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I also remember back in OK, early 8os, one track had 20 minute motos on Saturdays, limited classes I think, He didn't get huge turnouts but I liked it. I understand the scene now is mostly practice days, not a lot race days in OK anyways?
Last time I raced MX was 94, Lake Whitney TX, If I could ride tracks like that all the time I would be more interested in riding MX.
I'm jus' sayin'...
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But hard to give up that feeling of the start gate dropping and rolling on the throttle...so gotta keep racing too.
I think it would be best to do small bikes and big bikes on different days. I know the kids are the future of the sport, but I don't think its necessary to let kids on 50's do the same number of laps on the same length track as the big bikes, which is how it went where I used to go. I think one weekend should be Saturday big bikes and Sunday small bikes, then next weekend Saturday small bikes and Sunday big bikes. That way, everybody can get more time to practice and won't have to wait around as much. Also, they could cut the cost a little by not offering as many trophies. Maybe give the kids trophies, but I personally don't care if I go home with a plastic trophy or not. Also, I'd be fine if they didn't use the fuel to groom the track as much. It would save the owner/operator money, and make me a better rider.
1. Milestone used to run faux 3-lap races monday night on its intermediate track when it had one (where the beginner/quad track is now)... i think in 07 or 08... i can say i finished 3-place after leading for 2-laps..and fading like alessi lol. It was alot of fun to say the least.
2. Another reason people dont want to race..is because there on the main-track's.... ive asked a few people and they said they would rather race a vet track, because on a vet track your challenged slightly and you can battle without the do or die type jumps. To race on a main-track that you know your not going to jump the main doubles is sketchy and the fact you have to roll them, doesn't really help the racing lol
3. One of my buddies does SRA racing now, because hed rather be on his bike for 2-hrs doing a grand prix instead of waiting around all day to do a 5-lap moto.
I say all tracks should allocate like 2 hrs on a sat on a vet track for 3-lap faux races.. with... big bike beginner classes, since that will be the biggest one/ novice/ intermediate/...(no pro class or b or c classes
The problem with only practicing is there is always that feeling of competition and gratification that you can't get from practicing.
I dig the practice day/short race idea!
Would love to have Jody from MXA chime in on this topic...he's always bashing us pro practicers!!
getting up at 5 am on a Sunday sucks big time. I'm not hardly rested at all. For an OP, I can sleep in, still make it "on time".
Waking up ultra-early definitely plays into my "what should I do this Sunday" decision.
I've followed the sport from a young age, but started riding and racing at an "advanced" moto age (late 20's, now my early 30's). I remember when there was a 25+ class and that was it for our local Vet classes..Now we have 30, 35, 40+..Some places have 50+....Too many damn classes! With that the motos get shorter and shorter...How about just 30+ A/B/C, take away all the extra fluff and you can run some 20min or 30min motos. If we are going to "race", why don't we do something more like what the pros are doing...They don't do "3 laps +1".....I like the thought of going out and pounding out two hard-fought motos and being exhausted at the end of the day. I don't care if that means I'm in last place when it's over, I just want to be out there riding the bike.
I think people go in phases. I myself raced on and off for 25+ years , and then took a 6 year break ( just came back last summer ) Just from personal experience , I haven't raced since I came back , and for a few of my own reason. it goes like this.....
1.) I get way more riding in at a practice day.
2.) I can ride my own pace and have fun , pick certain sections of the track to master.
3.) I'm not being pressured into trying to beat everyone else out there.
4.) Money vs ride time.....for me , practice days win hands down!
5.) Probably lack of confidence.
On reason #5 is , is I know I'm not as fast as i used to be ( I'm trying ) and after taking 6 years off , I've lost some mojo I used to have. I DO plan on racing a few times this next year , but won't unless I feel 100% confident I can ride my pace at 100% for the full 6 , 7 or 8 laps. Right now....at full pace , maybe 2 if I'm lucky.
Also....on practice days , i get to RIDE with my slower and faster friends. On some tracks , even their kids. For me , the practice days are where it's at for me. Right now anyways.
The folks who come to practice days either want to pound laps and burn gas for training, or the guy who just wants to play ride with his kids. The latter has no desire to race, and they expect to be able to ride all day for thier 20/bike.
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I've never raced and don't plan to. But, I WOULD pay a little extra at the gate to get a transponder to record my lap times, maybe get a print out, see how you compare, etc... Indoor karting style. No idea if that's practical or not, but it would be sweet!
Race practice is way to short to get use to a new track.
I have terrible fitness, so the last couple of laps of the race is not fun for me.
Race organization skills are terrible
Rup`s idea is a good one. I bet there would be a lot of takers for a short, free, good-times moto on a practice day.
With practice days , I can go as fast as I can for as long as I can , then knock it down to about 75% , and go back and forth like that for a good 20+ min easily. I can't go full out for very long , but my fitness is getting better.
So why the pop shot? Actually i think you took another one at me just the other day to , and I don't know why? Did I piss you off in another thread?
But if you`re riding that much, you should definitely get racing again! I think there`s lots of people in that boat, which is why I like Rup`s idea so much.
I have only raced one or two times a year for a long time. This year i raced a few races trying for LL & Mini O's....... And I found out quick why I don't prefer only racing. Too much sitting around waiting for your motos.
Add that to a bit of bike/gear/body prep in between.
I barely have time to watch the fast guys and visit with friends!
Oh, and have they added a START GATE to practice sessions? (starts are my favorite part of motocross)
1. More laps, less money.
2. More freedom. You can do one lap or 50 laps.
3. Less cost.
4. Less need to have a competitive bike.
5. Less risk most likely because of no holeshot.
I also ride several forms of motorcycles which helps me ride alot. I ride mx, trials, pitbike, dual sport, enduro, harescrambles and a little supermoto. I think the key to keeping our sport growing is for riders not to just focus on "racing" and mx only. We need more all around riders who ride everywhere, not just on tracks.
IMO, the solution is to go to a one 20 minute moto format and set the schedule so you can show up an hour or two before your moto, sign up, race, and then get out of there. I'd do that regularly if someone set something like that up.
The flip side is, what's wrong with guys who just want to ride? They keep the tracks open, they buy new bikes and accessories, they're having a good time, they're often riding with their kids and having a blast doing it, and it's a fantastic family experience. Not a bad deal overall.
Only run that crap at Areas and Regionals
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