Las Vegas race fans get another outlet for speed fix

By Aida Ahmed

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 | 9:52 p.m.

Adrenaline, speed and pure horsepower. That’s what Billy Janniro says drives motorcycle speed racing.

“We have no breaks, so it’s just a direct drive and pure horsepower,” said the Northern California driver, who is accustomed to racing at 70 mph, sliding sideways to stop.

The 2011 U.S. speedway champion hit the track at the new Sin City Speedway on Saturday night to a crowd of loyal speedway fans. The new Las Vegas speedway, a half-acre dirt track made just for motorcycle speed racing, sits just minutes from the Strip on 121 E. Sunset Road south of McCarran International Airport.

Although not the most well-known sport in the United States, Sin City Speedway owner and former racer Gene Woods said motorcycle speed racing is popular in Europe, and is catching on here. He felt the valley needed an accessible venue to cater to the growing fan base.

“When people talk about Las Vegas Motor Speedway, they always tell me it’s too far out of town,” Woods said. “Well, this is right in the middle of town. It’s really easy to get to.”

He and partner Nate Perkins lease the land from 160-acre Sport Center of Las Vegas and opened for their first event Oct. 22 as part of a six-week racing series. The first weekend, Woods said, thousands showed up to see Janniro and other top professional racers.

Speedway races consist of up to six riders on a track racing at speeds of up to 70 mph, on bikes with no brakes and only one gear. To stop or slow down, riders either close the throttle or slide the bike sideways.

Henderson resident and racing fan Joan Carter attended the grand opening race and said she was thrilled to see familiar racers, as well as the national champions from the U.S. and Europe, all on the same track.

“It’s exciting, it’s fast and they keep it going, you’re not waiting in between races,” she said. “Where else can you sit and look down the Las Vegas Strip and see all these wonderful lights and watch the airplanes go overhead and have racing too? It’s the best.”

She said the upside to a new speedway track in the valley is that it’s a family event that children can participate in, something she feels the city needs more of.

“There is not a lot for families to do here,” Woods said. “You can only go to Circus Circus so many times. It’s an exciting sport, it’s great to watch and it’s affordable.”

Woods said the speedway off-season allowed for the six-week series and hopes to bring it back in the spring before the start of the new season.

Four shows remain and a freestyle Moto-X game event will end the series on Dec. 10. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children.