I will race at Lodi

Craig Randall (in the dark shirt) is the subject of one of my all-time favourite Sideburn features (A life Less Ordinary in Sideburn 3). He got in touch to say the dirt track bug had bitten again.

'It is all settled now. I will race at Lodi in California on 21 May 2011 with my BSA B50 framer. I will ride the 60+ (age) class and the vintage class. The roll call of 60+ guys at Lodi is pretty tough. Steve McCants and I will be reincarnating the Hi Hats Motorcycle Club of Martinez, patch included, of which we were members in the 60's. My race bike is being set up now and I will forward a picture when the number plates are on.
Best, Craig'

Minibikes

Beautiful photo story from Life magazine. Anybody know which year? Anybody got a complete scan of the text? Anybody know the photographer? BP

UP DATE: THANKS RUI FOR DIGGING UP THE VERITABLE GOLDMINE!classic Ralph Crane. Love the paper dinner plate number board

New Flat Track School

Mr Motivator, Pete Boast of Shortttrack UK has now taken up the schooling mantle from FT Experience who ceased trading at the end of last year due to dwindling numbers. Boastie was one of the instructors when I did my FTE day, you couldn't want for better tuition, he's both a speedway and flat track champ. He may not be able to tone your pecs and abs, but he can teach you to get your machine sideways. BPWe are pleased to confirm that we are now able to offer training days, running from Scunthorpe Raceway in Lincolnshire. It will be a full day's course from 10am to 4.30 pm, running on a 175 metre oval on 230 CCM DTX bikes provided by us.
The School will be designed for Complete Novices to the sport, Junior riders and racers just starting out.The day will cover starting out on the track, riding position, backing the bike into a bend, controling a slide and riding, more riding, more riding. Instruction will given by 2009 British & European flattrack Champion Pete Boast.
The Cost of a full Days Training for Adults is £120, Juniors £90, including lunch. Anyone who joins Shorttrack UK after the course will get £20 back or if you are already registered with Shorttrack for 2011 you will get £20 discount.
Dates in place at the moment are all Saturdays - April 2nd, April 30th and May 14th. To reserve your place please call the shorttrack office on 01673 878426.

....But It's Still Cold Out There

- Not if you are correctly attired. BP

Hyundai Kia Proving Grounds

Fancy an oval a little larger than the pony track mentioned in previous comments? How about this private test track in the Mojave desert 80 miles southwest of Death Valley. At 6.4 miles it's big, but the Honda circuit up the road at Cantil is outta space humongous. BP

Guy Martin's Barge

Tonight on UK telly 7:30 BBC1
Speed Demon Guy Martin starts a six-week mission to renovate a neglected narrowboat, named Reckless, with inventions from the Industrial Revolution. In this episode, he builds his own 18th-century blast furnace to cast an iron pot so he can boil some water, then learns how to throw his own traditional Wedgwood mugs so he can enjoy a perfect old-school cup of tea.

Knooppunt Badhoevedorp

Surely not?! I thought, the first time I spotted this motorway intersection on the map just south west of Amsterdam, and the penny dropped. I jumped on the Guzzi and went to test it. Sure enough, Go Fast, Turn Right, and keep on Going Fast, Turning Right ad finitum like some demented child with a Whizzwheels loop (I was one, so thats probably why I enjoyed it). If a similar clover leaf intersection exists in Britain or other countries that hold their jousting lance in their right hand then it will be Go Fast, Turn Left. BPphoto from Vectis

David Aldana in the UK

It's (nearly) all sorted David Aldana is coming to the UK. The flights are booked.
Sideburn is organising a night with the legend in Oxford on Thursday May 5th. Those who went to the Chris Carr Night will know it'll be a good one. The next night, Friday May 6, Aldana will race a C&J Suzuki 450 framer at the Oxford round of the UK Grand National Championship.
It's going to be great. More details very soon. G

Indoor Short Track in Dublin

I think this is a first for Ireland... Some of the best UK Short Trackers will be racing at the Irish Motorcycle Show, at the Royal Dublin Showground, this weekend - March 4-6.
TT, BSB and World Endurance winner Steve Plater will also be competing on the tight indoor oval. You're in for a treat if you've never seen it. G

Megatron Tank

Do you feel increasingly threatened by haughty SUVs? Riding a motorcycle there is virtually no protection, only evasive action. If you are bored of being rush-hour schnitzel, you could try a 5 ton Megatron tank created by jiang chen and yang junlin's Wing Wah metalcraft factory in Huizhou, China. BP
Thanks to Kay for the tip