Bring a newbie to a race challenge

The Rock
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The Rock
Most say the sport needs to grow. Why don't we start by bringing at least one new person a year to a race, local or professional, to see if we can't get the "race virus" to spread.

As far as I know there is no cure fortunately.

Is introducing newbies to our sport important or did I just leave my Earl Grey tea bag steep for too long and it's the caffeine talking?
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jamma10
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jamma10 8/22/2016 10:51am
8/22/2016 10:51am
It's a good idea. I'm always trying to encourage people to come along to the races with me and friends, I keep trying to convince them the experience will far exceed whatever prior expectation they might have but it's tough (....maybe they just don't like me?).

Motocross suffers from a pretty poor image in the UK, so when I tell them that Sunday entry to a GP will cost upwards of £50 they usually think of something better they can spend that money on.
Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 8/22/2016 10:53am
8/22/2016 10:53am Edited Date/Time 8/22/2016 10:57am
I did this! Took the parts kid at the shop to his first race ever, threw him to the dogs at NESC, 50 guys on the line in the 250c class finished 35th overall at wick, he's hooked big time!!!!
Moto810
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Moto810 8/22/2016 10:55am
8/22/2016 10:55am
Yes I am trying to get a friend and his two kids involved. They just purchased a PW50. I don't push to hard though. I will let them decide but I am going to help them at their house build a small track and then take them to watch me ride sometime. Kinda like being a drug dealer! lol
The Rock
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The Rock 8/22/2016 2:13pm
8/22/2016 2:13pm
I would rather see kids hooked on MX instead of being hooked on the Internet or whatever the hell game they're playing.

If there was a way to not have people abuse the program I would think/hope promoters would want to give a ticket away ONCE for a newbie and offer X amount of newbie tickets per event.

Taking it a step further this could even be shop/dealer based and have a qualifier system where if you want a ticket for your next door neighbor he provides an e mail with his contact data with the Boy Scout's oath of honesty indicating it is his first event. The shops keep track of how many newbies have been to a SX and or MX at the end of each series. End of the season be cool for the top ten responsible for the most newbies to get a little recognition and swag from the industry.

I know I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one .......

The Shop

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Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 8/22/2016 2:24pm
8/22/2016 2:24pm Edited Date/Time 8/22/2016 2:26pm
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world we be as one.....sadly these pups don't know John Lennon, it was a sad day in New York City when he was killed, nice quote
The Rock
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The Rock 8/22/2016 2:32pm
8/22/2016 2:32pm
I was living in Dayton and buddy JB called me from Maryland to give me the grim news.

Remember it clearly. Double Fantasy hadn't been out that long and as long as you skipped over Yoko's songs :-) it was a fantastic LP.

What about inviting Boy Scout troops to each National and SX. Doesn't have to be where the ticket sales are high but there are certain SX markets that definitely need some creative ideas to get more people in the seats.

Who know maybe the newbie with the free ticket will want to buy a ticket for his lady or buddy?

mx836
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mx836 8/22/2016 2:37pm
8/22/2016 2:37pm
I'm 31 years old and been racing for 25 years. I can barely get anybody to go riding anymore much less to the races. Time to find some new friends, I guess. Not once have any of my non-moto friends started riding or even watched the races on TV unless they are at my place.
Fiftyfiveracing 8/22/2016 3:58pm
8/22/2016 3:58pm
I got my friend hooked up just by showing him cool racing videos and taking him at the track with me and let him try my bike. He bought his own bike couple weeks ago.

