Flat Track Racing

[NucechRacing]

I'm from MN and I may be moving to Florida this summer. I currently race the Flattrack (TT-style) series racing here in MN in the Pro quad classes. Are there many Flat track or TT-style races in Florida??? Are there many quad riders or is there the same problem that we have have here too many bikes and not enough quads. Just a few good ones like Darryl Rath, Ben Bettis and maybe Holly Sharstzer if you count her as being good. I consider he just famous that's all.

[Mark]

Hey Nucech,

I know of 3 or 4 flat tracks here in Florida

Sand Mountain in Ft. Mead

There is one in Webster (can't remember the name of it)

Hendry County Speedway: http://hendrycospeedway.0catch.com/index.html

And I think there is one off of hwy 50 east of I-75.


The only one I really have any information on right now is Sand Mountain. It's a banked oval with a few small jumps in the infield.

Here's a couple of pictures and If I run across any more information on any of the other tracks I'll post it.


little one's

[Mark]

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[NucechRacing]

Thank you for all of the pictures; looks like you use knobby tires due to the sandy conditions. Is there any clay tracks around???

[NucechRacing]

Hey looks like the Herdry Co. Speedway has a nice clay track... How big is the purse at some of these races?? Do they even have a purse??? How many quads show up??? Thanks again for all the info...

[yamadooski]

Hey N racing...
You asked about if there were many quads here in Florida?
I race HS or XC.
After looking at some of the other races from around the country of XC I would say we have the 2nd largest quad class.
We have over 300 quads that race out sanctions.
That is only for XC, now get into MX and TT and Drag thats huge too.
If you do move here you wont dissappointed.
The only thing missing is hills and creeks.
The crappy part is sand sand sand sand...and did i say sand?
and wooops woops and more woops.
Now if you get into MX racing there are places all over the place.
There are about 6 tracks just around Tampa alone.

So when and where are you moving to?
If you can get as close to Tampa as possible it makes driving less of a hassle cause you centrally located.

[yamadooski]

oh ya the nicest flat track in Florida is in Bithlo at Moto world.
Its clay too.
The MX track hold nationals there every year.
Ricky C and Stewart practice there.
Its just outside Orlando off of hwy 50.

[Mark]

Originally posted by NucechRacing
Thank you for all of the pictures; looks like you use knobby tires due to the sandy conditions. Is there any clay tracks around???

Yea, at Sand Mountain you want to pretty much run an MX set-up. It’s clay, but they do not have any tire rules other than no padels so it gets chewed up. I think the track off of Hwy 50 is a “run what ya brung” type of track also. From the one quad pict. that I seen on the Hendry site it looks like those guy's are running more of a TT set-up with grooved slicks. Sounds like that’s what your interested in.

[Mark]

Originally posted by yamadooski
oh ya the nicest flat track in Florida is in Bithlo at Moto world.
Its clay too.
The MX track hold nationals there every year.
Ricky C and Stewart practice there.
Its just outside Orlando off of hwy 50.

Hondadooski, You got a link?:D

[NucechRacing]

Thank you everyone for all of the info!!! Hopefully I'll get a job as soon as I graduate collage. I don't want to move any further south then Tampa Bay or else my pale white Minnesota skin my burn the second I step outside. LOL I think I may have a few tricks for the sand up my sleeve. Right now in Minnesota Flat track racing it is starting to become over run with Dirt Bikes everywhere. There are not many Quads aprox. 15-20 on an average Flat track race night. Then you have to split them up into Pro, A & B. So there really are not too many racers per class unless there is no National Race that weekend. The Quads racers up here really get pushed around by the bikes. In MX it looks like the Quads are almost up to the same numbers as bikes now, but they make them drive all accross the state unlike the bikes who have two different races each weekend to choose from. Thanks again for all the info and I'll hope to see you some day racing in Florida!!! (if I find a job down there)
Here is a little note also for those who want to push the officals buttons: AMA and the other Quad racing Associations say that you can not run a Supercharger. It does not say anywhere about a Turbocharger. Just something to think about...:confused:

[NucechRacing]

I have one more question for everyone. I have two locations for jobs offers. Which area of the state is better Jacksonville or Tampa area? Just a quick question on everyone's thoughs. Much appreciated!!! I should be living in one of the two area's by the end of May. Racing by June depending on how things are going.

