Dirt Quake USA: Iron And Resin Report

Our old mates at Iron and Resin had a friend in the Dirt Quake USA race. Erik Askin drove up from San Francisco (690 miles, 11 hours) to race. He returned home and wrote a piece that sums up the kind of spirit we have always tried to encourage at Dirt Quake. That's him above, racing Jackass star Danger Ehren. This is one passage of Erik's report...

One of the highlights of the weekend was sitting on the starting line for the 'street tracker' main. The sun setting in the late June sky, the stands packed with people, a Harley Sportster to my right, a crazy CB750 to my left, the track illuminated with glowing dust, and an announcer dressed as a clown. Just before the from-a-movie flag girl dropped the green, fireworks exploded above and I had the largest smile on my face. If you love motorcycles, this is an event you can't miss​.

Read the full story at the Iron and Resin blog.
Don't forget (and we're not going to let you), Dirt Quake V is this weekend. G

One of the killer IRBs from Dirt Quake USA. Photos: Eric Fields

Taylor Dunfee's Broken Neck Fund

A couple of weeks ago Taylor Dunfee travelled up to Castle Rock for Dirt Quake USA, over 1000 miles from Southern California. It was the second time he'd taken part in DQ USA race with his friend in the Hooligan class on his homebuilt Sportster.

Last year he rode off with the flag girl (see the Preston Burroughs portfolio in Sideburn 25). This year he had a massive crash, clearing the wooden fence and flying head first into one of the metal poles holding up the catch fence.

Being a self-employed artist, and now unable to work, friends have set a fund for people to donate to. This is what they say...

Being the absolute beast that he is, he somehow survived, although not unscathed. He currently has a broken neck and what's known as burning hands syndrome. As an artist, Taylor makes a living by his hands, whether it be photography or illustration. In addition to a pile of medical bills including a life flight from the race track, he'll be out of work for sometime. The $10k goal is hands down less than what he'll need, but that is where we want to start as a goal for him to pay his bills and cut back on out of pocket medical expenses. These funds are needed ASAP, and help is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to help go to www.gofundme.com/taylordunfee.

As an aside, Taylor was wearing a new Icon Airframe Pro, choosing the safety of a modern helmet over the looks of a vintage one. It's likely it saved his life. Vintage helmets might look great, but when you really need a helmet you'll wish you had the very best you could afford. G

Dirt Quake USA - CHOPPERS!

We make no secret that the choppers get top billing at Dirt Quake, whichever side of the Atlantic it's held. The heroes with long forks and fishtail pipes didn't disappoint at Sideburn x See See x Harley-Davidson promoted Castle Rock race.

Riders from the USA and Canada took part on heavily modified Harley, Yamaha, Triumphs and some spindly, automatic deathtrap ridden by Portland legend Kenny Bobcat of Moto Galore.

Check out a full class of TWELVE chops racing at Dirt Quake V, King's Lynn, 16 July. More info at dirtquake.co.uk. G

All photos: Yve Assad

Shortly after this photo was taken Kenny did a celebratory seat bounce that sent his machine into an evil wobble and threw both his feet off the pegs onto the floor. He managed to ride it out.

The only bike the Mt St Helens MC tech inspectors had real doubts about, mainly due to the pipes. They let it through anyway. Viva Dirt Quake.

Eric had great dirt track style, even on a chopper, elbow high, hips twisted, toe out...

Hand-shifting in practice. The guy in the poncho was spotted nine hours later jumping the camp fire.

Ashley from Canada stopped off on his way back to Vancouver after a six -month road trip with his wife and baby daughter is an old van pulling an older Airstream, with an even old K-Model Harley shop on a rack on the back. He won a prize in the chopper show then raced the same bike. Class act.

Most of these photos are from practice. The final was under the floodlights. Dirt Quake USA's Chopper final came after a few very heavy crashes in other races, a couple of which needed medical attention. The Castle Rock track was perfect on Saturday night, very 'racey' and superb to race on, allowing experienced riders to push hard and really slide and spin. However, it would let the inexperienced ride up a point, lulling them into a Mert Lawwill fantasy, before catching them out if they took liberties with too much throttle, and not enough body English (read Chris Carr's  superb guide to flat track body English in Sideburn 25). 

I had a quiet word with all the chopper riders in the staging area before their final, as the paramedics gumball lights strobed the track picking up one hapless hero. I wanted to remind them that no one wanted to see them leave the track in an ambulance. I pointed out that they'd already put on a great show, and that they should enjoy themselves. After my pep talk one of the rider's wive or girlfriends appeared, semi-freaking out, telling the riders how frightened she was and, I'm paraphrasing, telling her fella not to be a dick. I think I put it better, but whatever, it was a good race and no one fell off. Result. G

Dirt Quake USA Style Contest presented by Fox Shocks

So it's just one week since the campers started packing up and rolling out of the third edition of Dirt Quake USA and the Sideburn x See See x Harley-Davidson two-wheeled party was a success. There were a couple heavy crashes on track and a couple of morons ignoring the 5mph campsite limit (one of whom got disciplined), but considering how many races, on how many inappropriate motorcycles, how many people determined to whoop it up, how many camp fires and people haring around, and how much those Pacific North-Westerners drink, well, it was super-cool.

Part of the Dirt Quake USA mix is the style contest. It's kind of a jump contest, but judged on style, not height or distance. That means appropriate bikes, anything with more than 3in of suspension travel, get marked down. Oh, and the crowd judge it by cheering.

