DTRA Flattrackin Round 4 - Tir Prince, Rhyl

On Friday, I spent 7 hours doing almost 400 miles on the trip up to North Wales and back for round 4 of the DTRA National Championship at Tir Prince, Rhyl.

 

The weather held an it was dry until 20 miles from the track where it hammered it down. I arrived in the paddock and hunkered down in the van. Made some space in the back, got the bike up on to a stand and cut my tyres.

Yes, this is wales...

Been looking forward to this round for a while now. It's the biggest, fastest track in the UK... the best. Last time we were here (2011) I almost got into the Grand Final on my heavy old Thunderbike that was running out of revs down the straights. I was looking forward for good results in both Thunderbike and Pro class this year.

It wasn't to be. The rain stopped and we mulled around for a while, but the track was water-logged and the meeting called off. Big disappointment to all, especially the organisers and all that had been out there for the last day or two setting it all up - thanks for all the effort that went into this. Hope we'll be back soon.

Improvised mud-guard

Support grows for British Nürburgring

I'll believe it when I see it... we can dream. Sign the petition.

A CAMPAIGN to build a British version of the Nürburgring is growing in support.

The campaign started off the back of an existing project which proposed to build a MotoGP circuit at Ebbw Vale in Wales. This proposal was dubbed "a real game-changer" for the area by local MP Nick Smith.

The group behind the petition cite the example set by the Nürburgring in Germany, where its prescence has created a wealth of opportunity for local businesses through a healthy tourism industry which has rejuvenated the area, helping it to build schools, hospitals and leisure facilities.

The group also say a British Nürburgring would: "..be a centre for the public to explore speed in a safe environment, instead of on public roads causing harm to themselves and others." A public circuit on which to explore your vehicle's potential could also cut the NIMBY approach most counties have to speeding.

The petition for a British Nürburgring currently has over 1,500 signatures. If you'd like to see it happen, you can sign the petition here.

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/support-grows-for-british-nurburgring/19961.html#ixzz1l3QexWfI

Flattrackin - All Stars at Rhyl

The 'All Stars' meeting was a one-off event held at a trotting track near the holiday town of Rhyl, North Wales on Staurday evening. The big-ass track is next to a gypsy Funfair and surrounded by trailer-parks... there was £500 prize money up for grabs and betting between races. The lineups were an occasion and the starts had one row of twelve bikes... the mayor was even involved in drawing balls for the start line positions.

Racing under lights has something special about it...

This is the biggest, fastest track we race on in the UK - I geared the KTM to the max with the sprockets I had. We did a few practice laps before the heats began. It was drying from the afternoon showers and fast alright!

First heat and I'm drawn last... on the far outside. With a one row start, this isn't too much of a disadvantage. The start lights go out and the KTM is unleashed on the half-mile oval. I get off the line ok and straight into the middle of the first turn fracas. Only 4 laps... not much time to pass... I got speed and make a few passes... I finish in 5th. Yeah!

Thanks Ian and Karen for coming along and supporting

Depite my longer gearing, half way down the straights she crackles and valves bounce. I toy with the idea of changing gear... but decide against it... not being used to changing gear on an oval, there's too much chance of me cocking that up. So I keep it pinned despite her complaints. Next heat and I'm drawn somewhere in the middle of the 12 bike row.

In the middle...

I make a decent start and am running 4th. As the bike crackles and pops down the last half of the straight on lap 2, I get relegated to 5th. On the last lap, I can hear another machine on my 6. The finish line is quite near turn 1... I keep him  behind me through turn 3 and 4 and pin it for the line. I can just see his front wheel creeping up in my peripheral vision... but about 20 yards from the line he fades as the big KTM kicks and I take another 5th. Ah yeah!

Faster than a speeding bullet!

And then the rain came down. Heat 3 and I'm in 'pole' in the far inside. I make on ok start and slither around the first two turns. There is a surprising amount of grip, but the water-logged dirt kicked up by the bikes in front covers everything in a tan colored spray-paint. I go hard, but struggle mid-turn in the wet and slippery conditions. I use a tear-off for each lap and land up finishing 8th. I qualify for my first Shorttrack (the open class) semi-final... 12th out of 24!



KayTeeEm

 A splash of water on the front number-boards, clean tear-offs and a fuel top-up and we're ready for the semi-final. The top 5 go through to the final. The next 6 fight it out in the 'last-chance'... the last rider packs up or watches.

I make a poor start from the middle of the start line but get swallowed by the pack of angry, growling bikes. I manage to claw back a few places going into turn 1 just by hooking third and keeping on the gas... I exit turn 2 near the back of the pack. Lap 3 and I have a lap-long side-by-side battle with Andy Riley. I'm 8th again. Should have got a better start.

Grabbin places into turn 1

Barely enough time to fit a few few more tear-offs and I'm out for the 'Last-chance'. The top two riders go through to the final.

We go through the le-Mans fanfare of the start ceremony and I line up mid-grid again. Under starters orders... lights on... "Brrrrraaaaaap-paaap-paaap-paaap"... lights go out and we're away!

