Friday 18 July 2008

Flat Tacking Frogs! Whatevever Next?


Why Flat Tracking Czechs Of Course!
Our American brothers don't hesitate to make a three-day return trip in their team Winnebego to some Godforsaken backwater, just so they can jostle with like-minded nutcases thrashing around a dirt oval. If us Europeans drive that far - even in a beat up Transit van, we'd need our passports & would find ourself in another country, speaking a different language (but more likely shouting English ignorantly) and sampling a different shape of sausage. Hence its not something we do every weekend.
But the boys that compete in the MEFO Cup, are cut from a different cloth. They're soldiers and march hundreds of miles, kilometers and furlongs to compete for the buzz and an el cheapo paper weight sized trophy.
Back in June, 28 riders from 7 different countries met up in Germany. A previously un-heard of team of Frogs bounced out of the woodwork and onto the third rung of the podium! Like several other now successful Euro Flat Tackers, they have cut their teeth on Speedway, Grasstrack, &/or SuperMotard turf.
Flat track in Europe is still in its infancy. The Italians were the first to 'discover' it back in the 80s and there are still a scattering of Wood Rotaxs to be found there. However interest petered out, only to be rekindled in the last few years, with small but noticible movement on the Richter scale in England, Italy, Holland & Germany simultaneously. Things have now reached cult status - at least on an underground level.
Dare we say it? Street Trackers will be the new (styling) flavour of the month for big manufactureres & DIY customizers, now that Street Fighters, Super Motard, & Naked Sport Bikes are looking a bit passe? - All comments welcome.
And the Czechs? Last week saw a MEFO cup round being held at the Marianske Lazne circuit in the Czech Republic. Don't know where it is? A whole new chapter, or maybe even book, is being written on our favourite sport.

For up to date Euro info on these dirty matters check out the extensive Dutch-Brothers (featured in SB#1) site:
www.dutch-brothers.com and the Pete Boast site in the UK:
shorttrackuk.com

PS That front brake & mudguard on your road bike looks well sissy GO RIP THEM OFF NOW!

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