My FIRST night of Flat track racing.

[Al Goodwin]

Having never ridden dirt/flat track, I was a nervous wreck.....Athens, Alabama in an arena WAY to small for motorcycle racing...but, it was perfect for a first timer.

My wife had bought me a '77 Yamaha XS650, that had been raced before, so the set-up was good, I learned later I need better shocks ???.

First practice, on a bike I had NEVER RIDDEN

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[Al Goodwin]

They gave me, the FIRST TIME RACER, a few laps solo for practice.

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[Al Goodwin]

My first heat race, 5 in the class.....I finish 3rd.

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[Al Goodwin]

Well,...I can't locate the video of my first WIN, My 2nd heat race, 6 bikes in the class, and I take the win.

I do however have my first "MAIN" race win...

At the start, coming out of turn 2, Well...that's what they called it, seemed like we were turning ALL THE TIME :o

Anyway, me and another guy got tangled up, he crashed, and out comes the red flag.

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I'll say "Thank GOD for re-starts".....3 abreast coming out and I pull just enough of a lead to hold them off into 3....

My FIRST Main WIN, on my first time ever racing flat track.

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[Chitza]

So AWESOME!! Team FOAB!! We need stickers!

[RubyRider]

Man thats so cool! That looks like another way to have a blast on 2 wheels!

[Al Goodwin]

Man thats so cool! That looks like another way to have a blast on 2 wheels!

AND it's a HELLUVA lot cheaper than road racing.  I talked to a guy that'd been racing the same tires for FIVE(5) YEARS :o

He said when the left side wears out, just turn'em around and BAM...NEW TIRES AGAIN. ::)

[RubyRider]

Whats the criteria for a bike to join in on this type fun?   ...........................Geeesh, Like I need another bike!   ::)

[Al Goodwin]

Whats the criteria for a bike to join in on this type fun?   ...........................Geeesh, Like I need another bike!   ::)

2 wheels, one engine.....looked to me that was about it.

[norton73]

Jay Springsteen, watch out!


:)

[Al Goodwin]

Jay Springsteen, watch out!


:)

Now THAT is funny......  I've gotta get better on my turn in >:(....I was a bit tentative going in :-\...... All in time, I guess.

[kdtrull]

Way to go, bro!

[Mulley]

This looks awesome. Winning the main your first time out it ridiculous. Serious congratulations are in order.

I need to get my DRZ back together and take it for a spin around the oval.

Do you have to remove or disconnect the front brake? Don't they have a knobby tire class too?

[Al Goodwin]

This looks awesome. Winning the main your first time out it ridiculous. Serious congratulations are in order.

I need to get my DRZ back together and take it for a spin around the oval.

Do you have to remove or disconnect the front brake? Don't they have a knobby tire class too?

YEP on the knobby class...last race of the night.  Not sure about front brakes, none of the bikes had'em...they even have a "NO brake class" :o

[Al Goodwin]

. Winning the main your first time out it ridiculous.

Well...I won "A MAIN"...each class had heat races to set starting order, and a "main" later on.  Each class had 2 rounds of practice, 4-5 laps each.

So, overall, I had 4 practice rounds, 2 heat races, and 2 mains....PLENTY of track time for a "Fat. Old, and Balding"(FOaB) guy :-\

BUT, I NEED more practice....gotta get in hotter and deeper. :o....Uhh.....well, y'all know what I mean. 8)