�� Is the bike ready and prepped?

�� Is my stuff ready?

�� Are my gas cans filled?

All these are important, but are you forgetting one of the primary things that can affect your race-day performance? If you answered sleep, then give yourself a brownie point. Otherwise, go to the back of the line.

You may think that you can get away with less than the recommended eight hours because "I feel OK," but don't be fooled, you need every bit that you can bank. Even if you're too pumped up to actually snooze, just laying there will get your physical recovery taken care of.

Sleep is one of the most important things that it's easy to put on the back burner. Doesn't the bike need another look-see? No! The minimum amount of sleep is recommended for the regular person but as an athlete, you're on a different level – you need more rest and recovery.

Sleep enables body tissue repairs, allows cells to divide and repair themselves, and those overworked muscles get back to that fresh, new status again. If you don't sleep correctly, none of these benefits will be yours.

Just check the stats on the causes of auto accidents. What's at he top of the list? Alcohol. Next to that? Lack of sleep. So what does this tell you? If you skimp on the Z's, it's going to come back to bite you in the performance area.

When you're fully rested, your reflexes will be spot on to kick track butt, and keep you healthy for motos every weekend!

The experts have always told us that eight hours is the magic number for good health. It it right for you? Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends on many factors, including your age and how active you are. Try this: get yourself to sleep early and wake up naturally without your alarm clock. Record the time you slept. Repeat this a few more times and take an average. This will clue you in to your exact situation.

If you absolutely have to use your alarm clock on a regular basis, chances are you're not getting enough sleep. Adjust your sleep patterns so that you don't need that ringing, screaming device, and stick to the routine. Don't think that you can just catch up on the night before a big race. It didn't work before final exams either, did it?

It happens, despite our best intentions. Sometimes we get the adrenaline heebie-jeebies on the eve of an important race. Perhaps we're prone to insomnia. Shouldn't have eaten that last slice of greasy pizza?