Why isn't track racing more popular??

Mutt

Here in Asheville, we've had the gift of a 1/3 mile (491 meters) motor track that is now part of a local park. Tuesday evenings we run a race series with 3 track events in 2 categories and two points races for road bikes. There are probably 75 racers and a couple of hundred spectators for this low-key event. All year long, we have a Saturday am fixed gear workout, and timed events in the winter. In September, the track lost about 50 feet of turn 3 in the floods of Hurricane Ivan, but the city parks and rec. department has rebuilt it and will have it paved next week, so the track bikes are coming out again. Results from the Asheville Mellowdrome are posted on cyclingnews.com with a lot of pictures, and there's info at www.abrc.net, the Asheville Bicycle Racing Club website. One of our riders, Nancy Daigler Lux, began her race career there, and has a few stars and stripes jerseys from track nationals. So, you see, motor venues have their possibilities.

Mutt

Budarz

It's good to hear it. I'm in the Indianapolis area. I'll see what I can do about sequestering the Indy 500 track. Stay posted

Mutt

Cool! I guess the yard-long brick section will make that the Paris-Roubaix of track racing. Won't it be a long way back around the track after the 500m TT?

Mike in Asheville

dhk

Mike: Thanks, this is a really useful response and website. I'll talk to our club race director and see if there is any interest in trying to get track racing started at Huntsville Speedway similar to what you're doing in Asheville.

Gilders

Must say, even if there is alot of downtime, I'd rather watch track sprinting any day, rather than make do with some of the existing "thrilling" sports coverage available on UK terrestrial TV, e.g.;

darts
snooker
bowls
cricket

Can't go on...too much of a struggle to keep eyes open... so very very tired......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

Seriously though, I presume alot of it is down to lack of widespread exposure, leading to lack of understanding, leading to lack of popular demand, and around we go again ad nauseum. Bizarre though as to what does make it into the popular psyche - why, for instance, do a bunch of (usually) fat blokes throwing small pointy objects into a board in a wall get airtime, whilst other pub games like dominoes and shove-penny don't? Can't really say that one is any less tedious than the other.

By the way, what kind of coverage do you people tend to get of any cycling full-stop in your homelands anyway? Very little of it here, even the TDF televisation has slipped by the wayside.

ridemore

There is the possibility that a new Vlodrome will shortly be a reality by this sping if there is enough interest in the south Ontario Canada. Plans are to build one in London Ontario. I atended a meeting this afternoon put on by the London Velodrome Assocation and the plan sounds promissing. If any one is interested in more contact London Velodrome Association c/o Rob Good, 65 Karen Walk, Waterloo,ON N2L 5X1 Hope they pull it off.

kelvinmack

Here in Los Angeles we have a brand spanking new indoor wooden velodrome. I took my wife son and daughter (ages 12 & 13) there for the World Cup races the velodrome hosted back in December. My family are not into bike racing at all, yet they loved it. The track announcer did a great job of explaining what was going on and tried to keep people focused during down time. The sprints and keirin were great but the highlight of the evening was the 120 lap points race. Now this was largely due to the fact that Colby Pearce went into an early lead by taking the first sprint and by lapping most of the field. With the only American in the field having to then fight off all the attacks for the rest of the race made it pretty exciting. He ended up coming in second to the Russain rider after losing the final sprint by inches. Man it was such an exciting race and the crowd went wild for that last sprint.

Anyway I was hooked. I signed up for the intro classes at the track the next Monday morning and got my first track time in yesterday. What a thrill it is riding on a track of that quality. Oh, and the track classes are taught by none other than Roger Young. A three time Olympic track racing coach teaching me a lowly cat 4 road rider how to ride on an indoor velodrome. Anyway I hope that all this is a reflection of something bigger happening in the US cycling world. Maybe track racing can find an audience here in the US.

By the way. They are hosting the Worlds at this track in March. I am so stoked.

ceya

I ridden the old track at Dominguez Hills. I will be there for the worlds!

S/F,
CEYA!

Ray R

There are three velodromes in the South, if you don't include Houston and Frisco, Texas. They are in Baton Rouge, LA; East Points, GA; and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Bicycle races have been held on motor racing tracks, but the tracks are much wider and less steeply banked than velodromes. These two factors eliminate the proximity that riders have to one another on the velodrome as well as the ability to accelerate quickly by diving down the banking. Typical velodrome tactics are not possible on motor racing tracks and the races generally take on the characteristics of a four corner criterium.

Ray R

A well run track event, more than any other racing discipline, ideally should be a show for the spectators. Unlike road racing, the spectator in the stands can watch each race unfold from start to finish. That means that it is the responsibility of the race organizer and the chief referee to make sure that each race follows as quickly as possible on the heels of the previous race. Ten minutes between races is far too long; three to five minutes maximum between races is essential to avoid losing the attention of the crowd. It also helps a great deal to have a charismatic announcer who is familiar with the various types of racing that add up to an interesting track session.

Woofer

Small world. I was there, too, for the advanced class. I came down from San Jose because I was tired of riding my road bike in the rain for eight straight days. I posted a report ( or novella if you go by size ) about my experiences on www.juniorvelo.com

kelvinmack

Hey Woofer,

Nicely written article about your experience at the ADT Velodrome. How old are you? That's some pretty good writing for a junior.

I wonder which junior racer you were? I stayed and watched the races until about 6pm. It was tough having to watch and not be able to participate. Five more classes and I will be out there every chance I get.

I am sure that there will be a better turn out of juniors as word gets out. That track is so fast and such a thrill to ride.