Are there any Track Documentaries?

[BokKafa]

I'm not looking for Faster or so lame stunt videos. I am looking for track side documentaries of normal people riding on the track and what that's about. Does such a thing exist?

 

[TylerW]

I'm not entirely certian what you are looking for - people who ride on the track are by that very detail pretty outside of the realm of normal people. But there was a movie released a while back that flew mostly under the radar called One Man's Island. Its the story of Mark Gardiner, a quiet Canadian privateer club racer that sold everything he owned, gave up his career and life in North America to move to the Isle of Man and compete in the Isle of Man TT.

http://www.onemansisland.com/

 

[Alexey]

I was hoping to gather some footage like at this year's Loudon Classic, but it didn't pan out due to my losing my job in February. As a result, I didn't get to race, much less shoot and edit anything, until September. Next year then. Wanna come help?

 

[ThinkFast]

a WERA guy put out a dvd of footage from that club's 2004 season - was pretty good.

http://www.roadracedvd.com/

 

[Map8]

There was a video made about ten years ago called The Privateer which documented the efforts a club racer doing WSMC club races and an AMA Superbike race. Not sure if its still available.

Here's a link to a review:

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/the-privateer-3968.html

 

[ridersblock]

"Superbikes" on Speed? Or if you are looking for a track day instructional track day video, check out "Twist of the Wrist". Or look for companies like Vision Wells that record for 'regular people' on their track days.

 

[BokKafa]

Thanks for all the information guys. I actually should have mentioned that I did not want to include any AMA or AFM videos. I am thinking about doing a documentary on track culture and what it is to ride the track from skipping work early without the boss catching you on a Friday afternoon, preping to loading your bike up at the end of the day and having a cold beer with the people you risked your life with. From A to C group riders, and what drives them. I just wanted to make sure that this was not done yet because I have not seen anything like this.

 

[ridersblock]

Superbikes on Speed has done a half hour show on club racers.

On Any Sunday is a movie (documentary) similar to what you are trying to make.

 

[emarkham]

i take it you're looking to shoot this?

sounds very interesting.

there's already a few movies about this kind of thing for non-competitive skiing, surfing, hell, even live-action role-playing. there is one i was able to find on IMDB about motorcycle touring (called "Biker Dreams"). i'm pretty surprised that nobody's gone down this road before.

one of the benefits of doing a documentary about racing or racers (which it seems like you want to avoid) is that there is already a body of existing media (film, video, tv, etc) to pull from that may be familiar to those already connected to the sport. you'll be forced to shoot all of the footage yourself outside of what you can purchase from, say, a videographer like Vision Welles (sp?).

g'luck

 

[stan23]

Thanks for all the information guys. I actually should have mentioned that I did not want to include any AMA or AFM videos. I am thinking about doing a documentary on track culture and what it is to ride the track from skipping work early without the boss catching you on a Friday afternoon, preping to loading your bike up at the end of the day and having a cold beer with the people you risked your life with. From A to C group riders, and what drives them. I just wanted to make sure that this was not done yet because I have not seen anything like this.

I doubt such a video exists, but why not just go to the track and experience it first hand?

 

[kiltwearinfool]

But there was a movie released a while back that flew mostly under the radar called One Man's Island. Its the story of Mark Gardiner, a quiet Canadian privateer club racer that sold everything he owned, gave up his career and life in North America to move to the Isle of Man and compete in the Isle of Man TT.

http://www.onemansisland.com/

There was a video made about ten years ago called The Privateer which documented the efforts a club racer doing WSMC club races and an AMA Superbike race. Not sure if its still available.

Here's a link to a review:

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/the-privateer-3968.html

I've seen both of these, and they sound like what you're looking to do. Both of these document the sacrifices we make to race - not just trackdays.

I've got a copy of both these flicks - Privateer is strictly VHS from what I know - they're both good additions to a collection.

 

[BokKafa]

I doubt such a video exists, but why not just go to the track and experience it first hand?

I ride track only so I know the culture and system pretty well. I just though it would be interesting making a guerilla-style documentory about the subject. I would shoot the whole thing with 2 other guys and take the on track footage from Vision Welles. I am not interested in making a racer's video or how to get into racing....just the guy or gal on an older 600 having a good time going over 130mph and trying to figure out how to buy some tires and make his rent.

 

[stan23]

I ride track only so I know the culture and system pretty well. I just though it would be interesting making a guerilla-style documentory about the subject. I would shoot the whole thing with 2 other guys and take the on track footage from Vision Welles. I am not interested in making a racer's video or how to get into racing....just the guy or gal on an older 600 having a good time going over 130mph and trying to figure out how to buy some tires and make his rent.

Sounds good.. Would be fun showing to friends/family members that don't ride and why I spend so much money on the track.

But... It will probably be a snooze-fest to anyone not interested in motorcycles or track riding... Kinda like vacation videos.

 

[Stormdragon]

The original On Any Sunday touches on the travel and background a bit. And to my mind, it stands up well even today. Unlike a lot of movies that you thought were good when you watched them 20 years ago.