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Didn't realize you knew so much about me to make a claim like this. I said I had a string of concussions when I was a kid, not that I had concussion problems. You are assuming it would put me and my family in a bind without having a single clue about my finances. That's a big reason why it's taken me this long to go for it, because I can finally afford to. And no upside but my own hubris? Is that how you view anyone that has the initiative to go after their dream when most people are too scared to even try? You must be a hoot to hang out with lol
Let me know when you attempt to qualify, I shall try my best to attend . I’ll take a few crappy pics, maybe spray some chain lube for ya, offer some inspirational quotes, no help with tire changes or any serious 4 stroke mechanical issues. I’ll encourage, be there with water as you exit the track and tell ya “good job”. That’s it.
"Mid-life crisis at 33"? TF am I even reading? You think most people die at 66?... I'm 36, as soon as I'm able to afford it, I'm getting a bike again. No hesitation. Just do it.
Dowd won his first national at Hangtown when he was 25
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I'll take you up on that. If I can get there I'll get you a pit pass so you can hang out. I can tell you'll bring positive vibes and that's enough for me!
Rare pic Jeff Glass, Emig, Larocco, Donny Schmidt . You had one a few days ago of Dustin Pulley Indiana fast guys moved to Wi. Married a nice gal . He got 4th in 25+ the yr Reynard won. He raced a yz250 . There’s vids of Pine ridge on yt the Pa,s are older . When snowcross was big the team riders raced local & Pa,s. One bro had legs like a oak tree crazy strong on the bike. Aztalan pa,s on there late in practice the riders are throw down all there speed. Do Not try a expimental line at that time. I tried a sweep wide in the slick in 4th to a step up tunnel whipped it sideways . I hear a 125 screaming & bam hit sideways & Hoffmaster rode threw me . Not his fault & not mine I just lost too much speed . Stay on the narrow Tacky line. Slow to pro on yt that guy has 3-4 pa rnds he works with AJ now. Sunset ridge overtime they,ve had some hvy hitters Kessler from Nj. When he was hot too many names Janik last yr got 2nd remember he was the last rider to beat Deegan on a super mini. Chad Johnson went 1-1 in 450a at a Pa last yr he’s about 40. But he’s a awesome sand rider 4th st Daytona sx, 2-3 AX titles . I follow the pro ams I think it’s the best pro racing in America now. Riders from across the country to locals a 125 hot shot that moved up to a 250f , crafty vet riders. Usually 8 laps so sprint speed is important.
No shit?
After watching Rory in tons of videos (like Moto the Movie) I bumped into him at the MXdN at Red Bud in 18. Chatted for a bit, super cool dude.
Had this conversation 8 months ago with an old wrestling friend. He hung it up 4 years ago after a great career. Multiple championship D1 runner ups, hundreds of wins, then hit the international stage and racked up wins and twice an Olympic alternative for free and greco but was never quite at the peak of the sport. Also a few out there chasing the moto dream to.
Thought about coming back having regret and burn out from doing it since he was 4( sound familiar). People dont realize the only season as long as moto is wrestling. Your never really done for the year when you're at his level. But not really sure if it was the right move.
Here's my opinon. When you want to do something at an elite level like this. Do it, do it for as long and as hard as you can, because one day your gonna wake up and want to do it and it will have passed you by. You wont get to scratch that itch and even if you try it wont feel good. Like life once its done its done.
Dude busted ass went out and one his class at the Vegas nationals and now he's full swing again and loving life, coaching and training at a really good school again, not that coaching at Stanford and some other elite school was a bad gig in the past.
As nike once said just do it.
Plan sounds good. I think you are going to get out there and be surprised and shocked at how fast those guys go. Don't make a whole announcement about it if you are going to do it. Put yourself in a position to pull out if you feel out of touch....you don't want a whole crew with you. Do it on the down low and report back
And was on the podium at Southwick in 2009...... Age 44.
I agree.
If you have a history of crashing when young at pro speed its not just going away.
Only way you avoid that is typically keeping speed and intensity to non professional level.
Go for it man, I tried to qualify for Troy when I was 32 and I'm a pro flattracker by trade. Twist the grip off it!
