Monday, April 24, 2017

Sleepy Hollow Race Recap - MDRA Round 2

Check out a quick video recap from the day then scroll down to see a few of your champs from 
Round 2 and link to all images from the weekend as well as all race results.



Coty Schock wins both premiere expert divisons


Thomas Welch grabs three wins at Sleepy Hollow


Barrett Keiffer styles to the win in 50cc (7-8)


Check out the images from the 250 C division - its always good


EVO's Brandon Hugney has stepped it up a notch this season.


Chase Yentzer is looking good on the big bike

To see full race results and points: Click Here

To see images from all classes and all Brapp Mag issues: Click Here


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Saturday, April 22, 2017

Ride Review - 2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT

2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
Courtesy of Velocity Cycles - Mechanicsburg, Pa
By Jim Bull


It was the bike dreams were made of - at least for a young off road rider from years gone by. Yes it was my dream back in the 1980’s, my buddy Scott and I would sit around and talk about racing the Baja 1000.  


Pa doesn't offer BAJA conditions - but this bike will work great here too.

We would read about the Paris Daker races in the motorcycle pubs and see the big Honda off road bikes that we unfortunate American’s couldn’t get our hands on without the right connections or by moving to Japan or Europe.

Yes we had the XR 650, a great bike by anybody’s standards, but if we could only get our hands on one of those big bore Honda’s we’d definitely go do it. Well too many beers and lots of excuses later unfortunately we never made it to Baja.


Thanks to Velocity Cycle in Mechanicsburg, Pa for making a guys dream come true.

I guess the next best thing would be to wait around a couple of decades and hop on the chance that Velocity Cycles in Mechanicsburg, Pa afforded me in late April.

Yes, finally I got to swing my leg over that big twin cylinder Honda.  Granted a much different version from days gone by and I’d have to say thank goodness. Honda really hit the mark with this masterpiece.

Granted I didn’t get to put it through the paces that a Baja would throw at it, but I’ll tell you this. With the right person on it I believe this bike, even in its stock form would handle today's Baja less some different tires and probably some upgraded lighting to dodge those crazy Mexican roadblocks in the middle of the night.


This bike felt right at home on the back roads of Pa.

Anyhow, the gang at Velocity Cycles mounted me up on Hondas DCT version which in reality means a 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with on and off-road riding modes. Wow what a mouthful. At first I was wishing for the manual clutch 6 speed version but then remembered I did tell Chris a few weeks earlier that I wanted to check out Hondas auto clutch set up.

So off I went to get a handle on this beast. I rode around the block once or twice just to get a feel for the different shifting options. I believe the intro video that I watched talked about 80 different combinations including on and off road torque variations, adding ABS on and off, there’s a gravity sensor that detects lean and you can shift on the fly from manual to auto shifting.  The good news is that I was able to figure it all out pretty quickly for my upcoming 50 mile jaunt. The even better news is if you had this bike to play with for a few days I’m sure you could dial it in perfect for any riding style and skill level.

I felt that in the auto mode on the street that the big parallel twin shifted too quickly but in off road situations it worked just about right for me. Again, the beauty in the setup is if you want to be in a different gear or need more power its right at your fingertips and the engine braking was a welcome addition on those downhill dirt roads.  This bike loved to get into 6th gear fast but again the advantage of the big bore - even in 6th gear whether cruising at 35 or at 65, when you twisted the throttle it was all there and away she went.


The Africa twin was a blast to ride on the twisty mountain roads.

I was able to ride this baby on the highway, on some nice back road asphalt twisties, up and down the other side of the mountain in dirt road conditions then finish off in lots of traffic coming back through Carlisle. I also got to check out the great stopping power of this dream ride when I came around a corner a little too hot on the asphalt and saw dirt road directly ahead. I clamped the big Hondas breaks and came immediately under control with no threat of laying her down. The other feature that Honda nailed was the low center of mass, this bike although tall handled like a dream and was no challenge for my 5’ 8” frame. I didn’t check the weight on purpose prior to my ride because I didn’t want any pre conceived notions on handling and weight distribution.


