short track motorcycles in Florida?

[Boneman]

Why not? I've seen them race on dirt and pavement short tracks, and found them to be exciting and interesting, although the events were few and far between.

What is hotter right now than "Superbikes"? Not much! They are all over TV, and seem to appeal to new fans of all backgrounds. Bikes clog up the drag strips, so why don't we race them too? A class or two of superbikes would fit right into any stock car program.

I'm not a fan of motocross, although I do respect the abilities of the riders. I think the bike road racing is cool, although it is hard for a fan in person to follow. Again, these riders have my total respect for their skill and courage. Its amazing to watch these guys dragging their knee on the track in the corners, and then going 200 mph on the straights.

I think it is clear that a wide variety of racing equipment is out there, often right off the showroom floor. Production bikes are much faster than production cars. The bikes can do it, so why aren't we trying to win some new fans and racers by trying bikes on our short tracks? They would be at home on dirt or pavement, and I think would be equally entertaining on either surface.

Can it be insured? Are there any existing clubs that would be interested?

Answers anyone? I don't want to hear "because no one else is doing it".

[OLD STYLE RACER 2]

OCALA HAD THEM DURING BIKE WEEK. I think Volusia had them too. The problem with them is just like Karts. They have so many classes, that you would be there literally all night.

[Boneman]

Run a single class of bikes, maybe two if they are well attended. Mix them into the stock car show like they were any other class.

Would the walls have to be lines with hay bales, tires or something like that? Maybe that is why no one does it any more.

This would be breath-taking at Orlando.

[BJ Cavin]

I know that at Ocala the AMA folks said that speed was the issue, so the bikes were never allowed to just run the track. I think the course they used had like 14 turns. Also, hay bales were used and more than one rider was thankful for them! I'll be perfectly honest and admit that the "show" was less than thrilling to say the least, but I can see why it was done the way that it was.

If you could get the bikes on the track and turn them loose on the oval, I think it could be quite a show on dirt, but bikes on asphalt would be the same as cars on asphalt. Follow the leader, little passing, and total predictibility. Either way, if a rider were to "lose it" the result would be a trauma case, if not a fatality. Hitting the wall with a car is completely different from hitting the wall with a bike. I just can't see it happening due to huge liability issues and astronomical insurance costs.

[Boneman]

Bikes at Volusia and Daytona Stadium both put on an excellent show. As far as pavement goes, I don't agree that they would be follow the leader. I think the drivers skill required would be high enough that the best would make it to the front.

It may not be possible to keep the riders safe from the wall. Orlando could run them on the Bandelero track. The speed would be lower and they would have a 50 foot runoff.

[Todd McCreary]

Why not?

i would think lowsiding the bike in turn 3 at upwards of 90mph and not having any more protection than some leathers and a helmet when you hit the wall would not be something many bikers would be interested in doing. you wouldn't even want to think about a bad highside sending you airborne all the way to the concrete.

yeah, the flat trackers carry quite a bit of speed but they all run on dirt. the reason for that is the dirt holds the corner speeds down quite a bit. it's also a lot softer to land on and you slow down a lot more before you hit the catch fence than if you're sliding on asphalt.

but hey, if you can find a field of guys to do it don't let me hold you back.

[Todd Allen]

Thats a good idea considering that it would be relatively cheap and easy for a newcomer to race. But they would have a death every friday.

[Frasson118]

When Volusia was still paved, they had an AMA Flat Track National event, and in my opinion, it was outstanding. They ran the place like a Sprint car, with the tail hanging out, tires smoking, and riders using the "draft". No follow the leader racing at all. I don't recall any bikes going down, but there is ample room to scrub off most of the speed before wall contact.

Another thing to consider, is that these riders aren't strapped in for the ride... they can bail out at any time, and they know HOW to do it, as well as WHEN to do it. You won't see guys hanging on until the moment of contact. I used to race these bikes myself, and can tell you firsthand, we learned how to crash with the least amount of consequences. The worst crashes I've been in, were all on the straights. That's when things happen very quickly, and it wouldn't have mattered one bit if it were dirt or asphalt.

Although It's a fun sport to watch, the existing Stock Car tracks actually are too large for the amatuer rider, and asphalt requires a different skill than most riders in this area would have. The Kart tracks at Volusia and East Bay would both work just fine, but it wouldn't be in front of the "stock car" crowd.

It is, however, a very interesting idea, and I think the stock car fans would see an exciting show if it were to come together.

[Todd McCreary]

asphalt requires a different skill than most riders in this area would have.

so it would be a good thing to try out for Speedweeks or Bike week.