http://www.cycleworld.com/indian-motorcycle-turns-flat-track-on-its-head-with...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.