Took me an hour to jetwash the bike clean...

Another mediocre start and I'm at the back... but again I make a handful of places by barreling sideways through the pack into turn 1. Nice wide track and plenty of space for all! I get good drive out of thurn 4 and make another pass down the front straight. I'm running 5th in a wheel-to-wheel train of bikes.

The track is so wide and has such a good surface that you could pick just about any line around each turn. The four in front of me a swapping places on every turn. I have the seat of the house, but would rather be fighting it out with them in the front. I push hard, the battle in front rages and the pace is furious. From the ShotrtrackUK website: "The Last Chance race was a right royal battle between Tim Greig,Dave Holman,Steve Coles,Neil Martin and Paul Baleta..." I reality, all I could do was watch the spectacle and wait for a mistake.

No mistakes are made and the battle goes to the line - Steve Coles and Neil Martin on his Thunderbike make the Grand Final. Reigning champ Ade Collins takes the final in fine style.

A great one-off event at an awesome track. I was faster in the dry but still went well on the wet... my Thunderbike not having as much of a disadvantage against the shorttrack bikes on the big half-mile track. Got to get better starts though. Thanks to Pete Boast and all involved in organising it. I hope we can do it again next year!

A great night at the funfair!
Thanks Co-Built Anthony for the pic

Flattrackin' Tonight!

Flattrackin' tonight in North Wales... might be some big names out there... bring it on!

ShorttrackUK Club Championship - Amman Valley

The trip down

Up at 5a.m. for a 4 hour drive...

I cocked up my alarm setting and woke an hour later than intended on Saturday morning. Rush, rush, rush... in the van and on my way to Amman Valley in Wales for the next round of the SHorttrackUK Club Chapionship.

Stevie left for Wales on Friday... the forecast was sunny and hot... so he brought his beachwear...

It was raining when I woke and raining all the way there. It was supposed to clear mid-morning... but it didn't. At 14h00 it was still drizzling - racing on the track would have just chewed it up. A decision was made to cancel the meeting. :-(

Waterlogged

Factory Team Suzuki

But, we were lucky... and the World Cup Speedway Grand Prix was on at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff... just an hour's drive away. Guy, Karina, myself and a few other competitors headed to Cardiff for some speedway action.

It was all wetsuits on Saturday...

Action at SpeedwayGP - Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

The atmosphere in the stadium was awesome and the racing a spectacle. 41 year-old Greg Hancock (USA) showed the young one's how to do it by winning the Grand Final in convincing style. A great end to a washed-out day.

Here are the highlights (thanks Tom Neave for the link...):

ShorttrackUK - Round 3 - Amman Valley

Had a nice lay-in on Sunday morning in the van and was greeted by sunshine. :-)

The Duke was filthy... but spirits were up!  

Base camp at Amman Valley

A lazy morning with only the fuel to top-up and handlebars to change. I chatted to Pete Boast at the BMF show and he commented that he cannot use big-ass bars and that he gets far better leverage with flat MX bars. I tried to go back to MX bars at Amman because I'd bent my big-ass bars. But on Sunday evening, in the first turn I knew I din't like them and I wanted my big-ass bars back... bent or not!

Steve with one of his streettrackers on show

 The Skooterfarm garage

Practice got underway at 11h00 sharp and I immediately felt better on a drier track and the big-ass bars! Entered into both the Shorttrack and Thunderbike classes on the big 1/2 mile circuit was going to be a test of my fitness.

 The Co-Built garage with Ben's CCM... still with the road registration plate and brake-light!

 Ben's CCM - ready to do battle!

I am still waaay too slow but thoroughly enjoyed the track. It's so big you got time to think... time to get it wrong and fix it. But... you go so much faster. It was forking bumpy too as it broke up a bit. Sometimes you'd get bounced out of the seat with feet off teh pegs in a classic 'flying Vee' formation... while sliding sideways! Huuuuge fun! I learned a lot.

I was making good starts in most heats on my little 17" wheels

Half-way through teh day my zipper gave out... all the grit. Lockwire to the rescue! Experienced in this technique as I used it at 2006 Manx GP with great results. 

Geoff had a great day on his new machine... getting into the Thunderbike final!

After 3 rounds of heats I found myself in the Shorttrack 'D' final (the slowest slow-pokes entered into teh Shorttrack class) with Guto, Sideburn Gary, Skooterfarms's Pete Wilky and Anthony Brown. It was a laugh and a half!

I got a great start and into turn 1 first. On turn 3 Guto came flying past and I tried to tag onto his back wheel. Half way through the second lap he shed his chain and I was leading again with the others queueing behind. The track conditions were good... loads of grip everywhere. Good for overtaking and great racing. We battled for another 2 laps before I made a mistake and ran wide. By this time Gary was coasting and out of the race. The last 2 laps was a 3 bike train. Awesome fun! I finished 3rd so didn't progress to the next final... but had a blast!

 My technique is improving...

