FTW Racing

FTWCO Riding Coach Marc Perrone

2012-02-01T12:07:00.004-06:00

I have been riding since I was about 12.. I took a break for many years after some Motocross when I was in my 20’s but picked everything back up after 9-11.. Life is just too short not to do what you want.. I am a Lead Instructor for Sportbike Tracktime in the Southern Division www.sportbiketracktime.com and get about a dozen weekends in a year. I really enjoy spending the time at the track.. We are there from Fridays to Sunday PM’s and it is always a good time on and off the track. I help people on the track advance their skills to become faster and more confident by teaching them the proper controls with the braking, gas and body position. If you have never experienced a day at the track… do it… I also enjoy working on bikes as much as I do riding them… My latest project was a basket case R1.. It was in boxes and completely torn apart.. After about 2 months it made its maiden voyage at the track… It was great to hear that engine scream after being apart for 10-11 years… Save them don’t Scrap them…
Keep up the great work… FTWCO Rocks….

Marc
Live and Breathe Motorcycles…

Introducing Oliver Taylor

2012-01-04T19:31:00.006-06:00

My name is Oliver Taylor. I am 16 and live in the UK.
My first bike was a little rev and rip Honda PW50 which I had when I was about 7. I rode that all the time until it was stolen. Then I got a Suzuki 80cc crosser which I still own.
I first got into road racing when I went to watch the World Superbikes at Donington Park in 2007. I was hooked! The following season I went to every British Superbike round and also MotoGP. I had friends who were racing and that made me want to race even more. I got an Aprilia RS125 which I did a year of track days on. This year was my first year racing in Formula 125 and I made the podium in my first 3 races and was running second in the Championship, but I had to miss the next round due to technical issues with the bike and I also missed the next round due to my chain snapping in both races.
After the season I was picked for the Red Bull Rookies selection event in Motorland Aragon, Spain. Although I didn't get through, it was a great experience getting to ride with some real fast riders!
Realizing that I was struggling to 'tuck in' on the Aprilia, I decided that moving up to a bigger bike would be the best way to progress for next year, so I am currently preparing my new Triumph Daytona 675 for next season, when I will be racing in NGRR & EMRA.
Thanks again and I look forward to riding for you!

Oliver Taylor

Help Warren Go Fast!

2011-12-28T20:07:00.001-06:00

First of all:
Happy holidays! May you consume too much egg nog but still wake up in your own bed! I am in the market for a beat up, cheapo sportster tank. Rust is not an issue and leaks are fine, but it can't have any big dents. Drop me a line (sponsor@ftwco.com) if there is something like this kicking around in a shed, in a box or under a bench somewhere.
Thanks!
Warren Matthews

A Dangerous Sport

2011-12-07T23:32:00.004-06:00

Hello, well, my season came to an abrupt end about 15 weeks ago. Fractured Tibia and torn Meniscus, happened playing football. Spent 8 weeks on crutches and now I'm back on the bike!! Booked hotel rooms for Vegas this morning, and began the process of converting my 450 from dirt to concrete for the indoor season. Sorry I didn't update you sooner, I have been really busy with school and walking on crutches everywhere. See you in Vegas!
J.Tinsley-36z

T-Rods Hat Trick+1

2011-11-30T22:28:00.012-06:00

Now that the sidecar season is over I'm back to racing speedway. I'm racing the Harley speedway bike on the small tracks ... first race first win on it ... and on the long tracks I'm racing the 4 valve upright Jawa because of the rpms . The HD goes up to 8,100 and the Jawa can turn up to 14,000-big difference . Are we ever gonna have a FTW Racing party? When all the riders can meet? That would be cool I'm sure ... OK, these pics are from last Saturday at the Perris Flat Track .. the longest speedway running track in SoCal . Perfect score . Won all 3 of my heats and won the main . The best night of racing I've ever had. Cheers!
Here is a photo of my new project . 1200 sportster for racing in Baja .... next year.

Help Get Travis to Texas

2011-11-30T22:26:00.004-06:00

Greetings,
Just got back from some indoor short track in Lincoln Nebraska. I got to shred my new old 250 framer and it was more fun than a hot tub full of drunken Norwegian Lesbians.
Hope to scrounge, rob or credit card my van to some more indoor fun in Texas in a few weeks. Anybody want to pitch gas money in the Colorado area?
Thanks for the support FTW. Newbold #747

Donations accepted at stickers@ftwco.com

Check out Anthony Brown and Geoff Cain's Video

2011-11-16T19:28:00.010-06:00

Cody's Wrap-Up

2011-11-16T19:16:00.007-06:00

Whats up guys? The 2011 season has came to an end. We had a very successful season and had a great time racing. I raced Oakland Valley short track and Lebanon Valley 1/2 mile (district 3 AMA) twice. Half miles got a best finish of 2nd but all podium finishes in the open amateur and 450 amateur divisions. Over all I ended up with 11 total wins and I am the 2011 Oakland Valley Speedway 450 amateur and open amateur champion. I also took 3rd place over all in sportsman. Thanks for all of the goodies throughout the season and we'll be back at it in 2012.
- Cody "The Commander" Hunt #729

Word From Warren

2011-11-16T19:15:00.002-06:00

My attention span is only so big, and it's now shifting towards some other fun. The mountains of Montana and Wyoming are beckoning and I will obey their call. It will be strictly a backcountry season this year and readying the fleet is paramount. The local pass is too expensive for what it offers and I would rather spend the meager pay I earn on bike parts. The time I will be spending waiting for the snowpack to build up I have hit the 2-stroke books. I have a dude helping me with the exhaust dimensions and have been pouring over notes concerning weight distribution and suspension. Jeff's post about the fundamentals of suspension was a decent read and helped to solidify some concepts I had rolling around in the empty can I call a brain. I will be fattening up the bike by about 100 pounds in order to keep the wheels planted, and some dyno time was instrumental in figuring out my baseline specs. So it's game on in the library, soon to be followed by full garage season.
See you when the sun sets.
PS: does FTWCO need a snowboard division?

Word From Anthony Brown

2011-10-19T22:59:00.002-05:00

Hey Guys

Just checking in with an end of season update. 2011 has been an awesome season for us. I have won the UK Shorttrack Thunderbike class and altogether Geoff and myself have a total of 4 class podiums in the UK end of year results. To finish the season off in style we took a ride down to Lonigo in Italy last weekend. Those guys know how to hold a Flattrack meeting in style. After practice and qualifing we all went across the road from the track and sat down for a lunch at the local pizzaera. The track was inconsistant and hard to ride but we had a ball. Time to get out the enduro and trials bikes for the UK winter.
As always thanks for your support in 2011

Nick Weimer at the Empire State Shootout

2011-09-28T21:13:00.004-05:00

Aye, So the last vintage race was the 18th. Won the 500 masters class points, took second or third in the Hot Rod singles points, and I think 4th in the 750 masters points. Then raced my first half mile last week. Did ok, just ok. Ended up 4th in the vintage class and shredded the belt on my Rotax in the first lap of the final. So I might have taken out the valves and piston knowing my luck (rotax parts aren't cheap, fuck!).
As far as school goes, I don't know, doing pretty good I guess. Taking a welding class and I can make pretty much anything I want as long as I have drawn up plans and its not paraphernalia or a weapon. So I'm gonna start making steel shoes and bike stands. Have a few FTW stickers on my helmet hahaha! Well anyways only about two more races left for the season. Then its ice racing and snowboarding time.
Peace out,
Nick Weimer 495

PJ Doran Races WERA, Rides With AMA, WSB Champ Scott Russell

2011-09-21T20:13:00.009-05:00

Not much anything beats driving in to Barber. Mr. Herrin just asked if he could park next to me! Whole Herrin family and two Yamaha semis surrounding me. Pulled a 1:36.1 in my last race. Did a lap with Russell on my elbow, then we hung out and he gave me pointers on my slowness. Seems surreal that a rookie like me can have that….
Thanks for the help in my chase.
Cheers FTW!

Scott Rounds at Oakland Valley

2011-09-21T19:57:00.013-05:00

Got home last night from the last event in the AMA Vintage National
series at Oakland Valley Speedway. Had a great day, my whole family
came out and three of the four of us raced. My sister ran my old XR100
in her first race ever, and my dad (Frank Rounds #39) cleaned up with
a win in the senior 50+ and got a third in the Hot Rod Singles class.
I had intended to spend half the day racing our good friend Leon's
Project Badger (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Badger/202219923143473)
in the Ironman 750 Brakeless class, but our hopes were shattered by a
non-functioning clutch. I turned a few laps in practice before it went
south, there are photos to prove it. It's a hell of a cool bike, and
I'm already looking forward to giving it another try.
I had better luck with the Yamaha, my usual ride, in the 500 Masters
class. I had a mediocre heat race which put me on the second line for
the feature race. There were about 15 riders in the feature, including
our good friend Nick Weimer and a couple other experts on the front
line. I had a decent start, rode well enough to keep up with the front
of the race, and on the last lap the leader took out the back marker,
in turn taking himself out of the race and putting me in fourth. Nick
Boy ended up in second, which won the overall points series for him,

but I'll let him tell you all about it.

Hope you guys are having at least that much fun. Send me some stickers
if you get a minute; the dumb fucks who stole my bike back in June
took all my stickers off, like they were gonna ride it in stealth mode
or something. Take it easy.
Cheers

Scott Rounds #12

Word from Warren

2011-09-07T19:34:00.001-05:00

By the skin of our teeth we made it out to Bonneville, then things got tricky. I spent he first day waiting in line and arguing my way through Scrutineering while Dylan replaced the timing cover gaskets on the mobile sodomy station; it was pissing out 2 quarts every 200 miles.
Then, as it turns out, electricity and salt don't get along. This was made apparent during a testing session when salt bridged from the plug cap and grounded straight to the motor, sweet. It took the rest of the day to regain spark and we would have been dead in the water if it were not for a honeydew melon and another hungry race team. Because all of our money went into the gas and oil tanks we traded the melon for a non-resistor plug and everything started to come together.
Fast-forward to several runs later... wheel spin sucks. At the top of 5th while running 16-28 gears I should have been doing 126mph, I did 109. Super lame. So we stepped it up to a 19 up front to help reduce torque and up the speed potential, that got me to 107. WTF!?! The motor was screaming, I burnt out the temp gauge and that's it?!
After speaking with some other teams, we figured that the bike was under weight by a lot. After scoring some 2" conduit and cement we were 22lbs heavier and 4mph faster, but out of time and options. I could have leaned things out for more HP but to what end? No way I was going to make up a 30mph deficit without going back to the drawing board.
All in all I did my best for this year but my best sucked. Every problem that kept me from my goals was well within my control; no excuses. So in an effort to not fall on my face (again), I took a lot of notes, made some contacts and booked some dynamometer time.
Thing could have been worse though. For instance, if my friend Dylan (pictured on the left) had not been along for the trip, things would have been a complete disaster. Not only is he a great friend for cashing in his vacation time to come along but he is a fantastic mechanic, therapist and acquisition specialist; I wish him all the luck and cougar-tail in the world. Later.