Nah I'm with you. That's one reason I haven't offered my name in this post anywhere. I didn't make it for attention as much as I guess to get it off my chest and read the room. Few weird replies but mostly been positive but I'm also leaving my way an out if needed
A lot of assumption going on... We're talking about a bad year I had over 20 years ago. At no point have I said I had a crashing problem or that I have concussion problems. I got 3 concussions within a year while still racing 65s, two of which were mostly out of my control, and my dad made the proper decision to find something else to do. I then spent the next 15 years becoming a successful road racer and learning a shit ton about riding motorcycles that has transferred back to dirt over the years getting me to a level I was never at before. I think the few people trying to discourage me from this are just feeding the fire lol
Hell yeah! I have flat track aspirations later on when I cross this off my list 😅 I've spent a decent amount of time in Pensacola riding with some fast guys and they made me fall in love with it lol
That why the "if" is there. If you don't have it great. Just based on your first post and I think all the advises is a bit rushed without having that info.
I know of 3 pros whereof one close that retired because they couldn't get rid of the symptoms after last crash. 1.5 year ago for him. Its no joke.
Pit Row
As an old guy that said screw it, I’m going all in one more time- it was absolutely worth it. Did some stuff on a bike I never felt comfortable with before and was more in tune with my setup than ever. It was an awesome experience.
Do it, give it all, and never look back in regret
But how will he be able to impress the likes of Red Bull Factory KTM when Decoster is scouting him at the track, or Mitch at PC gives him a tryout?
He needs all the pressure he can take on right now. If he can’t take his friends watching him, how will he take on the likes of the top MX/SX team managers???
For the record, I hope you achieve this goal!
Just wondering if this means you have been racing MX all along? Your first post was confusing because it sounded like you stopped when you were a kid but then you talked about a local guy that you always smoked, were you talking about 20ish years ago or are you currently racing him?
Make sure you can get a factory ECU first.
Kidding. Go for it! You're the same age as Eli/Ando/Barcia/Kenny aren't you? It's only going to get harder the longer you wait...
I'll be looking forward to pics of Rupert scraping mud off your bike with a paint scraper like the old days.
You mentioned concussions. Ok, let's take that out of the equation. There's 2 people recently that never stopped racing. One is no longer alive tragically (Zingg), the other is now unable to walk (Robin). Every time you throw a leg over a bike that is a realistic possibility. At 33 unless you start going top 5 speed, any chance of making money where your family could be financially secure (factory contract) is a complete pipe dream. Some really fast guys on YouTube capture life as a privateer and it's gnarly and rough (Jeff Walker and Matt Burkeen) so again I mention hubris because the amount of risk (becoming paralyzed or disabled) due to a motocross racing injury you become an absolute burden for your family. And for what? Just to say "I got my pro card!"
I'm sorry I'm not going to pump sunshine up your ass. But the path to pro moto is long strenuous, and brutal. So much so that some guys don't even like dirt bikes after they're done (Villopoto)
If you make it unscathed and accomplish your goals, great. That would be a huge feat. Being realistic is not being "weird or negative"
Dowd raced his first pro national when he was 21 and finished 20th overall. He started racing mx when he was 18 or 19.
Yeah, go for it. You're far from midlife brother.
Give it hell moto brother! If you are living someone else’s dream you are not living your own! Grip it and rip it!
By no means type of guy to shit on someone's dreams....three kids and in your early 30s? Chasing one dream always has the opportunity cost of many others deferred. If I knew you in real life, I would tell you the same thing -- be brutally honest with yourself and as a family man, what all are you prepared to lose/sacrifice to pursue "your" dream.
Best to you, seriously.
I’m honestly torn. At 33 you have a few years left to go after it. However, only unless you are very financially set. If you have little ones depending on you to make it to work for their well being I’d shy against it.
Best of luck no matter what you choose!
NOT chasing one dream always has the opportunity cost of many others deferred. I’d say that exactly to your face. Seen too many people wait to pursue something within reach only to fall short of it due to said wait.
I prefer to look at the glass as half full
Tomorrow and tomorrow’s safety are not guaranteed no matter what you are doing
If you don’t do it, it won’t get done. That is a fact
We can agree to disagree but I got to where I am today by following dreams. To each their own…
need to see your road racing results and form to say for sure. pics vids?
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