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Post by beaupre716 on Nov 12, 2014 23:10:37 GMT -5
Yesterday marked the six-year anniversary of a crash I had that resulted in nine broken bones and a collapsed lung. I wrote about this crash on this site, lamenting that it probably meant the end of my 22-year run as a racer. Six years later, I still haven't returned to racing motocross, and I am mostly OK with that. Today I still ride my dirt bike regularly, and the absence of racing has allowed me to enjoy riding on a different level. I have more fun when I'm riding now. I'm free from the pressure of practicing starts, building endurance and pushing past my comfort zone on long, whooped-out straights and sketchy, rut-filled jumps. It's nice. But there's still a part of me that sees photos or results from the races and wishes I was out there. Racing is a hard habit to kick, and if I hadn't adopted downhill mountain bike racing -- for me, the methadone to the heroin of motocross -- I might struggle with my lack of motocross racing a lot more. Yet I also know that I'm not the only one who's turned away from motocross racing in recent years. The race turnouts are much thinner than they were a decade ago -- in northern Nevada as well as much of the rest of the nation -- and while many of the racers who've left have done so because of injuries (like me), I don't think all of them have left for that reason. I think many of them have left because of economics, thin competition, new responsibilities or plain old loss of interest. So the question this week is: If you've not raced many motocross races lately, what's kept you away? You can let us know via this poll. Please feel free to elaborate on your answer below too. Thanks!
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Post by Larry63r on Nov 13, 2014 11:11:39 GMT -5
Lack of good track design is the main reason for me. I want to race on more traditional motocross tracks. I have been to a few AVDRA races and they have been more fun than any regular MX race that I have ridden in the last several years. I have found a promoter here in NorCal called NCO that has MX races without the jumps the size of a house. They run all the regular classes for modern bikes as well as a post-vintage class for the older bikes. Jesse loves it. Big turns, long straights, natural terrain and no huge jumps. Just like MX used to be. It has brought the fun back into MX for us. Maybe some day the local promoters will pull their heads out of their butts and figure out that not everyone wants to race on a track that has 12 turns, 19 jumps and no straights long enough to get your bike out of 3rd gear! Until then we will just trail ride and hit a few AVDRA races.
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Post by beaupre716 on Nov 13, 2014 22:37:30 GMT -5
I've heard a lot of racers, especially vets, make this same case over the years, Larry. And I get where they're coming from: Jumps that have high consequences or poor angles can reduce a track's fun factor by quite a bit.
Has track construction kept anyone else away from the races?
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Post by Mr Moto on Nov 17, 2014 2:49:41 GMT -5
Yesterday marked the six-year anniversary of a crash I had that resulted in nine broken bones and a collapsed lung. I wrote about this crash on this site, lamenting that it probably meant the end of my 22-year run as a racer. Six years later, I still haven't returned to racing motocross, and I am mostly OK with that. Today I still ride my dirt bike regularly, and the absence of racing has allowed me to enjoy riding on a different level. I have more fun when I'm riding now. I'm free from the pressure of practicing starts, building endurance and pushing past my comfort zone on long, whooped-out straights and sketchy, rut-filled jumps. It's nice. But there's still a part of me that sees photos or results from the races and wishes I was out there. Racing is a hard habit to kick, and if I hadn't adopted downhill mountain bike racing -- for me, the methadone to the heroin of motocross -- I might struggle with my lack of motocross racing a lot more. Yet I also know that I'm not the only one who's turned away from motocross racing in recent years. The race turnouts are much thinner than they were a decade ago -- in northern Nevada as well as much of the rest of the nation -- and while many of the racers who've left have done so because of injuries (like me), I don't think all of them have left for that reason. I think many of them have left because of economics, thin competition, new responsibilities or plain old loss of interest. So the question this week is: If you've not raced many motocross races lately, what's kept you away? You can let us know via this poll. Please feel free to elaborate on your answer below too. Thanks! racing.... motocross has changed and we (the sport of) have created a breed of professional practicers, not racers. Most spend more time practicing and talking about racing than really doing the act of it. In the 90's the breed was all about contingency money, a breed of lifelong junior class racers all seeking that all mighty dollar. It wasn't about the race it was about the ability to brag about the cash they had won from factories. But back then to practice meant dry dusty days out at some ungroomed track with some natural terrain jumps. ... Now are riders we have the ability to ride pretty much every day of the week on a groomed track, with jumps and obstacles that could and would be faced on a normal race day. We have friends that bring cameras out, we all blast turns try and throw big whips all for a the op of getting a good shot of us looking good. Then there is the video ops for making that mighty clip that will be on Facebook or Instagram. Believe me I don't find fault in any of this, because I love a good