Word from Cody Hunt

2011-08-24T20:48:00.009-05:00

What's up FTW!
The 2011 season is going pretty good, our bikes have been running strong, bringing us home victories!! We're leading the points in open amateur and 450 amateur and we're currently 3rd in points in the sportsman division! I recently raced my first half mile the other day and took home two podium finishes!! There's only a hand full of races left in the 2011 season, hopefully we bring home more #1 finishes and the #1 plate.
- Cody 729

Nick Weimer Riding with the Stars

2011-08-24T20:39:00.002-05:00

Rode another vintage national in Dundee, Ny at Black Rock Speedway. They shipped Dave Aldana up there to race and sign autographs. I ended up battling it out with him for 3rd place in a heat race, it was awesome. I was right behind him in the final but couldn't make the pass. In the end I finished with two 2nds and two 4ths.
Cheers, Nick Weimer 495

Pretty Pic from Will Peak

2011-08-24T20:35:00.003-05:00

Presents from Twitch and Newbold

2011-08-24T20:27:00.004-05:00

Good/Bad with Warren M.

2011-08-10T22:20:00.006-05:00

IT LIVES!!!!!! Considering the intake never completely closes, I feel like the motor actually running is a huge win. Although, when I was thinking it through, I am sure glad that we have extra reed petals cause those are the only things keeping the charged air in the crank. The wiring problem was solved when my head finally emerged from my assholes. So, I couldn't wait to start it 'til the next day, my world would have most certainly come crashing down. So I closed the garage door and started kicking. The cocktail of pre-mix, gasoline and engine assembly lube produced an overwhelming cloudy cornucopia that filled the garage within seconds, but we were in the middle of a heat cycle so there was no shutting her down, just grab the mask an hope to survive. I'm kinda surprised/alarmed that my neighbors didn't call the fire department considering the smoke bellowing out of my house. I think they secretly want my shit to burn down, dicks. Anyways, the van has also had it's chicken resurrected at least until it comes up with another diabolical plot to quash my hopes and dreams. So everything is in order (knock on wood) but there are still several weeks and several hundred miles to cover till the salt, so we'll see what develops.
(4 days later)
Yeah, thats my hand. Small accident at work turned into a few hours at the Belgrade Urgent Care Clinic. With a little under 3 weeks 'til race day and a ton of tuning to do, I now have 13 stitches and one broken finger. Now things are a little complicated. It hurts a bit, but what concerns me is getting my gloves on to wrench and race. I should be healed in time but to be safe I have Dylan on standby as the pinch-hitter. Lessons learned: make sure your best friends are about the same size as you, so when they have to be you, they can fit into your tight leather suit. Im sure there is another lesson to be learned but one a day is enough for me.
Warren Matthews

Warren Matthews Too Close to Bonneville

2011-08-04T01:08:00.002-05:00

It's down to the wire. With three weeks 'til race day, here is where it all stands:
The motor has been ported beyond all reason and sits in the frame but has not been started yet, electrical spark is nowhere in sight but parts are on order, carb has been punched out like a cheap hooker, exhaust pipe calculations are based heavily in WAG methodology, the chassis sits strong and ready to rock, bodywork is being redone due to a MAPP gas incident, my transportation to the salt flats is currently sitting in the mall's parking lot waiting for a master cylinder to be installed, and non-refundable entrance fees have been paid. FML.

Newbold Visits Cain and Brown in U.K.

2011-08-03T22:58:00.003-05:00

My trip across the pond to hang out with the Co-Built fellows was a total blast. FTW!
The guys left out nothing for me. I raced a proper flat track bike, won a big fuckin' trophy after battling an Italian on mini bikes, saw speedway and long track speedway in Holland (fucking insane!) Rode dirt bikes on the Roman highway, rode epic trails in Wales, Trials bikes, scooters, Street touring solo, dualsport rides, oh and was the judge of the best bike contest for Sideburn party! Fuckin Awesome. Thanks FTW for uniting two wheelers world wide. Keep it slideways. -#747

Newbold From the Top

2011-07-06T16:41:00.004-05:00

Well I got higher than a hippie in a helicopter at the PPIHC this year. Had me a real good time and met some awesome folks from around the world.
I qualified 2nd, Got the Holeshot over the 5 man front row and led for a corner then Davey Durelle and his factory Kawi led the way to the top. Joe Prussiano beat me on time from the second row, so I made the box for the third year. What a epic race. Make plans and start getting ready for next year.
Next up I am hopping over the pond to stay with FTW racer Anthony Brown for a few weeks and make some anarchy in the UK. Thanks world wide web and FTW. Shits awesome!

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaawp! -Newbold#747

Word from John Tinsley

2011-06-29T21:40:00.001-05:00

Well, Ventura Raceway went pretty well. I took 6th in the AM open main and 2nd in the chopper main. The track was GREAT in practice, my bike was hooking up and I was flying, but the dumbasses at Ventura Raceway put too much water on the track and it became SLICK! I was leading the hooligan class, the only other guy that gave me a challenge was riding an XR750 framed Sportster 1200. I was on a 1936 Indian Sport Scout with NO BREAKS. In AM open practice I was doing OK and running mid pack. I took 2nd in the Hooligan heat and 4th in the Am Open heat, there were 7 people in Am Open and 10 people in Chopper/Hooligan. The track was the best in the heats by far. By the time the main events rolled around it was 8:00 when the Hooligan main took the track, and it was pretty slick, I couldn't work the bikes clutch and lost a lap yet still salvaged a 2nd. By the time the Am Open main took the track they had watered it and it became Flat track Drifting, I almost lost the front end on 5 occasions and ended up in 6th place. I'm going to Perris Speedway (SCFTA) on July 9th and 10th, I sure hope I do better there. I will no longer be riding the Indian due to a sponsor being tired of a 15 year old getting all the attention and him thinking he can do it. He can until he crashes the 1st time. I changed my number to 36z because 57 is what was on the Indian.

Newbold PBR650

2011-06-22T20:20:00.010-05:00

Howdy,
Gettin' ready for Pikes Peak Hill Climb here so I'm about as happy as a dog in a hub cap shop. With my 450 all dropped and done up for the hill I decided to pop the race cherry on my '03 XR650 and race a two hour WERA Hairscramble in Montecello, Utah. Ain't raced a 650 since my Baja adventures and I thought it would be fun just to see the looks I get on the starting line with a pro number and a license plate. Ended up doing purdy darn well and got 4th. Kinda like when you take a fat girl out on a date. No expectations but you know when the lights go out its gonna be fun! Ok, nuff of that. Kill the trees, destroy the berms, and fist pump the shit out of the dude booter. Happy Trails, Newbold 747

P.s. my buddy Mick Dundy took these pics, hence the PBR can in the berm in the middle of b.f.e.

Vintage Weimer

2011-06-22T20:12:00.005-05:00

YO! Just raced a vintage national at my home track this past weekend. Did pretty good. Got on the podium for 3 outta 4 races. Then the next day I raced a non vintage race and won all 4 classes I was in. Gonna follow the series around to rack up some points. Don Miller from Metro racing keeps trying to get me to wear his shirts but I keep telling him I only wear FTW gear.

JUD LINDER K.O. in OH.

2011-06-15T22:34:00.009-05:00

Hey guys!
Just dropping a line from the OH-10. Raced my first race of the season at a 1/4 mile shorttrack a week ago and did OK with a third in the Main Heavyweight Vintage class, but more importantly got my bike dialed in/set up great.
This Memorial day weekend in Canton,OH was the Classic Flattrack National series at a 1/2 mile peagravel track(my favorite) that I never want to miss! The race usually draws some fast riders from all over, including FTWCO riders Jordan Baber,Trent Bartolotti and Joe Baker! I won my heat in Vintage Open class on my 500 and also my Over 30 heat, so needless to say my confidence was up heading into the mains! I knew I had Baber to deal with in my vintage class(Baker had a mechanical) so I needed to have my shit together after watching Baber tear up the track!(kid is fast!) Got a great jump in the main and it was me and Baber pulling away bigtime on the first lap, and then he washed out in turn 1 or 2 so the race never materialized and I went on to a easy victory! In my over 30 main I got off to a decent start but had some bike issues and had to settle for third in that race just ahead of Bartolotti. Well that's it, and I would have to say FTWCO was well represented at the vintage nationals in Canton,OH!
Pics are from my good buddy Neil Perry.

Nick Weimer On the Gas

2011-05-26T01:18:00.003-05:00

So I got my 1st expert win on Mothers Day. Went from fourth to first. Took second in Sportsman and won the Vintage class. So far I'm undefeated in that. I think it's the FTWCO stickers on my helmet and bikes.. helps with the aerodynamics haha.

SCOTT ROUNDS TAKES THE WIN

2011-05-25T20:14:00.002-05:00

Dudes,
Got to my second race of the season this past Sunday. First race
wasn't so great, I lowsided halfway through the feature. Nevertheless,
it felt good to be back on the track after that wreck last season.
Anyway, I managed to pull off a win in Vintage on Sunday, I'm stoked!
Here's a pic of me with the checkers.
Cheers,
Scott Rounds #12

At the Track with Illusion Cycles

2011-05-13T12:57:00.005-05:00

Flat track in the U.K. with Anthony Brown and Geoff Cain

2011-05-13T12:54:00.003-05:00

We pulled it off. Flew in Dave Aldana as a special guest and had us a great couple of nights of hanging and racing in the UK. Geoff #45 and Me #47 were representing for FTWCO. I managed to get a second in the final behind the Flying Italian Jacopo Monti. Geoff hung in the for a 5th place with a sick motor. results were the icing on the cake. The real deal was racing Flattrack in the UK on a warm evening under floodlights in front of a large crowd with a legend and an inspiration. It can't get much better, except our next round is at the UK Moto GP, Rossi's dad is coming!
We had already been busy this year. Two meetings and 4 podiums.
I had a First and Third in the two classes we ride at our opening round in Scunthorpe.
Geoff took a second and a third in our second round at Rye House.
We have a full season ahead including trips onto mainland europe, 5 Co-Built bikes running this year which are complete builds by us in the UK, plus we have a Royal Visit from #747 Newbold to look forward to in the summer.
That trip is a direct result of you guys at FTWCO so thanks for your inspiration.

