Flat Tracking is Dangerous

[Zero]

I wonder if the flat trackers bitch about unsafe tracks?

I mean, do they complain that the dirt wasn't smooth enough or maybe it was graded to steep?

Just wondering, any of you race TT or roundy round?

[sean232]

i race it a little bit.

[bermmeister]

I was at Ok. city AMA 1/2 mile national in 77' with some friends that were racing. Due to the extreme amount of rain the night before, the track was quite soft. They drove trucks and vans on it all day to try to pack it. Finally practice started, after a while they stopped practice because everyone was complaining about turn 3. Everyone walked out there to take a look at it. An AMA official was walking up at the same time we were and when I saw what was there I said "cool, a berm". The AMA official looked at me and threatend to kick me out and dq the rider I was with. Just because they don't want to hit a berm at 100mph I did'nt think I said anything that warranted such a threat.

[11kphotos]

Zero i have been told DT'ers are a very competitive bunch and take racing very seriously. I'm certain they are no stranger to complainers, like the guys that want to turn right on occasion.

[Zero]

Interesting story here related to flat tracking......

http://www.cyclenews.com:80/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=11460

[bermmeister]

Many of you may not know but they held a AMA dirt track national on the horse track in Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and a rider was killed in an accident. I heard what was said is that the track was too soft and never packed in enough. I had planned on going to watch and was glad I did not make it. I do not remember what year it was. 100 plus mph entering a turn to pitch it off. As 11k said, they do take it serious. So does any racer at that level.

[Jack Rhodes]

Flat trackers are indeed very concerned about track conditions. What motocrossers might consider a very smooth track can seem like an endurance course to a flat tracker going 130 mph.

The bikes are considerably different than even the fastest MX machines. First of all the XR750 Harley, which is the standard can be made to develop in excess of 100 horsepower. And in order for the flat track bike to handle properly at those speeds the suspension is set up very stiff, Therefore, what might appear to be small bumps can feel like a whoop section.

Quiet often flat trackers express their concerns about a racing surface in the rider meetings and these discussions can become quiet heated. One of the most vocal of these riders of all times was the 1981 Grand National Champion, Mike Kidd.

The rider that was killed at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie was a rookie on the National circuit by the name of Toby Jorgensen. I announced that event and no one saw Toby go down, so to this day we don’t really know what happened.

Never the less, that track surface was horrible. That deep cushion was very tacky. After the first lap I couldn’t read the front number plates of any of the riders except the leaders, because of the build-up of dirt.

Finally, the riders had enough and refused to go on. I told the crowd (the place was full) that we were up against a curfew, but the truth was that track just got too bad.

[ty729]

, like the guys that want to turn right on occasion.


I thought they turn right to go left!?!

[mxjeff2]

I've been to three flat track events and riders have died at two of them. Lone Star park, and Sturgis a few years ago. The Daytona event I attended was a small track and probably much safer. I also have spent much time with a few flat track racers, namely Mike Hale, Willy McCoy, and Jason Tyer. I have an enormous amount of respect for what these guys do, especially for the amount of money on the line.

I know these guys have always considered the risk they take and have a hightened awareness as they ride. I'm not sure I would want to take the risk but they live for it.

Risk understanding in MX may be less as the increased popularity of Supercross has brought many new riders to the sport. More involvement, less knowledge=more injury. Flat track has never seen this huge growth over any time span, but if it had, I believe injuries would be abundant. Doesn't mean flat track is "dangerous" as much as "difficult".

[bermmeister]

Terry Poovey was in a horrific crash in the Springfield Mile a while back. You can go to, http://www.terrypoovey.com/ and see his progress. Terry has been around the dirt track seen a long time for those of you that don't know. His brother Teddy was in a crash back in 75' that allmost cost him his life, and Terry allmost quit racing back then.

[Jack Rhodes]

Pastrana, whom we all will agree is a highly talented motorcycle racer, found out just how difficult flat tracking is when he tried to qualify for the Daytona short track national a couple of years ago. He didn't get close to making the program, even though he was on the same type of bike that won the main.

Willie Mc Coy, Mike Hale and Jason Tyer are all second generation flt trackers with national level skill.

You may not know that several of these great flat trackers often go to Village Creek on practice days (and nights) as a form of training.

[FullSize]

I have great respect for flat trackers. I used to occasionally try the TT out at Boyd on my KX80. One night I slid out in the first turn and burned a hole in my new flo-green Gear Racewear pants. It left a lasting impression on my butt and a healthy respect for what those guys do.

I go watch flat track any time I can. It's always exciting.

I was at Lone Star that night. That was a very bad night.

Mike Shirley #8

[CamP]

I went to a Grand National at Devil's bowl about ten years ago. All I can say is those guys are nuts.

[blankplate]

I have great respect for flat trackers. I used to occasionally try the TT out at Boyd on my KX80. One night I slid out in the first turn and burned a hole in my new flo-green Gear Racewear pants. It left a lasting impression on my butt and a healthy respect for what those guys do.

I go watch flat track any time I can. It's always exciting.

I was at Lone Star that night. That was a very bad night.

Mike Shirley #8

I think I raced you there. My dad was an old flattracker so when I told him I wanted to race that's where he took me. I seem to remeber someone in my class going "assless chaps" one night. Once Mike Kidd installed the motocross track I never looked back. Glad I did too because when those guys eat it they eat it hard.

[blankplate]

I went to a Grand National at Devil's bowl about ten years ago. All I can say is those guys are nuts.

My dad used to take me to that one. I remember a guy running out of track coming out of turn 4 and slamming into the wall. He was laid out at the finish line and his front forks wound up in turn 1. I think I'll stick to mx.

[PU300]

those guys are MASTERS of traction.......FullSize just remember your dads bike didn't have any brakes back in the day... how f'n crazy is that


This is who their sport differs


http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=11480

[Jack Rhodes]

I was the announcer at both Boyd and the Devil's Bowl for years and years.

Please give me some real names of the guys you are talking about so I can recall their stories.

I hate screen anames. They just don't show up on my line-up sheets.

It's bad enough that I'm "in jail" up in the tower all day long for every race meet, where I only see faces passing by below, but now you folfs use names on line that I totally can not relate to.

Please help me out.

[PU300]

Full-Size = Mike shirley
PU300 = Brad Woolsey

[mxgeezer]

I was there at Lone Star also. It looked way to fluffy to me. You could see the grooves several inches deep all around the track. I've tried a little flat tracking, and helped Jack build the fence at the VC flat track, and I can tell you that hitting a small pothole or or rock at a decent speed on those bikes is just as scary as coming up a little short.