Cheap thrills

Mini road racers get big action from a small investment

Cariboo Raceway Park will come to life Aug. 2 – 3 with the roar of motors, the squeal of tires and the thrill of top-level motorcycle racing.

Steve Graham, director of Central Interior Motorcycle Racing Association, expects more than 200 entries over 13 mini road racing classes.

“It’s an incredible atmosphere. The place basically becomes a tent city and we have open pits, so anyone can wander around, talk to the riders, watch them working. It’s fantastic,” Graham said.

President Tim MacEwan agrees.

“Our first goal is to have fun. We’re not hung up on a rulebook, we find a way to get out there and have fun. I’ve even seen people lending their bikes to other riders. They just swap bodywork so everyone can race.”

It’s the 13 different classes that allows the association to be so inclusive. They range from Novice 50cc to the expert Formula GP. There are classes for gearheads who want to put some serious time, thought and money into their bikes and there are stock classes for riders who just want to race without hunting for exotic and expensive after-market parts.

“You can get into this sport for $600,” MacEwan said.

“Get an entry-level dirtbike, change the wheels and tires, you’re ready to go.”

“And then Formula GP is basically like a superbike,” Graham interjected.

“Same body, same chassis. We change the wheels and tires and swap the engine for a 85cc.”

But don’t let the small engine numbers fool you. Mounted on a light bike, a modest motor can still mean a mighty mover.

“We race in Edmonton on a full-size track. These bikes put up lap times right next to 600’s,” Graham said.

Quesnel is the fifth stop on the Western Canada circuit. The other stops are Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Cariboo Raceway Park is what lets Quesnel rub shoulders with major cities and provincial capitals in the racing scene.

“We are blessed with one of the top 10 tracks in North America,” Graham said.

But don’t just take his word for it; Canadian racing star Paul Tracy put his stamp of approval on the course as well.

Practice for the races starts Wednesday, but spectators should aim to show up Saturday Aug. 2 before 11 a.m.

Sunday features a 3-hour endurance race, with teams of riders handing off each hour. The race also has a “Le Mans start,” where riders run out to their bikes at the starting gun.

“We’ll also have a ‘Redneck Challenge,’” MacEwan said.

“We’re still working on the details, but it’s some kind of fun race, like carrying a stuffed animal around the track or something. It sets the tone for the weekend.”