vet 35+ Loretta's

JB 19 wrote:

My feeling is that guys who have scored top 20 points belong in the A class at least until they are 40. Let them run 450A...

My feeling is that guys who have scored top 20 points belong in the A class at least until they are 40. Let them run 450A. Guys like Carmichael, Reynard, Ferry,Povolny, Sleeter, Renner and so on can be competetive in that class if they want to return to the ranch and have fun.

What is so unfair about that compared to guys who spent their lives from age 16-30 learning all of the secrets on how to be a complete mx machine racing Joe Dirtbike who got a 9-5 or went to college when he was 18 and then got to ride once a week for the rest of his life.

If you never scored top 20 points then you can ride the standard classes. This eliminates the "ringers." The guys who had the best of everything thrown at them for 10+ years and in many cases still do. Guys who racked up 10,000- 20,000 hours of seat time while Joe Dirtbike was going to work and reading about those guys in MXA on his break everyday.

Get rid of the 30 B/C. It didn't used to be there and things were fine. Do we need beginer classes for a race like this?

What do you do after the ringers turn 40? I'm not sure yet. Maybe 40+ OPEN for anyone who wants a shot. If Harold Piston wants to mix it up with the big dogs here's his chance.

It's usually the guys who talk real tough about just taking your medicine and liking it that don't race anyway. The guys who do race generally all feel same way.


Instead of the fairness being biased toward the elite pro's, how about it being biased toward the true weekend warrior guys.

ga_pike wrote:

Here is the top 10 in the +35 class at LL this year: 1. Robbie Reynard 2. James Povolny Jr 3. Tony Larusso 4. James Evans...

Here is the top 10 in the +35 class at LL this year:

1. Robbie Reynard
2. James Povolny Jr
3. Tony Larusso
4. James Evans
5. Gregory Pamart
6. Edward Walston
7. Sam Yannitelli
8. Robbie Skaggs
9. Karl Scott
10. Phillip Haas

If I were still racing, I would have been racing this class. I grew up racing with Evans and Scott every week and we saw Reynard and Skaggs at the big events. Now, we know Reynard and Povolny both raced pro. I also know Evans, Skaggs, and Scott did as well but not at the same level as a guy like Reynard. I don't see Larusso or Pamart on the MX Sports Vault so would those be the top "non-pro" finishers?

my username wrote:

Larusso scored national points in 2012 (10 points actually). Pamart attempted to qualify for several outdoor nationals this year. He must have been using those for...

Larusso scored national points in 2012 (10 points actually). Pamart attempted to qualify for several outdoor nationals this year. He must have been using those for a warm up for Lorretta's.

The fact is I could not beat them in the 90's and why am I going to be able to beat them now? If most replying to this topic are like me then you have a full time job; kids; wife; etc....
To be able to train and compete at a level to attempt to qualify for outdoor nationals at 35 or older is not a possibility for most of us.

I do not expect to go to Lorretta's to win; however there is a definitive disconnect in some of these classes.

my username wrote:

Larusso scored national points in 2012 (10 points actually). Pamart attempted to qualify for several outdoor nationals this year. He must have been using those for...

Larusso scored national points in 2012 (10 points actually). Pamart attempted to qualify for several outdoor nationals this year. He must have been using those for a warm up for Lorretta's.

The fact is I could not beat them in the 90's and why am I going to be able to beat them now? If most replying to this topic are like me then you have a full time job; kids; wife; etc....
To be able to train and compete at a level to attempt to qualify for outdoor nationals at 35 or older is not a possibility for most of us.

I do not expect to go to Lorretta's to win; however there is a definitive disconnect in some of these classes.

dgmx wrote:

just because at one time they were pros what makes you think they also do not have a full time job? kids? wife? if anything you...

just because at one time they were pros what makes you think they also do not have a full time job? kids? wife? if anything you have a better shot at beating them now since they have been removed from their eat, sleep, motocross lifestyle, no more special parts, mechanics ect, all that is gone and they ride way less now. if they cant go to LL and race the BEST vet guys where can they go? clearly you would have a fit if it was a local race right?

my username wrote:

I don't doubt the fact that they have the same struggles as everyone else with life. My point is that these guys were and still are...

I don't doubt the fact that they have the same struggles as everyone else with life. My point is that these guys were and still are fast. I enjoy lining up and racing them. To get a 10-15th place finish in this class would be an amazing accomplishment judging by the accomplishments of the top 10.

I am all for Lorretta's being the best of the best. No fit of racing them. I am sure the ones I have not raced are great people and the ones I have raced have been a pleasure to race with.

my username wrote:

I don't doubt the fact that they have the same struggles as everyone else with life. My point is that these guys were and still are...

I don't doubt the fact that they have the same struggles as everyone else with life. My point is that these guys were and still are fast. I enjoy lining up and racing them. To get a 10-15th place finish in this class would be an amazing accomplishment judging by the accomplishments of the top 10.

I am all for Lorretta's being the best of the best. No fit of racing them. I am sure the ones I have not raced are great people and the ones I have raced have been a pleasure to race with.

dgmx wrote:

ok so your point is that these dudes were fast back in their day, and are still fast as retired pros living normal lives? if that...

ok so your point is that these dudes were fast back in their day, and are still fast as retired pros living normal lives? if that is your point i 100% agree with you.

lumpy790 wrote:

Big difference between a top 100 Pro and non point scoring Pro and a B/C class vet racer. I qualified for 1 Pro National..... 40th (last)...

Big difference between a top 100 Pro and non point scoring Pro and a B/C class vet racer.

I qualified for 1 Pro National..... 40th (last) for the 1984 Red Bud 500 class before destroying my knee and shoulder in 1985 . Retired for many years with many surgeries to try and repair the damage and came out of retirement in 1991 at the Kahoka MO area qualifier. I tried to drop back to the B class and they said no. I had to go back to C class and went to LL in 250C stock and Mod.

I had been retired again for many years but after turning 50 decided to give it a shot. I tried to qualify for the 50+ class and got smoked for the SE 3 spots at the Gainsville regional. I vowed that I will never try again unless there is at least a full 40 man 50+ B/C class and have talked to many racers who have also tried and will never try again.

IMO as a been there done that racer ...... There needs to be both A and B/C and full gates for 25+, 30+, 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+ and a 55+

This year LL went from time +2 Laps to less # of laps + 2 so there is more room in the schedule to accommodate more classes.

BTW ..... I am posting this from stage coach hill at LL ..... yes I am still here till after the Quads this weekend.....20 days at the Ranch!

groggylbc wrote:

Here's the deal. The vet gate is already packed with ex-pros.... Pretty soon it will all be ex-pros. And the average joe will have zero chance...

Here's the deal. The vet gate is already packed with ex-pros.... Pretty soon it will all be ex-pros. And the average joe will have zero chance to race. Just give them their own class. And keep everything else the same.
Let the slow guys have their day in the sun too! Please!!