DTRA Yearbook One

Just in from the DTRA.

Following its most successful year of flat track motorcycle racing, the Dirt Track Riders Association is proud to announce the publication of DTRA Yearbook One. This high quality photo book celebrates the sport following the racers as they move around the country competing throughout the 2015 season. 

It looks into the people involved, the machinery used and takes a peek behind the scenes, as well as featuring plenty of race action. 

This not for profit book has been designed to celebrate a fantastic seasons racing and spread the word about dirt track racing in the UK. Anyone who buys the book will be directly keeping people having fun on motorcycles.

This 164-page full colour book is available from Dtra.bigcartel.com priced £22 plus postage. 

Orders will for pre-Xmas delivery.

DTRA #3

The new online club magazine from the world's finest amateur dirt track club. G

DTRA x Sideburn Johnny Lewis Day: Tomorrow

Johnny has landed.

Spectators are welcome to watch the riding and chat with the DTRA riders, a good idea if you're thinking of getting involved either as a racer or volunteer for the DTRA.
Riding from 10.30 to 3.30pm.

There are a few standing places for people to watch the presentation and Q&A with this top US flat tracker (Ducati team rider, Troy Bayliss team-mate, former Supermoto champ, Daytona Short Track GNC winner) in the Adrian Flux Arena bar from 7pm. £5 entry. G

2015 DTRA Champions

It's nearly the end of another great year of British flat track. Sideburn was a proud supporter of the DTRA.

The DTRA has its Johnny Lewis Presentation night coming up on October 10, King's Lynn. There might be room for spectators to come and watch the Johnny Lewis Q and A. Leave a comment or email us if you want to come. £5 entry.

Here are the end of season results and photos of the class champions (Photos: Ian Roxburgh/ DTRA)

Pro Class

1^st Place: Aidan Collins #90

2^nd Place: Oliver Brindley

3^rd Place: Alan Birtwistle

4^th Place: Adam Allott

5^th Place: Tom Neave

Thunderbike Class

1^st Place: George Pickering #38

2^nd Place: Geoff Cain

3^rd Place: Tom Clemans

4^th Place: Guy Sutherland

5^th Place: Ross Herrod

Restricted Class

1^st Place: Ross Herrod #52R

2^nd Place: Scott Faulkner

3^rd Place: Gary Birtwistle

4^th Place: Leah Tokelove

5^th Place: Christophe Decombard

Vintage Class

1^st Place: Guy Sutherland

2^nd Place: Anthony Brown

3^rd Place: Hubert Bastie

4^th Place: Paul Harrison

5^th Place: Milo Hiscox

Rookie Class

1^st Place: Sean Kelly #33R

2^nd Place: Andrew Smith

3^rd Place: Phillip Gerrard

4^th Place: Michael Herman

5^th Place: Peter Jordon

MiniBike Class

1^st Place: Leah Tokelove #37R

2^nd Place: Adam Lovesey

3^rd Place: Alfie Collett

4^th Place: Adam Waller

5^th Place: Martin Huning

Youth Senior Class

1^st Place: Toby Hales #20

2^nd Place: Skye Adams

3^rd Place: Jordon Miller

4^th Place: Connor Jackson

5^th Place: Ben Neave

Youth Inter Class

1^st Place: Joe Burden

2^nd Place: George Hopper

3^rd Place: Kier Armstrong

4^th Place: Storm Stacy

5^th Place: Jack Bell

Youth Junior Class

1^st Place – Leon Collier

Johnny Lewis DTRA Day

The UK dirt track scene continues to go from strength to strength. First with Short Track UK, now with the DTRA, the UK amateur race series has hosted some of the best and most exciting racers. Chris Carr (twice), Sammy Halbert, Brandon Robinson, David Aldana, Kevin Schwantz (plus UK stars Neil Hodgson, Guy Martin, Steve Plater)...

