Advice on 1st time arenacross

[Jeff Gilbert]

Next weekend in Waco is the 3rd annual O`Riley arenacross. I have a friend that wants me to race with him in it. I've never done arenacross and am a little apprehensive about it. I've only been racing for a few months and lets just say I'm by no means the best rider on the track. The thing that concerns me is with all the people there and riding on an unfamiliar style of track will I get excited and adrenaline kick in resulting in me riding over my head.
Last year they carried so many people out on stretchers with all kinds of injuries, I don't want to be one of those. I want the opportunity to try this type of riding but I'm not sure this is my best approach.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BSWIFT]

I think you answered your own question. The same thing happened in Guthrie last year. Lots of ametures with injuries. I would advise against it myself. If you get caught up in the excitement, well.

 

[justql]

The amatuer track is usually tamed down a bit, but I still would not want to race one myself. But I've also only ridden one MX race.;)

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

Originally posted by justql
The amateur track is usually tamed down a bit

Not in Waco TX my friend. From looking at it the last 2 years and from what friends say that rode it, the face of the jumps are like hitting an extremely tall curb or running into a brick wall.A 20' double can easily throw you 20' in the air. A section of the track had 2 doubles that were not spaced so you could double easily and if you tripled (this is where a lot of people got hurt) you would case it and go over the bars. Even the pros were complaining a bit. The catapult had no landing, it just threw you straight up in the air and you landed in a turn. The 1st year there were 18 riders with broken wrists and that was just practice. But then again, they were the amateurs riding over their head.

 

[WaltCMoto]

Originally posted by Jeff Gilbert
I want the opportunity to try this type of riding but I'm not sure this is my best approach.
Any advice would be appreciated. [/B]

I dont advise "trying this type of riding",in this enviroment, its something that you build up to. Also, many riders will make contact in the hunt for the plastic trophy. On the other hand, if you feel you have the skill not to get lapped, then start in last and have some fun chasing the pack.
Good luck, Walt

 

[marcusgunby]

Jeff me again :) i rode a similar thing last year-it was an outdoor sx (tame compared to most sx)ive been racing since 1988 and it was a real eye opener-it scared the crap out of me.Towards the end of the night i could keep with the slower riders(at the start i was lapped 2* in 6 laps)they had many injuries that night.I would advise caution my friend.

 

[Jammertime]

They had that same thing last year at the Bilo Center. I hated it!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was to expensive, the track was not forgiving, you get four laps of practice, They reserve one small section in the nosebleed section and if the place is packed you can't even go inside, no parking, We had to park 2 blocks away. Your race might be different if you go because this race was sanctioned by pace motorsports.
Good luck, don't try anything your not comfortable with!

 

[Jaybird]

I suggest not trying to triple the double/double. A nice easy tempo will work fine. On the catapult either go for it or roll it, there isn't much in between.
Whoops tend to be the deepest nastiest whoops one will find so it may not be a good idea to try to bang thorugh them. That got me busted up last year, whoops taste terrible! You may want to pick the unpopular line through them and try several small doubles....be careful no matter what method.

Yes, the adrenaline will kick in immediately, but breath and stay cool. It's a short moto but can be mean if you don't use your head.