How did you all get into racing?

[OldTimeBiker]

If I May be so forward to call you Curt...I'd bet we know or knew some of the same people. I knew John Lemme a L O N G time ago. I was introduced to him by T. C. AKA Tom Collins who was the service Mgr. at Midwest Triumph. I almost bought a CRTT Sprint short track bike from John but I couldn't come up with the cash quick enough and some one with cash on hand got it before me. Had to build a Yamaha instead. T.C.'s brother Jimi Collins was also a friend of John's and there was that whole crowd of Limey/Bultaco/Ossa/Yamaha guys that hung together whose spirital leaders were Gary Nixon, Neil Keen and Charlie Chapple and were the loyal opposition to the HD Sprint crowd led by Freddie Nix, up & comer Rex Beauchamp and the Ulicki brothers. What a great time to be around motorcycles and racing, eh?!
Did you ever flat track? If so did you run pro? Are you related to the legendary Suzuki drag bike guy, Ray?

 

[Guest]

I did know T.C. But at that time I was only 16 and could not hang in the bars with them...There was another guy who taught me how to ride. His name was Joe Mergenthaler. He rode a Matador. I did not get into flat track. I went towards Enduro's and hare scrambles... I still ride with Ed Villadonga. WE are going trail riding tomorrow... And yes those were some fun times to be riding... Also, I am not related to Ray. He built the motor in my Suzuki.
Curt

 

[OldTimeBiker]

Been away from the computer since your last post...I went down to Springfield for the short track and mile flat track races. If you've never been you need to go! Henry Wiles won the short track and Willy McCoy won his first ever National on the mile beating out Chris Carr in his last ever Springfield appearance in a barn burner of draft & pass slugfest race!
Anyway... Curt, I'd really like to meet you sometime...bench race and compare notes...Are you planning any trips to the Grove? The rest of this week has me pretty busy but next week I'm free for a weeknight trip to Union Grove.

 

[Guest]

I have to figure out a electrical problem that surfaced last thursday... I will stay in touch...
Curt

 

[1_v8_merc]

Started drag racing on the streets when I was young and dumb.
Me and my Friends would fly up and down the highway at triple digits, fly threw speed traps and try to run from the cops.
(started in muscle cars)

It was a small town, nothing to do....

Eventually the town grew and we ended up hanging around at the drag strip every night we could and had local car meets.

Then I got a job at a local auto cross track, and THATS when I had a "holy ****, I wanna do THAT!" moment....

 

[gs58]

Always had a love for bikes which was enhanced when I met someone who had just bought the first Z1 in Australia (and a new green Mach 3 for his then wife). We became very good friends and I crewed for him for the first Castrol 6 hour race in New Zealand. Years later he married my sister and sponsored Graeme Crosby (Bel Ray Australia).

I had tried racing a very modified Yamaha RD 350 without much success, and then got involved with dirt bikes for a while. Marriage, mortgages and children took over for the next 20 years or so til I found a GS1000S in parts in a warehouse. It became mine for two dozen beer and as I started looking for parts I came across someone who was circuit racing in the Post Classic class.

After watching him race for a couple of years I decided that every year that I didn't race was a rear that I couldn't so I purchased a beat up GS1000 and spent the next 15 months building a bike that was way faster than me.

After a few years of listening, watching, learning, modifying and sometimes winning I am hooked. There is nothing quite like being on the edge, trying to push harder, seeing lap times drop and success come more often.

Racing gives a whole new perspective when watching Stoner and co do the business. I look for stuff like the transition between braking and throttle, the different lines they take, and how they carry speed into a corner.

I still ride the GS1000S occasionally but have become very aware of it's limitations, and am probably a much safer road rider because of my track experiences.