Pro-Practicers Vs. Motocross RACERS

Rupert X
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Rupert X
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 4:48pm
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at

their own discretion, without a timetable to follow and, I'm fairly certain, that over the last decade or so, this has severely

impacted the local motocross meets across this great nation and, seemingly, skewed the numbers as far as our sport having

a downward spiral in its populace. I wonder, if an enterprising promoter has ever tried during one of these open practice

session, tried holding but a few races and classes, say from 12 to 2 p.m. Perhaps advertise a 250 B class, a 30 plus

class, an 85cc class and an Open Pro class. Run 'em two 15 minute motos's, be done in 2 hours,,,,with the 8- noon slot and

2p.m on hours - being normal open riding ? Then, the next open day, trying four other, different - yet popular classes ?

Opinions , please, be ruthless and brutal in your belittling please ?
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NP301
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NP301 12/10/2011 3:26pm
12/10/2011 3:26pm Edited Date/Time 12/10/2011 3:28pm
Rupert X wrote:
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at their own...
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at

their own discretion, without a timetable to follow and, I'm fairly certain, that over the last decade or so, this has severely

impacted the local motocross meets across this great nation and, seemingly, skewed the numbers as far as our sport having

a downward spiral in its populace. I wonder, if an enterprising promoter has ever tried during one of these open practice

session, tried holding but a few races and classes, say from 12 to 2 p.m. Perhaps advertise a 250 B class, a 30 plus

class, an 85cc class and an Open Pro class. Run 'em two 15 minute motos's, be done in 2 hours,,,,with the 8- noon slot and

2p.m on hours - being normal open riding ? Then, the next open day, trying four other, different - yet popular classes ?

Opinions , please, be ruthless and brutal in your belittling please ?
That wouldn't work, because, when your a "faster" rider in the B class, you can lap riders that launched the same time as you. Same with Supermini, sometimes I'd end up lapping people before they finish the first lap..... So good intentions we just need to figure out how to get the classes more fair...... Also imagine a expert vs weekend warrior. Alot of the weekend warrior's go there for the trophy.... just my 2 cents
Track and Trail 12/10/2011 3:29pm
12/10/2011 3:29pm
You have besmirched your good name with this post. You are the most foul creature I have ever set eyes on.

Now, my local track has done something similar to your idea. On practice days they will occasionally run an "outlaw" race. They run a "C" along with a combined "B&A" class including any full sized bike.

They let you enter for free, and several practice only guys get their chance to be in a race. I like it in that it gives me a free race to enter. I also like it because racing noobs can get their feet wet without any extra cost and without much pressure.

Please do not post again, my eyes can only handle so much vacuous dribble. Good day.
Hando
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Hando 12/10/2011 3:29pm
12/10/2011 3:29pm
it wouldnt work due to insurance reasons i think...

making it a "race" changes alot of things in regards to technicalities
flarider
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flarider 12/10/2011 3:32pm
12/10/2011 3:32pm
When I worked at a track, the pro-practicers actually became a problem, as we'd get maybe 10% of the practice attendance on race day. We tried everything to get more turn out. We knew the riders were there, we just couldn't get them to race.

We just started asking and the biggest issue is people just don't want the pressure of racing.
Wasn't about money, track time, or anything more than some people just don't want or like to deal with the pressures of racing.
They ride to relax, they don't want to be put in a pressure cooker to relax

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Rupert X
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Rupert X 12/10/2011 3:32pm
12/10/2011 3:32pm
Rupert X wrote:
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at their own...
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at

their own discretion, without a timetable to follow and, I'm fairly certain, that over the last decade or so, this has severely

impacted the local motocross meets across this great nation and, seemingly, skewed the numbers as far as our sport having

a downward spiral in its populace. I wonder, if an enterprising promoter has ever tried during one of these open practice

session, tried holding but a few races and classes, say from 12 to 2 p.m. Perhaps advertise a 250 B class, a 30 plus

class, an 85cc class and an Open Pro class. Run 'em two 15 minute motos's, be done in 2 hours,,,,with the 8- noon slot and

2p.m on hours - being normal open riding ? Then, the next open day, trying four other, different - yet popular classes ?

