Mike Brown to attempt National at 52 years old...

mxnick
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8/1/2023 4:52pm
Falcon wrote:
It used to be that former champions have a gate sport reserved for them. All he'd have to do is show up to race. I don't...

It used to be that former champions have a gate sport reserved for them. All he'd have to do is show up to race. I don't know if that's still in the AMA rulebook. 

After Lammies last Hangtown race, they removed that rule. He was pretty far off the pace (and also riding a 125, which didn’t help his lap times). 

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mxnick
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8/1/2023 4:53pm
The qualifying shouldn't be an issue for Mike. He has been very active racing throughout the years. Not some test rider minus race pace for X...

The qualifying shouldn't be an issue for Mike. He has been very active racing throughout the years. Not some test rider minus race pace for X amount of years. 

I think he tried a few times and to hold onto the #3 and it was a struggle. Don’t remember what years, but it was at Hangtown and didn’t go well. 

5
8/1/2023 4:54pm
The qualifying shouldn't be an issue for Mike. He has been very active racing throughout the years. Not some test rider minus race pace for X...

The qualifying shouldn't be an issue for Mike. He has been very active racing throughout the years. Not some test rider minus race pace for X amount of years. 

mxnick wrote:
I think he tried a few times and to hold onto the #3 and it was a struggle. Don’t remember what years, but it was at...

I think he tried a few times and to hold onto the #3 and it was a struggle. Don’t remember what years, but it was at Hangtown and didn’t go well. 

Maybe so, time does have a way of being cruel.

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mxnick
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8/1/2023 4:56pm Edited Date/Time 8/1/2023 4:56pm
thatguy wrote:

Keefer just took his shirt off. 

Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the pace and didn’t make it. 
 

it’s harder then most think to make the show. 

8

The Shop

8/1/2023 5:00pm

That is true, but what level has he been racing compared to Brown? 

1
mb60
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8/1/2023 5:06pm

What happened in the plus 50 class. I was watching at work and seemed Emig caught him really quick. 

1
8/1/2023 5:16pm
Magoofan wrote:
I can see the threads on Vital now...  "Boomer makes National".     

I can see the threads on Vital now...  "Boomer makes National". Grinning

 

vet323 wrote:

Brownie is a decade too young to be a Boomer- he's Gen X.

Yep, I was born in 1962 and the last year of the Boomers is 1964, so I got in with two years to spare. Cool

1
Meister
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8/1/2023 5:19pm
mb60 wrote:

What happened in the plus 50 class. I was watching at work and seemed Emig caught him really quick. 

Egged a front wheel and babied it in for 2nd.. 

 

Brown could qualify at the next national. 

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ML512
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8/1/2023 5:40pm
plowboy wrote:

Paging ML to the red courtesy phone.

That rule doesn't exist. At least anymore.

1
8/1/2023 5:40pm

The brain is not working so well today. Was it Mike brown that was riding around the back of the pack at the MGM US Open doing heel clickers? Like a million years ago?

TM

brocster
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8/1/2023 5:54pm
mb60 wrote:

What happened in the plus 50 class. I was watching at work and seemed Emig caught him really quick. 

Meister wrote:

Egged a front wheel and babied it in for 2nd.. 

 

Brown could qualify at the next national. 

Keefer holeshot, Brown caught and passed him pretty easily on the first lap. Keefer tried to keep pace but dumped it in a corner. Emig got a bad start and worked his way up and passed Keefer late in the race. Pretty sure Brown was on the podium with bike on the stand and helmet off before Emig crossed in second. 
 Brown could qualify, he’d be deep but he could make the top 40. He’d finish better than he’d qualify b/c he’s an animal and can push the whole 30 + 2. 

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Renner153
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8/1/2023 6:48pm

Brownie can for sure put in a lap time faster than some of the guys that qualify on a regular basis. And if he’s serious (he is, he’s brought it up a few times to me) he will put in some real work to do it. He was contemplating not even racing LL this year because he hasn’t ridden hardly at all this year. But he’s not showing up to a National unprepared. If he shows, he makes it. 

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vet323
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8/1/2023 7:00pm
Magoofan wrote:
I can see the threads on Vital now...  "Boomer makes National".     

