I think that most of us will be at the TT. I plan to be. It's not worth getting the ticket ahead of time. There is no assigned seating and you'll only be saving a little bit over the price at the gate.
The TT has some really good racing. The interesting part about it is that the track is different every year. That's intentional. Since they have to build it from a flat arena each year, they like to keep everybody on their toes and nobody knows in advance what they're going to be dealing with. Sometimes it has a longer straight, sometimes it has a jump in the middle of the straight, sometimes the whole track is shorter. They move the jump closer to turn 2 or farther away from turn 2. It should be fun as long as they get the Amateur program over with early enough.
Last year, the day's Amateur races were delayed because it had rained the day before and track prep took a while. That meant everything was running a few hours behind schedule. The Main didn't happen until after Midnight. By then, the stands were almost empty, which was a real shame because it was a really good race.
This week's Cycle News has a lot of Flat Track articles; interviews with Jared Mees and Brian Smith, a overview of the coming season and a few press releases from riders and teams. Here's a link:
I have a question about the TT and amateur vs Pro. Is there a Pro Singles class or is it Pros on twins, amateurs on singles?
The TT at Springfield is all singles. The amateurs all have their own classes, but the Pro's are also racing there and it is a Singles National event.
I'm not sure why, but the singles don't race on the Mile at Springfield. It's understandable why the Twins don't race on the TT track; the track is too small and tight.
Personally, I'd like to watch the singles on the Mile. I'd also like to see the twins on the TT. I guess it's a matter of money. The TT doesn't draw enough people to make a Twins National a profitable race for the promoter. I'm not sure why the singles don't race on the Mile, though. They do at other Mile tracks. In fact, the finish at the Meadowlands Mile for the singles was won by only an inch or two.
This season is really shaping up to be a good one. I hope to see an assortment of brands on the top of the box this year. We'll see.
Has fans choice improved it's broadcast quality any? I know a couple of years ago it was not very good. Very grainy. Hopefully it's better these days because I want to watch this race.
Fans Choice seems to be getting better as time goes on, but the only way I'll know is to watch the race. It may be good. I know that most of the races I watched last year were showing improvement, but occasionally, there were foul ups.
The bright side is that it's free and it's live; though this year they want you to register.
NBCSN will be broadcasting the race on March 24 at 4:00. If Fans Choice screws up, you can watch the race then and the quality should be better. Although, I'm not positive about that, since I don't get NBCSN.
So my brother, a friend and I made it out to Smoked to the Bone to check out the BBQ! We got there early since they didn't open till 4 but my friend the owner let us in and gave us the tour and we had a great visit catching up since we really haven't talked since high school! He ended up giving us a sampler platter and boy was it HUGE! Was it good? Extremely good! The ribs were not quite Jim's Smokin Que good but very close. I thought the Brisket was better than Jim's. Chicken was excellent and he makes his own spicy sausage that was also good. Pulled pork was so tender it melted in your mouth. The spiced pinto beans were excellent also. So I think we'll have a great meal in a nice place run by great folks! Here's a little teaser:
What a great race to start the season with! Jarod Vanderkooi started dead last on the fourth row and finished fourth after an amazing charge through the field! I was hoping that Henry Wiles would pull off the win, but Briar Bauman had the track nailed.
It will be really interesting once they start on some of the longer tracks. The Yamahas looked competitive today, but how will they work on the 1/2 Miles and Miles? And the same can be asked about Brian Smith's Kawasaki. Vanderkooi looked really good on his Harley, but Halbert didn't do so hot on his.
I have to admit that when Jarod Vanderkooi on the factory Harley passed Bronson Bauman on the factory Indian it made my day a bit brighter.
All in all, I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable race.
That BBQ looks heavenly! And you said the beans were good! I eagerly await the end of May.
Of course, in a couple of weeks, I'll be eating ribs at Jim's, but if Greg says the food's good at Smoked To The Bone, that's all I need to hear.
Two days ago, my honey made some BBQ country pork ribs in the slow cooker. Started them in the AM with a quick sear, then slow... til dinner. We both worked all day on Spring yardwork, housework, pressure washing, yaddayadda. With mashed potatoes that were like cream, and French style green beans that I'd found a while back, fresh, portioned out in vacuum sealed bags. Had leftovers this evening after work.
Last image was topping up "just a splash" for the 4-lap re-start to finish after the red flag. Red was thrown because a doofus rider blasted out of his pits on fresh rubber and lost control coming out of the hot pit, high-sided and got tossed onto the race track! We figured they'd finish under the red but just in case, put the warmers on (unplugged) and gave it some insurance gas.}
It won’t be long now til the Mile Weekend will be upon us! We can’t wait!!! Weather here has been awesome. Jerry never quit riding for the winter. He would get the bike out periodically just for the therapy. I, however, am a warm weather rider and I’m excited that the temperature gauge is warming enough for me to be comfortable riding. We went for a short trek today and it felt great!! As time gets closer if I could get a headcount for our pre-race party, that would be great. That’ll make my planning here easier. Have a great week!!! Carol
Carol; I will be arriving with three other miscreants; Ourdee, Adrenaline Junkie and 86129squids. Or, to use their real names John (me), RD, Roy and Brad.