“Any water in the desert will do.”
Saudi Arabian Proverb

For the past few years, since the Phoenix race was dropped of the calendar in 1999, the AMA’s only visit to the western states has been their annual visit to Pikes Peak International Raceway. By any non-NASCAR race fan’s evaluation, PPIR is not a great track. First of all, it’s a NASCAR oval which means lots of concrete walls and mostly left turns. Second, it is small even by NASCAR standards which means it is more reminiscent of a concrete speedway or short track race than of a road race. Finally, it is in the plains of Colorado which means it is subject to both the bitter cold of winter and the baking heat of being in a high plains desert. As a result, the track surface is rough and bumpy at its best and crumbling apart at its worst. Since 1997 this has been an event the AMA Superbike guys soldier through rather than anticipate. But for the fans of AMA Superbike racing their annual visit this coming weekend is our sip of cool water that breaks the one year draught.

Those complaints stated, as a Colorado resident I’m happy to have a place to watch the fastest guys in the country show their stuff even if it’s the equivalent of watching Rossi zoom around a go kart track on a moped. The turnout for the PPIR event, now in its ninth year, has grown steadily over the past two or three events. The parking lot is now filled with bikes and the promoter has started adding new activities like a free style motocross demonstration, extreme skateboard/BMX bicycle exhibitions and live bands which will hopefully draw even more fans in the coming years.

The track layout and surface not withstanding, the most defining characteristic of the PPIR event has always been the success that underdogs have had at the track…particularly underdogs whose past includes a lot of dirt track racing. PPIR was one of the few events which breathed life into the old Harley Superbike effort when, in 1999, Pascal Picotte ran up front during the race. Even the most successful Superbike rider at PPIR, Eric Bostrom, has been a clear underdog during many of his race wins. Last year Eric had struggled at all the previous races on the Ducati and suddenly came alive at the Colorado bullring to win the race over the dominant Mat Mladin. It turned out to be his only win of the season.

In addition to EBoz, dirt trackers like the Hayden brothers, Kurtis Roberts, Jake Zemke, Ben Bostrom and Larry Pegram have had memorable rides at PPIR. While racing the then-new Honda RC-51 in 2000, Nicky Hayden lead the race over Mat Mladin before burning all the rubber of his rear slick and fading back to finish 5th. Kurtis Roberts has always been the most impressive rider to watch through turns one and two. Back in his days racing the Erion Honda Formula Xtreme CBR he used to broad slide the bike all the way through the long left hand turn looking like a dirt tracker entering turn one at the Springfield mile. Memorable stuff.

Jake Zemke has also has memorable races at PPIR but rarely races he is proud of. In 2003 he was gridded on the back row of the 600SS race because a tech inspection revealed a rules infraction with his bike’s oil pressure relief valve. When the green flag fell, Zemke started a charge through the pack that drew more attention from the stands that the battle for the lead. In the end, Zemke finished 7th and instantly became a fan favorite.

Likewise, Josh Hayes had an impressive ride last year in the Superbike event. After crashing on the first lap, Hayes remounted his Kawasaki in dead last and started rocketing his way back through the field. The inspired ride showed just how gritty a competitor he is and his eventually 7th place finish was amazing considering how difficult it can be to pass on the 1.3 mile long circuit.

Speaking of which, passing has always been a problem at PPIR. Because the track is so short, the Superbike races usually run 48 laps. The large grids that the AMA allows, combined with the wide disparity in lap times, means the leaders usually start passing back markers after just six or seven laps. Some riders have been lapped as many as three times in the past but the new usage of the blue flag and recent habit of black flagging slow riders after they have been lapped twice is helping. Still, the Superbike finishes at PPIR are rarely close as backmarkers inevitably string out the field making it tough for riders which missed the lead group early to bridge the gap back up to them. In contrast, the Supersport races at PPIR are almost always fantastic, perhaps making this class the true oasis among the dry scortching sands of roadrace wasteland. Turn four, leading into the infield, has decided many of the Supersport races at PPIR as the short straight leading up to that turn allows drafting and subsequent close passes on the smaller bikes.

This year could be the most exciting race in years. Eric Bostrom has done so well at PPIR that it would be silly to ignore the chance of him having another breakthrough ride. Mat Mladin has always struggled at PPIR but seems convinced that he can turn that around this year. Mat’s teammates Ben Spies and Aaron Yates are also both riders with a strong dirt back ground and should do well this year as well. PPIR could be Jake Zemke’s best chance to run up front aboard his still under development Honda. Jake’s teammate Duhamel is always strong at PPIR, especially through the flat, sweeping right hand turn five. Duhamel’s other strength has always been his ability to get through traffic which definitely pays dividends here. If the Attack Kawasaki will hold together, this could give Josh Hayes an opportunity to put in another strong ride, hopefully without having to charge through the field after a crash. Even Kurtis Roberts could improve his recent showings if he can use his dirt track style to slide his underpowered Erion Honda towards the front. It would be nice if we could get some tight racing again after a few years of run away wins.

My best memory of the place involved just such tight racing. It was my first year cornerworking at PPIR back in 1998. I was working turn four, the tight left hander that leads off the back straight and into the infield. During the 600 Supersport race, the leaders would regularly all enter the turn with the rear tire locked up and hung waaaaay out on the right side as they fanned out for the draft pass. Each lap I was convinced that Larry Pegram, Nicky Hayden, Tommy Hayden and Eric Bostrom where all going to go down in a sliding, sparking heap as they fought in that turn but each lap they pulled it together. In the end Larry Pegram took his first and only Supersport race win. One of the most exciting races I’ve watched at the Fountain, CO track.

As they say, the Pikes Peak International Raceway event ain’t much but I’m thankful to have it nonetheless. Those stuck in the desert can’t be too picky about how we quench our thirst. Until someone ponies up the big bucks to build a better track in the Colorado area, I’ll be a faithful spectator at PPIR and hope others do the same. Hope to see you there this May 22!

[image from the Pikes Peak International Raceway web site.]