Can you make a living racing motocross...

moto
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moto 11/16/2011 2:03pm
11/16/2011 2:03pm
The big question is are you talking net or gross. I know a local nor cal VERY fast pro was netting around $60k doing all the contingency races, racing three classes and usually winning all of them back in 90-91. That was racing ALL the time. Whenever there was a race, he was there. Then he went off-road and made a real living and extended his career by 15 years or so.(I am sure you know who I am talking about) So to net $100k nowadays where they cancel races if the forecast says 20% chance of rain I would say impossible. Not to mention the contingency races are way down compared to what they used to be. I remember getting top 5 at local series and walking away with a few hundred bucks once you count all the contingency in cash and product.

Then again, back then there weren't as many teams to go around so the budgets probably were spread thinner and wider than a bunch of the budget going to a couple teams. I am talking aftermarket products here and not manufacturer. If I remember right, company's like Maxima, Circle Industries, Sidewinder and the such used to pay with cash or product if you ran their stickers. I have been out of the local scene for a couple of decades now so maybe they still do it but I haven't heard about it from the racers that came into my shop.
rustytrombone 11/16/2011 2:09pm
11/16/2011 2:09pm
I think it CAN be done, but the likelihood of it happening is slim to none these days. And I think that's you'd be forced to race year round, and abroad as well.
bobby397
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bobby397 11/16/2011 2:15pm
11/16/2011 2:15pm
Bellone wrote:
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in...
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in the family business and make some real money.
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year or work construction( good luck finding a job) or fast food?
rustytrombone 11/16/2011 2:18pm
11/16/2011 2:18pm
bobby397 wrote:
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year...
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year or work construction( good luck finding a job) or fast food?
Sad how college is an afterthought these days.

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Jt$
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Jt$ 11/16/2011 2:20pm
11/16/2011 2:20pm
Bellone wrote:
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in...
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in the family business and make some real money.
bobby397 wrote:
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year...
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year or work construction( good luck finding a job) or fast food?
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum 10-15x that much.
bobby397
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bobby397 11/16/2011 2:34pm
11/16/2011 2:34pm
bobby397 wrote:
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year...
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year or work construction( good luck finding a job) or fast food?
rustytrombone wrote:
Sad how college is an afterthought these days.
I know a young man with his master's working at landfill, and it's not by choice....
bobby397
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bobby397 11/16/2011 2:35pm
11/16/2011 2:35pm
Bellone wrote:
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in...
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in the family business and make some real money.
bobby397 wrote:
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year...
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year or work construction( good luck finding a job) or fast food?
Jt$ wrote:
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum...
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum 10-15x that much.
You're right
Sondy132001
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Sondy132001 11/16/2011 2:37pm
11/16/2011 2:37pm
Jt$ wrote:
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum...
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum 10-15x that much.
Go Gators !! Speaking of which tell your mom I said hi and miss her and are you going to school ?

S
RandyS
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RandyS 11/16/2011 2:42pm
11/16/2011 2:42pm
moto wrote:
The big question is are you talking net or gross. I know a local nor cal VERY fast pro was netting around $60k doing all the...
The big question is are you talking net or gross. I know a local nor cal VERY fast pro was netting around $60k doing all the contingency races, racing three classes and usually winning all of them back in 90-91. That was racing ALL the time. Whenever there was a race, he was there. Then he went off-road and made a real living and extended his career by 15 years or so.(I am sure you know who I am talking about) So to net $100k nowadays where they cancel races if the forecast says 20% chance of rain I would say impossible. Not to mention the contingency races are way down compared to what they used to be. I remember getting top 5 at local series and walking away with a few hundred bucks once you count all the contingency in cash and product.

Then again, back then there weren't as many teams to go around so the budgets probably were spread thinner and wider than a bunch of the budget going to a couple teams. I am talking aftermarket products here and not manufacturer. If I remember right, company's like Maxima, Circle Industries, Sidewinder and the such used to pay with cash or product if you ran their stickers. I have been out of the local scene for a couple of decades now so maybe they still do it but I haven't heard about it from the racers that came into my shop.
Ricky Ryan was doing quite well locally in the 90s, three classes. I bet he took home close to 100k.
DIRTJET
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DIRTJET 11/16/2011 2:52pm
11/16/2011 2:52pm
Like MtnBoy said, "Purse money in this sport is dog shit." You can save some money by buying a used factory bike with all the bells and whistles but the cost of new tires, spare parts and fuel will ad up faster than your lap times. But if you think you're the golden child of motocross then go out there and giver shit. For starters, get on hookit and see what sponsors are offering. Hard cash hopefully but don't hold your breath.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 11/16/2011 2:57pm
11/16/2011 2:57pm Edited Date/Time 11/16/2011 2:58pm
Local contingency races you can make some coin with breaking the bank from travel expenses.

Kevin Walker did pretty good.

Florida winter series races pay good + contingency.
MXMattii
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MXMattii 11/16/2011 2:59pm
11/16/2011 2:59pm
Uhm in Europe it maybe works if you doesn't compete in the world championship and you ride the French and German Supercross races and French and Belgian Motorcross Championship... A bit like Coulon and Izoird!

