Motorcycle Racing Forum

Just curious  :pop:

You dont have to win to have fun, although its a bonus!  :cheers:

how about this scenario which really speaks to the American Psychy:  Do you prefer to win by a landslide or compete really hard and lose?  Personally for me it's about the competition.  During one of the race last year - might have been BHF, I fought hard for the 8th place with another rider, took him on the last corner under braking and beat him to the checker.  Felt like I'd won the race!!

If the competition is good, I'd still take a landslide when I'm riding well. 

To show up at the beginning of the season and to completely crush the people you're riding with...it sets a tone for a championship season. 


I think the whole perspective changes if you've never won a race.  Before I ever won a race, something I never did as a novice/amateur, I would have been happy for just a win.  Then, I was ready for my next one.  Then I wanted to lap the field and crush people.  If you're competitive, you continue to guage yourself on moving forward.  Ultimately, it's about riding well, developing your set up, and so on.   But winning is still good. 

Hard fought races are just good period, though.  If your bike sucks, and you're still racing against someone that's pretty good, that IS extremely satisfying. 

 Great question! I'd say to simply make some progress as the season goes on, and you continue to develop skills while improving the machine's set-up. Making those successful improvements in machine and getting on the box are awesome.



I haven't won one yet so I can't comment on that!     :lmao:

I voted for winning, but I also seriously enjov having a good battle mid pack.  My best race ever combined a great battle and a win.  A friend of mine battled me all the way from green to checkered.  We probably passed eachother ten or more times in a 20 lap race, and passed lapped riders where ever we encountered them so that we wouldnt get left behind.  I was in second coming into the last turn of the last lap.  I closed the gap on the brakesm, got on the gas a little earlier than he did, and was able to get my wheel in front of his right before we crossed the stripe.  Probably one of the best 20 minutes of my life.

I may be in the wrong, but im not happy if I dont win, and really not happy if im off the podium. Its not to say im not content with finishing and riding well, but when I make the sacrifices it takes to go race and race well, im there to finish well. You also have to put it in perspective, if your running 1 20's at bhf on a new 600 and you have been racing for 4 years, then yeah just go have fun, but for me im trying to learn and hoping to get somewhere with this, so as sad as it sounds im concerned with putting it on the box, hopefully the top :thumb:

Quote from: Super Dave on December 16, 2006, 07:34:49 AM
 

Hard fought races are just good period, though.  If your bike sucks, and you're still racing against someone that's pretty good, that IS extremely satisfying. 

Winning is winning but coming from behind or having a battle to the death for a win is GREAT!

When you start winning anything else sucks.  I look at it, 2nd place is the first loser....I know that sounds harsh but it is what it is.   It's really hard for me to take a race and work on my bike to fix something.   Which I battled all year with my 2006 R6 trying to run up front, where I should of taken a race or two to work on set up, I think I could of gone faster with less of a headache...LOL  But having such a hard time with my 06...and then getting on my 05, running really well and winning again felt good !

But that's the wonderful thing about motorcycle racing you don't have to be the fastest to have fun.  You could take dead last but if you had a battle with someone it makes it so much fun.  With riding motorcycles there is always someone about your speed you can battle with.  And remember this there is always someone faster too....

Heres my outlook. Get out your popcorn now, I'm writing again! :pop:  :blahblah:
I race AMA Pro & CCS Regionals from time to time.
At this level I would say that winning over rides the pleasure of a good battle.
I have had good battles and won and thats really fun.
But to say would you rather finish 10th in an AMA round having a battle with 5 guys or would you rather win the Supersport race by checking out? Hmmm... I think winning would be a hell of a lot better for sure.

It depends on your view in racing. Is it to make money, or just a hobby. If there is no reward but a trophy it not going to be as exciting to win as it would be if you win an AMA National and your on TV and everyone is cheering for you.

I don't know just as Nicky Hayden if he would have rather gotten 5th this season.

