Flat Track Racing Mega Thread - INCLUDES SPOILERS!

[Ironbutt]

Maybe here is the right place to ask why flat track is not just the two-wheeled version of NASCAR? Round and round, always turning left... Some insight into its nuances (which I guess it must have) might make a good start for the thread and help me understand what it is that I'm missing

It's not all about Nationals.. Ukiah/Nor cal Short track is fun.

It is just like NASCAR right up until you don your helmet and rally to the starting line. Then... it's just like racing in the grass with 15 of your best friends.

Imagine.. 140cc's of neck snapping power.. a top speed of 35MPH.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose. No matter what through, you're having fun.

 

[latindane]

I should probably clarify that I was asking about watching flat track races, rather than racing flat track, when I brought up NASCAR.

It looks like a lot of fun to DO, absolutely. I am also sure that the lessons learned there are valuable on other types of racing/riding (but then again, so is strength training, and they don't show "racers working out at the gym" on TV).

My question was more along the lines of "what to look for?", thus the reference to the dullness of NASCAR; round and round. It might be that, like many other sports, one can only truly appreciate the brilliance of the best when practicing the sport yourself (however feeble the attempt is). But several of your answers have given me some insight into why it's more than just round and round.

 

[Ironbutt]

Then it's about the same? I wasn't able to relate until I did it.

I thought NASCAR sucked until I drove a real car.. then I was like.. ohhh.. give me a coors light.

I should probably clarify that I was asking about watching flat track races, rather than racing flat track, when I brought up NASCAR.

It looks like a lot of fun to DO, absolutely. I am also sure that the lessons learned there are valuable on other types of racing/riding (but then again, so is strength training, and they don't show "racers working out at the gym" on TV).

My question was more along the lines of "what to look for?", thus the reference to the dullness of NASCAR; round and round. It might be that, like many other sports, one can only truly appreciate the brilliance of the best when practicing the sport yourself (however feeble the attempt is). But several of your answers have given me some insight into why it's more than just round and round.

 

[flying_hun]

Then it's about the same? I wasn't able to relate until I did it.

I thought NASCAR sucked until I drove a real car.. then I was like.. ohhh.. give me a coors light.

FWIW, I drove circle track many years ago. It was far harder to be quick than I had expected.

 

[Map8]

I really thought this thread would just be me, firstbuell and bikeama. Glad to see there is healthy interest in discussing flat track racing. Remember, when reading this thread title use your inner Monster Truck Commercial voice for the words "Mega Thread".

Anyone interested in learning more about AMA Pro Flat Track can see past races on the AMA Pro Racing YouTube channel and check out new and archived issues of Cycle News which has great coverage of ALL motorcycle racing. If you're on Facebook, Flat Track Live and AMA Pro Flat Track provide excellent social media coverage during events and between races with plenty of interviews, photos and videos.

I always had trouble following flat track due to the lack of a site like RoadracingWorld.com or SuperbikePlanet.com dedicated to flat track. Facebook makes it easy to get to know the racers and teams with plenty of behind-the-scenes type of information.


I'm completely geeking out on FT this weekend. Attending the Night Before the Mile at Lodi tonight and have box seats for the Mile tomorrow night. Might even make it out to practice at Prairie City on Sunday afternoon. Gonna put on one of my nicest t-shirts and go White Trashin' around the State Fair for a few hours between practice and the main events. Hot, sunny weather means I can fine tune my farmer's tan.

 

[bikeama]

I will be at Lodi around 6:00pm my son-in-law is the sports writer for the Lodi paper and I will be helping him tonight. Should be a great show.

From this morning Stockton Record:

Lodi expects big ‘Night Before’
The Record

Many of the best flat track racers in the country will be at Lodi Cycle Bowl today for one of the track’s biggest races of the season.

The annual Digger Helm/Night Before The Mile will draw motorcycle stars who are in the area to com*pete in Saturday’s Sacramento Mile at Cal Expo. The professionals will compete in the Open Pro division, which has an $11,000 purse.

“Most of the big-name pros are coming and it’s going to be a great event,” said Lodi Cycle Bowl official John Martin. “I can only think of one or two who have not committed to coming.”

Among the riders is Mikey Martin of Acampo, who won last year’s event and has a long his*tory of success in Lodi. Jared Mees, the Grand National points leader, also is scheduled to compete, along with defending Grand National champion Brad Baker, Sammy Halbert and Stevie Bonsey of Salinas. Locals who will challenge the national pros include Tony Meiring of Tracy, Stewart Barber Jr. of Stockton and Shawn Rahhio of Lodi.

Gates open at 2 p.m., time trials start at 5 p.m. and racing begins at 6:30 p.m.

 

[bikeama]

Really good racing last night. LINK to Lodi News article on the race. My son-in-law wrote it.

 

[Map8]

Really good racing last night. LINK to Lodi News article on the race. My son-in-law wrote it.

Excellent article. Way better than the Sacramento Bee's Mile preview in yesterday's paper.

Had such a good time at Lodi. Great racing and fantastic skill on display all night. Nothing compares watching the pros on the limit. The Vet main was a heart stopper.

 

[firstbuell]

Tuono Joice & I sat in the T4 bleachers & enjoyed the show a ton

while details vary year-to-year at Sacto,
the racing itself usually delivers close competition,
and frequent lead changes - this year as well

those who chose to be elsewhere [why??]
can hear/read/watch the race online afterwards,
yet the true experience is in the moment, at the State Fair

mebbe the non-believers here can get converted
at The Calistoga Half Mile in September......

