Getting started with flattrack

[chai rome]

Hope this is the right place for help getting started with this flattrack business. I wouldn't want to threadjack the flattrack megathread.

I've gone maybe three time at the SJ fairgrounds just before it closed a few years back. That was an eighth mile track i want to say and i was on 70's honda xl350.

Questions:
-BIKE I'm very tempted by the following. I'd appreciate your thoughts, e.g., too much bike, no appropriate class for a newb, not a reliable bike, or maybe parts too hard to come by... Or maybe definitely yes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes...f468e81bc&item=271766684092&pt=US_motorcycles

-TRACKS Are the following up and running regularly? Lodi, Salinas, Atwater, Antioch. Should i just stick to whatever is closest (i.e, Salinas, but the website sucks and has no calendar)? Is the only way to ride, to race, or can you just putter around like a track day?

-Not until later, but where's a good place to get that steel shoe made?

-general tips and considerations appreciated!

 

[budman]

I moved your thread to the racers corner as the couch racers corner is more fan based.

This forum is the place where the racers are at. I have heard that Lodi is a great place, but I have no experience there. I wish you luck at finding your answers and on the track.

 

[chai rome]

Appreciate that.

 

[Map8]

That ATK is damn cool but I'd recommend starting in one of the air-cooled mini classes. XR100, 150F, 230F. Cheap, super fun and the best way to learn.


Check out California Flat Track Association, Lodi Cycle Bowl, NorCal Short Track and AMA District 36 Flat Track for information on races and practices and race classes.

I would take a school to get your feet wet and really get the fever. There are several Flat Track-focused schools in the area. California Supermoto School does dirt-only classes focusing on flat track technique. There are also:

Rich Oliver's Mystery School in the foothills near Fresno.
Brian Bartlow's Feel Like a Pro Dirt in Lake County.
Garrett Willis's Grab-A-Handful School There is a recent review of Grab-A-Handful in the BARF reviews forum. Grab-a-Handful and SupermotoSchools both use a flat track/TT track at Prairie City SVRA near Sacramento.

All specialize in flat track techniques to improve your riding or racing with excellent pro racers who are also great instructors.

American Supercamps travels all over the country but stops in Calistoga occassionally. They are there this weekend.

There are a few people making steel shoes. You don't need one to start but you will need one eventually and they make a HUGE difference. Its best to get them custom fit to your boot so its a bit of a commitment having your left boot gone for a month or so.

Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[chai rome]

Thanks for the info.

That atk just looks so cool, but i totally get what you're saying. I would be down with a Yamaha; ttr230 acceptable (bike doesn't need to be registered, i take it?)? Any insight on where to pick or lace-up 19" wheels for it and where to get suspension set right or other necessary modifications?

I've been meaning to register for the April 24-25th non racer American Supercamp. I'll compare it to the other classes.

 

[flying_hun]

Great thread!

 

[Map8]

Best place to look for bikes or parts is at the races or organized practices. Someone always knows of a bike or wheel set or steel shoe or whatever for sale. Check craigslist and VFT.org/forsale listings. For some of the mini classes, you don't need 19s. Just run some cheap dual sport tires on the stock rims.

I advise keeping a bike registered just because its easier to sell with current registration and the bulk of the green sticker fees go toward keeping facilities available for all riders. Its your choice.

 

[ZXR400SP]

Lodi Cyclebowl is active, though quiet this time of year. I'd suggest going to visit Brok McCallister at Prairie City. You can rent a 150f or 230, ride until you're tired. http://prairiecitydirttrack.com/ They have open practice the next two saturdays. Road race boots slide pretty well too.

 

[injun]

As far as a shoe we always made our own some flat plate then would hammer out the toe and add some add some trim so it wouldn't hook.

Later on we would add some Stellite to the bottom (Very hard and slick) shouldn't take more than 4-6 hours in any shop that welds.

 

[chai rome]

I remember for practice (at the sj fairgrounds,) we'd practice going right sometimes, not always left. Just curious if you get to go right at these other tracks, too.

