DUST & FUN - FIRST WEEKEND ON THE TRACK

Jun 30, 2022

Deus Ex Machina and Niko Sorbo (pilot from Campania who can be proud of earning several trophies throughout Europe and who is an instructor in the Royal Enfiled Sliding School) organised the first of the three weekends that we will spend in Ravenna for a mini Flat Track cup, open to everyone and with any type of motorcycle.

It is priceless to see how passion can bond people who come from opposite corners of the continent and see them becoming friends of a lifetime after only few minutes spent together.

So in Ravenna, we’ve found ourselves running with riders coming from Holland, France or from the bottom of Italy, all ready to spend 48 hours together among dust, petrol, pasta and bbq.
A special mention goes to Jeremy Tagand, Motorcycle Director of Deus Ex Machina in Sydney, who joined us at the track, having fun and not skimping on the throttle.

Even more cool is to see the different ways of experiencing the same passion: there are those who came to win, those who showed up to enjoy the company or those who are just there to have fun and ride in style. The amount of beer poured in the evening and the bbq which was taken by storm by the participants can prove it.

After all, this is the spirit underneath Dust & Fun, where everyone is welcome and if you show up to compete with a Gilera Arcore 150 from ‘74, you hardly reach the podium, but you will certainly take home the esteem and admiration of all presents.

Let's face it, unfortunately, in the motorcycle world there is very often a male overwhelming majority, but something is changing (fortunately) and this first edition saw the presence of many girls racing on the oval. Some already experienced, others for the first time in the circuit - those daredevils took part in the Royal Enfield Lady's Cup. Riding the Himalayan 400 of the Royal Enfield Sliding School, customized specifically for the dust of the Flat Track circuits, the girls challenged themself fighting for every single meter.

Like the ladies, the boys also got busy. For sure, many got on motorcycles to have fun and not to race, but then when you find yourself in the battery waiting for the race director to give the go, those who say they don't feel that thrill of competition rises from the backbone are lying.

So in each category, we saw riders giving it all and we all held our breath in the exciting challenge between the Hooligans where they fought like lions until the last, alternating in first place in a spectacular dance of speed and dust.

Well done everyone, some more than others in this round, but there are still two dates to give the final verdict!

Next date 23/24 July: same place, same fun. Register HERE for the next Dust & Fun weekend

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Deus Ex Machina e Niko Sorbo (pilota campano che può vantare diversi trofei in tutta Europa e istruttore nella Royal Enfiled Sliding School) hanno organizzato il primo dei tre weekend che passeremo a Ravenna per un mini campionato di Flat Track, aperto a tutti e con qualunque tipo di moto.

E’ una emozione impagabile vedere come la passione unisce persone che vengono da angoli opposti del continente e che dopo pochi minuti passati insieme si sentono già amici di una vita.

Così in quel di Ravenna ci siamo ritrovati a girare con piloti provenienti da Olanda, Francia o dalla punta dello Stivale, dove abbiamo passato insieme 48h tra polvere, benzina, piadine e carnazza. Menzione d’onore va a Jeremy Tagand, Motorcycle Director di Deus Ex Machina a Sydney, che è sceso in pista divertendosi e non lesinando nella manetta.

Ancora più bello è vedere i diversi modi di vivere la stessa passione: c’è chi si presenta per vincere, chi si presenta per godersi la compagnia o chi bada più allo stile e viversela in modo goliardico, birra a volontà in serata dopo le prove e la grigliata presa d’assalto ne sono testimone. Del resto questo è lo spirito che regge Dust & Fun, dove sono tutti i benvenuti e se ti presenti a competere con un Gilera Arcore 150 del 74, difficilmente arriverai al podio, ma di sicuro porterai a casa la stima e ammirazione di tutti i presenti.

