2016 DTRA Dates - UPDATE

The dates for the 2016 season have been released. There is one new round. Leicester has been dropped, replaced by the Greenfield TT. Short Track UK - the organisation that established dirt track in the UK before the DTRA took over, used to regularly run TT style races (dirt track with rights and lefts and a jump), but this is a first for the DTRA. The track is being built by one of the racers, George Pickering, on his family's farm. TTs are a part of the GNC, with the famous Peoria TT, of course.
It means the British series has short track, half-mile and now TT again.

2016 DATES
Round 1... 10 April...  Rye House, EN11 0EH
Round 2... 14-15 May... MCN Festival, Peterborough, PE2 6XE
Round 3... 11 June... Greenfield TT, Lincolnshire, LN13 0EB
Round 4... To Be Confirmed... King's Lynn (the night before Dirt Quake V), PE34 3AG
Round 5... 13 August... Amman Valley half-mile, SA18 1UT
Round 6... 14 August... Amman Valley half-mile, SA18 1UT
Round 7... 10 September... Rye House, EN11 0EH

Rider registrations are now open. Get in and guarantee your favourite number.

Talking to the DTRA's head, Anthony Brown, it sounds like the series continues to grow with more racers signing up every year. The club are always looking for volunteers who would like to be a part of the organisational side of the racing. Get in touch through the new DTRA website, where there is information on bike technical specs, galleries, links to the free online magazine....

Read Sideburn's exclusive interview with 2015 DTRA champ, Aidan Collins, in Sideburn 23.

And don't forget to order your copy of the DTRA Yearbook One and support this grassroots, not-for-profit club. G

Photos: Ian Roxburgh, Ian Osborne, DTRA

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)

DTRA Round 1: This Sunday

The first round of the 2015 DTRA season is this Sunday, Leicester Speedway (head to Beaumont Leys, find the big Morrisons or use LE4 IDS, and follow your nose).

Spectators go free!

Huge Entry 
31 rookies; 24 Thunderbikes; 17 pros; 11 vintage, plus restricted (riders who are between rookie and pro), juniors and minibikes.

Here are some photos from the Scunthorpe practice eight days ago. G

My own Wood Rotax has had a refresh for 2015. New rings, new valve guides, secondhand Racefit Ti pipe. Death Spray paint! Same loose nut on the handlebars.

One of my favourite bikes in the series (except for its hideous front mudguard). Isaac's twin-cam Rotax with a liquid-cooled head. Can't remember which chassis it is, C&J I think. Imported from the US last year.

Tom, colour-coordinated. We have a handful of these Sideburn logo zip hoodies left.

John Boddy and the Triumph bitsa. Read more about this bike in Sideburn 18.

John's brother, James and his Ariel, first time out, few teething problems. I don't see it on the entry list for Leicester, but I look forward to seeing it again.

James and his XS650, straight into the Rookies.

Two of Survivor Customs crew chat with Geoff Co-Built. 32 is Murph, sitting; 35 is Mike Hill, checked shirt. Along with Ryan Quickfall they are all entering the Rookies on modified CCMs this year.
Mike did all the conversion work, making the exhausts, shortening swingers, twin shocking rear ends,  the whole shebang. Survivor Customs is based in Middlesbrough and looks like a good place to have a road bike converted into the Thunderbike. Mike is already well up to speed on his.

Mike Hill on his self-built Survivor Rotax. He had practiced at Redcar the day before, and came for another full day at Scunthorpe. Tank logo was handpainted by Ryan Quickfall. Behind is Ian Cramp on his own self-built CCM.

Happy Survivor crew heading back north.

See you at Leicester!

DTRA 2015 - First practice

Although some riders have been practising on waterlogged tracks and driving to Spain for testing, last weekend the UK dirt track scene made its first proper pre-season DTRA test day at Eastbourne. Here's what series supremo, Anthony Brown (of Co-Built) says:

We had a massive attendance on what should have been a shitty raining Saturday, but wasn't. Loads of new riders and bikes and some of the regulars were really flying. 

