Author Topic: Drag & Track racing blues (Read 1577 times)

seaweb11 · « **on:** May 17, 2009, 10:02:06 PM »

I have been going through web sites for Van Island Drag strips and Tracks for a couple of weeks now. I want to get the Tracy on some pavement without cars and deer.

Nothing but dead links, and old 2008 sites. When you do find one that works no one will answer emails

The sites that do function make NO EFFORT to assist a new rider. Hey guys, just add a new button to the home page for newbs!!!

I received a response to a drag site to my question........."Do I need to get some experience before coming to the strip and if so HOW" His answer was yes you need experience. ....... F8ck, do I have to strangle the answers from these people? Do they not want any new people to come?

Found one forum that says I can show up at 5:00PM on Thursdays at Saratoga, but no idea what the frickin rules are? Not that the Saratoga site responded to my emails

Figure I will roll the bike into the truck, drive up there and see what's up on Thursday

Vent done.

Soos · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2009, 10:28:15 PM »

I would look at the bonneville website.
It has a pretty good coverage of whats needed for their track.

I know it's not specific to your track you have access to, but it may give you an idea.
At least so you can arrive with (hopefully) enough safety gear for the speeds you will be running in.

Personally I'm still dreaming of getting my 650 in the 130 club at bonneville.
The $$ of the safety gear is the limiter so far.
But one piece at a time. It's not much for the class I want to attempt, one piece at a time so far....

Check out chapter two "Standard Equipment Values" quite informative.
http://www.amadirectlink.com/rulebooks/supps/2006/speed.pdf
I found this site wandering on the Bonneville website links, it has (as far as I know) the most current AMA regulations for a given cc motor in a given speed range.
Mind you I think that it is aimed at world record attempts, but if you get all set for that, i'm sure you will be at least safety equipped to meet all local tracks safety needs.

I know I have been buying my safety gear using those recommendations in hopes of running out on the salt flats one day.

l8r

754 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:37:49 PM »

Here is what i think.
We can help you...
your closest track is near Victoria..
And I dont even know the name, but it has been there a long time, and the drags (might be less than a 1/4, but has lights and timing)

But, and this will be some Help, I know Andy works and helps there.. so look him up.. he is the hyper noisy Bouncing around Guy, and tell him Frank in Kelowna said you might need a little advice..

hey he was at Tsawassen, like we all were.. but he is seriously into Bikes and old stuff and a great guy.. + he will probably love your bike..

So we can prime you up on here, hope you got a GOOD clutch and a 17t front..

seaweb11 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:33:27 AM »

It's called western speedway. http://www.sislra.ca/
Can you get his number maybe?

Soos · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:00:38 AM »

thats a poor website for their track.

Hope you get to run!

l8r

mlinder · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:15:59 AM »

http://wmrc.ca/

?

PJ · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:21:26 AM »

Hi Seaweb11, I go to our local dragstrip here in Oregon quite often and I hope that I can help. First, show up a little early and find the tech inspectors. They will usually be in between the entrance road and the pit lanes, maybe with a some kind of table setup in the parking lot. They will want to see your bike, if it's on a trailer and easily accessible you wont have to put it on the ground. They are going to check for loose parts, dripping fluid, tires, spokes, etc. You can take off mirrors and such before you get there, you may have to anyway. They are going to want to see your riding gear, helmet (they are going to look for the snell sticker) I think it has to be "snell 2005" or newer but check with the track officials. Leather jacket (other materials are just as good or better but most track officials are car guys..), leather gloves (yes believe it or not "work gloves" pass) and leather boots that cover your ankles. Now on leather pants it can be confusing, at most tracks leather pants are required if you go faster than 120mph. If not jeans will pass. You will now need to pay your fees, probably buy a number for the year, sign a liability waiver and your set. Find the other bikes and pit close to them, they will not let bikes run against cars so they will have a tech in the pit lanes to come and alert you guys when you can hit the staging lanes for a round of bikes. It gives you more time to get geared up and the bike warm. At Portland they have a "bike only" pit so you don't have to wait in line with the cars. Very cool! Most dragstrips are car friendly so ask someone how the return road works and where it is at, you should always let the rider on the return road side turn in first even if your way out in front of them. Not sure why, just the way I was taught. If you have any questions just PM me if I can help.