Ammettiamolo, purtroppo nell’ambiente moto le presenza sono spessissimo a stramaggioranza maschile, evidentemente però qualcosa sta cambiando (per fortuna) e questa prima edizione ha visto la presenza di parecchie quote rosa a correre nell’ovale. Alcune già ferrate altre per la prima volta nel circuito, hanno tutte preso parte alla Royal Enfield Lady’s Cup. In sella alle Hymalayan 400 della Royal Enfield Sliding School, customizzate appositamente per la polvere dei circuiti di Flat Track, le ragazze si sono sfidate lottando per ogni singolo metro.

Come le ladies, anche i ragazzi si sono dati da fare. Certo, in molti son saliti in moto per divertirsi e non per gareggiare, ma quando poi ci si trova in batteria ad aspettare il giudice di gara per il via, chi non sente quel brivido di competizione salire su dalla spina dorsale mente.

Così in ogni categoria abbiamo visto i piloti dare il massimo e abbiamo tutti trattenuto il fiato nella emozionante sfida tra gli Hooligan dove hanno lottato come leoni fino all’ultimo alternandosi al primo posto in una spettacolare danza di velocità e polvere.

Bravi tutti, a questo giro alcuni più degli altri, ma ci sono ancora due date per dare il verdetto finale!

Prossima data 23/24 Luglio: stesso posto, stesso divertimento. Registrati QUI per il prossimo weekend di Dust & Fun

ph. @chrifussi

#deus&fun
#deusportal

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Sabtu pagi, 17 Juni 2023, menjadi hari yang ditunggu-tunggu oleh 250 peserta reli sepeda motor dan 80 kontestan flat track race di Bali. Itu merupakan acara Rally & Camp Tasik Adventure keempat yang diselenggarakan oleh komunitas pecinta motor trail vintage yang lebih dari sekadar menggemari motor dual purpose era 80-90-an. Dikenal sebagai Trail Asik Adventurer, AKA… Tasik Adventure yang telah menunggu setahun untuk merencanakan dan mengerjakan nya demi tidak mengecewakan siapapun yang ikut berpartisipasi.

Coba kamu bayangkan , ada dua sisi koin berbeda pada event kali ini. Yang pertama adalah Reli. Mereka memberi nama Challenge "Tantangan", menjadikan setiap peserta sebagai "Penantang" Challenger. Jadi, di tempat parkir Sangeh Monkey Forest, sambil menikmati keteduhan pohon jati raksasa yang awet muda, 250 Penantang parkir untuk menerima kode QR untuk etape pertama rute reli. Seluruh perjalanan adalah 3 etape dengan 3 titik pemberhentian. 4 jika Anda menghitung tujuan.

Ada beberapa motor keren di sana, Honda XR, Yamaha DT, Suzuki TS, Suzuki DR, dan beberapa custom modern, motocross dan scrambler. Sekitar sepuluh atau lebih, mereka berbaris di titik start dan memulai rally dari sana. Misi setiap orang adalah menyelesaikan setiap tahap dan berhenti di 3 titik pemberhentian untuk mendapatkan kode QR untuk bagian berikutnya. Keindahan Bali selalu menjadi pendamping, saat kami terbang di sepanjang kombinasi jalan aspal, jalan pedesaan, dan jalan tanah di daerah Tabanan. Kami perlahan-lahan terbang tinggi dan semakin tinggi ke perbukitan dan pemandangan sawah dan hutan akhirnya habis, sebenarnya lebih seperti perlahan menjadi satu ketika kami sampai di tujuan. Bali Outbound Farmstay (BOF) yang juga menjadi tempat berkemah semalam. Jika Anda mengumpulkan semua kode QR Anda, Anda mendapat medali Rally sebagai bentuk penghargaan.

Sisi lain dari koin yang disebutkan sebelumnya, atau event kedua, adalah balap jalur datar (flat track). Atau dalam hal ini jalur dengan landasan yang tidak rata karena tempat mereka membangun jalur itu berada di atas tempat yang dulunya terdapat dua sawah terasering. Jadi titik start finish lebih tinggi dari jalur lurus pertama dengan penurunan pada tikungan pertama dan sedikit menanjak pada tikungan kedua. Saat kami masuk ke BOF, kami sudah bisa mendengar suara motor flat track dan sorakan penonton yang berkumpul. Kami parkir dan membuat jalur jalur seperti lebah.