I can see the threads on Vital now...  "Boomer makes National". Grinning

 

vet323 wrote:

Brownie is a decade too young to be a Boomer- he's Gen X.

lostboy819 wrote:
Yep, I was born in 1962 and the last year of the Boomers is 1964, so I got in with two years to spare. 

Yep, I was born in 1962 and the last year of the Boomers is 1964, so I got in with two years to spare. Cool

Me, too brother. Same age.

1
mb60
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8/1/2023 7:10pm
brocster wrote:
Keefer holeshot, Brown caught and passed him pretty easily on the first lap. Keefer tried to keep pace but dumped it in a corner. Emig got...

Keefer holeshot, Brown caught and passed him pretty easily on the first lap. Keefer tried to keep pace but dumped it in a corner. Emig got a bad start and worked his way up and passed Keefer late in the race. Pretty sure Brown was on the podium with bike on the stand and helmet off before Emig crossed in second. 
 Brown could qualify, he’d be deep but he could make the top 40. He’d finish better than he’d qualify b/c he’s an animal and can push the whole 30 + 2. 

That was plus 40. 

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1
yak651
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8/1/2023 7:12pm
ToolMaker wrote:
The brain is not working so well today. Was it Mike brown that was riding around the back of the pack at the MGM US Open...

The brain is not working so well today. Was it Mike brown that was riding around the back of the pack at the MGM US Open doing heel clickers? Like a million years ago?

TM

Doesn’t sound like Mike brown to be doing heel clickers!

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Brent
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8/1/2023 7:28pm Edited Date/Time 8/1/2023 7:33pm

good for Mike, he is the ultimate vet class warrior. Pulling for him to qualify.

He may have to provide additional medical information to the AMA, including an echocardiogram to prove his cardiovascular system is fit enough to race at the pro level. or at least that is what the AMA used to require for AMA Pro Racing motocross license applicants over 50.

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1
8/1/2023 7:50pm
thatguy wrote:

Keefer just took his shirt off. 

mxnick wrote:
Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the...

Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the pace and didn’t make it. 
 

it’s harder then most think to make the show. 

The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125 specialist he should do it on a 125.  It’s rare that a 50+ person hangs onto there athletic ability.  I,m 56 3/4 born with a sprinters body which is destroyed from trucking.  If I could make any money out here or if Mx paid anything. I would b racing pro ams. 

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Madkiwi
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8/1/2023 8:12pm
thatguy wrote:

Keefer just took his shirt off. 

mxnick wrote:
Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the...

Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the pace and didn’t make it. 
 

it’s harder then most think to make the show. 

The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125...

The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125 specialist he should do it on a 125.  It’s rare that a 50+ person hangs onto there athletic ability.  I,m 56 3/4 born with a sprinters body which is destroyed from trucking.  If I could make any money out here or if Mx paid anything. I would b racing pro ams. 

Why would the guy disadvantage himself so badly on a 125, specialist or not given the display the 450's put on over the 250's at the last race?

I truly don't get you 2 stroke guys any more. The myth that a good rider can win on a 2 stroke is long past its use-by date by now surely? 

I like 2 strokes, I used to road race in our 250 Production series on NSR's, RGV's and Aprilias. But a racer is a racer, not someone who will jeopardise results simply to follow a dream with a romanticised bike type.

and if ANYONE is a racer, its Mike Brown.

9
Ob917
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8/1/2023 8:39pm

Bad mofo and a nice guy on top of that

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8/1/2023 9:13pm

Wonder if it would be better for him at southwick to try and qualify. Put in a fast lap with B/C and hope the track slows down for A. 

1
brocster
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8/1/2023 9:20pm
brocster wrote:
Keefer holeshot, Brown caught and passed him pretty easily on the first lap. Keefer tried to keep pace but dumped it in a corner. Emig got...

Keefer holeshot, Brown caught and passed him pretty easily on the first lap. Keefer tried to keep pace but dumped it in a corner. Emig got a bad start and worked his way up and passed Keefer late in the race. Pretty sure Brown was on the podium with bike on the stand and helmet off before Emig crossed in second. 
 Brown could qualify, he’d be deep but he could make the top 40. He’d finish better than he’d qualify b/c he’s an animal and can push the whole 30 + 2. 

mb60 wrote:

That was plus 40. 

