Ocala Road Trip 9-17-11

[dt]

I’ve got September 17 on my calendar to go watch the flat track races at Micro Speedway. If anyone would like to go up or make a day of it, let me know. A straight shot, or a ride around the area, a stop into the Don Garlits Museum, whatever. We’ll just need to be over at the track probably around 7PM when the racing starts.

[dongalb]

Off I-75 it is Exit # 358, Hwy 326.  About 1/4 mile east, then south on 25A.  1/2 mile or so look for signs on the left.  $10.00 at the gate.  They don't seperate the pits from the stands.

[v65infla]

I am delivering the 84' to Gary that weekend.  I'll have to see if he up for a ride up there to hang out for a bit.

[Zarticus]

I am delivering the 84' to Gary that weekend.  I'll have to see if he up for a ride up there to hang out for a bit.

Always ready for a ride!!!

[dt]

Next weekend.

Don says the races start at 7PM instead of 5PM this month.

[dt]

Meet at Denny’s off Exit 329 for dinner…say 5:30PM…then another 30 minutes up to the Micro Speedway?

[v65infla]

Meet at Denny’s off Exit 329 for dinner…say 5:30PM…then another 30 minutes up to the Micro Speedway?

Can't commit to anything just yet.  We have an errand to run 9 miles north of the track so we will just have to wait and see how the day play's out.  You have my cell.

[dongalb]

We will get there at 3:00.  Unload the trailer, then the Grill.  Hamburgers, Potato Salad, etc.  Should be ready by 4 or shortly after.  Of course it could be fired up later as well.  This is an invite guys.

[v65infla]

We will get there at 3:00.  Unload the trailer, then the Grill.  Hamburgers, Potato Salad, etc.  Should be ready by 4 or shortly after.  Of course it could be fired up later as well.  This is an invite guys.

Thank you Don, I appreciate that very much.  Again, still not sure of a time table but rather we have eaten or not, we are always up for a fresh grilled burger.     I am going to bring my cooler that straps on my pillion seat so I'll bring some refreshments. 

[dongalb]

There is a concession on site as well.  Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, etc.

[v65infla]

There is a concession on site as well.  Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, etc.

Are you allowed to have beer in the pits??  I don't drink and ride beyond one or sometimes maybe two beers, depending how long I am off the bike for so if I throw a 12 pack in the cooler, I would l expect some help in getting rid of it.   

[dongalb]

I am not really sure.  There will be some in our cooler as well    The camper will be there, and we have cups!  I have only been there once during a race, and don't remember seeing anyone walking around with one.  Of course, that is what the cups are for! 

[dt]

Great ride, great night at the Track, and we got to root Don on as he claimed 4th in his class for his first race! Don rode great. He kept the RM450 tracking on the line pretty good on the short (really slick) straights and I thought he was getting the drift on a little quicker than the competition letting him get an edge in the corners. Next time a podium! Congrats again Don…GREAT JOB!











^^ Unfortunately after night fall it was really difficult to get decent photos through the track fence.


The facility was pretty decent. The track is small, but probably perfect for this type of racing. There aren’t pits so everything happens just off the track…look out; no idle rules or they aren’t followed.

Also, as I rolled in at about six-thirty, it hit me that this is the way to Hardrock Cycle Park. Sure enough, it’s adjacent to Hardrock’s north.






They had several classes including a couple atvs.






The pee-wees were fun to watch. Some of those kids were pretty good.








From the board were me, Gary (Zarticus), Jamie (v65inFla) and, of course, Don (dongalb). This was a lot of fun and I’m glad that I went. There were enough different types of classes to keep it interesting and all were pretty decent. I can’t even remember the last time I saw the flat tracks. Not a lot of falls, although Dillan (Don’s son, first photo) got tagged once…and they were way, way too quick to throw out the red flag. This place is real easy to get to, not crowded at all, and worth the $10 for a good five+ hours of racing.

Oh, and it smelled real good there. 

[dongalb]

Thanks dt for the pics and write up.  I had a lot more fun than I thought I might.  Will definately do it again.

[Zarticus]

Had a GREAT time!. Don, You made all us proud how you rode & proved that it's not just a young light weight sport!! .
We made good time getting home & I'll be there for the next one "oct 1st" I believe?. Thanks for the hamburger & tell the wife that was the Best potato salad I've ever had!!

[v65infla]

I had a great time and an exhausting weekend.  Thank you to Don and his lovely wife for an awesome track side dinner!!

Bill got some great pic's but I think I got the best one of the night of Don's grandson.



Brought back many memories of hanging at the track during my motocross days in the 90's.

Don you did great but ultimately how you do in the races runs a distant second to creating some great memories with your family.  Some kids are lucky enough to have memories or racing motorcycles as a kid.  Some are very lucky and have memories or racing or riding the same time as their father.  Liam will have memories of racing and riding with his father AND his grandfather and that is priceless.   

[dongalb]

Gary, I passed along your comment no the potato salad to Janet.  We all think it is one of her best dishes. Thanks for coming and look forward to seeing you again Oct. 1st.  I think the times will be the same.

Jamie, great pic of Liam.  Thanks for sharing.

Don you did great but ultimately how you do in the races runs a distant second to creating some great memories with your family.  Some kids are lucky enough to have memories or racing motorcycles as a kid.  Some are very lucky and have memories or racing or riding the same time as their father.  Liam will have memories of racing and riding with his father AND his grandfather and that is priceless.