Opinions , please, be ruthless and brutal in your belittling please ?
NP301 wrote:
That wouldn't work, because, when your a "faster" rider in the B class, you can lap riders that launched the same time as you. Same with...
That wouldn't work, because, when your a "faster" rider in the B class, you can lap riders that launched the same time as you. Same with Supermini, sometimes I'd end up lapping people before they finish the first lap..... So good intentions we just need to figure out how to get the classes more fair...... Also imagine a expert vs weekend warrior. Alot of the weekend warrior's go there for the trophy.... just my 2 cents
Nossir, I don't mean running them all together. 4 separate classes (for example) and eight moto's. Each having a ten or fifteen

minute moto with (roughly) an hour break between their races..
flarider
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flarider 12/10/2011 3:34pm
12/10/2011 3:34pm
Hando wrote:
it wouldnt work due to insurance reasons i think...

making it a "race" changes alot of things in regards to technicalities
Truth to this, our insurance rules were clear, "drop the gate, it's a race at race rates"
NP301
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NP301 12/10/2011 3:35pm
12/10/2011 3:35pm Edited Date/Time 12/10/2011 3:38pm
Rupert X wrote:
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at their own...
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at

their own discretion, without a timetable to follow and, I'm fairly certain, that over the last decade or so, this has severely

impacted the local motocross meets across this great nation and, seemingly, skewed the numbers as far as our sport having

a downward spiral in its populace. I wonder, if an enterprising promoter has ever tried during one of these open practice

session, tried holding but a few races and classes, say from 12 to 2 p.m. Perhaps advertise a 250 B class, a 30 plus

class, an 85cc class and an Open Pro class. Run 'em two 15 minute motos's, be done in 2 hours,,,,with the 8- noon slot and

2p.m on hours - being normal open riding ? Then, the next open day, trying four other, different - yet popular classes ?

Opinions , please, be ruthless and brutal in your belittling please ?
NP301 wrote:
That wouldn't work, because, when your a "faster" rider in the B class, you can lap riders that launched the same time as you. Same with...
That wouldn't work, because, when your a "faster" rider in the B class, you can lap riders that launched the same time as you. Same with Supermini, sometimes I'd end up lapping people before they finish the first lap..... So good intentions we just need to figure out how to get the classes more fair...... Also imagine a expert vs weekend warrior. Alot of the weekend warrior's go there for the trophy.... just my 2 cents
Rupert X wrote:
Nossir, I don't mean running them all together. 4 separate classes (for example) and eight moto's. Each having a ten or fifteen minute moto with (roughly)...
Nossir, I don't mean running them all together. 4 separate classes (for example) and eight moto's. Each having a ten or fifteen

minute moto with (roughly) an hour break between their races..
Yeah I know what Your saying but fact is no fast person will show up! Unless You have the A classes and C classes and etc. Trust me I would love for this to work! But we gotta find a place for the weekend warrior....
mxnick
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mxnick 12/10/2011 3:36pm
12/10/2011 3:36pm
My local track here in San Jose tried that this summer, or a version of it. Basically, they were open for practice till 3pm, then re-prepped track and held afternoon / night race on Saturday night.

I think the problem is racing is a state of mind. You either race or you dont. There is not much in between, and the people who would show up to race were different than the folks that showed up to ride.
Hut
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Hut 12/10/2011 3:36pm
12/10/2011 3:36pm
Sort of like a pick-up game for moto. Doesn't sound like all that bad of an idea.
I'm a pro-practicer for several reasons but it would be difficult to not to want to line up on the gate on any given practice day.
Huckster
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Huckster 12/10/2011 3:40pm
12/10/2011 3:40pm
I am racing less and less and find myself going to OP's more. I love racing. I love the competition and the feeling you get when you are competing. However, it is very hard to spend 12+ hrs on a Sunday to ride maybe 20 lap(2 classes/practice) when I can go to an OP and get 20 laps in about 1.5hr. Its not the same but the long days at the races kill me.
ClassCClairVoyant 12/10/2011 3:42pm
12/10/2011 3:42pm
Mr. RupertX that is really a great idea. I used to ride on the ice and they'd flag everyone off the track every now and then, line 'em up and run a race. It was super fun. Best of both worlds...
bradmx421 12/10/2011 3:43pm
12/10/2011 3:43pm
Starwest just started a Free Race Fridays program.....where you pay the gate entry like a practice and its free to Race
Spahnzuki
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Spahnzuki 12/10/2011 3:44pm
12/10/2011 3:44pm
flarider wrote:
When I worked at a track, the pro-practicers actually became a problem, as we'd get maybe 10% of the practice attendance on race day. We tried...
When I worked at a track, the pro-practicers actually became a problem, as we'd get maybe 10% of the practice attendance on race day. We tried everything to get more turn out. We knew the riders were there, we just couldn't get them to race.

We just started asking and the biggest issue is people just don't want the pressure of racing.
Wasn't about money, track time, or anything more than some people just don't want or like to deal with the pressures of racing.
They ride to relax, they don't want to be put in a pressure cooker to relax
Nailed it. I have to work...and I ride to relax. Raced once....Mammoth in '03....3rd to last and I just laughed the last couple laps.
Hando
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Hando 12/10/2011 3:46pm
12/10/2011 3:46pm
The problem with MX racing is that if you want to actually ride on race day you need to sign up for 3 classes ....

