3-Wheeler Exhibition Races (opinions wanted)

[Derrick Adams]

I think everyone knows no matter how much we would like to roll into any track and race, it just isn't going to happen. The AMA, who is supposed to protect our rights to ride, done exactly the opposite with trikes and supported their removal from race tracks all over the world 20 years ago.

Even in non-AMA sanctioned events i've been turned away simply because every insurance company that insures the events, has the promoters convinced that trikes are taboo and if they allow them it will result in the immediate cancellation of their insurance.

I'm sure I could talk to insurance companies till i'm blue in the face over this and never accomplish anything. The ironic thing about it is, that if the AMA would support trikes like every other type of off-road vehicle, there's probably only a handful of people that would actually compete on their 3 wheelers anyhow.

There's a couple things i've often thought about. One is an internet petition to the AMA to fight for our equal rights to participate and/or create our own class (such as vintage MX)(I'm curious if 5000 signatures would get their attention?). Another is to pursue independant insurance to be used to cover 3-wheelers in sanctioned competition. The last one is similar in obtaining insurance, but to cover exhibition races with only trikes.

I know for a fact that there are promoters out there that would love to have trikes at their facilities. We're saw as a novelty and an attraction. TimSr. has said before that the most important thing is to get to your local independant tracks that will allow you to run and support them, in which I agree and do! But, I would still like to be able to compete at more events on different levels.

[ScottZJ]

Even though I think your thoughts are great, I feel that the "world" would just mock and laugh at our attempts. They will just look at us as a thing of the past and figure there isnt enough enthusiasts to back us up. I really dont know the answer to this or what we could do to prove them wrong. We were working on an organization that would include all trikes over the world. This would show that there are enough riders out there to effect AMA or tracks to allow us to ride yet again.
I think the main thing that would help us out is to get a good showing on TV someway or another. Show the world that trikes are just as fun as quads and there are tons still out there to enjoy.

[old honda dealr]

I think just about the only way we would ever get something like that accomplished. Is to get a fairly large group together. Like trikefest and have a organized race there. Then send the pictures to all the ATV magazines and what not and show them that we already have a organized meeting once a year. Probably not gonna change things overnight but would certainly help.

[Groundworx]

I agree with what both of you said. I own street bikes, quads, dirt bikes, and trikes. My heart is with trikes. My very first motorcycle was a 84 ATC 110. Ya know, I remember when trikes were taken out of production. I remember watching the local news and seeing all these people who had been hurt on them. I was like in the 3rd grade so I might be mistaken here. I seem to remember people talking about how unstable they were side to side. I have been riding for 16 years. Most of the years have been on trikes. I have never flipped a trike on its side. I have went off the rear and over the front, but I have also done that on quads and dirt bikes as well. And I don't just put around. I ride hard, jump, and wheelie all the time. Mabey I am a better rider than the people I seen on the news 20 years ago.

Am I wrong about the side to side stability?

[Groundworx]

I am sorry, I got off track with that post. I would definetly love to see some trike races and more trike exposure.

[deathman53]

I would love to do that, I'd race when I could. the next best thing we can do is go to tracks that allow trikes are RIDE our trikes there, other places will take notice and soon allow us too, if any of you guys need a lis tof places in nj/pa that allow trikes I know of a few. I'm gonna work with them, to setup a 3-4 days of riding for you ohio and pa guys, I hope to have a good showing, maybe if numbers show up, someone might start to take notice, there is 3-4 guys who ride trikes at one place I ride (njorvp.org), I'm the only that I know of who rides at rausch creek(that I have seen), I'm the only one at e-town, I tried talking ATCO into the trikes, but he has enough problems with insurance(he used to race trike), it was weird the first time I went to ATCO about 10 guys asked me if I was the nut on trike who rides at e-town, they didn't even know I owned a quad and there is a gncc style race series in nj/ny/pa that allows trikes, Pm me if you guys want links to these places, I'M SICK OF BEING THE ONLY GUY ON A TRIKE.

