Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
41 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nNovember 2016n Indian wasn't having any of it. Matt worked furiously through the morning to get the Indian to fl y but in the end had to sit this one out. With only one Olsen bike run- ning, Brittney took Little Sure Shot for an exhibition ride around the track instead. Watching as Brittney sped by at up to 80 mph with no brakes and only a decompression lever or mag- neto kill switch to slow her down was, needless to say, an intense and thrilling experience. And if that's how I feel just standing on the sidelines, imagine how the she feels. While wandering around the pits I bumped into another track nota- ble, local resident Gary Kinzler of Lightshoe. Gary is sort of an unsung hero in the racing business, manufac- turing lightweight custom steel shoes for fl at track racers. Since 1989 Gary has been reshaping steel shoes and the industry using state-of-the-art tech- nology to produce an outstanding and superior product. As many fl at trackers will tell you, having a good shoe can make the difference between winning and losing and Gary is the best. With the Pee Wees buzzing around the track and their bigger brothers fi n- ishing several heats as well, the day came to a close just in time. Heading straight for us was a pitch-black shelf cloud sprouting lighting, and due to the unexpected wrath of the storm much of the rest of the evening's festivities were called off. The storm hung around and dumped over half an inch of rain and hail. After a discussion with the track manager it was decided the track was too muddy for the day's event. Between the rain the day before and then last night's deluge it was deemed unsafe even for drag racing. So rather than taking a risk with the riders' safety, Brittney acquiesced and called the event. But the day was not totally lost. Randy White's Sturgis MC Swapmeet remained as did Indian Marty Felan and Oil & Ink. Oil & Ink is a really cool pop-up art gallery dedicated to the art of the motorcy- cle. Artists compete from all over the world for the privilege of being displayed by Oil & Ink. Curator John Christensen started the concept in 2014 and now travels all over the U.S. in his art-fi lled custom van. After the disappointing race can- cellation and a long day hanging out at the track, the party was still on later that night at Max Fjelstad's Prairie Emporium on Main Street. Riders and fans ate, drank and mingled while Brittney signed photos for guests and discussed the future of the sport. So what's next for Brittney besides plan- ning next year's event? You can catch her racing at Billy Lane's "Sons of Speed" on October 15 at Biketoberfest and pretty much any vintage or board track race she can get to. She is defi - nitely a class act who radiates a posi- tive energy wherever she goes. So this year's races may have gotten off to a slow and damp start but there is no doubt that this event will continue. As far as the fate of the track? I know they are already setting the stage for the next event, so let's just hope Brittney and her backers are successful in staving off the bulldozers yet another year. 4 Matt and Lockheed Olsen on Olsen's 1936 hand-shift Harley-Davidson EL, the fi rst year of the "Knucklehead"