Yesterday i let my girlfriend ride my yz125 and she was so pumped that now i'm afraid if i ever get my lovely 2 stroke back from her...
Starcrossed
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Starcrossed 8/22/2016 4:10pm
8/22/2016 4:10pm
Uncle Tony wrote:
I did this! Took the parts kid at the shop to his first race ever, threw him to the dogs at NESC, 50 guys on the...
I did this! Took the parts kid at the shop to his first race ever, threw him to the dogs at NESC, 50 guys on the line in the 250c class finished 35th overall at wick, he's hooked big time!!!!
That's awesome Tony. If he's excited about finishing 35th in the C class, he should have many great days of racing in his future as he climbs the ranks in the NESC series. Keep up the good work.
Sir Roostsalot 8/22/2016 4:47pm
8/22/2016 4:47pm
I brought a newbie friend to the Southwick national this year. Somehow he discovered BB4 and instantly became his biggest fanboy. The only bad thing about newbies is they can't seem to walk PAST a beer tent, which also means they can't walk PAST a Portacan. At a National I like to walk at least 2 full laps around the track perimiter for the full viewing experience. This year barely even one lap. But he did provide some quality entertaiment.
gt80rider
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gt80rider 8/22/2016 4:50pm
8/22/2016 4:50pm
I would say that giving someone a chance to actually ride will hook them easier than them watching a race....
Tumblin
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Tumblin 8/22/2016 5:13pm
8/22/2016 5:13pm
Awesome! you never know what can come of it...
I took Todd Brown to his first Motocross race he participated in and now he's been on the National and SX tour for 20+ years. After MMI his wrenching began with Ping and Sellard's and now is the master suspension tuner for the elite. Been a tough season as Showa's main man for #7, though he's helping team Suzuki and where ever else those Showa air and springers cry out for.
mx836
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mx836 8/22/2016 8:21pm
8/22/2016 8:21pm
gt80rider wrote:
I would say that giving someone a chance to actually ride will hook them easier than them watching a race....
I agree. Unfortunately every time a newb wants to take my bike for a ride, I instantly think about how much of my income I spend having a shiny new bike and how unexpected they will be at the power of a modern 450 as they loop out or whiskey throttle into a tree. I'm looking out for the both of us. Laughing
KirkChandler
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KirkChandler 8/22/2016 8:29pm
8/22/2016 8:29pm
Back when Supercross had kids $10 seats, my parents would bring as many of my friends, then my brothers friends to Supercross and Nationals that would fit in the Suburban. Got a bunch of fans that would never have gone, because their parents weren't into Moto. Some of them still go every year and now have kids of their own that ride. But now how many people are going to pay $50+ a seat for a 6 year old that might not like it at all. $10 no big deal. $50 ehhhhhh probably not.

Nascar today announced that 12 and under would be free at the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck races. Trying to build a new fan base. http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/8/22/free-youth-ti…
KirkChandler
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KirkChandler 8/22/2016 8:30pm
8/22/2016 8:30pm
gt80rider wrote:
I would say that giving someone a chance to actually ride will hook them easier than them watching a race....
True. I always say if they get through their first day on a bike they will be hooked. If they crash and hurt themselves they will never get on again.
Tonynz
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Tonynz 8/22/2016 8:37pm
8/22/2016 8:37pm
At close to 51 years old, all my friends I now have either race or have raced MX.
rongi#401
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rongi#401 8/22/2016 10:22pm
8/22/2016 10:22pm
i got my girlfriends father and brother into riding. prior they thought moto was a sideshow act for the local fair
nascarnate326 8/23/2016 2:48am
8/23/2016 2:48am
We need a trail bike class for adults.

A big bike is expensive. if we had something where people with 1000 bike could ride/race it would get people hooked.

Pit Row

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RMZ#
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RMZ# 8/23/2016 3:26am
8/23/2016 3:26am Edited Date/Time 8/23/2016 2:46pm
The Rock wrote:
Most say the sport needs to grow. Why don't we start by bringing at least one new person a year to a race, local or professional...
Most say the sport needs to grow. Why don't we start by bringing at least one new person a year to a race, local or professional, to see if we can't get the "race virus" to spread.

As far as I know there is no cure fortunately.

Is introducing newbies to our sport important or did I just leave my Earl Grey tea bag steep for too long and it's the caffeine talking?
There is a cure. The best way to grow the sport is to kill the Hot 50 so the sport is affordable at the entry level. That bike has killed the entry level of the sport. 10 yrs ago racing was cheap to check out. Now it is a compete joke. And it shows at all the local tracks now; The mini classes are empty. The future of the sport can be seen by looking at those classes.

RMZ#
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RMZ# 8/23/2016 3:33am
8/23/2016 3:33am
Moto810 wrote:
Yes I am trying to get a friend and his two kids involved. They just purchased a PW50. I don't push to hard though. I will...
Yes I am trying to get a friend and his two kids involved. They just purchased a PW50. I don't push to hard though. I will let them decide but I am going to help them at their house build a small track and then take them to watch me ride sometime. Kinda like being a drug dealer! lol
Good for you man. Stick with that PW50 and go trail class next. Don't buckle and buy a POS hot 50.

If you need PW parts this is a great place to get them. http://www.peeweecycle.com/

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