What a ripoff victory sports has become.

I thought the rant was over? I guess not…

Yeah love the track but its a haul for us and pretty much the same issue. Between the drive and fees vs the actual amount of time on the track wasnt worth the haul..

It sure looks pretty, though. 

And that’s still 1/3 of what road racing would be.

50$ for a day at a prepped awesome track is the going rate ….I don’t get the per class charge, should be enough rotation to get good riding in one class? Having a good pit or trespassing spot like we did years ago was priceless…. No equipment, no watering unless it rained. Track looks mint, it could have been a rut o cross track like many have become… 

Ohhhhh I missed that part, a gate fee for a practice day is unusual!

Yep this is what killed local racing. Used to be if you wanted to ride a prepped track you had to go race. No track was open on an “off weekend” and the tracks didn’t have their own series so each track had at most one race a month…now if a track doesn’t have a race they have an open practice, or maybe they don’t even hold races just practices. Customers can get their fill of riding without racing, and be home after 3-4 hours at the track. Great for the consumer but detrimental to local racing 

Local race promoters killed local racing.

One word: off-road 

Almost completely done with moto. Ratio of money to seat time is much more off-road. Central Texas off road race yesterday was absolutely packed with riders of all ages and skill level. Though it is hell on motorcycles. 

Truth….like most Mx”ers, don’t like killing your bike in the mud & rocks…. Off road guys love that shit😂

$20 for a spectator (spouse) on a practice day is lame. I’m sure track owners are getting squeezed with high operating prices like the rest of the world but still

That is unacceptable…I would not go back for that….This is the MX-Sports model…. 

Thats the reason why I gave up this hobby. If you sit back and reflect and start to compare seat time to traveltime, fees, fuel etc. 
You realise how broke you are just for a few minutes of fun (damn this sounds depressing sorry)

Definitely best bang for buck….

I paid $60 yesterday and rode 2 hours 10 minutes in mostly bottomless sand.  That last lap was definitely sketchy. 

It’s hard on them cosmetically but I figured Moto was harder on engines. 
 

Editing to add that a 2 hour xc race is roughly equivalent in time to 10 10 minute motos which could be 5 mx race weekends. 

If I had a track within an hour of my house that was open today, I’d be happy to pay $50 to ride my dirt bike.

The sad part, is even with charging that much, when you add up the liability ( every person on the property, not just the riders, is a possible lawsuit , and the “ I want to come to your property to do something fun and dangerous, but if I get hurt, it’s your fault “ mentality is to blame ) , cost of the equipment, fuel, interest on equipment and ground ( even if it’s paid off, what that money could be earning elsewhere ) , and their time and effort,  they probably aren’t killing it like you think. 

Back when a new bike cost 1500-2000, it would cost about $20 to go race, with gate and entry, now bikes are $10 grand. So it’s about on par. 

And remember, if they don’t make money, why do it. 

It’s the reason I bought a mountain bike and it’ll be the reason the dirtbike goes if it does. Here in the south it’s usually about $30 to ride a prepped track. If it goes up any more I’m not going to be able to justify it anymore. I’m sure we’re paying over $10 a minute some weeks for our “fun”. 

Don't blame the track owners. It's the cost we pay for your 401K never going down. Silly bankers...

Bottom line-it costs what it costs, and very few are getting rich at the local level for any of the stakeholders. We do it because we love it and if you start to calculate the cost per minute of fun or how much you spent on bikes or travel over the years then get out now. It's not logical-riding and racing a dirt bike isn't logical, but I have yet to find anything else as exciting or fun to do, and I'm 61 and started riding when I was 8. We should all be glad that there are still places to ride because those are getting scarce. 

Use Starbucks economics when thinking about your expenses. 2 Venti lattes is close to paying your gate fee. I mean, what are we talking about here? When I can't justify it any longer then I will sell everything and go full mountain bike. I'm not there yet. I love going out to a practice day, riding till I don't want to, shoot the shit with some buddies, get some fresh air, have a beer, and I'm good Bro. I will drive home fully satiated. 

You are correct… It’s a tough business. Most track owners work very hard and many do it for love of the sport. I have been involved with private tracks and even a private track is a PITA…. 

Is that gate fee not for both days, and you get half back if you are not coming back for the second day?

In all regards, moto is still a very inexpensive form of racing - riding. Yes bike costs are high, fuel, gates fees and the vehicle we drive to get there. Look at the hourly wage now compared to when a bike was 1400 bucks and it's all relative as much as we don't like it. Bents was spot on when he stated " There is nothing as exciting or fun to do"