Local A/Pro classes...

EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 8/31/2011 9:18pm
8/31/2011 9:18pm Edited Date/Time 8/31/2011 9:19pm
97#278 wrote:
IN 1996 I raced in western new yprk sports committee. I would sit on the gate and already know what place I was going to get...
IN 1996 I raced in western new yprk sports committee. I would sit on the gate and already know what place I was going to get out of the 7 125 experts on the gate ( I earned # 7 expert that year). But it was better than racing for trophies and I made a grand total of 900 bucks racing that year while adding about 4 grand to my credit card. I got free gear from AXO, free gas from VP. 2 free cases of WD-40, 3 free cases of tranny oil from Kendall and thought I was on top of the world. I live outside Seattle now and haven;t ridden in 12 years because there is no where to ride and I can't affford to pay 30 bucks to practice even though I have a really good job. It's just the way the sport has progressed that makes riding or racing an unobtanium
97,

I can relate. However, I will return to paying to ride because it is what I want to do. I can't think of a better exercise. I can spend $30 and ride all day and be sore for several days at work. What more could I want? In the scheme of things, it really isn't that expensive. My friends spend more at the local gym and they never go....
thatdad
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thatdad 9/1/2011 3:14am
9/1/2011 3:14am
Eleven years ago, when my son started to race mx, the local track's AMA race day insurance was $220. Now it is in the $1400 range. At $30/class you now need 45 riders to break even on insurance, and you haven't covered the flaggers, fuel, etc.
zippy895
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zippy895 9/1/2011 5:33am
9/1/2011 5:33am
hell, i still remember broom tioga 125 class district 3 and 34 on the same weekend over 100 125's in one class.
the lowest class of rider participants in dist.3 was 500cc class.maybe 15 on a given weekend?also senior class..when duke finch raced it.
florida had good amount FMC series but not like new york state.(early to mid 1980's)
JOHN CHOATE
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JOHN CHOATE 9/1/2011 5:44am
9/1/2011 5:44am
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area of NC without any hassles from police or landowners. Though the county where I live has over an 11% unemployment rate, it seems lack of riding/practice areas has more to do with race attendance numbers than money does.

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bobby397
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bobby397 9/1/2011 6:57am
9/1/2011 6:57am
EastFlorida wrote:
...OK, I'm an "old school" fart. But when I was racing from 1980-1984, the local A/Pro classes were always mostly full. I see videos today with...
...OK, I'm an "old school" fart. But when I was racing from 1980-1984, the local A/Pro classes were always mostly full.

I see videos today with 4 A/Pro riders. What has happened?

In my day, Damon Bradshaw was racing 80's, Rodney Barr and Tyson Hadsell were battling in the 125 and 250 A classes and the gates were full.

Heck, I was "C" class back then and we had over 40 riders and sometimes needed qualifiers.

Even when I moved up to "B" there were 30 riders or more.

Why has it fallen off? We seldom combined classes because there were too many riders.

I read more often about the old school days and the posts about riders and races. What will happen 10 years from now? How many local races will be discussed then like we discuss the 80's today?

Just some food for thought...
4 stroke were invented
motosickness 9/1/2011 7:04am
9/1/2011 7:04am Edited Date/Time 9/1/2011 7:09am
zippy895 wrote:
hell, i still remember broom tioga 125 class district 3 and 34 on the same weekend over 100 125's in one class. the lowest class of...
hell, i still remember broom tioga 125 class district 3 and 34 on the same weekend over 100 125's in one class.
the lowest class of rider participants in dist.3 was 500cc class.maybe 15 on a given weekend?also senior class..when duke finch raced it.
florida had good amount FMC series but not like new york state.(early to mid 1980's)
I grew up racing district 34 in the 90's... It was a great time and a well run organization. Mary Tompkins was the head score keeper at the time. Mary and a lot of other good people made it a fantastic experience. I thought at the time that was the way all states did it. Boy was I wrong, I moved to FL and was like WTF! Until you've been part of something run the right way you really wouldn't know that it was being run the wrong way!
motosickness 9/1/2011 7:09am
9/1/2011 7:09am
JOHN CHOATE wrote:
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area...
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area of NC without any hassles from police or landowners. Though the county where I live has over an 11% unemployment rate, it seems lack of riding/practice areas has more to do with race attendance numbers than money does.
That's why local shops and the industry as a whole need to understand the importance of supporting their local legal tracks. Without them there is no sport period! Nobody is gonna buy a bike and all the stuff that goes with it, without a local good place to ride! It is way more effort and money to operate a legal track these days then you would ever imagine...
ehr400
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ehr400 9/1/2011 7:46am
9/1/2011 7:46am
JOHN CHOATE wrote:
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area...
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area of NC without any hassles from police or landowners. Though the county where I live has over an 11% unemployment rate, it seems lack of riding/practice areas has more to do with race attendance numbers than money does.
Not saying you did John but this is a serious issue that did kill alot of riding and put a bad spotlight on our sport. The fact that alot of people just went and rode on other peoples property and areas that werent really suppose to be riding on put a bad taste in alot of peoples mouths not into mx.

