ATV Florida Forum

After many weeks of waiting, the TT Track is finally complete. The track turned out very nice, With several turns, 3 jumps, and a cool off camber section. It is constructed from the same clay as the main track and should make for some great racing. 

The first TT race will be sometime next month, although the date has not yet been set. It will be a day race until the tracks lighting can be upgraded. I will post the race date as soon as it's determined.

I will post some pic's soon.

come on slow poke! get the pics now. as a matter of fact you should not have even started this thread until you had pics ::)

good call dreth  or at least put some pictures of naked women to keep us interested  8)

alright, alright... I'm downloading them and sending them to PaulS right now so he can post them. The pic's were taken from a loader and are not the best. They don't really show the jumps or the elevation changes, but it'll give you an idea of the tracks layout. We will still start on the normal starting line, run through turns 1 and 2, then go into the infield section, then back out into turns 3 and 4, down the front straightaway. The only section of the main track we won't be running is part of the back straightaway. I need to measure it to see how long it actually is, but, just to give you an idea: it took 37 loads of crushed asphalt base, 148 loads of red clay, and my two best operators a solid 5 day week to build it.  

All jokes aside, I would like to thanks everyone who helped along the way with this little project. A special thanks goes to David Bohnstadt, Daves dad Mr. Bohnstadt, Wayne Palmer and his son Justin. These guys donated their time to help with some old fashioned "manual labor" around the track when we first started on the TT construction. Also, Dave's employer High Reach 2 donated a man lift so we could re-route the light wires, change bulbs, and trim the trees so you guys with the fancy motorhomes and haulers don't get 'em all scratched up anymore. Wayne also donated (and personally installed!) the Thunderbowl Speedway sign on the back straightaway wall.
Thanks again.   

Updated track pictures, looking awesome Brady.

(http://www.floridaatvrally.com/images/IMG_0135.jpg)

(http://www.floridaatvrally.com/images/IMG_0136[1].jpg)

(http://www.floridaatvrally.com/images/IMG_0137[1].jpg)

(http://www.floridaatvrally.com/images/IMG_0143[1].jpg)

Open for Practice sunday??

I`ll be there brother ! ;)

did you ever get the 500 back to gether yet or do you need a nother year

Check the link brother ...............  ;)

http://z15.invisionfree.com/LT250_LT500HQ/index.php?showtopic=1043

And also this .........................

http://www.floridaatv.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=46&topic=981.new#new

omg  its about time whats it been like three years  i just might have to come out and a see it for my self and see if it true ;D     looks sweet 

Bring your gear and take a ride. ;)

damn the zilla looks sweet

where are the jumps :D

what kind of tires are allowed to be run on the track?

They're there.  3 of 'em....
I told you the pic's don't do it justice.
Wayne said you were skerred to come back anyway.....LOL

Flat track tires, Hoosier, American Racer, etc.
 Later on, as the clay get really hard, we may allow a knobbie class for daytime races.

ewww knobbies 

hey brady check this out the track is in pa and the mojave was built by a the guy greg i was tellin you about that owns cycle works and does the tecate stuff  hope this works   

never thought id see a mojave do this shiz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok2bupKyRtc

A 370 Mojave... WTF? I've never seen a pimped out Mojave either. That thing is pretty nasty.

Got to ride the TT track today and WOW ! :o  Thats the most fun Ive had in a long time !  If you have never rode TT its super cool. Cross between MX and flat track. You MX guys would love it ! Brady has done a super job out at Thunder Bowl with his tracks and its a first rate facility. I`ll be looking forward to the first race. :ThumbsUp.gif Check over at www.Floridaatv.com for some helmet cam action later this evening.  ;)

Just wanted to add for all you guys that miss Sand Mountain your prayers have been answered ! ;)
This is definitely your kind of track. :ThumbsUp.gif

Thanks for the props.
Quad, I must say I was impressed. You were bringing it out there today! The little Suzuki was rippin'! I think some people are going to be surprised when they race you out there.  :box.gif 

Knew I should rode down there this morning::)  Make sure you guys post when the next practice is on that TT track, I definitely want to give it a whirl.

