Posts
813
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Winnipeg, CA
Edited Date/Time
12/4/2013 6:32pm
This article will likely get some discussion in the industry.
http://www.shanewatts.com/racers-wife-about-racers-life
From the Racer’s Wife about a Racer’s Life - A Wakeup Call for the Offroad Industry
By Carrie Watts, wife of Shane Watts
Every time a Racer hits the track, someone that loves them hits their knees in prayer to the track Gods, hoping against hope that their husband, son, brother, or friend comes off the track safe.
We have all been there, waiting in the pits, watching the clock, counting the seconds. When an extra 30 seconds pass from their expected arrival, the anticipation builds; when 1 extra minute goes by, we start to get a little more anxious; when 2 minutes pass, we start to wonder what might have went wrong, hoping that maybe they JUST ran out of gas, had a mechanical, caught some bad lappers, got stuck in a mud hole. No matter how much time passes – even one second, the level of anxiety that those of us in the pits feel every time OUR Racer straps on a helmet, is just waiting to mount. Unless you’ve been there, waiting for a delayed rider to come in, you can’t imagine the deep, sinking panic we feel with every second that passes with OUR Racer coming through.
And when the unimaginable happens, when OUR Racer doesn’t make it off the track safe, the fans, the nay-sayers, the industry big-shots, the ones that sign the racer’s checks - all have nice comforting words for the loved ones that are still waiting for their Racer to come home. And then a little time passes, and it’s on to the next guy, and that’s it.
In light of the most recent tragic loss of off-road racing champion Kurt Caselli, and because it seems, that for fear of losing their ride or sponsor support, no racers will say what needs to be said about the fate of the off-road racing industry and the severe lack of respect for the Racers that make the wheels of off-road racing turn, I’m going to make some really ugly observations and point some fingers.
People, and by “people” I mean every company that makes a buck off these racers, every person that sits on the couch or stands trackside and gets a bit of “ooh” and “ahhh” from these racer’s hard work, talent and time, please take a minute to think about this: these guys are working for you! You are their employer, you are the ones that sign their paychecks and pay for their gas and food, who put clothes on their kid’s backs, and food on their tables. You are responsible for their livelihood.
At the end of every season, when these racers go back to industry companies, when they scramble for sponsorship and literally beg for dollars, they are doing it for you!
This is their job and you “People” employ them! These racers risk their lives EVERY day so companies can sell bikes and tires to you – the average rider and fan, so that Joe Blow can have some trackside entertainment with a beer in his hand, so that opinionated bench racers can tweet and post their high minded insight every day from the safety of their couch, and bash these guys in their blogs and on bike forums.
These guys climb on a dirtbike to do their jobs, but they are clocked in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To remain competitive, many have foregone traditional educations, they train every single day, they have to be smart and business minded to leverage their value with big companies to get a paycheck, they have to shake hands and smile and sign autographs even when they are mentally prepping for a race, they have to be able to market and self promote, they must have absolute support from family and friends, and they have to be able to get thick skin so that every Tom, Dick and Harry that has something shitty to say about them, doesn’t make them throw in the towel.
Not once have I ever heard of a racer getting health insurance, life insurance or disability benfits from their sponsors, their employers. For that matter, half of these guys are struggling to pay for gas to make it to the races, and if you can believe this, MANY of these guys don’t even have health insurance because their paychecks don’t support it.
Think about what you might do if you did your job, and then your “employer” didn’t give you your paycheck? This happens to Racers regularly.
Think about how you might feel if everyone you encountered in your job over the course of a year got to comment on your annual performance review, and all of that information was made public for the general population to then have their say. How might you feel? This happens to Racers regularly.
And then think about this: what if every day at your job someone else was trying to out-perform you and take your job? And, regardless of your job performance and even if you did EVERYTHING that was asked of you by your employer, someone else got awarded your job because they would take less money, and you were left jobless. This happens to Racers regularly.
