I took the kids to the AMA Road Racing series (American Motorcycle Association) finale event held at the New Jersey Motorsports Park last weekend.  We made the 2.5 hour drive from Lancaster County to Milville, NJ through the labor day traffic (not bad).  Since I spent much of the 90's participating in the roadracing scene in southern California, including helping in the pits at AMA events for a great friend who raced, I was excited to expose my kids to my favorite sport!  The day and the track did not disappoint...

We got there a bit late but missed some of the morning lines at the gate (prepaying for tix helps too!).  We left around 6:30pm after much of the crowd had gone home...I love the evenings at the track, when the teams and riders pull up folding chairs and relax in the cooler air to chat about the day's events and life in general.  We had a special chance to get photos with Mat Mladin, retiring 7-time AMA Superbike champion who was hanging around his trailer doing autographs for the fans wandering by.  And also a special thanks to Beth Miller of the AMA who stopped to admire my son's Smokin' Joes Racing hat (she remembers them...do you?) and give my kids stickers.

Also hot was a stunt show put on in the late afternoon by Aaron Colton, a 17 year-old rider who was exceptional in flinging his Honda CBR around in an excellent display for the fans at the fences - as you'll see in the photos, he got PRETTY close to my camera lens - I got some great shots of his work.

All in all, a special day for me to get back the races after 10+ years away, and for my kids to see the sport I love and how friendly it really is.  Can't wait until next labor day!

Photos...