Our guest tonight started his racing career as a teenager with Karts in the ‘90s, moving to the West Coast Star Mazda series racing Formula Mazdas in 2003, where he finished third overall and won rookie of the year in 2006.
In 2008, he turned his attention to Motorcycles and started racing with the American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) which is the oldest motorcycle road racing club in the United States, founded in 1954, and became an expert licensed racer within one season.
Along with many racing wins and championships in a variety of motorsports, today Clive Savacool finds himself after several decades as a Paramedic and part of the Fire Service, still behind the handlebars of Motorcycles and is a Member of the AFM Board of Directors assisting in overseeing safe and productive operations of the racing club. And he’s here to talk to us about why you should consider going to the track … with your bike!
In our discussion with Clive, we cover topics like:
- What made you transition from Road Racing Cars to Bikes? Is there any correlation between racing a car on track to racing a bike? Or was it like starting all over again?
- Let’s talk about “instructing” at Motorcycle Track Days. What gets taught in the classroom?
- How does that work? There’s no “right-seat” on a Bike… is it all lead-follow? Radios? Classroom and then go?
- You developed a first aid class for track-day instructors so they can assist injured riders until an ambulance arrives; tell us more about that.
- Tell us about the Pikes Peak experience!
- Tell us more about the AFM, is it similar to AMA events? Or more focused on regional racing?
and much, much more!
Clive’s Bio
- Kart racing champion in the ’90s
- 2003-2006 Raced SCCA in the Formula Mazda class and the West Coast Star Mazda Series, finishing third for the season and winning rookie of the year in 2006
- 2008 I switched to motorcycles and started racing with the American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) winning several of the Novice races my first year and moving up to an Expert rider in 2009
- 2009 I was hired with a track-day/riding school organization that I still teach with, and as a paramedic I created a first aid class for track-day instructors so they can assist injured riders until an ambulance arrives. There will be an article about my class in Road Racing World magazine coming out this year.
- 2014 I competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, qualifying top ten and finishing 12th in the Open Motorcycle Class
- 2019 I won the AFM championship in the Legacy Middleweight Expert class
- 2023 I was elected to the AFM Board of Directors
- 2023 I’m finishing restoration of a 1959 Devin that I will be racing in vintage races here in California
Whether you prefer road racing, motocross, or supercross, motorcycle racing has something for everyone. Motorcycle racing is an exhilarating sport that offers a thrilling experience for both riders and spectators alike. With high-speeds, tight corners, and intense battles for position, it’s a sport that tests the limits of both man and machine. If you have questions, you can always reach out to Clive via LinkedIn.
The American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM)
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For those looking to get involved in the sport, motorcycle racing offers a variety of opportunities to participate, from amateur races to professional circuits. With a wide range of classes and divisions, riders of all skill levels can find a place to compete and challenge themselves. So if you’re looking for a thrilling and adrenaline-fueled sport, consider motorcycle racing.
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