Track design and layout.

[rlloyd36n]

Its been almost 10 years now since I began using my skills as a blade operator to design, build and groom motocross tracks. I believe my skills have grown quite a bit since then and in the last couple of years I have had several private citizens pay me good money to design and build tracks on their property. With all this in mind, I would rate my self as at least a journeyman track builder. Fortunately for all the riders involved, I enjoy building and grooming tracks as much as I do riding on them. Probably because my riding skills are amateur at best while my operator skills (since I get paid for doing it) are pro.

I'd like to point out some things I've noticed over the years. Almost every rider has some complaint about the tracks. While I need feed back from riders so "necessary" adjustments can be made (mostly for safety reasons), there is no perfect track! The very essence of motocross is about adjusting your riding technique to deal with the terrain. Your job is to figure out the quickest way over or around (line selection) the obstacle with out crashing. By the way, I almost never get complaints from pros. They always seem to come off the track with a smile on their face. They enjoy the challange. Which should teach you all something. Every other rider on the track is dealing with the same obstacles. So stop complaining and deal with it.

I love watching you guys ride on the tracks I work on. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Sincerely,
Rick

[jbrown62r]

I've been loving the track prep! I don't know how you get those outside lines so PERFECT. I love the landings on the big jumps to. Its a real confidence booster to know you can progressively jump further and further without coming up sort or over jumping it. I bet when the other chapters come to the Fern they will be pleasantly surprised.

And the private track that I have rode that you did isAWESOME!!

[rooster73]

I agree with what JB says above..............additionally, the last practice weekend at Fernley was a blast. Loved the track. Rick, what you and Stan did that weekend was super. Haven't had that much fun in a long time.........................when I first rode your private track I was delighted, still am. Can't wait to see what's next.

I would agree with you also Rick, your track building skills have progressed nicely over the years..........................Rooster

[542]

Rick, as I've said before you've done a great job sprucing up the West track, making it safer and more pleasurable to ride. The coming changes you & JB mentioned at the April meeting, I think, will help in adding more flow and a few less 180 degree turns.
Lots of riders (including me) have had a lot to say about the West Track when it was first put in. Personally, except for my post, I've always qualified my comments by saying when the gate drops MX is about racing the other guy not the track. You guy's, Stan & you, have made some very nice changes to the track and I think things are coming along especially the two table tops. That being said my post seems to have started a small fire storm about my comments even though I was pretty much just skewering JB (Buster). What I posted was not aimed at you or Stan. Both of you put far more effort and skill into the track than what ever compensation you receive for getting the job done.

[rlloyd36n]

You know, I've been thinking about the observation I've made over the years. About how pros never complain about the track. Its true. Being treasurer, I get the chance to talk to them when I pay them their pro pay back. I always ask them "How did you like the track? Or, how did it go?" I can't think of one time a pro had a major gripe about the track.

You know what the number 1 complaint pros have is? The way they rode. They're super critical of them selves and the way they rode. If they lost, they will complain about how they made a mistake here or a mistake there. Or "I can't figure how that guy beat me?" They don't blame the track. Its not the tracks fault that they got beat. They are focused on their opponent and the quickest way around it. Its as if to them the track is a given. A constant. It is what it is. They're alot more concerned about the guy next to them on the starting line. Where as the average recreational racer will almost always have some complaint about the track.

I wonder if this difference in mind set is why they are so much faster then everyone else? Or is the mind set a by product of being so fast? Well, its something to ponder anyways. Food for thought. Maybe we can all learn something from it.

Next week I'm going to bore everyone with a post about all the different types of obsticles that a track builder can use in his design. No, not a bunch of jumps in a row or a bunch of bowl turns in a row. You get enough of that around here as it is. There are alot of other obsticles that a track builder can incorporate into his design that will keep the racer stimulated all the way around the track. Test all his skills.

So stay tuned.

Sincerely,
Rick

[rlloyd36n]

F.Y.I. I didn't design either of the Fernley tracks. I rejoined the club after they were built. I'm trying to make adjustments. But meeting some resisitance. Negative comments about the tracks don't bother me.

Sincerely,
Rick

[larry63r]

I have never seen you build anything but great tracks. I just wish I could ride some of them. It has really sucked sitting out all this spring watching everyone else get to ride. My ancle is just now getting to the point that I can even think about riding again so I hope that we have a club playday this summer so I can gat a chance to ride on some of your great work.

[rooster73]

JB, did you hear larry? He said 'PLAYDAY". Just wanted to make sure you got that part JB. Time to schedule one me thinks................I love PLAYDAYS. Also, we will need a relief finish flagger for that playday so Larry can ride............Rooster

[jbrown62r]

We have a play day every month, and this month is yet to be decided on the location, but the 20th is looking like the best day for it.

We'll decide on a location and time at the meeting, then send out what we come up with in the newsletter.

Back to the subject....

I like it when there are those obstacles that guys are talking about in the pits. You know, "are you clearing that______" or "are you railing that out side berm". The kind of things that guys don't ride every day, something just outside of the norm. Maybe a 5th gear start straight? or a creek crossing?

[larry63r]

What I mean by a club playday is a day for the club and family, maybe even a small BBQ. Not a practice weekend where everyone is working and we need to have flaggers and seperate practices for minis and big bikes and old guys and fast guys.
We could have saturday the 19th for the playday and sunday the 20th for the practice day. That way we can ride and have fun without all the work. Then on sunday we can work all day and the club can make a little money to pay for the playday.
That would give us a chance to get that tube put in the track and have something a little different for everyone to ride on.
As for the location, it has to be the west track. That's what I want to ride the most!

[rlloyd36n]

Sounds good. But the dozer is at Hershman's. Oh, by the way. My son and I will be out at the Palomino Valley track on sunday. Testing the new track (I reversed the direction) and the new jump faces. Anybody want to come out and be a test rider for me? I need the feed back so I can make any necessary adjustments or do some tweeking while the machine is still there. Or is everybody going to the OTMX Sierra National? Hey, isn't May 19th and 20th the Hangtown National? I might go to that. If I can afford it.

[rooster73]

I would love to test the new direction but I will be in Marysville at the International this weekend. Yes Rick, May 19th is Hangtown and that is where the Russ & Russ show will be. Couldn't think of missing hangtown. That is such a blast to watch. Always have a great day there.............Rick, you should really go............you won't be disappointed.................Rooster

[rlloyd36n]

Hey. Just a reminder to everybody. We still have some mechanical issues with our equipment. So don't get a head of our selves planning events until the equipment has been repaired. (Six wheel water truck has a hole in the oil pan. The loader has no brakes and needs to be serviced. The RMS water truck has a bad axle. The dozer has lose tracks, etc.).

[larry63r]

Rick, The secret test track was awesome today. Jesse tore it up! He put a rut and a kicker on the big table. He was clearing it good by the end of the day. He rode two tanks of gas through his 150sx. I did a bunch of work for Jim and then we all went out for dinner. It was a great day. You should have been there.

[rlloyd36n]

I would love to ride, anywhere! Planned on going out there yesterday. But I've being having medical issues lately. James doesn't want to ride unless I do. . Hope to be better soon.