What Happened to Local Racing - Vurbmoto Fail

motofab36
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Cowden, IL US
8/28/2024 10:14am
motofab36 wrote:
Just curious what the thoughts are from any of you who race the Thor showdown series at Lincoln Trail in Illinois? They have really grown that...

Just curious what the thoughts are from any of you who race the Thor showdown series at Lincoln Trail in Illinois? They have really grown that series to the point of averaging 800 entries every round while I constantly hear of low turnouts and tracks closing across the nation. The track was just purchased by Jace Owen who from what I hear plans to keep the racing going and growing, but also start a training facilty there.

LT lost my entry when they started doing 1 moto on Saturday and moto 2 on Sunday. Last event I raced there was in the spring...

LT lost my entry when they started doing 1 moto on Saturday and moto 2 on Sunday. Last event I raced there was in the spring of this year. I can go to wildcat creek and race a modern bike at the vet event and be home by 4 pm same day. 

They have tried a few different formats to try and accommodate that many riders. What seems to work the best is run practice until noon on saturday then they start racing I believe its 6 or 8 classes both motos saturday afternoon, then all other classes run both motos on sunday. If you are in the sunday classes you could just show up for that. Im old school, I say do away with so much practice time and start the racing saturday morning. In the old days we were lucky to get a couple laps to see the track and then it was gate drops.

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davis224
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8/28/2024 10:23am
motofab36 wrote:
Just curious what the thoughts are from any of you who race the Thor showdown series at Lincoln Trail in Illinois? They have really grown that...

Just curious what the thoughts are from any of you who race the Thor showdown series at Lincoln Trail in Illinois? They have really grown that series to the point of averaging 800 entries every round while I constantly hear of low turnouts and tracks closing across the nation. The track was just purchased by Jace Owen who from what I hear plans to keep the racing going and growing, but also start a training facilty there.

mx317 wrote:
I love Casey MX (LTM)! I think they prep a little too deep on the classic track and it lost a little of it's former feel...

I love Casey MX (LTM)! I think they prep a little too deep on the classic track and it lost a little of it's former feel, but it's a first-class place.

Make the classic track classic again! In my opinion, they can keep ripping the bomber deep, and prep the classic a little shallower and build the jumps back up. The uphill whoops are nowhere near what they used to be, and the jumps leading up to and out of the bowl turn are way too small for how fast that section is.

The one race I did on the classic last year was ridiculously rutted, felt pretty overkill for a local race to have 12 ruts all the way across the track on the straight before the downhill triple.

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davis224
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8/28/2024 10:27am
motofab36 wrote:
Just curious what the thoughts are from any of you who race the Thor showdown series at Lincoln Trail in Illinois? They have really grown that...

Just curious what the thoughts are from any of you who race the Thor showdown series at Lincoln Trail in Illinois? They have really grown that series to the point of averaging 800 entries every round while I constantly hear of low turnouts and tracks closing across the nation. The track was just purchased by Jace Owen who from what I hear plans to keep the racing going and growing, but also start a training facilty there.

LT lost my entry when they started doing 1 moto on Saturday and moto 2 on Sunday. Last event I raced there was in the spring...

LT lost my entry when they started doing 1 moto on Saturday and moto 2 on Sunday. Last event I raced there was in the spring of this year. I can go to wildcat creek and race a modern bike at the vet event and be home by 4 pm same day. 

Most races are still both motos on Sunday, just memorial day weekend and labor day weekend to my knowledge are the longer motos/1 moto per day format. Still not gonna wait around all day for 2 days to race though.

motofab36
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Cowden, IL US
8/28/2024 10:30am
davis224 wrote:
Make the classic track classic again! In my opinion, they can keep ripping the bomber deep, and prep the classic a little shallower and build the...

Make the classic track classic again! In my opinion, they can keep ripping the bomber deep, and prep the classic a little shallower and build the jumps back up. The uphill whoops are nowhere near what they used to be, and the jumps leading up to and out of the bowl turn are way too small for how fast that section is.

The one race I did on the classic last year was ridiculously rutted, felt pretty overkill for a local race to have 12 ruts all the way across the track on the straight before the downhill triple.