I'd say buy one of these and spend the next couple years getting lost in our beautiful state.

In actuality the only compliant I have from the whole experience was not taking Chris up on his offer to keep her for the day. I could go on and on about this great ride from Honda but I’d bet you’d get the real story by going online. Check out the website below for more info then head on out to Velocity Cycles and ask Chris or Brandon for your own Africa Twin experience. One caution however, if you don’t want to own one you just better stay home.

Read more about this great bike by: Clicking Here


Learn more about Velocity Cycles by: Clicking Here

MSRP: Starting at $13,999

ENGINE
Engine Type
998cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke Unicam 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270ยบ crank

Bore And Stroke
92mm x 75mm

Clutch
Wet, multi-plate with coil springs, aluminum cam assist and slipper clutch

DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission
6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with on and off-road riding mode
Or 6 speed manual clutch

Final Drive
O-ring sealed chain

Torque Control System (HSTC)
HSTC 3-levels + switch-off

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Frame Type
Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear sub-frame

ABS System
ABS 2-channel with rear ABS off switch

Front Brakes
310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminum hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads

Rear Brake
256mm wave hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model.

Front Tire
90/90-R21 tube type

Rear Tire
150/70-R18 tube type

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase
62.0 inches

Seat Height
Standard position 34.3/Low position 33.5 inches

Curb Weight
534 lbs—Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride

Fuel Capacity
4.97 gallons

Find more great motorcycle and race coverage by: Clicking Here










Thursday, April 13, 2017

Team Perfect Storm at District 6 HS - Round 1

Team Perfect Storm
District 6
Round 1

Big Diamond Speedway


For Immediate Release:
April 10th 2017

Four Members of Team Perfect Storm were in attendance for Rd 1 of the District 6 Hare Scramble Series.  The race was set at Big Diamond Speedway, in Minersville, PA.  The promoters used vast amounts of land around the speedway to put on a tough, gnarly and tight technical rock run.  Team Perfect Storm members were ready with their race faces on! 

This race required Grit, Determination and Perseverance and persevere they did. Caleb Baltimore came out swinging yesterday and took his Suzuki to 2nd place! Ricky Anewalt Jr, came back with a vengeance after last week’s technical malfunction and took home a 4th place.  Kenito Held looking smooth as always out there took a 5th.  Vincent “Spicy Meatball” Caramanna had a little misfortune in the last turn fumble allowing “Orange Crush” racer Ryan Gribbin to make a late lap pass.  Vince would settle for 4th place.  All racers placed in the top 5 and enjoyed themselves both on and off the course.

Results:
  • ·        Caled Baltimore 2nd  7-11 85
  • ·        Ricky Anewalt Jr. 4th Super Mini
  • ·        Vincent Caramanna 4th 10-11 65
  • ·        Kenito Held  5th 7-11 85

Team Perfect Storm was missing 2 of its team mates, however a good time was had by all.

We are looking forward to the upcoming rounds both in ECEA and D6.  This upcoming weekend, some of us will head out to Evansville MX for Round 2 of the D6 HS Series.

TPS would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their continued support and encouragement.  Bromley’s Suzuki, MSR, EBC, Vee Rubber Tire, WER, COR Moto, RE-Max Realty PA, Amsoil, Mika Metals, Dt-1 Filters,  Brapp Magazine and All Balls Racing!

Jim Caramanna

See more great race coverage: Brapp Magazine



Monday, April 10, 2017

AHRMA Mid Atlantic Sets Record at Round #1

April 9, 2017

The Potomac Vintage Riders open their 2017 season at Rocket Raceway under sunny skies and warm temperatures. They say what a difference a year can make and they must know what they're talking about this time.



Series promoter Dave Kutskel announced at the riders meeting that last year at this opening round that their was still some snow on the ground and temps were in the teens at 8am to start the day.

No matter, mother nature changed her tune this year and along with the great weather came 87 riders, some racing both the morning and afternoon race to set a record for this series that I think is in its fourth season.


