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Post by JP 61s on Nov 21, 2014 10:31:36 GMT -5
Larry, I replied with a post (I hope it showes up) can't find any current info about NCO racing just something over a year ago. What's up with that?
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Post by mudd on Nov 21, 2014 20:34:44 GMT -5
YES ! totally forgot about the wheelie section . Gillen and Aaron will be rear-fender-less after the first lap.
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Post by beaupre716 on Nov 22, 2014 1:24:33 GMT -5
YES ! totally forgot about the wheelie section . Gillen and Aaron will be rear-fender-less after the first lap. I'd vote for something involving stoppies too, though I might break some plastic myself in that section.
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Post by Mr Moto on Nov 26, 2014 0:31:29 GMT -5
2014 was a tough year here in the775, we started off like a lion and finished it like a lamb. We had a strong series started in spring 2014, things seemed to be picking up and headed in the right direction. Everybody seemed to be pumped after a winter break and ready to race. Then that mistake of having a series run with in a series was made yet again. Which caused the rider base to go in every which direction. After that happened it all began to unravel, no series seemed to get a turn out and nothing seemed consistent. One race had a solid turn out and the next dwindle down. Not sure what one thing was the cause or effect, it just seemed to spiral in a down ward direction. This is the first time since I've race races and series have be cancelled due to lack of rider turn out.
Sure we could all speculate why or make jokes about it. But it is interesting to see some facts about what's and why's of local racing. Tracks are tracks and the beauty of motocross or any form of motorcycle racing is everybody races the same track and no track is the same, it's a race after all. I don't understand the politic part, the world seems to be filled with that but as a racer...sign up, use the rules provided, race and have fun. Not really sure about other politics would keep one from racing. Next is the lack of races? How could that be? There was plenty in the spring and early part of summer, but the turnouts didn't keep the racing justified. But without having a Fall series or given any opportunity to have advance notice in not having one left many wondering what happened and why.... Believe me the communication is/ was minimal.
I know one thing, I sure hope 2015 turns around for all of us. There is many in the area that give to try and make motocross happen, most of it is volunteer work. Everybody on the OTHG club is a volunteer, heck they pay to be a member and work. Others the same like, OTMX, MX775 and the board of SMRA. Then we have some that throw their pocket books on the line to have a race, Tim O'Brien at Exit28 and Ty Erquiaga at NMXD. Every race is a financial gamble for each club and promoter, it's a serious out lay of money and man hours to get some form of return. It is a crazy tough business and without all that help there would be nothing around here..
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Post by beaupre716 on Dec 4, 2014 1:10:55 GMT -5
It appears lack of excitement about the events and race politics are the top two responses so far. But sadly, only a few people have shared suggestions for improvements in 2015.
Regardless, I'll second Mr. Moto's hopes for a better 2015 for local moto.
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Post by fkcycles775 on Dec 19, 2014 16:09:43 GMT -5
bump to the top would love to see more input on this topic.
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Post by cingred on Dec 19, 2014 18:34:34 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.... I only mention different types of racing because the rider base is obviously not big enough to support two different racing styles. I believe that with the total rider base, maybe a series that combines both types into a series could be beneficial.
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Post by 99adad on Jan 7, 2015 0:39:43 GMT -5
I have given this subject a great deal of thought and must disagree with many of the ideas put forth as to the reasons for the decline of racing in our area. For me it is a matter of seeing the trees and not looking at the forest. I hope that the following will illuminate what I see is the forest.
There are 4 basic reasons why Motocross has failed in Northern Nevada.
