I’m very disappointed in the new management at Pacific. To save some time at the end of the day they combined the small bikes with the big bikes. The big bikes were supposedly “beginners” and had more than a few fast guys. If they are trying to create this image of safety, then they should not let the 50’s, 60’s, and 80’s practice with the big bikes. I guess now that I’m a parent of a 50 rider I’m part of the “crazy 50 dads,” but this is not safe at all. We will not be returning to the track until something is done about it.

anybody go today?
how was it?

Thats not good, we havent made it to the track since they took it over, was going to start next week, but if they dont seperate the 50-65 from the other bikes, there asking for trouble. I have pulled my kid from the track at horn, and burntridge becuse they tell you that they are only running 50-65 and some slow 80s. But some how they always have bigger bikes. Big and fast is not a good mix with slow and little. Hopfuly they will start splitting theme up.

Hey mxPimp, I am a 50 Dad, and I would not like that either. However, did you go to the management and tell them that what you think, or are you just posting this on Waunch's board, hoping they will read it?

I mean this with all due respect. But if you didn't something needs to said to them.

I tried to talk to the guy that was in charge of letting the bikes on the track. I don't know don't know if he made the call or someone higher up. He didn't seem to care either way. So yes maybe I did want them to see.

Thanks for the info.

Just my $.02 - I agree with Aaron - tell mgmt what you think. When I went on opening day Wednesday Bob and son Drew said "tell us what you think. We want to hear from you guys - what you like and don't like."

From the sounds of it, they really want to make this track a success and what that takes is feedback from the riders. No feedback and they'll keep everthing the same. I gave them my .02 from a slo-poke and we'll see what they do from here. I know they were waiting to hear what we thought of the whoops. Weather to knock them down abit, space them more, or leave as-is. So email them at feedback@fantomzatv.com and let them know what you think.

Remember this was a closed track just a few weeks ago and we were all biting our tongues for possibly making that happen. Lets make it a great place to ride before we tear it down again.

I went today and here was the practice line up:

1.) Pro/Int.
2.) Jr./Beginner Big Bikes
3.) Quads
4.) 50, 65, 85's

15 minutes per practice and had an awesome time. Sure, there are some kinks that need to be worked out, but hey- it's better than looking at my bike on it's stand.

Overall, it's a very different track. Would love to see some whoops thrown in there and the supercross doubles widen out so you don't have a one line track there but overall pretty decent track.

I would say it worked for me for my first time experience but for the advanced Int/Pro I would be suprised if they wouldn't like some triples in there?

I went out there today, last time I rode there was about a year ago. I think it was run very well, I cant remember the last time I saw flaggers out on a practice day.. the first sessions they sent everyone out until there were too many big bikes, then split it up. Most tracks run everyone togerther, I think they did a really good job splitting it up when needed. Also the flaggers seemed to do a pretty good job, there werent any really blind spots on the track.

As for the track, you can definitely tell it is a work in progress, most of the conrners were one lined and havent developed quite yet, but it was a lot better by the end of the day. It is definitely beginer oriented, all the jumps are basic but the layout is fun. It does seem a bit narrow in some spots.

Only complaint was there were a lot of people in the fast practice that shouldnt have been. I saw a lot of people on the ground, and a lot of people not jumping little jumps in the pro/int practice. Its nice to have a track so close, I will definitely be back!

Just my .02... Running 85's and 50's on the track at the same time is a baaaaaad idea. There are kids on 85's that are faster than beginners on big bikes (and that are jumping everything). As a 50 dad, I would NEVER let my kid out on the track with 85's. Maybe they need to do like Airway Heights (and other tracks out there) and have a seperate 50 track for practice. No, its not the same as riding the big track, but where else can my son ride for as long as he wants with only other 50's out there? No where...

quote:

Originally posted by DanP:
Maybe they need to do like Airway Heights (and other tracks out there) and have a seperate 50 track for practice.

There is a seperate 50/pit bike track, and the little kids can use it all day long if they wish. The 50's thatshould be going out with the 85's are the really fast ones.

OK what is the deal here? In another thread here someone states "a very small percentage of riders could whoop those whoops" and now here it is stated "I'd love to see some whoops thrown in there".

So are there whoops or not; were they there then removed; are some referring to whoops as whoops and they are not really TRUE whoops; or does the poster above just want MORE thrown in not SOME?