I know as a property owner we let snowmobiles cut through our property for the trail system in the U.P. We have for years, but then we started seeing all kinds of litter and people ridng outside the areas they were suppose to so my dad told them no more. I guess what I am saying is that I missed out on the free for all for areas to ride but someone owned these properties and maybe we as a whole group wore out our welcome with alot of people?

I have talked to alot of local farmers in my area and they never had issues with people wanting to ride in their woods and what not but then some assholes started tearing up their fields and they still have a bad taste in their mouths from 30 years ago. Maybe just like everything a few bad apples spoiled it for everyone?
hondaracer664 9/1/2011 9:42am
9/1/2011 9:42am
Sondy132001 wrote:
I will tell you what I have heard and discussed with others: A ) Some, not all Pro riders are lazy, they want to tell people/chicks...
I will tell you what I have heard and discussed with others:

A ) Some, not all Pro riders are lazy, they want to tell people/chicks they race Pro at Nationals and SX's, but don't want to put the time at local events to get fast enough to make it into the night program.

B ) Not a lot of Pros left.

C ) Riders get moved up or move themselves up too fast, it's no longer fun, it's hard work, it's expensive they leave the sport of MX, poof gone.

D) In CA there are so many races in one weekend within miles of each other it's hard to get all the pros in one place to race against each other.
Lazy? Are you serious? While some may be more motivated than others, you have to have a fair amount of determination and work ethic to even obtain your pro card.

Lazy. Awesome.
SCIENCE
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SCIENCE 9/1/2011 9:50am
9/1/2011 9:50am
zippy895 wrote:
hell, i still remember broom tioga 125 class district 3 and 34 on the same weekend over 100 125's in one class. the lowest class of...
hell, i still remember broom tioga 125 class district 3 and 34 on the same weekend over 100 125's in one class.
the lowest class of rider participants in dist.3 was 500cc class.maybe 15 on a given weekend?also senior class..when duke finch raced it.
florida had good amount FMC series but not like new york state.(early to mid 1980's)
Right there with you. D3 used to have to have qualifiers and consi's for 125 and 250 am and novice classes! The expert gates were at least 20 and everybody lined the fences to watch. If you were lucky, there might be some National guys there (Coon, Keller, Moroney, Gurga, Vertucci, Rice, Coleman, Kiniry etc etc).
Other than the obvious stated here, 4strokes, insurance, economy, too many classes, no return on investment, there is/was too much incentive to stay in the am or even novice classes. Contingency, and letting fast riders stay B or Am for Loretta's are a big part of the problem. There used to be a simple yet fair way to advance and any rider worth his/ her salt did everything they could to move to the highest level their talent allowed.
Suns_PSD
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Suns_PSD 9/1/2011 1:47pm
9/1/2011 1:47pm
The standard of living is a LOT lower in the USA than it was 30 years ago.

Wages have been very stagnant.

Medical insurance, fuel, housing, all have increased by dramatic amounts in that time period, yet the average income is actually lower for many.

I know it is for me.
click click bang bang 9/1/2011 1:51pm
9/1/2011 1:51pm
Sondy132001 wrote:
I will tell you what I have heard and discussed with others: A ) Some, not all Pro riders are lazy, they want to tell people/chicks...
I will tell you what I have heard and discussed with others:

A ) Some, not all Pro riders are lazy, they want to tell people/chicks they race Pro at Nationals and SX's, but don't want to put the time at local events to get fast enough to make it into the night program.

B ) Not a lot of Pros left.

C ) Riders get moved up or move themselves up too fast, it's no longer fun, it's hard work, it's expensive they leave the sport of MX, poof gone.

D) In CA there are so many races in one weekend within miles of each other it's hard to get all the pros in one place to race against each other.
hondaracer664 wrote:
Lazy? Are you serious? While some may be more motivated than others, you have to have a fair amount of determination and work ethic to even...
Lazy? Are you serious? While some may be more motivated than others, you have to have a fair amount of determination and work ethic to even obtain your pro card.

Lazy. Awesome.
Lazy wasn't the best word, but she's right. These days the "local pros" never make it to the big show, instead most remain content with local races.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 9/1/2011 2:14pm
9/1/2011 2:14pm
When the A classes started shrinking........ there was an increase in the 25+ and up age classes.

Have the older A riders just doubled to an age class?
EastFlorida
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EastFlorida 9/1/2011 4:10pm
9/1/2011 4:10pm
lumpy790 wrote:
When the A classes started shrinking........ there was an increase in the 25+ and up age classes. Have the older A riders just doubled to an...
When the A classes started shrinking........ there was an increase in the 25+ and up age classes.

