Once I was told that CCS racers don't want to make a living racing.
I disagreed.
To generalize based on my own experiences with racers, I think many do. Certainly, we have been sold the fact that CCS is the place to start "your racing career"...
So, if you have the opportunity, please answer the poll.
Unfortunately, I can never seem to answer polls. I'll sticky this for several days, thanks. Dawn, if I wear out my welcome, pop me off the sticky...Thanks!
So, I said "yes", but really mean "maybe".
Motorsports, around racing for a living would be ideal...
Racing for a living would be very "iffy" simply because there's too little security in it and I have too much to lose. Would I trade places with Miguel (talent wise)? You bet! Short of that though, I don't know that I'd be capable of making a living at it with the family responsibilities and my gray hair...
Jeff, I really need yes or no answers for this poll. I understand the reality of things: family, food, etc.
But the question is "would you" not "could you". Seldom does anyone know if they can do such a thing until they have had the real opportunity to try.
But, as a result, I am posting a second poll question.
http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=ccs1;action=display;num=1094831417.
No, I don't. I'm sure many do, but I don't.
Racing is a hobby that's all about having fun for me. If I had to worry about making a living from it, I don't think it would be as fun.
Racing also doesn't provide the types of challenges that I want in a career. It's challenging, but in a different way. I'm an engineer, and like how that challenges me in a career-sense. I also like the duality of it. Mild-mannered, geeky engineer by weekday, extreme roadracer by weekend. ;D
I also compete in cyclocross races and triathlons as other hobbies. That doesn't mean that I want to make a living being a pro cyclocross racer or triathlete. I do it because it's fun.
Well said MZ girl....
However I do realize that my answer may have been different if asked about (holy crap!) 12 years ago.
- - Dang I'm getting old! - - ;)
;D
i would in a heart beat., but would have to do real well to make the money any of us make at our real jobs.. and still live well....
I would give just about anything I had to make a living at racing... and what's really cool is that my wife would also.
Racing motorcycles is my passion...
Being married to my wife is my life...
having both has made my dreams come true!
To be able to focus on nothing but my dreams would be the best of everything!!!
I wouldn't even care about becoming rich doing this for a living... all I would like is to be able to cover my bills like I do with my current day job :D
Team SKS Racing is now accepting offers! ;D
I'm 41 years old, built more for football than bike racing, and only semi-talented. Realistically, if I even had the chance, I don't have the youth or the talent.
To be honest, that's why I hate CCS/FUSA weekends so much since I turned expert. I don't really need to have my skeletal system shattered when a pro racer misjudges what line I'm taking and punts me. At least the local fast experts know what to expect from me and leave me six inches of "Respect."
When my body and bike are in a million pieces, I'm sure that the harsh words of an Aaron Yates wannabe dissing the abilities of lappers won't do a damn thing to put me or my bike back together.
hell yes...if i could I would make a living racing.
Not now. Like Chris said. Just to old to do it. ;D
QuoteI'm 41 years old, built more for football than bike racing,
Ya know Chris, when I first read this, I read:
Built more LIKE A football...
Thanks man. I know you didn't mean to, but you made me giggle...
Quote......I know you didn't mean to, but you made me giggle...
Did he say "giggle" :-X
I voted no Dave. I am on the edge of 44. If I were 18 again, hell yes I would. But racing is nothing but a very expensive hobby that I truly love.
I voted no. Racing doesn't seem like an attractive occupation to me. I do treat racing as a branch of my business. But making a living? There are infinite better careers out there (based on the current state of racing)
Making money elsewhere and have funding to race is definitely better than racing to fund your life.
Good and wise comments.
Keep 'em comin' and tell friends...
Mark, does Dean Hageman have an e-mail address or a phone number that I can possibly get from you...Don't know if you have it, but I though I'd ask...
ARE YOU KIDDING ME .. of course yes...
but im a realist ...
Isnt this like asking if you want to win the lottery ??
My bike got twisted !! that what reallly sucks about crashing !!
Steve has a really good point. It is a lot like winning the lottery. (But of course, it doesn't take skill or talent to belly up to a counter and buy a ticket,) If there are thousands of racers in the country, only a hundred or so will really throw their whole life into trying to actually make a living at racing, and only maybe five or six will truly reach the point where they are making a substantial amount of money in racing.
The other thing is place in life. Even if a guy had talent falling out his ears, he couldn't just chuck it all and try to be a professional racer once he's married, mortgaged, and providing for a couple of rugrats. Reality dictates that a guy in that position has to pay some bills if he doesn't want his family living in a cardboard box.
I believe that the only way an adult could attempt to pursue racing as a career would be if they were single, had no responsibilities at all, and were willing to live with no posessions besides a rusty van and some spare underwear. Most guys aren't in a position to take that big a risk, and even among those who could, how many would?
I love that crazy kid Jesse Janich. What a talented rider, and a great guy to boot. He may be the next big thing in motorcycle roadracing. But let's face it. His parents have spent his entire life bringing him along through this sport. Jesse has only needed to learn his craft, while his parents have done all the worrying about him having a place to live and bikes to ride. It's the same story with the Bostroms, the Haydens, Zemke, and even Rossi.
These days, the top pro racers are not self-made. They are grown from seed.
Don't analyze...
Question: Would you like to make a living at racing?
Just like this one...
Would you like a Pepsi?
