Showing posts with label Ventura. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ventura. Show all posts
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Final Hooligan Derby
If you can start it, you can race it.
More info at Iron & Resin. G
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Hooligan Derby, Ventura, Ca
From Iron & Resin. This looks fun, a similar vibe to Dirt Quake...On the line, just trying to keep the bike you've resurrected from dying before the flag waves. You are surrounded by good friends and strangers, all looking to get a little sideways a fraction of a second ahead of you. The guy next to you is on a 650
British twin, you are on a lighter 250 2 stroke..."run what you brung" at its finest.
We are happy to announce the first annual Iron and Resin Hooligan Derby, taking place in our home of Ventura, CA. Ventura Raceway, an oval track affectionately known as "the best little dirt track in America" is a perfect setting for some dirt slinging amongst like minded friends. Open to all comers, our hope is that this will encourage a new breed of rider/racer to come out and share in the festivities.
Pre mix, 4-stroke, Japanese, American, Brit... if you can kick it, you can race it.
The first day of races is Saturday, April 14. Head over to Ventura Raceway's website to enter for $45 bucks. All racers get a limited I&R tee, and after the race we will be nursing our wounds and our egos with drinks at The Tavern, just on outhe other side of the tracks.
See you all there, on the line, hoping for a little bit of glory!
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Complete Book of Flat Track - Gerald Foster interview
It's nearly Christmas and we reckon a load of you won't be struggling to think what you'd like (Harley XR750, Ruby Pavillon helmet, Belstaff riding attire, your own roller derby team...), but the Complete Book of Flat Track Racing is something you NEED and have a real chance of being bought. Get it on your Christmas list. It's a bloody beauty.
We've been selling a load of copies and everyone who has bought seems to be very happy, so we decided to interview the author to find out a little more about it.
Click here to find out how to buy your own copy.
What inspired you to write the original Complete Book of Flat Track Racing?
It wasn’t any great flash of inspiration I must admit. I had been contributing to and writing magazine dirt bike tests and street riding books. The early seventies were the start of motocross in the U.S. and coming from Europe gave me a certain expertise on the subject. Or so the American editors and publishers thought! Anyway, by 1975 the motocross market had become a lot more sophisticated and my “expertise” had become eclipsed by younger more competent evaluators and riders. I was by this time thirty five years old, married with a pregnant wife and looking for work to pay the bills. In my quest for work I attended the American Booksellers convention in Anaheim, California, and met Tim Parker, who at the time, was holding down the fort at the Haynes booth. Two good things came out of that and subsequent meetings over the next few days: The promise of a contract to write a book on flat track racing, and a friendship that still continues today.
1970s Gerald
How did the reprint come about?
A couple of years ago Tim finally started his own publishing company, after being instrumental in putting Motorbooks International on the map, and asked if I would be interested in working on a reprint of the flat track book. To be honest I wasn’t interested, mainly because I didn’t think the original was marketed very well, (read very few sales), and I didn’t want to go down that road again. Besides, thirty years on it was outdated. I didn’t realize at the time that that was the beauty of it. In addition, the print artwork had been destroyed and I had no idea where many of the original photographs were. I was convinced to at least consider the idea after Tim suggested using other photographs to replace those missing. In effect the book didn’t have to be exactly the same because if you hadn’t seen the original you wouldn’t be aware of any differences. And, I offer this only for those who actually own one of the original copies; in doodling around the Internet I found several copies of the book for sale at anywhere from 15 pounds to $450.
The quality is beautiful. Whose idea was the embossed cover?
I take no credit for the quality and layout of the book, That was all done in Stillwater, Minnesota; it was Tim’s idea to emboss the cover. I do think the cover is a definite improvement over the original, and the quality of the paper gives the book a more expensive look and feel. I’m very happy with the finished product. It definitely exceeded my expectations.
The repackaged Gerald
How much work went into the repackaging?
After I agreed to do this I had no idea how time consuming it would be. I’m sure a lot of the time was because I treated it as though I was starting from scratch; reading every word, re-editing and trying to find if the companies that were mentioned were still in business – some were, some weren’t, and finally we decided not to update the original information since the book was a snapshot of a moment in time.
As I mentioned the photographs were the biggest problem. I had boxes of photographs in the garage which I dusted off, and went through in an effort to locate the originals. Some were never returned from the publisher but I did manage to track down Dan Mahony, at the end of a dirt road in Missouri, who provided many of the original photographs and graciously provided a lot more from which I was able to choose. All in all a lot of work, but since I’m retired, no big deal. It was just like going to the office every day.
Looking back what has changed in the Flat Track scene over the last thirty years?