Yeah its definitely different and more mellow. I would not want to be in their shoes as far as trying to make everyone happy. Everyone has a opinion and you cant please them all unfortunately. 

1

The Shop

davis224
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8/28/2024 10:45am
davis224 wrote:
Make the classic track classic again! In my opinion, they can keep ripping the bomber deep, and prep the classic a little shallower and build the...

Make the classic track classic again! In my opinion, they can keep ripping the bomber deep, and prep the classic a little shallower and build the jumps back up. The uphill whoops are nowhere near what they used to be, and the jumps leading up to and out of the bowl turn are way too small for how fast that section is.

The one race I did on the classic last year was ridiculously rutted, felt pretty overkill for a local race to have 12 ruts all the way across the track on the straight before the downhill triple.

motofab36 wrote:
Yeah its definitely different and more mellow. I would not want to be in their shoes as far as trying to make everyone happy. Everyone has...

Yeah its definitely different and more mellow. I would not want to be in their shoes as far as trying to make everyone happy. Everyone has a opinion and you cant please them all unfortunately. 

Yea, I understand they get a lot of day riders on the classic track, so I get not making the whoops super big, but those jumps are dangerous in my opinion being that small but steep, you come flying out of the woods and have to coast/hit the brakes over the jump to not get sent to the moon, they could extend the landings further out and still be mellow.

All that being said, it's still a kickass facility. Always been my favorite place.

8/28/2024 11:02am Edited Date/Time 8/28/2024 11:08am
If I have $5,000 to spend on racing a year. I would rather race 3 big am nationals a year than 30 local races. It just...

If I have $5,000 to spend on racing a year. I would rather race 3 big am nationals a year than 30 local races. It just is what it is. Even if you don’t make Loretta’s they have 6-7 big nationals with full gates that are a blast and have a lot of competition. It’s just the way the sport has developed. 

Why is this? Are you trying to become a professional? Serious question. 

 

Would you race locally if there were full gates?

No why would trying be a professional matter? I like going to big events because I get to race better competition and ride with people I don’t ride with often. I do this for fun and local races are fun, but the big am nationals have better tracks, better competition, and typically offer longer motos.


I would definitely be more willing to race locally if more competition showed up, but it’s still fun to show up and race people from all over the country compared to just your area. 

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gharmon
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Valley, AL US
8/28/2024 11:13am
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

Sure did! Always got excited when Vurb would drop their new vid or photo dump from a big amatuer race. 

My oldest will be 35 Sunday, the youngest 33 November so dead on for us. My memory old but wasn't it Goat Creations that changed to Vurb or the kid (is it West) that ran goat left for Vurb?  Then burn left the scene and came back right? Same people there now?

NITRODOG
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TEMECULA, CA US
8/28/2024 11:38am
Have you guys ever listened to someone ramble on about something and in that time span say absolutely nothing of importance at all? After watching the...

Have you guys ever listened to someone ramble on about something and in that time span say absolutely nothing of importance at all? After watching the video Vurbmoto released called, "What Happened to Local Motocross Racing," I can't help but feel they completely failed at addressing why so many people are not opting to go race every weekend. Their main argument was that training facilities are the cause of so many not racing anymore while also promoting training facilities at the same time. Having someone say training facilities are bad, but owning a training facility and saying they can replicate race days while showing mostly footage of people at training facilities is confusing. Either they are bad and hurting the sport or they are good and helping. Very grey area. Repeatedly they argue that you need to go racing because gate drops are everything and that's the only way you get better. Not once did they address the cost of racing versus the amount of track time you actually get or the absolute litany of classes nowadays to ensure everyone gets a trophy. After watching this I really feel they missed the mark and really didn't dive in on the real reasons people aren't racing. What do you guys think? 

Here's the link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-I9hOHX-q0 

It is basically just a 12 minute infomercial for Vurb Moto.  Go to 9:44 of the video.  