1) The most influential people in the sport do not encourage racing. This is a top down problem. When you have the “elder” statesmen of our community actively discouraging younger riders from pursuing higher goals the end result will be an unwillingness to participate. I have heard THE most influential leaders of motocross in this area tell young riders, who express a desire to become Professionals in this sport, that they are wasting their time. That attitude destroys hope. At the same time there is no “Nobles Oblige” on the part of young accomplished riders or seasoned veterans. A very young athlete, who would aspire to be better, is encouraged by his/her older peers. These future athletes are buoyed by the thought that they are watched by the rest of the community and the interest placed on them. In Northern Nevada’s racing community this does not happen. Eager young riders will stay in the sport and become the 20+, 30+ and 40+ riders of the future. 2) There is no common enemy or goal to achieve. Rightly or wrongly Wade Bone, and Sinister Racing, were the most influential force on young racers for more than a decade. There are very few racers over the past 15+ years that have not wanted to join or destroy Sinister Racing. This common goal/enemy created a physically measurable force. The vacuum created by the absence of this team is enormous. To be a “Sinister Kid” or to beat one, was the top of the game in Northern Nevada. Young kids yearned for the chance to prove their strength. Teen riders hope to get an edge and very many parents, most in secret, hoped that their child would make ”the team.” The lack of goal has lead to lackluster desire. 3) Bikes are expensive When I can go into a local dealership and see a one year off model bike sold for $3000 less than the original price, there is a problem. Local dealers are losing the competitive riders, in our area, to California dealers. Thousand Oaks and Roseville are THE places to go for our top riders to go to purchase bikes. This has got to stop. There is NO reason for our area shops to lose this business. If Nevada kids are going to win, in this state and across the nation, then it should be on bikes from Nevada Dealers. The more bikes you sell, the more parts you sell, the more return business you get. I challenge all the local owners to cut prices for new bikes. You will increase sales and YOU will reinvigorate racing, which will mean more sales. Duh 4) We eat our dead There have been some really good rider who have come from our area and we have failed them, all of us. Local dealers, shop owners and people with some pull in the sport have not personally come to support them. There have been no teams around them. No one to support some really fast kids and help them put Northern Nevada on the map. Sadly, some of the MOST influential leaders of the sport in our area have shunned them. We rally behind skiers and homeless people. Why on earth can we not support our up and coming Motocross riders?
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that we have lost some very good riders to death and injury over the past few years. For a small town, we have had some significant losses and injuries. That does give a person reason to pause. It does take a special kind of crazy to subject oneself to this life. Most people do not want to confront the reality that this sport WILL hurt you, cripple you, and might kill you. At the end of the day, though, there are more than a few people who long for the smell of VP and the drop of the gate.
That is why we race.
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Post by promoto776 on Jan 13, 2015 23:41:56 GMT -5
Totally agree with all 4 paragraphs 99adad! However I cant take back what Ive said about ama proracing because its true....Aron and I love racing. I taught him that he could do anything, even when our most knowlegable moto industry person told us starting to race at age 14 was a waist of time. Well He won Two national amature titles NMA and AMA. As a dedicated dad who worked insane hours to go to the races I loved it like you said its in your blood .....well race anything pretty much lawn mowers, pit bikes rc cars what ever is handy ....You have no Idea how shocked we were to go to our first ama national race at hangtown a track we won at many times and be treated like dirt. The ama, besides the equipment you cant get they put you out on a muddy track with no practice as your qualifier to breakit in for their super stars. When the tracks prepped just perfect they send out the teams what a joke the whole thing....I wish so much this wasn't true. I spent over 300 thousand dollars on racing to get to this moment in time just to have an honest fair chance just to discover its an ama show not a real race....I do encourage local racing its the real thing. ....Its decline was set up by a perfect storm. Price of bikes , fuel, food ,parts, upkeep, increased dramatically at the same time as the economy collapsed. ...I know about 60% of our moto families were in the hardest hit , construction .......Then add promoter fighting...Every family knows when things get tough you gotta stick together their is no other way to survive. Ron USA good day.
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Post by Kash Mcpartlin on Jan 20, 2015 0:54:29 GMT -5
I would love to race. I have been hurt for about 2 years. The first year I just blocked out my knee bugging me when I rode/raced. It would pop here and there.No big deal. Shortly after I started riding on it hurt, it started popping more and more so i went and got xrays. Wasn't broken so i stopped worrying. Finally I went and got a MRI and i ripped my ACL and Ruined my Meniscus. So i scheduled surgery 7-9-14 a year and 5 days after i hurt it on 7-4-13. I just got released to putt around on my bike but i still have another 4 months till I can even think about trying to go fast again.