Joining that list this year is Ducati Scrambler team rider, national number 10, Johnny Lewis. DTRA members will be coached by Johnny, on an informal basis, then he'll be the host of the annual prize-giving and do a Q and A, answering questions from the audience. These are just some of the benefits of being involved in a small club, with big ideas, like the DTRA. Thanks to all this year's sponsors for supporting the DTRA.

This is what DTRA big cheese Anthony says...

DTRA and Sideburn Magazine have arranged for National #10 Johnny Lewis to attend an end of season Practice and prize presentation on Saturday 10th October. 

The practice day will be open to club members who pre register by filling in the form below. (No Form = No Ride) 
Johnny Lewis practice day

The cost is £40 per rider payable in cash on the day. (includes access to the presentation) Riding is 10.30 until 3.30pm. 

The DTRA presentation will take place at 7pm with Awards for all classes down to fifth place. (full championship results will be published later this week) 
There will also be a Q and A with Johnny. Entry to the presentation will be £5 (Riders Free)

Dad and Lad by Chopper Baron

From Bram, the Chopper Baron (below), who has just finished his first DTRA season, travelling over from Belgium to race in the UK. A really great addition to the UK scene.

Made this drawing of the pic I took at Leicester Hope you like it! Bram

DTRA Final Round

Rye House this Sunday.
Rye House Stadium, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0EH
Just north of the M25, the closest track to London.

The DTRA need marshals to volunteer if you help out, get there for 10am.
Free to spectate.

Ben will be there selling Sideburn merch.

Seat of the Pants

On-board with Co-Built's Geoff Cain at Amman Valley by Death Spray Custom.
Rub-on stickers from sideburn.bigcartel.com

Leon Foggitt

Evocative shots by Leon Foggitt of DTRA Vintage Class racing.

There's much talk of 'correct body position' being the corner-stone of racing but Anthony's sack-of-spuds poise seems produce results for him, and here, on Wliky's Triumph framer. Hot Chip.

Mobile emporium of metal flake funk. Guy Bon Zorro on his trusty street-legal Triumph.

Drogo on Co-Built Rotax with team manager Dickie Brown

Hot Frog / Ninja Turtle, Hubert Bastie not doing a wheelie for a change. On not very converted Husqvarna MX.

See these fellas juggle their metal and spuds TODAY!
Amman Valley, South Wales SA18 1UT

Yamaha Yard-Built x Dirt Quake

This is Yamaha Yard-Built's official video from Dirt Quake IV. They brought a great line-up of modified Yams from their Yard-Built program and two 'official' riders - Marco Belli (dirt track legend and man behind the Di Traverso school) and Alessandro Rossi (one of the owners of Deus Ex Machina Milano).

Marco raced the Deus modified XV950 D-Side (with sidecar and surfboard removed - see it below in its beach-bothering incarnation). Alessandro raced a 2014 SR400 modified for the Di Traverso School.

The video - which was made by the same crew that film Yamaha's MotoGP coverage and campaigns - features other Yamaha riders from the weekend: the DTRA's reigning Thunderbike champ Dave Chadburn and the wicked fast #36 TT500 he raced on Friday's night DTRA round; Hubert Bastie - the Ninja Turtle on the Clutch Paris-supported FZ750 and Serge Nuques on the 1000cc R1 he raced at the TT. Watch him win the inappropriate road bike class at 3:01 for an incredible way to cross a finish line.

Big thanks to Yamaha Yard-Built for supporting Dirt Quake IV, all the sponsors help make the show bigger and better. G

DTRA Magazine #2

High quality online magazine from the UK DTRA race series. Interviews, photos, racing tips...
Click DTRA magazine to read online.

Remember, the next DTRA round is a two-dayer at Ammanford, this Saturday and Sunday. Free to spectate. Racing is from midday on Saturday, 10.30 on Sunday (I think). G

El Solitario DTRA Rookie

David B from El Solitario borrowed my Wood Rotax to compete in the Rookies class at the King's Lynn round of the DTRA championship.