CC268
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Surprise, AZ US
8/28/2024 11:54am
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

I used to love Vurb. Grew up on it. Really miss watching their awesome videos on all the amateur races. It's really how I used to keep up with all the amateurs coming up. Nostalgia hits me hard sometimes 🥲

BoxcarWilly
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Thunder Bay, ON CA
8/28/2024 12:07pm
No why would trying be a professional matter? I like going to big events because I get to race better competition and ride with people I...

No why would trying be a professional matter? I like going to big events because I get to race better competition and ride with people I don’t ride with often. I do this for fun and local races are fun, but the big am nationals have better tracks, better competition, and typically offer longer motos.


I would definitely be more willing to race locally if more competition showed up, but it’s still fun to show up and race people from all over the country compared to just your area. 

Genuinely curious is all. I race primarily off-road, both locally, regionally and nationally. Of course I like the national level races, but I find just as much enjoyment in the local stuff too. I ask about professional racing because in my mind there should be competition in any class unless you're maxxing out in an A class, but maybe turnouts just aren't good enough to have decent gate drops in each class (Vet age groups etc.) The track comments make sense, bigger races = bigger budgets = better programs. 

8/28/2024 1:56pm
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

I haven’t seen much talk on this but I’m glad to see someone share the same thoughts. So many of those videos are like my generations Terrafirma’s and their relaunch absolutely bombed. I can’t stand when the Vurb bros are in studio on Pulp, they radiate the same energy nowadays as Rutledge Wood. 

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1
Brad460
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8/28/2024 3:38pm Edited Date/Time 8/28/2024 3:38pm
bpaderta wrote:

The fees are too high for the amount of riding you get and the day is too long.

Race days have always been long- and you could make the argument there are more opportunities (classes) to race now. Back when I was 17..18..19 could only race 125A or B or C..now days you can also race 16-24..etc. 

Nice thing about being a vet is that I can sign up for 2 or 3 classes, race the first motos, one or two of the second motos then leave. 

What sometimes deters me from racing—I arrive at Aztalan at 6am (when the gates first open) and there is no where to park because the pits are stuffed with toy haulers and RVs..

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8/28/2024 4:11pm
bpaderta wrote:

The fees are too high for the amount of riding you get and the day is too long.

JazzyJJ wrote:

This. Go sit around while they run 12324 kids classes, then get 12 minutes once you're finally called to the gate 

This seems to be the majority of reasons why decline for my area specifically to the vet classes. 

NicNak
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Palm Desert, CA US
8/28/2024 4:20pm

The other week when LTM had their big race my brother & several friends were there & I was at GH for swap moto. 

The first moto of the day started at the same time, LTM is 2 hours ahead though so like uhhhh. 

Also I finished all my moto’s & was almost home & LTM was still racing ( swap was done). Running 8 classes the day before & racing til 6-7-8 is insane. Huhhhhhh.  ALSO swap had a 30 minute delay for a broken water line before practice even started. 

Also they run 4 laps, sometimes 3 if they run outta time. At a 1:40 lap time..GH had 2:20 lap times ran us 6 laps which was short compared to the 20’s we normally run in the expert level classes. Think they shortened it because of the heat not because of time.


People hate on Cali all they want but they know how to run a race program for sureeee. I’ve never seen ran a moto with the sun going down on a Sunday night in Cali but that was the normal growing up in the Midwest. 

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hbdesigns913
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Danville, IN US
8/28/2024 5:24pm
motofab36 wrote:
They have tried a few different formats to try and accommodate that many riders. What seems to work the best is run practice until noon on...

They have tried a few different formats to try and accommodate that many riders. What seems to work the best is run practice until noon on saturday then they start racing I believe its 6 or 8 classes both motos saturday afternoon, then all other classes run both motos on sunday. If you are in the sunday classes you could just show up for that. Im old school, I say do away with so much practice time and start the racing saturday morning. In the old days we were lucky to get a couple laps to see the track and then it was gate drops.

That’s good to know. I try and do all the prepped practices they have when I’m not out of town doing the drag racing thing. Some races I have done they had something like 1000 entries. I know it will never be perfect. One thing that really doesn’t make sense is why the 50s run the bomber. That cannot be fun. Ruts up to the gas tank. Run the 50s on the classic track. 

