Speedway Trackday

[Kosmic Kartman]

I went to Sittingbourne Speedway track last Sunday for a training day and what a hoot.

The day started at with the usual riders briefing and we were then split into two groups, Novices and track gods. I chose the novice group as I had never riden a speedway bike before and thought that it would end in tears had I had taken to the big 500's straight off. So off I trotted to the small practice track where a Honda 125cc powered machine awaited me. The good bit was it was not my bike. The bad bit... no run-off. What was I letting myself in for. I need not have worried. After four laps I had the bike driffing sideways around track like I was a duck taking to water. The only instruction was that my inside leg position was in the wrong place and it was likely to land me in trouble when I got to the big track. Then the instrucor pointed me in the direction of the big track.

This is what I was aiming for on the big track.



This lad is Jack Kingston who's a British Youth Champion so my aspirations were a bit high to say the least.

So after instruction about starting, stopping and my foot down technique I took to the track.

All geared up and ready to go.



Thinking about my lines and what the instructor had said.

What a hoot. The Jap 500 packs a punch when you let it go and with no brakes comitment into the corner is a must otherwise you very quickly hit the wall. After three laps I was stating to get the drift of things and spinning up. The big grin on my face was taking over the concentration that I needed. OOOOPS! and they say pride cometh before a fall. Down I went in what was a very gracefull lowside. I nearly kept it going and with both hands still holding the bars I attented to set off again but stalled it just as the back wheel touched the ground. First time I'd dropped a bike in eons. Never mind, it's not my bike LOL. For the remainder of the sessions I didn't take it easy but worked more on technique but struggled to get the back out on every turn.

In all a superb day out.









And a FOC-U salute for all you boys and girls.



There are some of the low-side that I'll add when I get the off the photograher.

[GringoRojo]

splendid. dunno if I'd have the nerve to have a go.
we were at the Glasgow Tigers at the end of Sept when they beat Sheffield to set up the championship clincher the next week. very exciting.

[ghostbiker]

My daughter dose some work for our local team. Somerset rebels, she allways fancied having a go but ended up driving the tractor to water the track LOL.
Funny as I'm in sittingbourne this week to, was born here but moved away at 16.

[bigralphie]

Cool ,Its a real shame Speedway is not on the telly anymore

[HarryHornby]

I live in Sittingbourne for my sins, have lived there all my life (I must have done something really bad in a past life!)  I keep meaning to get to the speedway to watch, didn't know you can do track days, how much was it?

[Kosmic Kartman]

I live in Sittingbourne for my sins, have lived there all my life (I must have done something really bad in a past life!)  I keep meaning to get to the speedway to watch, didn't know you can do track days, how much was it?

I didn't pay anything as it was bought for me for winning the VMCC L/H grasstrack sidecar championship.

I think they do do group bookings at a reduced rate of £50.00 including bikes. For that you get instruction and some lapage. I got about 30 laps on the big track but I supose it depends on how many people turn up.

(Foot note... No edit button) The 500's were Jawa's and not Japs as mention in the write up.

http://sittingbourne-speedway.co.uk/practice-days.shtml

The prices listed on the site are if you have your own bike.

More pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianbarnard/sets/72157627806898659/

[Chillum]

Brilliant stuff, great pictures, especially liked the salute

I didn't realise you could do this as a track day, I know what I'm getting for my next birthday now!

[locksmith]

I was watching some speedway on the telly a couple of weeks ago. I think it was on Skysports or ESPN.

[InTheY2K]

Nice story! You have a lot potential 

I tried Speedway riding myself when I was 16 to 18. Three summers of exciting training sessions. Our club used to be very famous back in the days. MSC Diedenbergen. Perhaps some of the Speedway fans around here already heard of it.

In the beginning I only accelerated on the straights and sort of rolled through the bends with the throttle closed. It was really scary to approach the corners at high speed knowing you have no brakes  But after a while it was vice versa. As soon as I knew the trick to get the bike sideways and control the drift with the throttle I got too quick at the end of the bends and sort of rolled down the straights with the throttle closed . Unfortunately I didn't get to combine those two skills after a crash, from which the bike never really recovered. Although the front fork was replaced the headset bearings were not fitting correctly anymore and nobody could fix that. I couldn't afford a professional repair and so the bike stayed in the club garage until -years later- somebody bought the pieces. That was the end of my Speedway career aspirations. I was too tall anyway. Never could have made it 

A friend of mine is still member of the club and asked me if I'd be interested in trying a few laps just for the fun of it. We'll see, maybe next year. Season is over now.

Cheers,
Sascha

[b3tarev3]

That looks the dogs danglies

[moffmeister]

Wowser - I fancy that

[Kosmic Kartman]

Maybe an Idea for a FOC-U speedway track attack trackday year then.

[Tori]

It looks dusty! Can't you do a muddy one so I can come and take pics? ;-) Let me know when you do the next one!

[Kosmic Kartman]

Kosmic gets a knee and elbow down.





 

[InTheY2K]

Kosmic gets a knee and elbow down. 

That's not how you're supposed to do it 

[HarryHornby]

Always ammazes me the lean angles one can get to on a bike nowadays