Vintage Racing Technique

[Rumble]

I came across an old photo of a friend of mine from back in the mid seventies at Bryar Motorsports Park on his 900SS Ducati and was surprised to see how out dated his body positioning looks by todays standards. Looks like turn 2 at the north end of the track. Todays air fence looks a lot better than those old tires. Todays tire technology is light years ahead of what was available back then. No wonder he fell down so many times. His career ended on the high speed straight at Bridgehampton when he realized he was coming into the corner too hot, grabbed a handful of brakes, went into a tank slapper, high sided, bike flipped into the air landing on the front wheel and exploded into a million parts. The rider walked away but today has a hip replacement.

[Paul_E_D]

Lol! Great pic. They didn't turn their heads or hang off 30 years ago. They were just touring by today's standards.

[Ken C]

What year was that photo? I was hanging off in 1986. I seem to remember that about half of the racers hung off to any real degree in the mid-eighties.

[Rumble]

I'm going to guess early to mid seventies but I'll check with the rider.

[Chippertheripper]

awesome. where can i get some of those boots?

[Rumble]

What year was that photo? I was hanging off in 1986. I seem to remember that about half of the racers hung off to any real degree in the mid-eighties.

I checked with the rider and he said: "I'm thinking approx. 1978". So my memory was off on the year.

[DEddy]

I'm the pilot...

Actually this was probably 1977 or 1978, close to the end of my AAMRR career. Hmmm... still showing Junior plates. Did make it to Expert on the 900SS (plates still a trophy in the garage).

The great Bridgehampton crash was in my Novice year, after maybe a race or two (max) at Loudon/Bryar. The machine then was a vastly overpowered, grossly under shod Laverda 3c. How do we spell G-R-E-E-N? Novice plates were red on white for a reason.

Thank heavens for Patty Perron leathers.

Next, got smart with a very stable & reasonably powered Ducati 860GT & then graduated to the 900SS.

Highlight of riding the 900SS was actually sliding the rear slick through turn #2 at (old) Loudon. Rather than panicking—like I did at Bridgehampton—I'd learned enough to keep the throttle open & enjoy the ride.

I assume sliding a slick is mundane today, but it was a major thrill/milestone for me.


I take exception to "outdated body positioning"... I'm BIG (6'1" & maybe as little as 210 lbs back then) & that's the best I could scrunch down. A competitive rider back then (still now I'd imagine) was 160 lbs max & 140 would be way better. If you're a midget like that you can climb all over the machine. Knee pad sliders didn't come alone for several more years.

If memory serves, the rule-of-thumb was 10 lbs costs 1 hp.

I think the best times I did at Loudon were 1:18 & you had to be no more than 1:14 to begin to be competitive. I was thrilled to be able to go that fast.

[DEddy]

Chipper -

Like those boots, eh?

Actually those were left overs from my previous suit which was an Italianate white(body)-red(pants)-green(arms) to match a Laverda 3c.

Something as exotic (dare I say fashionable? ;-) ) as red boots would have been unobtainable in the US in the mid 1970s, so I assume I got them from Lewis Leathers in the UK.

- ThePilot

[DEddy]

Looks like turn 2 at the north end of the track.

Actually I think that looks like I'm running noduol (Loudon run backwards), so I'm climbing out of turn #3... it's a little hard to tell.

I have no idea how this maps to the current track layout.

[Rumble]

I have no idea how this maps to the current track layout.

Here is what Bryar looked like which may refresh your memory as to where you were on the track. I still say turn 2.

[DEddy]

Ken -

BTW... that's a John Owens snap

[DEddy]

[QUOTE I still say turn 2. /QUOTE]

THANKS for the track layout.

Now I'm having doubts... what I'm really thinking is of the photographer's (John Owens) habits... it would be easy for him to leave the pits & catch folks climbing out of noduol #3 (Loudon #8). I don't remember John ever offering snaps taken way over at #2.

This is a GREAT excuse to hail John & see how deep his archives are.

[Ken C]

Ken -

BTW... that's a John Owens snap

I posted my John Owens photo from 1986 in another thread, but here it is again.

[Ken C]

My helmet was a racer replica. Ten points for anyone UNDER 30 years old who can name the racer. Five points for anyone over 30.

[Expat]

Randy Mamola?
You and John don't look that old!!!

[Chippertheripper]

Yeah man, I do like em.

http://www.lewisleathers.com/store/boots/product82.html

but for close to $700, I won't be owning a pair anytime soon. Still fucking rad though.

[Chippertheripper]

Damn phone.

[CBR929RE]

My helmet was a racer replica. Ten points for anyone UNDER 30 years old who can name the racer. Five points for anyone over 30.

no idea but its a Bell Pro Star and you can buy a NOS one if you want to relive those days http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vinta...Q5fMerchandise

[Ken C]

Randy Mamola?
You and John don't look that old!!!

Negative. Right vintage, though.

[Ken C]

no idea but its a Bell Pro Star and you can buy a NOS one if you want to relive those days http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vinta...Q5fMerchandise

That's the exact helmet. Curious they don't mention the racer who made the design famous.

[butcher bergs]

My helmet was a racer replica. Ten points for anyone UNDER 30 years old who can name the racer. Five points for anyone over 30.

That helmet was made famous by a guy named Ken Condon.

BAM!

Thanks for the 5 points.

[Paul_E_D]

Wes Cooley?

[Ken C]

Wes Cooley?

Nope

Hint: He was a flat tracker turned roadracer.

[Rumble]

KR?

[Paul_E_D]

Shobert