Last summer I had the pleasure of racing a regular non vet event. Normally I do not attend normal local races because there are too many classes, and it takes all day for very few laps. However, this promotor did something myself and my friends found very interesting yet simple. They had about 3 to 4 vet classes for the weekend and they placed those motos near the front of the lineup. This meant that the vet classes ended up being moto's 3, 6, 7, and 11.
I only bring this up because there was an abnormal amount of vet riders on the gate and after talking with others everyone loved it. We got to ride a good track and we were done around 1pm. I think it is worth trying at the local scene because vet riders often do not want to be at a local race all day or ride a crazy rough track. If the word got out, I just feel it would help turnout for those local events.
When my local track first started running Vet races, there was only one race, broken into different classes. They ran it as race #1 every weekend. I think it's a good idea, but I personally don't mind riding a later race (prefer it actually).
Yes, very similar to some tracks will run a vintage class first. Pretty cool. Myself I do not mind if they combine the vet classes some so I can ride two classes but maybe with faster guys. I do not need to win.
As a vet rider I approve!
I understand combing classes to save time but never understand why promoters can’t place a tentative race order before the weekend. I can’t count how many times friends have asked when do you race and you have to say “sometime between 9am and noon for the first moto, could be until 5 for the second”
Even worse when they run the mini classes up front and always put the vet stuff at the end meaning you have to be around forever and if anyone gets shorter races it's likely you. Turns me off from racing at all
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Very good point. I mean most all of the classes are for 19 and under. Why not give the few vet classes early motos so that you get more vet riders. The kids will race no matter what. The vet guys will stay home often. Make it worth their while to come out and maybe they will bring some friends.
"This porridge is too hot!" she exclaimed.
So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.
"This porridge is too cold," she said.
So, she tasted the last bowl of porridge.
"Ahhh, this porridge is just right," she said happily and she ate it all up.
I guess were pretty lucky to have the OTHG and Sierra Old Timers (Old Timers MX) in our backyard for 30+ vet racing here in Nor. Cal.
Zeb Armstrong (REP Racing) promoter also runs his Saturday night series with vets having early gates to boost attendance and help the challenges for night motos.
Not sure why more areas don't start up a vet mx clubs and go racing at local tracks. Easier said then done... foresure .
Start up promoter in Ohio mx , VIVA mx, is doing just that. Posting race order before the day starts.
Has worked out well for the gp guys, should be just fine for mx too.
From being involved in the process for 15 years or so, it's difficult to pre-post a race order.
Often there are riders doing multiple classes and you need to arrange the order to allow them time between motos.
On big races we had a pre-race order, but it got adjusted sometimes.
For small races, we could whip through the schedule fast enough that it wasn't a big deal, but we also switched around who would be done first.
Night races? Sorry, gotta get the kids done first.
You know who likes being at the track all day? No one, why should vets get put first and make everyone else get pushed back farther? Go ahead and crucify me cause this website is full of 40+ class guys on factory editions complaining all day.
I think you should read my post again please. I never said put Vets first and everyone else last. If you looked at my lineup, I mentioned moto's 3, 6, 7, and 11 for vets. That means out of the first 11 motos kids got 7. It seems if kids get 7 of the first 11 motos they are still getting the first motos correct?
it sucks being race 29.
Because we paid our dues of racing all the crappy race orders. When I raced the skill level classes +30 and +50 was always early in the order. Now that I’m 50 it seems it’s always mid to late in the order. Of course they’ve added a ton of classes since my original race days, so maybe that’s the reason. As far as people racing multiple classes. You kinda have to keep that in mind with the race order. So the way you arranged it to work is the next posted one. Turn it around every other month to keep it fair for all
Never understood the racing multiple races. Crazy. I was brought up at Saturday Saddleback. If anything, add $5 to entry and run 20 min motos.
I would like to add that most vet riders are willing to combine into less classes. The vet guys are for the most part relaxed and not worried about winning races. Instead of having 4 or 5 vet classes with 5 or 6 riders in each class have say 3 classes and have 20+ riders per class. A 40+ , 50+, and a vet open. Keep in mind I am talking about the average weekend local race and not some large special race. In that case you might need to use some skill levels. Also consider a vet novice, vet intermediate, and vet open. In the end this is good business move by the track owner or promotor by giving these classes a few motos near the front of the lineup. The kids won't even notice or care. However, like one person stated often the vet classes get moved to the end of the lineup to please the parents and none of the vets enjoy seeing that. They would rather go practice for the day.
If your race a popular series, it nets you more track time.