[Billy Golightly]

Strength in numbers, and also in a loud voice.

Everytime you guys are having a race, or are just going to ride somewheres, post it in the local riding forum, and ALSO on the 3WW event calender. The best advice I have, is to get a group of 2-3 guys together in an area and just head out to a track one day when their open. I think they would be alot less inclined to turn you away if you made the effort to show up there with your trike in hand vs just a phone call. And it would only take that first impression to show them that they could allow you back in there in the future.

I know of a couple places for sure here in the FL that allows trikes one is Sand Mountain Speedway down at Ft. Meade. The other is the track at Dade City, I can't remember the name of it. I dont know if they will allow trikes on their MX track but they did say it was OK on the flat track, just couldn't race against quads. Was more then welcome to come out and practice whenever though.

I guess what I'm getting at, its more of getting people motivated to seek out tracks/events in their area and more importantly to actually show up! I'll admit I've only been to a handful of races since trikefest and they were all drag races. No ones fault but my own! I think the best way to motivate people is to post pictures, and results of your races and let everyone know what a great time you had. Make them JEALOUS! Beat the bushes and pester people in your area. Start off with just a group ride to get to know everyone and their limits, and then setup some meets for some races. Team work, Team Work, Team work PEOPLE! Haha

[TimSr]

I have found that the biggest thing keeping 3 wheelers off of tracks is lack of participants. Everybody says they would love to see trikes race, and see tracks allow them, but the fact is that where they do, they just dont show up.
In Ohio, the CRA is far bigger than AMA for organized racing. The only CRA track that ever turned me away has been recently bought out by a trike lover. Ive raced in CRA since 1998, and like Deathman said, Im tired of being the only trike out there. Trikes get stomped by quads almost every time, and unless youve got other trikers racing, its not very competitive no matter how well you can ride.
Not only does CRA allow trikes, but I would have no problem getting a SANCTIONED trike class except for one minor problem. You need trikes to show up consistantly, and they dont and wont. So instead I go out and race in the senior quad class for fun, and bump off a lagging rider now and then, or I race at Smith Road Raceway, because I know Flyin' Brian will be there.
Trikes are no longer made, never will be again, so they will never have a mainstream place in modern MX racing or factory backing, but as a vintage novelty they are popular, as are vintage bike classes. Track promoters need to make money. Talk is cheap. If you come they will accomodate you. They will not accomodate your fantasies that you dont participate in when they become reality. Its not track promoters and the AMA that needs the arm twisting. Its the armchair racers who keep it all from happening.
One more tidbit is that a national organization or club doesnt help much in amteur racing. My local track couldnt care less what some guy halfway across the country thinks or wants to see in Ohio. Nationwide numbers on petitions mean nothing to the local track promoter. They dont want to see a list of names. They want to see a group of riders at their track. Put yourself in their position. Ohio is proof that if trikers do show up, they get treated well. What Ive seen this past year is more than I ever thought Id see again, but we still dont have enough riders to cause any waves of change throughout the CRA. CRA is a sanction, which means it involves several tracks all over the state. You have to have enough riders to support a majority of sanctioned events for the sanctioning body to make a new class. Some quad classes have been dropped for this reason, and new ones are added form year to year.
Trikefest is great exposure, but it means nothing to a local track promoter unless you can bring that kind of attendance to his track. Good luck with that! If you can bring 5 or 6 riders to every CRA event, just like any other class the have, I can get us a CRA sanctioned 3 wheeler class throught the state. I about had a heart attack when we got that many riders at one event!
Sure the AMA bailed on us, and some tracks wont let us run, and some insurance companies wont cover us, but when everybody is finished blaming everybody else, the bottom line is that we dont enjoy widespread racing because there are too many armchair racers, and not enough MX racers.