[yamadooski]

Thats easy. If you are gonna race, dont you want to be centrally located.
Im in Tamp.
Doug is Jacksonville, when we have races down south thats a long drive.
And there are a lot of quad riders around here too.
Plus a lot of practice tracks around here.
Also the economy here is real good.
Good luck!

Paul..

[DOUG]

As beeing a Jacksonville Resident. My opinion is go south. Tampa, Orlando lots of money to be made cost of living isnt that bad and places to ride only about hour away.

Doug

[NucechRacing]

Thank you for the input. Yes that is true that it is nice to be centrally located, but then again distance to national races would be further from Tampa rather than Jacksonville. But they both are long distances to nationals so??????
How about the other factors besides distance. I am engaged and most of the reason for moving to Florida is because she likes it down there also.
How are the comunities?
Things to do besides racing for 24 yr old people (I know Bush Gardens, Sea World & W.D. World are centrally located) What else?
Gulf Coast beaches are better right?
Crime? (or is it just mostly old people getting robbed)
Economy wise I can understand just by the pay that the compaines are offering me.
Apartments? Cheaper in Tampa right?
I'm use to the freezing cold weather and tornato's, which area is more prone to Hurrican's? (or aren't they that big of a deal just like tornato's)
Thank you again for all the input it is really appreciated. I just want to make a very educated decision before I agree to any contract with any company and apartment complex.

[NucechRacing]

Paul and Doug,

Thank you so much for all of the info! Please keep it comming!

Jason

[DOUG]

As for additional things to do you are better off in south/central florida. Trust me I have been in Jacksonville most of my life this place is a hole and really isnt much in nightlife or anything since where still in the Bible belt up here.

As you say driving to the national is going to be further. I can actaually get to 4 gncc races that are actually closer than FTR races.

Seems this year all the FTR races are in SOUTH SOUTH Florida. Which are 6+ hours for me.

Now you said you race FLATTRACK well there really isnt anyone that I know of holdoing flattrack races. Couple of places that race TT style and Joe can help out with that.

Doug

[yamadooski]

Tampa is growing. The communites are good it all depends on income.
If you are trendy with some big $$ HYde Parke is where you want to be. or the New Tampa area.
I live in Brandon its middle class area sub. When you do come call me and I will give quick tour around Tampa and all the subs.
I run a lawn care business and I know where all the great places to live are.
Alot depends on income.
Apts once again ...income...but I would say there are good deals on apts cause of everyone buying houses.

Crime well if you stay out of the gehto you will be ok.
Beaches ya Gulf is better. YOU wont get the big surf like the ocean until there is a storm.
Hurricanes....well all I can say its Florida. doesnt really matter where you live. BUt Tampa they say is WAY overdue for one.

We have been here for 12 years now and love it.
Ya the only thing that sucks is the drive out of here. BUt we usually do 95mph on the hwy so its only a 2.5 hr drive to the GA border.
WE do drive fast in the Tampa area just to warn if you dont go fast in the fast lanes you will get the lights and finger and tailgated.

Paul...

[NucechRacing]

thanks guies,
I'll definitly keep that in mind when I come down there now. I'll probably stay in the middle class neighborhoods. I really really really appreciate all this info. I'd be screwed without it. I'd probably end up in the getto!!! I'll have to remember the fast lane thing too. My damn Ford no-powerdog is slower then heck. I saw a old man on a raskel scooter accelerate past me one day haha. The thing limits out at 90something. I need to reprogram the computer bad and an intercooler and..$$$$.... anyways..... Thanks guys again for all the info. Ya I'll have to get a hold of you Paul. Once I get done with the interview I'll give you a call. What's your number? Thanks again both of you! I'm sold on tampa I just hope I get the job there!

[yamadooski]

Here is my number 813-789-6698.
Good luck with the interview.

Paul..

[NucechRacing]

I'll keep in touch I'll be in Tampa May 11-14. Any suggestion on a hotel? Cheap, clean, easy to find and nice with no bugs preferably.

[yamadooski]

You could stay at the new Hard Rock Casino and Hotel.
It just opened up..:D
But I heard its a couple hundred a night to stay there.
Anyways PM me and tell me where your interview is and I can find you a hotel near there.
Stay away from any hotel off of I-275.
There is a Ramada Inn very nice off of I-75 at the Fowler-Temple Terrace exit. Its on the same road as USF. and if you stay on that road there are a few hotels accross from USF that are brand new only 3 years old.
This is all on the NE end of Tampa.
Nice area.

Paul..