Flattrack by Dial M Films

Flattrack from Dial M Films on Vimeo.

Shot at the DTRA meeting before last year's Dirt Quake. The first voice you hear is Sideburn Ben. Then there's Drogo, more Ben, me and David Death Spray. G

Directed and Edited by Joe Marcantonio
Produced by Death Spray Custom and Dial M Films
Camera by Andrew Lawrence and Joe Marcantonio
Sound by Neil Johnston and Tom Joyce at Factory

Superfinal Video

Ben found this on YouTube.
So proud to see Ollie with his DTRA sticker on his helmet and DTRA plate on the grid in this company.
Can anyone find a YouTube post with Chris Carr commentating? G

Sammy Halbert Night: TONIGHT

If you're in the UK, you really want to make the DTRA x Sideburn Sammy Halbert Night tonight. A very rare opportunity to ask a top GNC flat track race winner your own questions.

Pay on the door. Saturday 18th October 6.30 - 10.30 with a licenced bar

VENUE The Benn Hall , Newbold Road, Rugby CV21 2LN

DTRA x Sideburn Sammy Halbert Night

Don't forget, this Saturday is one of the very, very rare occasions a top US flat track racer comes to the UK to talk to fans and racers over here.

Fresh from being the fastest qualifier at the Pomona Half-Mile GNC race last weekend (above), Sammy is flying to the UK before travelling over to Spain for the Dirt Track Festival.

It's been a hard decision for Sammy to come over, because his brother Jethro is in a medically-induced coma after a crash in the Calistoga GNC race program, but Sammy didn't want to let down the DTRA, so please come out an support this event.


Slammin' Sammy is one of the top racers in the US, winning mile and short track races. He is also one of the most controversial figures due to his take no prisoners style.
Sammy will be presenting awards to the DTRA racers before being subjected to a lengthy Q and A.

The event is open to anyone, not just DTRA members. and it's just £5 admission.
We're promised the awards will be kept very short, to give more time to Sammy.

DATE
Saturday 18th October
6.30 - 10.30 with a licenced bar

VENUE
The Benn Hall , Newbold Road, Rugby CV21 2LN

Please book in advance at the DTRA shop http://www.dirttrackriders.co.uk/#!shop/c1hjo
Tickets are £5 each with a £1 booking fee to cover the paypal costs. (This is to cover hall hire)

Sideburn x DTRA Sammy Halbert Night

Following the tradition of our Chris Carr Night and David Aldana Night, Sideburn has joined forces with the DTRA to organise an evening with Sammy Halbert.

Slammin' Sammy is one of the top racers in the US, winning mile and short track races. He is also one of the most controversial figures due to his take no prisoners style.
Sammy will be presenting awards to the DTRA racers before being subjected to a lengthy Q and A.

The event is open to anyone, not just DTRA members. and it's just £5 admission.
We're promised the awards will be kept very short, to give more time to Sammy.

DATE
Saturday 18th October
6.30 - 10.30 with a licenced bar

VENUE
The Benn Hall , Newbold Road, Rugby CV21 2LN

Please book in advance at the DTRA shop http://www.dirttrackriders.co.uk/#!shop/c1hjo
Tickets are £5 each with a £1 booking fee to cover the paypal costs. (This is to cover hall hire)

Obviously or thoughts go out to the Halbert family who are currently dealing with Sammy's brother Jethro, who is in a medically-induced (we think) coma after a crash at last weekend's Calistoga Half-Mile.

Watch this incredible battle (for second place at Perris) with the Current AMA #1, Brad Baker, to get a taste of Sammy's hard-charging style. He takes as much as he gives in this race.

Dirt Quake II by Moto Journal (Now with English Subtitles)

If any English-only speakers wondered what our French friends were saying about Dirt Quake (and the Friday night DTRA racing) on the recent Moto Journal video, worry no more - they've posted it with English subtitles. Just click the little box in the bottom bar between the clock and the gearwheel and they'll appear.
Click the gearwheel to choose your preferred quality (HD if you have a good speed connection), then full screen.
Merci, once again, to Moto Journal for coming to Dirt Quake III and making such a cool little film. G

Dirt Quake III Film by Moto Journal

DIRTQUAKE : Serge Nuques, Guy Martin, des... by moto-journal

Great video from the famous French moto media company, Moto Journal.
We know there are a few Dirt Quake III videos in production, but this is the first to be released.
Moto Journal are the fellas who brought Serge Nuques.
Merci bien.

