Tarmac

Tarmac road racing (or rally) has received an increase in attention over the last ten years, and Tasmania is definitely not left out. It probably started with Targa Tasmania, with similar tarmac events now in each state and New Zealand. Also, there is a great new magazine out simply called "Tarmac" which includes some articles from Tasmania as the first issue was timed with the 2008 Targa Tasmania. There are other events also, like the "Rally Tasmania" and "Tarmac Challenge" both based around Burnie. The big news is that the "Tarmac Challenge" this year will be part of the ARC (Australian Rally Championship). It will be a rare chance to see the gravel rally hero's in a lowered car with slicks, still in serious competition mode.

Of course I am itching to enter something myself. I sit here counting my coin, assess my equipment and good will I have with potential sponsors.

My AE86 Corolla Levin "racecar". The roll cage is now half done.

I have selected an event! Australia's premier 10km road race, set in the streets of Burnie. The Skilled Burnie Ten. There is still some white space available, so sponsors should get in quick!

Olympics - BMX

BMX racing will be part of the Olympics for the first time in 2008.

I encourage you to watch it. The acceleration, speed and technical nature should be enough to impress, with speeds up to 70km/h, in the air, with everyone fighting for the win like a pack of wolves. But you will actually watch it to see the massive crashes. Bones breaking in slow motion, a handle bar to the back, a sprocket to the face. This is what you want to see.

Our Australian team being sent is:
Luke Madill
Kamakazi
Jared Graves
Nicole Callisto
Tanya Bailey

I wouldn't want to cross any of these guys, most of them have tattoos and piercings. (Oooo, scary). And at 83kg that indicates a fair bit of muscle. Their power equals that of track cyclists, or a medium sized moped.

Aussie BMX legend Wade Boots missed out as a competitor (getting old at 33) but will be going anyway as a coach.

The design of the BMX track in Beijing was known some time ago, and Luke Madill went and built a replica of it at his home in Penrith (took six months and $50,000). The Americans also built a replica of the track in San Diego and Jared Graves has been over there training. Kamakazi is the one with the beard, and he changed his name to Kamakazi for this event (which is just plain stupid).