Posts
497
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
BR
Fantasy
2550th
Edited Date/Time
4/5/2014 5:13am
Yesterday Glen Helen was super crowded, and the track got really rough.
I guess it was a combination of the World Two-Stroke race at GH this weekend, Pala Raceway still being closed and the fast approaching start of the nationals that brought so many riders. As an added bonus, the crew prepped the track a little deeper than usual and put a LOT of water in some sections. After doing a couple of motos, I decided to take some pictures:
Here's what happened if you ventured off the main line in some sections.
This poor kid on a 65 decided to take the outside line (the main line is the inside, where the Kawi is heading), and got stuck. On this picture we can also see how crowded it was!
Even with the help of an adult, it took a while to free his bike. The guy on the CRF almost got stuck, and barely pulled through.
Before the uphill it was really soft, with deep ruts developing everywhere. Earlier on the day, one guy on a CRF decided to be the first one to try a line on the left side. His bike sank so bad that after trying to get it out for a while, he decided to just leave it there. It was very strange going by wide open and seeing a bike just standing there by itself. However, by the time I started taking pictures the bike was already gone.
My photos don't do justice to the difficulty of the section. I probably saw a couple of dozen crashes in this area. Here's Bogle wheeling through it, showing how it should be done!
I guess it was a combination of the World Two-Stroke race at GH this weekend, Pala Raceway still being closed and the fast approaching start of the nationals that brought so many riders. As an added bonus, the crew prepped the track a little deeper than usual and put a LOT of water in some sections. After doing a couple of motos, I decided to take some pictures:
Here's what happened if you ventured off the main line in some sections.
This poor kid on a 65 decided to take the outside line (the main line is the inside, where the Kawi is heading), and got stuck. On this picture we can also see how crowded it was!
Even with the help of an adult, it took a while to free his bike. The guy on the CRF almost got stuck, and barely pulled through.
Before the uphill it was really soft, with deep ruts developing everywhere. Earlier on the day, one guy on a CRF decided to be the first one to try a line on the left side. His bike sank so bad that after trying to get it out for a while, he decided to just leave it there. It was very strange going by wide open and seeing a bike just standing there by itself. However, by the time I started taking pictures the bike was already gone.
My photos don't do justice to the difficulty of the section. I probably saw a couple of dozen crashes in this area. Here's Bogle wheeling through it, showing how it should be done!
Although I didn't see the lap times, BB4 certainly looked like the fastest guy out there.
Bogle was also charging hard!
Davalos, on the other hand, seemed to be taking it easy. I guess he is more concerned at this point with the SX east points lead.
It was good to see Savatgy back on the bike.
There were a lot of Vet riders getting ready for the two-stroke race.
Jeremy Martin always riding with high intensity. He was looking good!
Thomas Covington is back from the GPs. Ironically, here's a picture of him going through a muddy section.
Savatgy in action.
The Shop
How did Chris Allredge and Justin Hoeft look compared to the pros?
Here are a few of Durhma negotiating the mud section:
1) The graceful entrance:
2) Making adjustments halfway through, as none of the ruts were straight:
3) The brutal impact at the exit:
Covington looked somewhat tentative early on, but was riding much better later in the day.
Although it looks flat in the picture, the uphill already had some mean bumps around noon. Here Savatgy catches some air.
BB4 railing the berm.
Later in day the outside lines started developing really good, as Martin demonstrates.
Durham attacks an off-camber.
Bogle:
Davalos.
Covington goes for the upshift.
Bogle gets bucked by a mean acceleration bump.
He definately has a different mindset once he gets on an outdoor track or even Daytona. Good to see his wrist is better, last year I think it held him back.
Bogle lifting the front wheel before hitting the bump.
The shot I posted before, right after hitting it...
...and the last one, as he recovers.
Pit Row
Thanks!
There was mayhem everywhere throughout the day. I don't think I've ever witnessed so many crashes in a single day.
Savatgy charging through the ruts.
One of Tortelli's students getting a little crazy in the downhill turn.
Bogle wheeling past a group of slower riders.
Hope he does well outdoors!
I saw him riding at GH 3 weeks ago, when he appeared to be taking it easy. However, I'm glad to report that Durham was on it yesterday. While riders like Bagget and Jason Anderson seem very serious on the track, all the time, Durham looks like he is having fun riding. He was fast, and confident on the bike, while still playing around with wheelies and wheel taps.
Here he covers with mud this little guy who was unfortunate enough to be passed right before this rut.
I rode Milestone on Wednesday, and it was also very soft, with lots of good ruts.
Thanks for the pics!!!
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