37 riders took off on the five mile course at Rocket for the morning vintage race. Brian Grove (above) would take his Honda to a full minute win over series promoter Dave Kutskel followed by WER Suspension guru and former ISDE champ Drew Smith in third.


The afternoon post vintage race would see 64 competitors line up with 20 time ISDE Gold Medal winner Fred Hoess beating the pack by over 7 minutes. I got to speak with Fred after the event and he is such a humble guy, please watch for a full interview with him in the upcoming May issue of BrappMag.com.

Second and third place spots would round out the same as the morning race with Kutskel in second followed by Smith in third.

Check full results by: Clicking Here



If you need your vintage or modern bike suspension working its best - hit up 
Drew Smith at the info above.


Get more info on Round 2 on Face Book by: Clicking Here


View and purchase all images from the day by: Clicking Here

See full event coverage and Fred Hoess interview in the May issue of: Brapp Magazine



Energy, Hydration, Healthy Aging, Weight Loss - Get Info By Clicking Here
















Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Team Perfect Storm - Weekend Update

Team Perfect Storm
Round 3 AMA East HS Series 
Round 1 ECEA HS Series


For Immediate release:
By: Jim Caramanna

Monday April 3rd 2017,


 An action packed weekend was had at the AMA East round 3 / ECEA Round 1 as all 6 Tem Perfect Storm members were in attendance. This was a tough round which left many racers and teams with some issue both mechanically and physically. Team Perfect Storm member’s brought forth the correct attitude and their game faces.  All Members had top 10 finishes with 2 Members, “Smiling Cate” Nash Jr. Girls and Julian “Polish Power” Wojcik 12-15 85, both taking 1st place in their classes.  Way to Go!  Next we had a 4th place from Caleb Baltimore in the 7-11 85cc.  2 positions behind was Kenito Held in 6th. Vincent Caramanna representing the 65’s took  a 6th place finish and a 9th overall. Ricky Anewalt Jr who was as high as 7th was mixing it up with the best but lost almost 2 minutes on his last lap due to running out of gas and shutting down. When he came in he was on fumes and the bike died rite at the checkered flag. This was not unique to Team Perfect Storm as many racers were left out in the woods due to the Pit location.  Ricky salvaged 9th out of 25 Super Mini. Needless to say we are very proud of our team and feel they have the correct attitude both on and off the track!


Results:
  • ·        Smiling Cate Nash 1st Jr Girls
  • ·        Julian Wojcik 1st  12-15 85
  • ·        Caled Baltimore 4th  7-11 85
  • ·        Kenito Held  6th 7-11 85
  • ·        Vincent Caramanna 6th 10-11 65
  • ·        Ricky Anewalt Jr.  9th Super Mini



Team Perfect Storm had a fun filled action packed weekend both racing and bench racing afterwards and through the night. We are so looking forwarded to the upcoming rounds. District 6 opening round is next on tap. TPS would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their continued support and encouragement. 




A special Thanks to Bromley’s Cycle for hosting our bikes and members all weekend.  MSR, EBC, Vee Rubber Tire, WER, COR Moto, RE-Max Realty PA, Amsoil, Mika Metals, Dt-1 Filters,  Brapp Magazine and All Balls Racing.







Monday, April 3, 2017

RD 3 SRT - AMA East National HS and RD 1 ECEA HS Series

Port Elizabeth, NJ – 04/01-04/02 
Kenny Held
AMA east HS Coordinator

Photos courtesy of

Art Pepin Photos

The Tri County Sportsmen’s MC has done it again.  They have shattered all other AMA East HS attendance records.  Over 800 Two Wheeled racers battled it out over the 2 day period at Round #3 of the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series.  This was also the season opener for the ECEA HS Series which co-sanctioned this event.  



