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Jaimec
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 10:50 am: |
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http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Aug/110819indy mile.htm |
Noone1569
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 11:29 am: |
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Sad deal about the stage collapse. Almost went to that concert, but much to the woman's dismay, I forgot to buy tickets. The Motorcycles On Meridian event will still be going on though. |
Firstbuell
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 12:09 pm: |
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the loss of life is so sad...... issues at other Mile venues this season means that I'm very happy The Sacramento Mile went so well since there'll be no Indy Mile this year, mebbe this Sacramento Mile story [from CityBike] will help: -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- The Sacramento Mile – a debut at the California State Fair Thousands enjoyed the traditional July atmosphere at the State Fair’s final Saturday night. Atop Cal-Expo’s usual sights, noises and smells, some folks detected an unfamiliar, rhythmic rumble - off in the distance…… Curiosity piqued, these innocents abandoned the midway and agricultural halls, seeking that sound - it came from beyond the crowd at the horse track Mile. Spectators of all types, ages and sizes entered the covered grandstand. Racers and umbrella girls represented at a long line of autograph tables. Suddenly, the distinct rasp of motors leaving the line caught everyone’s ear – RACING! Accepting the kids’ inevitable clamor, hundreds of Ma & Pa Citizens purchased standing room tickets and joined in – Bob Bellino’s revived event was an 8000+ sellout. Some 1500 enthusiasts and first-timers stood elbow-to-elbow for hours, witnessing terrific racing. Opening ceremonies under MavTV’s bigscreen featured a Chris Carr interview. The Stockton native - retiring, seven-time Grand National Champion - claimed 9 Sacramento Mile victories. His beaming parents, Gerry and Ann Carr, were Grand Marshals – they thanked Mike Shattuck, Ron Wood, Denis Manning, Kenny Tolbert, and John Erickson for assisting Chris’ long career. Later, A&A Racing patriarch Ray Abrams received a plaque saluting 50 years of flat track business. The evening’s sequence of brief Pro Singles and GNC Twins preliminary races began - the cream of Sacramento’s rider/machine combinations rose to the top for their purse-paying finals. First, the 5-lap Digger Helm Dash For Cash – the 6 fastest riders competing for wrench money and Championship points. Repeated Dash success throughout the season means extra pay for deserving mechanics, plus valuable GNC points. Jake Johnson, current #1, rode his San Jose-based Zanotti Harley to the Dash checkers. Both the Singles and Twins finals were corkers! Two California Mikeys – Avila & Martin – steamed away from early Singles season points leader, Gerit Callies, who finished sixth [behind maiden Pro, Briar Bauman; crowd fave Shayna Texter; and Cody Johncox]. The checkers arrived too late for Avila when Martin stormed from 4th to 1st at the line – Martin’s 3rd consecutive Singles win! Cycle World’s Mark Cernicky made the main, finishing 13th. The more powerful Twins riders are generally older and more experienced - well-attuned to the rigors of racing 300-pound machines at 130+mph down the straights, and then pitching them into and through The Mile’s sweeping corners. The Expert racers’ skill, confidence, and trust in each other quickly became evident to the newest spectator on his feet at the rail. Rider trains and endless passes – over the decades, these exciting aspects of GNC racing have become hallmarks of Mile competition. Typically, throughout the first 15-20 of the scheduled 25 laps, The Sacramento Mile’s eventual winner has tested his fellow racers - each front-running competitor actively developing a last-lap [or last-corner] strategy, typically decided upon in a close, elbows-out run to the checkered flag. That’s exactly how Bryan Smith held off hometown hero Chris Carr and Jake Johnson at The Mile’s finish. Points leader Sammy Halbert was 5th, splitting Jared Mees’ 4th and Brad Baker’s 6th. As the tumult in Victory Circle built, the pyrotechnics man crossed the track to ignite the State Fair’s closing fireworks - on time!. After the Twins podium interviews and celebrations were complete, goodbyes from longtime local fans were heaped upon Chris Carr this one last time. Congratulations, condolences and story-telling with the other racers led to more autographs, T-shirts, stickers and photos as spectators exited Cal-Expo for home. Both existing and new race fans found themselves anticipating next year’s California State Fair and the second running of The Sacramento Mile…… (Message edited by firstbuell on August 19, 2011) |
Rasta_dog
| Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 11:50 pm: |
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Too bad but hard to have a race I the middle of a working crime scene. Up there with the most horrific things I've seen. |
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