I have a feeling if someone wrote this thread to determine if they want to stay Amatuer or go Expert.  Go Expert if that is the case. It's all about the lap times on the machine your running.
I'm not satified if I'm not the fastest guy on the track period. Because obviously someone is faster than me because they figured out how to do it better than me. So I've got to figure out why I'm slower and fix up my bike or myself to be the fastest.
I don't think I will get old and just be that guy who never quits racing as I'm getting slower & slower. What's the point?
I'd rather ride on some old back trail with a dirt bike and have fun that way or do track days. Its much cheaper and more fun.

I was at Daytona this year when it hit me: I was walking to the pre prior to the start of the Moto St race when I suddenly had a different outlook on racing from then on.
I told myself while looking around at all the other teams and riders getting ready that we are essentially at war. The best prepared team will win today. Racing is about a whole team working together, practicing their strategies over & over and going through all senerios to make sure they do the best they can do period. The best team doesn't always win but they have a much better chance than team that don't prepare.
I mean really everyone, we are at war out there. When the day is over I'm happy whatever my position is all long as we all gave it our best try and we take what we have learned today and make a better race next time.
Thing about me is I tell all my competitors my secrets to help them get faster. If I get beat then I have more work to do to get faster. It rasies the level of competition.
Jason

Hey Jason,

no, season is out for two months now and I'm really just curious to the responses.  I think you summed it up pretty well though.
Overall the fun in the poll is to see the different responses from riders of different experience and level ie; club racing for x years or AMA level etc...

Thanks for chiming in :thumb:

Paul

Quote from: DanO966 on December 16, 2006, 02:45:09 PMWhen you start winning anything else sucks.  I look at it, 2nd place is the first loser....

+1.

Lord knows I've been the first loser to Mr. Ed Key more than a few times. Nothing to be ashamed of. But man, it truly sucks. Winning is addictive. Once you have a taste of it, nothing else compares.

That said, a couple of my most fun races this season were with Kevin Van Engen in LWSS when we were pushing each other hard the whole race for second or third place (and Ed was long gone). Battling a guy for the whole race and beating him to the line, for whatever position, feels great. It's like a race within a race. But there's still just one true winner...

As long as I beat that Vondrake dude in F40, I don't care about the rest of the races! ;)

Hey Scott,

dude, you really should think about raising your bar a little higher.... :cheers:

Dano,

I was there for the 05 R6 comeback 8)
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F76.162.17.93%2Fphotogallery%2F2006%2520Racing%2FBlackhawk%2520Farms%2FJune%2FSun1%2Fimages%2FIMG_3873.jpg&hash=415cd0855a1c3f6b9b93f6ccb505126173e394ad)

Not only was it good for you, it was a blast to watch!

Same with you and Kevi, PaulJ, very exciting stuff.

No real agenda with this poll, just interesting to me.

PaulV

Winning.  But I won't ride over my head to do it.  It wouldn't matter anyway since, as an expert, a good weekend for me is to get wood.  I know I've done my best to do it.  With others out there who are better talented, better equipped and in better physical shape I have to accept that I won't win in a full grid dry race.  I'm glad I won as an amateur though.  It was a great feeling.

For a competitive person, not winning must contribute to good riders quitting after a few years.

Quote from: PaulV on December 17, 2006, 12:02:55 PM
Hey Scott,

dude, you really should think about raising your bar a little higher.... :cheers:

Dano,

I was there for the 05 R6 comeback 8)
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.polar-optics.com%2FPolar-Optics%2520LLC_files%2FPolar-Optics%2520Racing%25202006%2FBHF%2520June%25202006%2FIMG_3873.jpg&hash=609e422d9b5cafe4b8aa9518419b2b05d11f7c06)

Not only was it good for you, it was a blast to watch!

Same with you and Kevi, PaulJ, very exciting stuff.

No real agenda with this poll, just interesting to me.

