Flat track racing

[Mantis]

Anyone have any experience? I went to a local flattrack today and decided I need to get involved. I'm at a small plateau in my roadracing career and everyone seemed to think flattracking would help me tremendously to get over that. Who has done it? We were thinking a CRF450 would be an ideal bike for our purposes (plus I could get other rims and make it a supermoto). We spoke with a bunch of fast guys today and they gave us some information but I still want to do more research.

I'm nervous since I have no idea what I will need, and also hope that I can get out there and get up to speed quickly.


Are there any current flattrackers who could help me out in terms of what to get and what I need to do??

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

I work with a guy who has flat tracked and ice raced for many many years, I've gone and watched him ice race a couple times. He actually raced against all the Haydens when they were younger, I believe he beat each of them as well back then. He always thought it was funny how the Hayden boys had every thing they could ever want handed to them (back then a large box truck full of multiple spare motorcycles and every part you could ever need) and my freind only had an older S-10 pick-up with his 10 year old bike in the back and a couple plastic crates of parts and tools with him - yet he would beat them!

My freind now races a 450 himself (not sure of the brand?), loves that damn thing. Fairly inexpensive racing that actually has pay-outs. The biggest thing is learning how to slide the motorcycle with the rear tire spinning, get that down and your on your way. If you have specific questions just ask and I will ask him, otherwise I will just shoot this by him and see what he suggests for a newbie.

[ProConcept]

I noticed that after looking at flat track bikes they don't have front brakes. Do they use the rear to initiate the slide? Or it just all power and using the sliding to slow the bike down for the corner?