Speedway racing?

[mattwood]

im not new, but just wondering where to post questions about speedway racing..? Im pretty keen to have a go at solo's but there doesnt seem to be a forum for speedway bikes..

[pete376403]

What do you want to know? I raced the skids a long time ago at Te Marua(Wellington) with a small degree of success.

[mattwood]

whats the easyest way to get into it?? just find an old bike and go to a few meetings? Or is it abit more complicated then that?

thanks

[Buddha#81]

Go to meetings, hang around and ask questions. Guys will alway want to talk about their sport. Speedways a bit more than giving it a go. What oil, fuel, part and where to get it..... all pretty specialised.... get to know the local guys first.

[pete376403]

When I started riding at Te Marua, it really was just a matter of turning up with a bike and the gear. Get a start in the novice races, wobble around at the back of the field trying to see what the better guys were doing. Talk to the top guys, ask questions. Way back then (1980s) there were plenty of riders coming back to NZ when the season finished in the UK, I wasn't seen as any threat so the top riders had no concerns about answering my questions.
I'm not sure what it is like now but, shit I'd love to give it a go again.

[wharfy]

Do they even have solo bikes in the North Island anymore ? I wouldn't mind a crack at this myself.

[speedracerjimmy]

contact the auckland club not sure of the contact but they have a solo track on rosebank rd.they will sort you out.If you have any question just pm me.I may have some gear for sale aswell.

[mattwood]

thanks heaps,

yeah im pretty keen, just hav to scrape together some money first! Im pretty sure rose bank is the only place around here.. and its still hardly local.. :mellow:

[wharfy]

thanks heaps,

yeah im pretty keen, just hav to scrape together some money first! Im pretty sure rose bank is the only place around here.. and its still hardly local.. :mellow:

Its a bit of a hike from Wellywood :weep:

[slowpoke]

GO YOU GOOD THING!

Stoner, Hayden and others have started fantastic careers from left hand only racing so get stuck in. Just looking at the price of a bike it looks like blardy good value compared to just about any other two wheeled motorsport. I can still recall Chris Martin at Stratford carving everyone up 20 years ago, so go forth and make your name young man!

[koba]

I havn't seen Solos at hutt park or Te Marua since I was far to young to try it.
Absolutley loved watching as a kid tho, complete sensory experiance with the sound of the bikes, smell of the fuel and feel of the dirt flicked up. Awesome sport to watch.
I think the last time I saw it at Te Marua some poor bugger got cotheslined by the starting net thing.
If anyone knows were/when this happens please post up info coz I would be keen to check it out if I happen to be in the right area at the right time.

[Ivan]

If you want I can see if my mates can talk to you about it,
They are the Mudgeway's they are really good at it aye, They race in Palmerston North and Jade now Races in England but I can see if I can get them to have a chat to ya

[wharfy]

If you want I can see if my mates can talk to you about it,
They are the Mudgeway's they are really good at it aye, They race in Palmerston North and Jade now Races in England but I can see if I can get them to have a chat to ya

What do you think the chances are of them being able to organize a "have a go day" for KBers ? Palmy is close enough to Wellywood for me, Ive always fancied a go - Ivan Mauger is one of MY bike hero's

[Conquiztador]

There was a small track in Martinborough, not sure if they still use it? But perfect place for practice! Solos race at PN, Stratford, Meeanee (Napier), Gisborne and Rosebank (Auckland). Wednesdays used to be Rosebank practice day. As a result of that blardy orange terracotta clay to save tyre costs on the cars, solos have been pushed out from many tracks as there is no way to ride on the stuff!

Not sure today, but Kihikihi and Huntley also held some solo races at times. And always forget that small town on SH27...

Most tracks have practice days for members. So just rock up with the bike and have a go. And as a alone solo is not going to do much damage you should be able to, after talking to whoever runs the track, be able to use it for practice. We even used to race at Rotorua!

If you want to ride, get a standup motor Jawa (897 or 898) for approx $1.5K. You will always get your money back. It will do you for a couple of years. Then if you get the hang of it move to laydown.

[JJ58]

WHat about flat track??? Is there any of that around???..... That's amazing to watch.....

[wharfy]

WHat about flat track??? Is there any of that around???..... That's amazing to watch.....

One of the things on my "do before I die" list is watch the Sacramento mile, it is/was the last meeting of the series and the championship is often decided there.
Kenny Roberts and Gene Romero were a couple of my favourites. I used to get US bike mags.
Hmm.. time for a little bit of web surfing I think :)

Bugger....OK I guess I can take that of my list :(


Cycle News Online 9/13/2003

In what could be the final running of the legendary race at the Cal Expo State Fairgrounds



Oh well I guess I will have to find out where the final is held now, it might even be safe to go to the US with the new Govt. installed there :)

I think the bikes look really cool and quite fancy getting one (when I have some spare money :) ) even though it would be of no practical use whatsoever, or even a lookalike road bike for Sunday drives....

[pete376403]

There was a small track in Martinborough, not sure if they still use it? But perfect place for practice!

Not dead certain but I think the river shifted course a bit and half the track went with it. Another small Waiararapa track was Penlee, on Ivan Cartmells farm. There were some fun club days there.
I would have killed to have a go on Hutt Park Raceway (trotting track) - smooth, wide and looong.

[JJ58]

Yeah Wharfy, where I ride on the ice is a 1/2 mile flat track on clay....The flat track guys get around there in 18 seconds or less in the summer!!! No wonder they make such good road racers!......... We need flat track in NZ!!!

[mattwood]

still really keen, haha
closest place sounds like rosebank.. :blink:
Think i might just concentrate on my motorcross and see where that takes me first! it sucks up any spare $ i ever get anyway :love:

thanks heaps for the info, but if anyone does organise a kb speedway try out day thing I'll be the first one there!!