PaulV

If I had a picture like this (which isn't currently possible, because after crashing a wheelie once I haven't done one since), it would for sure be 8' X 8' covering a wall in my house.  That picture is sweet!!

The most satisfying race I ever ran was one that I finished second in.  It was the best I'd ever ridden.  I won races too, but because I didn't have to ride as well to win them, it didn't bring me near the satisfaction.  To ride your best and win, well that would be just gravy.

Each racer has their own experiences to draw from, so as long as everyone is having fun, that's all that matters.
:cheers:

There's nothing better than a good close battle with someone. Testing your racecraft against theirs. Doesn't matter what position it is.


Oh yeh. Sack up Ben. White plates. Where winning means something. :kicknuts: :biggrin:

Kevin speaks the truth...  the battle is where it is at, regardless of position.  We all spend a lot of money doing this, so hopefully it is to have some fun.  For me, I don't have to win to have fun.  A good race is always a blast, and the funnest race I had this year I didn't win(you still suck though, Wu).  Of course, I'm really starting to enjoy the wins I had against Probst now that I know how important the whole win thing is to him:)-HA! Just kidding.  Ben, seriously, keep with your goals, but be sure to still enjoy it along the way.

Quote from: KC_124 on December 17, 2006, 11:58:43 PM
There's nothing better than a good close battle with someone. Testing your racecraft against theirs. Doesn't matter what position it is.


Oh yeh. Sack up Ben. White plates. Where winning means something. :kicknuts: :biggrin:

My last ULWSB race at Blackhawk was t best of both.  I got a  great launch and ran wellthe whole race but the real fun and excitement came when a new guy (learning curves shirt riding a KTM) came around me  in lap 4. Now it wasn't just riding away for a win it was a race, we traded places a few times and then we caught a slower rider entering the carousel on the white flag lap and I backed off. Well Mr KTM took us both on the outside and I took the the duc into the bustop and the real race was on, I managed to catch him at the kink and even though he had power on me I had enough drive out of 7 to real him  in at the line by 18 inches. It was was my first win but it was a race I will never forget. 

I voted for win but hey it's all about fun and for 15 minutes at a time the whole world goes away and nothing matters but you, machine, track and FUN! If you're on this board it's all about fun, don't ever let that get away, that's when you leave and that's the only time you lose .

Quote from: PJ on December 16, 2006, 07:58:25 PM
+1.

Lord knows I've been the first loser to Mr. Ed Key more than a few times. Nothing to be ashamed of. But man, it truly sucks. Winning is addictive. Once you have a taste of it, nothing else compares.

That said, a couple of my most fun races this season were with Kevin Van Engen in LWSS when we were pushing each other hard the whole race for second or third place (and Ed was long gone). Battling a guy for the whole race and beating him to the line, for whatever position, feels great. It's like a race within a race. But there's still just one true winner...

I am with PJ

I've only won 1 race in the 300-400 that I've run.  It was a great feeling and one I'd like to have gotten used to, but I simply did not have the complete package (physically, mentally, financially, mechanically) to be that number 1 guy.  Thus I had to settle for beating myself, which is what racing was all about for me.

When I would beat my times, or have a break-through, that was a WIN for me.

Having close competition with people you trust and enjoy, is also a WIN for me.

I guess they're excuses since I couldn't win consistently, but I gave it all I had and am extremely proud of what I've accomplished over the years.

Having ridden for 20 years on the street before going to the track, I think I saw (see...seesaw?) racing as the natural progression. I have always seen riding like golf (not that I play golf); play the course and yourself and improve/get better. "Better" always seems to equate to smoother and smoother consequently translated into faster.

Luckily, the people who I blame for my new racing addiction (Mitch, Lonny, Matt, and now Kyle) have preached this philosophy since day one. Since I started racing, though, I find the more I am on the track the more competitive I have become. I am not sure whether getting on the podium is the main goal as much as picking that one guy who seems to be at your level and slicing and dicing with him the whole race ( Buell #991, you made Gingerman A LOT of fun for me in October!).

