MotoAmerica at the Virginia International Raceway


I totally get it now.  Although the races I watch on TV, YouTube, and 95 South are all super exhilaration, being at an organized and legally sanctioned race is a totally different experience.  From the sound of the machines roaring around the track to the amazing lean angle the racers pushed, being a spectator at the race was one of the laziest and safest way I have found to get my adrenaline fix.

Friday morning I met up with Asher from Grifter at IHOP.  Shameer should have been there, but he was not.  He has like 2 degrees and is intelligent, but somehow he got lost coming to the same IHOP where he ran out of gas a week or so before. Go figure.  Shameer finally made it about 30 min late, ate and then we got on the road. Shameer led the ride down to VIR (Virginia International Raceway) from the DMV.  It was pretty chilly that morning, so we complained about that just about every gas stop.  The temperature went well into the 80's by the time we arrived at VIR, so we were welcoming the chill from the morning ride.

Our jaw dropped when we realized the hotel room faced turns 5 & 6.  FTW!! We were able to sit on the porch and watch the bikes defy gravity while enjoying a bottle of Scotch or Bourbon.  The lodge was cool with an awesome view.  The only issue was it's a long ass walk in the Southwestern Va sun to the pits.  Asher totally wanted us to jack a golf kart, but we just hopped on the bikes instead.  We weren't like totally wasted or even buzzing for that point, so it was safe.

Once at the pits we were able to meet some of the racers.  Most notable Bobby Fong riding number 50 the Triumph Daytona 675R for Latus Motors Racing and Melissa Paris riding number 13 the Suzuki GSX-R600 for Team Hammer Contract Services.  Picked up Steve West from Silver Piston and Sasha Valentine from Cafe Racer XXX.  These are the superheroes in our group of friends. Sasha would prove that right later as she kicked my ass in arm wrestling.   I promise I gave it my best Sasha.

After the races, we got a chance to put Melissa's track skills to the real test on the Go Kart track.  She totally cheated and requested the fastest kart.  I think someone let the air out of the tires on my kart.  She is a beast for sure and after she lapped me like four times I see why she is listed as one of the most talented racers.

VIR is massive. On the other side of the compound were "literally" Boys and their toys.  It was like the cars from the Fast and Furious franchise.  A group of guys were racing their super-cars around another one of VIR tracks for the weekend.  All of these cars were breath taking and mind blowing.  The best part, the guys driving them were all super cool down to earth guys.

It was a good 4-hour drive to the races, but this experience has left me biting at the chomps for more.  I can't wait for the next race day ride.  The AMA Flat Track Races in Hagerstown, MD June 20th.  If you can make it you should. Stay tuned we will organize a ride out there.
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 motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway  motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
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motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway  motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway
motoamerica-virginia-international-raceway

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