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Post by Davis325 on Jan 21, 2015 12:04:58 GMT -5
its lack of money for myself. i don't care if i ride the same 2 tracks, i don't care if they aren't groomed 100% and i don't care that little jonny is crying because he didn't get a trophy due to a sandbagger. It comes down to money. Things are looking up and ill be back out once I'm financially stable enough to do so.... but i understand a lot of people want variety and want more racing to happen locally.
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Post by florida1 on Jan 22, 2015 0:22:50 GMT -5
My son and I enjoyed all these races over the last 2 years. You guys were all doing great from my perspective. Sounds like it's all about race promoters losing money. The turnout is the second most important problem after just getting the races started again at least.
I live in Tahoe, where a lot of events are subsidized by the chamber of commerce and related tourism agencies. You can't get a few grand from them and some local businesses? How about go straight to the Reno chamber and just ask for some money and marketing help? Thats the first thing every Tahoe event organizer does.
I give what I feel I can afford to MRANN because we like the whole deal. I would pay more to get my son mx racing, we backed out jmainly because I'm injured and he is more interested in doing sports where his school friends are. But we will hopefully come back to some 775 mx races this year.
What's with the "this is expensive" talk? What other sport can you do for $35? We would sign him up on open class too, and for $50 I thought this was a deal for 4 races. Practice the day before for $25 on a groomed track? I'm not rich, seriously. But that seemed way cheap to me. You know how expensive my kids traveling soccer and ski programs cost? My daughters dance school?
The bike only needs to cost $1000 for kids and $2000 for adults. I'll admit I spent way more, but we would be happy on 5 year old 2-strokes or SURE. Thousands of people on the Reno/Tahoe area have them. I try to talk my friends into checking out the races, it's impossible. I think it gets addicting instantly no matter what your skill is. I don't know what the angle needs to be to get new participants. Maybe just a shiny professional and Reno City funded marketing campaign?
Event promotion sounds like marketing and sales work that I wouldn't want to do personally, but you gotta hire someone . I think motocross could really help boost the image of the Reno area for the adventure and athleticism in the sport. All those tourist room tax dollars get spent on more marketing for Reno. That's how Tahoe events get subsidized, from the room tax which MUST be partially spent back in the same community. MX is so cool! Go tell Reno chamber of commerce that it's hurting, and get their help bringing it back. Teach them about the MX history in the Reno area. Tell them if nothing else, supporting racing gets bikes into organized, legal, and insured locations. Tell them just how many kids have dirt bikes around here. THAT is what I don't get. My 11 year old races 5 other kids all year, when there are 500 bikes just like his within a 30 minute drive of the track.
I was on a Chamber type organization board of directors years ago in north Tahoe. they got to "recommend to Placer County" how to spend a million $ every year out of the $6 million TOT tax dollars. A motocross race would have got approved instantly, especially if the venue and insurance was already identified.