So ultimately, I voted for riding my best which is probably because I haven't gotten on the box yet. I am curious to see if I ever get there and if my attitude will change.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2007! :thumb:

Mark

winning a race cause in order for me to win one I would have to ride very well...lol

Quote from: zx10rblack51 on December 18, 2006, 11:45:50 AM
winning a race cause in order for me to win one I would have to ride very well...lol

Not really...  The one win I had was on some very bad lap times...  They just happened to be marginally better than everyone else.

Hey Jason:

The war comments disturbs me a little particularly if you ment it literally.  If so, it may imply that you will race till death or at least severe injury....  While I really enjoy motorcycle racing, I have a lot more to live for.  Catching that wiley steelhead, doubling an mx jump, seeing my daughters marry hapily, getting major air off a cornice (on skis) at Whistler etc..  If I'm racing against guys who will risk it all to win one club race well...I may be the chicken instead of the pig (engaged instead of commited (eggs vs bacon).

Well, there's the thing with racing.

It's been washed over a bit by organizations that it is perfectly safe and all.

Honestly, it is pretty safe compared to lots of things.  But to fail to recognize that it isn't something that can hurt you, cost you money, or destroy stuff is shooting pretty low.


Here's a story...

I was racing a very expensive and pretty much priceless motorcycle for a guy in California.  Visually, it was stunning.  Preparation was stunning.  Often, no one was allowed to touch it. 

I am a racer.  So, when I was asked to race it, that's what I was there to do:  ride the bike, develop it so that I could execute properly on a race track against other competitors.

When you make the commitment to race, you have to recognize what might happen.  Someone that I trust had to take the owner to task about his preparedness for my commitment to race the bike.  Basically, it was a big blow out between the two at a race that I wasn't at.  In the end, the owner recognized that he needed to step up on some things to reach my level of commitment to work on his project.

I had my risk.  His risk was lower, though, with an unbelieveable motorcycle. 

Eventually, we reached to goal winning a couple very important races, but I crushed some very priceless pipes in the process when I fell off in something slick.

War is about preparedness and commitment.  Winning is about not dying.  Ask Patton.

Quote from: Super Dave on December 18, 2006, 12:50:58 PM
Well, there's the thing with racing.

It's been washed over a bit by organizations that it is perfectly safe and all.

Honestly, it is pretty safe compared to lots of things.  But to fail to recognize that it isn't something that can hurt you, cost you money, or destroy stuff is shooting pretty low.


Here's a story...

I was racing a very expensive and pretty much priceless motorcycle for a guy in California.  Visually, it was stunning.  Preparation was stunning.  Often, no one was allowed to touch it. 

I am a racer.  So, when I was asked to race it, that's what I was there to do:  ride the bike, develop it so that I could execute properly on a race track against other competitors.

When you make the commitment to race, you have to recognize what might happen.  Someone that I trust had to take the owner to task about his preparedness for my commitment to race the bike.  Basically, it was a big blow out between the two at a race that I wasn't at.  In the end, the owner recognized that he needed to step up on some things to reach my level of commitment to work on his project.

I had my risk.  His risk was lower, though, with an unbelieveable motorcycle. 

Eventually, we reached to goal winning a couple very important races, but I crushed some very priceless pipes in the process when I fell off in something slick.

War is about preparedness and commitment.  Winning is about not dying.  Ask Patton.

Nice

Quote from: Jeff on December 18, 2006, 11:58:55 AM
Not really...  The one win I had was on some very bad lap times...  They just happened to be marginally better than everyone else.

lol, yeah its possible but not at my level right now. Although I guess I would be more satisfied with riding well and knowing I did my best rather than winning and knowing I got lucky and rode like crap.

