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Message started by oldNslow on 11/16/16 at 09:38:23

Title: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by oldNslow on 11/16/16 at 09:38:23

AMA has released the 2017 Pro Flat Track schedule.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ama-pro-racing-announces-2017-american-flat-track-schedule

For the first time in many years there was an event on last years schedule that was close enough for me to attend. A 1/2 mile at Rolling Wheels Raceway in Eldridge NY. That's only about an hour and a half ride East of where I live.

Pretty decent little track ( they race a regular schedule of sprint and stock cars there) and the racing was everything that I hoped for. It was one of the high points of the summer for me.

When I saw the schedule I was thrilled to see that there is going to be a race at Rolling Wheels again in 2017. I'll be going to that one again for sure. There is also a half mile at a track in Mechanicsburg Pa. next season. I'm going to try to ride to that one too. Mechanicsburg is about a 4 and 1/2 hour ride from my home. I looked at the website for the track - Williams Grove Speedway - and they offer free camping at the track for ticket holders at their events. So I think I'll pack my backpacking tent and sleeping bag on the bike, leave home early enough to spend the day watching the racing, spend the night right at the track and ride home next morning. :)

So, look at the schedule. If there is a race close to where anyone on the forum lives, I can't think of a more enjoyable way to spent a summer day or even a weekend. And if it's close enough to ride to on your own bike, well that's just a bonus. And if you have never seen a flat track race in person, you're in for a real treat. Especially if you can get to one of the miles, which, unfortunately, I probably won't be able to do. Watching these guys sit up at the end of the straight on a mile track at about 120mph and toss the bike into one of the turns is quite a sight.

Video of the 1/2 mile at Rolling wheels.

http://www.fanschoice.tv/ama-pro/player/ama-pro/2016-new-york-half-mile-%E2%80%93-gnc1-main-event-ama-pro-flat-track

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Dave on 11/16/16 at 10:36:10

I haven't been to a Flat Track race since 1974. They used to have races at the Carol County Fairgrounds in Carrollton, Ohio.

The schedule shows there is a race in Lexington, KY on June 3rd. I may have to make ride down there to see it - that is about 1.5 hours from home.

Maybe we can schedule a Savage group ride in that area and go see the race! The Daniel Boone National Forest and Natural Bridge is in that area, and there are good roads to ride on.

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by sjaskow - FSO on 11/16/16 at 10:52:23

Hm, there's 1 in Peoria, IL in August. Since my parents and sister live in Peoria, maybe I can come up with an excuse for a visit. 8-)

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Papa Bear on 11/16/16 at 13:10:14

About 6 miles from here http://erieramblers.net/

Any old bikers are likely familiar with Robinson Motorcycles in Wheatley, ON Canada. Jim was quite a guy http://www.robinsonmotorcycle.com/about-us/ and I bought my first bike from him in 1964. Jim was an Erie Rambler from the get-go
He passed away a few years ago at the local flat track.

In the 1960's I would work at Jim's in the evening to pay my bills off.

I asked Jim one night if he held the bike up in the turn with his knee -
he smiled and said: "Give it a try .. you'll know by the second turn if I do."

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Ruttly on 11/16/16 at 15:14:24

Yeah Buddy I'll be at the Sacramento Mile. That's one FAST mile.
Really miss the San Jose mile,used to watch King Kenny Roberts race there

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Papa Bear on 11/16/16 at 16:13:06

Bart Markel https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl#q=bart+markel

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Ruttly on 11/16/16 at 19:47:55

Papa Bear that 2nd pic is at San Jose , click on it,then click on the site.
Some really great stories in there , the best stories always come out after one passes,unfortunately!

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Ruttly on 11/16/16 at 20:07:54

The morning of my very first race was at a scrambles track inside S/J mile,we got in real early for a practice lap or two,while the other riders were practicing me and my buddy did two laps on the mile track before we got stopped & yelled at by the promoter. ;D . What a thrill first lap was scarey,second lap I held it wfo all the way around on knobbies at 72 mph on my 83 xr200r , at the finish line this really pissed off dude was waiting for us , he was so mad at us I thought he was going to vapor lock and drop dead from a stroke. Been there done that !

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by MMRanch on 11/16/16 at 20:45:00

The schedule shows there is a race in Lexington, KY on June 3rd. I may have to make ride down there to see it - that is about 1.5 hours from home.

Maybe we can schedule a Savage group ride in that area and go see the race! The Daniel Boone National Forest and Natural Bridge is in that area, and there are good roads to ride on.

Only 1.5 hrs from your campground ... you may have visitors ! 8-) After watching Flat-Tracking on a professional level we might have find a grass track to play on . ;D

Think I'll bring the Savage to this event ! Might even take the windshield off for a bit ? ::)

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by LANCER on 11/17/16 at 20:45:07

I like the sound of that thought. [ch128526]

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by Ruttly on 11/17/16 at 20:55:37

On the cover of Cycle World is the new Indian Flat Tracker
A renewed war between Harley and Indian is coming to a race track near you , well kinda near anyways !
She is bueatiful, slap on a front brake and lights and lic.plate and have me a real street tracker
That bike makes me shiver , its pure unadulterated motorcycle porn
Expensive & fast flat trackers & street trackers shoot my blood pressure up,make the hair on the back of my neck stick straight out,makes me buzz like a thousand Starbucks
Now you know what makes Ruttly tic ! :o

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by zipidachimp on 11/17/16 at 23:44:52

went to a couple of Louisville Mile races in the late '80s, staggering number of bikes in the parking lot, maybe 3000 +. Lexington race looks like a good one. 8-)

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by LANCER on 11/18/16 at 04:33:35

06212020382D540 wrote:

My all time favorite bike was a '56 BSA Goldstar DBD flat track machine that came off the track, had a fresh rebuild, and was fast as blazes. I got it in '69 but had to sell it in the early '90's to pay mortgage payments that were behind.

Title: Re: Any Flat Track fans?
Post by oldNslow on 11/18/16 at 06:50:55

http://www.cycleworld.com/indian-motorcycle-turns-flat-track-on-its-head-with-scout-ftr750-at-santa-rosa-mile#page-6

I can't wait to see the new Indian FTR in person.

At all of the AMA PRO events that I've been to, the promoters open up the paddock to spectators between practice/qualifying and the start of the heat races. You can wander around the pits, look at the bikes up close, take pictures, and talk to the riders and mechanics. Most of the riders are very friendly and really make an effort to be accessible to the fans.

At Rolling Wheels last summer I asked every rider I was able to speak to what they thought of the track. "Slippery" was the answer I got from everyone. Finding traction coming off the turns so the bike accelerated instead of just spinning the tire was a real challenge there.

When I talked to Bryan Smith. # 42, he said that the exit of turn 4 was especially hairy. I didn't really understand what he meant until the pits were closed and I walked down to that turn and took a look.

At Rolling Wheels, there is no outside barrier at turns 1,2 and 3, or along the outside of the back straight. If a rider runs too wide, or can't get the bike turned in 1,2,or3, he just runs off the track. At the exit of turn 4 however is the beginning of a five foot masonry retaining wall that runs along the front straight just below the grandstands. Run wide coming off turn 4 and you are going to bounce off that wall like a billiard ball bouncing of the cushion. Jeffery Carver actually did exactly that in the Main. If you watch the video I posted the link to you can hear the announcers talking about it.

That turn and the wall looked really scary to me, but when Smith mentioned it he had a big grin on his face. He didn't seem to be worried about it at all. These guys( and gals; there are a few girls that race at this level) have got some pretty big b*lls, I believe.