Good time for me to step away. lol Right before Hank starts to absolutely shit mix the big bike boys in the clubs. I would maybe like to help Hank out this year if possible. Either by showing up for some MotoA rounds and being tire/pit bitch, or maybe some other way. Hank is an awesome kid and you're a good dad/mentor. I'd like to see you guys find some success. Same with Ian and his dad. I always look forward to all of you showing up.
This is not the first time the AMA has done this. FYI. WERA had the RRGC and then they up and decided to give it to CCS/ASRA. Have no idea why, but they just "decided". There were a few other instances so in terms of something specific, no reason why was ever given.
I doubt ASRA is allowed back at gingerman after an incident between a racer, a corner worker, a tire guy and the track manager.
A guy crashed. Corner worker went to help and she grabbed the tail section to pick the bike up. Said guy grabbed her arm to stop her from further damaging the tail. She came back and reported him to the track manager and he kicked said rider out. His tire guy tried to come to the rescue and a larger argument ensued which got him removed from the property as well. It sucked as it was ASRAs first time back in many years. Gingerman is an amazing track.
Did they move the trees? Same for Nelson… they move the tires? I started in 1993 and both those tracks were too dangerous then… both with fresh pavement will be even worse… Wow… never seen Gingerman and “amazing” in the same sentence… not trying to be all negative… so who owns and runs ASRA now that Kevin Elliot has passed? a fierce competitor and racing friend told me long ago when I asked advice for dealing with some big team partners… “it’s all about the people” that has held true across many arenas… these things are most likely a personal choice by someone for some reason that we’ll never know
Hell, one year Stu had the AMARRGNC race at Putnam under his USGPRU banner for AMA… GLRRA was still by far the most fun series ever run in the Midwest… Mid Ohio, Road America, Grattan, Putnam, and Gingerman, it was televised and we made good money.
Trees are still there. The only safety issue is the occasional Deer otherwise Blackhawk is a great place. Gingerman facilities leave plenty to be desired but the track is super fun.
Blackhawk has no runoff The facilities at Gingerman When they opened they had house trailers in the back for “showers” I think corner workers lived in them… no running water anywhere else but hell the track is the suck… nothing about that place is endearing… and I’ve won lots of races there… but Alan Wilson sucks ass… at least his track designs do… speaking of he must be dead by now right?
I remember that. That was the year Jake and Chimi damn near broke the record until Jake dropped the rear off track in 6. Those dudes were cooking!
It's gonna be ASSra alright.The last time this happened years ago,the rules were stupid and didn't align with any other club rules.I'm not changing my stuff and really got a sour taste since it's not WERA doing it. Anyway,i'll just cruise the swap meet and maybe get drunk at night and ride my pit bike.
The big tree at BHF between 4 and 5 by the back gate is gone. The runoff at 7 and 1 was lengthened. the inside of turn 2 was pushed back quite a bit. Plus they use a bunch of airfence. T4, T5 and T2 they place a couple. The trees on the south side of T5 are gone as the big burm. New pavilion with a upstairs deck that you can see most the track from there. Evolve (well the people who own that) now own ASRA. Pissed off A LOT of people with their $125 extra fee of you dont preregister and basically told people who cant preregister due to work to bad so sad. Total piss poor attitude. From some scuttlebutt I heard at car events at Autobahn CC, these guys pissed off the track managment also so thats why they arent racing there anymore.
Black hawk safe? The tree with the pile of tires is safe? it's like 8 ft wide? oh and they left the concrete in the high speed corners during the repave. I just watched Ozarks video today and man that's a lot of guard rail. i know motorcycles are dangerous and all but i want a chance if i fall.
Stop! You are going to make me blush...... I hope you don't go back to car racing and stick with bikes. Even if you switched to a twin or super sport, you may enjoy it more running a select few rounds of MA at tracks you enjoy and then use the weekends not racing going to trackdays you are going to race and learn the track or setup and you may surprise yourself. It's always tuff to see great families and rider leave the paddock, but I get it. The northeast looks dismal.
From working track days and racing there for over 10 years, yeah it’s pretty safe. Plenty of air fence and run off. Like the said, the deer was the biggest safety incident I’ve seen there.
I plan to attend vintage days this year. It sucks WERA is not running the RR part of things. Regardless I'll have a RR bike, a dirtbike, a pit bike and full cooler of beer. For all I care the RR bike can stay in the trailer. The CCS / ASRA guys put a bad taste in my mouth as well.
