AMA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

I went to the AMA Superbike races today. It was right in my backyard at Larry H Miller Sportpark. Boy was it exciting. I think I actually had a better time there than I did at Laughlin. All the major brands were there (Except Harley) and it was quite the rally. It was nice to see a variety. I have never been to a bike race before and it was amazing to see in person. Tons of bikers came from all around. I saw plates from Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington and quite a few from Alberta, B.C. It was mainly sport bikes but I did see 1 Nomad. They had a couple races today but I guess the big day is tomorrow. I heard 120 countires are represnted so I'm sure it will be televised.

I talked quite a bit with a nice guy I met from Seattle. He rode his Gold Wing down and he told me about a group he belongs to called "Motorcycle Travel Network" there website is www.motorcycle-travel.net He said there are membership fees but when you travel around you stay with other members rather than in Hotels and you pay the Host 15 bucks a night. He was staying with a family in Salt Lake and he said he's been all over the US and has only met the most genuine people. Just thought I'd share in case anyone is interested. I've never met Trip in person but this guy was real nice, easy to talk to and reminded me of What Trip would be like in person.

I also picked up a couple of dish things that go under your kickstand if you park on soft ground or hot pavement. I'll be giving those away to the first 2 people who speak for them and attend the Western Rally in Mesquite.

[audiogooroo]

Cool! Sounds like a good time man.
I'll lay claim to one of the kickstand dishes. It will look much better than the metal quad box cover I'm using now!

[coacha]

I have the races on Speed as I type this. Looks like a cool venue.

You got it AG......See you in Beaver.

[dantama]

Miller sports park wasn't there when I lived there. Wish it was.

Was it the wine drinkers there, or the beer drinkers?

Not that it matters, just curious.

Not sure if they were wine drinkers or beer drinkers but it definitely wasn't the Nascar croud. These people had teeth.

I was fortunate to see the superbikes race at Laguna Seca last September. Those boys really fly. Those little motors make serious horespower. Now, how could we make a Nomad handle like a superbike????????

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by wolfman

Not sure if they were wine drinkers or beer drinkers but it definitely wasn't the Nascar croud. These people had teeth.

Ha ha! A guy I work with used to race bikes on a small circuit in AZ, CA, NM, and NV. I think he raced in the 500cc class. I used to go watch him run practice laps at Firebird Raceway here.

I'm not into auto racing, other than NHRA drag racing and I noticed some races televised from Miller Motorsports Park, so I watched just to see the venue. That's pretty cool. The park wasn't there when I lived in Utah. As much as I dislike Larry Miller (I got screwed by one of his car dealerships) He has done a lot for Salt Lake City.

[mcdaddy]

Yep, I saw that, couldn't believe Hacking ran of the track and fell from 2nd to 10th and battled back up to finish 2nd again.

Ben Spies, the winner, is from Longview, Tx (close to Trip and Coon). Maybe those boys should look him up for some riding lessons.

[ringadingh]

I used to go to Shannonville Speedway in Ontario and watch the superbike class. I raced snowmobiles at the time and one of my sponsors also sponsored bikes in the warm season here. It was scary watching those guys go around the track. We got to know a couple of the guy's, they couldn't understand how we had the nerve to get on a modified sled with 250 carbide picks in the track, just as we couldn't figure out how they went through a chicane on one wheel at over 100mph.

[burkazoid]

Eh, I saw the second day on Speed. The AMA was great, but Ben Spies was going to win regardless (unless he really, really, REALLY screwed up), so there wasn't much point in watching except to wait for the World Superbike race. You're lucky as hell to have been there, even if only for the first day. Did you see the Matt Mladin crash?

I find it interesting how small the AMA (and the FIM) sport really is. Just really a handful of riders from around the country, and the world. Got to be damn difficult to get a sponsor too. It's got to be embarrassing to be a rider, and then have to change your own tires too.

Gotta love superbike, though. I love the sound of them screaming down the straights hitting 200+mph.

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by McDaddy

Yep, I saw that, couldn't believe Hacking ran of the track and fell from 2nd to 10th and battled back up to finish 2nd again.

Hacking is an incredible rider, but sometimes he's his own worst enemy. Lot of that going around, tho.

[mako]

I've been to the Superbike races at VIR, always leave there knowing that I'm not worthy.