I think he liked it - 'One of the sweetest experiences I’ve ever had on a motorcycle!'
Read his blog post on the day over at El Solitario.com.

Next DTRA rounds are this Saturday and Sunday at Amman Valley, Wales. Free to spectate. G

Photo: David Marvier

Eastbourne DTRA by Sam Christmas

Sam Christmas is semi-regularly updating his blog with his own killer images and mini-reports from the UK Dirt Track Riders Association races.
These photos were all taken by him at round 3, Eastbourne. Round 4 is on the Friday night of Dirt Quake, 17 July.
See more at samchristmas.co.uk
Click to find out more about the DTRA

(above) Stu preparing (or recovering. Or both)

Top UK woman racer Leah Tokelove. Hopefully more women will race next season.

Bram from Belgium in the Rookie class on his self-built Suzuki 600 (check his Baron73 blog)

Tim Neave (#1), Alan Birtwistle (obscured), Adam Allott (#29), Glyn Pockington (#71), Pete Boast (#54)

UK Race Bike For Sale

Rob is selling one of his race bikes. Here are the details. It's ready to race (just needs that front mudguard removing). This sale is nothing to do with us, we're just passing on the details. It's located in Devon.

YZF450. Lowered forks, Ohlins shock , ally tank , new piston and rings last year, 19in wheels and Maxxis tyres.
£2200 
07853 009223

Peterborough DTRA by Sam Christmas

Photographer Sam Christmas is racing the bike above (what number is that supposed to be) and travelled to DTRA round 2 at the MCN Festival, Peterborough. He was with James from Kingdom of Kicks who was making his debut on a Triumph twin. They travelled up in this murder wagon.
These are all Sam's shots.

Alongside the DTRA, MCN and Peter Boast had organised a Transatlantic challenge where the USA raced a British team. Kevin Schwantz and Dave Aldana were joined by national #12 Jay Maloney (and a couple of ringers). They faced the best of British: Tim Neave (riding with a broken scaphoid); Ollie Brindley, Ade Collins and, guest captain, David Knight, the Manx extreme enduro legend.
The British won.

It was great to have David Aldana back in the UK. He's always fantastic entertainment. 65 and still quick.

 But not as quick as Neave and Brindley.

Me and my mechanic Max in his favourite Survivor Customs shirt. I had a good weekend, making both finals and finishing in higher results than where my three heats qualified me. A fifth and seventh. I think.

Olivier on the Ornamental Conifer painted WR that is our Sideburn 21 cover bike. Incredible machine.

The Vintage class has got very competitive all of a sudden.

The next DTRA round is at Eastbourne, Sunday 14 June. Free to spectate. G

Dave's DTRA Photos

Dave Bevan visited Leicester Speedway for round 1 of DTRA to research the cover story he was commissioned for Sideburn 22 (out next week!). While he was there he took some photos on a film camera, developed and scanned them and sent a few to us.

Milo H and his Harley 45 vintage class bike.

Tosh giving Olivier moral support when his Harley WR tank started to leak. It was all repaired for the next race. Olivier is one stylish fella on that hand-shift Harley. This is our next cover bike.

There are three '45' Harleys racing this year, two of them are WL/UL, one is a race spec, super-rare WR. Nick Ashley, above, has had Tosh convert his WWII spec 45 into a racer. Last year he raced a Cheney Triumph. This is a different kettle of fish.

Oily Rob on the Triumph he built and debuted on the day. It looked great, he even built the frame himself. Unfortunately, Rob also has a modern 450 and he highsided it (right in front of me) and ended up breaking his ankle.

Here is Rob on the gas and air. Get well soon Rob.

The next DTRA round is Eastbourne, Sunday June 15. There are going to be a ton of great bikes there and people from all over the world are racing, if they hot foot it back from Wheels and Waves in time. G

DTRA Round 2 and TransAtlantic

Two days of dirt track at the MCN Festival, Peterborough this weekend.

