Livin' on 2 wheels
Margaret Straling
Issue date: 4/17/03 Section: Accent
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The drug of choice is speed. It does not come in an oral form; rather it is 120 horsepower traveling up to 180 mph on the track at Pacific Raceways.
Although it is incredibly fast, risky and physically and mentally demanding, they do not deny the urge to motorcycle road race.
Motorcycles are the machines that drive the natural high. The mind and heart are driven by the speed, competition and control of the motorcycle on the racetrack's surface.
"Racing is like an addiction, it gets in your body," said Greg Zanghi, general manger of Eastside Motorsports and former pro racer. "There is nothing in the world that can duplicate the feeling you get when racing with 30-50 other people to get across the finish line, pushing yourself, it is an adrenalin rush."
Riders race machines that weigh no more than 400 pounds and can do zero to 100 mph in less than four seconds, said Zanghi. "It is hairy, but it is an amazing feeling."
Whether it is the bikes, the track or the natural high that attracts them to the racetrack they keep coming back for more. The number of riders and fans continues to grow each year at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash.
The passion for motorcycle road racing helps build relationships among families, friends and even strangers. Racing fans and riders are part of a racing family. Pacific Raceways would not be alive and flourishing today without the riders, fans, friends and families. The track breeds racers and involvement from the fans.
Although motorcycle road racing is a form of motorsports it is in a class of its own.
The scenery can dramatically change in the blink of an eye. Racers can crash, riders can change positions or a different rider can take the lead. Motorcycle road racing is not all about winning.
"They do not just want to win, they want to know that they beat some of the best people out there to get that victory," said Darren Murrey, expert rider at Pacific Raceways.
Motorcycle road racing is the most physically challenging form of racing, said Murrey. "It is amazing to be able to do, let alone watch."
Some come to witness the fast pace, others come to catch a glimpse of the latest motorcycle technology. They stand along the track with amazement in their eyes as they watch the exhilarating speeds.
"You are not just sitting behind a wheel of a car," said Murrey. "You are interacting a lot more, all the way until you are laying down on the pavement. On top of that you have speeds that are some of the fastest exit speeds of a corner that you have ever seen on a racetrack."
Perhaps the spectator community is trying to live vicariously through the riders. Sometimes it is too over whelming and the spectators succumb and try road racing.
After races and in between races groups gather in the pits to talk with the motorcycle racers.
Motorcycle road racing captivated Zanghi. He too once stood in the stands. Now he sits on the cushioned seat of a motorcycle going around the track at 180 mph. He felt the natural high of racing.
"I rode sport bikes and I became friends with motorsport riders, and I got involved," said Zanghi. "I sold a '66 Cadillac, bought a race bike and started racing amateur and pro as well."
The sport cries out to onlookers to take a piece of the action if they dare.
"It is pretty common," said Murrey. "You will get guys that come on a track day on their street bike that want to race. Being around it puts people over the edge to go out and get involved."
The riders' excitement encourages openness among the racer community. Riders often discuss what precuts they are going to use or what is the best bike out in order to get more people involved.
"You will find a lot of guys that are so excited about what they are doing they want to show it off or they want people to participate," said Murrey.
Pacific Raceways is not only a place where fans can watch motorcyclists race, it is a place where racers can race legally. The track offers motorcyclists something not possible on the public roads. Riders are able to race, reach incredible speeds, do it legally and have spectators cheer them on, all at the same time.
"Road racing is an adrenalin sport, it is pretty hard to describe, 177 miles per hour and be able to ride it and turn it and make that bike handle in a way you could not possible do it on the street," said Zanghi.
On and off the track motorcycles are in Zanghi and Murrey's thoughts.
"It is a way of life for some that race, it is a passion it is an inner drive, no one can understand unless they race. I can not describe how it is to crash, driving into the pavement and sliding. For anyone to put it into words it is difficult."
Riders are not the only ones that experience the racing high; so do the fans.
"You do get a rush from watching," said Murrey's friend Raegan Smithson. "Your adrenaline and your heart starts pumping from the anticipation of what could happen."
The intensity of racing, seeing people compete on motorcycles is what attracts the fans, according to Zanghi. "I am still a fan."
Even though people at the racetrack are bonded through their passions they come from different walks of life.
"It is very tight, everyone tends to know everyone," said Zanghi. The pits are an open area where people are free to walk around and talk to the road racers and crew.
It is a very friendly place, said Zanghi. He lets kids sit on his bike and welcomes questions.
Several of Murrey's friends attend races on a regular basis. His racing passion has extended to his friends and family.
"Scott [Amel] liked it because he has always wanted to be around racing and be involved," said Murrey. "He used to race dirt bikes and Raegan races motocross."
Large portions of the community at Pacific Raceways are familiar with motorcycles. Some people race motocross, some are road racers and some have dirt bikes or four-wheelers, said Murrey.
Although she has no racing history, Murrey's girlfriend, Christina Badger, has become part of the racing family too. Badger attends multiple racing events by Murrey's side. She travels with him, cheers for him, brings him lunch or just provides moral support. Badger is part of his racing life.