There's some vey hot DTRA action in there too.

You can click to watch in HD. G

Rye House Today

Free to spectate!
Racing all day from 11.30-ish till 5.
Huge entry of racers.
Weather is going to be good.

DTRA Juniors

I mistakenly credited this great shot from the DTRA Amman Valley round to the wrong photographer. Sorry.
It was actually taken by James Boddy. See more of his photography here.

The DTRA's fearless boys and girls will be in action on Sunday at Rye House. G

DTRA Decider - Next Sunday

Don't forget the final round of the 2014 DTRA series is NEXT SUNDAY, Rye House in Hertfordshire.
RACERS - Entries close TODAY.

SPECTATORS - Why go along?

• The National Championship will be decided in a breathless 12-lap final. The favourite (in my opinion) Tom Neave, is going to be champion for the first time if he can pull it off, but it's going to be a nail-biter.
• The pits are open so you can get close to the bikes and riders.
• The Vintage class is going from strength to strength with everything from firebreathing framers to road legal Triumph twins with the lights taken off.
• There will be about 24 Thunderbike framers to salivate over.
• Sideburn will be there selling the new issue, T-shirts and stuff.
• Racing starts about 11 and it's all over by 5pm.
• It's free to spectate.

Rye House Stadium, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0EH

UPDATE: Marshals and helpers required please. You need to be there for 10.30-ish if you can help.

DTRA Amman Valley Report

Last weekend the DTRA headed out to South Wales to race the half-mile trotting track at Ammanford. With the tail of Hurricane Bertha threatening it was touch and go, but we just about got away with it.

Guto Llewelyn, (camera on his helmet) who has raced with the DTRA on and off for years, entered his first race of 2014 on a borrowed Co-Built Rotax. A very exprienced grasstracker, the rough, long track suited his style and he won the Thunderbike final. Classy.
In the morning the dust was a problem. Then, after two very heavy showers, mud and spray made it difficult for anyone who wasn't in the lead (or didn't have a front mudguard).

Juniors head out on the big track.

Restricted grid. Stu, 84R, made a comeback on a Honda SLR650-based new build.

Guy Sutherland on his recently imported Triumph. It's a replica of a Redline frame, made by VMC Racing frames. The engine is a T120 taken out to 750. When this bike is properly sorted it'll fly.

Kawasaki UK-supported rider, Ollie Brindley. Love the Co-Built low-pipe on this 450. This was when the track was dry.

And this is a few hours later... #76 is The DTRA's only girl junior Skye Adams (though we have a lady rider in the Restricted class, Leah Tokelove). #17 is Jordan Lee Miller.
PHOTO JAMES BODDY

Vintage class grid. The JAP-powered Ariel, ridden by Guto Llewelyn, didn't last the day unfortunately. The final was won by Frank Chatokhine (chequered helmet - read about this Metisse T100 in Sideburn 17). Second was Guy Sutherland on his Triumph framer. Nick Ashley was third on the Cheney Triumph. John Boddy turned up on an ironhead Sportster, obscured in this shot, but it never got quite up to speed.

Geoff Co-Built had another good day, coming in second in the Thunderbikes - he's second in the championship - behind Dave Chadbourne, who had an uncharacteristic fifth place finish.

I (GI) made the Thunderbike A final despite a few bike problems during the day. Came in 8th in the 12-man final. Could've been worse. Currently fifth in the championship.

The Pro Class main was wild. With series leader, Aidan Collins racing in Europe, twin brothers Tom (#68) and Tim Neave (#14) cleared off at the front, with Ollie Brindley (#24) behind them. Tom took the flag, but due to the final being a double points deal (because there were only 11 not 12 riders in the final), his brother took the maximum points.
Both Neaves have leapfrogged Collins in the championship, with only one round to go. If Tom Neave comes third in the next race, no matter what Tim and Aidan do, he's won the title.
It'll be dramatic.

The final round is Rye House, Herts on Sunday 21 September. Spectators go free.
For more info go to www.dirttrackriders.co.uk. G

Photos: Ian Roxburgh/Design 147 (except where stated)

Dirt Quake Portraits by Ian Roxburgh

 See more of Ian Roxburgh Photography.

