So when I got my first dual sport bike, a sweet DRZ 400, I quickly took to the tracks. I was quick to realize I wasn’t a motocross racer. Especially not on that bike. I put race tech suspension in it and tightened everything up but no matter what I did the ole girl just was not meant to be thrown around on a 30 foot table. So I had a guy at the track tell me about woods riding. That led me to learn about a club series called Florida Trail Riders or FTR for short. If you ever ride down the road and see a little red rectangular sticker on a back window that says “Responsible motorcyclists …..”, well that’s them. FTR is a series held in the great state of Florida, USA. They have so much to offer for someone who wants to go ride a new spot and have fun to a serious racer who puts in 30 hour weeks dedicated to becoming a top rider. I will write up another blog later about GNCC explaining a little bit of the difference between the two but for now lets focus on FTR and what they do, what they offer, and who they are.
FTR is club racing! That means there is no money to win although some classes such as AA pro class are known to occasionally put money together on top of the entry fees to create a purse. Club racing is just good old fashioned fun. It’s still serious. Trust me when I say there are people who put a whole lot of time, training, effort and of course $$$ into it. I remember going to my first hare scramble race and just being overloaded with the amount of awesomeness there before me. Almost 500 RV’s, thousands of dirt bikes, quads and all kinds of toys like scooters, one-wheels, buggies and side by sides. Man…soon as I got there I knew I was hooked and boy was I.
FTR races typically cost $50 per entry fee and they have a class for everyone. From PeeWee class at 4 years old to 8 age classes to competition classes. The Saturday races are focused on the kids and the specialty classes such as older bikes and fun classes like sportsman where you have big entry, high rider count but no “championship”. Then Sunday you have the age classes in the morning mixed with some other classes like women and Sunday afternoon you see the “CC” classes that are all about what bike size you’re on and what skillset you’re at. Saturday has a class called beginner which is just that. It’s a great way to get out there and learn racing hare scramble and just have fun. Then you have C-B-A and AA in that progressive order. AA being Pro and C being the entry level skill class.
We have met some of the greatest people at these races from all walks like doctors and pilots to small business owners and mechanics. We met our co-sponsors Central Florida Powersports owned by Jason Ennis, Step up MX owned by Troy Downs and Moto 4 Play owned by Kyle Turnis. These are all guys who love the spirit of racing and just like I was told at my first race….don’t discount the old guys cuz they can fly! This isn’t aimed to teach you everything there is about FTR in a blog but to get your wheels turning. If you are finding yourself wanting to learn more check out www.FloridaTrailRiders.org
Until then we will see you at the Tracks, Trails and Races!!!!
#FCSRacing #CFPS #StepupMX #Moto4Play #FreedomCleaningSolutions