Craig Delong was your overall winner

23 AA riders filled the front row.  Heavy rains a few days before dumped about 4 inches on the mostly sand track.  Tri County Sportsmen’s MC was out there in full force insuring flowing and useable trails.  Many months of manpower were going into this race.  The 1:00 main event was scheduled for 2 plus hours traversing a 10 mile trail of Open fields, tight woods and sand whoops.  When the flag dropped it was Wild Wally Palmer with the hole shot with 22 other AA’s funneled in behind them as they went into the woods.  Tri County did something a bit different this year.  They normally send the racers out into a large open 1 mile “Turn Track” providing plenty of entertainment for the spectators and allowing for separation before heading into the woods. This year it was 1.5 turns and you were into the woods.  If you got a bad start, you had your work cut out for you.  After approximately 25 minutes the AA’s could be heard emerging from the woods and they sprung out into last year’s turn track.  There they provided plenty of racing action.  After the 1 mile turn track the racers came into the scoring chute.  Palmer could not hold off the fierce charge of the other AA’s.  He would end up 3rd on the 1st lap.  In the lead was last year’s winner, Ryder Lafferty.  2nd was Jesse Groemm and 4th was Craig Delong.  1st through 4th were separated by only 10 seconds.   

This was to be a 4 lap race so position changes were to be anticipated.  On the 2nd lap, Delong was to move up 3 positions securing 1st .  About 5 seconds back was Lafferty and right behind him was Groemm keeping them honest.  These 3 began to pull away from the rest of the group and a fierce battle was now under way.  Lappers and track deterioration were now a factor.  Although the event had a separate morning C event, there were still over 270 other racers sharing the same 10 mile course.   By the middle of the 3rd lap, Groemm would lose his rear brakes and started to fall back.  Delong and Lafferty however would continue to do battle.  At the end of the 4th lap it was Delong taking the checkered flag with Lafferty settling for 2nd.  Groemm finished a solid 3rd.  It was later learned that several of the other AA’s had missed the pit entrance and were forced to leave the track and return to the designated pit area.  NJ has a strict fueling requirement so adherence is mandatory.  Several were administered a time penalty for their infractions.  Unfortunately Palmer was to be one of them. The top A rider was Marcus Cornell from the Open class, top B rider was Earl Miller from the 250 class.  The top Women A/B went to returning racer Shawn Davidson just back from a knee surgery.  Welcome back Shawn!


Shawn Davidson was your top female on the day.

The Morning C event was 330 strong.  The track was still very damp from the recent rain however the course was defined by the Youth events the day before.  1.5 hours over a 9 mile course gave the win to Mike Beeler Jr who is no stranger to the podium.  The day before he was the O/A Youth champion from the 12-13 Super mini line.  On this day Beeler would take the O/A from the Schoolboy 1 class 4 rows back.  


Mike Beeler grabs a few more wins at round 3

This kid really is the genuine article.  Our hero of the day however went to Hunter Fox who just restored a 1982 Yamaha YZ 125 that he would race in the C 200.  Fox would run 1st place against all the modern machines until he popped his shoulder out in some breaking bumps.  Fox would still finish 2nd place against 37 others. 


Hunter Fox finished second on the 82 YZ125

In Saturday Junior events, we had recent LL Qualifier Jayden Palmer taking the 65 O/A, “Smiling Cate” Nash would win the Jr Girls and Carter “Pretzel” Przmeleweski would again take the 50cc Pee Wee win.  Not sure this “Pretzel Monster” can be stopped.  In the end this was a great family event and the racers and spectators alike will remember this event for years.  Thank you ECEA and the Tri County Sportsmen’s MC.


Jayden Palmer wins O/A 65 - Photo by Dan Morton


Cate Nash is on a roll winning Jr. Girls - Photo by Dan Morton
.


Round 4 stays local co sanctioning with AMA District 6


Catch an ECEA event near you - click here to see full results from this event and more.


To see more off road racing and photos and video check out our website at: Brapp Mag









2024 AMA Ice Race Grand Championship GP and Oval Events Scheduled for Jan. 21, Feb. 10

  The annual events return to Fond Du Lac, Wis., after 2023 cancellation PICKERINGTON, Ohio — After an added year of anticipation due to l...