Saturday
9.15-11.00 - Rookie and Youth
12.15-12.45 - Transatlantic with Schwantz and Aldana
2.30-3.00 - Transatlantic with Schwantz and Aldana
4.00- 5.45 - Restricted and Pro

Sunday
9.15-11.00 - Vintage and Youth
12.15-12.45 - Transatlantic with Schwantz and Aldana
2.30-3.00 - Transatlantic with Schwantz and Aldana
4.00- 5.45 - Thunderbike, Minibike, Dash for Cash

DTRA Round 1: Leicester

This is, I think, my eighth season of UK short track racing and I was looking forward to this one more than any before. I'm not getting much better at it, while some other people are getting way better, but there is such a good crowd and atmosphere that I couldn't wait for Leicester.
That's me above in my new Icon Hypersport Stealth jacket and trousers. The jacket was lettered up by a family business in Wigan called Joyda.
Here's why I was so excited. G

(All photos: Sideburn, except the one above: Baron73)

REASON 1 - NEW RIDERS, NEW FRAMERS

The UK scene is growing like never before and there are a lot of cool bikes we've never seen before. I knew about a lot of them, but not this one. 55R is Angelo from Sinner Supply in Belgium, one of three chopper-riding Belgians who have either bought or built framers over the winter to compete. His mate 85R, David is on a self-built SR500. And there are more to come.

The last of the Belgians, who actually performed the best on the day, was Bram on his Suzuki 600. Bunch of great guys bringing even more colour and variety to the DTRA.

This is a small line-up of the DTRA's 30-strong Rookie class entry. How good do these bikes look? 77R is photographer Sam Christmas. 

REASON 2 - EXISTING RIDERS, NEW PAINT

NEW PAINT.  Existing racers getting new paint jobs. This is Leah's killer Death Spray Custom KTM.

And Ross's equally bitchin' Death Spray KTM/Rotax framer.

REASON 3 - THE VINTAGE CLASS

After a good, but steady start to the DTRA vintage class in 2014, the category has exploded and mutated. Nick Ashley has retired his Cheney Triumph for this Harley WLA. Nick designs for exclusive UK clothing company Private White VC. He races in them too.

This is Jack on his Dad's BSA Empire Star. This bike was flying until the final when it got tangled up and managed to run over poor Paul Harrison twice in the same incident. 

Another Paul looked the absolute business on his Enfield, white shirt and open-face lid. I hope he doesn't mind me saying he was so slow he couldn't catch a cold, because he was out there, doing it. Respect. And then he came off track and shoved a pie in his face to recuperate. Screw your energy drinks. Double respect!

REASON 4 - ANTHONY BROWN

If you don't know him, let me explain. He is the nicest man you'll ever meet. He organises the series, with help of a handful of other people, including Anna his other-half. He helps make Dirt Quake happen too. On Sunday he ran around like a headless chicken sorting everything, then jumped on Wilky's Triumph and won the final. Awesome! That's his dad with him, Dickie, another legend.

REASON 5 - THE VARIETY

We have hot shots like reigning champion Tim Neave - all Troy Lee'd up on the way to the playing a starring role in the most exciting final in UK history (and coming away with a broken scaphoid. Get well soon).

And, at the other end of the scale, we have Sid Snots like Milo with his pie plate on his back. 

We love them all!

REASON 6 - THE SPONSORS

The DTRA has some great sponsors including: Deus Ex Machina, DuckSmart, Nixon Watches, FTWCo, Barstow by 100% and House Industries who created the design and font for our official number plates. Oh, and Sideburn is a sponsor too.

REASON 7 - MY MECHANIC

Busy time, busy life, busy town, so it's good to spend a full boy's day out with my son. It's never the same when he can't make it. 

Next race is at Peterborough, a two-day and part of the MCN Festival of Motorcycling. There is going to be a special Transatlantic race that includes Kevin Schwantz and David Aldana and David Knight! G