Yeah, I used to work with Matt at Honda Suzuki North a long time ago, he always told me to quit racing MX and get into roadracing... I wished I would have listened! Matt, has it really been that long? Wow your old [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]
Myles
I think I'm standing right next to Jason Keene. The one difference...
It feels so awesome, I want everyone to experience it. I can't put it into words quite right, they just don't add up. But the excitement in the words... and the comraderie when I bring my friends to the track. Maybe JUST MAYBE I can help one more person get in. that's what it's about. We have found our little peice of heaven. For some it's found in Turn 1 at TWS, others the pit garages covered in grease while their biggest compitition helps tune thier bike!! There is something amazing about how we will help push a strangers bike or a best friend's bike to the start line then Stuff him in turn one cause IT"S RACING!!! Off the track we do anything for each other. On the track, it's no respector of person (unless it's a yellow shirt!! LOL) Basically it's the fact that we all undertand that we are living a dream,and sharing a dream, and that by itself automatically makes us friends. If I never get the chance to race again, I HAVE DONE IT! I know the feel, smell, the sounds... ah.
I give up..
Jason's right...
words don't do it...
SO ANYONE READING WHO HASN"T BEEN THERE>>>>>
COME LIVE IT!!!!!!
In 1985 I went and bought one of those NINJA bikes, a 600r to be exact. I remember it cost me 3200 bucks brand new. Been racing every year since. Dollars and family have me not going to Texas as much these days
Darnell remembers Group Therapy showin up at Hallett towin the GXSR's behind the ol blue Caddy back in 87-88
Brings back alot of good memories
---because without beer, things do not seem to go as well
How long do you want to race? Start there and throw pragmatism out the window. Oh yeah, you already did that when you decided to race in the first place. I believe your answer can have some effect on how things actually turn out. Of course there are unknown variables that will offer clarity along the way. So, be flexible. You can have what you want, even if you have to adjust your wants along the way.
I don't look at my racing as a discrete period in time. I view it as an oscillating process, in and out, expansion and contraction, like everything.
70-a dabble in motocross
75-78 SCCA FF national
79-81 Slalom & GS RMSIA
85-88 CRRC
Just gettin' warmed up!
Billy
03-CMRA
Billy Martin
I am 37 now. I have been with CMRA since 97' I CAN feel that every year and every injury(motorcycle involved or whatever) does take longer to heal up. But DANG this is fun. I am not acitve in any other activity that creates this much grin factor in my life(except the obvious) I would venture to think that I will do this for as long as I can sling a leg over!! If I did this for a living I would have what they call a MotorCygasm on a regualar basis.
Billy I always love it when you give us a sysnopsis, it makes me feel like I am in Philosophy 101 again. Every time I talk to you I'm more confused than when I started.
Bod 2007-2008
Pierson you are correct, the actual question is (after re-reading) how long does the average racer race, and I assume you mean in the CMRA? I talked about this with a long time CMRA employee last summer, he told me it is about 3 years on average. 2 years in Novice, then 1 year expert. I hope the experts are gentle on me, and dont run me off next year
Myles
1982. 1980 Z-1 Kawasaki, 1000 cc of pure hell on the long bank at TWS.
1983. GS 750 ES Suzuki, with no steering dampner damn near threw me off at the start finish. I could kill the Interceptors from turn four on.... Don't tell Ronnie that!
Racing gets in your system and won't go away. I cherish my racing memories. (We need to go back to Monterrey!!!!!)
CMRA, CRRC member 1982-????
David
David
DynaTech Endurance
Is a racer born or made? I was racing something as soon as I could push, peddle, or twist! Want to go until I quit breathin' Unfortunately the usual constraints apply...Time and Money.
I started hanging around in 96 corner working, pit crew, cause I was to broke to buy all the equipment. In 98' I saved enough to buy leathers and raced a borrowed Honda Hawk. sat out 1999 to race prep an F3, then raced it most of 2000. 2001 sat out due to an illness in my family and spent my spare time prepping an SV650 which I raced all of 2002 and half of 2003 when a divorce took all my money. Sat out all 2004 (remarried) and spent all of 2005 race prepping a ZX6R...Maybe I will get to race in 2006 but my 9 month old baby boy has been getting most of my race budget this year and may take up all of next years as well...
But I won't ever give up and will always be a racer!
Hey Pierson. Yeah, I often confuse myself too. I don't know about averages. My post was probably just a repeat of my own internal dialogue rationalizing my need to be in denial that a day might come when I say "I'm done" I don't ever want to think "I won't be on a track again". Back in the 80's (CRRC) I don't remember very many racers over 40, a few, but not many. It seems like these days the age range is broader. I've never wanted to be limited by conventional thinking like, "you're to old to be doing that". I'll know it's time to quit when I'm gettin' in the way. When I was Ski instructing, years ago, there were 3 other instructors around 80 yrs. old heading up the mountain every morning for the first run at 10,000 feet plus and working all day up there blizzard or shine. They were definetly inspirational.
Billy Martin
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