So, I’m pointing fingers at all of the “People” that are letting these guys risk their lives for nearly nothing, and I’m saying, Do Better! Take care of the Racers that take care of you! Let industry manufactures know that you - the average weekend warrior or rider and the future “racers”, won’t let their biking brothers risk their lives so that they can make an extra buck, or throw all their money at arena sports.
And I’m saying to the Racers out there, DO NOT do your job for nothing! DO NOT give the “People” what they want from you without getting something for yourself and your families in return. Do NOT undercut and sell out your fellow brothers and Racers and take a job from them. You will only be creating a market where the same will happen to you in a year or two. In the past 8 years, that has been the reason for the sponsorship declines. When the market took a dive, industry manufacturers took that opportunity to pay their racers less, and as the industry has tightened up, and as Racers have become desperate to do their jobs and make a living, they have been willing to take next to nothing to do it. As a result the Racers have created a highly competitive, yet desperately undervalued career path for themselves. Many of you have forgone traditional education with the hopes that Professional Racing would sustain you eventually. Reality check for those of you Racers coming up the ranks: this will not happen unless you do something to change the direction of your future!
Racers, you need to talk to one another about what a minimum salary and BENEFITS – Yes, Benefits, should be and create a racer’s union that will not allow companies to take advantage of you, to continue to make money off of you and without giving you what you deserve for risking your lives. Baseball players, basketball players, football players, flight attendants, police officers, fire fighters, all have a unions saying that they will not take less than what they deserve for putting their lives on the line, or for allowing other companies to make money off their talents. Neither should you!
Racers, DO NOT let pride and glory overshadow the fact that racing is your JOB, and sad as it is to say, a VERY short-lived job, at that. Getting a Factory Ride or a $20K/year salary after footing the bill is NOT worth your life, not worth selling out another rider, not worth delaying an education or what might be a real sustaining, life long career. Racers, it’s time to get smart and demand more for yourselves.
When record numbers of riders are showing up to the races, one can assume that the spending in the industry is as healthy as it has every been. Not withstanding that after the fall of so many industry companies after the economic recession, this leaves all the spending in the industry to fewer manufacturers. So, ask yourself, where is the money going? You can be certain that the ugly stepchild of the motorcycling industry - Offroad - is still earning its keep. Simple calculations that gate fees haven't gone down, record numbers of riders attending offroad events, and with that, they must still be spending money to keep their bikes running. Conversely, arenacross events are still limited in capacity by the nature of the event, and the ticket prices and number of events haven't gone up dramatically, so what is the justification that more dollars are being thrown at these racers? Frankly, the draw of the Offroad racing market for a manufacturer is the grassroots, family feel, with direct access to the pros and the bikes in the pits, which is a far site better from a marketing standpoint than a birds eye view from the stands. So, "People", where is the money from Offroad Racinggoing? Racers, are you demanding that the money you are earning for your sponsors come back to the sport and industry that employs you? If not, you should.
Finally, “People”, shame on you for taking advantage of these Racers. Shame on you for sitting in ignorant judgment of these Racer’s jobs, salaries, performance and benefits in the name of them “doing what they love”, because I can assure you that any time you take a passion and make it a job, it becomes a just that - a job. Shame on you for sitting safely in your office or on your couch, trying to take away these Racer’s accomplishments, and judging them when they have something un-P.C. to say about their treatment by their “employers”. Remember, these Racers have no one but themselves and their loved ones defending them against the world’s greed, need for violent entertainment, and judgment - and ask yourself, would you do a Racer’s job?
The most recent tragedy and senseless loss of racing legend Kurt Caselli leaves me with that last desperate hope that this is the final wakeup call fans, enthusiasts, riders, industry manufactures, and RACERS need to change the fate and inevitable decline of Offroad Racing. No matter how many posts are made asking event promoters and sponsors to do better by their racers, nothing will change unless “people” do better, and Racers join together and demand more!
http://www.shanewatts.com/racers-wife-about-racers-life
From the Racer’s Wife about a Racer’s Life - A Wakeup Call for the Offroad Industry
By Carrie Watts, wife of Shane Watts
Every time a Racer hits the track, someone that loves them hits their knees in prayer to the track Gods, hoping against hope that their husband, son, brother, or friend comes off the track safe.