Helmet cam footage is added: http://www.floridaatv.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=46&topic=1190.msg16500#msg16500

Thanks Paul!

damn dude i cant wait someone give me some free parts lol

Everyone loved the track Brady!  It was nice to see so many people out there for practice yesterday.  I took pics of the kids out there practicing....I'll post them when I get home later

Im probably going to open up a can of worms here, but I have to ask a few questions.  In past visits to Thunderbowl and in Recent posts about some of the racing that has happened there, I feel the need to address a few things and then ask questions about them. So, here we go! ???

In past visits to the track, there have been many comments of "aggressive riding" and things of that nature. Then, In reading several threads on the racing at the track, there have been heavy discussions of the same nature. Being someone that has raced my fair share of TT, I would like to address a few concerns that some may have.  By looking at the track and seeing the helmet cam video, I can tell you that you have a very very good course. It WILL draw national caliber racers to race there, practice there, and add validity to your track being a top notch place to go.  Although, I do have to tell you that TT racers are a little different caliber and breed.  They rub, they touch, they put their nose in the tightest cracks and crevices, and they have a move over or get moved over mentality.  Trust me, I learned this the hard way!  So, your general FlatTracker that will be trying TT racing will go into it with very much of the same mentality they have on a FlatTrack.  When, in reality, its a combination of FlatTrack mentality and MX mentality. Theres a happy medium in this style of racing. :)

So, with that being said.  What type of rules do you have in play for this? What mentality to you have on the subject? How do you expect to handle the things that will arise when someone like Tim Farr and Company, Casey Mckibben, Thacker Bros, and etc; go to race the track and their being told "There is no touching here, rubbing here, aggressive style riding, and so on?"

Thank you very much!

jt

so you gonna come race jt  8) 

Speaking from my view point......


    Most of the flat track community feels that if you need to drill someone from behind and purposely move them out of the way in order to pass them, your not racing based on your skill, just carelessness and disregard for the fellow racers. ALL forms of open wheel circle track racing from sprints to formula one have a rule similar to ours. Of course accidents will happen but we try and keep the contact to a minimum.
  The league is a very family oriented racing non profit league, not a super competitive "move it or lose" it racing organization. With that in mind, we don't have fist fights or fingers in faces after the races as I have seen in so many MX and CC races because of this.

Keep in mind, I'm not speaking on how Brady will run his TT track just givng some insight on why the SFTL has this rule.

Thanks for the positive comments on the track. No can of worms. All very good points actually.

  Yes, I agree that TT racing is much more aggressive than regular flat track racing. I'm sure some of the regular flat track riders will have to adapt their styles somewhat for the tight confines and confrontational riding style of the TT course. Some will love it, and some will not. I'm sure the guys who are crazy fast on the flat track may not be the fastest on TT. Who knows? I guess we'll see?

  There are a few guys who don't want any touching at all, but it's simply impossible to avoid when several ATV's are flying into the same turn. The big thing with touching on the flat track, and why we try to avoid it is the speeds which we run at our facility make the outcome of a normally simple crash turn into something more serious. That's why we preach "don't touch-be careful", etc. The last time Casey Mckibbon was up here he was leading his class when the rider behind him, who is known to be a rough racer, tangled up with Casey's rear tire and hit the wall. The other rider spun, hit the wall, and broke his leg right above the boot(compound fracture-yummy...). All in all, I think we have a pretty safe facility, all things considered.    
 When the TT racing starts we will allow TT racing to take place like it should. 99% of the time it's obvious to the track staff and other riders if it's just hard racing or an intentional effort to be stupid or hurt someone. There will always be riders who ride like idiots or ride way over their head and we'll address these problems as they arise.  Also, the more advanced riders know when to be more aggressive and how to be smart about it. Racing is racing, and none of us are racing for an "awesome 5th place trophy", we're racing to win and have fun doing it. That being said, safety is still our top priority.  
 