I love whoops so that would be a great selling point for me to actually show up being REAL whoops are a dying breed of obstacle in MX.

Someone told me Hannegan put in a great set of whoops and boy was I glad I headed there for the GS race and not just for the whoops. The only way those things would ever be whoops is if you were Ralph. (for all those who can't remember: The Mouse and The Motorcycle, book/movie)

When I went there last Wed they were not whoops but a rythym section, if I am understanding the right thing. They were the ones by the drag strip. I don't even think Stewart could whoop thru those whoops.

First off I have to tip my hat to the guys putting this together. it was great to go to a practice track that split sessions, and had competent flaggers and medical staff on site. I understand this is a new operation and that the whole staff is going to have to learn on the job.

I am not a 50 dad, but I have to agree with what is being said by others here. Daddio, 50's do not belong on the track with fast 65's and never with 85's. I had a fast 50 rider who is now on 85's and he will be the first one to tell you that he did not belong out there with 85's. Most of the 50 riders are just learning the ropes and are scared to death with 65's on the track. My son had a horrible crash at Horn earlier this year during a PRO race practice when they let 50's run with the bigger bikes. A 50 kid did not hold his line and cut in front of my son on the 5th gear back straight. He ran off the track to avoid the kid and cartwheeled. They do deserve track time though. They pay the same amount as the bigger bikes and should be able to get their 15 minutes in also.

Quads should never be allowed to run with the 65/85's either. We were told on Saturday that they were to have a separate session for quads and in the afternoon they mixed them in with the bikes. I understand that they are trying to give everyone track time, but quads and bikes do not mix on the track. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt for now. We will come back, but if they continue to mix the two we will not. I assume the same safety reasons apply to big bikes/big quads and they get there own sessions. It should be the same for small bike/quads also. Maybe someone from Albany can chime in here.I know they had a terrible situation down there earlier this year and they no longer mix the two.

They are off to a good start, and with a few tweeks it will be great close to home facility.

hey DanP there was a place to ride where everyone had a seperate track for nearly every skill level. but toes mx park is closed due to lack of buisness.

Totally agree that the 65/85 and also Supermini should NEVER be out on the track with the 50's. I've seen up close what can happen. Cody, on an 85 landed on top of a 50 rider (skid plate to the head)after cresting a big hill (not going to say where) and thought he'd killed him. The kid had a concussion and Cody left with an arm broken in 3 places. Also, never let someone with a hangover run the gate.

I agree with Traxtor, I was there that day, throwing a fit because they had the 80's running with the 50's. I was speaking with the referee, telling him that someone was going to get hurt by doing that, 10 minutes later Cody landed on that 50 rider by accident and they both got hurt. Lucky that is all that happened. 50's should NEVER run with the 80's.

I agree with keeping them split up but someone that knows whats going on is more than anything. I see some 50s that need to run with the fast 65s like conner mitchel. When he was at the end of riding 50s, I would never have him practice with the group of 50s. I know a few entry level riders on YZ125 that should not run with the full size beginner practice, they should run with the beginner 65/80s.
More important than anything is having someone run the show that knows what they are doing and can run a program fast and efficiently.
Waiting till every Pro/Int to finish their lap before you start the 50s is a plain example. The 2-3 mins that are waisted, times 10 practices are more riding time for everyone.
If someone is in the wrong practice, the staff needs to step up and do something... NOW!!! Get off your lawn chair and talk to the rider. Its not just other riders your looking out for, its doing that rider a favor also.
I could ramble on for hours about different stories.... BLALBLAALALBALLBA
This is to everyone, Next time your at the track and see something that isn't right. STEP UP and do something about it. Not just be a jackass to the promoter but let him know your concern. Same thing goes if you see some kicker in the face of a jump, grab a shovel and fix it!

At the P.R.O. races we run what is called the 50, 60, 80 open. These are the fast 50cc riders that want to run the whole track and all the 65cc riders to get them another class to ride and the 80cc beginners again to ride 2 classes. If the correct riders are in this practice there is not a problem on a 2+ minute track. Especially when you look at how wide we build that track. 80cc beginners do not get into 5th gear anywhere on this track unless they are doing a big bogg.

Good word for all of us Eric.