picture or video of myself riding and we have some guys/gals that have some serious skills visit our tracks taking those pics and making videos. Riders of today have goals of racing and winning amateur nationals all with just the act of practicing never doing the act of racing...The focus of racing locally and growing from there has gotten lost, without racing locally on a consistent bases the chance of being a good racer lessens. To be good at something you must do it, not just practice that act of it. At no giving point can one practice the act of racing without doing it. Practicing is to hone your skills of riding, gaining that feel of the bike and how it reacts. Learning ways of bettering your cornering, mastering ruts ect.. But in saying all that there is no replacement for lining up on a starting gate and racing. The more you race the better you become in doing so. But somehow that has gotten lost..which is sad... But I believe it will come back... it's all full circle. This is the first year that I have ever seen races/ series canceled due to lack of rider turn out. Being a promoter you throw your nuts out on the line every time in hopes of getting a solid turn out to cover all your bills, it's scary! And it becomes that question, how many times to you want to gamble that and or is it worth that? It surely didn't help that our local sanctioning body didn't put anything out for a fall series. There is a lot of uncertainty in the air, and I hope with winter passing things will change for the 2015 season. I don't think it is....Tracks, the layout of the tracks with in our area are good for all levels. With little or zero punishment for jumping or not jumping. I grew up racing jumping doubles...rhythm sections...tabletops ect. Bikes all had plenty of suspension, disc brakes and plenty of power. The time of obstacles being out of control have passed. The motorcycles have become so good in stock form it's scary. The tracks are as fast as your ability can make them, Exit28 for example has two very long straight aways. It becomes how fast can you exit the turn and grab gears and brake into the next turn. Not everybody will have that to grab fourth or fifth gear but that's not the track, it's their riding ability....
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Post by beaupre716 on Nov 17, 2014 11:19:42 GMT -5
Great points on social media. I had never really thought of that aspect. Are people fine with forgoing trophies (or purse money) today to chase the glory of getting likes and re-tweets? It's an interesting question, and the topic is relevant outside of motocross too.
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Post by cingred on Nov 17, 2014 21:19:13 GMT -5
Social media has allowed talented riders to showcase their skills. About racing in this area, it has gone stagnant. I've suggested to anyone that will listen that race formats and the style of racing needs to be changed.
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Post by Mr Moto on Nov 17, 2014 23:22:18 GMT -5
About racing in this area, it has gone stagnant. I've suggested to anyone that will listen that race formats and the style of racing needs to be changed. Cliffy, how does one change the format of motocross? Its pretty simple, a 2 moto format. Much variation from that and its not motocross. The only change was years ago when practices were offered on Saturdays. Worcs, H&H, Grand Prix, Sandbox GP and others like that arent motocross....
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lakeman
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Now operate website, www.nvracingnews.com
Posts: 101
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Post by lakeman on Nov 20, 2014 0:31:47 GMT -5
Interesting post and comments. I too have watched the rider count drop way off after building up for years. I can remember when we crossed the 300 rider count. Thought the scoring crew was going to commit mass suicide that day! The melt down cut the count as did the split. Never would I have ever thought a sanctioning body would cancel a season, just glad the OTHG stepped up and had at least one race. Now MRANN has opened the door and invited people that want to race one more time this year. Hopefully some of you will take them up on their offer. I'm also hearing about those that would rather practice then race. It's competition that really hone's a rider's skills as you're really trying to beat the guy or gal ahead of you. Nothing beats that kind of excitement. Looking ahead I've heard that there will be racing. Hope so anyway. I only wish all three existing tracks and promoters can start working together for the good of the sport. When Big Rich was around I found myself covering a vibrant sport, full of color, excitement and more than a few characters. And they liked racing here better than over the hill. It will take some work but I think we can return to those days although some will have to step up while other bury the hatchets they've been carrying for a long spell. I see the Pee Wee classes and beginner classes are still drawing and those are the future of motocross. Hope the new year brings more riders out and racing can return to what it was. Finally, thanks to Mr. Moto for his advice and to you Robert for keeping this site going. BTW, Robert what are you doing Sunday. How about coming to the MRANN event and at least watch it. Think you'd enjoy seeing desert racing. Hope to see some of you Sunday, I'll be there.
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Post by gregg86n on Nov 20, 2014 13:41:34 GMT -5
I have a burning question for both Layne and Dan. I have seen both you guys state your utter dismay and astonishment several times that a local sanctioning body would cancel a season. I would love to hear why you think this happened. And also why RMA hasn't stepped up to offer a fall series.
