Attention In The Haddock - EX 500's Officially Recognized As Dinosaurs!

[Johnny B]

From the USCRA List:

"Dave....At the rules committee meeting we approved the EX500 in F1 class. We are going to call it FEX. The exact specs for the class have not been established yet. We will continue the American Twins and see what happens.
Bob Coy"

FYI, once you get your USCRA license, you can use it to enter WERA events. (WERA accepts USCRA licenses, but not CCS.)

[Johnny B]

AFAIK, EX500 only. Bob Coy is adamant about keeping USCRA truly vintage.
There is ongoing discussion concerning classes for next year, I'll stay on top of things.

[Kurlon]

The GS500e is a more vintange machine design wise than the EX500, other than starting with 17s out of the gate.If they clamp to 16" wheels, well that kills the argument. If they allow 17s, unless it gets written as a EX500 spec class the GS should be allowed.

[Doc]

ehem... The Hawk is vintage....

[TheIglu]

So what does this mean?

[Kurlon]

It sounds like you'll have a couple LRRS race dates where staying another day will get you more track time on your EX. If you want to travel to the other areas where the USCRA visits, more race dates.

[Johnny B]

It sounds like you'll have a couple LRRS race dates where staying another day will get you more track time on your EX. If you want to travel to the other areas where the USCRA visits, more race dates.

For now, we don't have anything at any other tracks, Bob Coy, who owns USCRA, is exploring options. We used to have a nice layout behind the track which used that 5 lane road you see just south of the track on 106 and a few of the parking access roads. The Bahres built a heli-pad right in the middle of the "paddock" and killed that track, which was called Frontier Land.




He's a couple of Q and A's from the NEAR List.

"* Yes or No re: 17" bikes?

Most likely no, but read again. "The exact specs for the class have
not been established yet."

* Any tech differences we need to know about?

Read previous response again, but it would be in best interests to co-
ordinate requirements. Perhaps you or a rider on the EX List who is a
USCRA member can contact Bob and get to work on this. Expect to have
belly pans required, though.

* Other classes we'd be allowed in -- competitive or not?

None. You wouldn't be legal in any other classes. Buy a nice Rieju or
CB350 and run other classes.

* How much practice time? Race laps?

We are usually 1 day events. Two rounds of practice. (Fast, Faster,
Sidecars, 50CC) approximately 12 minute sessions. Races normally 6
laps, depending on schedule and size of field.

* License, race, paddock entry, and any other fees?

Not sure, but pretty cheap. Garages usually free on Mondays, Nate's
not around to collect for electricity. At the last weekend event,
garages were $25.

* Event schedule?

Vintage Celebration, May 16, 17, 18. Not sure if all classes will be
run at this, it's a combined car/bike event. I was the Starter last
year, and oil spills from the bikes raised hell with their track
time. Possible 2 hour endurance race. Stay Tuned on this.

June 16. The day after the LRRS June event.

July 4-5. Independence Day. Will be a combined USCRA/NAMU/FIM event.
(NAMU is the Canadian organization. FIM sanctions a purse paying 125
GP race.)

September 1. Labor Day, the day after LRRS Event.

Bob is also looking at trying to schedule events at the Belknap
Course, where the Laconia Classic was held from 1938 to 1964,
Thompson Speedway in Cy. and New Jersey. (Either Englishtown or
Thunderbolt.)

We run things nice and loose. I'm your Hot Grid Marshal, Starter when
Cindy doesn't make it. I haven't called a jump start in 12 years and
don't intend to start doing it now. If you're somewhat late to pre
grid, I send you out and you cut through the 3-10 split. If you're
really late, I send you around the wall at Pit Enter. If you have a
$20 bill in your leathers and there's room, I put you on the front
row! (Just kidding, but $50 will get you the pole!)"

There is ongoing discussion on the GS500, as well as belly pans. (USCRA requires them, just like everyone besides LRRS) Also note that USCRA still only uses manual scoring, make sure the numbers are legible.

[Kurlon]

Ah, for some reason I thought there was at least one street event, in the past maybe? Oh well. I had a blast with the Frontier Lands course Ducati setup during the classic to demo their machines, quite enjoyed flogging a Sport Classic 1000 around there, and then flogging my own ST3 following the group for a second outing after missing a signup spot for a demo. I think you could still rig a track there, although some portions would have to be declared no passing zones?

Another question... I know there was talk of who recognizes the other's licenses, I assume a LRRS/CCS license is recognized by the USCRA, or will I have to demonstrate I can play nice on the track with them separate from my LRRS rookie race? : )

Going back to EX's, it sounded like there was some concern that the 'newer' machines would draw people away from the earlier vintage classes rather than just growing the ranks overall. Based on that, I'd suggest if allowed, EXs/etc be forced to remain bone stock ala PTwins. Most of the guys I observed and/or talked to at the last USCRA event seemed to have some level of excessive wrench-itis going on, telling them they can't mod would likely keep them tinkering on their current mounts. : )

[Johnny B]

Ah, for some reason I thought there was at least one street event, in the past maybe? Oh well.

We last had the "Streets of Laconia" in 2006. It was my first chance to participate and it was a very scary event as far as crowd control. Almost as scary as the spectator track ride at the 1999 GP/PRO-FUSA gig at Pocono.

Another question... I know there was talk of who recognizes the other's licenses, I assume a LRRS/CCS license is recognized by the USCRA, or will I have to demonstrate I can play nice on the track with them separate from my LRRS rookie race? : )

LRRS is a CCS/ASRA affiliate, USCRA is more in alignment with AMA/FIM/WERA. You'll prolly have to get a USCRA license, but the good news is that WERA will definitely honor it, too.
We only started holding a riders school last year, before that George DeCamp's Hawk School (Since then bought by Carl McAllister) did the honors. I think that LRRS experience will be good enough for a license, and since we don't have rider classifications, you will be gridded and racing with the Experts. (Different colored plates and numbers distinguish machine displacement)

We're still hashing out the nitty gritty as far as the EX's. I was surprised that Bob Coy went for the proposal, so we are caught napping a little as far as the details.

[Doc]

So what about Hawks?

[Kurlon]

Seems like the conversation either died down?

Maybe an offer of cookies would revive it, those seem to be popular in the vintage crowd...

[Johnny B]

Still prodding them. Vintage is like that, very laid back...........

[Kurlon]

Looks like it's going to be a first gen EX only class based on today's postings. 16" front wheel EXs, up through model year 1987 only, called Formula EX. 2008 rules still haven't been posted so it's not set in stone, but I think the GS has just been outlawed, along with Hawks.

Oh well. I recind my offer of cookies.

[Johnny B]

Sounds about like what Bob has in mind. He doesn't want anything too new out there. I'm waiting to see if he's going to require belly pans. (Prolly yes.)
Dick Klamfoth usually brings cookies baked by his wife to the races.