 

[Map8]

Great weekend of Flat Track. Friday night in Lodi offered plenty of great racing and good views of the track so everyone could soak up all the talent on display. The Sacramento Mile rocked. Every Main event since the race returned in 2011 has been decided by less than a tenth of a second so close racing was expected. No one was disappointed.

My highlights from the evening:

- Watching Dominic Colindres of Brisbane go from a last place start to third in his Pro Singles heat. Colindres is a TT and short track specialist and I think he's only ridden a handful of miles. He did great in the main and missed the podium by a few thousandths of second.

- Getting to see Kyle Johnson put in a very patient a mature ride as he came from four seconds back to reel in leader Dan Fisher and win the Pro Singles main event by .025 seconds at the line.

- Seeing how friendly, low-key and accessible all the top riders are during the fan walk. They were eager to talk, sign autographs and pose for photos.

- During the fan walk, my wife asking if Henry Wiles had a girlfriend.

- The Chris Carr / Jay Springsteen exhibition race was fun. The crowd around me was going absolutely nuts for these two.

- Four riders wide sliding into turn one at over 100mph while battling for the lead in the Expert Main.

- Henry Wiles charging from a second row start into the lead at about 1/4 of the way through the race. Wiles' engine let go a lap later and it was hairy watching Smith, Mees and Johnson avoid collecting him at 130mph on the front straight. Glad everyone came through unscathed but I was seriously bummed for Wiles who has already won a TT (lots of them), a short track and a 1/2 mile and needs a mile victory to complete the Flat Track Grand Slam.

- Every damn lap of the Expert main was hard fought; a 25 lap nail biter.

Watch it for yourself.

[youtube]UOwhaZm_9gk[/youtube]

 

[flying_hun]

Thanks for posting that! I watched it before work this AM. arty

 

[Tri750]

Many Flat Track fans need to drive to Clovis (Fresno) to see the Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum. It's a privately owned collection of bikes ranging from board trackers to XR750.
Some are on loan for display.
Dan was a Pro racer until a hiking accident put him in a wheelchair in the mid 70's. He has built an incredible collection.
Hours are limited so call ahead, honestly his health has been up and down recently so sooner better than later to see the museum. It's a registered non-profit and admission is by donation.
Here's a link to the gallery of bikes but it can change a bit. He had a perfect TZ750 Roberts Replica that was featured in Cycle World on loan for about a year, so there's often new stuff to drool over.

http://www.vft.org/RouitMuseum/Gallery/GalleryIndex.html

 

[RickM]

Many Flat Track fans need to drive to Clovis (Fresno) to see the Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum. It's a privately owned collection of bikes ranging from board trackers to XR750.
Some are on loan for display.
Dan was a Pro racer until a hiking accident put him in a wheelchair in the mid 70's. He has built an incredible collection.
Hours are limited so call ahead, honestly his health has been up and down recently so sooner better than later to see the museum. It's a registered non-profit and admission is by donation.
Here's a link to the gallery of bikes but it can change a bit. He had a perfect TZ750 Roberts Replica that was featured in Cycle World on loan for about a year, so there's often new stuff to drool over.

http://www.vft.org/RouitMuseum/Gallery/GalleryIndex.html

Thanks for posting that. I have to go to Fresno for business either this week or early next week. Will definitely go check it out.

 

[Tri750]

Please call as soon as you get a date. He or his wife Kathy will tell you the best time to come by.
Take lots of pics.
Don't forget the donation can!

 

[Map8]

Thanks for the heads up on the Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum.

 

[Mike95060]

Maybe here is the right place to ask why flat track is not just the two-wheeled version of NASCAR? Round and round, always turning left... Some insight into its nuances (which I guess it must have) might make a good start for the thread and help me understand what it is that I'm missing

Because getting a 2 wheeled vehicle sidawyse at triple digit speeds if just fucking beautifull. Ever get to play on a tt track with a dirt bike? It is as close to flat track as I have ever gotten and it it's intoxicating. Some day before I'm old and grey I want to have the time and coin to learn flat track.

 

[flying_hun]

Because getting a 2 wheeled vehicle sidawyse at triple digit speeds if just fucking beautifull. Ever get to play on a tt track with a dirt bike? It is as close to flat track as I have ever gotten and it it's intoxicating. Some day before I'm old and grey I want to have the time and coin to learn flat track.

This. I've been to Rich Oliver's Mystery School a number of times, and I keep going back. The steel shoe is just magic! arty

 

[bikeama]

These two old riders are faster fooling around than most racers will ever be.

Side note had I Chris Carr's parents Gerry and Ann over for dinner Monday night. Jay and Chris did not have transponders on the bikes, but several people were timing them. Jay's fast lap would have been fast qualifier for the night and Chris's fast lap would have been 5th fastest qualifier.


[youtube]VH2EKL2Ts2I[/youtube]

 

[flying_hun]

Springer has got to be among the most talented flat trackers ever, and I post that as someone who was never an HD fan.

 

[firstbuell]

Springer has got to be among the most talented flat trackers ever, and I post that as someone who was never an HD fan.

[edited].....Jay's fast lap would have been fast qualifier for the night.....

here's my edited cross-post from The Mile Shootout's separate thread:


a #9 story, direct from Bill Werner's mouth:

5 years or more ago, when Springer & ace tuner [& former H-D Race Mgr] Werner were teamed up & beginning to sense success with developing
the earliest Kawasaki 650 dirt tracker, they hired Bryan Smith as their rider

since then, across 2012, 2013 & 2014, Bryan has been the top Miler
in the world on various Kaws [this story is 2 or 3 years earlier]

back to the past - Springer & Smith suit up so that Bryan has someone
to test against - except that he couldn't catch Jay, on equal machinery......

while Springer wasn't fit & couldn't maintain pace for 10 or so laps,
until then - no contest!