Ronnie Ford gives up the Dream?

rrjr
Profile picture for user rrjr
Posts
1133
Joined
11/1/2012
Location
CA US
rrjr 3/29/2017 8:09am
3/29/2017 8:09am
steveada wrote:
Kind of off topic but the fastest guy at LL's last year in 450C would have been 35th in 450B. It sounds like the class structure...
Kind of off topic but the fastest guy at LL's last year in 450C would have been 35th in 450B. It sounds like the class structure is about right. If a C rider was the fastest guy at your local race, the guys there aren't too fast.
No one in the "C" class should ever be faster than someone in the "B" class. If they are then they belong in the "B" class.

Perfect example of sandbagging. Fast enough to qualify for the "B" class yet races in the lower class.
TXDirt
Profile picture for user TXDirt
Posts
7784
Joined
7/29/2015
Location
Plano, TX US
TXDirt 3/29/2017 8:31am
3/29/2017 8:31am
steveada wrote:
Kind of off topic but the fastest guy at LL's last year in 450C would have been 35th in 450B. It sounds like the class structure...
Kind of off topic but the fastest guy at LL's last year in 450C would have been 35th in 450B. It sounds like the class structure is about right. If a C rider was the fastest guy at your local race, the guys there aren't too fast.
rrjr wrote:
No one in the "C" class should ever be faster than someone in the "B" class. If they are then they belong in the "B" class...
No one in the "C" class should ever be faster than someone in the "B" class. If they are then they belong in the "B" class.

Perfect example of sandbagging. Fast enough to qualify for the "B" class yet races in the lower class.
There is bound to be some overlap between last 5 riders of B class and top 5 riders of C class. That's not really sandbagging unless they stay in C class year after year. Lots of times these super fast kids in the B class would be competitive in the Pro class. That's not sandbagging. Just the natural progression through the ranks.

I know what you mean about true sandbaggers though and they are first class clowns.
motoxxx599 3/29/2017 9:19am
3/29/2017 9:19am
motoxxx599 wrote:
Garrett, did you ever try your hand at SX? If so did you make the night show?
ge217 wrote:
I have not. I never had access to a SX track growing up and still don't. If I did now though, and had the support to...
I have not. I never had access to a SX track growing up and still don't. If I did now though, and had the support to race some or all rounds. I damn sure would try. You know what my goal would be? To make top 40, just like Ronnie.
I raced you in couple times in FL many years back and you won by a mile both times - and I was making the night show simi-regularly in the 450 class at the time - and I remember thinking damn someone needs to give this kid a ride
ge217
Profile picture for user ge217
Posts
785
Joined
12/4/2013
Location
Vero Beach, FL US
ge217 3/29/2017 10:54am
3/29/2017 10:54am
motoxxx599 wrote:
I raced you in couple times in FL many years back and you won by a mile both times - and I was making the night...
I raced you in couple times in FL many years back and you won by a mile both times - and I was making the night show simi-regularly in the 450 class at the time - and I remember thinking damn someone needs to give this kid a ride
Nice, thats awesome that you can say you've made into the show! Make any mains? Tell us about some of the shows you've made it in. What was it like? Maybe some people on here will translate your experience over to what Ronnie is trying to achieve .

Whats races did you do in Fl? I remember racing a few guys who soldier on and made it in sx/mx. I just stuck with the off road side. And thanks for the compliment.

The Shop

See All »
TheOriginalPancakee 3/29/2017 11:02am
3/29/2017 11:02am
TheOriginalPancakee wrote:
Wasn't this dude like 10 or more seconds offf the LAST qualifier?
ge217 wrote:
You don't read well huh? Its posted above. you could have answered your own question...
No I haven't read most of the thread.
motoxxx599 3/29/2017 12:50pm
3/29/2017 12:50pm
motoxxx599 wrote:
I raced you in couple times in FL many years back and you won by a mile both times - and I was making the night...
I raced you in couple times in FL many years back and you won by a mile both times - and I was making the night show simi-regularly in the 450 class at the time - and I remember thinking damn someone needs to give this kid a ride
ge217 wrote:
Nice, thats awesome that you can say you've made into the show! Make any mains? Tell us about some of the shows you've made it in...
Nice, thats awesome that you can say you've made into the show! Make any mains? Tell us about some of the shows you've made it in. What was it like? Maybe some people on here will translate your experience over to what Ronnie is trying to achieve .

Whats races did you do in Fl? I remember racing a few guys who soldier on and made it in sx/mx. I just stuck with the off road side. And thanks for the compliment.
GE217, I raced you at a couple of the Gold Cup rounds 04/05ish

Started racing SX in 99 and quit after 06 and got an actual job. Never made an SX main. I only remember 2 rounds where there wasn't enough people to make a full program. Seemed like there was almost always 60 guys at each round and the day qualifiers were races, not fast laps. You think the LCQ on TV is entertaining, try racing a day qualifier. There were 0 fucks given. Dallas 00 was my first night show, and I sold my bike to a guy in the pits after the race because I was moving from Kawi's to Hondas the following Monday.

