UK Top Gear - Motorhome racing - video

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Motorhome racing

[flsix]

I think the sanctioning body needs to approach Daytona and get these things on the high banks. Maybe that would add a little something the race. With the added benefit of self cleaning turns you could remove the no contact rule.

[JP in SC]

Are you looking for something to do with the SS Grit Chips in your spare time, Britman?

[BigAl]

OMG,,,all that and a restroom on board.

[BigAl]

Jaguar in the Boot, now that is what I call a secret weapon.

Believe me when I tell you,, I know secret weapons.

[Clark]

luv'd it

[schrambo]

That really shows you just how unsafe those motorhome's are to ride in, in the back.
awesome to see them on the track though

[..]

Are you looking for something to do with the SS Grit Chips in your spare time, Britman?

Honestly, that never crossed my mind.

We were suppoosed to go to Bristol, TN earlier this week for a meeting with Food City and Bristol/NASCAR.

There was to be a photo op on the start line at Bristol.

I rode my ex Valkyrie around Bristol. This is back from in 2005 when I rode up to take part in a St. Judes fund raiser.

Met Hal up in Elizabethton, TN Friday night after a great 375 mile ride up there on, some new to me, twisty mountain roads.

Went to Ridgewoods BBQ. My first vinegar based 'Q and it was good.

Got to the Bristol Motor Speedway track about 9.15 on Saturday morning. Paid our $15 to get in and waited whilst a local Nova club ripped around the track.

Now it's our turn to ride into the infield. A giant metal gate is swung open and we ride our bikes across and down the 17% slope of the track which feels like riding down a wall.

Waiting in the staging area the size of the track, only 1/2 mile, is more apparent as is the 36% slope of the 2 end curves. It's like looking up a mountain and we are supposed to ride on that. Oh well, nothing ventured..............

It's our turn and my heart rate is noticeably faster and we're out on the track following the pace car.

The car quickly pulls away and I'm up on the slope but not very high, trying to get a feel for this unique riding experience whilst trying to reassure myself that yes I can go faster and yes it's quite normal to have my head tilted BACK so I can see where the hell I'm going.

When your M.S.F. instructor told you to look through the bends THIS is what he meant. Just look straight ahead and you're gonna be dead meat.  I have to tilt my head back and to the left to be able to see through the bends.

Hal whips past me on his Yamaha on the 3rd lap as I'm still trying to work out which gear is best to use. Hal rode this track last year so I'm trying to follow his lead but failing. I'm looking at the speedo on the short straightaways and all I'm getting to is about 75 mph before easing off the gas for the curves.

And now the 6 laps are over far too soon and I'm rolling into the staging area which a grin that stretches all around my head.

Shall we go again Hal asks. Hell yeah.

We pay $10 for another 6 laps and we wait whilst a couple of groups of cars are sent out.
Alright this time once I'm up to speed I'm keeping the bike in 4th gear. 3d was too low and 5th too slow to accelerate.

The Pace car is out again and whoosh I'm faster and passing a Goldwing using the track up by the concrete wall. Trying not to drift too high I use my body weight to muscle the bike away from the wall and I rocket down the straight. A quick look at the speedo and I'm at 81 mph. Slowing less on the curves I keep high on the track and pass another Goldwing. 4th lap and I'm hitting 85 mph on the straights. Final lap and this is it. I fly out of the curve onto the final straight. I've got the throttle wrenched round as far as it will go, the cables are stretching and yes I get to 87 mph. Wow, wow, wow, now slow and back into the staging area.

What a rush, that's amazing. Passing the other bikes it felt like there wasn't enough room on the track and they have 43 NASCAR cars racing here!!