The Most Fun You Can Have In The Dirt. - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**drgibson** · 07-24-2007, 03:21 PM

I know a lot of our members don't attend or appear to be real interested in Motorcycle racing. I would like to see that change specifically when it comes to Dirt Track racing. When I was young we spent every weekend at the track. The “Track” may have been a Flat Track, a Hillclimb, a Motocross, or Hare Scrambles. We may have been racing, sponsoring a racer, or just spectating.
Growing up at the track is something I will never forget and racing around a track at the age of 11 was a great experience. Because of that experience I am a better, safer motorcyclist. I wish I had the resources when my kids were growing up to give them the same kind of experience. The environment at a local track as compared to one of the large venue races is completely different, the Pits at most local tracks are open to the fans, and for the most part the racers are approachable, standing around chatting with fans and other racers. It is this kind of camaraderie that makes racing enjoyable. Help a guy unload his bike and set up his pit and you will have made a friend for life, you’ll also have become a fan, cheering him on as he makes laps around the track. When I get to the track these days I’m brought right back to the days of my youth, the sights, smells, and the sounds.
Grass Roots Motorcycle racing is a safe, family oriented environment. For the most part everyone shows respect for one another, there is an understanding that competition has its place, that place is on the track. In the pits racers help their fellow competitors, providing both parts as well as elbow grease. Compared to most of the youth that I know the young racers that I have met seem to have a better connection not only with their parents but other adults as well.

From its Grass Roots inception to today’s factory sponsored media events Motorcycle Racing has a rich history. It is a history that is often forgotten. When the AMA became the main sanctioning body for the sport they put in place standards and disciplines for racers to follow. Unlike other motor sports to become an AMA G.N.C. (Grand National Champion) you had to compete on dirt and asphalt thus requiring you to have multiple bikes and skill sets. Races were held on Road courses, short Flat Tracks up to ½ mile, 1 mile Flat Tracks, and TT Tracks (TT tracks include a jump and at least one right hand turn). Needless to say the GNC riders had there hands full. If you get a chance rent the movie On Any Sunday it gives you a good idea of what it took to compete as a GNC racer. Today there is a single number 1 plate for most of those disciplines as well as many new ones.
How many of us remember names like Charles “Fearless” Balke, Dick Mann, Bart Markel, Malcolm Smith, David Aldana, Roger DeCoster, Joel Robert, Kenny Roberts, Bob Hannah, Mike Kidd, Brad Lackey, (once I rode around the track with Brad) Mert Lawwill, Cal Rayborn, Gary Nixon, Jim Rice, Jay Springsteen, and Gene Romero just to mention a few from when I was growing up. Ok “Fearless” was before my time but most of the rest of them I remember watching them eat dirt, backing it into the turns, and crossing it up on the jumps.

More than a few auto racers started out racing motorcycles. Swede Savage and Joe Weatherly, and Erwin “Cannonball” Baker come to mind. Ricky Carmichael may soon join there ranks.

Why do I bring this up? Well because interest is declining, how often do you see a motorcycle race on a national TV affiliate like NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox? It is a rare occasion. With the exception of Suppercross, Moto GP, and the Superbike series there is little to no coverage and the fan base is waning. Supermoto is beginning to get some press due to the X-Games. But for the most part most of the people you see at a local track on race day are the racers, family, and friends. The stands for the most part are empty. A lot of this is due to lack of promotion, which is due to a lack of available funds, because the fan base is (well you get the picture).
AMA is the sanctioning body for many different racing venues, AMA Supperbike, AMA Suppercross, AMA Suppermoto, AMA Flat Track, AMA Motocross, AMA Hillclimb, and AMA Pro ATV. For each of these venues there are sub categories usually including sanctioned amateur races. I would be willing to bet that somewhere in your area there is a track that has races on Saturday and or Sunday, sanctioned or not. Find out their schedule, pack a lunch, and take the family out and enjoy the experience. The AMA web site has a calendar of pro events on there site www.amaproracing.com there are also links to the individual racing venues and from there you can find schedules for pro, semipro, and amateur events that the AMA sanctions.
There is nothing like the watching a guy on a motorcycle throw his bike into a curve on a dirt track at 80mpg, or watching a guy clear a triple getting 50 to 60 feet in the air, or watching a 10 year old win their first race. Live the experience for yourself, support your local track, the races they hold, and the racers that are probably your neighbors. Or better yet get a good bike and the right gear and join in the fun.