Thanks
Brady
        

Excellent reply! Thank you very much and look forward to trying to keep up! :)

Here are some pics from yesterday's practice on the TT track

(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/Aussie.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0163.jpg)(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0159.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0135.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0153.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0086.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0088.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/DSCF0078.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q317/lazeeakers/Aussie1.jpg)

I totally agree on the rules regarding strictly FlatTrack racing. I feel that the ethical and moral value of true sportsmanship should be heavily displayed at any race track, whether it be XC MX FT or whatever. I just know what comes along with this style of racing. Not necessarily the lack of sportsmanship, but the lack of ability to be so cut and dry in the rule section when considering TT racing because of its aggressive nature.  I myself have raced TT with several individuals on this site.  They will all tell you that TT is different but the same sportsmanship applies.  I have been bumped on, rubbed on, and ganged up on while racing TT by some of the finest sportsman racing.  So, I guess what im trying to do the most, is prepare the individuals considering TT for what may be to come. Not to prepare them for what I would do on the track.  I personally, will wait a few races before going, just to see how everything plays out.  You get Me, Wayne, Lyndon Thacker, Brandon Thacker, Bohnstadt, Casey, and a few others on the track the first race and we would probably never be invited back.  :D Im kidding!  You guys run an awesome track and have a great group of people. I truly believe that your TT addition will put you guys at a different level of racing that you will be happy with and may not expect.
jt

Well JT I think it is time for you to stop that keyboard pecking and get ur little narrow a$$ out here with us. Lets get the old times rollin again or are you getting to old.

 I can tell you that Ray( flagman) is very good at watching out for everyone on the track as far as safety goes, He even threw me off the track on Sunday. LOL.

I think the practice went well. It gave me the oppurtunity to see the areas of the track that need fine tuning. The track as a whole rides great, and is technical and challenging, but not overly so. I will admit that it was a challenge to build a track that would appeal to guys with full race set ups, yet still be runnable by people with stock or near stock quads. After riding it on both kinds of quad, I'd say we hit our mark. There are a couple of minor things that need tweaking, but they are little things, and no big deal. The track as a whole is ready to race as it sits...just add water! I am working on scheduling dates for the first race now, and at this point it will more than likely be run once a month.

And, did you say Bohnstadt... and Wayne...? Both of those guys are such nancy boys! Invited back? Who invited them in the first place? LOL. :R :R :R

Brady I forgot to mention one thing



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Get your nose out of there Wayne! LOL!! :R

Brady, track looks nice but may i suggest some form of seperation between the racing lines, like hay bails or old tires, becuase, "if and when" someone spins over into the oncoming traffic it could be real ugly. You may have already thought of this but i figured that i would remind you ;) keep up the good work and if you let some of the above mentioned racers into your facility your crazier than i thought :D :D

Track looks nice! My concern would have to be that right hander after your inside straightaway. May be what Dreth was also talking about? That's going to get ugly if someone runs in there too hot and crosses over on the other side of the track into that left sweeper turn. I would suggest some tires, hay, or a bigger burm there to slow the momentum and keep that from happening. It used to happen quite often at SM, but the outside sweeper wasn't as close as yours and it left room for error. Definitely brings back some memories of some good fun though. Make me realize just how much I miss SM  :'(  . Great job Brady!

There will be seperators, ie:  tires, hay bales, etc. placed before there is an actual race held.

 Come on out and get you some. lol

Yea , you to junior. ;)

its about time someone built a real TT track in florida  :T 

Tim that 500 sure does look purdy  cant wait to get a good look at it the 250 in the pics looks good too.

Trust me, ALL them 'Zuki's quad32 has are very nice.

Well thank you ........... thank you very much. ;)

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When will there be racing on this track?

Soon, date to be posted soon.

I cant wait ! ;D