More soon
Anthony #47

Introducing Newest Cali Representation John Tinsley

2011-05-13T12:51:00.002-05:00

My name is John Tinsley. I live in beautiful Ventura,CA. I am 15 years old, and a freshman in high school. I started riding at the young age of 3 and have been progressing ever since I threw a leg over the 1st time. My weapons of choice are a 2004 CRF450R, and a 1936 Indian scout 750 that I ride tankshift breakless. My goal for 2011 is to meet the requirements for an AMA Pro license. I lied about my age and rode Vegas indoor, I slapped a 250 together and rode San Jose indoor (concrete like Vegas) and am planning on winning multiple classes at my home track Ventura Raceway on June 11th. Maybe I can show Newbold a thing or 2 about riding concrete ;) John

Word from Cody Hunt

2011-05-13T12:49:00.001-05:00

Whats up FTW, I just wanted to send you a picture and my results from my 1st two races
Start off by saying all of last year i ran a CRF250r and now this year I hopped on CRF450r. My first race I took a 1st and a 2nd, today I took two 1st places and a third place!! Just keeping you guys posted!!
- Cody 729

Representation in the Southeast #682 Will Peek

2011-05-11T20:47:00.000-05:00

I race motocross, arenacross and a little bit of drag racing. I've been racing motocross all over the state of Alabama for about 5 years.My bike is a 2010 YZ450F. My drag bike is a fully modded out 1992 sporty.(we're still test and tuning it for now).
I work at Riders Harley-Davidson in Birmingham Al. in the service dept. The service manager here turned me on to y'all.
This past summer I took some time off from racing and bought a wrecked '95 Softail and build it to how I wanted it and its been the best street bike I've ever rode.
Thank you, Will Peek
~{MotoX682}~

Newbold Not #747 Anymore?

2011-04-20T21:57:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to thank you for the most rad jersey. I wore it yesterday at the opening round of the WEBE hairscramble series and despite taking a gnarley soil sample to the face after a sand whoop endo I wound up taking 7th out of the 32 man pro class. The two hour sand race was rough and tough but my super fly jersey kept me cool as Miles Davis. Hopefully better finishes will follow this year. Thanks for the support. BBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPP! -Newbold 747
P.s you best not blog this pic as its a mug only a mom could love. I was just stoked on my new hair cut and earned number, but I should have some gnar shredding pics of race action your way soon. FTWMuch

Word from Land Speeder Warren Matthews

2011-04-20T21:56:00.000-05:00

Feeling very fast but very busy. I got a job and that has put a damper on garage progress. However, I sent my motor out to my dude for porting and it's been a few months and haven't heard from him... fortunately I have another engine if he's spontaneously imploded. The fairing is posing to be a bit of a challenge and new rules are putting me at quite a disadvantage. The record I want has been standing for 30 years and the fairing rules were a bit more lax back then (I think) That bike also has 100cc on mine. However, bulldogging my way forward has served me well in the past, so I continue to press on. I had made some fiberglass fairings but am a little disappointed with the how they came out so I think I'll be doing that again, maybe in carbon this time. I have also recently adopted a college student to do my math homework. I put flyers up at the local University's engineering department and got a decent response. Unfortunately once they met me they realized that I am just some wingnut and not a full-fledged "race team". I made sure to be wearing a FTWCO shirt when I first met them and the usual reply was "are you okay"? F those turds. The dude who was not discouraged by my persona is a gem. He is currently building a triumph chop and knows who FTWCO and COC are; win. We have a trade worked out: I am his voice of experience in motorcycle building and he helps me work out the go-fast on my salt racer. He totally gets screwed in this arrangement. Either way, fun is happening but progress is slow. Sorry this was so wordy but I live in montana now and don't know anyone around here. Later gators.
OOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Almost forgot, do you know anyone who knows about running tubeless with spoked rims? i need to get rid of some rotating mass and have an idea how i can get it done but it would be nice to talk to someone who has run with this. i promise not to rat-out anyone's race secrets and will keep any information shared as top secret. okay, buy buy.
Any help for Warren can be emailed to sponsor@ftwco.com

T-Rod Takes the Main at Perris Raceway

2011-03-30T19:30:00.006-05:00

Yesterday we won the main. Thanks soo much for all your help and support! Ayer domingo gane la final, gracias a todos, familia y amigos por su apoyo!

FTWCO helps Team Kinetic in Endurance

2011-03-23T22:38:00.007-05:00

In 2010, Team Kinetic won the WERA National Endurance Series in the lightweight class, finishing all but one race on the podium. From Savannah, GA to Salt Lake City, UT, the team pushed themselves and their Dunlop shod SV650 to the limits in four and six hour races to retain their title.
Members of Team Kinetic have combined success of 18 expert sprint championship titles, four endurance titles, and countless race wins. All of the team members have chosen the LWT classes as their home, so we race as a team on Friday and Saturday and against one another on Sunday. It makes for great ball-busting conversation over a few cold Pabst or Yuengling.
For those who have not been around much endurance racing, here is a bit of info: they race for four or six hours, the riders will have stints for an hour and a half to two hours depending on strategy, each time we change riders the bike get another 6 to 7 gallons of fuel and new rear tire after the half way point of the race.
So, if you make it to a WERA National, stop by the Team Kinetic #27&274 pits. They are easy to find, just listen for some Gov't Mule or some reggae filling the air, look for some really green SV650s with huge gas tanks and FWTCO shirts!
When the guys aren't riding the endurance bikes they can be found on their sprint bikes sporting these numbers.
Tim Birdsong #3
Gill Cutchen #105
Like Echols #724
Chris Parrish #128
Rob Turner #474
Michael Wischmeyer #222

Check their website here: http://www.teamkineticracing.com/

Introducing FTWCO Racer #27 Jordan Baber

2011-03-23T22:18:00.009-05:00

Alright well, my names Jordan Baber. I'm 17. Born and raised in Carlisle Iowa. I'm currently in the top of my senior class at Carlisle High School, with plans on attending Iowa State University in the fall for engineering. I race flat track competitively, but every now and then you might catch me racing a local motocross. If I'm not found around there its pretty likely I'm tearing up the woods or the ice with my buddies. My dads worked on motorcycles for close to 40 years and been around motorcycle racing for almost as long, but never raced himself. So naturally I started riding dirtbikes at a very young age, and my dad's friends had a flat track in their back yard. I remember going there to watch several times when I was younger and it was then that I fell in love with flattrack. But it took a while to get my mom convinced about racing so I have only raced for 3 years now. For such a sort career I've already had some pretty good achievements, including a Nebraska State Indoor Flat Track Championship, and last summer I won the Classic Flattrack National Championship series. Hopes are high and everything is looking good for this season as I plan on racing all over the midwest in modern and vintage classes. I have a 2007 Honda CRF450, a 1976 Honda XL350, and a 1970's Triumph 750 for race bikes.

T-Rod's H-D Speedway bike

2011-03-22T12:19:00.002-05:00

FTWCO Racer #83 Tiffany Sloan Benefit

2011-03-18T15:23:00.007-05:00

My name is Tiffany Sloan, I'm 23 years old, from a small town of Beaverton, Michigan. I learned how to ride a bike on when I was about 14. It didn't take long before I was beating the boys that were on 250cc bikes on a little 85cc Honda and I soon upgraded to the 250's. I starting out Ice racing, a sport that not many people get to experience except for the northern parts of the US and Canada. It's an extreme sport battling not just the fellas I race with but the the frigid temperatures and shaved ice or slush being spit in your face from the rider just ahead of you. With the studs we use in our tires, the traction we get on the ice is unbelievable to most. There is way more traction on the ice than there is when we Flat Track on the dirt.
After a National WIN on the ice in the 450A class in 2005 and a few State Championship wins, I have recently taken my talents to the Pro level to see what I have for the big boys! This year I'll be traveling the U.S. to select GNC races competing in the Pro-Singles series. Come with me while I chase my dream to the top of the podium this summer on Facebook. Look for the Tiffany Sloan #83j Fan Page for race updates, pictures and upcoming events.

For now, Here's the latest gig in the 83j racing program. Stick with us for upcoming giveaways and events!

Lets Win Some Races and Save Some Lives!

Half way through the race season in 2010 I was granted the opportunity of getting my pro license. While I have always been confident in my abilities on a race track, it wasn't long before I was signed up to compete at my first Grand National event in Lima Ohio.
In 2010, I attended 3 national events qualifying fast enough to compete in them all. I impressed myself along with many other people and have acquired many new friends and fans along the way. So far it has been a very rewarding
experience and has only made my passion for racing grow.
For the 2011 season I'd like to attend as many races as I can afford, but racing is quite expensive. Things like travel and lodging expenses, tires, race fuel and maintenance parts add up rather quickly in this sport. In looking for ways to raise money for my racing, a unique opportunity has presented itself. Recently, I have I have committed to run The Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, TN. I will be running 13.1 miles rain or shine. There will be nearly 30,000 runners at the event and double the spectators. Training for this event has been far tougher than I had imagined, but it will give me a huge advantage by putting me in better shape than most of my competitors and will help push me through for some excellent results.
As a way to raise some money for my racing, I'm having a fund raiser that begins now until April 29th, the day before the marathon. Part of the money will go to the Tiffany Sloan Race Fund and the other part to the Leukemia Foundation. Donors will also be given some chances to win some cool prizes and be a part of some cool events along my journey to the top of the podium!

So! Let's Win Some Races and Save Some Lives!

The Proceeds will be divided as follows: (As a total of all donations collected)
10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia Foundation on the day I run the Marathon!

A donor may contribute any amount of money they see fit to donate. Every amount is appreciated and will help in a big way.

For every $10 dollars donated, you will be entered into a drawing to win prizes from the drawing. (*Prize list below)

Since #83 is the Magic number, the first $83 a donor contributes to the fund, donor will receive a Tiffany Sloan 83j package which includes: an 83j tee shirt, stickers, autographed poster and be entered into the drawing 10 times! (*Prize list below)

Top 10 donors will be included on a special edition Tiffany Sloan tee shirt, in which I will be running the marathon in, and will wear during each race event. The donors listed on the shirts will each receive one of these special edition tee shirts.

Top Donor will be invited to join me in my race teams pit for the day and receive a prize package including: 2 pit passes to the national event of their choosing. You will receive a collared race team shirt, and will have the opportunity to walk me and the bike out on the track before the main event, provided I qualify for the event that day. Top donor will also receive Tiffany Sloan apparel and other merchandise from the rest of the race team. The donors company or name will be placed on my race bikes for the 2011 race team as a top sponsor.

Donors, you are more than welcome to designate the money specifically for my racing or specifically toward the Leukemia Fund. Please note, donations specifically to the leukemia fund will exclude you from the Top Donor Prize and will be entered only once into the drawing.

HOW TO DONATE:
For your convenience, we tried to make donating as easy as possible.