My first Sx was Atlanta 99 ... I jumped everything in the first practice but the track rutted up really bad and by the qualifying races I wasn't even jumping the finish line. I remember getting beat in my day qualifier that day by a 40 y/o guy who owned a Drive-In Movie Theater that said he only rode a couple times a year. I thought about going directly from the GA Dome to a recruiter and joining the services. I turned it around eventually and was ok. Looking back I definitely should have worked a lot harder at it. I rode a lot during the week but didn't start an actual training program until 05. No one I was riding with even had a gym membership let alone a training program. But it was fun any got to race overseas in 04 so that was pretty awesome.

8686
Profile picture for user 8686
Posts
637
Joined
1/17/2012
Location
MI US
8686 3/29/2017 2:36pm
3/29/2017 2:36pm
motoxxx599 wrote:
GE217, I raced you at a couple of the Gold Cup rounds 04/05ish Started racing SX in 99 and quit after 06 and got an actual...
GE217, I raced you at a couple of the Gold Cup rounds 04/05ish

Started racing SX in 99 and quit after 06 and got an actual job. Never made an SX main. I only remember 2 rounds where there wasn't enough people to make a full program. Seemed like there was almost always 60 guys at each round and the day qualifiers were races, not fast laps. You think the LCQ on TV is entertaining, try racing a day qualifier. There were 0 fucks given. Dallas 00 was my first night show, and I sold my bike to a guy in the pits after the race because I was moving from Kawi's to Hondas the following Monday.

My first Sx was Atlanta 99 ... I jumped everything in the first practice but the track rutted up really bad and by the qualifying races I wasn't even jumping the finish line. I remember getting beat in my day qualifier that day by a 40 y/o guy who owned a Drive-In Movie Theater that said he only rode a couple times a year. I thought about going directly from the GA Dome to a recruiter and joining the services. I turned it around eventually and was ok. Looking back I definitely should have worked a lot harder at it. I rode a lot during the week but didn't start an actual training program until 05. No one I was riding with even had a gym membership let alone a training program. But it was fun any got to race overseas in 04 so that was pretty awesome.

Good stuff!
shanewilks
Profile picture for user shanewilks
Posts
7
Joined
8/4/2016
Location
Thompsonville, IL US
shanewilks 3/29/2017 5:58pm
3/29/2017 5:58pm Edited Date/Time 3/29/2017 5:58pm
I believe Ronnie may have been qualifying for Loretta's last weekend..
ge217
Profile picture for user ge217
Posts
785
Joined
12/4/2013
Location
Vero Beach, FL US
ge217 3/29/2017 6:06pm
3/29/2017 6:06pm
motoxxx599 wrote:
GE217, I raced you at a couple of the Gold Cup rounds 04/05ish Started racing SX in 99 and quit after 06 and got an actual...
GE217, I raced you at a couple of the Gold Cup rounds 04/05ish

Started racing SX in 99 and quit after 06 and got an actual job. Never made an SX main. I only remember 2 rounds where there wasn't enough people to make a full program. Seemed like there was almost always 60 guys at each round and the day qualifiers were races, not fast laps. You think the LCQ on TV is entertaining, try racing a day qualifier. There were 0 fucks given. Dallas 00 was my first night show, and I sold my bike to a guy in the pits after the race because I was moving from Kawi's to Hondas the following Monday.

My first Sx was Atlanta 99 ... I jumped everything in the first practice but the track rutted up really bad and by the qualifying races I wasn't even jumping the finish line. I remember getting beat in my day qualifier that day by a 40 y/o guy who owned a Drive-In Movie Theater that said he only rode a couple times a year. I thought about going directly from the GA Dome to a recruiter and joining the services. I turned it around eventually and was ok. Looking back I definitely should have worked a lot harder at it. I rode a lot during the week but didn't start an actual training program until 05. No one I was riding with even had a gym membership let alone a training program. But it was fun any got to race overseas in 04 so that was pretty awesome.

If I was on 2t it was most likely 05, 4t 06 and on.

Trying for a sx is something Ive always dreamed of. I did race Orlando sx on a pw50 in 94. We only did half of the track.

The day qualifiers were something to watch. I remember watching Barry Carsten out there. He made night shows a lot and made a few mains believe during that time. Watched my buddyJeremy Shuttleworth race in a few. Im more of the racer guy, I can't go out and just do a fast lap. Ive always wanted to hit the whoops. For some reason I feel id have those down.