We have all been there, waiting in the pits, watching the clock, counting the seconds. When an extra 30 seconds pass from their expected arrival, the anticipation builds; when 1 extra minute goes by, we start to get a little more anxious; when 2 minutes pass, we start to wonder what might have went wrong, hoping that maybe they JUST ran out of gas, had a mechanical, caught some bad lappers, got stuck in a mud hole. No matter how much time passes – even one second, the level of anxiety that those of us in the pits feel every time OUR Racer straps on a helmet, is just waiting to mount. Unless you’ve been there, waiting for a delayed rider to come in, you can’t imagine the deep, sinking panic we feel with every second that passes with OUR Racer coming through.
And when the unimaginable happens, when OUR Racer doesn’t make it off the track safe, the fans, the nay-sayers, the industry big-shots, the ones that sign the racer’s checks - all have nice comforting words for the loved ones that are still waiting for their Racer to come home. And then a little time passes, and it’s on to the next guy, and that’s it.
In light of the most recent tragic loss of off-road racing champion Kurt Caselli, and because it seems, that for fear of losing their ride or sponsor support, no racers will say what needs to be said about the fate of the off-road racing industry and the severe lack of respect for the Racers that make the wheels of off-road racing turn, I’m going to make some really ugly observations and point some fingers.
People, and by “people” I mean every company that makes a buck off these racers, every person that sits on the couch or stands trackside and gets a bit of “ooh” and “ahhh” from these racer’s hard work, talent and time, please take a minute to think about this: these guys are working for you! You are their employer, you are the ones that sign their paychecks and pay for their gas and food, who put clothes on their kid’s backs, and food on their tables. You are responsible for their livelihood.
At the end of every season, when these racers go back to industry companies, when they scramble for sponsorship and literally beg for dollars, they are doing it for you!
This is their job and you “People” employ them! These racers risk their lives EVERY day so companies can sell bikes and tires to you – the average rider and fan, so that Joe Blow can have some trackside entertainment with a beer in his hand, so that opinionated bench racers can tweet and post their high minded insight every day from the safety of their couch, and bash these guys in their blogs and on bike forums.
These guys climb on a dirtbike to do their jobs, but they are clocked in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To remain competitive, many have foregone traditional educations, they train every single day, they have to be smart and business minded to leverage their value with big companies to get a paycheck, they have to shake hands and smile and sign autographs even when they are mentally prepping for a race, they have to be able to market and self promote, they must have absolute support from family and friends, and they have to be able to get thick skin so that every Tom, Dick and Harry that has something shitty to say about them, doesn’t make them throw in the towel.
Not once have I ever heard of a racer getting health insurance, life insurance or disability benfits from their sponsors, their employers. For that matter, half of these guys are struggling to pay for gas to make it to the races, and if you can believe this, MANY of these guys don’t even have health insurance because their paychecks don’t support it.
Think about what you might do if you did your job, and then your “employer” didn’t give you your paycheck? This happens to Racers regularly.
Think about how you might feel if everyone you encountered in your job over the course of a year got to comment on your annual performance review, and all of that information was made public for the general population to then have their say. How might you feel? This happens to Racers regularly.
And then think about this: what if every day at your job someone else was trying to out-perform you and take your job? And, regardless of your job performance and even if you did EVERYTHING that was asked of you by your employer, someone else got awarded your job because they would take less money, and you were left jobless. This happens to Racers regularly.
So, I’m pointing fingers at all of the “People” that are letting these guys risk their lives for nearly nothing, and I’m saying, Do Better! Take care of the Racers that take care of you! Let industry manufactures know that you - the average weekend warrior or rider and the future “racers”, won’t let their biking brothers risk their lives so that they can make an extra buck, or throw all their money at arena sports.
