AMA Superbikes at Infineon Raceway

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2009-03-28T20:36:00-04:00

Playerpress

334 2401      Infineon Raceway is located just outside of Sonoma, California. At two and a half miles long, this road course plays host to several types of automobile races. From motorcycles to NASCAR and even the NHRA drags, this course is quite simply, beautiful. The course underwent an extensive makeover in 2004, adding thousands of permanent seats and a new drag strip among numerous other upgrades. With the location set on a mountainside, drivers are required to manage the treacherous turns while dealing with the changes in elevation. There are even some turns that drivers must navigate blindly, not being able to see what lies ahead of them. Without spotters to guide them, racers would be in a bad way.       I've never been shy about voicing my disinterest in motorsports, but boy was it an eye-opening experience when I had the chance to go see the AMA Superbikes last year. Everyone knows motorcycles can be dangerous anywhere, but when they are opened up out on a raceway, the slightest mistake can be devastating, even fatal. Seeing these guys push their bikes to the limit gave me a whole new perspective about motorcycle racing. I've seen bits and pieces of the AMA Superbikes on television, but that, in no way, does them justice.      Coming to Infineon Raceway May 15-17 is the annual Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown. Not only will the Superbikes be on display, but Supermoto and Street Freestyle will be showcased as well. As I previously stated, I attended this event last year, bearing witness to these daredevils. I'll admit I did not check out the Supermoto races, but I did wander over to the freestyle area. People should not be able to make a four hundred pound-plus bike do the things that I saw them doing.      Any rider worth his salt can pop a wheelie, but a stoppie? If you're unfamiliar with that term, you're not alone. It is just what it sounds like, a wheelie on the front tire, while stopping the bike. I can only imagine, being able to balance the bike on the front wheel while applying the brakes, is more difficult than it looks. Standing on the gas tank and running alongside the bike (going in circles) while holding down the throttle are just a few of the other impressive tricks being performed. Professionals or not, the calculated maneuvers these guys are able to successfully complete are mind boggling, to me, at least.      As with any top fuel race, the smell of the burning rubber and high octane gasoline is intoxicating to any race fan, even non-race fans such as myself. The crowds for the Superbike races are nowhere near the hundred-thousand plus, die-hards that show up for the NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350. With less people, numerous events taking place simultaneously, and the unbelievable racing, the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown is a must-see for anyone interested in speed.      Unlike most other sporting events, racing seems to have a feverish atmosphere. Sure, people enjoy watching the actual racing, but there is so much more going on. Drivers are usually much more accessible to fans than their pro-athlete counterparts. Pit passes are not close to the price of court-side seats, meaning the average fan can afford to meet his favorite driver. Being able to see these amazing machines up close is a real treat. The bikes used in the Superbike races are 1000cc beasts. At full throttle, they hum like nothing else. Hum is a bad word to describe the sound, these intricate engines scream. They really do sound like they are doing 100 mph without straining.      If you are in the area in mid-May this year, I urge you to check out this event. I promise, you will not be disappointed. Bring some water though, because it is usually right around 90 degrees that time of year. Not only is it hot, but there are precious few places to find relief from the heat, and even fewer if you still want to watch the race. Who knows, you may even come away with a much greater appreciation for not only the half-crazed riders, but the mechanical wizardry they fly around the track on. Have you ever seen a missile in flight towards a target? That's what these bikes are like. Zero to 100 mph in a heartbeat, knees scraping the ground, engines shrieking, now that's what I call a good time out. 0.0.0.0

2009-03-28T20:36:00-04:00

ama-superbikes-at-infineon-raceway

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AMA Superbikes at Infineon Raceway

No AMA, Superbikes, Infineon, Raceway, Motorcycles

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AMA Superbikes at Infineon Raceway

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