Our next practice will be at Scunthope on Sunday 12th April. 10am till 3pm Anthony 

Photos: Lidia Lewska. http://lidialewska.photoshelter.com/index#!/index

George Greenfield. Won his class at Mablethorpe; has built his own flat track on a farm; should be very fast this year.

Novice James from Kingdom of Kicks on Sam Christmas's bike after his own Triumph was playing up.

BSB racer, Matt Layt (100) and Ollie Brindley (24)

The UK's quickest female racer, Leah Tokelove on her new KTM 350 (she raced a 250 against the 450s last year)

Milo on his Harley flathead. A new entry into the burgeoning vintage class, up from six entries to a threatened 20. The DTRA must have turned a blind eye to Milo's front brake, but they're banned from races. Just removing the lever will solve it, the hub can remain.

Nick Ashley has retired his Cheney Triumph for a Handshift Harley flathead, modified for the series.

Ollie Brindley scrubbing the front.

NOTE: The DTRA is still looking for helpers, either in key roles for the season or for individual rounds as marshals. Get in touch is you want to help: dirt @ sideburnmagazine.com

F2 speedway testing

F2 speedway is the brainchild of former racer Pete Seaton. The aim is to offer an affordable way to get into a sport that has become prohibitively expensive for many. The bikes use 450cc four-stroke motocross engines running petrol. Understandable, approachable, affordable bikes. Among the riders here in testing is three-time UK short track champion Aidan Collins (Honda kevlars), who's put in hundreds of laps on these bikes. Read his views, those of Pete Seaton and about F2 speedway in Sideburn #16. MP

Lower Than a Snake's Belly in a Puddle

Kawasaki UK dirt track team rider Alan Birtwistle at last weekend's Dirt Bike Show. Co-Built made him the titanium bar end.
No, he didn't crash. G

Brits to Race US Top Amateurs

Kawasaki DTRA team riders, Ollie Brindley, #24, and Alan Birtwistle, #30, along with George Pickering, are flying to the US to compete in five races in five days, in the Midwest.

They're going to be at the 2014 AMA Dirt Track GRand Championships

Springfield Mile on Monday 23 June
Springfield TT on Tuesday 24
Springfield TT on Wednesday 25
Springfield Limestone half-mile on Thursday 26

Plus one more race I don't have details of yet.

Travelling and watching five races in five days would be tiring, so imagine what racing the best young US riders is going to be like.

If you see them, say hello and wish them luck. They're good fellas. G

Photos: Ian Osborne/DTRA

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

Kawasaki UK Flat Track Team

Kawasaki UK have backed a new team set up by DTRA racer, and former top GP sidecar man, Derek Brindley. The two-man team comprises 2013 title contender Alan Birtwistle, #30, and the current junior champion, Ollie Brindley, #24, who is moving up to the adult class this season.

I saw the team at the first official practice and they have a very slick set-up, with two very down-to-earth, but hellish-fast riders who have both travelled to the US and won.

The new Kawasaki team joins the Honda UK-backed multiple champion Adi Collins and the Suzuki UK-supported Peter Boast making three importer-backed teams in the DTRA Pro class. Come see them all battle at Leicester, next Sunday. All the Thunderbike framers will be there too. Racing from 12. Free entry for spectators. G

2014 DTRA Schedule

Here are the dates and details for all the official practice and races.
If you have any questions about getting involved with the Dirt Track Riders Association, as a racer, marshal, volunteer, just get in touch. If we can't answer it we know someone who can.

Saturday 22nd March Pre-Season Practice Day - Rye House Stadium, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0EH

Sunday 13th April
Kenny Noyes Training School - Rye House Stadium

The 2014 UK Dirt Track Championships will take place over 6 rounds.

Sunday 27th April
Round 1 Leicester
Leicester Lions Speedway Track, Beaumont Sports Complex,  Leicester, LE41DZ

Sunday 18th May
Round 2 Coventry
Coventry Speedway, Brandon Stadium, Rugby Road, Brandon, Coventry CV8 3G

Sunday 15th June
Round 3 Scunthorpe
Eddie Wright Raceway, Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8QZ

Sunday 29th June
Round 4 Youth and Mini only
Scunthorpe - Eddie Wright Raceway, Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8QZ 

Friday 18th July
Round 4 ‘Dirt Quake’ - Kings Lynn
Norfolk Arena, Saddlebow Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk. PE34 3AG (DTRA racing Friday 18th – Dirt Quake Saturday 19th ) No Youth or Minibike.

