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Broadford Dirt Track/ Flat Track Information
From the Dirt Track Management Committee
on behalf of Motorcycling Victoria
Contact :Peter Hern 9716 2590
or the MV office 9482 5422
Description : Dirt track or flat track is a form of motorcycle competition similar to speedway, but the track layout has right and left hand corners linked to one or more straights, and is roughly kidney shaped . The track is normally on a flat area, but can have a certain amount of elevation from one end to the other. There are no jumps and the surface is usually of granitic sand. Track length is between 500 to 700 metres and track width is approximately 10 to 12 metres. The start area consists of gates similar to motocross with a maximum number of 12 solo competitors or 6 sidecars/quads. The start area is approx 2 metres of concrete behind the gates and 1 metre in front leading onto the track surface itself. Motocross bikes are normally used on dirt track. There are a lot of modern MX bikes raced at dirt track, but older style bikes are also very competitive, as long travel suspension and powerful disc brakes are not as important as in MX. This makes it a lot cheaper to compete, as bikes which have been outdated on the MX track can be raced competitively in dirt track, and have an extended use -by date. There is also a flat track bike which used to be raced a lot, but has slowly dropped of in the last few years. They are similar to a speedway bike, having the same type of motor and being very light, but have rear suspension, one brake and a two speed gear box.
Broadford Dirt Track: Dirt Track practice and race meetings are held at the State Motorcycle Sports Complex at Broadford on a regular basis. All riders must be current financial members of an MA affiliated club, have one of the licences listed below and be a financial member of Ambulance Victoria. Their bikes must also be set up according to the current Motorcycling Australia General Competition Rules and they must have the required safety gear which includes helmet, goggles, jersey and pants or leathers, gloves, boots and body armour or back protector
Practice : is normally held on the 3rd Sunday of the month, but can vary according to track bookings etc. A practice fee of $25.00 applies unless a Broadford Medallion is used, in which case practice is free. Practice normally starts at 10 am and goes to approximately 4.30pm. There is a break at midday of around 30 minutes for ambos and officials. Practice sessions are broken up into seniors and juniors alternating and each session runs for approximately 12 to 15 laps.
Licence requirements: An MA national senior or junior open or club licence
A one day licence (available on the day) $44.00
An annual recreation licence (available on the day) $85.50
A one day recreational licence (available on the day) $15.00
For information on all types of licences, contact MV on the above phone number or check the MV web site at www.motorcyclingvic.com .au
Race meetings : are normally run on the last Sunday of the month, depending on track bookings. A calendar is available on Motorcycling Victorias web site.
Classes : Junior, senior and sidecars are catered for with the possibility of Quad classes as well. A full list of the classes normally run for seniors is in the 2005 G.C.Rs on page 81, 5.10.3.1 Dirt Track list. Classes for pre 80s, veterans (over 34 yo) and also A, B and C grade are also run. Junior classes are on page 77 , 5.8.11.2. Classes can vary at times according to the number of entries received on the day. Most race meetings are entry on the day with sign in normally starting from 7.30am to 8am. Riders briefing starts around 9.30 am, followed by one round of practice and then racing gets under way .
Format: Races consist of 4 laps and there are usually 3 rounds in the day for seniors and 5 rounds for juniors. Races are about 2 minutes long (lap times of around 29 to 35 seconds). Entry fees are around $50.00 for seniors and $30.00 for juniors per meeting. Division 1 PeeWees are classed as non competitive and can run using a recreation licence. A junior clubman class is also included for kids who wish to ride bikes up to 160cc 4 strokes and is also run as a non competitive event. This class has been included as an introduction class for kids who wish to ride Dirt Track without to much pressure, and hopefully step up to competition after a while. They can also use a recreation licence for this class only.
Bike Set-up: Suspension settings are normally firmed up on the rear spring and the compression and rebound is also tightened up a few clicks both front and rear. Gearing is usually made taller by reducing the back sprocket by 1 or 2 teeth but can vary according to riding style. On 2 strokes its good to increase the main jet 1 size as the bikes are on higher revs for a longer time than in MX. Front forks can be lifted through the triple clamps 5 to 10 mm.
Tyres: Knobby tyres are OK on the front wheel but are not allowed on the back as they tear the track surface up too much. Front tyre pressures are around 10 to 15 psi.
Senior Bikes 18 Rear Wheels: The most commonly used tyre on senior bikes is a trials radial type. Michelin is the most popular at Broadford but Dunlop, Midas,IRC, Bridgestone and others also have a trials tyre. Pressures are from 8 psi to 15 psi depending on track conditions. The grippier the track, the higher the pressure.
19 Rear Wheels: A speedway tyre is used. Tyre pressures are again about the same but also vary with track conditions.
Junior Bikes: Junior bikes have various sized back wheels and the choice of tyre is not as easy as on the larger bikes. Pee Wees, smaller capacity 4 strokes and geared auto bikes are allowed to use a knobby on the back. Two stroke 65cc , 85cc and 100cc two strokes and 80cc to160cc four stroke bikes can use a paw pattern type of tyre, 14 such as the Dunlop K860 or a mild knobby such as the Kenda K257D 4P pattern ( available in 14 and 16) or a close pattern knobby tyre, as long as the space between the knobs isnt wider than the width of the knob itself and the knobs are low. A trials universal tyre made by Cheng Shin is also available in a 16. It s best to ask someone who has had experience with a similar bike on the dirt track for there ideas. Junior 125 cc two strokes and 250 cc four strokes normally have 18 or 19 wheel sizes and can use either trials or speedway tyres.
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