 Guto on Anthony's Co-Built - he was flying all day, made the final before bike troubles forced him to ride Anthony's bike in the final. On a bike he had never ridden before, he finished 4th - Local Hero!

Some of the Skooterfarm lads enjoying the sunshine and racin' 

'CowTech' Jason was thrilled to win a trophy for his immaculate Triumph streettracker 

Despite not making the Thunderbike final, I still got out again in the 'B' final. I was up the pointy-end before another mistake at turn 3 saw me go right off the course onto the outer track! By the time I was back in the race I was last so fought out the last few places... it was awesome fun!

Steve went down hard right in fornt of me in turn 1, lap 1 of a heat. He was out for a few seconds and hurt his shoulder. He enjoyed the rest of the races from his van - get well soon dood! 

A great day on the clay !

One of the beautiful streettrackers on show

Disappointed with my average performance I still had a great laugh. This track showed up a few big faults with my current bike... faults that I plan to fix by the time we get out for the next round on 10 July.

It was a great day on the clay... exhausted, I drove 3.5 hours home. Unpacked. Had a beer. Repacked and got 4 hours sleep before heading to Dover to catch the ferry... next stop Austria... for Erzberg!

MEFO European Cup - Amman Valley

Bank Holiday weekend is always shitty on British roads. I gave myself 5 hours to do the 3 hour jurney to Amman Valley in Wales for the first round of the MEFO European Flattrack Cup. It took me 6 hours.

 British Bank Holiday traffic brings a 3 lane motorway to a standstill...

I arrived 15 minutes before practice was due to start. It was still raining and a riders meeting was happening - a delayed start.

Cool tools for the job... 

Guto Llwellan's just finished Husaberg-powered Co-Built 

This weekend was billed as a Flattrack Festival with the first UK Harley XR meet, a streettracker show and a Davida helmet photo-shoot giving some glamour to the soggyness.

 Davida helmet photo-shoot

 Geoff was out with his just finished Aprilia engined Co-Built flattracker - loving the military style!

The delay because of the weather gave me a chance to attack those crap supermoto tyres I was running on with my homemade tyre-cutter: Pump pliers, blow-torch and a rill-fit blade. Tedious work!

The 'Welsh Step' cut - take note AMA boys! 

Shortly after the riders meeting, the rain stopped and we finally got out for 2 laps practice at 18:30. The track was water-logged - it was shit.

My bike still has small 17" wheels and non-flattrack tyres. I was slippin and a slidin everywhere on the 1/2 mile oval. I've got a helmetcam vid of this session that I'll upload to YouTube - you'll see how crap and slow I am.

But far worse than the slippy conditions is that my bike doesn't have a mud-guard and I didn't have any tear-offs for my goggles (I've never used them). The experienced lads all had cable-tied on mudguards and goggle cleaning systems. I had jack-shit. It took about 1 lap to reduce my visibility to zero. Wiping the goggles with my glove helped only a little. I pulled out of my first heat after three laps...

 Fellow riders helping to sort out some minor teething problems with Geoff's new bike

 Geoff's secret visibility weapon: big glasses!

Two riders gave me a tear-off from thier dwindling supplies. Armed with these I headed out for the second heat. 2 tear-offs for a 5.5 lap race (don't ask), so I figure #1 after 2 laps, #2 after 4 laps and a clear visor for the last 1.5 lap fight. No problem.

I do 2 laps and just when my visisbility is at about 1.5%, I tear off #1. Jeez! I can see... I attack! The fornt-end of the bike squirms and slides everywhere. Not fun... but I can see. Lap 4... I reach for tear-off #2. #2... #2?

Shit! Must have ripped them both off on teh second lap. Doh! I smear mud across my goggles for teh remaining 3.5 laps. I finish second last.

 This is about as much as I could see... jack-diddley-squat!

 Guto, Anthony and Geoff - all smiles despite the shitty track conditions

 "Well done mate! You came fourth!", "Huh?"

"Fourth! I came fourth!"

I was hoping the water would drain off the track for the last heat, but it just hung around and then jumped onto my goggles. It was desparate... 2 laps from the end a group of about 5 riders lapped me. I could see little, but as they passed me I could see nothing... I was slithering into the corner blind.

No hand free to wipe... I just followed the sound of thier exhausts around the turn. Racing Ray Charles style!

I tried to wipe as I was exiting the turn... cought a glimpse of the advertising boards I was heading for and ripped the goggles off... sheeesh! That was close. I finished last with mud spraying into my eyes.

The assembly area 

 All you can see are his eyes... a decent visor cleaning system was worth many places

I got another race in the 'B' final, but I had had enough of blindness and was starting to take chances I shouldn't so sat it out and cheered the others on from behind the barrier.

 Guto's new tash

Ben of Sideburn arrived in the evening with his unfinished CCM flattracker and started work on it in the paddock

With a hand here and there, Ben's flattracker was ready to rock 'n roll for his first flattrack outing in the next round of the ShottrackUK Championship in the morning 

 BBQ, beers and race stories in the paddock after... despite the weather, a good time was had by all