Weekend at a local track the tide is turning

[eprovenzano]

I went to a local track / riding area this past weekend.  What I saw shocked me...  The ratio of smoker to thumpers was 85% (or better) to 15% thumpers.  On the track there was a new stock YZ125 just ripping everyone.  The only rider able to even come close was trying his hardest, but the 450 just couldn't hang with the 125...  This is a case of the rider just knowing how to wring out the little bike.  As I looked around, I saw a box truck FCR suspension with two smokers getting ready for the track.  On the trails, it was 90% smokers.  Everywhere I looked smokers.  The tide has turned...  I think those that went to the dark side are coming back...

It was a great day...  premix in the air, great weather, good company, and we were able to ride for 6 hours.   It was a day where we rode all day; nothing broke, (on the bike and on me).  I was able to act like I was 15 for an afternoon.  Now I just need to get over the sore muscles and get ready to do it again. 

[ACMX]

Its pretty 50.50 over here.

[KTMguy]

It's still not that great over here in VA/NC. In the 250 C class it's prolly 80% 250fs. The 250 A class had 2 2strokes, and 2 250fs so that's pretty good.

[eprovenzano]

This was just a practice day, but it was awesome to see and hear so many smokers.  The smell of premix in the air, and the lack of droning 4 strokes noise almost brought a tear to my eye...  or was it the dust...   

[westsiderippa]

what track?
i was blown away last week at my practice track, 408 mx in san jose cali, im usally the only 2t besides the mini's but last week there was about 10 of us out there ripping it up. i noticed this one fast kid that is usally on a 250f and had to ask what the change of heart was and why he was on a cr250. he said in so many words his parents could not afford him racing and he was on his own. so what does the kid do. saves his money and buys a 2t and hes back on the track. clasic story right there.

[keeptwostrokesalive]

I was looking on vitalmx forums and found this interesting post.  The tide really is turning and we can smell it in the air.

http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/MotoRelated,20/125s-at-the-track-today,1053961

[eprovenzano]

what track?

I'm located West of Pittsburgh PA.  The facilty is west of Pittsburgh in Ohio, south of Canton OH, about an hour and 30 min drive from Pittsburgh.  It has plenty of trails for me, and a nice MX track.  

It's called Crow Canyon MX Park.  www.crowcanyonmx.com

[Super Trucker]

That pic of the crow is funny,I tried to see some pics,it said I have to register. I  parked  in New Phily.OH. before,small truck stop. I went in for a rare sit down dinner, I asked if  Broc Sellards ever stops in haha, a old timer said his dad drives truck and stopped in yesterday,he told me stories of Broc and how he started racing and stuff,everyone talked very highly of him. I,ve loaded in Sugar creek and another town way back in the hills, awesome scenery. I liked the area enough that I went on mxtracks to see what there was for riding. Weeks later I  had a day off and saw a trail riding mag, with the same Ohio area, I bought it and I never bought a trail riding mag. The riders where on street legal enduros, with a tour guide.

[eprovenzano]

Crow is nice as it has something for everyone, the MX track is part of the LL qualifier, they have a seperate Pee Wee Track, and for me 400 acres of trails.  Nice big parking lot, and there is also a bike repair shop on-site.  Everytime I go there I have a good time.

[SwapperMX]

I gotta add to this discussion. I rode last night at a local track w/ night practice, and havent been there in about 8 months. Last time I rode there, I was the only two stroke there. Which wasnt unusual at that stage. BUT, last night there would have been at least a dozen two strokes, maybe even a few more than that. It was great to see and hear. Definitely a change in the air.

In adding to that, I have also spoken to many more people at several other tracks at practice days over the last few weekends, and many more people want to, or are switching back to a two stroke, mainly due to cost, and also, FUN factor. Definitely seen a big switch over the course of this year.

 

[JohnN]

The part about what you guys are noticing that is most telling is when you talk to the pro four-stroke guys... it seems that they see the complete opposite!! 

[SwapperMX]

Hey John,
Do you mean four stroke supporters, or top pro's that ride and race four strokes ??

[eprovenzano]

True John, there is a major difference at the pro and amatuer levels.  At my level, amatuer, I see the tide turning.  At the very top I agree its a lot harder to see any change.

[JohnN]

While I do see the change happening at the grass roots level, just as you have all noticed, there are those that are afraid of the two-stroke.

Some of them have such closed minds that even should they see twice as many two-strokes as fours on their local track that they would still say that the two-stroke were obsolete.

As for Pro racing, I'll tell you this, when you talk to some of the high level people off the record, they will tell you they love two-strokes and miss them. With Project Two 50 it would surprise you to know who was cheering for us!!