Posts
35
Joined
10/20/2013
Location
Fairhope, AL
US
CaryPT
11/2/2013 7:17am
11/2/2013 7:17am
Edited Date/Time
11/5/2013 12:56pm
The last two races in North Alabama and South Alabama were serious duds with only 48 and 88 entries respectively. The main promoter (same guys who ran Ponca City Nationals last year) lost some serious $$. It is only a matter of time before the promoting ends. Where have all the riders and racers gone? Are other areas of the USA experiencing low local MX turnout too?
CaryPT
CaryPT
Economy really hit us hard here and mx turnouts dropped off back around 09. The secca harescramble series has had an average of 200 riders each race this season.
Motocross is expensive. I think the only way to increase the turnout is to incentivize with pro payouts. the young riders want to be a local pro who made 500 bucks. so, they'll stick around. Hell, that is what I made in the late 80's racing as a local pro in GA. The local pro race used to be a big deal. Now it sucks. In the 80's there would be 20 pro's at a local races - just a regular race weekend. I'd like to see that again!
CaryPT
SECCA races are great though. Red and Stick do a great job, great venues and great people. I am a moto head but been doing my fair share of SECCA HS's though. Get alot of seat time for the money per class.
The Shop
I personally like how Tom and Noah do their tracks and what they are thrying to accomplish. I strongly believe a majority of the mx'ers in Bama won't visit a RPM promoted race unless their family is held ransom. Whoever lives down here knows what I am talking about.
curious racer,
CaryPT
Another thing look at the sign ups for the big races or most in general with them at Mill Creek, most riders are not Bama riders. I know 7-8 guys that will drive to other said tracks then do any buisness with them.
Strange- I have been riding/racing since 1971. I'm getting closer to the day when I will have to stop (ugh)- seems like the way things are winding down (due to the economy or whatever)- the sport is going with me- on a local level at least.
I know, a bit dramatic, but I can clearly see the change...
In the meantime, just went through my latest knee surgery (third since 1980)- scoped it to get rid of scar tissue and smoothe things out- get rid of the pain- and am looking forward to getting out to the track next weekend.
Moto on...
Thanks!
Another thing that burns my ass too is the fact alot of the track owners down here except a handful are not open on weekdays for practice. Makes no sense. Also it takes a act of congress to get a hold of a majority of the track owners and figure out if they are open this weekend or what. Most of it is their own doing.
Pit Row
The Unadilla GNCC this year was the largest event ever with just under 2000 entries for the weekend and the Main event was 3-Hours of racing...
I am racing a three year old bike and would love a new one (and can even afford to write a check for it) but I can't justify spending $8500.00 on a new dirt bike when I ride as slow as I and all the guys in my age class do.
I first raced the steele creek GNCC in 09. had no idea what to expect...It was like a two hour motocross race. I will probably never race another motocross race though I ride practice tracks and have fun batteling all the time. There is no way I am spending a ton of money and driving all over the country for 15 min. seat time The moto scene is dead around here, off road scene very healthy.
But, the fact remains- was 4 within an hour, now only 1 full time and 1 part time track that close, which indicates to me moto scene is less than it was.
Tracks that don't evolve with the times are getting left behind.
Subject: New WIMX (Wisconsin Motocross) Series 10/31/13
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I am starting a new Motocross series for 2014 in addtion to WIXC. I have three common complaints from the MX riders. Race day is too long, Motos are too short and the cost is too high. I will eliminate all three of these problems. We will be running a split program which will give each group a short race day, somewhere in the 3 hour range per session. The motos will be 20 minutes and the cost will be $30 per class and all you will need is a $25 per year membership from RPA Offroad which allows you to race all of my Cross Country races and MX races. We also will offer a one day membership for only $10 for those not sure if they will be racing more than once. Another problem is not having a class for 125 two strokes which in my opinion is the growth of the sport since it gives a new person to the sport an affordable way to get involved and yet be competitive, so I will be offering a 150cc B and C class which covers anyone with a 144 kit. There will be 8 rounds for 2014 and I am working on two more tracks for 2015 with a goal of 12 races for 2015. 5 of the 8 races will be doubled up with my WIXC races, MX on Saturday and XC on Sunday. Please watch for updates. Thanks, Rick
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