Since it's only ten miles from my house, I headed over to Summit Point for the motorcycle races last Sunday. I was going to see if there were any Ron Dee Voo attendees but rain discouraged that.
Heavy rain damped down all of the attendance, but there was some good racing and Sunday had good weather. Summit Point is great for racers, but less so for spectators. The stands are in poor repair and the track management does nothing to promote spectator attendance. Of course, that all made it easy to get around. There are some good viewing areas. The chute into turn 5 is my personal favorite. Having raced on this track, I'm amazed at how today's two wheel racers get through corners so fast.
I confess that I haven't figured our the various classes of bike. Watching the monkeys live during the two sidecar races was interesting. Not sure that they don't have to leave their brains back at tech inspection! Craaazy!
I wasn't organized enough to make the "parade lap." Actually, those who went out got a couple of laps. It wasn't a parade lap with speed controlled by a pace car. It was pretty much "you signed the waiver an do what you want." A little dicey IMHO.
Maybe a dozen sidecars there. Only found one driver who camped out. It would be nice to get more sidecarists out for the races. Maybe VIR would be more attractive since its resurrection a few years ago after being closed for thirty years. I watched the Continental Sports Car Challenge race there on TV, and looks like a really nice facility.
Hey Paul,
I saw you on the Burgman. Nice rig. Would love the particulars on it. Who put it together. Any pics would be great.
I was one of the guys in the group with the HP rigs, blue Concours, RI Plate. My friend had the BMW, RI Plate.
Earlier this summer we were up in Loudon, NH. Great group of side car racers. They really really appreciate the support when all the sidecars spectators show up.
To figure out the classes, all ya gotta do is ask one of the racers. I think they run Formula 1 and 2, no vintage bikes like there were up at Loudon. As far as the parade lap, it was well under control by Bill B. Remember, those rigs were mostly HP rigs, Concours, Bandits and ZX 14's with Center Hub Steering, all on car tires, except for Bob, who was the one camping at the track and the older K bike. ck out the HP performance site. Most of the rest of us were at the Econo Lodge.
If you are there next year, come on over and introduce yourself. Great group of guys. Our oldest, Charlie is 80, rode down from Vermont, in 1 day.
Hopefully we all make it back next year. Watch out, the guys from Kentucky didn't show this year. That's when it can get a bit more interesting!
Ray G
W Greenwich RI
2010 Concours + Hannigan HP
2011 Triumph Rocket + Champion Escort
My son had "misplaced" his Harley and so I was searching the paddock. Track officials were quite concerned. The sheriff was enroute. So, I had a bit on my mind. Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. Those were some nice looking rigs. Maybe next time. BTW, we finally found the "misplaced" Harley. We had met Bill (red & ivory outfit) from NC and found it when I followed him. And, the deputy sheriff was glad that he didn't have to do all of the paperwork that he had anticipated! Appropriate red faces all around. Maybe it will less likely get "misplaced" when we get the Liberty sidecar installed this fall.
Glad it all worked out. Drama at Summit Point . Who knew !!
Well, at least we all made it thru to tell the tale......
Hopefully we'll see you next year.
Ray G
hey ray its Bill I was there fri nite and set my tent up left monday morning was pretty foggy but a good ride home I just lazily went down rt340 to rocky mt va. one of thoses days that it just don't get any better. I meet the guys with the hp rigs great bunch of guys as for the parade laps they were fun but I couldn't have rode as fast if the guy that was with me didn't jump in. and I was still picking up the wheel. I told him when we stopped he must be crazy to jump in sidecar with some one he didn't know. but he did a great job hanging out over the fender. said it was fun. for summit point my first time there and I really like the track. nice meeting you and your son also paul. 1997 Honda ace 1100 champion legend car
Bill b got a good pic and explanation of how to make sway bar. the hardest thing is going to find a place to heat treat its on http://hpsidecars.com/ in projects
Sorry I missed all you guys. Had a lot of other junk going on that weekend as well as a migrane most of it also. Aiden and I have this race on our calendar for next year. AND Paul Browne I have not forgotten you its just I remeber at the wrong time of the day to call you.
