This last weekend was actually really bittersweet. Danny and I wanted “one more chance” to do it right. The weather did not cooperate, but it was still great and the CMRA family is second to none.
We made this decision the week after MSRH and the fact of the matter is that I had to decide “what to do next”. With that said I went to Daytona and spent the week thinking about things and to truthfully get a job. I really didn’t expect anything great…because of the market.
I was very fortunate…JRi Shocks offered me the position overseeing the Motorcycle/road racing stuff…so on Tuesday I began my move to North Carolina and started work today.
I will be putting together new sponsorship programs and working to increase the support to riders in the CMRA…so I likely will still be coming to the races to some degree…just in a much different capacity.
I want to thank everyone for the very kind words this last weekend. My first road race was in 1987 and it is ironic I left the corporate world because I was sick of being in an office…and now I work in an industry that I have spent more time than I have ever thought I would…working in an office (although I don’t have to worry about “what people will think” about going to the track now).
Lastly…I want to thank the hundreds of riders I riders I have worked with over the many years in the CMRA. I was talking to Andy Galindo and remember working with him in 2004 when he won a bunch of races and won his first “big time” expert championships. Not picking on Andy, but rather thinking of the dozens and dozens of champions I had the privilege to work with…that let me be part of their success. I also have to thank guys like Bill Klindworth. Bill constantly reminds me of “what is right about this sport”. Bill’s approach and what he is trying to get out of this sport is what all of us strive for…and lose to some degree over time. Bill is just a great reminder of the great things of our sport and what keeps people in this sport for many years.
If anyone needs anything, feel free to contact me at mmcbain (AT) jrishocks.com
Thanks again,
Marcus McBain