Right on Dave. Thanks!! :thumb:

Quote from: SVR6#231 on December 18, 2006, 12:26:51 PMThe war comments disturbs me a little particularly if you ment it literally.  If so, it may imply that you will race till death or at least severe injury....  While I really enjoy motorcycle racing, I have a lot more to live for.

Reality Check #1: You can get seriously injured or killed racing motorcycles. I have friends who have shattered their legs. Ground off their fingers. Broken their backs. Had internal organs removed. Or holes drilled in their skulls to relieve the pressure of bleeding on the brain. I've personally witnessed two fellow racers killed in racing accidents. I'm certain that both of those racers also had a lot more to live for--as we all do. To blissfully ignore the fact that racers are hurt and killed each season, and that it could happen to any of us in a heartbeat, is just being ignorant of the inherent risks of roadracing.

Reality Check #2: To compare roadracing and the preparation needed to go roadracing (or to play a game of football, etc.) to actual war is, at best, trite. At worst, it's disrespectful to the men and women who are truly putting it all on the line today and every day serving our country in the military. War is war. There really is no comparison.

Paul may have put it a bit harshly, but unfortunately it's true. The reason I stopped racing wasn't because I stopped having fun. (Even as a slow AM, I still had a ball out there!) The reason I stopped was because in my last crash, I tweaked both wrists, had a minor break in a finger, and realized I could lose my career in another bad fall. (I only had 2 race crashes in 3 years of occasional racing and track riding) I worked the entire week after that crash, but then started some very hard decision making.

Coupled with the riders I've seen injured and killed, this is not a sport to take lightly. That said, I will still encourage others to take to the track whether as a track day rider, or as a fully vested competitor, because this is the most fun you can have legally,  :biggrin: AND you need to LIVE before you depart this blue marble.

Winning is a double edged sword. It is a great feeling, but unfortuantely finishing 2nd will never feel the same. Once I had won, it was all I wanted to do, I was not happy with any other place.

That is until I woke up staring at a hospital ceiling, learning that I had crashed, was given mouth to mouth and almost air lifted to the hospital (the helicopter was called twice).

Since then my outlook on racing has changed. Yes the crash has taken the edge off, I am not the racer I used to be. However I enjoy racing much more than I ever have. Don't get me wrong, I still like to win, but it is not the end of the world if I don't. If I have done my best I have been beaten, there is no reason to not be happy with my performance.

In the scheme of things how important is a win at any level? How many people's lives have changed significantly since Nicky Haden won the championship? Out of 6 billion people how many know who he is? Or care? How really important was his victory? The fact that I have won races (about 30) has not had any significant affect on my life.

I personally think too many people take racing at the club level far too seriously. Very few racers I have seen in the last few years stand any chance of making a good living racing (good living = making enough money to not have to work when your career is over). If you think you have what it takes and club racers are too slow and get in your way, move up to some of the natiional series, CCS and WERA each have one, then move up to AMA.

Quote from: tzracer on December 19, 2006, 11:42:03 AM
In the scheme of things how important is a win at any level? How many people's lives have changed significantly since Nicky Haden won the championship? Out of 6 billion people how many know who he is? Or care? How really important was his victory? The fact that I have won races (about 30) has not had any significant affect on my life.

I personally think too many people take racing at the club level far too seriously. Very few racers I have seen in the last few years stand any chance of making a good living racing (good living = making enough money to not have to work when your career is over). If you think you have what it takes and club racers are too slow and get in your way, move up to some of the natiional series, CCS and WERA each have one, then move up to AMA.

Well put!!!

I'm harder on myself based on perfomance than position.  If I have a great ride and end up at the bottom half of the field, I can still feel good about what I have done.  Improvements I have made, its all a process.  I'd be naive to think I would be one of the few blessed with "IT" and go out winning races right outta the gate.  First year as an expert I had to keep reminding myself that for the majority, the folks I'm racing against have been doing this ALOT longer than I have.  Once I focused back to my task, bettering myself, the times came down, the finishes improved and the confidence rose.  I would say the most satisfying rides for me are the ones where I go faster than I have, and I beat the guy in front of me.  Wether its for 1st or 15th...

maybe when I win do WIN a race my perspective will change...