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Post by mudd on Nov 20, 2014 17:39:30 GMT -5
- lack of ramps on the track (3 or 4 would make it really fun) - a trophy girl to hand you a cold currs light at the finish line would help - putting rest stops in certain places of the track - reducing motos from 5,6 or 7 laps down to 2 (green white checker !!! ) - offering Bens Discount Liquor gift certificates as holeshot awards - backwards starts for the moto 1 winner. - make Gillen go back to riding a real YZ250
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Post by Gillen936 on Nov 20, 2014 17:46:06 GMT -5
I totally agree with Mudd minus the real yz part! Just because i got supercross plastic on my bike dosent mean its not real!! We could add pit stops every lap to pound 1 cl smooth each lap.
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Post by beaupre716 on Nov 20, 2014 22:06:29 GMT -5
- lack of ramps on the track (3 or 4 would make it really fun) - a trophy girl to hand you a cold currs light at the finish line would help - putting rest stops in certain places of the track - reducing motos from 5,6 or 7 laps down to 2 (green white checker !!! ) - offering Bens Discount Liquor gift certificates as holeshot awards - backwards starts for the moto 1 winner. - make Gillen go back to riding a real YZ250 Let's throw in some mandatory wheelie sections too.
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Post by beaupre716 on Nov 20, 2014 22:09:01 GMT -5
Interesting post and comments. I too have watched the rider count drop way off after building up for years. I can remember when we crossed the 300 rider count. Thought the scoring crew was going to commit mass suicide that day! The melt down cut the count as did the split. Never would I have ever thought a sanctioning body would cancel a season, just glad the OTHG stepped up and had at least one race. Now MRANN has opened the door and invited people that want to race one more time this year. Hopefully some of you will take them up on their offer. I'm also hearing about those that would rather practice then race. It's competition that really hone's a rider's skills as you're really trying to beat the guy or gal ahead of you. Nothing beats that kind of excitement. Looking ahead I've heard that there will be racing. Hope so anyway. I only wish all three existing tracks and promoters can start working together for the good of the sport. When Big Rich was around I found myself covering a vibrant sport, full of color, excitement and more than a few characters. And they liked racing here better than over the hill. It will take some work but I think we can return to those days although some will have to step up while other bury the hatchets they've been carrying for a long spell. I see the Pee Wee classes and beginner classes are still drawing and those are the future of motocross. Hope the new year brings more riders out and racing can return to what it was. Finally, thanks to Mr. Moto for his advice and to you Robert for keeping this site going. BTW, Robert what are you doing Sunday. How about coming to the MRANN event and at least watch it. Think you'd enjoy seeing desert racing. Hope to see some of you Sunday, I'll be there. Sorry, Dan, but I hate watching races. I only like racing them (or at least I used to). But I'm glad MRANN is keeping things going.
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Post by aaron124 on Nov 20, 2014 22:25:58 GMT -5
Mudd, I don't need the green flag. I am okay with getting the white the first time around. No wheelie sections. i would be in the same section for about 5 years. Offer 1/2 price enter fees for real 2 strokes (1/2 price for 1/2 the displacement) not those with big bore kits.
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Post by JP 61s on Nov 21, 2014 10:18:41 GMT -5
1. I haven't been on mx775.com for quite a while, the reason? Why bother? I'm a senior racer and there hasn't been a hint of a class provided that I can race for many years, with one exception i.e. to ride the sometime offered 50 y/o class you have to sign up for a far younger age class before you can sign up for the 50 class $$. A lot of over 50 riders have just quit showing up for a sanctioned MX race around here. Additionally I'm getting real tired of driving between 120 to 600 miles to race an Old Timers race. I still have numbers on my bikes because I'm hoping beyond beyond hope.
2. Larry is my friend but I disagree with his post. Jumps and obstacles are just part of the game and as Layne posted suspension has grown with the sport. Also if ya can't do an obstacle you can always roll it. Tables just land on top. Reasonable doubles? Approach 25% faster than your comfortable with , that's what practice is for. Rollers? Ah, just roll 'em. I'm not even a shadow of the rider I used to be 20,30,40 or 50 years ago but it can be done especially especially if it's race day and your in a class your comfortable with. My Oldtimers Club race was at Prairie City and the track pulled no punches, even so if ya don't have a decent crash once in a while your not trying hard enough. That said I sure am glad I don't have to work the next day or the next couple of months after a hard crash.
By the by Larry how do I find NCO so you can chase me around or visa versa? If you still have my # call me on that, if not post it. Thanks.
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