Yes,(But given that it's in an glass bottle. I don't like aluminum cans. But who owns Pepsico? Heard that they have something in it that is funding terrorists, so I don't want to drink it then. However, if the health ramifications of long term exposure to caffeine and carbonic acid are actually harmful, maybe I shouldn't. Still, Red Bull has caffeine, but I like the sugar free stuff better. They say that you can put Coke in your toilet, and it'll clean the rust stains off your bowl. Ever use it on battery terminals?)I'll have a Sprite...
I get up too early... ;D
QuoteDon't analyze...
Question: Would you like to make a living at racing?
Just like this one...
Would you like a Pepsi?
OK, then based on that question, I would have to say that YES, racing motorcycles would be more fun than digging ditches!
Why? Is Mr. Wizzard going to donk me on the head with his magic wand and make me a pro?
I can see it now. Last lap of the Daytona 200, and I blow a tire while leading. At 200 MPH, 15 feet in the air, I'm screaming, "HELP ME, MR. WIZZARD! I DON'T WANT TO BE A MOTORCYCLE RACER ANY MORE!!!"
(Disclaimer for you young pups. You'd have to remember the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show to know what the hell I was just talking about!)
Absolutly! If I could see any way possible. I'm getting too old, but if I could see a way to put together a team and somehow make a profit, I'd be doing it.
I do know a team owner and he laughs when I ask about his finance side. He says his bookkeeper and accountant keep asking him why he's doing it.
Yes, but as a mechanic or data technician.
That being said, does anybody need someone at the ROC? The guy I normally crew for is not going.
Really, Andy...
I've been meaning to reply, but I'm a dummy sometimes...
School is coming up this next weekend, job interview on Tuesday, car repair on Wed, three football practices during a week, two games on Sunday...I need a race.
I'm trying to find money to go to Miami...need a donor really, but I want to go...
But the http://www.teamhansenhonda.com people want me to come to Barber the same weekend to race the CR750 again...hopefully the same chassis that I rode at Daytona in Spring, but I guess it now has a six speed trans in it. Might be cool. Mr Barber loves vintage bikes, so he really goes all out for the AHRMA people.
QuoteYes, but as a mechanic or data technician.
That being said, does anybody need someone at the ROC? The guy I normally crew for is not going.
YES! E me. racerk3@aol.com
A friend is going, asked me to help, and I can't get off.
yes yes yes yes yes. does quitting mah job 2 spend every waking moment riding/racing/spectating any motorcycle event, driving any length and happily writing cheques for obscene amounts of money for a few moments on or at a race track, and relinquishing any and all chances of finding 'mr.right' in my quest for total happiness on a motorcycle count as a yes? :P if so, than yes i would like to make a living racing ;)
rhiannon :-*
I voted no.
Sure, it's a dream job...your office is the race track. And I love being at the race track...
But, I wouldn't want to have to try to put bread on the table for my family based on my racing ability.
And, when my racing starts to feel like "work" I'll know it's time to quit.
HOLY HELL YES! I doubt it will ever happen, but it's definitely my dream!
At what level?
I don't think a CCS racer should ever expect to make a living off of racing. I think CCS should stress the most important part of racing - it is fun. When people begin to worry about winning enough money to pay the bills, the fun will disappear. CCS should be left to weekend warriors, sportsman racers. Mixing professionals with sportsman racers is not a good idea. Change/reduce/eliminate purse races to reduce costs (entry fees). Leave contingency in place.
FUSA is in need of a change, perhaps a sort of semi pro league could be formed using FUSA. Something like 10 events in the east and 10 events in the west. More serious racers could race in this series. Have an FUSA novice and FUSA expert license. FUSA experts would not be allowed to collect points or money at CCS events (CCS - sportsman, FUSA - professional). Pay enough at FUSA so racers woulld not have to cherry pick at CCS races.
When I started roadracing (1987) Erik Buell told me to never expect to make enough money to pay for racing let alone make a living. He said, if you are not willing (or can afford) to pay for all your racing expenses, don't even bother getting started.
Again, please reference the exact question.
CCS, WERA, AHRMA, AMA, etc. are not mentioned in the question.
Don't read something that is not there.
Dave, is there a point to this question? Or is this a psycoligical checkpoint for everybody? ;D
In one word Dave, "YES". My whole life revolves around racing. I don't have a family to support and I plan on keeping it that way until I at least give it my all and see my dream through. Since I was old enough to write, that is all I have wanted. I had a shot at it in supercross but due to medical problems I could not get to my goal. Thanks to Pat @ Billy at PBI Racing along with my parents they are allowing me to go for it in another aspect of motorcycling which I very much enjoy. I would feel as my life was incomplete if I didn't at least try.
QuoteDave, is there a point to this question? Or is this a psycoligical checkpoint for everybody? ;D
I'm just doing some research on the question because someone said something to me that I thought wasn't necessarily true.
Is the question posed as reality or fantacy? Would I like to make a living racing by waking up tommorow morning with the talent, support, and background of a Hayden. Well yes.
Would I like to make a living racing at this point after never even sitting on a racebike 'til 32. Well no. And that's my final awnser.
It seems that age is the dividing point on the awnser. <25 yes. >no There is not enough time to make a realistic run at making a living out of this sport as a rider for those of us who started late.
Get your last votes in, thank you...
Something happened a few weeks ago and I can no longer vote in polls either. But I would vote
YES