My bad. Didn’t realize 50+ raced today and Emig got the win. Brown with an egged wheel explains it as I said above it’s clearly visible Brown has his classes covered by quite some time based on the race I watched earlier today. 

brettmx
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8/1/2023 9:23pm

52 is the next 34 with the right "training program+extra pint of blood". He's only gotta put down one blistering lap to make the field.  "I ain't as good once was.  But I'm as good once, as I ever was"  I was wondering what Terry Fowler was up to awhile back and came across this gem of interview. I don't remember him being this funny.  Go to the 9:45 mark about him qualifying for the Glen Helen National at age 40. It's pretty funny.  https://racerxonline.com/2021/02/10/fly-racing-racer-x-podcast-terry-fo…

1
8/1/2023 9:32pm

I seem to recall that there used to be an upper age limit of 50 on Pro-class entries.  That seems to be gone now (as a nod to anti-ageism, I guess), and the AMA has quite a list of eligibility qualifications for someone to enter a National.  The list closes at 90 names, and to get there they pick based on these standards:

"e. Entries will be accepted in the following order until the class is full:

i. After the first event has been completed, riders earning championship points in 2023 in either the 450 or 250 class.

ii. Riders finishing the 2022 Motocross season in the top 45 of either the 450 or 250 Championship.

iii. Riders earning any points during the 2022 Motocross season in either the 450 or 250 class.

iv. Former National Motocross or FIM World Motocross Champions in the past 10 years.

v. Foreign riders earning at least one point in an FIM-affiliated professional motocross series in the current or previous year.

vi. Riders finishing in the Top 10 in a Pro Sport class at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in 2023.

vii. For all other riders, the date on which the entry is received (via online) will determine the order of acceptance.

viii. AMA Pro Racing reserves the right in its sole discretion to accept entries of riders who do not meet the above criteria."

 

I guess Mike will look at e(vi) as I presume his National Champ status described in e(iv) has expired.  On the other hand, the AMA gives itself full latitude to let anyone in via e(viii), so you never know.  Assuming he uses the Pro-Sport Amateur qualifier next year, these standards would mean his entry is accepted, but he would still have to qualify via timing or the consolation race, and there are only 30 spots left as the top 10 in the current series are guaranteed a spot, I believe.

On the other hand, Mike did very well in the Canadian Nat'ls a short few years ago, so he's already put the icing on the cake in terms of old-guy career success.

It's too bad the AMA has homologation and age limits on bike eligibility, as it would be pretty cool to see Mike qualify on the Husky he rode at Farleigh Castle:

e7fdf56fe75faf98169dc75ecc4f7d11

 

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Phillip_Lamb
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8/1/2023 10:08pm
WDSRCR wrote:

I thought it was Dowd at 36 (?) but I'm sure I'm mistaken??

 

davis224 wrote:

I think he was 43 when he podiumed in 09, not sure how much longer he raced/qualified after that.

Down retired in 05 @36 and podiumed in 09 at age 40. His last race was Southwick 2013 at age 44 and he scored 2 pts

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-MAVERICK-
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8/1/2023 10:21pm
WDSRCR wrote:

I thought it was Dowd at 36 (?) but I'm sure I'm mistaken??

 

davis224 wrote:

I think he was 43 when he podiumed in 09, not sure how much longer he raced/qualified after that.

Down retired in 05 @36 and podiumed in 09 at age 40. His last race was Southwick 2013 at age 44 and he scored 2 pts

Dowd was 44 when he podiumed Southwick in 2009. He last scored 2 points by finishing 19th in the second moto at Southwick in 2013 at age 47.  

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Richy
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8/1/2023 11:59pm Edited Date/Time 8/2/2023 12:00am
I seem to recall that there used to be an upper age limit of 50 on Pro-class entries.  That seems to be gone now (as a...

I seem to recall that there used to be an upper age limit of 50 on Pro-class entries.  That seems to be gone now (as a nod to anti-ageism, I guess), and the AMA has quite a list of eligibility qualifications for someone to enter a National.  The list closes at 90 names, and to get there they pick based on these standards:

"e. Entries will be accepted in the following order until the class is full:

i. After the first event has been completed, riders earning championship points in 2023 in either the 450 or 250 class.

ii. Riders finishing the 2022 Motocross season in the top 45 of either the 450 or 250 Championship.

iii. Riders earning any points during the 2022 Motocross season in either the 450 or 250 class.

iv. Former National Motocross or FIM World Motocross Champions in the past 10 years.

v. Foreign riders earning at least one point in an FIM-affiliated professional motocross series in the current or previous year.

vi. Riders finishing in the Top 10 in a Pro Sport class at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in 2023.

vii. For all other riders, the date on which the entry is received (via online) will determine the order of acceptance.

viii. AMA Pro Racing reserves the right in its sole discretion to accept entries of riders who do not meet the above criteria."