Sorry, I'd rather spend $40 to ride practice all day and wear myself out and go home knowing i got my moneys worth.

when i used to race i'd be more tired from the drive home than the actual riding part.
carlosmacho
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carlosmacho 12/10/2011 3:54pm
12/10/2011 3:54pm Edited Date/Time 12/10/2011 3:59pm
Rupert X wrote:
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at their own...
There are a whole lot of us " PRO-PRACTICERS" out there now, who prefer to go out to their local track, spinning laps at

their own discretion, without a timetable to follow and, I'm fairly certain, that over the last decade or so, this has severely

impacted the local motocross meets across this great nation and, seemingly, skewed the numbers as far as our sport having

a downward spiral in its populace. I wonder, if an enterprising promoter has ever tried during one of these open practice

session, tried holding but a few races and classes, say from 12 to 2 p.m. Perhaps advertise a 250 B class, a 30 plus

class, an 85cc class and an Open Pro class. Run 'em two 15 minute motos's, be done in 2 hours,,,,with the 8- noon slot and

2p.m on hours - being normal open riding ? Then, the next open day, trying four other, different - yet popular classes ?

Opinions , please, be ruthless and brutal in your belittling please ?
My local track already does this. On some weekends it is the trail rider class where there are a few classes, no trophies, just for fun low price. On the other weekends they will do something more formal. Starts at about 10 or 11am and do 4 classes one weekend and then a different 4 classes the other. They using transponders for scoring costs a little more but then they can open practice the rest of the afternoon.

One of the weekends will include a pro class, a vet and senior class.

This is done in the winter outside of the sanctioned MX. Because the track has two tracks they will sometimes have open practice at the same time these races are going on.

I think you have a great idea, but it has been done for years in my local area.
redalert144
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redalert144 12/10/2011 4:00pm
12/10/2011 4:00pm
Huckster wrote:
I am racing less and less and find myself going to OP's more. I love racing. I love the competition and the feeling you get when...
I am racing less and less and find myself going to OP's more. I love racing. I love the competition and the feeling you get when you are competing. However, it is very hard to spend 12+ hrs on a Sunday to ride maybe 20 lap(2 classes/practice) when I can go to an OP and get 20 laps in about 1.5hr. Its not the same but the long days at the races kill me.
Thats why I don't race anymore, 12hr days for 20 laps.

The biggest thing to me is, there is just to many classes. If a track were to run a mini race, a big bike race and then a vet race day. I think it would boost turnout.
mx_563
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mx_563 12/10/2011 4:10pm
12/10/2011 4:10pm
A track I used to ride at in Nor Cal used to have a Dash for Cash. It was a "green flag drop" start (no gate) and anyone could sign up for...whatever it was, like 20 bucks. I'm not sure if they even had sign ups per se, I think you just handed a $20 bill to a dude on your way to the line. Anyway, it wasn't fair when intros lined up against novices or whatever but a lot of people didn't care. It was good practice and even if you got smoked, you had a little adrenaline rush for the first 5-10 seconds at least.

I agree about the stress element. That's part of it for me. But I still think I need to line up at least a couple times a year. Otherwise I just don't feel right. Depending upon you tolerance level, I think some competitive stress is good for you.

I also think track prep on practice days has spoiled a lot of folks (myself included). After 30 years in Nor Cal, I'm now in Eastern Europe. If you want track prep, you race. And they run three open displacement skill levels with only the top 3 getting trophies (none of this 30% trophy business). The gates are usually pretty full even though only a couple of guys have a legitimate shot at good results (sort of like the pro ranks). Makes for a quick day, and longer motos. Maybe that would help Stateside? I can recall many a race in California with only about 5 dudes in my class and lots of waiting around. Yeah, I had a shot at a trophy but who cares? Would have been nice to actually race and battle without having to wait around all day. OK, now I'm just venting... ha ha!
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sharkey 12/10/2011 4:35pm
12/10/2011 4:35pm
i love the pro practicers that really think they are pros. you know, the average guy who rides 30b and for somereason a year ot two later is riding A who was never a pro ever before. then brags to everyone how he is riding A. seems like there are alot of those. then they dont show up on the days when guys like ryan huffman or any legit PROs come to race.

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bullpen58
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bullpen58 12/10/2011 4:49pm
12/10/2011 4:49pm
We do a similar thing with the OTHG. We are small (only about 30-40 racers per local race) so we can run our races during an open practice day and it is only minorly inconvenient for the pro-practicers.