And I’m saying to the Racers out there, DO NOT do your job for nothing! DO NOT give the “People” what they want from you without getting something for yourself and your families in return. Do NOT undercut and sell out your fellow brothers and Racers and take a job from them. You will only be creating a market where the same will happen to you in a year or two. In the past 8 years, that has been the reason for the sponsorship declines. When the market took a dive, industry manufacturers took that opportunity to pay their racers less, and as the industry has tightened up, and as Racers have become desperate to do their jobs and make a living, they have been willing to take next to nothing to do it. As a result the Racers have created a highly competitive, yet desperately undervalued career path for themselves. Many of you have forgone traditional education with the hopes that Professional Racing would sustain you eventually. Reality check for those of you Racers coming up the ranks: this will not happen unless you do something to change the direction of your future!
Racers, you need to talk to one another about what a minimum salary and BENEFITS – Yes, Benefits, should be and create a racer’s union that will not allow companies to take advantage of you, to continue to make money off of you and without giving you what you deserve for risking your lives. Baseball players, basketball players, football players, flight attendants, police officers, fire fighters, all have a unions saying that they will not take less than what they deserve for putting their lives on the line, or for allowing other companies to make money off their talents. Neither should you!
Racers, DO NOT let pride and glory overshadow the fact that racing is your JOB, and sad as it is to say, a VERY short-lived job, at that. Getting a Factory Ride or a $20K/year salary after footing the bill is NOT worth your life, not worth selling out another rider, not worth delaying an education or what might be a real sustaining, life long career. Racers, it’s time to get smart and demand more for yourselves.
When record numbers of riders are showing up to the races, one can assume that the spending in the industry is as healthy as it has every been. Not withstanding that after the fall of so many industry companies after the economic recession, this leaves all the spending in the industry to fewer manufacturers. So, ask yourself, where is the money going? You can be certain that the ugly stepchild of the motorcycling industry - Offroad - is still earning its keep. Simple calculations that gate fees haven't gone down, record numbers of riders attending offroad events, and with that, they must still be spending money to keep their bikes running. Conversely, arenacross events are still limited in capacity by the nature of the event, and the ticket prices and number of events haven't gone up dramatically, so what is the justification that more dollars are being thrown at these racers? Frankly, the draw of the Offroad racing market for a manufacturer is the grassroots, family feel, with direct access to the pros and the bikes in the pits, which is a far site better from a marketing standpoint than a birds eye view from the stands. So, "People", where is the money from Offroad Racinggoing? Racers, are you demanding that the money you are earning for your sponsors come back to the sport and industry that employs you? If not, you should.
Finally, “People”, shame on you for taking advantage of these Racers. Shame on you for sitting in ignorant judgment of these Racer’s jobs, salaries, performance and benefits in the name of them “doing what they love”, because I can assure you that any time you take a passion and make it a job, it becomes a just that - a job. Shame on you for sitting safely in your office or on your couch, trying to take away these Racer’s accomplishments, and judging them when they have something un-P.C. to say about their treatment by their “employers”. Remember, these Racers have no one but themselves and their loved ones defending them against the world’s greed, need for violent entertainment, and judgment - and ask yourself, would you do a Racer’s job?
The most recent tragedy and senseless loss of racing legend Kurt Caselli leaves me with that last desperate hope that this is the final wakeup call fans, enthusiasts, riders, industry manufactures, and RACERS need to change the fate and inevitable decline of Offroad Racing. No matter how many posts are made asking event promoters and sponsors to do better by their racers, nothing will change unless “people” do better, and Racers join together and demand more!
In the immortal words of Super Chicken: "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it". Someone should inform Mrs. Watts of that fact.
I understand the frustration but...
Sadly its the same in all motorsports... and it isnt changing any time soon.
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My feelings are that KTM, their Teams, their Employees and their Sponsors are The Very Best among ANY and ALL in the "Off-Road" Community. I park my bike under the Rockstar-Honda Tent and I've got NOTHING but "Amazing" thoughts in my mind about the ENTIRE K T M Family.
My heart, my thoughts...indeed...my Prayers...are with EVERYONE from Red-Bull to Bonanza Plumbing to FMF to KTM...and...especially...the Beautiful young-woman that I've seen on Kurt's arm...
