It's Regional Time!

ck1racerx said:
For sure some of the flaggers were lost at best. A few would have been better off just riding straight past the fair grounds on their road bikes. But they were also under VERY specific order NOT to help. Just wave the flag and an AMA official would be there to give assistance IF warranted. Only help if a kid is pinned under the bike and getting burnt.

And if you want more lines. Make one yourself. There is another 20 feet of track outside of the one line everyone was waiting on. It was only ripped a few inches. but riders were treating the middle of the corners like there was a firing squad waiting on them if they ventured off.
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I understand the flagger isnt the one to give help, that being the case there should have been at least 10 people allowed to give help on quads to do so like Red bud and NCMP did last year. And please show me more than 3 sections of the track that are more than 20' wide AND are usable. Thats my point, you cant.
 
ck1racerx said:
And if you want more lines. Make one yourself. There is another 20 feet of track outside of the one line everyone was waiting on. It was only ripped a few inches. but riders were treating the middle of the corners like there was a firing squad waiting on them if they ventured off.
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Gotcha, Thanks for the info. I will inform the almost 900 bikes, that it was their fault and need to learn how to pass.

Maybe next regional you can put on a clinic for us?
 
Pleasure Valley was a fun Regional. In the beginning I sort of felt like "Oh I remember now why I stopped racing D-5" but after just letting things keep going I realized they did a very good job and it was a fun weekend.

This is the first time I've actually completed a Regional event since 2013. The last four years I've had health issues and family deaths that have kept me from racing consistently. For me it was nice to just go out and actually complete a full practice day and six motos and actually enjoy myself without other things weighing heavily on my mind.

Pleasure Valley used to be my favorite track because when I was young I was a "jumper" but I found myself really having trouble with the jumps there. I spent the day Friday getting all the jumps dialed, including a massive case-job on the last step up triple of the old skycoaster section as they used to call it. I did end up clearing all that clean on Friday, but didn't jump it during the races. One moto in +45 two riders tangled and went down in a heap in that section, and the one guy got up and started walking to the side of the track.....right into me as I was landing. I drilled the guy with my left shoulder as I was hunching down to avoid him and never crashed but man was that scary. They had the yellows out for the entire moto there and actually several guys got docked positions for jumping on the yellow flag. I talked to the guy the next day and he looked like he got sucker punched by Mike Tyson -- his right eye almost completely swollen shut. Not from me hitting him, it was from the original crash. The other guy I believe had a broken collarbone or shoulder injury.

Plus 45 is kindof a scary class. I swear when they remove the "pros" and make it a sportsman class then all the people come out of the woodwork for their shot at glory. There were massive pileups every moto in that class.

I got lapped by Mike Brown all three +40 motos. Oh well. Spent a decent amount of time talking to him both at his truck and in staging, really nice guy to talk to. He said he had to leave there Sunday and fly to Argentina Monday for some event for Husky. I asked him in staging if I should use my holeshot device on the cement start and he goes "I don't know!" I said --- hey you are the one that used to race Nationals with cement starts and he laughed and said "yeah but I was on a 125 and we didn't have holeshot devices!" Kinda funny. For the record I did not use my holeshot device, and found that leaving that off coupled with blocks for me feet so I could plant my feet helped me a lot. Without locking the holeshot device I can barely touch the ground.

Made some new friends, fellow +45 racer there with his father and son and they were from Long Island, NY. Said basically all he does is ride at Englishtown, NJ since there is nothing else near him.

I did terrible, but the part that was really cool for me is that I raced 6 motos on a brutally rough track and actually had fun. It's been a long time since I've really had fun and came away looking forward to the next race.
 
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I don't use holeshot devices either.

45 Sportsmen....be careful what we wish for right ? No pros so all the joes gum up the first turn.

Interesting take on your weekend. Really cool. Good read!
 
John, did dudes son happen to be the one who won +30? Dude that won +30 there also won high point last year. He was on a brand new completely bone stock RMZ. Had a typical NY looking clan with him. Jersey shore'ish. His chick was the one in her underwear during the mud Moto running a pit board. Lol

That sky coaster section got way cooler for me last year because I found a new way into the section to keep momentum flowing. Watched some A riders go wide and seat bounce the hell out of it to get over the first humps. So naturally I had to try. Made the section alot more fun for me.