In America I haven't a idea but I think if you choose 101% for the outdoors and you stay healthy and you aren't riding indoors you maybe can make some money outdoors!!
mx918
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mx918 11/16/2011 3:10pm
11/16/2011 3:10pm
mxbile131 wrote:
If you have to pay for bikes, mods, maintenance, travel, etc. NO WAY!
Not a chance if you're just making night shows and outdoor mains and still have to pay your way.

Just with getting a 15th and 16th in Lites mains this year, I barely paid for my night. You got to love it to do it.
Gym Briggs
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Gym Briggs 11/16/2011 3:17pm
11/16/2011 3:17pm
There are different levels. You could do Pro Motocross that included Supercrosses as well. If your top 20 every week I am sure you will be getting much of your stuff for free. You could do it. Outside the top 20 probably not.

Then there is the AX circuit which if your a top 5-7 guy I am sure you could make a decent living. Again if your pulling results like that you should be able to get free bikes and other things.

You could do the whole racing big amateur events. Races like Ponca, Loretta's, Mammoth, and any other high contingency decent paying races. Again if your winning championships or doing top 3-5 in races like this you again should be getting free bikes and other help.

Finally there is local or regional racing. If your going to Saturday night races and Sunday MX races and winning your class as well as the series you should be able to pull some good regional sponsors. You could make a living off doing it. However the living you are going to make doing this is the lowest on the totem pole.

Personally if your trying to race for a living and you are not getting the desired results needed to get free bikes and stuff like that then you shouldn't be trying to race dirt bikes for a living. There are a bunch of guys out there that are trying to live a dream not a reality. If your struggling winning local or regional races maybe the nationals aren't for you. If your getting 20-30th at races like Loretta's or other big amateur events again maybe racing dirt bikes isn't for you.

Also for anyone saying its not that easy to get free bikes I beg to differ. I got my father at the age of 43 years old 2 free bikes to race local races as well as LL's on. You can do it with the right results, resume and dedication.
KAWboy14
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KAWboy14 11/16/2011 3:20pm
11/16/2011 3:20pm
do you want to stay in a hotel or your truck? do you want to eat real food or that picked out of a dumpster behind mcdonalds?
Hando
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Hando 11/16/2011 3:28pm
11/16/2011 3:28pm Edited Date/Time 11/16/2011 3:35pm
bobby397 wrote:
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year...
Good for him, but for the average kid out of high school whose family doesn't have a business, would they rather race for 35k a year or work construction( good luck finding a job) or fast food?
rustytrombone wrote:
Sad how college is an afterthought these days.
1/2 the bums at all the "#Occupy" protests are college students, some are even grad students with law degrees.

College is a huge gamble and not the path to career success anymore due to its ridiculous price. Most degrees are so worthless it actually makes sense to have a go at being a pro racer..atleast you've done something! lol

Anyways, this thread is kind of silly. If normal people are having a hard time making a living wage, do you guys really think the average pro MX racer is making a living?
Sondy132001
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Sondy132001 11/16/2011 3:32pm
11/16/2011 3:32pm
KAWboy14 wrote:
do you want to stay in a hotel or your truck? do you want to eat real food or that picked out of a dumpster behind...
do you want to stay in a hotel or your truck? do you want to eat real food or that picked out of a dumpster behind mcdonalds?
A good person to ask this to is Miss Cherie Reynard Kobiske, she's got stories for days and lived through all this with her brother & Parents.

S
DIRTJET
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DIRTJET 11/16/2011 3:44pm
11/16/2011 3:44pm
Hando wrote:
1/2 the bums at all the "#Occupy" protests are college students, some are even grad students with law degrees. College is a huge gamble and not...
1/2 the bums at all the "#Occupy" protests are college students, some are even grad students with law degrees.

College is a huge gamble and not the path to career success anymore due to its ridiculous price. Most degrees are so worthless it actually makes sense to have a go at being a pro racer..atleast you've done something! lol

Anyways, this thread is kind of silly. If normal people are having a hard time making a living wage, do you guys really think the average pro MX racer is making a living?
Tell me about it... Over priced text books and bullshit prereq courses you'll never need in real life. Min. $40K for 4 years... The cost of going to University or College is indeed a gamble.

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Gym Briggs
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Gym Briggs 11/16/2011 3:51pm
11/16/2011 3:51pm
DIRTJET wrote:
Tell me about it... Over priced text books and bullshit prereq courses you'll never need in real life. Min. $40K for 4 years... The cost of...
Tell me about it... Over priced text books and bullshit prereq courses you'll never need in real life. Min. $40K for 4 years... The cost of going to University or College is indeed a gamble.
Depending on the field you get into. If you get in to be like a pharmacist or something like that you are in good hands. Cost of school is pricey but you get out making good money.
DIRTJET
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DIRTJET 11/16/2011 4:02pm
11/16/2011 4:02pm Edited Date/Time 11/16/2011 4:04pm
DIRTJET wrote:
Tell me about it... Over priced text books and bullshit prereq courses you'll never need in real life. Min. $40K for 4 years... The cost of...
Tell me about it... Over priced text books and bullshit prereq courses you'll never need in real life. Min. $40K for 4 years... The cost of going to University or College is indeed a gamble.
Gym Briggs wrote:
Depending on the field you get into. If you get in to be like a pharmacist or something like that you are in good hands. Cost...
Depending on the field you get into. If you get in to be like a pharmacist or something like that you are in good hands. Cost of school is pricey but you get out making good money.
Very true. If you can pull off good grades and get yourself into the faculty of law, business or medicine then you're in good hands.