Most important.. have fun and don't blow up the bike

1080 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:47:58 AM »

You will also need a deadman kill switch /tether.

You get them from a watercraft place.

MCRider · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:52:50 AM »

To your last point, i was in the right lane on a bike, and a car in the left. We made our run and I was in front. I went to turn left in front of him at the first exit road, and he was still coming really fast. He had to go evasive to miss me and at speed that's not cool.

Cars can't slow as fast as bikes, especially some older ones, and in drags, they don't care about their brakes so much. And of course he could have a brake failure.

So yeah, definitely, if you're in the right lane be sure the left lane is clear before turning left to exit. There are usually several exits.

754 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2009, 09:00:05 AM »

How about this;

Seaweb and Funjimmy get up here on a race weekend, we will get you ready, then go to the track on Sat. with 1080
1080 runs and sets up the lights at our local strip, and has been up there for most of the races.
I been out of it for a few years, but was in the points race when i did race there..

Seaweb, Andy lives or works at the Western Speedway, usually only see him at the swapmeets.

PJ · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2009, 02:16:54 PM »

Quote from: 1080 on May 18, 2009, 08:47:58 AM

You will also need a deadman kill switch /tether.

You get them from a watercraft place.

I have never had one but I'm not running in NHRA events either.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2009, 02:38:02 PM »

I'm going to go up to http://www.saratogaspeedway.bc.ca/ with the Tracy and scope things out. Not a drag strip, it's a road track. They do a Tune and Try after 5:00 on Thursdays. I'll let you know how it turns out

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:27:19 PM »

Derek, your nearest that I can find is Mission Raceway park BC, about 65 miles.

Sam.

PJ · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2009, 06:46:20 PM »

Is this the whole track? Are they racing motorcycles on the oval?

seaweb11 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:21:49 PM »

Quote from: Samcr750 on May 18, 2009, 03:27:19 PM

Derek, your nearest that I can find is Mission Raceway park BC, about 65 miles.

Sam.

No there are two other drag tracks on the Island these guys http://www.albernidragracing.com/ say I need to practice here http://www.sislra.ca 1st. But I have no idea from their site when said practices are?

Oh well

Quote from: PJ on May 18, 2009, 06:46:20 PM

Is this the whole track? Are they racing motorcycles on the oval?

That does look a bit bleak

I'm going to go anyway

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #15 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:17:57 PM »

http://www.sislra.ca/ This one looks OK and they have a bike class, the other track only has one meeting a year.

Sam.

754 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:32:49 PM »

The Kelowna track Thunder Mountain, is quite high up.. The next nearest to us is Ashcroft.. i think Eagle Valley Motorplex or something like that.

Anyway, just thought it would be fun to get together the night before and go to the track, a bunch of sohc people..

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2009, 03:55:42 PM »

Seaweb, Funjimy and another rider are riding up here tommorow..

..beersatheshopnightlookslike2me......

mlinder · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2009, 04:07:44 PM »

Just drive down to Portland and race PIR with us next season. You can stay with us.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:51:08 PM »

If you want to make "God" laugh.....just make a plan

Left the Island today with every intention of going to Saratoga. I will post my issues on a new thread.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:10:44 PM »

Have fun, will catch up Monday, ride safe D.

Sam.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:31:08 PM »

Quote from: Samcr750 on May 21, 2009, 09:10:44 PM

Have fun, will catch up Monday, ride safe D.

Sam.

Bast*rd

Your going racing aren't you?

Here were my issues today

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #22 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:47:50 PM »

No, it's still in bits Derek, hope to get it all back together over the weekend.

Sam.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:03:12 PM »

Oops, I forgot to include URL http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=51860.0

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Author Topic: Drag & Track racing blues (Read 1577 times)