Suitcase of Courage

VIDEO: On the Ground at the Stuttgart Six

Here it is at last. Quick two and a half minute video so you too can enjoy the sights and sounds of a 6-tage. Oh yeah.

linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmMKZ_YfsE

Suttgart 6 Tage: The Aftermath

While Europe seems to be the center of many things cool and hip, free wireless internet isn't one of them. Thus explains the delay in getting some word out of Central Europe to SOC readers everywhere. But anyways, we went, saw, and realed in horror at the proliferation of mullets, skullets, femullets, and leopard die jobs that make Germany the home of Ralf Schumacher.

When I previously commented on the likelyhood of this being the equivalent of NASCAR on bikes I was way off, because as far as I know no NASCAR tracks have basements with strip clubs in them. Other than that though the parallels are evident. The Stuttgart track is located right in the heart of the city a block from Mercedes Headquaters in the Porsche Events Center, making it the perfect SOC venue. Its one of the biggest tracks on the Six Day circuit and the place is absolutly packed. For us the centeral attraction was of course the bike racing, and it was like nothing we had ever seen.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to race 12 up around a wooden banked track on bikes with no brakes and no freehub, while each drafting your own motorcycle? Hit up a six day and you will see this insane phenomenon. Also on the menu are Madison races where 8 or so teams of three share the track and take turns racing around the inside line before launching their resting teamates into the fray with a terrifying hand sling. And last, but not least, you have the three man pursuit where teams get the track to themselves and attempt to set the fastest three lap time.

Surrounding all this is a labyrinth of bars and food vendors serving up a diverse selection of beer, sausages, beer, spatzle, sausages, beer, and meat, as well as live bands, carnival games, and strippers. I would guess that 65% of the people there have no idea what a Madison is but like getting drunk and yelling when a race appears to be ending.

The whole experiencec was pretty amazing, and I can't really think of a better event to kick off SOC's live event coverage that will hopefully continue with a selection of events most Americans have never heard of. I should have a youtube video up by the end of the day for all to enjoy. And just remember, if you are thinking about track racing as a career you may want to consider that you are going to be competing for fans with a stripper dressed as an Indian complete with reflective silver loincloth and thong. And as a dude in tights, good luck.

We're off to Germany!

The Hofbrau (yeah, like the beer) Six Tage, or Six Day, started yesterday evening in Stuttgart and we are headed there today. Arriving in Zurich at 10 in the morning we will make haste to bring you inside the world of Euro track racing on one of the bigger velodromes around. Stay tuned for what may prove to be a bit like NASCAR. On bikes. Inside. With Germans.

Thankfully though also have plenty of liter beers....

Stuttgart Six Preview

In our unyeilding quest to bring our readers the best in sport, with international tendencies, we are headed to Stuttgart, Germany for the weekend to bring you coverage of the annual six day track race. I'll be the first to admit that I have very little knowledge of six day racing besides hearing about the occasional German pro-tour rider making an appearance at one. Cyclingnews wrote this preview of the six day season to give you an idea of what its all about, but we will be bringing live coverage of the event Saturday night. And, as with all Suitcase of Courage content, expect just as much about the beer drinking and tomfoolery as about the men in tights.

Also, check out Nick Rosenthal's website devoted to track racing and beer drinking accross wintery Europe.

And for an introduction to track racing in general, link here.

Keep posted for more...