[jason85atc250r]

I would love to do that, I'd race when I could. the next best thing we can do is go to tracks that allow trikes are RIDE our trikes there, other places will take notice and soon allow us too, if any of you guys need a lis tof places in nj/pa that allow trikes I know of a few. I'm gonna work with them, to setup a 3-4 days of riding for you ohio and pa guys, I hope to have a good showing, maybe if numbers show up, someone might start to take notice, there is 3-4 guys who ride trikes at one place I ride (njorvp.org), I'm the only that I know of who rides at rausch creek(that I have seen), I'm the only one at e-town, I tried talking ATCO into the trikes, but he has enough problems with insurance(he used to race trike), it was weird the first time I went to ATCO about 10 guys asked me if I was the nut on trike who rides at e-town, they didn't even know I owned a quad and there is a gncc style race series in nj/ny/pa that allows trikes, Pm me if you guys want links to these places, I'M SICK OF BEING THE ONLY GUY ON A TRIKE.


theres line mountian in PA that has a 3wheeler 2 and 4 stroke class. they race trucks and buggies after the ATV's run it's like a hare scramble. i was the last one to race there 3 years ago. it's in june and september. i raced my trx there since then

the last time i raced my 3wheeler there i would have gotten 9th out of 23 if i would have ran the quad 2 stroke class.

[Groundworx]

I am in Oklahoma so I am not even close to most of you guys, but if there are some trike riders around here, I would definetly help out getting something going locally. There is a smaller MX park in Blanchard Oklahoma that is privately owned. They might would be all for the idea. I would race too. If for nothing else, just exhibition. I am sure there are a ton of smaller MX tracks around that would be open to the idea also.

[Groundworx]

I wish I could just buy some land and build a track myself. I don't have that kind of money laying around right now though

[deathman53]

Tim Sr, if you can get me a schedule for the races in ohio, I want to go to a few races and race with other trike guys. I'm looking forward to ride with other trike guys, there is ONE guy at one place I ride, he is there every sunday, and evertime h eis there, he brings his tiger 200, 82 250r, and he usually brings another trike and his son's quad. I'm a better rider than him, so he isn't much of challange, I actually like to race with the quads, yes, I get my ass beat, but there is some guys that I can pass and hang with(at real mx tracks), one place I ride, there is few that can keep up with my atc250r. Also TIm, there is gncc like events that are around here that allow trikes, http://www.atlanticgrandprix.com/AGPSchedule.html, some of them may be a few hours from you ohio guys, I have yet to go to a race, as mother nature hasn't been very nice. I plan on going to local events this year. I hope to get a nice little trike event together this year, I will only do the work to get it together if I KNOW you guys will show up. For one place I have to go to the board meeting and clear it with the board and if I tell them that 6 or so guys are gonna show and only 2 show, next year, they amy not be so giving, I'm willing to do the work, if you guys are gonna show. This year, I'd like to see 2 trike gatherings at Rausch Creek, a bunch of us to go to atleast one of the gncc type races, and a few expeirenced guys to show up at one hardcore mx track I ride at.

[jason85atc250r]

we need to get a group together for the Line Mountain races near Shamokin PA. they pay cash and a trophy for the top 5 finishers. the time i raced my atc250r i got my $30 entry fee back and a trophy. you have to finish thow to get it

my one friend got $150 for second or third in the quad 4 stroke class.

