect it. probably a few tenths and mph. Search for some 1/4 mile altitude correction calculators on google.

from the magazines I have (4), it seems that a lightweight pro rider will run 9.3-9.60ish. more amateur riders struggle to break 10.0's. all at around 151-155. Ive read that with a pipe, strapped, lowered, slightly mapped, and good fuel - really good riders are getting close to 8's and stretched WB will break that. 8.8's maybe?

that being said, you might run 11's (at first) with the altitude, how familier you are with launching it, etc. Im sure that will get better, but how much better? practice will tell. take it slow, and dont be too worked up if you dont run single digit's right out the gate.

Thats one reason I never ran my old R1 at the dragstrip, I didn't buy it to 1/4 mile. the 14's are much more suited to it, and maybe Ill try it someday. or maybe not, Im not that worried finding out how bad I am at launching a bike. lol. the electronics on the 14r seem to make the learning curve much faster, since it can eliminate wheelies or spin. Ill have to see if I really find it necessary to run mine.

Good luck.

I ran Bandimere for years, but it's been 30 yrs ago. They are the dang greediest set of SOBs in this world. It used to be they had no water fountains and would charge like $2 for a cup of ice water and this was 30 years ago, probably $5 now. They served no beer thanks to their "christian beliefs". Greed overcame that when they figured the $$$ for $6 cups of 12oz watered down beer were an option. Probably $10 now. Used to be free parking on site for all events, now they charge like $20 parking even on a motorcycle, then they have all places that are nice and safe and easy to park marked as "no parking". Driving around are numerous tow trucks with lifts similar to a fork lift. They will scoop you up like dog crap 2 minutes after they detect an illegal park situation. Most of their rules are $$$ influenced, so check with them directly, they may not accept normal doctors physicals, they have their own staff of doctors trained better you must use to be accepted most likely for $$$$. Then try to leave the track after an event, they will block any means of easy exit? Why? I suppose so you stay for another $6 cup of beer or $2 cup of water. I'd say follow the NHRA rules, ask what additional rules Bandimere requires for $$$, debate the sense of running this track. They may take $$$ as pay to sluff by with a 1yr old helmet instead of the mandated 6 month old. Well they most likely accept a 1yr old but it must be checked by them for safety $$$. I would never think of running this track or even spectating there again. Several years ago they were going to move to the east part of Denver and said "no more dragracing" unless we get donations for a new track, they are going to sell the old track to build homes because there is no water on the mountain. Hello, no water for the track, but you can build 1500 cheap crap homes there? Amazing. They take in $300,000 in donations and decide to keep the track right where it is after all that. Now that is the ultimate greed, but to them just another day.

will this suit work?
http://www.ssgear.com/catalog/item.cfm?ItemsID=766f4800-b917-446a-bac5-43fdc3031d41

and will this helmet work?
http://www.ssgear.com/catalog/item.cfm?ItemsID=71098df2-ec49-41f7-8fcd-1a2e85778e5d