Extreme Leather-Clad Men Take Over Mid-Ohio

What do you get when you combine tens of thousands of random individuals, hundreds of daring motorcycle racers, the rolling green grass hills of central Ohio and several miles of racetrack? The 2000 Honda Super Cycle Weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, of course.

The local farmers surround this facility in Lexington, Ohio, and all who have attended this event in the past know it as the largest single gathering of motorcycle racing enthusiasts in the Midwest. Not to mention that Mid-Ohio is one of North America's premiere racetracks.

This nine-day event, consisting of motorcycle racing, swapmeets, demo-rides and a variety of family-oriented activities, has become a favorite of motorcyclists throughout the US. It draws an average attendance of over 50,000 people each year, most of whom choose a two, rather than four-wheeled vehicle to attend. An endless sea of touring bikes, cruisers, standards and sportbikes in every color, shape and size from every era of motorcycling can be seen at one time or another.

Within the confines of the racetrack, spectators are treated to an almost park-like setting, complete with shade, trees, picnic benches and Port-a-Potties. Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy festivities such as horsepower shootouts (where you can enter your own bike and have its engine horsepower tested in a very loud and seemingly destructive fashion) and booths where riding apparel and parts can be purchased at sweatshop prices. On the last day there is a dealer ride, where you can sign up with your local motorcycle dealership and take a parade lap on the racetrack with hundreds of other riders while the real racers are having lunch and praying to the motorcycle gods between races.

Even though this event caters to the motorcycle enthusiast, people from all backgrounds and lifestyles come to enjoy the festivities. A special camping area is allotted for visitors wishing to spend the night Huckleberry Finn style, and RVs are also welcome. While the racing takes center stage during the day, cook-outs, concerts from local bands and haggling with local vendors keep the people staying overnight and active during the evening hours.

The nearly 2.5 mile long track consists of 15 sweeping turns connected by undulating hills and valleys, giving the racers one hell of a roller-coaster ride. As one of the most technically challenging tracks in the world, it tests each rider's skills with pavement changes, blind corners and off-camber turns which all lead to very exciting racing and occasional carnage if a rider makes a mistake.

It's not uncommon to see riders out-braking each other so hard at the end of Mid-Ohio's 170+ MPH backstraight that the front forks of the bike compress completely and the rear wheel lifts right off the ground. As the corner approaches, the rider will allow the rear tire to come back to earth and he'll settle the suspension by giving the bike a little gas as he leans it into the corner.

But the fun hasn't stopped yet, as the rider will literally slide both front and rear wheels into the corner, dragging his knee along the ground to help support the weight of the bike and to gauge the amount of lean angle he has left. Just as the bike reaches the apex of the corner, the rider will quickly and smoothly straighten it back up and accelerate so fast that most of the weight is transferred to the rear of the bike and

the front wheel lifts off the ground, propelling both rider and machine to the next corner where the same scenario is repeated. This particular raising of the wheel maneuver is called a "wheelie" and should only be attempted by professional motorcycle racers and teenage boys with their BMX bikes riding in the middle of the street.

Although the top finishers in the race are usually "factory" riders, groomed from an early age to race two-wheeled machines, most riders participating are privateers that fund their racing with their own money and seldom enjoy the luxuries of pit crews, deluxe traveling accommodations or umbrella girls.

The racing bikes range in motor size and style, but their purpose is the same: to be light enough and fast enough to carry the rider around at speeds and g-forces the average person will never experience. The premiere race which features "Superbikes" that weigh in at around 350 lbs. and have close to 200 horsepower can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in under three seconds and are capable of top speeds of over 200 MPH (that's 321 KPH for our Canadian readers). In comparison, a $280,000 2001 Lamborghini Diablo 6 can achieve 0-60 MPH in a leasurely 3.6 seconds. Boring!

Along with Ohio's version of "Daytona's Bike Week," Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course hosts a bevy of events throughout the warmer months, as well as the Sports Car Club of Americas National Championship in October. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 1-800-MidOhio or by visiting their website at www.MidOhio.com.

‹Brian Hodgkin is an Oberlin College mailroom worker, a Review photo editor, and Mayor of Rochester, Ohio.