Originally Posted by
Cody Stewart
I have an issue with 'not being comfortable' not being a valid reason. Everyone is different. I'm fast at a couple tracks (but not fast enough to podium in novice this year so far) because I've only been to TWS and MSRH. I've never sprinted at any other track. I've been to ECR once (3 years ago) and Hallet once on my big bike at track days, I haven't been to any of the other tracks on anything bigger than a 250 and in some cases, never been at all. It takes me a while to get to know tracks and I don't want to get to know tracks riding in Expert because I know the pace would be too fast for me at the majority of tracks I go to. Other people are different and can pick up tracks really quickly, but that's not me. I'm pretty competitive and I know I would push myself beyond my limits trying to keep up on tracks I don't know. So when I was bumped, I protested. I had been saving up money for the last few years to be able to complete a full season this year. I knew I'd make it to expert next year, but I wanted to make sure I knew the tracks and wouldn't be a hazard to myself or others. I had some strong finishes last year at the first two rounds which is what bumped me up. My protest was denied so I made a decision, based on this and other factors, to stop racing. I've been racing for 3 years doing 1 or 2 rounds a year as I could afford them while saving up money to finally be able to do a full season, so I was pretty bummed about it, but I'm not going to complain about it. But it was a choice I made because I don't feel I'm ready and I feel that I would've been a danger to not only myself, but to other riders. Maybe in a few years after I do some track days at some other tracks and get used it, I might try it again.
I just wanted to point out that everyone is different and not being comfortable can be completely legitimate, at least to me. Legitimate enough for me to stop doing it because I felt it exceeded my tolerance of risk.
-Cody