Spring Rituals and Super Bikes W/ UPDATES

A member of Martin Cardenas' crew prepares his bike for the first of two Daytona Sportbike races at Auto Club Speedway. Photo Tony Solorzano/Mid-Valley News

Aaahhh, March. The start of the inexorable slide towards Summer. The month when the dreaded Daylight Savings time rears its ugly head, and for 64 schools across the country(and their fans), the annual onset of March Madness. But it also means something to me as well, it's the annual arrival of not only the Swallows down to the San Juan Capristrano Mission but also the arrival of the AMA Super Bike series out at Auto Club Speedway.

I've been going every year since the first time it arrived in town about five or six years ago. Every March or April it's been an awesome display of power on two wheels. Now I know there are readers out there who are saying, "rice rockets? Really, Tony?" but you know what? Motor sports isn't limited to four-wheels, not that I'm not excited about the fast-approaching Long Beach Grand Prix.

However, as is my now annual trek out to the Speedway, I'm all set to watch three divisions of bikes take the 21-turn, 2.38 mile circuit that's built into the infield of the two-mile oval. Already today, the series' tire provider, Dunlop, introduced a new racing compound that gear heads will appreciate. The video is below.

Dunlop Introduces the new Sportmax GP-A racing tire

UPDATE 1: Well, it's just after 1 pm and we're under Red Flag conditions out on the track. The winds are blowing like mad right now and the series is naturally concerned about the safety of the riders. We're supposed to get started at 1:30 with the American Superbikes, however, there is a wind advisory for the area until at least 5 pm.

UPDATE 2: It's just after 1:45 and we're getting word that there will be a Superbike practice starting at 2:30. They're going to evaluate the track conditions and see fi they can get the races in.