Sorry for typing so much! Please put on the races and put out a donation box to keep them going if nothing else. Some of is could pay double entrance fees. But there has to be a kids trophy not a plastic no-name square plate like we "won" at Winnemucca last year. I loved going out there. My son isn't great, but won both classes. He doesn't even remember it as notable or fun with the dissapointment of no plaque or trophy. Make parents pay for the trophy if you have to. How much is it? Mike at The Back Country
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Post by Dragoo168 on Feb 9, 2015 14:12:58 GMT -5
"Why aren't you racing?" There's a lot of perspective about this, but looking at the "Poll", I find the current results interesting. I haven't raced because of economic hardship, and health issues, but as a single parent, living paycheck to paycheck, i would still race if it was at all possible. I had to sell my bike to pay bills, but as soon as I manage to find an extra 2500 bucks, I'll have a used something in my garage, and I will race whenever i get the chance. Having been diagnosed as having stage 4 Polycystic Kidney disease, and being told that i need to mentally start preparing for things like dialysis and transplant options, I can only stare at my helmet, that permenantly sits on the living room table in my house. I have never lost my passion for the sport, and I know that I never will. When i look at some of the issues, I tend to stay out of it, mainly because i am not involved enough to warrant my two-cents. I do however have an opinion, and as someone that has spent a lifetime as a true enthusiast of the sport, as well as the industry, i have to at least mention some things that i see, or don't see. There isn't as much structure these days for one thing. When I was young, there were things like blue plates, and district championship(s) (That also involved multiple states), as well as our state championship. The kids were able to aspire for more than just what they saw on TV, and the venues were more consistent. People practiced to race, and the level of competition was better as a whole. There is always a standout, but there used to be groups of guys that could hold their own, on this side of the hill or the other! You can practice every day, but if you race an equal rider that races every weekend, and you only race once a month,..You lose!!! The big shops don't carry dirt items as much anymore, because "there's no money in it" (as one parts mgr said recently), and heaven for bid you disrupt the sound of crickets, trying to have a conversation with someone about local racing! Thank god for the smaller shops that never quit treading water for us MXer's, or you would really see a downturn in the sport. Pointing fingers isn't going to rejuvinate Northern nevada motocross,..pulling together as a community, providing a consistent and solid structure between the promoters (Eliminating individual agenda, and incorporating whatever can be beneficial for the good of the Northern Nevada area), and increasing exposure and opportunity for the young riders that have aspirations of any kind in our sport! Remember when trophies were worth setting on the table at the pizza place after the race?! Oh well, I wasn't trying to deviate from the topic, just seems like the "Poll" opened the door a little for some opinion as well
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Post by beaupre716 on Feb 10, 2015 22:46:07 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone who's posted thoughtful responses here. They're really interesting to read and they may hold the key to a future renaissance in local racing. Here's hoping, at least.
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Post by Mr Moto on Feb 15, 2015 1:51:30 GMT -5
I've sat back and read this a few times, and after great debate I am going to respond. 1) The most influential people in the sport do not encourage racing. This is a top down problem. When you have the “elder” statesmen of our community actively discouraging younger riders from pursuing higher goals the end result will be an unwillingness to participate. I have heard THE most influential leaders of motocross in this area tell young riders, who express a desire to become Professionals in this sport, that they are wasting their time. That attitude destroys hope. At the same time there is no “Nobles Oblige” on the part of young accomplished riders or seasoned veterans. A very young athlete, who would aspire to be better, is encouraged by his/her older peers. These future athletes are buoyed by the thought that they are watched by the rest of the community and the interest placed on them. In Northern Nevada’s racing community this does not happen. Eager young riders will stay in the sport and become the 20+, 30+ and 40+ riders of the future. I have never heard anyone discourage a racer from racing a local event. I think some loss sight of what this sport has to offer and the reality of where their abilities will take them, but that is my opinion and don't express it to others or the riders. Local races is what brings racers to the next level and draws sponsors. I think everybody deserves a shot at their dream and motocross offers that. On a local level it gives everybody a fair shot of trying the sport or giving a shot a dream. Moto based companies look for local racers to sponsor to help them get to the next level, not ones that are running mid pack or back further at some amateur national and don't race locally. Sure they offer something but not that stepping stone to get to that next level.
2) There is no common enemy or goal to achieve. Rightly or wrongly Wade Bone, and Sinister Racing, were the most influential force on young racers for more than a decade. There are very few racers over the past 15+ years that have not wanted to join or destroy Sinister Racing. This common goal/enemy created a physically measurable force. The vacuum created by the absence of this team is enormous. To be a “Sinister Kid” or to beat one, was the top of the game in Northern Nevada. Young kids yearned for the chance to prove their strength. Teen riders hope to get an edge and very many parents, most in secret, hoped that their child would make ”the team.” The lack of goal has lead to lackluster desire. I always liked Wade and got a long with him. But as he helped some riders, his time and money diminished. His heart was in the right place and he was really hoping that his team would help the growth of his tattoo shops and clothing line. But as the most influential force in the past decade? I disagree... sorry but he wasn't around ten years ago. He defiantly was one hell of a talker, it's too bad his life made a bad turn.