 

I guess Mike will look at e(vi) as I presume his National Champ status described in e(iv) has expired.  On the other hand, the AMA gives itself full latitude to let anyone in via e(viii), so you never know.  Assuming he uses the Pro-Sport Amateur qualifier next year, these standards would mean his entry is accepted, but he would still have to qualify via timing or the consolation race, and there are only 30 spots left as the top 10 in the current series are guaranteed a spot, I believe.

On the other hand, Mike did very well in the Canadian Nat'ls a short few years ago, so he's already put the icing on the cake in terms of old-guy career success.

It's too bad the AMA has homologation and age limits on bike eligibility, as it would be pretty cool to see Mike qualify on the Husky he rode at Farleigh Castle:

e7fdf56fe75faf98169dc75ecc4f7d11

 

I reckon if you stepped forward in time a little, say to the DocWob built steelie YZ250 from Foxhill last year, he would absolutely put it into a present day National.

On that note, I seriously can't wait for VMXdN Foxhill again this year... I'll say it again, and everyone here already knows it, Brownie is a beast, guy rides like he's 28 or something. Super experienced but still with the killer instinct and supreme fitness.

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7eleven
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8/2/2023 5:06am

Brownie will still need to ride/train out of his comfort zone to get ready for a Nat. At 50+, he will have to manage his risk in that speed block of training and that’s where it’s easy to pick up an injury. 
It’ll be a substantial mental effort to pull it off and if anyone is capable, it’s Brown. 
 

Good luck, man!

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5
8/2/2023 5:20am
The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125...

The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125 specialist he should do it on a 125.  It’s rare that a 50+ person hangs onto there athletic ability.  I,m 56 3/4 born with a sprinters body which is destroyed from trucking.  If I could make any money out here or if Mx paid anything. I would b racing pro ams. 

The 21-40th National riders aren't that fast huh? I know it's your thing to comment nonsensical shit but this is hall of fame. 

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2
8/2/2023 5:22am
mxnick wrote:
Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the...

Keefer tried a few times in the past few years - I want to say at least twice and maybe 3 times, but was off the pace and didn’t make it. 
 

it’s harder then most think to make the show. 

The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125...

The 21-40th natl riders really ain,t that fast. They get smoked by locals  at the pro ams, going 7,4.  Mike would qualify. Brown is a 125 specialist he should do it on a 125.  It’s rare that a 50+ person hangs onto there athletic ability.  I,m 56 3/4 born with a sprinters body which is destroyed from trucking.  If I could make any money out here or if Mx paid anything. I would b racing pro ams. 

Madkiwi wrote:
Why would the guy disadvantage himself so badly on a 125, specialist or not given the display the 450's put on over the 250's at the...

Why would the guy disadvantage himself so badly on a 125, specialist or not given the display the 450's put on over the 250's at the last race?

I truly don't get you 2 stroke guys any more. The myth that a good rider can win on a 2 stroke is long past its use-by date by now surely? 

I like 2 strokes, I used to road race in our 250 Production series on NSR's, RGV's and Aprilias. But a racer is a racer, not someone who will jeopardise results simply to follow a dream with a romanticised bike type.

and if ANYONE is a racer, its Mike Brown.

So the qualifying on a 125 thing is was puzzled you and not his first assertion that past 20th place they really aren't fast?

1
resetjet
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8/2/2023 6:01am
Richy wrote:
Brownie is a beast... If he wants to do it, not much is gonna stop him is it. Depends a lot on the competition at the...

Brownie is a beast... If he wants to do it, not much is gonna stop him is it.

Depends a lot on the competition at the time and the track he picks I guess, but where do you folks see him for the overall?

Surprised he doesn't want to jump in this year to get even further up the list. Is there much AMA / Pro Motocross red tape or just prior commitments / scheduling or plain doesn't want to yet?

I imagine it would take alot of prep for him to qualify.  It would be a wasted effort this year.  Plus he would have to dispense with LL.

1

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