Saturday 9th August
Round 5 ½ Mile Amman Valley
Tairgwaith, Brynamman, Wales

**Sunday 10th August TBA – ½ Mile Amman Valley
An extra individual race meeting or Rain Day (if any meetings have been cancelled up to this point).

Sunday 21st September
Round 6 Rye House

Rain Date: Sunday 28th September
Kings Lynn
(Rain date is provisional TBC later in the season)

October 25-26th – Noyes Camp Dirt Track Festival Motoland Aragon, Spain (Provisional)

Poster artwork: Ryan Quickfall

Noyes Camp UK

If you follow the blog you'll have seen a few posts about Kenny Noyes. He's a former Moto2 rider and US national dirt track champ. He kicked ass at the recent Superprestigio. He's a top fella and pictured above, testing Guy's Co-Built in Spain.

From Anthony at the DTRA...

The DTRA is excited to announce a Pre-Season Training day with Kenny Noyes. The day is aimed at seasoned racers and beginners alike who wish to practise their skills on their own bike. 

Entries to training day are restricted to 20 riders only so each individual gets plenty of track time and advice. 
Venue: Rye House Speedway 
Date: 13 April 2014 
Schedule: 
8.30 onwards - Arrival and unload 
9.00am - Sign on and introduction 
10.00am - 3.00pm Track time inc: Free ride and warm up sessions 
 Basic Principles 
 Cornering Drills 
 Bike Setup Clinic 
 Filmed Laps (for feedback purposes) 
 Free ride track time 
 3.00pm onwards- Drinks in the Pub and feedback from the day. 

Cost per rider DTRA member = £100 Non Member = £120
Go to DTRA to sign up. 

Mini Highside

Captain Highside's Honda Africa Twin in a KTM chassis featured in Sideburn 2 (see a post on it here). Highside is a very talented motorcycle engineer and racer and was one of the first pro BMX racers in the UK (for the Raleigh Burner team in the early-80s). And a couple of crashes he's put his own racing on hold and take his three kids BMX racing. Georgie is the the youngest and has a flat track bodykit on her balance bike, complete with tiny replica stickers. He says...

'I was given the bare bike but it needed the Skooter Farm treatment! I made a buck for the tank and seat unit and then vacuum formed them out of ABS in the 'shop. I made the stickers on my PC and printed them on vinyl. If anyone is interested in a tank/seat they could be available.'

UK DTX bike for Sale

We've had a few people asking us if there are dirt track race bikes for sale in the UK. We're happy to promote race bikes for sale on the blog, but only bikes in the UK and Europe. The US has it covered with VFT.org and other sites.
We'll promote bikes for free BUT full-size dirt track bikes only. Not pit bikes, not mini bikes, not road bikes, not unconverted MX bikes. Email us with photos and details to dirt @ sideburnmagazine.com

This is a Yam 450 on 19s Redmax is selling for £1450.
We don't know anything about the bike or its condition, and we're not on commission, we're just trying to put riders on race bikes and into the DTRA. 

Get in touch with REDMAXSPEEDSHOP, Alresford, Hampshire  07907 529858 01962 736916 http://redmaxspeedshop.com/

DTRA by DSC

London-based creative force and race team sponsor Death Spray Custom filmed his UK dirt track racer, Ross Herrod, at King's Lynn last year.
Read DSC's take on Dirt Track, accompanied by the amazing drawings of Keith Watts in Sideburn 15. G

Alan Birtwistle

This is Alan Birtwistle one of the DTRA's star riders. Birtie started flat tracking three seasons ago and got the bug. He's flown over to the USA to race the top amateurs over there and we return in 2014. Keep an eye out for him. G
Photo: Jan-Willem Dutch Brother

DTRA Photo DVD

From Tom at FT Photos

The end of season DVD is finally ready. I've had an absolute blast and hope to work with you both next year :) Here's some blurb, and I have attached a pic of the cover. 

