Joe,
I saw the Vandedrome live and in person here in San Diego County back in the early 90's as I recall. It was almost scary to watch people ride on that surface. I think they set up the short version at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Can you imagine riding a Kerin on that track? Those CRAZY bastards were doing it! I saw first hand the knock down drag out Kirin event there where Mark Whitehead and I think Arrau(?) both fell while the paceline was still behind the motor! They ended starting that event three times; Arrau out with a broken collerbone if I remember what happened. It was pure INSANITY! Really. Sure, fun to watch. But I can't imagine the jewels these guys had to ride that thing. I'm all for a good time at the track; but that place reminded me of the movie "Rollerball". Yikes!
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Chickened out when presented with the opportunity to enter "Death Race
2000" at the Vandedrome. That's how I lived to be 50.
>
> I saw the Vandedrome at the Pan-American Games in Staten Island. The
> transitions and overall surface looked very rough and bumpy. This is bad
> news through the turns as you bounce at speed. It can work tires loose and
> other stuff that just wouldn't happen on a smooth track.
>
> The racing on the short steep track was great for the fans. You could see
> everything.
>
> Joe B-Z
> Great Notch, NJ
> Plotting and scheming how to actually assemble! and get those bikes to
> Cirque.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Angel M Garcia" <wa2vuy@mindspring.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 7:38 PM
> Subject: [CR]vandedrome
>
> > This was set-up here in NJ several years ago (3?). I had some road riding
> friends that did a citizen's race in it. Some major accidents occurred and
> lots of broken bones. It's a short track with very steep banks.
> >
> > Angel Garcia
> > Long Valley, NJ
> >
> > Thing is, how could anyone afford to offer it for use? The
> > insurance per event alone would probably cost more than the
> > track!
> >
> > Neat idea, but our litigious society makes such a thing
> > totally impractical for all but those with money to burn,
> > and--to say the least--a risk-taking soul, seems to me.
> >
> > Of course, a non-profit corporation as owner, with some
> > carefully written incorporation papers, might protect the
> > human owner to some degree. Even so, one lawsuit would put
> > you out of business either way.
> >
> > Charles "love it, but I'm a realist" Andrews
> > SoCal