Issue#227 Get to the Track | Have, Track, Year, Series, Out

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Issue#227 Get to the Track

Written by Len Creed
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
I’m not sure how many of you have visited a drag or roadrace track near you or ridden your bike for a few hundred miles to take in the action, but I’m here to say that you need to mark your calendar with race dates for next year. You won’t be disappointed with the world calibre talent we have competing on our local tracks. If you think you’ve got a fast bike, the drag strip is the place to prove it—the west coast-based Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association features a Street class and even a drag race school for novices. But if you want to see the best Canadian pros thundering down the track at more than 200 mph over the quarter mile, then you’ll want to take in a round of the CMDRA championship series—it will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. On the west coast there are up to 20 Top Fuel competitors in the field and when they light up they shake the ground you are standing on, blow out your ear drums and give you chills running down your spine. Think what it must be like for the pilots of the fastest machines on two wheels. I’ve seen guys who’ve taken a half hour after a run just to calm down enough to shake hands and have their picture taken. Yes, there are women who ride Top Fuel but the class is dominated by men, and if they don’t have a $100,000 budget for the year they’re not in the top ten yet. I’ve been going to these races for the past dozen years and have seen the level of competition raise every season. From “run what ya brung” events to classes featuring full-blown rigs, the CMDRA series is equal to any national event across the country, and Canadian riders prove they have what it takes to compete on the international level with every outing. Ron Houniet, for example, is without doubt the top dog in Canada. He’s claimed the CMDRA Top Fuel Number One plate 11 times, as well as the AHDRA plate in the United States and you can see the fear in the others’ eyes as he rolls up to the line. He’s consistent, fast and doesn’t give you an inch. Can you imagine what it’s like for his competitors to beat one of the best in the world? The new class added to the season this year is for Harley-Davidson’s 2006 Custom Vehicle Operations V-Rod, the “Destroyer.” The spec series features an out of the box production “Pro Gas” machine that’s available through your local Harley dealer and it brings big-league performance from the showroom to the track. This year most of the dealers snapped up this limited model and got out to the track to show off their skills, and even got a little east/ west rivalry going. Because I know most of the dealers across the country I probably got more out of the series than the average spectator, but seeing the competition heat up in the pits makes it a treat to watch and next year should be even better as the privateers come to the line. This past summer, as usual, I made the time to take in a round or two of the national drag race series and also found myself stopping by some of this country’s roadrace circuits such as Ontario’s Mosport International Raceway where the Canadian Superbike championship series was playing out a doubleheader weekend. There, the Mosport crew and event sponsor Parts Canada took the weekend to a whole new level with the world class event. Most of the motorcycle industry pulled together to showcase their products with demo rides, tech support and most of all how they perform on the track. I’m sure most of you have seen roadracing on TV from around the world but there’s nothing quite like it when you’re at the track: the smell, the noise, the speed and competition to the finish line, you’re into the race. It’s like riding yourself, you know what it takes to make it home safe and sound, but these guys are dragging knees, bumping elbows and finding the line they need to bring it home as fast as they can. A personal highlight is always watching the new young guns coming along and this year it’s all about Brett McCormick, a 14-year-old from Saskatoon who’s just blowing them away in the 600cc Sport Bike class and also making his mark in the Thunder series. But regardless of who you cheer for, get out and watch some racing this summer—you won’t regret the time it takes to get to the track. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.