Hey Paul,
I hope all is well.
My thoughts on would you rather win or have a good race.  Winning is great but the best races I have ever had was battling with Paul James for 2nd place, yet still losing every time. Dame that P. James =). As you would say PV "that's as much fun as you can have with clothes on".
Have a great Holiday.

I never considered winning a race as an option when I first started.  So imagine my surprise when I entered 11 races my first weekend (RA-twinsprint) and wound up coming home with 11 chunks of wood (not sure if any of them was a first or not - maybe one was).  Heck, my first race was GTL, and I didn't even know I'd placed until the day was over.  All that confusion.  Nevermind points - Points? What points??

For me it was always about the ride - I just liked seeing how hard I could go, just for the fun of going.  Like SD used to tell me, "If you're not having fun, what are you doing out there?"  Later in the season I remembered those words a few different times - when I would get too down on myself for not doing well.

As an amateur it took me a while to realize that after I'd passed all the yellow plates, there really wasn't much point in going after the whites.  I crashed pretty good at least once doing this - Paul James picked me up in the infield and gave me a ride back to the pits on the tail of his Buell after the race finished.  It never occurred to me to back off once I was out in front - I was having too much fun just going as hard as I possibly could.  Winning was just bonus.  Of course, once I figured out that what I was doing for fun also resulted in winning races, I became a bit more focused on doing more to refine my skill.  And then there were those points - finally figured out what that was all about, too.

But still, for me it was always about going as hard as I could.  Having other bikes out there just made it more interesting - but winning was never the primary objective.  I don't think I ever really did get the hang of backing off once I'd blown off the field.  It was just too much fun to keep charging ahead, making that bike do everything I possibly could and not crash.  As SD pointed out, "If you're not having fun, what are you out there for?" (as in, "do you really think a WSB team is going to pick you up??") 

That was a hell of a fun race wasn't it?  I had just as much fun when Jamie Hall beat me by .011 seconds at Hallett.

I enjoy winning (on the race occasion that I do), but the reality of it is that there is always somebody faster than you that you'll never be able to beat.  Having a good race where you know you've pushed youself to the limit and battling with somebody else is typically what I settle for.

Quote from: Jack_Brock on December 18, 2006, 12:17:26 AM
Kevin speaks the truth...  the battle is where it is at, regardless of position.  We all spend a lot of money doing this, so hopefully it is to have some fun.  For me, I don't have to win to have fun.  A good race is always a blast, and the funnest race I had this year I didn't win(you still suck though, Wu).  Of course, I'm really starting to enjoy the wins I had against Probst now that I know how important the whole win thing is to him:)-HA! Just kidding.  Ben, seriously, keep with your goals, but be sure to still enjoy it along the way.

As many of know from another thread I am lucky to be alive today. I take about 25 pills a day to keep my pain under control. My concenration at this point is so far gone that it will take me 20 minutes   tp write this post.  It doesn't matter if you win or take 7 in a  knock down drag out fight for 7th 8th and 9th.  Any of us who have done this knows  that we do it because it is a passion/addiction that only those who do it willl ever understand.

The accident that almost killed me last month didn't happen on the track it happened at work, do what you love like there is no tomorrow because there might not be. Every one of you knows (with the exception of a very small group of obsessive type A people) that you don't have to win to go out and have the most fun of your life. Ride within you ability and there will be someone right there to race with and  you'll have a blast.

Att: Paul V.
This was a good topic. It was good to hear how other riders viewed racing. I wonder if you would have had more "rather win" if you started this thread in the middle of the season.
So you have heard other views and opinion on is it better to win or have a good race. How do you feel about this.
Have a great Christmas!!!

