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We wanted to try something a little different. Instead of some jackleg out west, up north, or over in BFE telling you what he/she thinks…we’ve asked local bikers for their opinions. We are happy to have Cruiser share with you his test ride experiences. Its a hard job riding new motorcycles and we appreciate Cruiser taking one for the team!
Carolina Motorsports Park How The Other Side Lives , by:Cruiser
The 7th of June was a very warm morning, with projected record highs later on in the day. Elsie and I set out to get our riding in early. The plan was to get a hundred mile ride in and be out of the heat by 1pm. I’ve never been a fan of riding in 100+ degree heat and 80 percent humidity, still a morning ride was in order. Our destination, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP). I’d been invited to CMP by a new friend Ryan, a salesman at Extreme Sports Yamaha who road races bikes in the 600cc class. He and a few other local sport bike riders would be taking part in what is called “track day” This event allows racers and non racers to hone there high speed riding skills by affording them valuable track time. This event ran for both Saturday and Sunday and is repeated about 3 times a year at CMP. The event was interesting, but what I liked the most was traveling around the infield area and checking out the bikes. Everything from brand new machines heavily modified for track use to raw machines pieced together in someone’s garage. Because it was not a sanctioned race of any kind tech inspections were more accommodating than usual, with only basic safety issued enforced. Pace riders employed by the track were going around the course keeping an eye on everyone. Those having greater skills were identified and “bumped” to the next higher skilled level group. This keeps riders of similar skill-levels on the track at any one time.
Also interesting were the many campers with bike trailers, tents, & leathers airing out before the next run. Usually a canopy of some kind covered it all. Some even had a separate tent for their bike. Most sat around BS’ing waiting for the next call for their class. Some had friends or family with them, others were there for the weekend solo. CMP is equipped to handle participants, spectators and weekend racers, with a snack bar, soda machines, clean restrooms with showers and an infield with a lot of shade trees to pitch a tent. It reminded me of the campground near Cherokee during the Survivors rally, without the usual biker mayhem that we all hold so dear. It was a different kind of biker experience than I am accustomed to mostly attended by new school bikers. The track is open to spectators (other than when NASCAR is testing), presently there is no spectator seating, so bring a chair and pick a favorite spot for a little something enjoyable & different. For those who like motorcycle racing, WERA holds several events at here throughout the year. CMP hosts car events as well. Carolina Motorsports Park is located at 3662 Kershaw Hwy in Kershaw SC 29067, call 803/475-2448 or visit www.carolinamotorsportspark.com. Catch ‘24 Hrs of Lemons’ July 26th & 27th, admission to this one is just $5 and you’ll find the snack bar is reasonably priced, no $6 bottle water or $12 burgers here!! Until next month, ride safe and ride often, Cruiser
The SmokeOut Farmington Dragway, Winston-Salem NC, By: Cruiser
This was the best damn rally I have been to in a L-O-N-G time. The Smokeout was large enough to have plenty to see and do, yet small enough that you don’t have to miss one thing to see another. Yeah...big rallies like Myrtle Beach and Daytona are ok, but don’t have the same appeal to as the smaller venues. At big rallies many of the best events are held simultaneously at vastly different locations. The Smokeout had everything all in one spot. Drag races, ride in bike show and the chop off competition all within walking distance of each other. They even had what they called “The Hot Girls Bike Wash”. It wasn’t called a bikini bike wash because the bikinis didn’t stay on very long. At the heart of this rally is the individual home builder. This is the guy busting his knuckles at 2am when he has to be at work by 8 just cuz he loves to wrench. If you are looking for chrome bling and fancy paint jobs this rally is not for you. But if you like to see what someone can do on a limited budget with unlimited imagination then you may enjoy what these guys have to show. Rust? Who cares, CB750 motor, OK. Hell these bikes were powered by everything from old HD flatheads to brand new Triumph motors to raged out CB 750s, and everything in between. The rarest motor I saw was a chopper powered by a Vincent Black Shadow motor, very old very rare. The smoke out is a treat for any motor head. Organizers did an amazing job putting on this event and in such a way as not to have conflicts; however, a few problems did occur at the organizational level. Unfortunately these issues were enough to prevent the smoke out from being held at Farmington next year. Ruby and Tommy Lee made some calls to the promoters of the event and landed me an interview with Edge, the event coordinator. He was nice enough to spend some time filling me in on the Smokeout and some of the problems encountered with having the rally at the Farmington Dragway. He said the promoters will be on the lookout for a new location for Smokeout 10. The inside scoop is, a group of land owners surrounding the dragway want to close it down to develop the land. A successful rally means money made for Farmington Dragway and that hampers their plans to close it down. So this small group of citizens decided to make life difficult for the Smokeout. They didn’t stop me from having a good time but they were successful in getting the beer license rescinded and the amount of campers allowed at the track significantly reduced. This coupled with an unusually high police presence was enough for the promoters to search for a greener pasture and more accommodating community for next year. On a much happier note Edge did say those at “The Horse” magazine and the Smokeout organizers have something in the works that will “put the chopper community on its ear”. I get the impression these plans are near completion and we may see a change to the Smokeout rallies east and west in the next year or two. Edge was guarded concerning these plans and would not comment further on the subject. I would like to say that the general public seemed quite friendly and glad to have us in the area. Its always a loud few that screw over the majority who are just looking for a good time. Local diners and taverns were also welcoming to the biker invasion that others feared. Many were open well after midnight supporting the after rally crowd. If you’ve heard of the Smokeout and have never attended, I recommend the experience. To see a sample of what to expect, pick up a copy of “The Horse” magazine, you want be sorry. Thanks to Edge for his hospitality and Ruby & Tommy Lee for continuing to allow me to rant in their rag, as well as their support and hard work in making my first Smokeout a success. Ride well and Ride often, Cruiser