The end of season photographic review DVD is ready! It contains two discs, just under 1500 photos of everything I've taken this year following the Dirt Track Riders Association UK Championship around the country, including Dirt Quake II. The cost is £30 delivered, payable via PayPal to sales@thefooleryoftom.com 

Please send me either an email at sales@thefooleryoftom.com with your name and postage address, or a private message on here to grab your copy. They are extremely limited edition and first come, first served. Please share this and let the whole flat track paddock know. 
Many thanks, it's been a cracking year. Tom -- thefooleryoftom.com

UPDATE
The fellas in these photos are racing at this weekend's Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh, free to spectate once you're in. Races at 11am and 2.30pm

The Way of the DTRA

The footage for this short film was shot by Dael Poulter at Dirt Quake II back in the summer (you can tell it's summer because people are all wearing coats), but concentrates solely on the DTRA classes - short track and Thunderbike - that were also racing that day. Watching this makes me desperate to race again.

If it does the same for you, but you don't know where to start, what to do or how to get involved, just get in touch and we'll answer your questions.

You could do a lot worse than buy Sideburn 13 to read The Rookie, Drogo Michie's six-page story about his first season. Drogo bought Sideburn, as a road rider, had a neat XS650 street tracker built for him, but then was sucked into racing. He is the wrong side of 40 and has three kids. He had never raced a motorcycle in his life before his UK dirt track debut on a borrowed bike, now, a couple of years later, he owns a gorgeous Co-Built Rotax (below), and hates to miss a single meeting.

If racing isn't for you, but you would like to be involved with the series, there are lots of ways, big and small, to do that too. Again, get in touch. G

This Sunday: DGR & DTRA

Photo: Ben Part

The 2013 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride goes off in countries around the world this Sunday. This year the organisers have added a charity element. Find out more at https://www.gentlemansride.com

There are four or five rides in the UK, but I'll be at the final DTRA meet of the year, at King's Lynn. Free to spectate. Marshals are always welcome and need no previous experience, just get there for 10.30, please, and ask for Anthony Co-Built.
Racing from 12 (weather permitting).

DTRA are saying NOVICE YOUTHS RACE FOR FREE. Go to their blog to find out more details. G

DTRA Round 6, Rye House, September 15

The latest in the series of 2013 Dirt Track Riders Association posters is by Spanish artist Brusco.
Sideburn is supporting the DTRA by using some of our favourite artists to create posters to promote the series.
We first met him when we went to Barcelona for the Sideburn Kiddo Party last year and like the variety of styles he uses.
Brusco has illustrated the poster for the penultimate round at Rye House, Hertfordshire on September

Spectators get in for free. Racing from 11.30.
If you want to race, in any of the classes, including mini bike, get in touch with the DTRA with all your questions.
If you want to be a flag marshal, that would be great too. You have to get there for 10.30-11am.

We did a short interview with the artist, Brusco.

Age: 35

Where do you live? 
Barcelona

What bike do you own? 
I used to ride a FXSTS Harley Springer, but now I'm selling it. These days I'm finishing my small Yamaha SR250, with a BratStyle look like. I can't wait to ride it!!

What's your dream bike?
May be an W650/800 or an SR500. I love the Japanese custom style.

Who is your favourite racer? 
When I was young I used to follow Mick Doohan, I really loved his races! but now I'm looking closer Marc Marquez, I think that he will bring us amazing moments.

If you were to start racing flat track, what bike would you choose?
I'm sure that I'd love an old school one. Maybe an OSSA, Bultaco or BSA.

What was the inspiration for your DTRA poster? 
What most impresses me about the photos of flat track races, is to see riders tilted to the maximum. I have tried to capture this moment and give it movement.

Finish this sentence. Racing is life, but… 
drawing is safer!

Click Sideburn DTRA 2013 posters to see the others.

Brusco also has a 10 page feature in Gary's new Motorcycle Graphics book. BP