Jimbos883
1st September 2008, 16:33
I had the opportunity of attending the Springfield Mile yesterday. All I have to say if you ever have a chance to attend a race like this don't pass it up.
I'm told that this is a race that really has not changed much over it's history. This is just one flat out full throttle race from start to finish. And for us "sportster lovers" it's dominated and I do mean dominated by the XR750. The way these riders run those bikes around the 1 mile track is totally amazing. My friend told me that they average around 120 MPH and I think that's pretty accurate, the 25 mile final took less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
And what a finish it was, Chris Carr was attempting to do a draft pass on the final lap coming out of turn 4 around Ken Coolbeth and it looked like Coolbeth came down on Carr. Carr put his front tire between Coolbeth's exhaust and frame and they both went into a high spped wobble, they both some how managed to save it and keep the bikes upright. Coolbeth finished first. What a finish to say the least, I'd love to be there today to see if there will be a rematch between the two. Carr stated something about " kicking some ass tomorrow" so today's racing should be interesting.
Plus just looking at the various bikes in the parking lot is worth the trip, and after the race you get a chance to walk the pits and talk to the riders and mechanics. Lots of neat stuff and the bikes are amazing. Believe it or not they only get a couple of heats out of a rear tire and they are running on mud, they flip the tire and use the other side.
Like I said earlier if you have the opportunity to attend a flat track race by all means do it you'll never forget it, trust me.
I'm told that this is a race that really has not changed much over it's history. This is just one flat out full throttle race from start to finish. And for us "sportster lovers" it's dominated and I do mean dominated by the XR750. The way these riders run those bikes around the 1 mile track is totally amazing. My friend told me that they average around 120 MPH and I think that's pretty accurate, the 25 mile final took less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
And what a finish it was, Chris Carr was attempting to do a draft pass on the final lap coming out of turn 4 around Ken Coolbeth and it looked like Coolbeth came down on Carr. Carr put his front tire between Coolbeth's exhaust and frame and they both went into a high spped wobble, they both some how managed to save it and keep the bikes upright. Coolbeth finished first. What a finish to say the least, I'd love to be there today to see if there will be a rematch between the two. Carr stated something about " kicking some ass tomorrow" so today's racing should be interesting.
Plus just looking at the various bikes in the parking lot is worth the trip, and after the race you get a chance to walk the pits and talk to the riders and mechanics. Lots of neat stuff and the bikes are amazing. Believe it or not they only get a couple of heats out of a rear tire and they are running on mud, they flip the tire and use the other side.
Like I said earlier if you have the opportunity to attend a flat track race by all means do it you'll never forget it, trust me.