is it wrong

Started by Apriliapilot, August 07, 2009, 03:05:44 PM

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Apriliapilot

Hanging out the other eve with some racers of varying ages, the question of why you race and what you are trying to accomplish when you are came up. Some of the younger 20somethings winning and perhaps going pro, making a living was their goal, some  30 somethings it was more of  a exciting thing to do maybe "professional hobby" kind of thing, like their approach to it was  very professional but they were in it for mainly enjoyment self pride kind of thing. it seems that winning and spending lots of money to do it wasn't  paramount, the younger guys didn't really get it, feeling that if you weren't trying to win then why race?  so my question is, is it wrong just to race because you can and for fun? is that not the reason for groups like ccs and others?

truckstop

Some people like gardening, some people like to wander casinos and gamble, other people think sitting in some grandstands, drinking, and watching a bunch of guys throw/hit a ball or beat the crap out of each other is a good time...

We like to ride motorbikes on racetracks. Sometimes it's for fun, sometimes it's to teach, and sometimes it's to put our skills up against other people in a race. To each their own.

We're old though, and have no delusions of making a living at it.

danch

When I was 20-ish, I was putting all my energy into being the best in my field. Now I can afford (in more ways than one) to do things that I suck at.
MW Am #720

f3racer

im in it for both. i grew up watching my father and uncle race. this has been my dream since i was a little boy. the reason i joined the army. i want the satifaction of racing but damn would i love to be able to make a living doing it.
Will
Former CCS MW Novice #81, WERA Novice #81
AHRMA Heavyweight SBK #81, DD's Racing Endurance Team #773
2020 Tuono Factory, 2000 RC51, 1980 CB750/823

DEVINC

i wanna get very fast obviously. a goal is maybe one day to just be in the back of the field at an ama event. but for now just have fun and learn alot and, sure, have a little pride in myself

Jeff

I don't see that either viewpoint is bad.  

I raced for 7 seasons, and managed to do so because I said that I'd rather race 3 classes per weekend and race an entire season than race 10 classes per weekend and only race 3 weekends a year or 1 season in my life.

I always raced to win.  I did everything I could to get faster/better.  HOWEVER, I knew I had to go to work on Monday so there were risks I would not take.  And when I made a dick-move, I was VERY cognizant that I put myself and another rider/riders at risk, and I apologized for such.  

One of the reasons I did end up 'retiring' was because I knew it would never be anything more than an expensive hobby, and that I would never be satisfied running old equipment and being 'status-quo'.  I would ALWAYS do something to go faster, and you get to a point where a tenth of a second can cost several thousands of dollars.  EVERYTHING goes up when you're pushing the edge of the envelope, the risk, the reward.  But it got to a point that I just didn't find it worth it to me anymore.

I enjoyed it immensely, and it's a part of my life that I wouldn't trade for the world.  But it's something I'm past now...  Others have different views, and I don't see anything wrong with any of them...

(err, let me take that back...  I see something wholly wrong with people who have NO money or insurance wadding themselves up on the track and burdening everyone around them for the rest of their lives...  That's totally effed up in my opinion...  But that's not a rant I should even begin...)
Bucket List:
[X] Get banned from Wera forum
[  ] Walk the Great Wall of China
[X] Visit Mt. Everest

f3racer

Quote from: Jeff on August 07, 2009, 04:10:28 PM

(err, let me take that back...  I see something wholly wrong with people who have NO money or insurance wadding themselves up on the track and burdening everyone around them for the rest of their lives...  That's totally effed up in my opinion...  But that's not a rant I should even begin...)


this is the great thing about the army. no matter if im hurt or not i get paid. i have fantastic insurance---free insurance.
Will
Former CCS MW Novice #81, WERA Novice #81
AHRMA Heavyweight SBK #81, DD's Racing Endurance Team #773
2020 Tuono Factory, 2000 RC51, 1980 CB750/823

Super Dave

Quote from: f3racer on August 07, 2009, 04:20:39 PM

this is the great thing about the army. no matter if im hurt or not i get paid. i have fantastic insurance---free insurance.
Free for you...only if you don't value your life or the work that others have to put in to ensure that you're paid and taken care of at part of the US military.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten.
Super Dave

Apriliapilot

wow,really cool answers

skiandclimb

I am 34 years old.  Got into CCS racing at 19, and ran a few races for a few years. Got out and became an "adult".  Played on the street for a long time, then got back into track days, which, of course, lead to getting back into CCS events. I guess what I am saying is I've seen both sides.  Back as a kid, I had a ton of drive, and wanted to do nothing but go faster and faster.  And like every "kid" I wanted to be the next Wayne Rainey/ Kevin Schwantz.

As an adult doing it, I care less about getting faster, and focus more on smoothness and technique. I find that the track side comradery is more important to me than just the race by itself.  I suppose all of this can be contributed to growing up, but if you ask anyone who knows me...that is still an elusive realm I have yet to discover! lol

The thing about your post that really rang a bell with me, was how- after all the years I was away from racing, that so little has changed.....besides the bikes, of course! 

Basically, there is still the same enigma going on in club racing.....perhaps a dichotemy...maybe an enigma wrapped up in a dichotemy of a conundrum....but I digress.   One camp in the mindset of club racers (hard core, younger racers) tend not to like the "sometimers".  The ones who are so dedicated they put every last dime into racing, and appear, at times, to get offended by those who run a race here and there.  Conversely, the "sometimers" also tend to get a stick up their butts about the "hardcore" group, saying they should chill out, all while giving constant reminders that this is "just club racing".  The reality is that in club racing, neither camp is "right", and neither camp is "wrong".

Club racing encapsulates both camps.  It IS the starting point for the fast young ones, and it IS the comfy spot us older folks enjoy competing in, albeit in a more docile capacity!

I like the conundrum.  I like being on the track and watching a new and upcoming racer blow my old ass off the track!  For me, it's awesome to see our sport keep growing.  I love hanging out with good friends, and after the day is done- cracking a few beers and talking trash.  I love prepping a bike over the winter with my friends....again, while cracking a few beers and talking trash!

Racing is different than most other pursuits in life.  Its funny how those who we battle on track, and curse from our helmets as they pass us, tend to be our closest chums- folks who will do anything to help you out. I love it, and hope I can continue to keep doing it for as long as possible.

Cheers to all of you- racing for whatever your reasons may be.

-Ski
#730 CCS MW/GP
Pursuit Racing, The Backstopper's Org.
www.cyclehouseperformance.com - St. Louis, MO.
King Edward's Chicken and Fish- St. Louis, MO.
www.mcraracing.com

Cowboy 6

#10
Quote from: f3racer on August 07, 2009, 04:20:39 PM

this is the great thing about the army. no matter if im hurt or not i get paid. i have fantastic insurance---free insurance.

I take it you haven't been shot at, mortar'ed, rocketed, RPG'ed or IED'd yet?

It's not free.

C6

www.NeedGod.com  ....   www.TPOParts.com  ....   www.Christiansportbike.com.com ....  www.woodcraft-cfm.com ....  www.ebcbrakes.com ....www.baxleycompanies.com

roadracer162

Quote from: Cowboy 6 on August 07, 2009, 06:46:30 PM
I take it you haven't been shot at, motar'ed, rocketed, RPG'ed or IED'd yet?

It's not free.




Hahahahaha...so what are you saying...you pay with your A$$?

Mark
Mark Tenn
CCS Ex #22
Mark Tenn Motorsports, Michelin tire guy in Florida.