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Until the riders have some sort of unified voice I don't see much changing. I'm an actor and part of a union, SAG-AFTRA. The union certainly isn't perfect, but I'm so thankful that back in the 30's a group of performers banned together and formed it. The only time I've had health coverage in my adult life has been through the actors union. I've qualified for a pension through acting, a small one, nothing I could live on, but a pension nonetheless. As I earn more in the future my pension will rise, possibly to an amount I can live on. Obviously, the Film/TV business is much larger than SX/MX.
I hate to see that guys making consistent mains aren't walking away with at least $45-60,000 after expenses...or maybe they are. But again, as DV said, it's a small sport.
I'm glad Pulp covered the topic and it was great to hear Ronnie Stewart POV. I think DV's no nonsense POV is quite valid as well.
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I think there are many different points in between "being broke and living a dream" & "making a ton of money and hating your life". I'd gather to say that those are extremes and probably much more rare.
DV may have hated his job, but he also realized that that job could enable him to retire in his 30's in a great financial situation.
One of the best things about this sport (1970s-1990s) was its cost to race professionally. Those years are gone. Will state.... the second biggest threat to motocross is cost.
Cart racing starts at what..... $10k?
Anyone that does want their child to know how to race. Put them in a Kart first. I was one of the slowest riders in my class but the best racer. Top 5 finish the entire season. Didn't clear most jumps lol.
I coach kids. All great little riders. But. No race craft what so ever. In comparison to Kids in Karts. If you don't want to put them in a Kart, play lots of Chess with them.
Great post at the top of the page bd.
The next year the GNC was held at Oakhill.
So many moto's with the amateur scene, that the track becomes a factor in safety, for sure.
Pit Row
Look, Ronnie is good, but he knows, or should know that if your not at the very top, your not going to make money. Always been like this. If he thinks he should get paid more, than either ride faster or get out, which is what DV was saying. Nobody owes him. It's Ronnie's choice to ride.
If I'm a world class Nordic track user, should I be paid a good living just because I'm good at it? It's entertainment and you get paid what the market will bear. Just the hard cruel facts.
Link to interview (rider check): http://www.vitalmx.com/features/Rider-Check-Ronnie-Stewart,3453
Unfortunately for the very talented riders that are barely making it into the night show and occasional main, the fans are not buying tickets to watch them. The Dungeys, KR, Canards etc are who are working the hardest, have the ability to win and are the ones selling tickets, bikes, apparel and accesories.
Now look at the tracks. Tracks have been opened up and made to flow better to suit the bikes. Now most big tracks have multiple sections that are linked together with dog legs where you are in 4th gear and 60 mph the whole time.....with a 100ft camel back somewhere in the middle.
Big jumps used to be half skill,half balls. Now it's no skill and all balls.
The days off slipping the clutch prefect around an axel deep rut and catching 3rd right before the face of a 60 ft triple on a 125 are almost gone.
Now it's shift to 4th coming out of the turn on a 250f and put it on auto pilot so you can hit the 100 footer half way down the straight.
The tracks need to be SLOWED down.
Do I think the purse should increase? Absolutely. Does it make financial sense? Only Feld knows. I do know the privateer and satellite teams are needed. If they were not racing right now, what would the 250F and 450F mains look like?
Post a reply to: R. Stewart on safety (Pulp MX show)