Posts
5483
Joined
1/20/2009
Location
Kirkland, WA, USA
Edited Date/Time
8/26/2013 6:27pm
How come its 2013 and there's still no riders union? Are the riders that stubborn, or is it just a lack of organization? Seems to me like something needs to be done to get some unity so the riders aren't getting dragged around and treated like step kids. Some one like Weston Pieck could realllly benefit from a union. I mean look at the kid. He's getting fking TOP 5's and is still pay check to paycheck!! Its a joke! It makes the sport look super unprofessional too.
I hope that some of the top guys would be willing to unionize the riders and put their own status on reserve in the name of the sport because it still seems pretty damn lop sided from this side of the fence I know that Chad Reed is all about a union and I got a lot of respect for him voicing his opinion about it. Get the meetings moving! It's about the riders, fk all the name brand corporate shit for a sec.
I hope that some of the top guys would be willing to unionize the riders and put their own status on reserve in the name of the sport because it still seems pretty damn lop sided from this side of the fence I know that Chad Reed is all about a union and I got a lot of respect for him voicing his opinion about it. Get the meetings moving! It's about the riders, fk all the name brand corporate shit for a sec.
It boils down to this........
Because the journayman riders are worrying about having anough money to pay their way to the next event while the elite are worried about paved parking for their pit area and a closer place to park their rental car.
GPDA:
The GPDA's primary objective was to improve and maintain safety standards.
http://www.fota.co/
Welcome to the official website for the Formula One Teams’ Association
We provide a single voice for seven of the 12 Teams currently competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship and play an active role in helping shape the future of the world’s most exciting sport.
Something loosely based on either (or both) structure could work, and IMO NEED to happen.
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After he was informed what it would cost the top tier riders , We didn't hear anything else.
I do find it absurd that the AMA has a motto "protecting riders and their rights". Yet they do absolutely nothing for these racers.
This whole thing has been hashed out online, in the pits and across the interwebz between riders for years, but the fact remains that the "haves" will not sacrifice for the "have nots" and the top riders are contracted to their sponsors (OEM/Gear/Team sponsors) and if they refuse to compete, for any reason, they're in violation of their contract(s) and don't get paid.
Secondly, everyone wants more money, I'll bet even RV wants more money, but where is this money supposed to come from?
Lastly, any "Union" based on money is doomed to fail, because again, the "haves" will not give up their money for the "have nots." The only way you can organize any type of union is if you base it solely on safety and group medical insurance issues, otherwise, you'll never get everyone in agreement on how much Johnny McStuffin who didn't even make the night show should be paid for showing up and rolling around the track, unable to even make the triples.
I'm sure the union dues would be high though.
Track Safety? Chad, James, RV & some Team Mgrs...etc. are often asked by the track builders (Especially SX) if the lay-out/features are OK...etc. Been there, Seen it. Davey's ALWAYS talking to the riders about this subject, too.
Money? Geeeeeezus. Again? You guys talk like we've got the funding of NASCAR, F1...hell, US Soccer has "Real" money when you compare it to our little "Niche Sport".
Are we having such a hard time filling the Starting Gate?
Are the Racers as disenchanted as the inter-web "Complaint Department"?
You guys brought up Weston. OK, what has Weston proved?
I'll tell you what he's proved: Hard Work and Prioritizing your Goals is WHAT it takes.
There are only 30-40 riders in MX that might be making money - and that is not enough people.
Of that 30-40 making money - it is about half that make a living and then half of that are making decent money.
For those that want to be in a union - there are a ton of others willing to take their place and race without a union.
You have two different companies running SX and MX and not sure who runs AX - putting them in the same room - ha?
Lastly but most importantly - it comes down to money. And there is not enough of it in this sport to justify a union.
Ask the Hostess workers trying to unionize how that worked out.
Safer tracks built by guys who understand the dynamics of dirt bikes and racing as well.
Asterisk Medical Unit - HUGE!
Actual SX practice tracks available to privateers. When I raced, that was not available. Imagine seeing your 1st triple at Anaheim.
Race schedule actually makes sense geographically. The series used to criss-cross the country way more.
And...the money is better. With TV packages and the WWW, getting sponsorship is way easier.
The "Division" between the different "tiers" of riders seems to be going away. I have to give some credit for this to Chad and the organizers...he's been pretty out-spoken these last few years on these matters.
Safer Landings/Transfers on the longer Combos
Many, many more "Dragon's Backs" that offer many different approaches and "attacks"
More Sand...even in the Stadiums
Whoops...the "progression/regression" in the gaps & depth of whoops has become a lap-time mgmt tool.
Even safer 1st turns
I'm of the opinion that this is one of the subjects that's getting its due "attention"...&...the "Skill Set" is improving even amongst our beloved "Real Privateers" (a point which I know gives us both a smile).
I'm not saying this is all "moot"...I'm jus' thinking it's actually getting...
Better.
(Now I've stepped in it)
Pit Row
Amazing.
Fk'n, amazing.
Another day of having totally fu**king wrong.
Wait...make that former F-tard.
That was his second and final account.
Maybe we can make a list of forums to recommend that could benefit from his expertise and good attitude.
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