Balloon Toss, Ride the Plank, and the ever popular Weenie Bite are motorcycle field events that anyone can participate in with a reasonable chance of success. These traditional biker games are quite amusing to watch. But for something During one weekend in August, the Star Boyz from Ohio came to perform their unbelievable stunts for the Ottawa community as part of a charity fundraiser for the Champions for Children Foundation. Advertised on the local radio station, The Bear, this event promised an exhibition of choppers, muscle cars, sport bikes, and, of course, lots of stunt bike action. It would all take place at Ottawa 's Ottodrome International Speedway located just off highway 7 in the city's west end. Sunday's Schedule I would have liked to have made this event on the Saturday, but family obligations prevented that from happening. Thankfully, I did get there the next day just after 11 am . The competitions were supposed to have started by then, but practice sessions were still going full tilt, and I do mean that literally. Bikes standing almost completely vertical were blasting up and down the drag strip at speeds sometimes in excess of a hundred miles an hour, sometimes on the rear wheel, other times on the front. It was a chaotic scene of screaming missiles ridden by tattooed, shirtless and helmetless lunatics doing stunts with total disregard to their personal safety. It was great! The Organization Before I go any further, I want to get all the event's negatives out of the way. Since I didn't make the first day of the event, I have to assume all the choppers and muscle cars were only on display then because there certainly was no sign of them while I was there. Nor did I find the advertised Import Car show, or hear any music - live or otherwise (note: apparently the Bear was playing I've been told, albeit very quietly). The only way to learn what was happening throughout the afternoon was by means of the PA system. Too bad the only functioning mic was misplaced, because the one they used was virtually useless. It was eventually abandoned for a bull horn which worked, but was only audible if one stood right in front of it. That was a pity because it would have been nice to know what was going on. Though technically not the promoter's fault, the field of contestants was smaller on the second day due to earlier crashes, or at least I think that was what the distorted announcement informed. Finally, the viewing from the grandstands was not always up to par. The action took place along different sections of the track, and so was sometimes out of the line of sight. The heavy chain link fence was also a nuisance, especially for viewing up close and personal from the track level. The Parking Lot Judging by the vehicles in the lot, many Ottawa motorcyclists missed out on some great entertainment. Aside from a few token Harleys, BMWs, and metric cruisers, there were somewhere around a couple of hundred rice rockets parked in a long line leading to the entrance of the track. Granted that there were quite a few cars there as well, I was still surprised that for the most part, only sport bike riders were well represented at this event. The Action I came to watch stunt biking, and I am happy to say that I didn't leave disappointed. Although all the riders were impressive to watch, there was no doubt on who the stars of the show were. The Star Boyz like to perform, and they have the personalities and showmanship to draw the audience in. They always look like they are having fun, and continue to entertain without ever ostensibly wanting to take a break. The day's schedule was organized around a series of competitions. These consisted of drag races on one wheel, slow races on one wheel, an event called last man standing, and more. There were approximately twenty minute breaks between each competition during which more stunting madness was provided courtesy of the Star Boyz. It was late afternoon when the action finally came to a close with a group tire popping burn-out. Although the event was a tad too loosely organized in my opinion, it was well worth the $15 admission and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an event such as this to anyone who has an interest in motorcycles, or perhaps even physics. I wish I had brought my digi-camcorder to record the day's lunacy on wheels. Instead, I had a digital camera that frustrated me to no end by its slow response times. Despite my photographic difficulties, I think I captured some of the flavor of what these skilled riders could accomplish. Next Year? The word out there is that the organizers are going to do this all again next year, but bigger and better. The Star Boyz will be back, and to attract a greater cross section of riders to the event, feelers are out to see if Jesse James and Billy Lane can be persuaded to add their names to the billing. Although it would be nice to have more Harleys in the parking lot and perhaps some customs on display, it's the awesome stunt show that will ensure my return. Don't you make the mistake of missing it! Next pages - a tonne of great photos from the event...
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that pushes to extremes what can be done with two wheels, a powerful motor, an incredible sense of balance, and balls of steel - well, you only have to look to the latest generation of wild biker boys (and gals). They bring new meaning to the term "insane", and are truly certifiable.