Sorry gettin' off course. Back to the topic! Making a living racing motocross!
Sondy132001
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Sondy132001 11/16/2011 4:35pm
11/16/2011 4:35pm
iudi2006 wrote:
Yeah he said he was making a couple hundred off contingency for a few years. Pretty good IMO.
http://www.racerxonline.com/2010/10/01/where-are-they-now-rick-ryan
Yeah but that was back when contingency was a lot, Honda Contingency even brought Broc Glover out of retirement, he borrowed RJ's practice bikes and made, close to if not over $40,000.00 racing our Golden State Nationals (7 races, 2 classes each day). Contingency is not like this now. RR was during the higher contingency days.

S
iudi2006 11/16/2011 4:50pm
11/16/2011 4:50pm
iudi2006 wrote:
Yeah he said he was making a couple hundred off contingency for a few years. Pretty good IMO.
http://www.racerxonline.com/2010/10/01/where-are-they-now-rick-ryan
Sondy132001 wrote:
Yeah but that was back when contingency was a lot, Honda Contingency even brought Broc Glover out of retirement, he borrowed RJ's practice bikes and made...
Yeah but that was back when contingency was a lot, Honda Contingency even brought Broc Glover out of retirement, he borrowed RJ's practice bikes and made, close to if not over $40,000.00 racing our Golden State Nationals (7 races, 2 classes each day). Contingency is not like this now. RR was during the higher contingency days.

S
Hope you noticed i said, WAS making. I was talking about back in the 90's.
BigDaddyG
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BigDaddyG 11/16/2011 4:54pm
11/16/2011 4:54pm
I know there are a few pros here in the NW that make some serious coin from dealerships in addition to the purse money, and sponser money, etc.....

From very good source's one such pro makes 100k from a dealership.

I would say depending on who you are and what deal you have made, yes you can make a very good living. But I do think that is not the norm, most struggle to get to the races.
Jt$
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Jt$ 11/16/2011 4:56pm
11/16/2011 4:56pm
Jt$ wrote:
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum...
You're assuming the average kid out of high school has the talent or ability of Matt Boni. In a mainstream sport he would be paid minimum 10-15x that much.
Sondy132001 wrote:
Go Gators !! Speaking of which tell your mom I said hi and miss her and are you going to school ?

S
I'll tell her! School will be there when I get ready.. I have a little fight left in me yet
Sondy132001
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Sondy132001 11/16/2011 4:58pm
11/16/2011 4:58pm
iudi2006 wrote:
Yeah he said he was making a couple hundred off contingency for a few years. Pretty good IMO.
http://www.racerxonline.com/2010/10/01/where-are-they-now-rick-ryan
Sondy132001 wrote:
Yeah but that was back when contingency was a lot, Honda Contingency even brought Broc Glover out of retirement, he borrowed RJ's practice bikes and made...
Yeah but that was back when contingency was a lot, Honda Contingency even brought Broc Glover out of retirement, he borrowed RJ's practice bikes and made, close to if not over $40,000.00 racing our Golden State Nationals (7 races, 2 classes each day). Contingency is not like this now. RR was during the higher contingency days.

S
iudi2006 wrote:
Hope you noticed i said, WAS making. I was talking about back in the 90's.
I know you meant back in the day, I was just making note the contingency now is nothing like it was.

S
Huckster
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Huckster 11/16/2011 5:02pm
11/16/2011 5:02pm
Bellone wrote:
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in...
Matt Boni thought he had a pretty good year last year. Risked his life for the $35,000. Now retired, he is now going to settle in the family business and make some real money.
no offense to Matt, but I know cops who REALLY risk their lives everyday and do not make much more than that. My brother has been on the job 20+years and his straight time salary is more than that but not by much. Racing a dirt bike and making $35k after all is said and done doesnt seem that bad for a kid who is in his late teens early 20's.......
UpTiTe 11/16/2011 5:03pm
11/16/2011 5:03pm
fader418 wrote:
Back in the day you could racing all the CMC races!
BobbyM wrote:
True....very true. Socal only though
In 1984 I raced the Golden State series and the Trans Cal locally most weekends and a couple big races in NorCal, yea it payed good, especially with YamaBucks starting out then.

Then you go to a national and pay to race.
Ken202
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Ken202 11/16/2011 5:07pm
11/16/2011 5:07pm Edited Date/Time 11/16/2011 5:11pm
flyinb501 wrote:
And don't get hurt...
.
MotoChief
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MotoChief 11/16/2011 5:15pm
11/16/2011 5:15pm
No, I cannot.

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