RPS
RACE
BIKE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGYRPS
RACE
BIKE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Additional Team Information Links:
RPS RACER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Overview
RPS develops their race bikes with three main strategic purposes: (1) Build a bike that "stays on the track", (2) Build a bike a that allows the rider to maximize their talent, and (3) only spend what is necessary. The goal of this strategy is to ensure all the riders are getting the most track time possible rather that working on gadgets and electronics. More track time is more effective to lowering lap times and ensuring safe operation of the teams' race bikes.
Keeping
the
riders on the track through smart building practices...
RPS builds a very "mild bike" in comparison to even "club level" racers to ensure costs are kept down, and racers on the team can reliably compete every round of the CMRA series as well as the few select National events. The first thing RPS evaluates is the exhaust and fuel injection management systems. To date, RPS has always chosen Dynojet as its Fuel and Ignition management system. It is the industry standard and provides the most reliable horsepower gains with simple to install and manage products. RPS has worked with M4 Exhaust Systems for many years and has always been impressed with the quality, service, and pricing of the product. In 2013, RPS will again choose to have M4 Exhaust Systems as our exhaust system provider. M4 Exhaust Systems was a huge part of our success in the 2002-205 period of the team with crew chief Marcus McBain securing his last expert sprint race win using an M4 Exhaust system. It is good to have them back officially "on the team". When the cost of putting in a full Dynojet/Auto-tune and M4 Exhaust System exhaust package is less than the cost of Supersport engine build, but provides 15bhp-20bhp, why even question the value of this strategy.
RPS always has run "stock motors" in its racebikes for a myriad of reasons with reliability being the #1 concern. In 2007, RPS started noticing engine failures though and looked for what the was the main culprit. From 2008-2009, three more engine failures finally caused RPS Manager Marcus McBain to send the motors to Billy Wiese of WRW racing for inspection. The main issue appeared to be excessive valve wear and this was remedied by degreeing the cams and installing an A.P.E. manual cam chain tensioner. This added HP for minimal cost(s) and greatly elevated the reliability. Since following this practice, RPS has not had an actual engine failure during a race.
In our current engine build, we have the cams degreed, bike put on the dyno to provide a baseline for the Dynoject management system (with the Dynoject Auto-tune, that is all the dyno work we generally have to do). RPS may order a "race kit" head gasket OR split the stock one (generally only done on our 600cc machines). Combined with the M4 Exhaust Systems pipe and Dynoject management system, we see 18%-22% gains in HP while making the motorcycle more reliable than stock.
To get the most out of the engine performance and enhance the operation of our race bikes, we have used Vortex since 2006. Vortex is affordable, reliable, and their rear sets are VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE! We have used numerous other rear sets, but they always tend to crack or snap from both wear and crashes. When we do have to do crash repair, the bearings and critical items on the Vortex products don't "gall up" and make it impossible to replace/repair the damaged hardware. VORTEX IS ABSOLUTELY #1 in our book!
Generally, the only "maintenance" that requires any covers to come off the engine during the season are routine replacement of the clutch steels and fibers. With this formula for engine development since 2005, RPS has been able to keep their riders on the track over 99% of the time without mechanical issues! This is an incredible success rate.
Maximizing the rider's talents
The two critical areas that RPS focuses
on after ensuring the bike is going to be "fast and reliable" is
suspension and gearing. Since 2008, RPS
has worked exclusively with GP
Suspension
for the team's front suspension needs. This potent suspension solution has provided over 100
championships, wins, and podium finishes (in 155 race starts) for the
RPSRaceTeam.com sponsors since 2008. In 2012, RPSRaceTeam.com has moved to JRi
Shocks as the team's solution for optimal rear suspension performance!
GP Suspension fork cartridges are the most dynamic product on the market today. They are well constructed, can be dynamically tuned for any condition, and are engineered to allow the privateer to get factory level performance or tuned to the needs of the rider as they are "up and coming". JRi shocks are the most dynamic product in the industry. The design of the shock and the piston is your "traction control"! If GP Suspension and JRi Shocks don't give you the best performance in the country, fire your suspension/chassis tuner.
Keeping costs down
In the 7 years RPS has been running a team (and the 10 years RPS has operated), to say we have, "seen 'em come and go..." would be an understatement. Team Manager Marcus McBain has been involved in road racing for over 25 years now. The team operates around the fundamental principle of "budget two dollars for ever expected dollar spent." It is a sound philosophy and ensures that the team maintains operations in the most difficult of times. By following the doctrine listed, RPS can run a regional program for significantly less than 70% of the paddock, while maintaining the professional standards that ensure top level performance and presence for the sponsors and principals.
To find out more about the team, the riders, Danny Kelsey, and the strategies the team employs please click on any of the references at the top of this page.