The 1960s were really the height of the golden years of American flat track racing. There were races practically every night somewhere around the country, and tracks such as Ascot Park in Gardena, California, were the training grounds for future national riders. By the time I became interested in the mid -70s the sport was past its prime. Yes, there were still some great races at the mile tracks that drew huge crowds, but to be a flat track racer meant building your own bike, and collecting all the necessary parts from specialist manufacturers. And, this was at the beginning of the motocross craze where young riders could buy a perfectly capable off the shelf production motocross bike, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease. The direction became motocross, motocross and more motocross. Granted there were a few years in the mid eighties when Honda took the national title away from Harley-Davidson, but the decline continued. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) is, I believe, not without blame here as since its inception has represented the factories and the riders. To say that the manufacturers held sway with the organization to the detriment of the riders would not be a dishonest statement. Technical advancement was limited, and I’m sure this contributed to the decline. And, as stated, with the advent of motocross the pool of young up-and-coming flat trackers began to shrink as the AMA devoted more and more effort to motocross. Now, having said that, I know nothing ever completely dies. There is always a core of enthusiasts who will nurture something and keep it going. And, that is the miracle of flat track racing. Old farts wanted to race, and so set up their own organizations independent of the AMA, and slowly there has been resurgence. The AMA National schedule under Mike Kidd’s leadership has also started to add races, and since I wrote the preface for the reprint in May we now have a National in California after an absence of quite a few years. So, in thirty years I’ve seen a decline, but now I’m hoping we’re seeing an upsurge. It may never get back to where it was but one never knows.
Who is your all time favorite racer and favorite track?
I don’t really have one because they are all so exceptionally talented. To stand at the end of the back straight of a mile track and watch these guys scrub off 130+mph by putting the bike sideways into the corner is something to behold. Favorite track? I like any cushioned track where the riders can run around the outside with the throttle wide open. That’s spectacular.
And the best race you ever remember seeing?
The best race was one I never actually saw. I write about it in the book because everyone I talked to who saw this race remembers it. It was the 1975 Indianapolis Mile when Kenny Roberts rode the TZ750 Yamaha and won coming off the last corner. Kenny was in third place on the last lap, and throughout the race had been working hard to put the enormous power of the bike to the ground. Exiting the last corner Jay Springsteen and Corky Keener were congratulating each other when Kenny just turned the thing on, and with a huge rooster tail, beat them both to the line by literally inches. An incredible feat which also helped seal the fate of seeing the machine in future competition. You’ll have to read the chapter to understand why though.
As a footnote to that story, at Indianapolis this year Kenny did several laps on a replica TZ750 and at 57 years old looked pretty damn good.
King Kenny (at Houston)
Did you ever race yourself?
I was fascinated when I went to Ascot Park to watch my first flat track race soon after I came to the United States but having grown up competing in scrambles in the UK I didn’t really see myself riding. Too fast and maybe a little too late to learn something new. And, with my new wife the only one working, I doubt she would have been too keen on sponsoring my efforts. Besides, I really wasn’t a very good scrambler. I remember someone, and I cannot remember his name, describing his own scrambling ability as ‘mudgrunt vulgaris’. The same also applied to me.
Do you go to flat track races now?
Rarely, though I do enjoy vintage racing. There are a couple of events every year I do like to attend put on by Ventura Vintage Outlaws. The racing is fun, there are classes for bike size, bike age and rider ability. There are even Harley road bikes and choppers in the mix. And, like their website says: Nobody is allowed to take themselves too seriously. Add to this the fact that this little racetrack is literally yards from the ocean, and on a hot summer’s night when it is a hundred degrees in the city, there is no better place to be with a beer and a hot dog in your hand.
Ventura Vintage Outlaw race
Do you know anything about the fledgling short track scene in the UK?
I didn’t even know it existed until I came across a link to sideburnmagazine.com on a vintage flat track site here. And, I love that Ironman Chris Carr comes over and teaches. All you need now are some longer tracks, and to make sure that you have a governing organization that doesn’t screw things up.
Thanks Gerald.
Click here to find out how to buy your own copy.
We've been selling a load of copies and everyone who has bought seems to be very happy, so we decided to interview the author to find out a little more about it.
Click here to find out how to buy your own copy.
What inspired you to write the original Complete Book of Flat Track Racing?
It wasn’t any great flash of inspiration I must admit. I had been contributing to and writing magazine dirt bike tests and street riding books. The early seventies were the start of motocross in the U.S. and coming from Europe gave me a certain expertise on the subject. Or so the American editors and publishers thought! Anyway, by 1975 the motocross market had become a lot more sophisticated and my “expertise” had become eclipsed by younger more competent evaluators and riders. I was by this time thirty five years old, married with a pregnant wife and looking for work to pay the bills. In my quest for work I attended the American Booksellers convention in Anaheim, California, and met Tim Parker, who at the time, was holding down the fort at the Haynes booth. Two good things came out of that and subsequent meetings over the next few days: The promise of a contract to write a book on flat track racing, and a friendship that still continues today.
