Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Riding Spots => Topic started by: VintageBlueSmoke on June 28, 2011, 05:50:46 AM
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All,
This is a repost from another forum but I thought you might be interested.
I just wanted to relay my experience competing in the Campeonato Regional de Motocross at Serreta, Terceira (Azores) Portugal this past weekend. This is not meant to be a play by play coverage but more of a "what it takes to play" story.
First of all, I had to join the federation; FMP. This story in itself deserves its own thread. After gathering all the required documents, photos, medical release, 160â?¬ (I applied for a General Regional license so I can race Enduros), I dumped it in the mail to Lisbon on Friday afternoon. First thing Monday morning (9 AM!), I received a call from the FMP saying that because I am a foreigner, they needed a release from the American Federation (AMA). However, they gave me all the information, contact numbers, everything I needed to make it happen. Because the AMA is headquartered 5 hours behind us, I had to wait until the afternoon to call them. Now I must point out that the AMA is known for being inefficient and bureaucratic, but the woman at the AMA emailed my release off in less than an hour, so kudos to the AMA! So now it is Monday afternoon and the FMP has everything they need to issue the license.
On Wednesday, it was in my mailbox. I sing the praises of the FMP! Can you imagine if the rest of the government ran so smooth?
So then I needed to meet all the requirements (official numbers and backgrounds, numbers on jersey, bike that will pass inspection, etc). Personally, I dislike "NASCAR" numbers. I don't have a "favorite" and would rather EARN my number or in this case, be assigned one. They (Nelson and Jose) kept asking me what number I want and my response was "What is available?" They wanted me to pick one and they would look and see if it was taken rather than saying "Here is the next available number." I chose 119 as that was my last American national number. Had I waited one more day, I would have had my license and would have chosen 710 since that is my license number (710.2011).
For $25 I got a Thor jersey lettering/numbering kit from Amazon.com and my buddy Sergio Caldeira used my plotter and made me numbers and backgrounds. As many of you have commented, I don't run the covers over my countershaft sprockets. I usually break them or through them away however, the FIM requires them and it is something they check so I had to make one for the Can-Am. I also put new tires and a kill switch. Another thing I don't usually run is a "crossbar" pad. I have Pro Tapers on the Can-Am but it still needed a pad so I made one out of a helmet bag and duct tape. I also swapped one grip (from the Bultaco) since the end had worn through. Now my 1980 Can-Am MX-6 400 was fit to go!
Racing the 30 minute motos wasn't that hard. Yes, you have to pace yourself and you can't go out and charge the whole way but the Serreta track has many areas to rest and I was pretty fresh at the end. My excellent Pit Crew was advising me of my lap times and other than losing time being lapped and getting out off the racing line, I was pretty consistent all the way through.
Honestly, I expected to be faster. In previous events with my Vintage bikes against modern machinery, I have been closer to the front but on this day, I was just a rolling chicane. I wasn't attacking the corners or chasing the riders in front of me like I usually do. It was obviously a lack of confidence on my part - both in the machine and in my conditioning. Maybe on a smaller bike, like a 125 or 250 I would have been more comfortable. The open class bikes can be pretty unforgiving!
Even though I broke a rear hub in the second moto and DNF'ed, I still had a great time and I got paid for racing. OK, it was 15â?¬ but considering I charge more than that to enter my Terra-Moto! events, it is a great deal!. Jose, the FMP representative wants me to bring the old iron to Sao Miguel events for more races. One thing I didn't know was that the FMP pays your transportation to the away motocross events. Too bad they don't do that for the enduros as I want to go in November to the last event. I will be ready for the August event at Serreta and I will try to deconflict my other racing schedules to take advantage of the Air Fare!
Anyone interested in joining me in these and other events or have any questions, feel free to PM me.
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Let me get this right,we have an American racing a vintage Canadian Can Am at a motocross in Portugal? The locals must be wondering "What is going on?".Pictures please! ;D
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My website is down but when it comes up, I'll post some. They are on Facebook though. Kurt Eibell.
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Nice story. ;D
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(http://www.eibell.com/TITMQ/kurt1.jpg)
(http://www.eibell.com/TITMQ/kurt2.jpg)
(http://www.eibell.com/TITMQ/kurt3.jpg)
(http://www.eibell.com/TITMQ/kurt4.jpg)