Flat Track School - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**drgibson** · 03-25-2008, 11:17 AM

This year at North 40 the Scherb family held a one day school on Flat Track racing. I decided to go and shoot some photos and to glean a better insight to the mechanics of the sport. I have never raced Flat Track, only Moto X so I was intrigued about how the process of turning a bike on a Flat Track was different.

A little bit of info on the Scherb’s Scott the Dad a former racer in the HD Sportster Performance series and holder of the #1 plate for 2003 racing with the likes of Chris Carr, Joe Kopp, Willie McCoy, Terry Poovey, and Jared Mees. Merle, Corby, Logan, and Lucas all currently race on the GNC circuit but not a full schedule due to sponsorship issues.

The school was informal and had 17 students 3 of them were under 10 years old, one was a Teenager, and the rest were adults. The first order of business was covering the rule and safety requirements. Next the instructors took to the track and they created a grove in the freshly prepped surface.

Then they sent out the 3 kids, 2 boys and 1 girl and told them to ride around the track keeping there bikes in the grove. Then they sent out the adults. This allowed them and their bikes to be evaluated. When this was done they sent everyone to their pits and had then change out sprockets so that the bikes were set up right for the track.

Now school began in earnest, they covered moving around on the seat to adjust for traction, when to lean, when to brake, when to put your foot down, when to let off the gas, and when to accelerate. During these sessions everyone was sent out on the track to practice these techniques. It was amazing to watch the transformation as they started to understand the proper way to transition into and out of the turns. As well as learning to trust the bike to react accordingly.

Most everyone who was in the school had immediate and lasting benefits. During the races on Saturday and Sunday each of them was much improved. The three youngsters dominated their race class all weekend. The Teen Blake Stroud either won or was second in all his heat races and Mains. The same went for most all the other students as well.

One of the things that stuck with me was setup and how much importance was put on it. After the students bikes (adults) were geared properly all of the instructors jumped on all of the student’s bikes and made laps. Their lap times were almost identical as the times on there bikes, no mater the size of the engine.

Here are a few photos from the class; I’ll add more when I get home.

Blake Stroud learning to play in traffic.

At one point everyone was turned around and they made right hand turns. Some of the students were faster this way. Why? Because there were no bad habits to slow them down.

But it just looks so wrong!!

Scott showing the proper technique for a “Victory Wheelie”, on an 883 no less.

And they even had a Limbo contest. Note the position of the left hand in relation to there boot.

Logan gives Merle a run for his money, butt…

Merle won hands down (pun intended).

**Clint** · 03-25-2008, 11:31 AM

I saw something just like this when I met Eric last fall. They had everyone on an oval that was no more than 50' long. I think I'll do it this year!

B-Rex · 03-25-2008, 07:52 PM

WOW! Very nice post and photos! Thanks for the effort...I really enjoyed it!

B-Rex

KD57 · 03-26-2008, 08:45 AM

Always like to see dirt.

**87gsxrnut** · 03-26-2008, 10:22 AM

Don needs to ATTEND the flat-track school!

- Nut

kay · 03-26-2008, 10:26 AM

I enjoyed it too! Thanks Don!

And as always....GREAT PICS!!!!

**drgibson** · 03-26-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

Don needs to ATTEND the flat-track school!

- Nut

Get me a Flat Tracker, and I'm there.

KD57 · 03-26-2008, 12:41 PM

Throw some tires on the KLR and get at it !!

eb77k · 03-26-2008, 02:48 PM

These organised schools are great to get people going the right direction set-up and technique wise. A few hours with an experienced rider is worth about a year on your own.
Once again another "attaboy" to drgibson.

**intimid8er** · 03-26-2008, 02:52 PM

<----Scratches head and wonders if wife's S40 would make a decent flat tracker...........

**drgibson** · 03-26-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intimid8er

<----Scratches head and wonders if wife's S40 would make a decent flat tracker...........

You would have to modify the rake and forks but I bet i'd go round in circles.

