Flat Track Racing Mega Thread - INCLUDES SPOILERS!

flying_hun

flying_hun

Adverse Selection
Sidewalk said:
This coming from a person who is excited by the idea of racing a bicycle in circles :D
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Watching velodrome racing is made more exciting by having some understanding of what's going on. Someone who didn't get it would find watching either sprints or pursuits pretty deadly dull, or at least silly. Bringing a similar degree of understanding to flat track adds to the enjoyment. As a wise person once said, the easier it is to do something, the harder it is to do really well.

On a related note, how much longer before the AMA requires restrictors on the Kawis for mile events?
 
Sidewalk

Sidewalk

My bikes have pedals now
flying_hun said:
:confused
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It's boring to watch people go in circles?

I like doing it, still boring to watch. NASCAR, flat track, bike racing, all boring to watch people go in circles. Even with the inside knowledge. Participating is a different story.
 
Hammerstime

Hammerstime

Well-known member
Sidewalk,

You really need to see a race in person, so you can see with your own eyes just how fast these guys are going into the turns. The TV just doesn't do it justice. Many sports have the same problem. I really enjoy going to Hockey games, but find it hard to watch on TV. The game is just so much faster when you watch in person. You loose the sense of speed on TV. It's similar to the way you can't tell just how steep the run down the Corkscrew through Rainey and into turn 10 is at Laguna. When you watch on TV it doesn't look that big of a drop.

Get yourself down to a race. Get there early. Find a spot on the fence at turn 1 and watch practice. If you have a AMA card you can go into the pits and possibly be able to watch from the rail/ inside turn 1 or 3. It's been many years since I had a card and things may have changed. I remember sitting on haybails with my father(70's & 80's) in turn #1 at SJ Mile. Watching practice just a few feet away from the riders. I still can hear the hot shoes grinding and the tires squealing. Now if I could copy the smell of Blenzall and I'd be happy.
 
Sidewalk

Sidewalk

My bikes have pedals now
I've watched speedway, sidecars, flat track, sprints, and minis in person at the track. I was just trying to say that not everyone is a good spectator, which I am not. Even in person, it is boring. Not saying no one else loves it, or can't, or that it isn't exciting for most. But since Latindane was confused on what was exciting about it, it could just be that he is like me and doesn't get excited by those things. Spectating isn't for everyone.

I would love to try it though.
 
Map8

Map8

I want nothing
Staff member
flying_hun said:
On a related note, how much longer before the AMA requires restrictors on the Kawis for mile events?
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No need for restrictors on any brand at the moment, IMO.

Harleys are still plenty competitive on miles. The Colonial Downs track is more suited to the Kawi but its an anamoly. Springfield seems to be an XR750 track. Coolbeth had a convincing win at Indy on the Zanotti HD. Smith has won Sacramento on both HD and Kawi and the margin of victory is usually less than a tenth of a second. One of the great things about the flat track is variety of tracks, layouts and surfaces. No one has a lock.
 
flying_hun

flying_hun

Adverse Selection
DogBoy said:
No need for restrictors on any brand at the moment, IMO.

Harleys are still plenty competitive on miles. The Colonial Downs track is more suited to the Kawi but its an anamoly. Springfield seems to be an XR750 track. Coolbeth had a convincing win at Indy on the Zanotti HD. Smith has won Sacramento on both HD and Kawi and the margin of victory is usually less than a tenth of a second. One of the great things about the flat track is variety of tracks, layouts and surfaces. No one has a lock.
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Good point. Coolbeth ran away. Seeing Baker's XR, the fastest, and maybe best one out there, get sick towards the end made me think that at that track the Harleys that have enough power won't have enough longevity.
 
Map8

Map8

I want nothing
Staff member
I guess Johnson blew up two Ducatis and switched to his Kawi even though he was faster on the Ducati. The KTMs, which usually don't do well, won two heats (one due to a Ducati failure). That extra long track produces some odd results. Adds to the fun. This season has been great with the seesaw points battle. Mees has been fast everywhere but Smith is getting better results on the half-miles so its still anybody's championship.


Who is going to Calistoga? Supermoto phenom Gage McAllister is planning to make his AMA Flat Track Pro Singles debut that night on the InTents Racing Honda. He was getting familiar with the bike on Saturday during practice for NorCal Short Track at Prairie City.


gmac_02-L.jpg
 
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cencalballer

cencalballer

Well-known member
flying_hun said:
Man, I should support Jared Mees just for the number 9 and the Gary Nixon Enterprises leathers. :banana
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I'm not so sure he's stil running those. That photo is at least 3 years old now I think. J Johnson hasn't ridden for Zanotti with the #1 plate in at least that long.
 
Map8

Map8

I want nothing
Staff member
Nail biter in the Springfield Mile GNC main! The Springfield-only Pro Twins class delivered as well.
 
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