We have talked about how lucky we all are to be able to share these family times.  As you could see, the track environment really promotes family.  Liam has a great time even when not racing and we feel good about his safety.

Glad to have you guys there to share it with.  We get our chance to do the big kid stuff (I am just older, not grown up ) around Halloween!!

[dt]

  He isn't afraid to peg that little KTM on the straights.

[danh600]

The three generation thing is really cool. Not many sports where you can enjoy that.

[v65infla]

Don,

I would like to see how competitive you would be on a 125 on that little track.  A 2nd gear start would not be so intimidating.  Catch 3rd coming down the back straight away and feather the clutch through every turn keeping the rpm's revving and use the lighter bike to you advantage might be an interesting experiment.  Its not like bigger engines give you advantage on the smaller track's. 

[dongalb]

Don,

I would like to see how competitive you would be on a 125 on that little track.  A 2nd gear start would not be so intimidating.  Catch 3rd coming down the back straight away and feather the clutch through every turn keeping the rpm's revving and use the lighter bike to you advantage might be an interesting experiment.  Its not like bigger engines give you advantage on the smaller track's. 

Even back in the early 70's when I did this stuff a lot, I rode a 360 Bultaco, then an XL 250 Honda I modified the engine on a lot, and finally a Bultaco 250 Astro.  You see a couple of Astro's at Ocala.

As far a weight, I think the RMZ 450 is probably lighter than any of those I just mentioned.  Definately better suspension these days.  The "Starts" were the first competition starts I had attempted in over 36 years.  I will get it down.

There was a practice scheduled for this coming Sunday, but that has been replaced by Go-Kart races.  We dropped a tooth on the front sprocket.  Will get to test that at the next race on the 1st, we had hoped to Sunday.

The 450 has its work cut out just hauling me around the track.  It has plenty of power to do the job, it just needs a little help from the driver(s) to do well.  I am looking forward to more learning and re-learning on it.

[dt]

Don, not sure if you ever seen or used Gearing Commander, but it's a useful online tool for helping with gearing choices and wheel diameter changes. They have RM-Z loaded from 2005-2009. For instance, you will be able to see what dropping down a tooth on the front will do to the top end both in terms of speed and revs. Make sure you set it to US-mph measure because its default is metric-km/h.

[dongalb]

Thanks dt.  I did print a chart off the site.  Turns out, there is a practice day tomorrow at the track.  They had been having Go Kart races on Friday nights.  Not enough turn out.  So they decided they could hold them on Sundays during the general practice time.  I think that is cool.  Will get to watch the Go Karts too.

[dongalb]

We did get to practice yesterday.  Go Karts were not that impressive, but not that many so we had plenty of time.

Gearing had been 14-46.  It is now 13-48.  Seems to work well.  Track was really dry slick, so hard to tell for sure.  Got a few "Starts" in, doing much better.

We had some other locals join us.  4 Pee Wee's and 3 adults on the track from right in our area.  Made for a great time.

[dt]

You're almost back to the stock gearing (13/50) with the new ratio. Ya know, maybe on such a short track you need mx low end torque on the start and corners and mx top end speed will work out fine on the short straights.

[dongalb]

Being a 2007 model, stock (according the Gearing Commander) is 14/49.  It is a 4 speed. Still not a lot of difference.  I think you are correct on the torque/top end needs for the track.  It either just touches or almost touches the rev-limiter just prior to needing to let off.  Good place to start this weekend.

[dt]

Oh, sorry, I had in my head it was newer.

I forgot to compliment you on all the Windy Acres graphics. Someone did some nice work on that stuff.  

[dongalb]

Dylan ordered the graphics from a company that specializes in that type of graphics.  They should look good!  Right at $200.  Said he had never tricked one out with decals before.  Thought this bike was a good one to start with.

[dongalb]

I think the gearing changes made a difference.  Dylan did a consistant strong 3rd in both heats and the main.  I (believe it or not) took the hole shot in both heats.  Didn't look back.  All but jumped the green light in the main, had to suck the clutch in, then the green came on.  3rd or 4th into the turn.  2 laps later the lead and finished there.  I need to thank mrbones for his encouragement to do something about my shape.  In the 5 weeks since I first posted about my first practice, I have exercised at least 30 minutes every day and am 20 Lbs. lighter.  The exercise is what helped more than anything to be able to run the practices and races, without it feeling like it was killing me.   60 degree weather did not hurt either! 

Thanks for all the encouragement from this forum.

[Zarticus]

Way to go Don!!!!
I wanted to go last night but have family over for the weekend. When are you racing again?

[dongalb]

It will be Nov. 5th in Ocala.  The next SDTA race is actually Oct. 22nd in Jasper, FL.  I will be out of town for work though.

[dt]

I (believe it or not) took the hole shot in both heats.  Didn't look back.  All but jumped the green light in the main, had to suck the clutch in, then the green came on.  3rd or 4th into the turn.  2 laps later the lead and finished there.

[v65infla]

 

[dcameras]

Congrats on the win in the race and the lost weight!!!!!

[dongalb]

Thanks guys.  It has been a lot of fun also.  Getting to do this as a family event is an awesome side benefit.  Having friends share, well damn, just doesn't get much better.

[dt]

^ He's hooked. 

[dongalb]

Yup!