Last year I was lucky enough to be invited to race Knobby Night by the founder of Costa Mesa Speedways grandson Ian Young. Ian is a very accomplished moto, and off road racer, so growing up at the speedway he always thought how cool it would be to have him and his moto friends rip around the speedway with knobby’s. Ian wasn’t wrong it’s probably the most fun I have had on a motorcycle in years. When you roll back into the pits after practice and it’s all grins and laughs from every rider you know it’s going to be a fun night.
In the riders meeting we were reminded that this is a SHOW and as much as we all want to be competitive dick heads and win the race we are there to put on a show for the fans. If you were leading a lap you had to go outside the cone in turn 1 so we could keep the racing tight. This is a game of cat and mouse because some people are going for a trophy that doesn’t exist haha… I was able to get 4 races in with 4 different groups of riders and my cheeks still hurt from laughing and smiling. This makes me think about moto racing in general. Why are races down on entries? The cost, injuries etc.… This race reminded me that with no jumps, no prize money, and no bike restrictions you can have just as much fun if not then more ripping a track like Zaca Station on a perfect spring day.
Moto needs to bring back FUN in my opinion. Something with lower speeds, flat turns, and small jumps where horsepower and bike set up isn’t as critical.
A little about Costa Mesa Speedway: Costa Mesa Speedway was founded 49 years ago by 1937 Speedway champ Jack Mine in 1969 and ran by the Family ever since. If you have not been to a speedway race I suggest you get out to one because it’s one hell of a good time.