DTRA - Amman Valley

The next DTRA race is Saturday 9 August (not this weekend) at the Amman Valley Horse Track, Ammanford, South Wales. This half-mile paperclip is the biggest oval we race on in the UK. It's a cushion track, that throws up big roosts. The championship race is Saturday, but there's an extra non-championship round the next day.

Camping available Friday and Saturday. £5 or free to volunteers.
Saturday racing is from 2-8pm, then hanging out in the pits - hopefully watching a Skooter Farm film night on a big screen*
Sunday is 12-5pm. (Times approximate).

If you want to race, get your entry in before the end of Friday. Newcomers welcome.

If you'd like to volunteer to marshal (on either day), leave a comment or email us at dirt @ Sideburnmagazine.com. No experience necessary.

If you want to spectate, just turn up and support your local racetrack. G

* sheet on the side of a van.

Rye House 1946

Rye House is a track, North of London, that the DTRA regularly race at and rent for practices. To learn it has such history is great.

We race there on Sunday 21 September.

I find it interesting, that while US servicemen went back to California and set down the ground rules of what it is to be a motorcycle (and hot rod) rebel - rules still being mirrored by real and wannabe outlaws 70 years later - the British returned home and raced. Many of them raced on makeshift ovals on the latter years of the war.

We have a feature on 1939-45 warzone speedway in Sideburn 8. G

#59 Nick Ashley

A huge cross-section of people race in the DTRA: different ages, backgrounds, occupations and goals. Farmers race against painters and decorators; engineers battle with tilers. Builders, photographers, car salesmen, carpenters, film set designers, airline pilots, mechanics and, in Nick Ashley, menswear designers are all DTRA members...

I bought some of Nick Ashley clobber when he had his own label more than ten years ago, then got to know him through Sideburn (Ben knew him before that). Now Nick is head of design for an upmarket menswear label called Private White V.C. that is almost unique in making all its products in the UK.

Nick has always raced and ridden. He's competed in desert rallyes and enduros and now, also, competes in the vintage class on a Cheney Triumph.

There's an amusing interview with Nick here. With some of the highlights being...

The factory in Manchester was there at the start of the industry, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. The whole of the Manchester ship canal – from Liverpool to Manchester – was built for the industry, but it’s all gone apart from this. I dream of getting a ship into Manchester, filling it with product and sailing it to China – and selling a whole load of clothes there. Then I can die a happy man. Out of the mill, out of the factory and even take the voyage – smoking Capstan Full Strength and drinking rum all the way!

We had interest from the UK and wrote a few orders. Britain is a small place and, as I say, people spend all their money on houses and education. If you compare it even to Italy, there’s a vast difference. People dress beautifully, eat beautifully and have loads of sex. That’s their priority in life. Their economy is knackered, but they’re having a great time. Let’s all move to Italy!

Photos by Daniel Beres

House Industries x DTRA

House Industries are one of the sponsors of the Dirt Track Riders Association for the 2014 season. They are an American-based company that primarily create type fonts for the creative industries (and spin-off products with those fonts on them).

I know we get a lot of different types of people reading this blog, so I'll explain. There are all the well-known fonts: Times New Roman, Geneva, Helvetica - but graphic designers demand new ones all the time. That's what House Industries create. Someone has to sit down and draw the whole alphabet, numbers and symbols - then they sell them as a package for designers to load onto their computers, allowing the designers to stay ahead of the competition and creating fresh products.

House Industries developed a whole new number font for the DTRA and have now made T-shirts and prints for sale with all profits going to the non-profit making DTRA to allow flat track to survive and even thrive in the UK. What nice people.

Anyone joining the DTRA gets one of the club's number plates for free with their membership (this is not a House Industries product). There are non-racing memberships available too, and you get a plate as a souvenir even if you have no intention of racing.

The next DTRA round is at King's Lynn, the Friday night of Dirt Quake weekend - July 18-19. Tickets for the whole weekend are just £10 plus booking fee (or £10 for each day on the gate). Get your tickets here. 

Find more out about dirt track fonts on our Sideburn thread. G

The Comeback Dad

After spannering myself at Coventry I got on the podium in the Restricted* Class at Scunthorpe on Sunday. There were a few riders missing, but it was still a 14-rider class and I beat some racers who have been on the podium this year - Tom Clemans and Ross 'The King' Herrod. I also came 5th in the 12-man Thunderbike final. Geoff Co-Built (pictured) got a third in the Thunderbikes.