Facebook users: Find the "Tiffany Sloan #83j Fan Page". There will be a Pay Pal Link that you will be able send money directly into an account that is specifically set up for this fund raiser.

You can also send cash, checks or money orders, Payable to "Tiffany Sloan" to:
Tiffany Sloan
P.O. Box 172
Rosebush, MI 48878

*Prize List
Nook e-reader from Barnes and Noble ($150 value)
Wine and Cheese basket ($100)
Ray-Ban Sunglasses ($140)
Watch ($500)
Pursed by Bear Wine ($50)
Motion Pro tools and apparel
Spider Grips
Tiffany Sloan tee shirts
Tiffany Sloan 83j number plates
Signed photographs
Restaurant Gift Certificates
Gas Cards
Free Oil Changes
Mandingo Pickles

Much more to come!

If a company, family, individual is interested in sponsorship of my racing outside of this fundraiser and would like further information, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Questions/comments: Email Tiffany at: tsloan83@yahoo.com

Plenty of Time

2011-03-02T23:57:00.003-06:00

Broke it snowboarding, should be healed for the first race. Not nearly as bad as the poor dude that got hit on the chopper, best of luck to him. And good luck FTW team for 2011.

Nick Weimer #495

T-Rod and Speedway

2011-02-21T13:16:00.000-06:00

T-Rod testing out the new bike....Nice! Thanks T-Rod!

UK Indoor / Anthony Brown

2011-02-14T23:57:00.000-06:00

NEW 747

2011-02-09T21:01:00.001-06:00

Howdy, Got me a new scooter. Super dank! Lord Mick shot these pics of the break in ride. Paradise in western Colorado as usual. Pack up your van and lets ride!!!! -NEWBOLD 747

WTF happened to FTWCO racer Michael Snell ?

2011-02-09T20:43:00.003-06:00

Well let's just say it sucked, I was hit by a car Aug 29th, it turned left in front of me. I have been racing since 1992 and have never broken a bone. Go figure I get hit 3 blocks from home at 15 mph. I have blown a motor at Daytona on the bank at 150 mph with no problems
I broke by femur, it was hanging out of my body. My left leg from the knee up is pretty much plated to the max. I broke my arm, wrist and foot. I fractured my head and ribs. I severed nerves in my head that caused loss of hearing in my left ear. They went to my neighbors looking for family saying I was dead LOL. I am still recovering, I am up and walking. It took a month alone to be able to crawl upstairs to my bed. It took 3 days of rest after the first time I did it, but everyday is better. Needless to say it made the race season extremely short to non-existent. The Dr. says my leg will be stronger than ever with the plates so I am looking forward to getting back out there soon.
YOU CANT KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN
Now for the upside . Let's face it, there a dudes that have it much worse and I am hear to live the dream. So what now? I am racing again, it's in my blood. We are working on the bike this weekend. If the rural roads are clear we will test the Buell Superbike this weekend. If all goes well we will go to Hallett (Tulsa ) soon for some real test and tune. I am not sure how the leg will react but I am certain it will be ok by season open or close to it. The economy has taken a toll on both Super Moto and Super Bike schedules. Another good point from the wreck, outside of 4 months of contemplating what's really important, I lost 40 pounds. Never a bad thing for racing.
What does 2011 bring? My mind moves faster than a pro fuel bike. I am racing, I need to back it in and wheelie out. I am just not done. I am going to work on my new Pan Shovel , work on creating a scene in St. Louis http://goingnowherefaststl.blogspot.com/ , try to organize a run.

See you at the Dice party this year.
Snelvis
Michael Snell

KILL THE TREES -Newbold #747

2011-01-19T20:39:00.000-06:00

Word from #8 Jud Linder

2011-01-19T20:32:00.005-06:00

Hey guys, just thought I would drop ya some photos of us riding the lake. Most people bitch about the winter, and it sucks not being able to jump on the scooter and go for a ride in your favorite FTWCO t -shirt, but when there's ice there's riding! Absolutely some of the most fuuun that I have on two wheels all year!!! This 2007 RM 250 does it all for me, MX, Harescrambles, Enduro, Shorttrack, TT, and Ice. GOD I LOVE MOTORCYCLES!! Alright I'm out, I gotta go fatten this bitch up before I blow a hole in the piston.
Jud Linder #8

Introducing Newest FTWCO Racer #77 JOE BAKER

2011-01-19T20:15:00.001-06:00

I started riding when I was four on a Honda Mini-Trail and have never looked back since. I started racing before my seventh birthday on a Honda MR50, which was vintage even then. I still have the MR ,and yes,it still runs. As I got older I moved up through the ranks and eventually started racing my Dads bikes. He raced a Harley-Davidson Sprint in AHRMA's Classic 250 class until back problems forced him into early racing retirement. I won the Ohio State flat track series championship in lightweight brakeless(0-250cc) and in Heavyweight vintage (500cc-open) back in 2004 and won again in 2007 with a Pro Sport 450 series championship and the middleweight vintage championship(251-499cc). I'm 23 now and I currently race an '03 Honda CRF 450 in the Pro class and a '78 Yamaha TT 500 in the vintage classes. That my TT in the picture. I've been lucky and have been able to race some kick ass bikes over the years. I've raced everything from a handshift Harley WLDR to a Wood-Rotax. I race all over Ohio and see Jud and Trent from the site up at Western Reserve every time I go. The site kicks ass and it's awesome that there's a site about guys having fun racing from all around the world. Keep up the good work and thanks!

747 Launch

2011-01-12T19:29:00.003-06:00

Howdy. Ok so I did very badly in Vegas last weekend but I did learn a thing or two; doing it in the dirt is how I like to do it, and sometimes it is good to just spectate. Oh, and one other thing I learned is that you should try not to let go of your bike on a short track because it might ghost ride itself like a RPG missile into the scoring girls. I am purple from my shoulder to my knee and have only really one thing to say: A bad day racing is still better than any other day.
braaaaaaaaawwp! Newbold #747

Word from Warren Matthews

2011-01-05T20:56:00.004-06:00

Yo dudes, its full-on garage season up here in Montana! Still no big breaks in the engine-design department but serious moves are being made on the chassis.
A good friend welded up some tabs on the fork socks and thus begins the task of streamlining. Several new rules have been enacted governing the use of streamlining in "open class" vehicles and so I am pretty limited in options. In the class I am gunning for (A-AG 500) I have to have 210 degrees of front wheel showing and cannot cover up any of the back rim, nor can i have anything extend rearward of the tire. In addition, any rear fairing section cannot be 5" higher than the seat and my ass must be visible from the back. Okay fine. The fun part is that I get to make the fairings, but I really have no business handling any substance as sticky as resin. Moving on...
I got a sweet banana seat! It should add at least 3-4hp and more importantly, it's super cozy. In order to use it and get my profile lower I had to make the shock reservoir a remote one. A hack-saw and some Harley brake fittings made it an easy job. Also, in the rule book, its stated that my seat needs to be below the tire-line; looks like the 21" will stick around for another season.
Next is to get all the controls to work from farther back and to find a space warm enough to play with epoxy and fiberglass. Later gators!

Dustin Hiniker and the Catalina Gran Prix

2010-12-09T01:48:00.000-06:00

What a great time! The weather and the track were perfect. Dustin took 5th in his class.

Thanks Dustin!

2010-11-24T18:48:00.003-06:00

Howdy fellers, just wanted to say thanks for the love and support and great gear swag this year. It was a rad pleasure to have FTWCO listed as my only sponsor this year. This year was funner than a barrel of drunk monkeys. I wrapped up the Rocky Mountain Enduro Curcuit with an overall of the A class and 3rd overall. Not bad for my first year of enduros.
2nd Pro in the WEBE Harescrambles Series was way too close to 1st (if you ain't first- you're last) but still tasted purdy swell. 2nd 450 pro at Pike's Peak is for sure at the top of the trophy pile on my mantle. I cant fuckin' wait for next year!!! I am already trying to find flat track races to go to in the cold season. The garage is full of chop and destroy projects and I'm doing some heavy breathing on my XS flat tracker and am looking forward to the Gene Romero opener in Vegas. Happy Fuckin' Trails!!! braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawp! braaaaaaaaaaaaaaawp!
Peace love and wheelies. Newbold #747

Introducing Newest FTWCO Cody Hunt #729

2010-11-18T00:05:00.000-06:00

My name is Cody Hunt, I'm 15 years of age and I race flattrack motorcycles. I have been riding since I was 4 years old when I got my 1st JR 50 dirtbike. I live on the east coast of New York. I am good friends with one of your sponsored riders Nick Weimer #495. I also know Scott Rounds #12 and Mike Kramer #278. I actually race at the same track as these three helpful racers. This year I raced a half a year on my 250 framer and the second half I raced on my 2008 CRF250r dtx bike. I missed 4 races, but still managed to finish 3rd in points in 250 amateur at Oakland Valley. Next year I plan to race some District 3 AMA races at Square Deal, Electric City, and Lebanon Valley's high banked 1/2 mile!! I finished up 2010 with 7 wins. Thank You guys and I wish all of your sponsored riders the best of luck! - Cody #729

Introducing Newest FTWCO Racer Nick Weimer #495

2010-11-10T20:04:00.001-06:00

Ever since I can remember, I've been around motorcycles. I remember being down in the basement when I was in diapers, checking out my sisters PW 50. When I was about 5 my dad finally threw me on it and let me ride around the yard. We started trail riding and messing around in the local sand pits.
At the age of 7, in 2002 I got in my first flat track race at the Middletown Thunder Dome. I think I finished 3rd in the 50 class, but I cant remember (too many concussion from racing, ha). From there I made my way up through the ranks, 80, 100, 250 to my current bike which is a Rotax 600 in a Woods frame, which I'm borrowing from the local UPS guy. I also race vintage with an XR 500 in a Star Racer frame against some FTW riders, Mike Kramer and Scott Rounds.
I took three second places in the points at Oakland Valley Speedway in Vintage, Sportsman, and Expert. For some winter projects, my dad and I are thinking about building a Harley K model, or a 500 Triumph in a Champion Frame. That's my story. Stoked to be part of the FTW team! NICK

Word from Warren Matthews

2010-11-10T19:39:00.002-06:00

Yo guys, I need a little help and maybe you can point me in the right direction. I need to hook up with someone who knows about fluid dynamics and venturis. The mental image I have of the perfect person would be a little nerdy MIT student who is pumped on oddball designs and knows their way around CAD modeling, and a working knowledge of 2-stroke motors would be plus. I have a decent understanding of the physics involved but have no one to bounce ideas off of, nor do I personally have the resources nor mentality to beat my head against the wall with trial and error.
I want to add a scoop to my 2-stroke and grab some free HP in the form of RAM-air. The complication I am running into is the shape of the scoop and the proper carb to run. The round-slide, 39mm Mikuni I have been using meters fuel based on the volume and speed moving through the venturi. If I successfully force air into the intake I will be increasing the mass of the airflow but not the speed and volume and thus will create a lean mix at high speeds. My solution is to get a CV carb, but what carb? I was thinking about running the same CV some dudes run on ironheads: 40mm keihin. They are easy to find and use, but where I need help is in the making of a scoop. The rendering is easy, I can make it, but the shape cannot be arbitrary. I can calculate the opening based on my engine's needs and the speed I am hoping for, but the shape is key and I don't know enough about gas dynamics to make it proper. To complicate things, I have very limited space, an odd motor and would like to integrate an air box based on a Helmholtz resonator. What's more, from what I understand about scoops, the openings are often too small until i reach the projected speed and beyond that they drag; sweet. I'm not sure how or where i can make compromises.
Anyways, I welcome any and all input, but this may be a bit too involved for anyone to enter pro bono on, and I am working my way through a stack of books. Thanks for getting back to me.
Send any good ideas to ride@ftwco.com

Word from Noah Jordan

2010-11-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

I made it out to practice at the new Perris 1/4 mile track first time back from the crash. The pix are kinda shitty but it's all I got for now.
FTW # 81

Scott Rounds #12 and his broke-ass collar bone

2010-11-03T20:51:00.002-05:00

You guys are the shit. Here's me testing the light at the studio this
morning. New favorite shirt!