I know how rough the area qualifier last year got, so I can't imagine the regional.
 
hershey said:
I understand the flagger isnt the one to give help, that being the case there should have been at least 10 people allowed to give help on quads to do so like Red bud and NCMP did last year. And please show me more than 3 sections of the track that are more than 20' wide AND are usable. Thats my point, you cant.
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Here we go again with the track isn't wide enough! You ask for three sections that are 20' and usable? Just as a quick reference the three overhead banner canopies are 24' wide. I think people look at the track and because its not spread out over 50 acres everyone thinks its narrow. In order to be considered for a area or regional event you must have a minimum of 20' of "usable" track all the way around so obviously we met that requirement.

As far as flagger go...I'd like to invite you to come help in a few weeks at our Battle race.
 
Pleasure valley was tough but I just let the track get to me on Friday and rode bad all weekend was nice seeing a few folks from Ohio. 30plus and 40 plus are very fast still got to get my fat butt in shape if wanna try again. But still had fun weekend. Still beats work haha
 
321mechanic said:
Here we go again with the track isn't wide enough! You ask for three sections that are 20' and usable? Just as a quick reference the three overhead banner canopies are 24' wide. I think people look at the track and because its not spread out over 50 acres everyone thinks its narrow. In order to be considered for a area or regional event you must have a minimum of 20' of "usable" track all the way around so obviously we met that requirement.

As far as flagger go...I'd like to invite you to come help in a few weeks at our Battle race.
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Exactly, if the banner tower is 24' wide then the track is about 16. There is at least 4' on each side between the tower and the prepped track. If you have ever ridden a national track you would understand what a wide track is, what it is like to be racing a person by choosing lines and setting them up without having to worry too much about hitting each other.

As far as flagging, I am certain I have put many more flagging hours in than most of the flaggers. I worked at Gran Prix raceway for a few years doing that, scoring and general track help. Its a tough job that many dont understand the importance of doing correctly and being able to stay alert all day in the heat, cold and bad weather.
 
hershey said:
Exactly, if the banner tower is 24' wide then the track is about 16. There is at least 4' on each side between the tower and the prepped track. If you have ever ridden a national track you would understand what a wide track is, what it is like to be racing a person by choosing lines and setting them up without having to worry too much about hitting each other.

As far as flagging, I am certain I have put many more flagging hours in than most of the flaggers. I worked at Gran Prix raceway for a few years doing that, scoring and general track help. Its a tough job that many dont understand the importance of doing correctly and being able to stay alert all day in the heat, cold and bad weather.
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Bring a tape measure the next time you come out and you will see you are arguing something you have no facts on. Sorry to say but you are wrong on your assumptions.

Sounds like you are a good candidate for flagging then and we are always looking for good flaggers. I hope you take me up on my offer to help next month.
 
321mechanic said:
Bring a tape measure the next time you come out and you will see you are arguing something you have no facts on. Sorry to say but you are wrong on your assumptions.

Sounds like you are a good candidate for flagging then and we are always looking for good flaggers. I hope you take me up on my offer to help next month.
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No problem, again how many national tracks have you ridden on? Ive ridden High Point, Steel City, Ironman, Muddy Creek, Millville and Red Bud. The narrowest parts of all of those tracks are still wider than anything at CTMX. All Im saying is for a race with full gates of very fast riders it isnt optimal for passing. I didnt hear anyone who thought it was while I was there. Its great for the small kids but thats about it. For the local races, Battle series and Area qualies its great! You cant beat the event and grounds for sure. The down side is many riders wont return because of the price gouging and fair race track feel.

And as far as flagging, Ive done my share. For me to do that is out of the question, Instead you will have 4 class entries, 3 practice entries, 4 gate fees and 3 nights of camping. If I figured it right thats $365 Im donating to help Ohio MX. Not including the food and t shirts I'll buy.
 
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