Read a longer report over at FTW Racing. G

*For riders who haven't made a Pro Final or won the Restricted title.

Scunthorpe!

This Sunday. The racing is split. Youths and rookies in the morning. Thunderbikes, pros and vintage racing from 1.30.
Free to spectate.
If my shoulder is feeling better (and it's not wet) I'm going. If anyone wants any shirts, back issues, hoodies, whatever, leave a comment or an email and I'll take it along so you pay no postage. G

DTRA by Daniel Beres

There's something about the DTRA that attracts photographers like a campsite toilet block attracts Daddy Long Legs'. It means we're spoilt for coverage which is great.

These photos are from round 1, Leicester, and were taken by pro photographer Daniel Beres.

Above: Tim Greig #10; Pete Boast #54; Paul Baleta #40; Ade Collins #1.

 Les Wood

 Neil Martin #26; Andrew Collison #98

 Nick Ashley

Drogo Michie #27; Frank Chatokhine #5

Paul Baleta

 Lez Stevens

 Frank Chatokhine

Next round is a a week on Sunday, 18 May, Coventry. Spectators get in free. If you'd like to marshal it would be much appreciated. No experience necessary. Get there for 11. 

Racing from 12.

If you haven't entered to race you need to do it TODAY. 

Gary's Leicester DTRA Report

As promised, here are some of my own snaps from the first DTRA round at Leicester. 

The weather forecast didn't look great, but, in Britain, you've just got to saddle up and go. Sometimes you waste a tank of diesel for a rain-off, but not very often. As it turned out, it rained for about one-minute all day and I got a sunburnt nose.

I was so excited to be back out racing I couldn't sleep the night before. I stormed the first heat, winning by a few bikes lengths from some very good riders. Even then I was thinking, The season can only go downhill from here. I was right, but at least I proved I can still win a 12-man heat.

Oily Rob, above, has retired his home-built Ducati Monster race bike and bought a DTX bike. He felt a bit conformist, so he made this new painted and studded race jacket. 

Leicester had the biggest entry of any UK dirt track race ever (except the Dirt Quakes). Two grids of Thunderbikes, two grids of novices, Pro class, restricted, Juniors and the new Vintage class. Above is Bon Zorro who competed in his very first dirt track race on his old Triumph road bike, after bringing it to the track in the back of a people carrier. He had a blast.

Also in the five-man inaugural Vintage class was DTRA regular John Boddy on his 750 Triumph twin (feature on this bike coming soon). Below is the seat, giving a pep talk before every race...

Frank Chatokhine and his Metisse Triumph, both featured in Sideburn 17, dominated the class, but he was hounded all day by his good friend...

Dimitri Coste, who was in his normal all-action mode before stalling on the line in the final and gifting second to...

Nick Ashley, who was riding a Cheney Triumph. Yes, it has a front brake disc and caliper, but the lever was removed so it didn't work. This is his road bike.

 Me and Drogo in our new FTWCo team kit.

 There were some new bikes, and some older ones given make-overs, like Adam Waller's Husqvarna.

Before the race, Ross Herrod was trying to cut some life into his wrecked rear tyre (the UK importer were out of the Maxxis CD5 compound he wanted). He looked like he didn't know what he was doing, and admitted as much, then won the Restricted final. Classy.

Dimitri's trailblazing, coming over from France to race, then raving about it, has generated a mini-French invasion. One French rider who debuted at Leicester was Christophe Decombard on his tidy, home-built Suzuki DR600. He went very well, but slid off while leading his novice class.

Another Frenchman making his DTRA debut was Hubert Bastie. Hubert raced at last year's Dirt Quake, riding his TW200 road bike and making a lot of friends. He came back with a 450 DTX, stayed in Sheffield with friends he made at Dirt Quake and rode like a demon.
It's great to see Dirt Quake acting as a feeder for the DTRA, like it did with Ross Herrod and Oily Rob before.

Tom Neave turned up with this Chinese-made WK in DTX trim, it's based on the £3999 450RX, to put on display. Tom is road racing a WK 650  (ER6-alike) and doing very well on it. More details on this bike when we get it.

A spectator turned up on this lovely Norton P11, taking advantage of free entry.

And this Dirt Quake hopeful turned up for approval too. You're in. Get your entry in now.

Health and Safety: Carb strip with a fag on?
Next race is 18 May at Coventry. GI