Quote from: PJ on December 18, 2006, 08:59:47 PM
Reality Check #1: You can get seriously injured or killed racing motorcycles. I have friends who have shattered their legs. Ground off their fingers. Broken their backs. Had internal organs removed. Or holes drilled in their skulls to relieve the pressure of bleeding on the brain. I've personally witnessed two fellow racers killed in racing accidents. I'm certain that both of those racers also had a lot more to live for--as we all do. To blissfully ignore the fact that racers are hurt and killed each season, and that it could happen to any of us in a heartbeat, is just being ignorant of the inherent risks of roadracing.

Reality Check #2: To compare roadracing and the preparation needed to go roadracing (or to play a game of football, etc.) to actual war is, at best, trite. At worst, it's disrespectful to the men and women who are truly putting it all on the line today and every day serving our country in the military. War is war. There really is no comparison.

response to #1 - Paul do you think that road racing is more dangerous than commuting to work on a bike in Chicagoland traffic?  I think not - so while you've clearly witnesses some pretty horrible things, are the chance of them occuring on a race track as high as on the street?  Having said this, I should probably sell my street bike because the fun risk ratio is not particularly attractive plus I'm stacking high risk activities increase my overal for

#2: Is the comparison that different? - the motivation of most of the people in military is different - patriotism, desire to instill democracy accross the world, wheras our motivation is pure unadulterated fun/thrills.  We do not have conscription (yet) so for most people in the military, it is a choice to join and possibly be called into battle.  I do feel very bad for the families of fallen soldiers because they didn't chose to lose someone they love.

Ok guys (SVR6), don't get you panties in a bind. It always amazes me how a simple survey that the answer should be as easy as yes or no always escalates to someone trying to lash out at someone behind a computer screen. Real tough guys. This tread was started with good intentions and doesn't need to become ugly.
I hope everyone has a great holiday.

RACE WIN-temporary result------RACEWELL- Permanent result------  PEACE until the flag drops always!

I always ride my BEST!! :biggrin:
Somedays are just bettr than others!! :thumb:

Hey Kevi,

Great to hear from you!

Ok,
I'll chime in, to me, Its' all about the Crumpet I suppose!!!
Or, the zone, rythem and flow, zen or what ever you want to call it.
The Best rides in my life have been on bone stock bikes with taped up headlights, ringing every last bit out of it that I could get.  Granted, nobody likes to lose, ie;2nd place=1st loser, so if you can max out bike and your ability with out binning it, and win the race, thats the shit.  But to place anything less than 1st, with out riding your best, would have me taking pictures and supporting others rather than racing bikes.  
At my age....me thinks the risk be ath too great to not want to get everything I can out of it.

Just my 2cents...

Thanks for playing

Merry Holidays
Paul
Polar-Optics

Quote from: L8brake731 on December 21, 2006, 05:42:12 PM
I always ride my BEST!! :biggrin:
Somedays are just bettr than others!! :thumb:

Hey Steve,
good to hear from you.  Hope your season went well.
Any plans for 07 yet?

Paul
Polar-Optics

Quote from: PaulV on December 21, 2006, 06:02:59 PM
good to hear from you.  Hope your season went well.
Any plans for 07 yet?

yeah Paul, likewise, 06 went OK being my first set of races -10 over 4 weekends.  Plans for 07 are to possibly ride Topeka, Gateway, Road America and every other BHF on the SV but starting to campaign the 04R6 in F40 and MWSS at RA and subsequent races.

Quote from: kvanengen on December 21, 2006, 03:21:37 PM
Ok guys (SVR6), don't get you panties in a bind. It always amazes me how a simple survey that the answer should be as easy as yes or no always escalates to someone trying to lash out at someone behind a computer screen. Real tough guys. This tread was started with good intentions and doesn’t need to become ugly.
I hope everyone has a great holiday.

PJ and Kevin - no harm intended... I just enjoy good discourse and this topic did excalate in an interesting direction.  So to reply to the original question - I don't know (yet) never having come close to winning!