If anyone's in the central NY area tomorrow, the AMA grand national dirt races will be running XR-750 Sportsters at the NY fairgrounds in Syracuse. I'll be there most of the day, I volunteered to watch the infield gate, so hopefully I'll be able to get lot's of pictures of the bikes as they go in and out.

Gazza

Rained most of yesterday and they couldn't get the track dry enough today, so the races are postponed untik tomorrow morning.

The "Great NY State Fair" crew had two truck/tractors with three foot wide tires running around the track all morning kicking up the mud trying to help it dry. But no sun to help. After a few hours both trucks broke down. Damn state where do all my taxes go.

Hopefully tomorrow it will run. I volunteered to watch the infield gate. Today I found out it's a great place to watch, the bikes are all facing that gate as they come out of turn four into the straightaway.

I got my fingers crossed that it runs tomorrow!!!

Gazza

I volunteered to watch the infield gate. Gazza

Does that mean you can get me in for free??? :D

Does that mean you can get me in for free??? :DMaybe

Gary

Cool! Take lotsa pics!


Bart

I have two tickets...what time do you think it will run tomorrow? I have to be back for my Fathers Day/ B'Day party at 4 PM.

They said gates are gonna open at 10am.

We didn't get much sun today but had a breeze. The grounds keepers had another truck or two coming from somewhere. They hope to have them in Syracuse around 11 tonight, then a crew is gonna pound the mud all night.

Gary

That's cool Gary.

If I remember right, you're like me and enjoy SuperMoto. Found this and thought you might enjoy it. The video stuff (requires broadband) is cool. Pretty good, albeit basic, break down of stuff. And they have airplane racing too!!!

http://www.redbullcopilot.com/

I've never been to a motorcycle race before. That was pretty neat today. I didn't get to watch that much of the race, but enough to realise those guys are freakin nuts. Doing aroun 120mph to 140 mph in the slippery dirt only a few feet from each other. You need to have a few screws loose in your head.

It was awesome watching them scream around the track. Scream is an understatement.. they were loud.

Most of the bikes were Sportsters. There was one Suzuki only team, and a half dozen or so other bikes of assorted makes thrown in for good measure.

Heres Some pics from the day:

This was a bike that was driving around the grounds. Looked pretty stock and almost street legal.
http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/1200R_1.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/1200R_2.jpg

This one wasn't in todays races. It was on display in the Ford tent.
http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Ford_1.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Ford_2.jpg

Here's some racing:
http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Turn4_1.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Turn4_2.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Turn4_3.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Straight_1.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/HeadingIn_1.jpg

And then I got a few from the pits:
http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_1.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_2.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_3.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_4.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_5.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_6.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_7.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_8.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_9.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_A.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_B.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_C.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_D.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_E.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_F.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_G.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_H.jpg

http://home.twcny.rr.com/embedded/pictures/SyracuseMile/Pit_J.jpg


Gazza

GREAT PICS GARY!!! :clap

All the bikes look awesome but I really dig #80, 31, and 78.

Just caught this thread. I have been into dirt track since they were racing the KR's. Still a few number I recognize. #66 Geo Roeder, #80 Rich King, #1 Chris Carr, and #9 Jay Spingsteen who is probably one of the best natural riders of all time. I have seen him literally ride the wheels off those XR's. From what I understand, Suzuki has recently won their 1st national, Springfield mile I think. Suzuki is facing the same problems Yamaha had back in the early 70's. They are creating some horsepower but are still trying to get the power to the ground. The AMA is letting them run 1000cc machines against the 750cc Harleys. Harley is the ruler of the dirtrack, especially on the soft cushion tracks.

Great pics!!!!!!

Greg

I grew up watching a local guy by the name of Steve Morehead aka the Findlay Flyer Race but he is retired now. I used to love going to the Track with my Dad when I was younger but I havent been to a Flatrack Race in years. I was talking to a couple Bros of mine today and we plan on taking a couple of rides this year to the Local Tracks. Should be a good time

Great pics,not too far from My old stomping grounds.

Steve Morehead is still very active in dirt track racing. He has been a race promoter for the last few years, promoting National events (GNC). He can still put one around a 1/2 mile though. You mentioned "Findlay Flyer", there was another guy from around that area by the name of Scott Drake, national #91, seen him race many a time too.

Greg

Cool pics Gary :banana :clap :banana


Bart

Thanks for the pic compliments. It was a fun day. We're (the Syracuse dealer) is hosting the races again this year. I can't wait to go see them race again.

Gazza