03-25-2008, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
drgibson Thumper Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,453	Flat Track School This year at North 40 the Scherb family held a one day school on Flat Track racing. I decided to go and shoot some photos and to glean a better insight to the mechanics of the sport. I have never raced Flat Track, only Moto X so I was intrigued about how the process of turning a bike on a Flat Track was different. A little bit of info on the Scherb’s Scott the Dad a former racer in the HD Sportster Performance series and holder of the #1 plate for 2003 racing with the likes of Chris Carr, Joe Kopp, Willie McCoy, Terry Poovey, and Jared Mees. Merle, Corby, Logan, and Lucas all currently race on the GNC circuit but not a full schedule due to sponsorship issues. The school was informal and had 17 students 3 of them were under 10 years old, one was a Teenager, and the rest were adults. The first order of business was covering the rule and safety requirements. Next the instructors took to the track and they created a grove in the freshly prepped surface. Then they sent out the 3 kids, 2 boys and 1 girl and told them to ride around the track keeping there bikes in the grove. Then they sent out the adults. This allowed them and their bikes to be evaluated. When this was done they sent everyone to their pits and had then change out sprockets so that the bikes were set up right for the track. Now school began in earnest, they covered moving around on the seat to adjust for traction, when to lean, when to brake, when to put your foot down, when to let off the gas, and when to accelerate. During these sessions everyone was sent out on the track to practice these techniques. It was amazing to watch the transformation as they started to understand the proper way to transition into and out of the turns. As well as learning to trust the bike to react accordingly. Most everyone who was in the school had immediate and lasting benefits. During the races on Saturday and Sunday each of them was much improved. The three youngsters dominated their race class all weekend. The Teen Blake Stroud either won or was second in all his heat races and Mains. The same went for most all the other students as well. One of the things that stuck with me was setup and how much importance was put on it. After the students bikes (adults) were geared properly all of the instructors jumped on all of the student’s bikes and made laps. Their lap times were almost identical as the times on there bikes, no mater the size of the engine. Here are a few photos from the class; I’ll add more when I get home. Blake Stroud learning to play in traffic. At one point everyone was turned around and they made right hand turns. Some of the students were faster this way. Why? Because there were no bad habits to slow them down. But it just looks so wrong!! Scott showing the proper technique for a “Victory Wheelie”, on an 883 no less. And they even had a Limbo contest. Note the position of the left hand in relation to there boot. Logan gives Merle a run for his money, butt… Merle won hands down (pun intended). __________________ I have been diagnosed with Electial Disfunction, I just can't get excited about any of our candidates!

03-26-2008, 08:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
KD57 No Significant Other Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,373	Always like to see dirt. __________________ The "other" ZZR rider.

03-26-2008, 10:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,176	Don needs to ATTEND the flat-track school! - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

03-26-2008, 10:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
kay Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: Kawasaki Zephyr750RS, Suzuki GSX-R600, Ducati 999S Location: Crappy Little Island!!! Posts: 3,650	I enjoyed it too! Thanks Don! And as always....GREAT PICS!!!! __________________ *Suzuki GSX-R600* Cherry blossom season is here! Yay!!!!

03-26-2008, 12:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
KD57 No Significant Other Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,373	Throw some tires on the KLR and get at it !! __________________ The "other" ZZR rider.

03-25-2008, 07:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
B-Rex Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: 2008 Suzuki B-King Location: Midwest Posts: 297	WOW! Very nice post and photos! Thanks for the effort...I really enjoyed it! B-Rex

03-26-2008, 02:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
eb77k Found second gear by accident Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: I'm lucky, I've got alot Location: minnesota Posts: 329	These organised schools are great to get people going the right direction set-up and technique wise. A few hours with an experienced rider is worth about a year on your own. Once again another "attaboy" to drgibson. __________________ MOTO GUZZI loud valves save lives

03-26-2008, 02:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 9,530	<----Scratches head and wonders if wife's S40 would make a decent flat tracker........... __________________ Song Pick of the Week 08/27 Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers <Insert nothing original in this space>

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