The contest is over the Castle Rock TT jump, it's long, few of these amateurs can clear it, anyone ballsy enough can enter and the winner walks away with a $1000 token to spend with Fox Shocks. Any guesses who was the crowd's favourite? G

Photos: Yve Assad

Dirt Quake USA sticker packs

We have some Dirt Quake USA sticker packs designed by the most excellent Toria Jaymes of Stay Outside Studio.
5 vinyl stickers in a custom made package.
£4 plus postage.

Check out this sticker pack and others at patch, badge and sticker department of sideburn.bigcartel.com

Dirt Quake USA

Dirt Quake USA was another success, lots of happy people, some very fast (and not so fast racing), good bands, great weather.

We have lots of photos coming up soon, but this one, by @seaunicorn, captures the spirit. Click the #dqusa link to see lots more photos and some great videos people have posted on instagram.

Thanks to everyone who came from far and wide for this event. Big thanks to See See Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson for partnering up with us.

Next up is Dirt Quake V at Kings Lynn in the UK on 15-16 July. Buy a £15 ticket in advance for Saturday and be in with a chance to win a brand new custom Mutt Motorcycles street tracker. G

Dirt Quake USA: Race Entries SOLD OUT

Dirt Quake USA entries are sold out. Thanks to all who have entered.
If you entered before 1pm today (Monday 13 June), we'll deal with it and if your bike is suitable you're in. If you entered after then, we're sorry, but you've missed out and we'll put you on the reserve list.

Spectators and races can see the Dirt Quake USA schedule. Hope to see you soon! G

Photo: Dustin Aksland

Dirt Quake USA Schedule

We've finalised the schedule of events. Well, I say finalised, Thor has typed it out. It could change. It's Dirt Quake USA, it's a guideline. We reserve the right to change it. Go with the flow.

Friday June 17th

11:00 Gates open for everyone.

15:00 night racing sign ups open.

17:00 Riders meeting

17:30pm practice starts

19:00pm racing starts

21:30 Holeshot contest

22:00pm Awards

22:30pm Camp fire

Friday racing: Each group equals 1 gate unless we have more than 14 racers. 1 practice per class, 1 heat per class, 1 main per class.

We have classes for every race bike from juniors on PW50s to Hooligans. Friday is for race bikes. Saturday is for Dirt Quake road bikes.

We're going to merge classes more than usual at US races, so we have good full grids and get lots of racing into a short time. We don't want three bikes in a race, we want a grid of 12!

Friday Classes

• 50cc Junior (50cc DTX Senior (7-8);  50cc DTX PW (4-8); 50cc Open)
• 65-85cc Junior (65cc DTX; 65cc Modified; 85cc DTX; 85cc Modified) 
• 125-250 Junior (125cc Modified; 150R;  201cc-250cc (12+); 250cc (12+))
• 450 - (450cc Mod (14+); 450cc Open Singles & Twins (14+))
• Lady
• Geezers (Veteran 30+; Senior 40+; Super Senior 50+)
• Twins and Vintage
• $ Pro 16 and up
• $ Pro Am 14 and up
• $ Hooligan

Plus a special holeshot competition for DTX and Dirt Quake bikes. 

Friday Prices: ENTER AT SIGN-UP FOR FRIDAY. (DQ Saturday requires entries in advance)

●      Gate Fee $10.

●      1 Race class $30.

●      Additional classes $25.

Saturday June 18th

Dirt Quake USA  (Night Races!)

9:00 Gates open for everyone.

11:00 - 14:00 Free Custom Bike Show & Swap Meet (see below)

14:00 - 14:30 Style contest and Bike show awards (TT Jump)

15:00 Night racing sign ups open.

17:00 Riders meeting

17:30 Practice starts

19:00 Racing starts

22:30 Awards ceremony and after Party! (bands, buddies, brews, and chicken!) 

HOW TO ENTER: Send a photo of your bike and which class you want to enter to dirt@sideburnmagazine.com with the subject Dirt Quake USA Entry. Once your bike is approved you’ll be sent a link to pay. Entry fee is $75 (includes gate entry and camping). First come, first served. No entries on the day sorry.

CLASSES
Dirt Quake is for the kind of bikes that don’t usually get a chance to race anywhere else. Dirt Quake race day is Saturday. One rider per bike. One class per rider. We will be having a good, tight program of dirt track racing for real race bikes, and all abilities of rider, on Friday night.

CHOPPER: For choppers! Not factory customs or baggers, just choppers.
STREET TRACKER/STREET SCRAMBLER: Road legal street trackers and scramblers NOT race bikes or modern enduros.
INAPPROPRIATE ROAD BIKE: Harley Fat Boys, Trail 90s, Ducati Panigales, virtually any road bike. If it shouldn’t be on a dirt track, it’s in.
LADY: Women racers on any of the above bikes (not real race bikes please). Women can enter any other class if they prefer.
TRIPOD: Three-wheelers (and snowmobiles, of course)
MINIBIKE: Pull-start Taco-style and 3-speed autos only.
HOOLIGAN: 750-plus cc multi-cylinder beasts.

KITCHE SINK: Race bikes that don't fit in the other classes.

DQ USA FREE BIKE SHOW. Drag out that ol chop, Custom tracker, or wild stallion. It’s free to enter. Park bike in bike show lot,  fill out info card. Bikes in lot will be judged on the same classes as Dirt Quake. Awards given at 2pm sharp. (11am- 2pm)

SWAP MEET. Bring your junk, Buy some junk. All day Saturday. Free with gate entry.

STYLE CONTEST. Held on the TT jump from 2:00-2:30. Entries on the day. Proper equipment required.

Rules

1.     Pit speed limit 5 mph.

2.     No alcohol and riding. (respect the safety of others)

3.     Clean up your own mess.

4.     Proper equipment required. (boots, helmet, long sleeve shirt/pant, helmet, shatterproof eyewear)

5.     Have fun and be safe.