Word from Warren Matthews

2010-10-28T12:21:00.001-05:00

I found this on Loring's page, number 9402. It doesn't have my name next to it but no one else is gonna own up to making such a silly mousetrap. . what was I thinking when I called this "race ready"? Granted its a solid bike and it slipped through safety inspection like a greased walrus, but ready to race?
Things to do: get those silly wires out of the wind, feet way further back, reversed shift pattern, HEAD DOWN, some slick fenders would help, lower the whole bike, HEAD DOWN, hands farther back and in tighter, enclose the rear section, gotta get my ass a little lower and get that bulbous, bean-can down and out of the wind...

SCOTT ROUNDS FTWCO #39 TAKEN OUT

2010-10-20T21:14:00.001-05:00

Greaser Mike, aka Michael Kramer FTWCO Racer #278 sent word that Scott got taken out and flown away from the races at Oakland Valley on Oct. 10th.
Read about Scott's account here:http://greasermike.blogspot.com/2010/10/get-well-soon-scott.html
and a full account of the day from Scott's Dad here:http://sidewaysnortheast.blogspot.com/2010/10/oakland-valley-race-report.html
Get well soon Scott!

Jud Linder on the dirt

2010-10-13T23:51:00.000-05:00

These are some pics from my last flattrack races. My buddy Neil Perry took these shots. The old greybeard in the one pic is his pops, hell of a guy and wrench! I am like a sponge around him! Anyways we had a big blowout season ending bash at our motorcycle club called the Lowbrow Holeshot (sponsored by Lowbrow costoms) and it was Fuckin Bitchin! The place was packed!! During the afternoon as I was prepping the track all these old chops and Brit bikes just kept rolling in, man it was just a cool deal! I raced 450 heavyweight on a borrowed bike and did ok, 4th in the main behind Bartolotti (who is in some of these pics) the bike needs some minor tweaks to get it right. Then on my vintage bike I ate shit in the middle of three and four in the heat race so I had piss poor pick for the main but had a kinda of uneventful main and rode like a pussy to another 4th. The bike wasn't shifting right either, could not get off the line! So after the races we hung out and partied a little with the Lowbrow bash and then hit the road at six in the fnnn morning to drive a few hours south to a half mile in Richwood,OH. They had a good turnout it seemed but after my practices I had to call it a day, my shifter shaft was bent all to fuck and my starter drive came loose and pounded the shit outta my flywheel, but it wasn't a total wash. My two buddies got to race their first half mile (Neil who took these photos and Trent Bartolotti fellow FTWCO rider) And I think they had a fucking blast and are hooked! I love being the pusher! anyways I am rambling and my dinner is getting cold. Thanks for the swag this year and I am hoping to keep spreading the FTWCO word throughout 2011. You guys just keep on doing what your doing cuz it fucking rules!! FTWCO FOREVER

OHIO FLAT TRACK

2010-09-30T01:55:00.000-05:00

Pics from Trent Bartolotti FTWCO Racer #34 Sept. 18 at the CRA Flat Track Races ,

Western Reserve Motorcycle Club, Salem, Oh.

News from Anthony Brown #47 and Geoff Cain #45 on UK Flattrack

2010-09-22T22:12:00.001-05:00

Me (47)and Geoff (45) have been riding all UK shorttrack rounds and a couple of Euro rounds as well. We rode a big meeting in Teterow, Germany at the beginning of September. I got knocked off by a flying highsided bike in the 3rd corner of the 1st heat. It pretty much sucked and I had to sit out the rest of the meeting. Geoff was riding well and progressed through the heats to make the final. He had made himself a Ti hotshot, so once the sun went down and the floods came on he broke it out. The sheet of sparks was pretty impressive and the crowd seemed to like it!
Anyway, the next day we drove from Northern Germany down through Czech Republic to Austria. The next round took place on a small grippy track which is normally used for quad racing. I was still feelin' pretty sore but figured having driven a couple of days I might as well ride. Geoff had a ton of bike troubles but I managed to make the final.
Since then we have ridden a couple of UK rounds the last of which was on Sunday.
Anyway, it's been a great season so far. Got a hillclimb going down this weekend and some more flattrack coming up soon after so I will be sure to keep you guys posted. Anthony

Newbold 747 Hare Scrambles

2010-09-16T00:58:00.002-05:00

Well, last weekend was the final round of the WEBE Hairscramble Circuit and I came in almost tied in points with Keith Johnson. Yeah, that arenacross champ dude Keith Johnson. About an hour and a half in my masterlink broke, never lost the clip, just fucking broke in half. I said a lot of loud fucks and shits and a bunch of other stuff into the epic tree infested forest and watched as Keith raced on by my new spectating point. Lost the championship. Bummer. Purdy shur I got 2nd, though, and for a broke, cheap beer drunkin' hand rolled smoker from the novice ranks of Bum Fuck Colorado I'm purdy damn happy with that. This is only my second year in the pro ranks. Next year I'm gonna put the smack down on all the rich bitches that line up on the front row. No disrespect to Kieth, he is a really cool dude and to lose a championship to him is mighty fine in my book. It was an awesome mountain wooded race. Epic course.
Happy trails. Newbold 747

Eric Bennett

2010-09-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

We will get some info how the week went soon...Check back.

Thanks Eric!

NEWBOLD 747 @ BUB

2010-09-08T20:44:00.004-05:00

Well here's a little update after participating in the BUB speed trials. The ol' girl didn't blow up despite my best efforts. You just can't kill an old Jap motor with points. Got it up to 141 mph at the end of the week. I did adjustments after every run from 117 mph up. Everything from jetting and sprockets to hackin' the headers down and funneling air into the fuel tank. (old fire extinguisher) All and all it was a fun experience. Probably the most boring racing I ever have done but perhaps the most interesting. If i can build my old '79 GS1000 to go scary fast then I shall return to this most holy place of salty speed. That place was flat. And salty. Its margarita time. Happy trails. -747
PS- I just saw this crazy dude on the side burn blog with a cool t shirt. Cool lookin dude. Nice shirt. braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!

T-Rod and Speedway

2010-08-31T23:47:00.003-05:00

2010-08-25T18:51:00.001-05:00

Travis Newbold getting ready for Bonneville

Got the bike together finally and made a few back road runs before my MSD ignition let the smoke out. Found some stock coils of various cycles in my junk yard and have it ready to load up in the van and head to Bonneville. Still under $300 (bike, motor, tires and everything) I have got to be one of the cheapest scrounging use what ya got wrenches. I forgot my boots in this pic. I am making high speed runs in sandals. Jesus must love me. Satan is definitely down. Pin it, rip it, shred it.
Happy trails. -Newbold #747 (Bonneville #746)

2010-08-25T10:36:00.000-05:00

From new FTWCO Land Speed Racer Warren Matthews:

   I must say this up front: Land racing is a pretty slowly progressing thing. Races don't happen very often and are usually really far away, making attendance sometimes a bit tricky. There are also very few places to test one's bike before competitions, making the whole endeavor a little silly. Couple that with me being a broke turd and things can sometimes take a little while. All that being said, I am not messing around. I really like this stuff and am not dropping it for anything short of catastrophic brain failure.

     This all started with a very simple question. My girlie asked "why haven't you ever thought to race on the salt flats"? To which I had no good answer. She immediately donated her dirt bike to the cause and asked: "how fast do you think you can get it to go"? Again, no good answer. That Spring, her '77 and my '78 YZ400's went under the knife and made a showing at the 2008 BUB Speed Trials. My top speed was very disappointing because of a gross miscalculation in my primary gearing resulting in a 89mph pass, what a bummer.

   Shortly after, we both relocated from CO to MA. The transition was very rough and work was scarce forcing competition to the back burner. However, progress continued. I made a new much lower frame and began sourcing parts for more go-fast. Aside from the frame, the best score was an old Yamaha wheel that bolted right into my set up allowing me to go from a 40 tooth sprocket to a 28. Fast forward a full year.

   While testing for the next available race, my "side A" motor reversed phase and switched to external combustion. But with a wave of some magic honing paddles, the "B side" motor showed enough promise to risk the entry fees. A week later we jammed up to Loring Air Force Base in Maine to bag the M-G 400/2 record with a 100mph pass (would have went faster if it were not for some sissy clutch springs).

   With next season I hope to run out of gearing completely and run the bike up to north of 140mph, and with the help of a super slick porter I have hidden in the mountains of CO, I hope to bag the AMA 500cc record of 139mph. More lofty goals include the SCTA record that sits around 170mph. I am back in the garage this weekend and that record seems a long way off.

Warren

Nico Sleebus

2010-08-05T02:09:00.003-05:00

More pictures from Nico at the Belgian Vintage Meets

Having a cold one with the hombres (the one with the blue cap is “Redneck Stijn”, co-pilot of the side-car)

What a beauty (btw , the prints of the hands are KUSTOM painted by kenny`s little daughters)

Our Spanish fury Julio Ortis de la Torro, white Xs, next to Geert Van de Gevel, yellow BMW in the unlimited class, who makes everything from scratch and is a real welding wizard, he's just like the rest of us , always helping out where he can. He's one of our buddies who did a trip on a hardtailed , homemade chopper on a XS base , in one week from Belgium to Portugal and back (5600km), just because some of us made a promise to each other they could make a full hardtailed chopper on XS engine in 5 months and make it to Portugal and back.

