I had been itching to try out mini road racing for a year or so, checking out scooter, YSR and min motard racing in person and on the intenet.

When I saw this one NS50F on ebay I had to make my move.

The Mini Motard Maniacs website, the Dorknet, and the friendly folks at The Shop in Milwaukee got me up to speed on race prepping and safety wiring. Gosh I love saftey wiring...

Team Calamari set me up with some really sticky street legal rain slicks, and then I was ready to go.

The first few times on the track were frustrating but fun. I just couldn't lean this tiny 150 lb bike over quick and far enough to attack each new turn every few seconds. I was getting lapped without mercy, but having a blast.

Soon it just clicked, knee sliders were scraping asphalt, and I was keeping up with the gang. I was really psyched the first time a actually PASSED someone else.

Mini road racing is so much freaking fun, it's common for us to realize "I'm rarely riding my (insert name of real sportsbike here) anymore!"

But how can 14 turns a minute, legs aching, laughing like a lunatic under your helmet, jostling for position, no cops, no speed limits, no gravel, no curbs, no cars compete with riding on the street? The track makes 30mph feel like a run a the Isle of Man!