 

[Map8]

Any club or series that offers TT racing will allow for right turns and jumps. The majority of flat track around here will be short track oval.


AFAIK, all the NorCal schools I listed train on oval AND TT layouts.

 

[augustiron]

Subscribed.

I too have a bit of curiosity about starting in...

 

[mattv]

You should definitely check out one of the many schools mentioned above. I just finished my first race weekend with CFTA and Feel Like a Pro dirt. It was incredible.

I've never raced flat track but have wanted to give it a shot for a long time. I don't own a flat track bike or even any dirt gear, so it was great to be able to just show up at the track and have everything ready and waiting for me. Plus I got some great coaching from Brian Bartlow and his staff, and he had Sammy Halbert coaching us as well. So I was really able to build my confidence on the bike all day saturday before races started on sunday.

The other great thing about Brian's program is that he is there to help you through all aspects of the race weekend. He made sure I was signed up for the right classes and was able to tell me ahead of time how the whole weekend would unfold. It's pretty simple once you get through it and the cfta staff was incredibly helpful, but it's still a pretty stressful time for a first time racer.

 

[chai rome]

In April, I'll be going to Prairie City Dirttrack; hopefully via Grab-A-Handful.

Any links or explanations as to the different motorcycle categories (race class) i could potentially race in would also be appreciated. I'm thinking maybe next up from a 230cc. Also think the vintage dirttrackers look awesome...

 

[cencalballer]

Thanks for the info.

That atk just looks so cool, but i totally get what you're saying. I would be down with a Yamaha; ttr230 acceptable (bike doesn't need to be registered, i take it?)? Any insight on where to pick or lace-up 19" wheels for it and where to get suspension set right or other necessary modifications?

I've been meaning to register for the April 24-25th non racer American Supercamp. I'll compare it to the other classes.

You said salinas is close so ask Steve at Pinit. He's heavily involved in the flattrack world. Otherwise call a company like buchanan and order a spoke kit and rim from them. LEt them know whats it for and they'll set you up.

 

[KazMan]

In April, I'll be going to Prairie City Dirttrack; hopefully via Grab-A-Handful.

Any links or explanations as to the different motorcycle categories (race class) i could potentially race in would also be appreciated. I'm thinking maybe next up from a 230cc. Also think the vintage dirttrackers look awesome...

Since you are steering towards Garret Willis' Grab-A-Handful, you should ask him or his father, as they have a very strong flat track background. Dad's been doing it since the 60's I believe :teeth

 

[Map8]

In April, I'll be going to Prairie City Dirttrack; hopefully via Grab-A-Handful.

Any links or explanations as to the different motorcycle categories (race class) i could potentially race in would also be appreciated. I'm thinking maybe next up from a 230cc. Also think the vintage dirttrackers look awesome...

Check the links I posted to CFTA and Lodi Cycle Bowl. Class structure and rules are available on their sites. I don't think either offers a specific 230cc class. There are 100, 125 and 150 classes, IIRC. NorCal Short Track had a 230cc class last year but I'm not sure of their plans for 2015.

 

[Lucky13xx]

I too am interested in throwing a left foot out there. :teeth

Took Brian's FLaP camp in December. Picked up a lot that weekend. Highly recommended. Planning on going back for more learnin' when I can. Hopefully with my own bike. Brian was more than willing to help me set one up.

For a machine I've been eying used 450mx bikes. Plan to re lace the front wheel, do a little suspension work and required race prep.

Seems like theres a lot of aftermarket flattrack goodies for the big 4 manufacturers. Seems like an affordable way to get going. At least until that xr750 magically makes it's way into my garage:smoking

 

[Map8]

Any updates for this thread? Anyone sign up for classes or attend Brian Bartlow's event or the CFTA Afterburner series?

Several series are kicking off soon so suit up and put your left foot forward.

 

[chai rome]

Not home for another month, but i fully intend on getting into this and will bump this thread when the time approaches, to try and see if anyone else wants to try with me.