To all in Kurt's Amazing Racing "Community"...I'm truly sorry.
I have the AMA magazine for December sitting on the workbench with Kurt's smiling face standing by his #1 KTM on the cover......I feel really bad for his family,friends and the KTM Team.
R.I.P Kut Caselli
How to fix it? I have no idea, but it needs fixing!
She is right on the money in my opinion - no one forces anyone to race, but it's pathetic racers will leverage the entire future on hoping racing pays off. Even for the top few - it's not that lucrative in the big picture
I'd rather steer my kid towards learning how to kick a football than towards ANY career in racing dirtbikes.
But, I love to ride my dirt bike and I am going to continue to ride. I don't race or have sponsors anymore, its not a career to me. Any form of motorcycling and/or racing is dangerous. The fact that Mr Caselli did have sponsors and it was his job did not put him in any more danger or risk than I am in when I ride. His sponsors did not do this to him. As a sponsor how can you put a price on the risk of injury or death?
I take on the risk and danger because I love to do it, not because I'm paid to or am expected to. This can happen to any pro, amateur, you, I or anyone that throws a leg over a motor cycle. This danger can't be changed it is part of our sport on any level.
RIP Kurt.
Shes so right in many ways. Our sport is in a bad way because we accept it. And, the top riders accept it, because they have to. Professional off road racing is where many sports were 20 years ago. There is huge exploitation of the athletes taking place.
Shes not saying we shouldnt ride. I broke my back in 2000 racing, and I accept that. But, the fact that the riders below the top ten in most series make less than the truck drivers, says something is wrong. We ride cause we love it, yes. But, what protection do these guys have for the risk they are taking? Professional athletes take risks and have pressures that most of the average couch potatoes never see. I have a friend in the NHL. Hes well compensated, but man, what a meat market. If the top riders in Moto were compensated better from the top ten on out, even with some good company supplied insurance, things would be better.
Geez guys, keep an open mind, and be thankful that people like Carrie Watts exist that care about the riders and the actual health of the industry and the riders. Dont TRY to be stupid, even though for some of you it comes natural.
i mite add to her eloquent put message one missing fact. And that is about 5 riders are taking most of the manufactures or actually distributors money and sponsors money.
It is bs that these 5 riders get all the money and the rest like mrs watts says are begging for dollars.
A
The author goes on to say that racers do not receive health insurance and some racers race without it. I can’t believe how this is portrayed as the fan’s fault. If the racers do not like the working conditions that are placed around them then stop and do something else. Such is life. What do “I” have to do with whether a professional racer decides to sign a contract knowing he will have no health insurance? That is absolutely not my problem. Winding down the author states I should have “shame” for taking advantage of these racers. I am outraged by this statement. How exactly am I doing that? These racers choose to race for a living. It is entirely up to them and no one else to make the decision to that and if they are unhappy do something else just like everybody else.
The reason I write this is because I am deeply offended by the article and I feel like I have a good perspective on the situation. I played collegiate baseball at a prominent division 1 program and I received criticism as well as admiration from fans both in real life and online. I did not take offense to anything that was said about me because I understood that I was playing for others entertainment and as such they are allowed to be entertained and talk about the entertainment anyway they see fit. I do not see many dirt bike riders being yelled at on the track and cussed out as they ride by as I sometimes was on the pitching mound. I am not complaining. It’s just part of the game and I accept and embrace it. I was then selected to play professional baseball albeit for a very low salary. “I” chose not to continue to do this even though playing a sport for a living is a dream to many because “I” wanted to be able to support myself and my future family financially one day and went off to go about getting accepted to dental school and become a dentist. A process which I am now close to completing as I only have two more years of dental school left. I also chased the national enduro series and made it to the “Pro” class level while only getting a chance to ride my bike on the weekends at the races. I could have chosen to not pursue dental school and taken a chance to ride during the week and train full time and try to become a low level off road pro but I chose not to. Why? Because I understand what the financial restrictions are when it becomes to being an off road pro and the unstable career that comes with it.
I cannot believe the author has chosen to take an off road legends death and try to use it for her own benefit as her husband runs a race team and makes a living off the off road community. Shame on you.
