Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Are there any tracks out there that are designed to equalize things in the Age classes?

The Evo races that I have attended here in Northern California have fairly long starts into the first corner. If you are on a YZ465, CR480 or Maico 490 it works out great for you because with only 5 laps or so you will get a top finish, but what about the guys on the 250's and 125's?

It would be nice to have a track with a shorter start and have the first few corners be tight corners to give everyone the chance or the illusion of a chance at a high finish. I seem to recall Johnny O'mara blowing away the 500cc world champ with his 125 at the MX des nations in the mid-80's.

Any comments?

J

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#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B

The year was 1987, and it was then 500 cc world champ, David Thorpe of the UK who got whipped by O'Mara's CR125. And the track wasnt condusive to a 125. Long uphills really forced O'Mara to ride aggressive. The CR500 would pass him on the ascents, while O/Mara would catch and pass Thorpe on the steep downhills and turns. Persistence paid off and O'Mara finally kept the lead. Thorpe was humiliated being defeated by a "tiddler" on a true GP style venue. This was the era of course when the USA ruled the ranks and their new style of riding took the world by storm. Granted, had the motos been only 5-6 laps then O'Mara wouldn't have acheived the same results. Thats why occasionally you will see 125's do ok against bigger bikes when competeting in an off road GP, heats lasting 45-60 minutes

Duke,

That's probably why the starting lines are filled with Big-Bores. I see more 125s in the Vintage classes.

J

_________________
#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B

You see more open class bikes in the age classes because they are better pulling round the 30 lbs of lard that middle age brings to most of us. See you at the races.

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

In order to go fast on a 125, especially a vintage/PV equipped with an old style piston port motor, one has to be very finite in attacking turns and line selection. An open class bike allows a rider to make more mistakes since the power will partially compensate for his errors. One of the first skills to go are reflexes. Stamina and strength can be sustained at high levels for many years, but timing really begins to wane as one ages. Thats why you dont see a lot pro middle aged athletes where timing and reflex are really part of the game (boxing, tennis, etc..). Though no doubt as I write these words there probably is some 45 year old guy waxing the 40 plus expert class aboard his 125 Zundap

Michael,

Careful, I resemble that remark.

J

_________________
#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B