Have the older A riders just doubled to an age class?
Good observation. I never made it to A, but was a good B rider. As a Vet, having not raced since 1984, I don't know what class to race!
hondaracer664 9/1/2011 10:04pm
9/1/2011 10:04pm
click click bang bang wrote:
Lazy wasn't the best word, but she's right. These days the "local pros" never make it to the big show, instead most remain content with local...
Lazy wasn't the best word, but she's right. These days the "local pros" never make it to the big show, instead most remain content with local races.
Most of those "lazy and content" people just plain can't afford it. Not too many of the top guys aren't coming from some SERIOUS money since they were young guns. Most local guys see the big picture and it's not worth the mortgages to the house.
thatdad
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thatdad 9/2/2011 5:57am
9/2/2011 5:57am
JOHN CHOATE wrote:
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area...
I get customers all the time saying that 15-20 years ago they could ride their dirtbikes all day long on trails and tracks in this area of NC without any hassles from police or landowners. Though the county where I live has over an 11% unemployment rate, it seems lack of riding/practice areas has more to do with race attendance numbers than money does.
ehr400 wrote:
Not saying you did John but this is a serious issue that did kill alot of riding and put a bad spotlight on our sport. The...
Not saying you did John but this is a serious issue that did kill alot of riding and put a bad spotlight on our sport. The fact that alot of people just went and rode on other peoples property and areas that werent really suppose to be riding on put a bad taste in alot of peoples mouths not into mx.

I know as a property owner we let snowmobiles cut through our property for the trail system in the U.P. We have for years, but then we started seeing all kinds of litter and people ridng outside the areas they were suppose to so my dad told them no more. I guess what I am saying is that I missed out on the free for all for areas to ride but someone owned these properties and maybe we as a whole group wore out our welcome with alot of people?

I have talked to alot of local farmers in my area and they never had issues with people wanting to ride in their woods and what not but then some assholes started tearing up their fields and they still have a bad taste in their mouths from 30 years ago. Maybe just like everything a few bad apples spoiled it for everyone?
A couple assholes always ruin it. Kids were parking near the creek at the front of our property. I could care less if they want to screw their girlfriend, but when they toss the used condom out the car window or smash beer bottles on the trees the no tresspassing signs went up.
motosickness 9/2/2011 7:15am
9/2/2011 7:15am
thatdad wrote:
A couple assholes always ruin it. Kids were parking near the creek at the front of our property. I could care less if they want to...
A couple assholes always ruin it. Kids were parking near the creek at the front of our property. I could care less if they want to screw their girlfriend, but when they toss the used condom out the car window or smash beer bottles on the trees the no tresspassing signs went up.
Too bad it's not just private property that gets disrespected. Even at a public riding facility the few bad apples ruin it for the whole. They throw their garbage all over even when there is a can 10 feet away. They even steal the cans, sometimes dumping out a full can of garbage on the ground. There are some that refuse to follow simple safety rules and get confrontational that they should have special treatment. Then there are the ones that no matter how much they say they aren't riding and they are just spectating 20 minutes later there in full gear cranking out laps on the track! I am amazed that there are still public facility's left. There will be many less in the future! A current society thing I guess I don't know....
bama205
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bama205 9/2/2011 10:17am
9/2/2011 10:17am
thatdad wrote:
A couple assholes always ruin it. Kids were parking near the creek at the front of our property. I could care less if they want to...
A couple assholes always ruin it. Kids were parking near the creek at the front of our property. I could care less if they want to screw their girlfriend, but when they toss the used condom out the car window or smash beer bottles on the trees the no tresspassing signs went up.
motosickness wrote:
Too bad it's not just private property that gets disrespected. Even at a public riding facility the few bad apples ruin it for the whole. They...
Too bad it's not just private property that gets disrespected. Even at a public riding facility the few bad apples ruin it for the whole. They throw their garbage all over even when there is a can 10 feet away. They even steal the cans, sometimes dumping out a full can of garbage on the ground. There are some that refuse to follow simple safety rules and get confrontational that they should have special treatment. Then there are the ones that no matter how much they say they aren't riding and they are just spectating 20 minutes later there in full gear cranking out laps on the track! I am amazed that there are still public facility's left. There will be many less in the future! A current society thing I guess I don't know....
I know what you mean. I think we have all witnessed tat crap. It is funny this talk is happening today, last night, I was browsing the radio stations on the way home- and while I always thought the guy was a nut- (having never actualling listened to him) I must say he hit the nail on the head when talking about today's sad weak disrespectful society. Dr Michael savage. It was pretty interesting- his take on it all. The best thing thaat could happen would be the track owner to Stan up when he sees this going on. Maybe go around and see who is parked where at the beginning of the day and make examples of people. Throw them off the premisis. 3 months barr or something. Who knows. It really boils down to the parents of these people. Whether they are 10 years old or 50.

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Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 9/2/2011 11:29am
9/2/2011 11:29am
Once I turned 30 I just started going the the Vet Races every couple of months and hitting some bigger 2 stroke races. I don't do other races because I don't want to sit around all day riding 6 laps against 5 guys because there are 100 different age classes in the 50, 65, 85 classes just so everyone can get a trophy (although some of these older guys do the same thing and are worse than kids when it comes to trophies). Not too mention most races are over an hour away and gas is pricey, $10 gate fee, $35 race fee and it adds up real quick. I'd rather go ride at the local track for $20 and be out of there by noon and enjoy the rest of my weekend. I want to race long motos with some guys on my gate if I'm gonna drop a lot of coin and be somewhere all day.

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