Proud , wearing our colors , even while wrenching ...:) My mate Kenny “The Barber” Van Eeckhout (with the cap) , he`s like a little McGyver , but then without the swiss knife. As the driver of this vehicle he always has to make sure the “thing” has to go as a spear. And me throwing in the helping hands (the one with the Ray Bans). The side wheel needed to be fixed again, comes loose every once in a while , too much power I guess …when it does it rubs the integrated fuel tank in the fender , so no good hmm.

You`ll get some more from the rest of the bunch after I get back from my 3 weeks holidays with the “Familia”. Nico

Belgian Racing

2010-07-29T13:46:00.001-05:00

Guzzman on Belgian Vintage Racing

Sorry for the delay (read lack of pics-posting and explanation) , I've been quite busy lately wrenching on the bikes. Our second track weekend for the Belgian competition is in our back pocket.
First one was on the Superbiker Track of Mettet. Only 3 of us went there due to too much work-load that had to be done on a couple of the bikes.

But most important, all went well, and all of us passed the test of the first race of the season, because mostly during wintertime we up-grade our bikes and sometimes we try something different to go faster (other gearings , faster engine , lighter weights) which sometimes leads to early pits-stops or drop-outs of the race. But now on the second weekend of full throttling and asking the maximum of the bikes , some of us have some homework to do before the next meet-up on the last weekend of August in Gedinne (Belgium).

Everything went stunning 'til the last session on Sunday evening. The Xs sidecar started on the 19th starting pos. and ended on the 14th position (of 35) with a broken gearshift axle, which relays that the engine went up in a too high rev zone ... meaning “something tickles in the engine” , NO GOOD though. We'll see what comes up !!!@#$%^&!!! The XS “Destiny” messed us up , because our buddy Julio went on his side in the last round on Sunday, just in front of our base camp view ... all panic @ the disco I may say , when you see an amigo go down just in front of you. Knowing he went from 17th starting-position on Saturday (25 starters) to 7th position all the way on Sunday , and then in that last fuckin' round , BAMMMM by accelerating in the outcome of a right-hand turn ... damn that shit !!!. Our hombre is fine , except a broken finger (just a bit of race-tape to tape it in ) , but the adrenaline heals a lot of damage , doesn't it ?

Geert (yellow Beemer) , did very well , he ended up on the 10th position in the unlimited class , same class as Julio .

Jeff (Duc) , did an impressive session for his first time he went on competition in the 750cc class ... he ended up in 17th (31 starters).

The rest of our riders did very fine in the parade and – post class , who don`t do competition.
And me, last but not least , as usual helped out where ever I could , from wrenching on the bikes, filling-up with secret cocktails of fuel etc. up till holding the umbrella to give the guys some shade where needed. Hopefully I can do some racing again in the near future , cause of my crushed ankle from 3 years ago (due to a heavy traffic accident on my daily bike). So all I can do to make my buddies comfortable within my power ,while racing their beloved racers.

Again thx for all sponsoring .
Yellow Beemer -Geert
Blue and red Duc -Jeff
white and red XS and orange Laverda – Julio
The side-car – Kenny and Stijn
From the rest I ain`t got pics yet , soon to come.
And me , I`m the big guy with glasses holding the umbrella , for now that is ...
I`ll keep ya posted ...

Cheers Guzzmen (Nico)

Travis Newbold

2010-07-29T02:00:00.000-05:00

Ramblings from Travis Newbold

Yo. I'm late on the pics of the shop and how hot it is. Four ferrets fucking in a wool sock sounds about right. Oh well, at least I got the heater installed because in a few months that will be the bitch of the shop. It's hard to drink enough to work on bikes when it is below zero but I can handle near 100 temps as long as the beer fridge is packed. Which is good because I have a shit load of work to do the Bonneville bike. It has a very nice black fairing and I need help making it look ready for salty action, do you guys have any big decals or ideas? The thing is from fuckin outer space and I am getting excited. I have never even been to the salt flats let alone ride. Not gonna set records unless they have a Zero Dollar Budget Bike class. I scored the chassis for free which is an awesome drag bike complete with msd ign and all it needed was a motor. 1979 GS1000 in my bone yard ought to be just about right.

Anyhoo, yeah I need to sticker up the shell or paint some scary shit on it, FTWCO. whatcha think?
Oh, some news: I bought a 1998 GSXR600, my first sport bike. My shop took it on trade and I scored it for $400 yosh system and all. I sliced a few links out of the chain, helicoiled the drain plug and bombed it across colorado this weekend. 600 miles, no cops, few moments on the old tires and I lived to feel the aches in my knees today from cramping up on that rattle can of motorcycle. I am not ready to die so I am stripping it and turning it into a track bike as to learn enough skills to win pikes peak next year. Any street racing knowledge or parts for the old GSXR would be awesome. I know nobody who races street.

The flat track pic was taken near my parents ranch outside steamboat. They race cars here and I always wanted to ride a bike on it and they let me out there two Sundays ago after two days of cagers wrecking the 3/8 oval. On the track I saw wiper blades, bricks, hubcaps and enough glass to make a bum shit their ever shitty booze drunken' pants. Shit was as rough as a gargle and growl of well whiskey in the wrong bar on the wrong side of track.... anyhoo I am rambling, I best go make a drink and get back to the sweat lodge of a wonderful work shop I love and live in.

Peace. Newbold #747

Jud Linder

2010-07-29T01:57:00.000-05:00

Word From Jud Linder

Hey!
I raced a 1/2 mile on Memorial day weekend in Canton, OH, and did well there with a second place finish in my vintage class on my Honda 500 and a fourth place finish in my over 30 division. Had some close racing and just missed my first halfmile win by 1/2 a bike length, it was the most exciting race I have had for a while.

Listed you guys as a sponsor and my wife said you got some love from the track announcer during my races! Then next up was the Dayton,OH AHRMA Nationals and man what a shitty turnout they had but got to race another 1/2mile cushion(I love 'em). Ended up second in my class there for the day and only got beat by Jim Monegan, who is no slouch on a dirttrack(previous national number holder). Loaded up and went to the Vintage days at Mid-Ohio last weekend for the Ashland 1/2mile and got rained out. The AMA needs to get a clue on track prep!

So we just decided to head home as we had a 1/4mile shorttrack race the next night at our club track. I raced heavy vintage and over 30 and wrecked in my damn vintage main after running second, and going for the lead I slid out in turn one and ate the wall.....pissed! Then I only had four races to get my bike going for the over 30 division and it went a little better with a third place finish. Planned on going to Wauseon,OH, for the races this Friday but had a minor setback in that I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

I had surgery to remove my thyroid on July 13 so I will be down for awhile but not out! Fellow FTW racer Jimmy Jarrett also is down for a bit as he was involved in a hit and run while training on his road bike, nothing broke but fucking bruised up! Just ate some breakfast with him this morning and he is doing better. Pretty funny watching us two gimps stumble in and out of the restaurant!
Jud Linder #31F

Noah Jordan

2010-07-28T22:13:00.000-05:00

Broken

Fixed

Colin Hickman

2010-07-28T16:47:00.006-05:00

Anthony Brown

2010-07-15T02:11:00.001-05:00

5/31
Race Report as promised
May 29th/Amman Valley,Wales
It was a rainy wet Saturday morning as we drove across the Severn Bridge into Wales. We were pretty sure that Saturdays Mefo Cup Euro Flattrack round would be cancelled. We set up our pit and waited. The start time was pushed back and back as the rain continued. Finally at 6pm the rain had stopped and the track had started to drink the surface water.

By 6.30 pm we were covered from head to toe in the slate-like shale. It was all you could do to stack enough tear offs to last the 6 laps. That said for a track that had seen so much water but the surface was great. We finished riding at about 10:30, no great results for me or Geoff (Co-Built)but we had a blast.

Geoff was riding a new bike we only finished it on Friday Evening. The first couple of races were tough for him and he had some problems. There was some frantic action between the races getting things sorted.

After racing we had a great BBQ and talked crap 'til we could take no more and retired to the back of the van.

Sunday was the third round of the UK Shorttrack series. The day was completely different. We opened the van door and the sun was shining.

The track had dried and even in practice was starting to get a little dusty. The racing was hard and fast, most of the European guys had stayed over for the UK round so there was a big field. Racing both Shorttrack and Thunderbike classes meant loads of racing so the day seemed long. For the first time this season I failed to make my Thunderbike final but the good news was Geoff made it through. I leant my bike to our Co-Built team mate Guto (a local hero with a wild style) his bike had dropped a chain in the race just before the final. Both Finals were great racing, a blanket would have covered the first 3 riders in both cases.

June15th/Homberg, Germany
Last weekend just gone, Myself and Geoff were in Germany for the 4th round of this years Flattrack Mefo Cup. 1200mile round trip but it was worth it just to get 120mph out of the van on the autobahn. (I was just a second too slow with the camera tho)

We had a great time except I forgot to check my fuel and ran out in one of the heats.

July 12th/Stoke, Staffordshire
This weekend just gone both me and Geoff were racing at Stoke in the industrial midlands of the UK. We had a great meeting and were both riding well. Geoff made the Shorttrack semi's on his Rotax framer against a field of DTX bikes, and I won the B final. Our main class is Thunderbike. Anyways, we both made the Thunderbike final. I was running ahead of Geoff but he got taken down on the second corner. He remounted but rode out the race a lap down.
I was pushing for forth and just took it over the line. As I was shaking hands and chatting with the rider I beat, we both released that we had an extra lap to complete. So I went from 4t to last!! Anyway thats racing. Well it is for me anyway.
FTW
Anthony
Also check out our feature on the MTV Blog:
http://mtvblogs.co.uk/mtv-news/left-left-left-tight-left/6529

Jimmy Jarrett

2010-07-07T21:39:00.002-05:00

Introducing FTW Racer #4 Jimmy Jarrett

"My name is Jimmy Jarrett and I am a professional GNCC and OMA racer. I am currently racing on the GEICO Monster Energy Kawasaki team. I am national #4 in GNCC and #3 in the OMA series. I am a 6 time GNCC amateur national champion and 4 time OMA national champion and also a 6 time ISDE gold medalist and I have been picked again this year to represent my country in this years ISDE event in Mexico. I got turned on to your company through a few fellow members out at Western Reserve MC. I bought my first Harley last year, a 1971 FLH shovel head and realized I'll have a vintage Harley forever. I wanted to try something new from racing off-road and mx that i have been doing for the last 25 years so I just turned one of my KX450s into a dtx bike.I still love going to the races and riding with my friends and I never want it to end. I liked what my buddies Jud and Trent had to say about you guys so thought I'd see what you would think about helping me out. Thats about it..you can google me or go to web sites like dirtbike.com , offroadchampions.com, or our teams web site at jgoffroad.com....Thanks man JJ"
Very humble, but check out this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-_ykkynTlg

MIKE SNELL

2010-07-07T21:03:00.002-05:00

FTWCO Racer #156 MIKE SNELL

"I started Roadracing in 1992. I currently race a XB12R for Mid America Harley Davidson. I also race Super Moto CRF250. My other bikes include a 1970 Triumph Chopper , 2004 Buell XB9, 1987 GSXR , and I am currently building a Bobber with the help of Bare Knuckle Choppers and Jayme at Blue Moon Kustoms.
I attached some pics of the XB12R, it puts down 113HP 100 T at the rear wheel .I still need pipes and controls but I am close . Once I get this bike nailed, I will get my Supermoto ready. I'm also just finishing the custom bike pasted below .We are slow out of the gate this year. I had a heart attack in late February that set us back . We should be headed to a track day very soon.