Pit Row
But, great post, I agree 100%.
I would love for these guys to get paid what they deserve, have benefits, etc. but, I don't know why it's my responsibility as a fan.
Holy fuck some of you are stupid. Seriously, get some help. (Look in a mirror lately?)
Shes so right in many ways. Our sport is in a bad way because we accept it. And, the top riders accept it, because they have to. Professional off road racing is where many sports were 20 years ago. There is huge exploitation of the athletes taking place. (You can't exploit the willing participant)
Shes not saying we shouldnt ride. I broke my back in 2000 racing, and I accept that.(Are you a Pro? Did you not know the risk of your profession? Or, are you an amateur that got hurt while enjoying your hobby?) But, the fact that the riders below the top ten in most series make less than the truck drivers, says something is wrong.(Are you suggesting those riders get their CDL and live happily ever after?) We ride cause we love it, yes.(Some also do it as a vocation...however it is compensated...with or without benefits, etc) But, what protection do these guys have for the risk they are taking? (If you are doing it as a subcontractor, or you are self-employed, you should know the necessity of insurance, etc) Professional athletes take risks and have pressures that most of the average couch potatoes never see. I have a friend in the NHL. Hes well compensated, but man, what a meat market. (Again, his choice, what is he doing to protect himself, his family, his interests?) If the top riders in Moto were compensated better from the top ten on out, even with some good company supplied insurance, things would be better. (You should step up and underwrite it to show your concern)
Geez guys, keep an open mind, and be thankful that people like Carrie Watts exist that care about the riders and the actual health of the industry and the riders. Dont TRY to be stupid, even though for some of you it comes natural. (once again...got a mirror?)
2. Did you even read what I wrote? I had the opportunity to try my hand at being a pro in the off road world and chose not to take it. That is apples to apples. I had the EXACT opportunity and chose not to take it as that is my choice just like everyone else even though I still race on my own time and dime when I can. A professional contract that doesn't include health insurance? Don't sign it. Simple as that. If another rider comes along and wants to then that's his choice. If no rider wants to then the Manufacturer can either pay up or not have a rider. This is a business, not a charity.
It is so simplistic to suggest that if, to use your words, don't sign it if it doesn't include health insurance-what a joke. It should be mandatory that any professional contract INCLUDE health insurance but the industry can't even include that as they churn out athlete after athlete for their gain-this is what Mrs. Watts in part is suggesting you dolt. You think this is okay? Risking your life for industry gain? Tell me, does a professional baseball player not have health insurance as part of their contract, by way of their union?
Note the paragraphs while you try to justify your offence to someone who has had to stand by their spouse living the reality many here don't want to acknowledge. The fact that the top few guys make a fantastic living (all well deserved and earned) while everyone else scrapes by, if that, should tell you that what we have is not acceptable. This is her point, and she made it eloquently I might add.
The only people who are to blame for all the problems and the struggles is the racers themselves. Just because the top echelon of riders don't want to unionize and come together for the greater good of everyone has NOTHING to do with the fans and companies in the industry. If ALL the riders get together and say no one is racing until something is done, then the fans get mad their is no racing and the industry will change the way things are done. She should be writing her frustration to RV, Dungey, JS7, etc. of each moto discipline, not the fans and companies. Change has to happen from inside out, not outside in.
I look at racing professional offroad like self employment, take care of yourself. If you work for yourself, then make sure you're covered both financially and with proper insurance. I personally don't employ these racers, just like everyone reading this post doesn't employ me to put all the glass on your particular floor in your building..
I respect the words from Mrs. Watts, I can't imagine the grief involved in the close circle. My close friend lost her husband to this sport recently, and she's not pointing fingers at anyone for her loss. Some people deal with losses differently I suppose.
GODSPEED Kurt, you were truly a legend and I'll never forget the impact you made on my life, both with racing and being a great human being.
Look at deegan, look at pastrana. Hell, more people in this world know who Travis Pastrana is, and have no clue who Ricky Carmichael is.
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