"I try to go to every race," said Badger.
"You’re supposed to," replied Murrey.
"I do try to make it at least to one day, out of the weekend," said Badger. "It is fun to see Darren race."
Badger lounges in lawn chairs under the tent and socializes with other race fans, when Murrey is not racing on the track.
"I go there around lunch time, bring Darren a sandwich, I watch him work on his bike, I watch him go around the track and talk to his buddies, and I ride the mini bike around sometimes," said Badger. "I go back and forth from the pit to the stands."
Although Badger frequently comes by herself, she enjoys it when they have friends at the track. Amel and Smithson frequently attend races with Badger.
"It is fun to go when you know someone out there because then you can scream and cheer," said Badger.
She mimics herself yelling on the track. "Go Darren! Well Scott and me do that when you are out there. Scott is louder than me."
Murrey laughs at Badger, "Scott acts like a father as if his son was racing, he gets so worked up, he has pep talks," said Murrey. "He gets more nervous then I do before an event."
Smithson also comes out to the track whenever he is not at the motocross track. He is not only is a fan but he also helps Murrey work on his bike. He enables Murrey to focus on the race rather then mechanical repairs.
"It is so much easier to have someone with you," said Smithson. "It is something less that you have to worry about, you can go out in race 100 percent. It is hard to race if you have other things going on."
In exchange Murrey gives Smithson parts, food, and beverages. Jim and Lash, two of Murrey's teammates, also have buddies that will come and help work on the bikes.
Although the majority of people at the track are interested in motorcycles, their characteristics are influenced from other forms of racing as well.
The higher levels of racing trickle down and effect how people react at a club level. It effects how people respond to different products shops, and vendors.
"What product is best to use for this and that is kicked around, it overlaps into what people talk about, what's getting bought and sold too," said Murrey.
There is a certain lingo among riders and spectators with motorcycle backgrounds. The majority of the people at the track are interested in motorcycles.
"You see a person wearing the racing gear, that talks the talk about it, or knows a lot of people out there, more of a critic," said Murrey. "They are probably into bikes mostly, or curious, or thinking about getting one so they want to see what bikes are going fast, or what one is in front, what is the best thing out that year."
Loads of sponsors are dedicated to racing because they know that those kinds of people will push their products because they talk about racing so much and word of mouth is a big seller of the products retailers have on their shelves.
Although race fans may purchase common products, their personalities vary greatly. It does not take a distinct type of person or personality to road race. Riders come in all shapes, sizes and various personality types.
"I have seen all kinds of personalities that race, brain surgeons, some very mild mannered and excitable road racers," said Zanghi. "They have all types of personalities. They come from many different backgrounds and ways of life and culture, but they come together and have an understanding road racing."
Even though Zanghi described riders, he wanted to ensure the motorcycle racer stereotype was not reiterated.
"We are not rebels," said Zanghi. "Riders range from retired Microsoft multi millionaires and to carpenters, we are just average people. Everyone that is road racing up here are professionals, they have jobs that allow them to road race."
Although riders have jobs that enable them to race, they remain dedicated to their passion. Racing is part of their lives.
"It is a subculture way of life," said Zanghi. "Road racing is in a way because all your time and resources are dedicated to the road, it is an expensive, physical and mentally demanding sport. You have to be 100 percent on the game or get killed"
Some motorcyclists choose to road race at Pacific Raceways because they are cited excessively for speeding on Washington state roads. It is cheaper and safer for them to race on the track.
Murrey is a prime example. Badger is constantly telling Murrey to slow down on the road. Although the track enables him to speed, ticket free, he still chooses to speed on the street.
"He is always trying to be fast, even if we are just going to the store he has to go like 80 miles per hour," said Badger. "You know when you see a red light, you slow down. Darren speeds up to almost 80 when there is a red light. Who are you trying to race honey?"
Murrey looks at his girlfriend, shakes his head and said, "I was not racing, I was just driving fast it just handles well and it has good brakes. She knows I drive fast everywhere."
Motorcyclists used to race on the streets but have moved to the track because of increased traffic enforcement and unsafe conditions.
Murrey would not be able to race at Pacific Raceways if it was not for the American Motorcycle Association.
From Harleys to racing Ducatis, Pacific Raceway would not be here if it was not for the AMA. The AMA has made it possible for riders and the fans come together and enjoy the sport. It has helped give the sport its reputation, lifestyle and fame.
The merger of Federation of American Motorcyclists and the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association resulted in the creation of the American Motorcycle Association Pro Racing. It is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. AMA Pro Racing oversees more than 80 national-level racing events all over the United States.
The affiliation opened the door for American racers and for the Pacific Raceways. Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association has been holding races at Pacific Raceway since 1974. WMRRA races also take place in Spokane and Portland.
In the beginning, small gatherings of motorcyclists evolved into organized road-riding events.
Racing was built into the AMA when it was founded in 1924. Within their constitution it states, "to advise and assist in the regulation of motorcycle racing and other competition in which motorcycles engage."