Sandusky26
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8/29/2024 1:15am
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

The entire goal in life was to make it on a Vurb video.

 

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8/29/2024 1:46am Edited Date/Time 8/29/2024 1:48am

Say it all the time. Kids racing fucked the sport.

Let them race but not at the expense of Adults. Theyll have their time to ‘Adult’. 

Moto-parents are mental! 99.9% of your little champions in the making are never going to make a dime racing. 

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2
8/29/2024 2:45am
Say it all the time. Kids racing fucked the sport.Let them race but not at the expense of Adults. Theyll have their time to ‘Adult’. Moto-parents are...

Say it all the time. Kids racing fucked the sport.

Let them race but not at the expense of Adults. Theyll have their time to ‘Adult’. 

Moto-parents are mental! 99.9% of your little champions in the making are never going to make a dime racing. 

All the money is in kid’s sports. 

Easy to offload new and better every year to mental parents with cash and unfulfilled dreams. 

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Mx391
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y, TN US
8/29/2024 6:43am
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

Rickyisms wrote:
I haven’t seen much talk on this but I’m glad to see someone share the same thoughts. So many of those videos are like my generations...

I haven’t seen much talk on this but I’m glad to see someone share the same thoughts. So many of those videos are like my generations Terrafirma’s and their relaunch absolutely bombed. I can’t stand when the Vurb bros are in studio on Pulp, they radiate the same energy nowadays as Rutledge Wood. 

I hate to be a hater but yall hit the nail on the head. Hate how they try so hard to be funny and its not funny at all. wtf is up with that troydog crap.

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1
joshd
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Lucedale, MS US
8/29/2024 6:47am
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

Rickyisms wrote:
I haven’t seen much talk on this but I’m glad to see someone share the same thoughts. So many of those videos are like my generations...

I haven’t seen much talk on this but I’m glad to see someone share the same thoughts. So many of those videos are like my generations Terrafirma’s and their relaunch absolutely bombed. I can’t stand when the Vurb bros are in studio on Pulp, they radiate the same energy nowadays as Rutledge Wood. 

Mx391 wrote:
I hate to be a hater but yall hit the nail on the head. Hate how they try so hard to be funny and its not...

I hate to be a hater but yall hit the nail on the head. Hate how they try so hard to be funny and its not funny at all. wtf is up with that troydog crap.

Guess I better pile on as well. I loved the old vurb. This new Vurb not so much. 

4
sam hain
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TN US
8/29/2024 7:03am
gharmon wrote:
My oldest will be 35 Sunday, the youngest 33 November so dead on for us. My memory old but wasn't it Goat Creations that changed to...

My oldest will be 35 Sunday, the youngest 33 November so dead on for us. My memory old but wasn't it Goat Creations that changed to Vurb or the kid (is it West) that ran goat left for Vurb?  Then burn left the scene and came back right? Same people there now?

Yeah Wes is the guys name that did goat kreations back in day. A buddy of mine that I used to race mx with was good friends with Wes, I saw him several times at area LL qualifiers with his camera when he was just starting out. He's done well for himself, I think at one time (maybe still) he worked for RacerX. He's filmed a lot of the supercross documentaries they showed on TV during intermission. He's rubbed elbows with some of the sports GOAT's for sure. 

Kanewel433
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Summerville, SC US
8/29/2024 10:27am

I'm baffled by how much disdain there seems to be for the Vurb guys.  Wes is the man, their media content has always been terrific, and the Vurb classics are super fun.  My whole family has Vurb merch,  and we'll be supporters forever.  

6
5
8/29/2024 11:07am
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

Sandusky26 wrote:
The entire goal in life was to make it on a Vurb video. 

The entire goal in life was to make it on a Vurb video.

 

My buddy actually got to run their Helmet cam around 2012 at a LL qualifier. He saw them in the pits and just told them he was a huge fan and a few hours later when he was on the gate one of the Vurb guys ran up and slammed a GoPro on his helmet like a minute before the gate drop. 

1
Sandusky26
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Eastern, NC US
8/29/2024 12:12pm
I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the...

