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The last time my daughter and I both qualified, and one of my sons wrenched for both of us. Nothing better..
BTW, Earl May was in my class and kicked my butt just as he does on a regular basis to our age group.
I really couldn't care how many laps we went, or that we dropped with the plus 50 riders. No one really cares about the elder statesman classes outside of the riders and families directly involved.
The successful riders there are at a higher level than most "normal" moto guys.. It's all fun, as long as you stay on two wheels and can make the long trek home when the week is done.
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Oh, hillbilly......my biggest claim to fame (and not his)......I did take a 5 lap Moto from Barnett at Bithlo........ask him.....I want you to....har!
I was on a fresh 426. He was on a roach borrowed 250.....I got the HS. I just killed him down the straights.....the power of a big fuggin sand tire is limitless.
2nd Moto, he squeaked out a 45 second win.
Please note, I am not trying to bust your balls here. I think it's totally cool that you've been able to race at LL several times. Plus, if the vault is incorrect, it's worth fixing.
I didn't see a Keith Whitley anywhere at LL. There's a Billy Whitley from TX, though he wasn't there in the late 1980's. Robby Clauss ended up with a 4th in 125A stock in 1988 with the brand listed as "other". So maybe you are the highest placing Cagiva rider ever. Cagiva, TM, etc all seem to be lumped into "other".
Barnett was plus 25 in 1988 and it's the only LL race he's done.
Or , as someone suggested, give them their own class.
I don't think it's any different than an A rider sandbagging the B class at a local race just to win.
You're correct, for every pro that qualifies it eliminates a deserving amateur. Not fair imo.
I've qualified 3 times. The first time in 94 my dad also qualified in +50 and had to run against Gary Bailey. He loved it. My last time in 03 in the +25 class there were a few former pros and I thought it was pretty cool getting lapped by them. Hopefully I'll be back in the next couple years in +40.
Most, if not all participants have been around and understand the program.
Watching all the activity on and off the track is the best moto vacation out there.
Unless you're a full time, year around racer, it's unlikely your level of success will be high at the Ranch. That said, it's still a blast to be part of the festivities.
As for past pros riding, bring em on. Raises the level of excitement, and when the week is over does it really matter if RC, Trampas, Robbie, Rodney or anyone else beat you in an age class? Not so much.
I do recall some dude named Tim Eggers running top 5 or better in at least one of the moto's with me.. Of course I was no where near him during the race.. :-)
Is there anything wrong with that ?? Should the story end at 50 years old and you just have to sit and watch the world go by from your rocking chair ?? Sheesh......
There is a reasonable argument that can be made for having a separate 50+ class. I know several people have suggested this to DC. DC, Cotter and MX Sports need to decide if that is the right thing to do and how that fits into the bigger plan. I vote yes of course but I am a crusty old guy looking to race at LL again next year.
If MX Sports decides not to have an individual 50+ class next year, I think that they should at least include Geritol, a tube of Icy Hot, Ibuprofen and a back massage in a welcome kit when you check in.
There is very few Dubach, Rodney Smith caliber riders 50 years old. From what Vet racing I have done the others take it way to serious ,
I think having the Old guy and Pro's race is very cool but I also think they need to be mature enough to realize this event is for the kids.
I just don't think an issue should be made about a guy who had a pro license back in the day racing in an age group class.
Face the facts........it is the only chance you have to line up with guys that were featured on the posters you used to hang up in the garage......you didn't have a shot at that when they were in their prime...did ya ?
I completely understand your point.
You hurt my feelings and many others by suggesting that we are doofers with amnesia.
I don't have .......... what were we talking about again ?
In 88 during practice you use to double off the anthill past finishline into the little whoop section.
I framed on the 3rd one,endoed,busted the face off my bell ,bike landed vertical on my back with silencer imprint and knobby tore thru to my ass cheeks.
Out cold,woke on the stretcher and heard someone say if they haul you out you cant race.
Told the emt to let me off the fucker,I'm ok., my 25+ was next morning at 8am. Dr medsker fixed me up as best he ckuld and I went on.
Crashed out of open a that year also.
1987 was the year for me though, I should post up a story of how that all went down with me ultimately get a ride,free bikes and all.
Someone ask Teggers how hard the 2x4's were on the old shed roof they had behind the gate,,LOL....
And plus,all the MILFs running around dressed to impress the sun lord,yummy
Pit Row
That said, I got to take yesterday off and watch the races. Took a few pictures, but they turned out like crap. Witnessed RJ Hampshire, Luke Renzland, and Austin Forkner absolutely flying. Also seen Scott Plessinger, Jeff Ward, Tim Ferry, Mad Mike Jones, Jeremy Martin, Cooper Webb, and Anthony Rodriguez. All in all, I had a F'n blast!
I have raced lorettas on and off over the years starting with the 25+ and 250A mod. in 1989 and the last time in the 40+ in 2004.
I never considered lorettas a show case for up and comming racers only. It is the ama (national championship) for amateurs. The best of the best. In fact in 1982 there were no C classes only a B support class.
I was a three digit pro and qualified for some SX and nationals through the 80's and 90's along with two digit guys like earl may and mike treadwell. Today at age 51 I can't even win the C class at a local race but I have little or no compitition in the 45 or 50 plus class. Only at lorettas can all us old, once fast, guys line up on the same gate for some close racing. I would to do the vet world championship at glen hellen but it is too far away from home. I would love our own 50+ gate at lorettas but if sharing with the 45+ is the best mxsports is willing to do I guess we will take it.
Alien you need to come to Michigan and ride some D14 races if your looking for some comp in the 45 and 50 classes. We have some pretty stiff competiton when everybody shows up on the same day
I seem to remember qualifying for the AMA amateur national championship in 1980 (Loretta Lynns before it was called Loretta Lynns) that was held at Red Bud ? Anyway my Dad said he would never drive that far to a dirt bike race so that was that.
We used to have a lot of fast vets (45+-50+) in the southeast. Kevin Foley moved to California, Billy Liles ?,Alan Anderu ?Tommy Martin not racing, Barnett raced with us for a while then moved away. I do envy states with a healthy vet racing scene.
I have had a good race or two with the Bigelow bros. at Loretta's from time to time.
I believe there was 74 guys entered in 45+ class the 2nd year.
Yep Michigan has some serious turnout for vet guys at the big races.
Great fun !! Great spirit among the racers as well.
Jason
Pretend you're just benchracing around the campfire, just without all the damn mosquitoes.
Post a reply to: damn shame 45+/50+ cant have their own moto at LL