Supermoto has plenty of mojo

Boreal Mountain Resort hosted motorcycles big and small over Labor Day weekend. The two-day event was held to support a traveling race called Supermoto USA. Drivers from Northern California came to Donner Summit to show what they can do on two wheels, and sometime one, supermoto-style.For those who do not know what supermoto racing is, there are some unique traits.The race track differs from other tracks in that it consists of asphalt, dirt, dirt jumps and many sharp corners. Driver No. 44 Kris Weide of Reno explained supermoto this way: "A really good summary is the combination of all disciplines, and there are three disciplines: road racing, motorcross and flat track. I love it." From the way I see it, supermoto races are half dirt, half asphalt, and full throttle, full brakes.The motorcycles are a little different too. If you took a dirt bike and exchanged the tires and rims for smaller-diameter, smoother and wider ones, you would get a supermoto bike. The advantage of the size of the tires is that it has better grip on the asphalt for those sharp turns. And the advantage of using a dirt bike, is that it has better suspension travel for the dirt. How did I learn this? My husband Matthew Carlson and his friends are totally into supermoto. Supermoto riders have a unique style. When the riders are in a corner, they lift their inside leg. At Boreal, I saw that some drivers would lift their leg at a right angle, perpendicular to the bike, others would kick it straight out to where their foot was inches from the front axle. He then said the Europeans have refined the ballet by just lifting their foot.I asked Matt how sticking a foot out helped the riders go around corners. He said that if they don't move their foot from off the foot peg, it might get caught under the bike. Matt also says supermoto can be likened to David Hasselhoff. Like Hasselhoff, supermoto started in the United States, but didn't really catch on with Americans. It is, however, huge in Europe. Supermoto is beginning to gain popularity here in the U.S.Back at Boreal I met a local racer. He was No. 69, 15-year-old Garrett Willis of Loomis. Willis ran in two races that weekend, placing fourth in the 450 motorcycle-size division and first place in the 250 motorcycle-size division.He has been riding for six years and explained to me how he got hooked on supermoto."(I got into supermoto) through my dad and a couple of guys that race here (at Boreal). First, I started doing dirt track ... for two years, then started doing this."Willis also says he likes the combination of dirt, asphalt and jumps supermoto offers.Weide, who placed fourth in the Open Intermediate race was an instant supermoto addict."I used to be involved in road racing flat track kind of stuff. I tried (supermoto) the first time and fell in love with it - been riding ever since."The peaceful backdrop of the towering pine trees and Castle Peak that can be seen from Boreal made for a super ride home. I just had to keep reminding myself not to stick my foot out on the corners on Interstate 80.For future Supermoto USA race meets, visit supermotousa.com......Julie Miller is a staff writer for the Auburn Journal. She can be reached at juliem@goldcountrymedia.com