1970s Gerald
How did the reprint come about?
A couple of years ago Tim finally started his own publishing company, after being instrumental in putting Motorbooks International on the map, and asked if I would be interested in working on a reprint of the flat track book. To be honest I wasn’t interested, mainly because I didn’t think the original was marketed very well, (read very few sales), and I didn’t want to go down that road again. Besides, thirty years on it was outdated. I didn’t realize at the time that that was the beauty of it. In addition, the print artwork had been destroyed and I had no idea where many of the original photographs were. I was convinced to at least consider the idea after Tim suggested using other photographs to replace those missing. In effect the book didn’t have to be exactly the same because if you hadn’t seen the original you wouldn’t be aware of any differences. And, I offer this only for those who actually own one of the original copies; in doodling around the Internet I found several copies of the book for sale at anywhere from 15 pounds to $450.
The quality is beautiful. Whose idea was the embossed cover?
I take no credit for the quality and layout of the book, That was all done in Stillwater, Minnesota; it was Tim’s idea to emboss the cover. I do think the cover is a definite improvement over the original, and the quality of the paper gives the book a more expensive look and feel. I’m very happy with the finished product. It definitely exceeded my expectations.
The repackaged Gerald
How much work went into the repackaging?
After I agreed to do this I had no idea how time consuming it would be. I’m sure a lot of the time was because I treated it as though I was starting from scratch; reading every word, re-editing and trying to find if the companies that were mentioned were still in business – some were, some weren’t, and finally we decided not to update the original information since the book was a snapshot of a moment in time.
As I mentioned the photographs were the biggest problem. I had boxes of photographs in the garage which I dusted off, and went through in an effort to locate the originals. Some were never returned from the publisher but I did manage to track down Dan Mahony, at the end of a dirt road in Missouri, who provided many of the original photographs and graciously provided a lot more from which I was able to choose. All in all a lot of work, but since I’m retired, no big deal. It was just like going to the office every day.
Looking back what has changed in the Flat Track scene over the last thirty years?
The 1960s were really the height of the golden years of American flat track racing. There were races practically every night somewhere around the country, and tracks such as Ascot Park in Gardena, California, were the training grounds for future national riders. By the time I became interested in the mid -70s the sport was past its prime. Yes, there were still some great races at the mile tracks that drew huge crowds, but to be a flat track racer meant building your own bike, and collecting all the necessary parts from specialist manufacturers. And, this was at the beginning of the motocross craze where young riders could buy a perfectly capable off the shelf production motocross bike, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease. The direction became motocross, motocross and more motocross. Granted there were a few years in the mid eighties when Honda took the national title away from Harley-Davidson, but the decline continued. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) is, I believe, not without blame here as since its inception has represented the factories and the riders. To say that the manufacturers held sway with the organization to the detriment of the riders would not be a dishonest statement. Technical advancement was limited, and I’m sure this contributed to the decline. And, as stated, with the advent of motocross the pool of young up-and-coming flat trackers began to shrink as the AMA devoted more and more effort to motocross. Now, having said that, I know nothing ever completely dies. There is always a core of enthusiasts who will nurture something and keep it going. And, that is the miracle of flat track racing. Old farts wanted to race, and so set up their own organizations independent of the AMA, and slowly there has been resurgence. The AMA National schedule under Mike Kidd’s leadership has also started to add races, and since I wrote the preface for the reprint in May we now have a National in California after an absence of quite a few years. So, in thirty years I’ve seen a decline, but now I’m hoping we’re seeing an upsurge. It may never get back to where it was but one never knows.
Who is your all time favorite racer and favorite track?
I don’t really have one because they are all so exceptionally talented. To stand at the end of the back straight of a mile track and watch these guys scrub off 130+mph by putting the bike sideways into the corner is something to behold. Favorite track? I like any cushioned track where the riders can run around the outside with the throttle wide open. That’s spectacular.
And the best race you ever remember seeing?
The best race was one I never actually saw. I write about it in the book because everyone I talked to who saw this race remembers it. It was the 1975 Indianapolis Mile when Kenny Roberts rode the TZ750 Yamaha and won coming off the last corner. Kenny was in third place on the last lap, and throughout the race had been working hard to put the enormous power of the bike to the ground. Exiting the last corner Jay Springsteen and Corky Keener were congratulating each other when Kenny just turned the thing on, and with a huge rooster tail, beat them both to the line by literally inches. An incredible feat which also helped seal the fate of seeing the machine in future competition. You’ll have to read the chapter to understand why though.
As a footnote to that story, at Indianapolis this year Kenny did several laps on a replica TZ750 and at 57 years old looked pretty damn good.
King Kenny (at Houston)
Did you ever race yourself?