[Mosh]

tim sr. now that the z is done,i will be at smith road this year.you said last year,that 1 more trike would have earned us our own trike class.so count me in this year.keep in touch with me when the time comes.i am in no way a mx rider,and other than play tracks,that is all the mx experience i have. you know me, i ride the trails.so dont count on me being any kind of serious competition in a mx race.but i will do it for fun.as far as derricks post to some trike exposing,i think that any time a group of trikes get together,we need video tapes made.kinda like blackwater for trikes.if we could find a cheap way to make some videos,we could sell some on ebay and forums,and maybe send some to outdoor tv or espn or speed channel. maybe we could get them to broadcast some to show the country we are still big underground.has this been tried yet? there is obviously a lack of atv shows on tv any how. ithink that could get some interest out there.the videos would have to be responsible. all safety gear, good riding not wipeouts. that would just kill us.you see factories getting involved with quad racing and there are no tv coverages of this sport at all.what gives there?i mean on espn at midnite,they got 2 guys throwing a frisbee talkin about sports,like they have nothin else to show.this sport,atv-ing needs more media coverage.that is all.insurance companies are just an excuse.they are uptight about motocross and quad racing as it is.it is just a polite excuse to say that no-one is interested in watching trikes.we need to get out in the world,and i think video and trikefest are good places to start.then we could do a petetion with the videos sent to espn etc,stating how much we would like to see it broadcasted.just my 2 cents.

[Jason Hall]

With all the X- treme sports & crazy freestyle action going on these days, it seems like it should'nt be so hard to get insurance companys to see that a 3-wheeler is not quite as dangerous as jumping 50' in the air on a dirt bike while holding onto the rear fender. Give me a break, all these people just need to be shown that you really can race a 3-wheller on a MX track. I'm not saying anybody can safely do it, but it sure would be fun for anyone who was watching garanteed. Tim is right about the arm chair racer, we need to get out there & let ER fly. When we ran on Gallions oval track it was clear that the spectators were enjoying what they were seeing, the flashes from the pictures was enough to prove that to me. If we had 6 more 3 wheelers there it would have been that much better. I am not a big MX racer, but I will sure be practicing every chance I get. I will be in as many Flat track & MX races as I can this summer at Gallion, that place Rocks.

[3leggeddog]

that sounds great jason.we love havin you guys.i know we will be traveling quite a bit this year to race.we are going to race with deathman in nj,earlywines in ky.,and some place in pa.

we just need anyone that wants to race,race.i'm gonna run some quad classes this year too.both for endurance,and training,aswell as to hopefully place well enough to earn some respect for our sport.i know those 450 guys wont know what to think when i holeshot em!!!!!!!!!thanks to my HALLS PERFORMANCE MOTORSPORT'S port and polish,lol.

[Meat-BoX]

The Best Exposure would be if all ATV mags and shows were invited to cover Trikefest and maybe bring out their old Trikes. If we cant get Trikefest know all over as an Annual Event we wont grow and get the exposure we deserve.
We need a good Photographer there to get quality pics at the event and someone to write up an artical on the event for any magazines interested.

[3leggeddog]

done deal.we got a guy named mike davis comin out.he covers our local tracks.very good at what he does,and he can print a 8 by 10 photo of you while you wait.10 bux for an 8 by 10,or he can do 30 by 60 posters.and derrick wrote up an awesome story about the events last year,but pussed out and didn't send it in.

i think TF will be huge this year.we need to work with pete at aspen for upgrading the mx track,groomin the drag strip,and making the event a very respectable,organized gathering.

[Derrick Adams]

done deal.we got a guy named mike davis comin out.he covers our local tracks.very good at what he does,and he can print a 8 by 10 photo of you while you wait.10 bux for an 8 by 10,or he can do 30 by 60 posters.and derrick wrote up an awesome story about the events last year,but pussed out and didn't send it in.

i think TF will be huge this year.we need to work with pete at aspen for upgrading the mx track,groomin the drag strip,and making the event a very respectable,organized gathering.



I beg your pardon. I most certainly DID send it in. Just no-one ever printed it!

[IrvSLedman]

Haha,well if you guys can all come out to western NY your more then welcome to help set up a track, (which we plan on doing) and ride and race till your hearts content..as long as im not liable. lol then we can make it grow and get some ppl from PA(Which is close) to leave their crummy track and come to ours, and ill get rich, you can ride and ill buy more trikes.. sounds good to me.. lol

Ryan