3) Bikes are expensive When I can go into a local dealership and see a one year off model bike sold for $3000 less than the original price, there is a problem. Local dealers are losing the competitive riders, in our area, to California dealers. Thousand Oaks and Roseville are THE places to go for our top riders to go to purchase bikes. This has got to stop. There is NO reason for our area shops to lose this business. If Nevada kids are going to win, in this state and across the nation, then it should be on bikes from Nevada Dealers. The more bikes you sell, the more parts you sell, the more return business you get. I challenge all the local owners to cut prices for new bikes. You will increase sales and YOU will reinvigorate racing, which will mean more sales. Duh Let's get real this sport isn't cheap nor is much of anything anymore..and this one is soooo far off base it's hard to swallow. There is not one dirt bike or street bike with a profit of three thousand dollars! NOT A ONE. I'm unsure what you do for a living but no one likes to work for free and if a shop doesn't turn a profit... well, soon that shop isn't around. If you don't buy local, the local dealers cant invest into our local racers and races. In life you sometimes need to spend a little to get more in return. I can't think of a local shop that wouldn't off some type of help to racer. The biggest issue with shops vs racers, lays on the racers. Not many have any loyalty, they drift looking for the bigger better deal with no focus on developing a relationship. Years ago this industry offered plenty of hook up's and just like with anything when the economy crashed so did much of the "deals" "hook up's" they become harder to come by. So many dealerships or shops don't have them to offer. It just a fact. Anytime a shop offers or gives a racer a discount they are taking money right out of their own pocket to help a racer. Motocross is the only motorized sport that the participants look for the manufacture dealerships for support of them. 4) We eat our dead There have been some really good rider who have come from our area and we have failed them, all of us. Local dealers, shop owners and people with some pull in the sport have not personally come to support them. There have been no teams around them. No one to support some really fast kids and help them put Northern Nevada on the map. Sadly, some of the MOST influential leaders of the sport in our area have shunned them. We rally behind skiers and homeless people. Why on earth can we not support our up and coming Motocross riders? The wonderful thing about motocross is that it's not a team sport, it's up to the individual. There is nobody making stuff happen on or off the track but yourself. It's not up to the local community to reach out to them, it's up to the racer to reach out to the community. I've seen a few that are great at seeking help, they are creative and come up with events or sell themselves to potential sponsors. Many just want without doing anything to promote themselves or their sponsors. Also see some hit up local shops or sponsors up with offering little or nothing in return or promising to run a sticker in return, and not. I've seen more racers fail those trying to help them, than the other way around.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that we have lost some very good riders to death and injury over the past few years. For a small town, we have had some significant losses and injuries. That does give a person reason to pause. It does take a special kind of crazy to subject oneself to this life. Most people do not want to confront the reality that this sport WILL hurt you, cripple you, and might kill you. At the end of the day, though, there are more than a few people who long for the smell of VP and the drop of the gate. That is why we race. Well put. 99adad..
In closing.... I have to say that many don't know or realize how many people donate their time to make local motocross happen. These clubs are full of volunteers... OTHG, OTMX, the club in Winnemucca, SMRA, MRANN( these people that put on motocross / off road races all donate their time to make events happen) the members pay dues to donate their time and at times take time off of work to make things happen. The cost of putting on events are through the roof!!! Others like Tim O'Brien and Ty Erquiaga put their own personal pocket book on the line to make events happen, and it long hard work to try and turn a few dollars of profit. The financial burden of putting on a race is scary! It's a crazy world, you go out and donate or put your money on the line to have some guy poach practice on a practice day or act like a moron on the track, or have some stupid action in the pits leading to a shirt being ripped off. It seems crazy but many of us all try and make it work year after year all in the love of the sport of motocross. They'll be some local races announced very soon! And things will get back it racing on a regular basis.
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