Competition rules were built around the ideals of safety, fairness and spectator appeal. Riders in United States must first attend school before competing on the track. Racers start out Novice and work their way up through track time, or showing their knowledge and skill to their instructors.
Throughout the years the primary style of racing in the United States was designated Class A, which allows manufactures to build racing machines.
Riding professionally at Daytona has enabled Zanghi to reflect and capture the history of the motorcycle road racing.
"When you are racing on the track you think about all the people that have raced there," said Zanghi. "It is a pretty neat feeling to qualify for a race and finish it there is a lot of history there."
Darren Elkhart, a NASCAR driver, was killed the week before Zanghi raced at Daytona.
"It was an emotional moment to race there," said Zanghi. "He races NASCAR but he races an adrenaline sport that people have respect for."
In order to be successful riders must push themselves, which means testing the limits of bike and rider.
"You have to ride on the edge you have to push yourself to get better," said Zanghi. "It is really a balance of walking the line. On one side you are complete control of your bike and riding in a complete control model and the other you are out and crashing."
There always is risk involved people are killed and hurt racing. Murrey and Zanghi have been through a fair share of scares. Zanghi decided his most recent crash was going to be the last.
"I was doing 85 to 90 miles per hour and I went down and it was a high speed left hander and I lost the front end of my bike, the front end washed out," said Zanghi. "Losing the front end, the front tire slid out from pushing too hard and I wound up impacting the hay bales in the ground with my back, shoulders, head and neck area. I thought I broke my back, I got carted away in an ambulance, three hours latter I was walking away."
Although he did not break any bones, he had tissue damage to his neck and it took about one month to recover.
Even though he was injured and his bike was destroyed, things could have been worse. Zanghi has his protective gear to thank.
"At that point I decided it was probably time for me to retire," said Zanghi. "I have responsibility outside of the road racing that I felt I needed to focus on." Although Zanghi retired he still plans to race a couple of times this year.
"I will probably road race a few times this year, keep up the speed, stay in shape because I do miss it," said Zanghi.
Even though crashes are going to happen on the track Zanghi does not get scared while racing.
"There is not enough time to get scared, things just happen in front of you on the track," said Zanghi. "You have to be aware of when to protect yourself from crashing and watch out for others, it is instinct, reactionary depending on what happens in front of you or what happens to your bike. It is not fear that drives it but height or flight reactions. Bikes flipping, people sliding in front of you, you have to find a way to avoid them. You have to find a hole and get through it. Do your best to protect yourself and protect others at the same time."
The speed, the risk the time, life in the fast lane is not for everyone which explains why there are riders and spectators.
"It is pretty limited, but any one can get out there and try," said Murrey.
Anyone can sign up for a class at Pacific Raceways if they also have taste of racing. There is an open track during lunch. Riders are able to take their street bikes onto the track and do laps.
Although they are open to new people it takes dedication, said Murrey. There is a race every weekend. To stay on the track riders must keep their bike running and on two wheels.
"It takes a lot of effort and on top of that to be competitive, it comes down to a select few that can keep it all together and really make it happen on a consistent basis," said Murrey. "That is the biggest thing; the top guys are overall consistent."
The top riders show up every race weekend prepared. Even though they might not be winning a race every time they are always showing up and they perform every time at a consistent level that elevates them to where they are really competitive, said Murrey.
"Anybody can go out there and have a lot of courage, go really fast and maybe get up to the top and win a couple of races but to do it over and over is not that easy," said Murrey. "That kind of person is either going to crash, break their bike or ride over their ability at some point and cause some trouble."
To get out there and do it safely and consistently and still be fast is work, said Murrey. "You got to be smart about it."
Murrey not only races on the track but at home as well. He is always playing racing games and working on bodywork for his bike, said Badger. "It is part of the furniture."
"It is not, I just got it a couple of days ago," said Murrey.
If he is not watching it on TV he is making motorcycle postcards, ordering parts for his bikes, said Badger.
"You love it," said Murrey.
"I have to learn to love it, because that is all you talk about," replied Badger.
Zanghi has also experienced the passion and dedication off the track. He has spent not only time racing but money as well.
"It is an easy sport to through a lot of money at and not see results," said Zanghi. "I do not regret any of it because the feelings and memories I got from it is something and that no one can replace or give me that."
Although the danger, the expense and dedication is great, they continue to come back for more, and others follow in their footsteps. Some come to race, others come to watch.
"Road racing is a dangerous sport but I have not found a sport that duplicates its intensity," said Zanghi. "In a car you have a car roll cage, on a motorcycle you are out there. On a bike with 120 horsepower that goes 170 miles per hour and you are controlling it with every piece of your body and if you come off it you have nothing to protect you but your leathers. There is a great sense of speed and vulnerability that you encounter."
There are fun aspects and dangerous aspects. People must understand how riders put a lot on the line when road racing, said Zanghi. People grow up and get married to the sport; it is exciting, the best thing you could ever do on two wheels.
"It breeds people going out and having a great time but also being really competitive and doing everything they can to be better and faster at something they love doing; it is a great thing to be around," said Murrey.