Chuck Skarsaune

2010-07-07T20:42:00.001-05:00

FTW Racer Chuck Skarsaune AHRMA #686 at Road America

Weather held out for the races after a bunch of rain Thursday and Friday. Mid-pack finishes on the BEARS (British European American Race Series, up to 750cc, disc brakes, fairings, 70's & earlier) bike, which I was happy with considering RA is a horsepower track and I'm down on power to some of the bikes in the class. Class gridded up 3 Nortons, 3 Triumphs, a BSA, and a BMW - good variety and good competition.

Had a race-long battle on Saturday for 4th place, just off the podium, then had a 4 way battle for 2nd on Sunday. Great group of guys to race with. Should have a little more for them this weekend at Grattan, Michigan. It's a technical track without the monster straightaways of RA, so I should be competitive. The photo with ponytail is from MotoCentral.com, and the others are from my buddy Bob Aitken. One shows that not all vintage racers are money bags - hence my humble pit setup. Sorry so short, leaving for Michigan in a few hours…

Chuck

Travis Newbold

2010-07-07T20:28:00.001-05:00

Travis Newbold #747 Races Pikes Peak

Holy shit! - I just got back from Pikes Peak Hill Climb. By far the coolest motorcycle race in the states. 156 turns. 9000 ft start, 14100 finish. 12.3 miles. my time: 12:27 very close to the previous class record held by the great Davey Durrell. I took 2nd in the over crowded heavily competitive 450 pro class. A best for me. I am so stoooked! Any body with skills who likes to ride fast should throw on some dirt track wheels and race Pikes Peak. Too much fucking fun to describe.
I woke up in the back of my van at 3:00 am all week. Wednesday was practice of the bottom section and would also serve as qualifying for grid line up on race day which consist of waves of riders on the minute interval. I took a 3rd fastest time even though good enough for the front row I was blown away by Joe Prussiano. One fuck'n fast Texan. Thursday I took fastest clocked practice time of the middle section, all pavement switchbacks above tree line (12,000ft) and this only being my third asphalt race not including a few super retards, I mean motos. (Dirt trackers eat supermoto squids for breakfast) Fridays top section practice is always my favorite. 5th gear gravel sweepers to the final stretch of asphalt with endless horizons of Nebraska and Kansas below sight of the outside edge.

Nothing is more fun than holding it pinned deep into the bottomless pit (a corner), pitching the ass end out like a switchblade and holding it wide on the bar stop 5th pinned on the open wheel and stock car created cushion 14k up on the side of "Americas Mountain". Holy fuckin shit dude. Mother mary big baby Jesus holy dude.

Got drunk and enjoyed the day off Saturday.

Race day: Got 4th off the jump, one better than last year. The first three of four corners are instant top speed terrifying full lean through blind pine tree infested arcing asphalt. I got around Edd Tofouha.
I hit the first dirt section and immediately passed Darrel Luhan in the same damn corner as last year and then followed the psychotic fast as hell Texan Joe Prussiano to the finish. GLORY

My good friend and mentor and 250 class legend Chuck Lee stepped away from his endless string of two stroke success and got a ride on a friends Triumph and had one epic battle with Eddie Moulder to claim the first place in vintage class with a new record over the great Moulder.

Yours always- #747

Scott Rounds

2010-07-07T20:26:00.001-05:00

Hey guys, Finally got myself and my newly acquired race bike to a race last weekend. Being my first time on this bike, I had some bugs to work out, but it went well for a shakedown run. I entered the vintage class and the open am.

Both classes had a turnout of about 8 riders, which I hear is decent for this track, which was also new to me. I did fine in the Vintage heat- settled into 3rd and stayed there til the finish, which got me onto the front line for the feature. Sweet. Open class qualifier didn't go so well, the bike started breaking up after a few laps, so I pulled off before I got lapped. Turned out my condenser had fallen off the points plate. Little bit of safety wire, and I was back in bizness. Went out later for the Vintage feature race. Got an okay start, I think I was in 3rd going into turn 1. Passed into 2nd coming out of turn 4. Unfortunately, I'd been having trouble with my brake for the whole day, and that second pass had me coming into turn 1 a little hot. I came in two wide with the first place rider, I was on the inside. Couldn't quite hold on, and rather than going wide and taking someone out, I had to lay it down in turn 2. Got back up with the bike still running, but my exhaust had gotten knocked pretty good and was hanging off blowin in the wind, so I had to call it quits.

My friend Fumi ended up winning, turned out to be a really great race.

My open am feature race went a little better. I almost didn't start, but decided at the last minute to just run the straight pipe with no muffler, and just to take 'er easy. Started from the second line, got a pretty good start. I wound up settling into 5th, where I managed to hold off a kid on a CR250 who actually gave me a good run. He passed me at some point, but couldn't hold his line and I got him right back on the inside and kept it together to the line. So it was a fun day overall, the bike felt dialed save for the aforementioned bugs I now need to work out. I'm gonna flip my rear tire to the fresh side, bleed that damn brake, order some proper number plates and get my hands on a new exhaust and I'll be back on track for the next race. I'm almost definitely racing this Saturday the 3rd up at Jolly Roger in New Hampshire, a track I've spent a lot of time on throughout my racing life. I'll be on my dad's bike (Frank, #39), but I feel right at home on it so I think it'll go well. Sunday is (also almost definitely) a little motard with New England Mini Moto (http://www.nhf-racing.com/) in Vermont. And rest assured I'll be flying the colors all weekend. I don't have my moto gear in Brooklyn with me, so I was wearing my leathers last weekend, but I'll have the right stuff this weekend and I'll finally get to run that sweetass jersey you guys sent me (thanks!). I'll follow up with a couple race pics

Scott Rounds scottroundsphotography.com

Travis Newbold

2010-06-02T23:49:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I got my 450 trimmed for flat track and loaded up my XS650 for some fun at the IMI Flat Track races under the lights in Denver. I got third in the Open B and even though I made the main in the Vintage on the Yamaha I didn't race it cause that thing is more scary than a two dollar hooker with out a rubber. Need to put real suspension under the big girl. They let me race the Vet class too and I got passed on the last lap and got second. Sunday I raced a Supermoto near by and with lowered dirt bike suspension and 19" I smoked over half of the Expert main. Pretty fun. I killed my CD3 dirt trackers, though, showing those dudes how to slider. Braaaaawwp!

Weekend before that was the enduro and made sure to finish. Did good. Overall A and third overall.
Happy trails.

Newbold #747

Jud Linder

2010-06-02T21:41:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday FTWCO racer Jud Linder #31f scored his first win of the season in the second 1/4 mile race of the season at WRMC. He placed third in his vintage class on his dtx bike in the lightweight ft class.

Greaser Mike

2010-06-02T21:30:00.004-05:00

Racer Mike Kramer aka Greaser Mike has spent most of his life on two wheels, starting as a kid. He currently lives in NYC and competes in Vintage Flat Track, racing a Champion framed Triumph 500 and a Trackmaster framed Triumph 750. He also owns four street bikes (all classic Triumphs)

"I race vintage flat track for Sixth St. Specials, a British motorcycle shop here in NYC. We frequent a bunch of the tracks upstate (Oakland Valley, Indian point Lookout Electric City Riders, etc). My stable of bikes consists of a Trackmaster Triumph 750 Flat tracker, Champion Triumph 500 flat tracker, 68 Triumph chopper, 68 triumph t120 stock restoration and a 1950 Triumph custom that I'm hoping to bring out to Bonneville (if I could get away from the flat trackers long enough to finish it).

When not risking my life racing flat track I'm apparently competitive eating. Here's me TONIGHT at Buffalo Cantina in Brooklyn NY's Seppuku Challenge. 12 deadly hot wings in under 3 minutes. (very few people have actually completed it) If you win you get a shirt and your photo on the wall. Actually, the guy from man vs. food couldn't even eat ONE WING. Youtube it".

The race photos are all from 5.23.10 at Oakland Valley Speedway in Cuddebackville, NY.

Chicken wings:http://www.flickr.com/photos/galadarling/4643207071/

"The Snake"

2010-05-20T01:21:00.001-05:00

Here's a picture of Jake "the Snake" Lewis with FTW racer P.J. Doran. Jake is the 14 year old AMA 125 GP series Champ, AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships national title holder, and AMA Youth rider of the year. Watch Jake on his Earl's Racing/Hayden Bro's Aprilia RS125 and CBR600 contesting the USGPRU series this season rocking the FTWCO stickers.

T-Rod and Speedway

2010-05-20T01:18:00.000-05:00

Belgium Road Racing

2010-05-19T18:58:00.003-05:00

These pics are from our FTWRACE riders from Belgium, our friends Guzzman ,Copilot of the sidecar is Stijn, Pilot is Julio, BlackDucati#131/blue Ducati#23 is Kenny, blue and orange Laverda is Julio, Yellow BMW is Geert.

They drive classic racers for competition in the whole of Europe ( Belgium , Germany , Holland ,
Italy , France ...) .Their raceteam consists of 10 bikes , even several sidecars(small wheels) from different makes .They also build choppers , cafe racers, dirt tracks and sports bikes etc .
Check out their blogs on Guzzmen or The Unapproachables for pics etc.

U.K.

2010-05-19T18:42:00.001-05:00

Update from U.K. FTW rider Anthony Brown:
April 16

Love the FTWCO stuff and what you guys are doing. I got a couple of your Tees already. I (me and my buddy geoff) build and race FT bikes in the UK and Europe plus I ride some enduro and Rally Raid. Anyways here are a couple of shots of my FT Bike (Garage Built Framer) running your stickers. I would be a privilege to send you some pictures and race reports from the UK scene. I am not a front runner just a guy who loves all sorts of MC sport. The more my life is like On any Sunday the happier I am.