I was fascinated when I went to Ascot Park to watch my first flat track race soon after I came to the United States but having grown up competing in scrambles in the UK I didn’t really see myself riding. Too fast and maybe a little too late to learn something new. And, with my new wife the only one working, I doubt she would have been too keen on sponsoring my efforts. Besides, I really wasn’t a very good scrambler. I remember someone, and I cannot remember his name, describing his own scrambling ability as ‘mudgrunt vulgaris’. The same also applied to me.
Do you go to flat track races now?
Rarely, though I do enjoy vintage racing. There are a couple of events every year I do like to attend put on by Ventura Vintage Outlaws. The racing is fun, there are classes for bike size, bike age and rider ability. There are even Harley road bikes and choppers in the mix. And, like their website says: Nobody is allowed to take themselves too seriously. Add to this the fact that this little racetrack is literally yards from the ocean, and on a hot summer’s night when it is a hundred degrees in the city, there is no better place to be with a beer and a hot dog in your hand.
Ventura Vintage Outlaw race
Do you know anything about the fledgling short track scene in the UK?
I didn’t even know it existed until I came across a link to sideburnmagazine.com on a vintage flat track site here. And, I love that Ironman Chris Carr comes over and teaches. All you need now are some longer tracks, and to make sure that you have a governing organization that doesn’t screw things up.
Thanks Gerald.
Click here to find out how to buy your own copy.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Gary's Euro adventure
Blog regulars will have read that I was driving around Europe in a fancy Audi. Turns out, with the extras, it was worth £110,000. I did 2200 miles in three days. Well, anyway, I've given it back now. I've written the story and I've caught up on the Sidbeurn mailing. This afternoon I'm going to put a drawing of a Gateshead multi-storey car park in a frame, take more Sideburn orders to the post office and get my stuff ready for the race on Sunday. I should invoice for all the fuel that V10 drank.
On the way out to Germany I remembered there was a hot rod show, SINS in Weize, Belgium. I met up with the Flying Dutchman - who has contributed to Sideburn 2 and 3. He is one of the coolest and nicest fellas ever. He works for the Dutch air force fixing F-16s, but he's also a great photographer. He builds and rides his 60s style Panhead all over, he travels to America and shoots stories. He loves loads of different things, so he's not one of the narrow-minded types you sometime come across at hot rod shows. That's him in the middle. He liked the Audi. The Flying Dutchman blog was one of the first I really got into and it's still one of my favourites.
I also met the Jenny the Trophy Queen lady. She makes neat handbags and stuff. She used to be involved with the Ventura Outlaw Short track races. She loves Sideburn.
I bumped into Matt from Dice and his wife. I have every issue of Dice, so it was good to chat to one of the men behind it. In fact, I was surprised how many people I knew since I don't really have any hot rod connections. Simon from The Paintbox. Laurent from Powerglide magazine. Ivan from Exotica, Paris. This is his blue van. How cool?
There were only a handful of bikes, but they were the 50s-60s style I like so there weren't any bad ones. I loved the Chinese Honda Monkey bike engine in the Schwinn-style hardtail work in progress. I could do with learning how to use the Canon I bought off Ben, rather than the Olympus I got free with my Macbook though.
Saturday, 1 November 2008
#98 John Hateley
"John Hateley, National Winner and life long Triumph racer was haulin the freight in the Vintage races at Pomona. He dominated the last heat ,scoring a nice spot for the main but timed the light wrong and dropped the hammer a split second before the green and was placed way back on the third row. With his usual style and speed he reeled in the lead pack and came in 7th. You can always count on him to ride a Triumph like they are meant to be ridden."
Words from http://pwheelie.blogspot.com/
Pic from Jimmy Mac
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Ventura Vintage Violence!
Calm before the storm
Maely boots!
Not the ideal riding position
Who are you putting your money on?
Wish we were there
Ventura sounded like it was a great event. Loads of people told us they were going. The first photos we've had in are from Jimmy Mac and they're of the soon-to-be-legendary outlaw class.
Jimmy, I tried to email you but it got bounced. Thanks for your order. The mags are in the next post.
Apparently Jimmy took the famous shot of the hero on the orange chop from a few posts ago. GI
Photos: Jimmy Mac
Maely boots!
Not the ideal riding position
Who are you putting your money on?
Wish we were there
Ventura sounded like it was a great event. Loads of people told us they were going. The first photos we've had in are from Jimmy Mac and they're of the soon-to-be-legendary outlaw class.
Jimmy, I tried to email you but it got bounced. Thanks for your order. The mags are in the next post.
Apparently Jimmy took the famous shot of the hero on the orange chop from a few posts ago. GI
Photos: Jimmy Mac
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Ventura Outlaws
Hi, I think I promised you guys a few pics of this years Outlaw Class at Ventura.
Hope you find them amusing.
Andy (the rotter)
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