That is why I like racing with OTHG. We can get our two motos done by noon most of the time. I hate "racing" at larger races because you ride practice, sit around for 4 hours, ride one five lap moto, sit around for four more hours, and then ride one final five lap moto on a scorched track. NOT fun.
Spartacus
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Spartacus 12/10/2011 5:05pm
12/10/2011 5:05pm
The thing that horrifies me is that in actual races, they let people like me race and I just_don't_think_that's_safe.
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Moto East Mag 12/10/2011 5:28pm
12/10/2011 5:28pm
We have the Masters of Motocross series around here, that is Vet oriented. Motos used to start at noon, but I think they now go earlier. The focus is on Vet classes with some A and B classes thrown in for younger people that want to race. Great little series.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzergj8v/mastersmx/
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Highsider 12/10/2011 5:35pm
12/10/2011 5:35pm
Spartacus wrote:
The thing that horrifies me is that in actual races, they let people like me race and I just_don't_think_that's_safe.
Laughing Laughing
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Hank_Thrill 12/10/2011 5:39pm
12/10/2011 5:39pm Edited Date/Time 12/10/2011 5:42pm
Maybe do a questionnaire and find out why people are preferring to practice instead of race?

I personally love practicing over racing. Mostly because of the safety. I don't have to worry about some guy riding over his head and taking me out in aims of winning a 5 dollar trophy. You also get the luxury of being able to rest whenever you want to. When my arms start pumping bad practicing, I just pull over and rest. Plus, I'm not a super motocross rider, so I enjoy getting to focus on just one particular section of the track, if I choose. To me, it is just so much more enjoyable to ride within my own limits and compete against myself. Its kind of more of a surfer philosophy, so it may seem totally ridiculous to some, but to each his own.

As an added bonus, when you're not competing against others seriously, there's no need to dump thousands into competitive bike. I have a lot of other hobbies, so it is difficult for me to dump all my extra spending money into just one thing.
exsarg
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exsarg 12/10/2011 6:02pm
12/10/2011 6:02pm
we used to do it at our track. we called it club racing. worked well for many years. this year was not so good as track prep was awful and attendace was down. typically we would have about 50 riders. the vet class was good about 20 guys. fun. not serious. but some good racing. i like to dice with guys when practicing. most others dont. they pull off or wave you buy.
Xracer
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Xracer 12/10/2011 6:09pm
12/10/2011 6:09pm
Hando wrote:
The problem with MX racing is that if you want to actually ride on race day you need to sign up for 3 classes .... Sorry...
The problem with MX racing is that if you want to actually ride on race day you need to sign up for 3 classes ....

Sorry, I'd rather spend $40 to ride practice all day and wear myself out and go home knowing i got my moneys worth.

when i used to race i'd be more tired from the drive home than the actual riding part.
Bingo. On race days my hour meter would hit 40 minutes. 3-hour drive each way, $40 in gate and entry fees, $120 in gas, and 8 or 9 hours in a lawn chair in 92-degree heat to watch what seems like 30 different classes, stressing out that you're not hearing your gate call over sub-par PA system. Once I got into 30+ I was finding that I wasn't "Peaking" and feeling really comfortable until about halfway through the 2nd moto, so I'd get 5 or 7 minutes of "good" riding in. It just wasn't worth it anymore. But I still love to ride on tracks, so I've become a practice-day hero.
70sSuperstar
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70sSuperstar 12/10/2011 6:11pm
12/10/2011 6:11pm
in the late 80s, a track in east tn called dallas ricker complex had practice wednesdays from noon till ten for ten dollars. all of the product that was given by track sponsoring businesses and companies would be given away during races on wednesdays. at random times dallas would call over the p a anyone who wanted to race to come to the gate, they would clear the track and run three laps for goggles, lubes, t shirts, gloves, grips, whatever he had. minis and full size bikes were the only two classes they would do. they would do this all summer. i was in my late twenties at the time and it surely was some great times for sure.
Jamey1e
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Jamey1e 12/10/2011 6:13pm
12/10/2011 6:13pm
The problem with racing for me is that you have to get up at 5 am to be at the track by 8 for sign up. Then you get two practices, one's 5 laps the other is 3 laps followed by a few hours of waiting for your 1st moto. By the time your second moto is over and your finally done for the day you've wasted 7 or 8 hours and ridden a total of 18 laps. All this when I can sleep late arrive at the track around noon pay 20 bucks and ride all I want at my on pace.
70sSuperstar
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70sSuperstar 12/10/2011 6:38pm
12/10/2011 6:38pm
i gotta admit, i did like things better when i was younger. there were minis, 125, 250, and open. each had a and b class, ran 30 minute motos, didnt start till 11, and you never got bored. now, the 40 different classes combined with three lap motos kinda takes the fun away.
Pat327
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Pat327 12/10/2011 6:54pm
12/10/2011 6:54pm
I raced a lot when I was younger and it was fun, but now I would rather just go out for practice and play around.
Sheriff245 12/10/2011 7:14pm
12/10/2011 7:14pm
My local track has been doing.this for.years on wednesdays: open practice in the afternoon, friendly races from 6 to 8, champagne, trophies and cash prizes with a few coors lights until 10.

Steadily over 100 riders, lots of fun, no pressure.

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