Flat Track dirt bikes take over Fuji Park this weekend
As spectators filled the seats last night, Detective Joe Trotter from the Carson City Sheriff's office was getting ready in the pit for his friendly match in the fireman and policeman challenge.
"There are many good firemen out there, and we hope to beat them," Trotter said. "It's good because it's not our profession, it's our hobby. We are here for the love of the sport, and you will see some fighting today for the win."
Harvey from the Fire Department in Minden won the friendly match last night.
Trotter said he has been riding since he was seven, teaching his children how to ride.
"Nothing can replace that feeling like riding a motorcycle, not a bicycle or a car," Trotter said. "I remember that feeling. It is like a sense of freedom."
The sport has roots "dating back to the first two-wheel speed demons in the 1920s," according to the American Motorcyclist Association. "Flat Track is widely regarded as the most prestigious and competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing in the world. A lot has changed over the last 90 years, but the spirit of the sport remains as perhaps the truest, purest test of man and machine."
Andrew Luker is one of the Flat Track professional riders and is considered to be one of the fastest riders on this side of the West Coast. He started riding at three years old and is also passing the tradition down to his son.
"My son, who will be five next month, has been racing since last year," Luker said. "My daughter will be a year and a half in November, and I am sure she will follow in the same footsteps. My wife also races. It's a whole family ordeal."
In his first full season in 2015, Luker won the season opener at the Daytona I Short Track. He then went on to record four other top-ten finishes and a ninth-place GNC2 championship ranking.
Lucker said he will continue to work with his son and get him ready to become a pro rider by age sixteen.
For information about teams and riders, see the official webpage here. All riders can register here.
Go here for the schedule of events. Tickets are available online here or in person at the following locations:
BattleBorn Harley-Davidson, 2900 Research Way, Carson City
Carson City Motorsports, 951 Jacks Valley Rd Ste A, Carson City
Casino Fandango, 3800 S Carson St, Carson City
Bodine's Casino, 5650 S Carson St, Carson City
Testa Motorsports, 1581 U.S. Hwy 395 N, Minden