What races did you get to do overseas? In 07 i was invited to Argentina to race. My dad and I had a 2 week vacation paid for. Was a awesome experience.


racingfortheson 3/30/2017 8:05pm
3/30/2017 8:05pm
We had him on our show. He "SAID" he was sick and pulled off on him own. I'll let y'all decide what the truth is. He was pretty cool. Interview is about the 40 min mark.

http://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=49367195&refid=asa

I don't have an iphone to post itunes link. But it is episode 20
STLSharky
Profile picture for user STLSharky
Posts
464
Joined
11/12/2016
Location
Edwardsville, IL US
STLSharky 4/1/2017 1:51pm
4/1/2017 1:51pm
Congrats Ronnie at St. Louis only eight seconds a lap off the guy who makes funny you who's been doing it for eight years
305FC250
Profile picture for user 305FC250
Posts
428
Joined
9/18/2016
Location
Miami, FL US
305FC250 4/1/2017 3:05pm
4/1/2017 3:05pm
Looks like he was 1.1 seconds off the next slowest guy in session 1 and 2.8 seconds off the next slowest guy in session 2. 10 seconds away from 40th place. This is a huge improvement from earlier rounds where he was 10+ seconds off the next slowest guy. We're running out of time but I'd like to at least see him put himself in serious contention for that 40th spot before the end of the season.
rutcross
Profile picture for user rutcross
Posts
82
Joined
3/26/2017
Location
New York, NY US
rutcross 4/1/2017 3:15pm
4/1/2017 3:15pm
Whatever his sponsors are giving him. I would double that and pay him to stop showing up. Jesus man.
?
Profile picture for user ?
Posts
23
Joined
1/24/2011
Location
AL US
? 4/1/2017 10:31pm
4/1/2017 10:31pm
rutcross wrote:
Whatever his sponsors are giving him. I would double that and pay him to stop showing up. Jesus man.
You should go to a different sport man. Ronnie has improved at every race. Pretty good for an old guy on a 2-stroke!
mxb2
Profile picture for user mxb2
Posts
22437
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Bowie, MD US
mxb2 2/2/2018 5:25pm
2/2/2018 5:25pm
smashingpumpkins167 wrote:
Uh oh the dream might be over. He's selling his bike. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/02/241705/s1200_Screenshot_20180202_171257.jpg[/img]
Uh oh the dream might be over. He's selling his bike.

He bought a 450.
Jake_CR250R
Profile picture for user Jake_CR250R
Posts
320
Joined
1/30/2012
Location
Ozark, MO US
Jake_CR250R 2/2/2018 5:43pm
2/2/2018 5:43pm
I bet ama/feld told him step up to a 4stroke. I mean let's face it, I loved the drive and determination on the 2t, but on today's supercross tracks they're just straight up dangerous and not competitive
Zycki11
Profile picture for user Zycki11
Posts
7695
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edwardsville, IL US
Zycki11 2/2/2018 6:06pm
2/2/2018 6:06pm
He was told he had to go through Arenacross to get his license again. The SX dream is done

Pit Row

See All »
alien
Profile picture for user alien
Posts
123
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
alien 2/2/2018 7:26pm
2/2/2018 7:26pm
Anyone know Ronnie Fords age? If he is in his 40's and only 6 sec.off qualifying pace that is amazing. Do you realize how much your reflexes and balance slow down by that age?
I raced pro SX on and off from 1981 thru 2003 and qualified into the night program in the 250 class (450 class today)about 50% of the time, never made it into a main. In the '90s I might finish say 15th in the heat race and get lapped by Mcgrath twice in 8 laps. That puts me and several other guys at least 15 seconds a lap slower than the leader. We would know the leaders were coming and move into the slow line to let them pass ,it was never a problem.
I do recall the AMA talking to some riders between practices and telling them if they didn't start jumping more stuff the would get black flagged. The quality of talent today is greater than in my time, so if a rider today is off the pace just a little it is much more obvious.
-MAVERICK-
Profile picture for user -MAVERICK-
Posts
65421
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Ontario CA
-MAVERICK- 2/2/2018 7:33pm
2/2/2018 7:33pm
alien wrote:
Anyone know Ronnie Fords age? If he is in his 40's and only 6 sec.off qualifying pace that is amazing. Do you realize how much your...
Anyone know Ronnie Fords age? If he is in his 40's and only 6 sec.off qualifying pace that is amazing. Do you realize how much your reflexes and balance slow down by that age?
I raced pro SX on and off from 1981 thru 2003 and qualified into the night program in the 250 class (450 class today)about 50% of the time, never made it into a main. In the '90s I might finish say 15th in the heat race and get lapped by Mcgrath twice in 8 laps. That puts me and several other guys at least 15 seconds a lap slower than the leader. We would know the leaders were coming and move into the slow line to let them pass ,it was never a problem.
I do recall the AMA talking to some riders between practices and telling them if they didn't start jumping more stuff the would get black flagged. The quality of talent today is greater than in my time, so if a rider today is off the pace just a little it is much more obvious.
He's 43/44 years old.

Post a reply to: Ronnie Ford gives up the Dream?