Just posted on the WERA board. STT Dates at Monticello Motorsports Club Monticello, NY Just 90 minutes drive from NYC........ Monday May 25 South Course $215 Friday July 3 South Course $215 Monday Sept 7th South Course $215 Tuesday Sept 8 North Course "All-in-Two" two-groups and 30-minute sessions) $230 Monday Oct 12 South Course $215
NESBA ran there yesterday and posted today that they are canceling all future dates there due to safety issues that need to be addressed....
Sooo... With NESBA cancelling (which is true), is their any concern for us riding there? Its a looong trip for me and I'll have to take a travel day off. Hope it's worth it.
We are doing another very thorough site inspection Monday. NESBA and STT have differed on opinions (we wouldn't do Blackhawk until trees were removed, we won't run GingerMan Backwards.....) regarding suitability of tracks. We make the call we feel in in the riders best interests.
Monte, if you decide it isn't safe for us, could you find out if they would be willing to make the necessary changes to make this a safe motorcycle track? If so, how long might those changes take? Couple months? Next year? Thanks for looking out for us.
not sure why it hasn't been announced here, but Monte posted on the WERA board last week. all Monticello events are postponed indefinitely. too much armco, and not enough run off area. there's a LOT that needs to be done to the track before it's safe for bikes. http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=211990 post #13
Actually we posted this Dear Sportbike Track Time Members: As many of you know we have been working with a new venue, Monticello Motorsports Park, in Monticello, NY to bring you a new riding opportunity. Presently we are continuing to work with track management and reevaluating STT’s schedule at Monticello. At this point we are postponing all currently scheduled 2009 dates. We are confident in having future opportunities to ride at Monticello and will keep you informed. Any STT member who has registered for Monticello will have a choice of a full credit good for a year which can be applied towards any STT event or a refund of their enrollment fee. Best wishes, Monte, Bonnie and Dave We are confident that Monticello can be a safe (and fun!!) track with some minor adjustments. We spent the entire day Monday there riding nearly 100 laps and walking the entire layout multiple times, measuring run-off, suggesting changes etc.... The management is willing to work with us. The gaps under the armco are a result of the final grade not having been brought up to the prescribed level.. easy fix. The Video posted on a racing site does not allow perspective on how the armco does or does not affect motorcycle run-off area(s). Lets look at Barber, Mid-Ohio, Road America and especially BeaverRun... all have armco which is right next to the track. The end of the back straight at Beaver is pretty stupid actually but we all run there....albiet only once a year now for STT. Road America has a concrete wall as the "run-off" on the their fronts straight.... one of the fastest anywhere. We at STT have a good record for safety and venue selection. Examples... We would not run at Blackhawk until lots of tress in the run-off areas were removed..we still do not run at Nelsons Ledges as we are not comfortable with the condition of the track and lack of groomed run-off..... Heartland Park... basically a concrete jungle.....GingerMan backwards.. never.... Iowa Speedway...I believe the Moto ST fiasco and severe injuries associated with the race suported our decision to not ride there..... With this said, another org feels that the aforementioed venues are just peachy. That is their opinion and thats cool with me. Well do things our way, make our own calls and march to our own drummer..... as we have for the last ten years. Thanks for listening.