Keseruan seutuhnya pada acara, disaat tingkat kesulitan tambahan dimasukkan ke dalam jadwal sore hari menarik perhatian yang sangat luar biasa. Mereka berhasil menarik sekitar delapan puluh peserta, terbagi dalam 4 kelas: Kelas Mesin Horizontal, Kelas FFA 4T Max 250cc, Kelas FFA 2T Max 250cc Flat Track, dan Kelas FFA Big Bore.

Antusiasme untuk balapan flat track sangat terasa. Kegembiraan tumbuh saat kami melewati babak penyisihan dan membangun sesuatu yang luar biasa untuk final setiap kelas. Tidak ada kata menahan, mereka hadir untuk memenangkannya. Pembalap dari setiap komunitas bersaing sengit di setiap kelas. Nama-nama seperti Maulana Sandi, Dewa Dimas, Harris Manasi Ride, Nova Rider Sing Mebekel, Ferry Rider Sing Mebekel, Bontok Giga MX, dan lain-lain tak main-main, sebagian besar dari memamerkan skill mereka tanpa mengesampingkan sportifitas dan keselamatan.

Trek dengan permukaan tanah liat merah keras yang kering memberikan tantangan. Di awal, para pembalap disuguhkan dengan bagian menurun pada tikungan pertama, setelah itu mereka memeras gas di bagian trek lurus sebelum berputar ke kiri lagi tapi kali ini menjadi bagian menanjak pada tikungan kedua. Itu memaksa mereka untuk menggabungkan keterampilan balap trek datar mereka dengan banyak teknik motocross. Pada akhirnya, semua pembalap bersenang-senang dengan debu tanah liat merah yang menutupi segalanya dan semua orang.

Saat matahari terbenam ke arah cakrawala, saudara dan sahabat motoran kami meraih pecahan cahaya terakhir untuk mendirikan tenda mereka dan dalam persiapan untuk berkemah malam. Matahari menghilang di balik Gunung Batukaru memberi semua orang pemandangan yang menakjubkan, tetapi segera menyelimuti kami dengan udara yang jauh lebih sejuk dari dataran tinggi di Baturiti Tabanan ini.

Percakapan tentang rute reli dan balapan flat track mengalir dari pintu tenda semua orang yang berkemah, yang lain membaringkan tubuh mereka yang lelah untuk mengantisipasi perjalanan keesokan harinya, perjalanan yang relatif santai ke Pantai Pasut.

Dengan begitu, acara Rally & Camp Tasik Adventure 2023 pun berakhir. Sampai bertemu lagi tahun depan, salam untuk semua penantang, pengalaman yang luar biasa.

Berikut daftar pemenang Kelas Flat Track:

Flat Rack Horizontal Engine Class Winners:
1. Chiko GTT Bali
2. Panduk Pisaga Delodan
3. Andika Monkey Brothers

Flat Rack FFA 4T Max 250cc Class Winners:
1. Nova Rider Sing Mebekel
2. Ferry Rider Sing Mebekel
3. Bontok Giga MX

Flat Rack FFA 2T Max 250cc Class Winners:
1. Sandi Maulana
2. Dewa Dita
3. Eponk Road Country

Flat Rack FFA Big Bore Class Winners:
1. Dewa Dimas
2. Haris Manasi Ride
3. Sandi Maulana

Saturday morning, June 17, 2023, was a highly anticipated day for 250 motorcycle rally participants and 80 flat track race contestants in Bali. It was the Fourth Rally & Camp Tasik Adventure event organized by a community of vintage trail motorcycle enthusiasts who love more than fanging about on their dual-purpose motorcycles from the 80s and 90s. Known as the Trail Asik Adventure Community, AKA… Tasik Adventure people had waited a year for the follow up and none were disappointed.