May 10

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you guys just got back from racing in Croatia.
Anyway the rally was great fun 1300 kms over 4 days riding pretty much all off road. The whole area is pretty much still littered with mines from the bosnian war which makes your navigation more important than normal. The countryside is really great and the terrain is really pretty harsh. I made a major mistake on day one by failing to stop at a check for which I picked up a one hour penalty that pretty much put me out of the rankings so for the rest of the race I was pretty relaxed and enjoyed the ride.

We had some great special stages which included a timed section up to the peak of one of the local mountains at around 2000m. The track was all in gravel with about 50 hairpins. Hope to have some shots from that soon as it was great fun hanging the back out on every corner. The 1300 km on the bike combined with 4200 km in the van means I should be pretty tired at work this week. It was great to get out in the hills with the locals would have loved to spend some more time getting photos of the now deserted village's its kinda creepy though.

I love the solitude of rallies they are just like a super long enduro but you concentrate so hard for such long periods of time everything else fades into insignificance. Navigation was really tricky so we were out around 10 hrs a day.

Anyway the Flattrack season really kicks off over here next weekend so I will get some reports out to you guys over the next few weeks. FIrst week in june we are back into europe for a 1000m track in the czech republic. Cant wait

Anthony

Madrid Spain

2010-04-28T23:42:00.002-05:00

APRIL 15

My name is Adolfo Calles and i am the owner of a Harley -only shop in Madrid,Spain, called Bonneville. We are open since 1995 and we are racing the one and only Harley in the European Classic Endurance Championship. I know it sounds pretty stupid but we are romantics to the bone...
The 23 and 24 of April we will attend a very interesting non competition meeting in Jarama track, here in Madrid. It is called Classicmoto (www.classicmoto.eu) and this year we will have 7 former World Champions on the track, including Agostini, Phil Read and Carlos Lavado.
Last year we were there with our Ironhead and it was very funny until we broke the chain at the end of the lane ( 200 kph)... Now our crankcase has a beautiful long scar...
Anyway, this year we are attending the meeting with our two bikes, a silver 1980 Ironhead and the black 1985 ( keep the secret). We will release also our XR replica, which will not fully finished, and some stuff like my 63 Panhead and my Dirt Track style Sportster.
Sincerelly, Adolfo Calles.

April 28

Well, where to start...First of all thanks for your big big effort. When we received the envelope saturday morning we could'nt believe it !! Unfortunately the bikes were already on the track, but on Sunday we were real FTW riders....
About the weekend. It has been a fantastic meeting, riding with all kind of old racing iron and with all the big guys, like Agostini, Nieto, Read....Just this three guys have 36 World Championships !!! Our Ironheads run flawlessly an the weather was nice. We could'nt ask for something else !!!
Just sending you some pics. I have over 700 pics, some of them of real high quality ( professional photographers) If you want some i will gladly send them to you, as i told you some of them are really nice. Please let me know what do you think about it......

Cheers !!

Philip Doran's race debut

2010-04-27T16:12:00.003-05:00

WERA Pirelli Sportsman Series - Nashville Superspeedway April 24-25
So the weekend started out great with an uneventful drive to Nashville on Friday. I arrived early at the track and waited in a long line to get into the facility. Once in I took up residence in NASCAR garage 10. My brother Ken loaned me his right hand man in Tom Lowe, he came out and handled the pits for me and was in general a huge comfort as a friendly face during my innaugral race weeekend.

Saturday morning, with nerves running tense, I registered for the riders school and purchased my WERA license. The morning consisted of first a classroom session to inform all provisional(first time) novices of start and race procedures as well as identify all flags that may be used on track. Shortly after that we went out and practiced as group 6. Our instructor led us one lap and then waved us by to check us out. Myself and 2 other riders on newish 600 class machines got to speed quick as we had a fair amount of track experience. There were 9 provisional novices, including a 13 yr. old girl on a CRF100 Mini. Passing her at speed was hairy, for her more than me I think.

Next up was another classroom session, and a second practice. The bottom fell out of the sky for the second practice, so I had installed my rain tires. After that practice we took a quick test and were informed we would have a mock race at the end of the scheduled races. The purpose of the mock race is to teach you the starting procedure and familiarize you with a real race. That did not stop me from getting a killer start and holeshotting the field of 9. I led the first 2 laps and then a Triumph 675 came by. I stayed with him and had 2 areas of the track that I could gain and possibly pass him in. I thought the better of it as it was a "no points" race and I could have taken us both out. Risk versus reward ratio was not right to make the move. Tomorrow I won't pull that punch! I got a lot of ribbing from people around the pits as they said it was clear I could pass him, but I stand by my decision as it is the single, and only, specific proof I can provide that I may be growing up the slighest amount.
Sunday: Race day
I was in the Lightweight Practice group, #1. I registered for 3 races and rented a transponder at 8am, then hustled to tech to try and make 3rd call for my practice at 8:30am. I made it out and rode as hard as I could to try and find the speed I have previously had at this track. I got another practice at 10am or so. During lunch Tom and I pulled my wheels and I had Derek Bennett of Stickboy Racing mount me up a new Bridgestone BT003 V-profile front tire and a new Bridgestone slick out back.

There were 16 scheduled sprint races, I was running races 7, 11 and 14. I took a fast warmup lap and then gridded on row 13 for the Lightweight Twin Superbike race. The Experts were gridded on rows 1-4 then us novices were back quite a ways. I again got a great start and never saw a novice after leaving the line. I set to catching a couple of the slower experts and finished 6th overall ahead of 2 Experts. I also won the first road race I ever entered!!! I was pretty chuffed and had some fun wheelying around on the cool down lap.

I spent the time between races thinking about how I needed to stay on the gas longer into turn one and carry more speed into there as well. I had done it right last year, but with Saturday's heavy rains and the coolish temps the track was green. I also think I was trying very hard not to be "that guy" who crashes his first weekend. The idea for provisional novices like me is to finish 2 weekends crash free. Then you shed the orange jersey telling the world you're a newb.

Race 2 for me was Formula 2. I was on row 5 in the center, behind another race class as this race had multiple classes running together. I was up against another provisional novice from my riders school on a Triumph 675. I was outgunned but thought I had something for him based on the previous day's mock race. I again killed the start and got through a number of riders in front of me by turn one. I led my competition the first 3 of 10 laps, then he came by on the main straight. I put my head down and swore I wouldn't let him walk away, I started pushing deeper into 130mph turn one and ultimately ran off in turn 1. I stood it up and ran up the NASCAR banking to the wall, but managed to stay upright and rejoin the race losing about 2 seconds to my rival. I kept him in sight, but the 4 remaining laps just weren't enough to catch him. I settled for a second and was happy not to crash after that semi-hairy off course jaunt.

Race 3 was Heavyweight Twins Superbike, gridded row 7 Center. This was also an expert and novice combined race, so I was happy to get my 3rd awesome start. I led my novice class to the half way flags and then another SV came by with yellow plates, he was in my class. He flat out rode me, and the few times I tried to step up to his level I had some sketchy moments. I backed it down and took a respectable second place in novice while picking off a couple of the experts.

All in all, I had a stellar weekend. I fulfilled a life long dream and didn't pull a bone head move and crash out. I could easily become addicted to racing, just as I am to my track days. I was most surprised by how well I started, I felt I was always in it at the start and I passed quite a lot of people on the way to turn 1. In retrospect I was being pretty soft into turn one off the NASCAR home straight. It is a gut check and I just didn't go in there as hard as I know I can, in short my skirt got in the way. Same story on the back straight, I was too early off the gas and on the brakes. I was beating myself up a bit until some other veterans said everyone was a few seconds off their normal pace with the wind and green track.

This will likely be my only race installment. My wife is decidedly against my pursuing a racing career. I agreed not to start a racing career. It's that simple, she means more to me. I wanted to do it once, and going 3 for 3 on podiums will make the memories sweeter. Trackdays give a lot more "bang for the bick", and I have great friends to do it with. It's just as much about who you are with as what you are doing.

Thanks PJ! Keep us up to date on your summer of fun..We have feeling your going to change your mind. Your wife will understand. Cheers to you.

T-Rod and Speedway

2010-04-21T21:08:00.001-05:00

T-Rod and Co. ripping Costa Mesa Speedway up.

T-Rod got 1st place in Heat #2

Congrats!

Colin Hickman

2010-04-18T22:30:00.000-05:00

This is Colin Hickman of District 22. We will profile him in weeks to come.

Colin and his family are good friends of ours and we are hoping big things for him this summer.

I could only stay for two of his races today, but he won both 250 A and Open A.

Thanks Colin.

Joe King

2010-04-14T21:01:00.000-05:00

Joe King painted this for our vintage road race debut.

Excellent work from good people.

Thank you so much!

Visit their site here.

James Romero III

2010-04-01T02:11:00.000-05:00

James Romero III of Phoenix, Az. is representing FTWCO in AMA Pro Racing and the WERA Championship Series this season. He's been racing for 14 years in these series and also WSMC and CCS Series, where he earned two championships. These photos are from last weekend at Auto Club Raceway inFontana Ca., and he races the weekend of April 3rd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the WERA WEST ASSN. races...Number 65, Cheer for him!

Barber Raceway

2010-03-15T23:34:00.004-05:00

PJ Doran down south...Introduction coming soon.

Daytona and Matt Burton

2010-03-10T22:33:00.001-06:00

Training/Playing before the races at Daytona FTWCO rider # 39 Matt Burton broke his wrist and was unable to compete." I was doing a table-top that was about 2 1/2 to 3 stories high and over jumped it. I landed on the front end, lost my grip and broke my thumb. It snagged on the throttle housing, and I got a plate and screws. My cast comes off Monday and I have to do strength training to get ready for my next race." Matt's next race is the Springfield TT may 29th.

JR James

2010-02-24T23:35:00.001-06:00

We are proud to announce teaming up with JR James of Greenville, South Carolina. This will be his rookie year in the AMA Pro Singles Flat Track Series. His first race of the season will be this coming Wednesday, March 3rd during Daytona Bike Week. We are super dooper stoked to watch Mr.James live it.

Im double bummed we can not be there, if any one can get some photos of JR for us that would be a free t-shirt fer sur.

T-Rod and Speedway

2010-02-18T01:47:00.000-06:00

T-Rod send us these photos and update from Vegas last weekend.

The races went great! Track was small and sticky , we didn't do so good on the first race, the rear tire was too new and stuck to the track like glue, went down on the third lap but no injuries to me or the bike. On the second race I loosened up the clutch pressure and pumped the rear tire up, It made a world of difference, we won that race by a mile.....Cheers!... Since we didn't have a place to put the bikes, we asked the casino security if we could put them in the room, they said yes. So the bike slept in the room with Kath and I on the 4th floor of the Avi...Good times !

AMA FLAT TRACK 2010

2010-02-16T23:38:00.000-06:00

2010-02-11T13:36:00.000-06:00

2010-02-11T12:51:00.000-06:00