I’m sure plenty of guys on here like me age 25-35 grew up with Vurb being such a big deal in the moto industry for the youth. But man they are a disgrace to that memory now. They should’ve came back with a new name, new brand, cuz this “new” vurb has sucked since they came back. Their events suck, their podcasts suck, new videos suck. Literally the only good content they’ve put out since the return is the reuploads of content from the early 2000s. “Shouldda stayed dead.”

Sandusky26 wrote:
The entire goal in life was to make it on a Vurb video. 

The entire goal in life was to make it on a Vurb video.

 

Rickyisms wrote:
My buddy actually got to run their Helmet cam around 2012 at a LL qualifier. He saw them in the pits and just told them he...

My buddy actually got to run their Helmet cam around 2012 at a LL qualifier. He saw them in the pits and just told them he was a huge fan and a few hours later when he was on the gate one of the Vurb guys ran up and slammed a GoPro on his helmet like a minute before the gate drop. 

That's badass. Wes interviewed my dumbass one time but I don't think it ever made a video. My claim to fame is the Malcolm Stewart Mini Os 2008. My Mom was proud.

1
8/29/2024 12:48pm

I don’t think amateur racing is as broken as many say it is. However I do think it could be improved. Run it like a Loretta qualifier, mostly kids and such Saturday and the rest Sunday, Longer motos etc.

1
8/29/2024 12:59pm
Say it all the time. Kids racing fucked the sport.Let them race but not at the expense of Adults. Theyll have their time to ‘Adult’. Moto-parents are...

Say it all the time. Kids racing fucked the sport.

Let them race but not at the expense of Adults. Theyll have their time to ‘Adult’. 

Moto-parents are mental! 99.9% of your little champions in the making are never going to make a dime racing. 

Wow, talk about ass backwards 

5
geeZ177
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Western NY area, NY US
8/29/2024 1:29pm

To me its not so much about cost vs. Ride time ratio. BUT the days are just too long. Need to cut classes. That or need to do, say all 50cc and vet classes on Saturday then all other classes Sunday. Man I would love to race Saturday and have all Sunday to clean stuff and get read  for work on Monday.

2
Johnny Ringo
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Tombstone, AZ US
8/29/2024 1:31pm

I did a hare scramble recently. Showed up at 12, raced at 1 (for 2 hours), loaded up and was home at 5. 

Local motocross is clapped. 

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3
8/29/2024 4:11pm

I did a hare scramble recently. Showed up at 12, raced at 1 (for 2 hours), loaded up and was home at 5. 

Local motocross is clapped. 

Cooked*

8/29/2024 7:31pm
Have you guys ever listened to someone ramble on about something and in that time span say absolutely nothing of importance at all? After watching the...

Have you guys ever listened to someone ramble on about something and in that time span say absolutely nothing of importance at all? After watching the video Vurbmoto released called, "What Happened to Local Motocross Racing," I can't help but feel they completely failed at addressing why so many people are not opting to go race every weekend. Their main argument was that training facilities are the cause of so many not racing anymore while also promoting training facilities at the same time. Having someone say training facilities are bad, but owning a training facility and saying they can replicate race days while showing mostly footage of people at training facilities is confusing. Either they are bad and hurting the sport or they are good and helping. Very grey area. Repeatedly they argue that you need to go racing because gate drops are everything and that's the only way you get better. Not once did they address the cost of racing versus the amount of track time you actually get or the absolute litany of classes nowadays to ensure everyone gets a trophy. After watching this I really feel they missed the mark and really didn't dive in on the real reasons people aren't racing. What do you guys think? 

Here's the link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-I9hOHX-q0 

davis224 wrote:
I didn't watch the whole thing, but got a bit of irony after seeing the clip on instagram when they just had an event at LTM...

I didn't watch the whole thing, but got a bit of irony after seeing the clip on instagram when they just had an event at LTM, a place with huge turnouts and is about to become part training facility.

Yeah didn’t Ltm hv 1,300 + again this yr.  Vid is more of a infomercial for Walkers training camp.  I think the track turnout is big because of the location.  5 states can travel there easily. And more if you want to race against more competition. 

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