Just so you can get it straight in your head, there’s two very different sides to this coin. The first one was the Rally. They hung it under the banner of “Challenge”, making each partaker a “Challenger”. So, in the carpark of Sangeh Monkey Forest, which enjoys the shade of giant ageless teak trees, 250 Challengers parked up to receive the QR code for the first leg of the rally route. The entire ride was 3 stages with 3 stop points. 4 if you count the destination.

There were some amazing bikes there, Honda XR’s, Yamaha DT’s, Suzuki TS’s, Suzuki DR’s, and some custom modern motocross and scrambler bikes. In lots of ten or so, they lined up at the starting point then let them out for the event. Everyone’s mission was to complete each stage and stop at the 3 stop points to get the QR code for the next bit. Bali’s beauty was the constant companion, as we flew along a combination of asphalt roads, rural roads and dirt tracks in the Tabanan area. We slowly winded up high and higher into the hills and the views of rice fields and forests finally ran out, actually, it was more like blurred into one when we reached our destination. Bali Outbound Farmstay (BOF), which was also to be the overnight camping spot. If you collected all your QR codes you got a Rally medal as a form of appreciation.

The other side of the aforementioned coin, or second event, was the flat track. Or in this case staggered track because where they had built the track it was over a spot that had once held two rice terraces. So the Start finish straight sat higher than the return straight with a drop on the first turn and an uphill bit on the second. As we were pulling into BOF we could already hear the flat track bikes and the assembled crowd cheering. We parked up and made a bee line track side.

What an absolute corker of an event, the added degree of difficulty jammed into the afternoons schedule made for the most marvelous distraction. They’d managed to attract around eighty participants, split over 4 classes: Horizontal Engine Class, FFA 4T Max 250cc Class, Flat Track FFA 2T Max 250cc Class, and FFA Big Bore Class.

The enthusiasm for the flat track races was palpable. The excitement growing as we whittled down through the heats and building to something of a crescendo for the finals of each class. There was no holding back, they were in it to win it. Racers from each community fiercely competed in each class. Names like Maulana Sandi, Dewa Dimas, Harris Manasi Ride, Nova Rider Sing Mebekel, Ferry Rider Sing Mebekel, Bontok Giga MX, and others were letting nothing slip, flaunting their skills without compromising sportsmanship and safety. Mostly.

The track, with its dry hard red clay surface, presented challenges. Off the start, the racers were presented with a downhill section on the first turn, they hit the gas on the bottom straight before spinning left again but this time into an uphill section on the second turn. It forced them to combine their flat track racing skills with a slew of motocross techniques. In the end, all the racers had fun with the red clay dust lay across everything and everyone.

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, our compadres and accomplices grabbed the last shards of light to set up their tents in readiness for a night of camping. The sun disappeared behind Mount Batukaru affording everyone a magnificent view, but immediately enveloping us in the much cooler air of these high grounds here in Baturiti Tabanan.

Conversations about the rally route and the flat track race flowed out of the tent flaps of all those who camped others bedded their weary bodies down in anticipation for the next day's ride, a comparatively leisurely meander down to Pasut Beach.

With that, the Rally & Camp Tasik Adventure 2023 event came to an end. Until we meet again next year, greetings to all challengers, what an amazing time.

Here is the list of the days winners:

Flat Rack Horizontal Engine Class Winners:
1. Chiko GTT Bali
2. Panduk Pisaga Delodan
3. Andika Monkey Brothers

Flat Rack FFA 4T Max 250cc Class Winners:
1. Nova Rider Sing Mebekel
2. Ferry Rider Sing Mebekel
3. Bontok Giga MX

Flat Rack FFA 2T Max 250cc Class Winners:
1. Sandi Maulana
2. Dewa Dita
3. Eponk Road Country

Flat Rack FFA Big Bore Class Winners:
1. Dewa Dimas
2. Haris Manasi Ride
3. Sandi Maulana