My first race in New England was a NESC race at Southwick. Well run organization, great tracks, lots of fun.
$55 for a day pass $30 to rent a transponder $30 for the first class $25 for the second (these may be off, I'm old). Two laps of practice, four laps for two motos in each class. This comes out to a little less than $8.00 a lap, just in entry fees to race two classes. It would be $11.50 a lap if you only raced one class.
Ride days get you more track time....but racing, though.
Couple points I’ll make from helping run a track. The kids usually get put first because the track is less rough for the 50’s. Most tracks don’t put out a race order because it will always end up changing and it’s more hectic to try and let everyone know in the pits that the race order they got yesterday has now changed. Reasons for changing for example is there were only 3 people who signed up for x class so it’s getting a stagers start with y class or little Johnnys Moto is the Moto right after his fathers so plus 30 and 65 7-11 have to be spread apart. There’s no way of knowing any of this stuff until practice is over and everyone signed up. As far as the races getting moved around in a order we would start with the last races order and chop off the bottom third and put it at the top for the next race and so on and so forth after that and make those other needed tweaks. Your never going to make anyone happy but that seemed to be fair to everyone. Not just vet riders and not just those with little ones racing.
old people think the world owes them everything lmao
Pit Row
In the end for tracks and promotors this is about money. I reviewed a large national track's local race event signups and noticed very few vets were racing even though this same track puts on a large Vet race every year that gets a very good turnout. This track uses (Age + Skill) meaning 40+ A B C. The most they had in any vet class was 9 and that was the 40 C. All the other classes were less than 6. It would seem worth the tracks while to try something different is all. I hear everyone's arguments here about kids and such but if you take the first 10 motos and give vets 3 of those motos I just do not see how you are taking away from the kids. The younger group is getting the majority of the motos of the first 10. Vets now have the money to spend in the industry as many OEMs and aftermarket parts people will tell you. Make it so they want to come to your track and spend that money! Talk to the local vets and ask why they do not race.............have an open mind is all I ask.
Nope, just most older vets have time constraints, obligations, and can’t spend all day at the track. Which is why most of them don’t bother racing and are practice riders basically. It was just a tip to help boost vet attendance at races. Take it for what you will.
As for vets a vet race organization called Masters MX that operates in PA MD VA WV and it has been BOOMING for many years!
More areas should do this!
http://www.mastersmx.org
If Chicken Licks offered one 45 minute moto for Vet riders (one gate, staggered, and scored by class) would that offer value for money and shorten the day or just create a different set of problems?
Just spitballin'.
I was actually going to say something like this in the sense of the Vet 50+ riders have paid their dues. +30, Eh, Idk yet because half of plus 30 these days could be sandbagging the expert class in some cases!
I like the idea of Vets racing every 3-4 motos in the first set of motos, (keep in mind, that actually shortens the second round of motos) which is a good thing.
I know there were a couple tracks ive raced or at least seen while attending as a spectator, where they did this specifically for the Mini Bike riders. All the mini bike motos were done within the set of first motos so they could have a shorter day and go home early.
I'm a believer that the Vets truly have paid their dues, and spent enough time at the tracks, so Id vouch personally to see the vet riders get an early day benefit instead of the younger kids, who actually enjoy being there all day playing with there friends in between motos.
In Texas we have the MotoMaster's series. It is dedicated to Vets and is awesome. The races are on Saturdays and then on Sundays they have a vintage bikes series. Home venue is Johnsonville Mx Park in Yantis. One of the best tracks in Texas. They have all of the vet classes and skill levels for 25+ up to the Jedi Class, +55(might be +65). There are two stroke classes as well. Races start at about 9 and usually done by 2. Great series. Thanks to April and the whole family for providing a great event to avoid the LONG days and get to hang out with like minded guys just wanting to have fun. Check it out!!
http://www.johnsonvillemxfarm.com/dev/the-motomasters-vet-series/
I think you're getting awfully close to reinventing GP races, which seems to be gaining a lot of popularity over here in the east. Seat time is probably the biggest reason I've moved to racing offroad, so you'd have my vote.
Lol...exactly. They've started a 1 hour GP class at the local HS series. Popular with vets that want generous seat time but don't want to wait around for 4 wheelers and kids class to run.
Without riders doing 2 or 3 classes it really will hurt the promoters
I hear ya. Maybe if that vet 40 guy also entered the vet 30 class, in the same race...it might make up some lost $$. Am I making sense...lol.
The Northeast is ripe for a good Vet series.
BRO every weekend! J/K but I agree and think you should start one.
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