CCS WHAT THE ??????

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

BULLSH*T!! This sport is TOO expensive for anyone without a sponcership. If we could get up more money to make the sport less expensive we'd have many more people able to afford this sport and it would grow!!

We as amatuers need just as much money if not more than you experts.  We go through the tires, gas, entry fees, lodging, brakes, bodywork, parts just like you.  We might even spend more money than you each weekend because we dont have all the nice equipment  that you have aquired over the years. Not to mention we probably crash more than you so theres more bodywork, pegs, levers, case covers, etc...  So for you to say we should not get any money is just plain ignorant. Im sure you got some money along the way when you were an amatuer.  Come on experts help a brother out.

     That's exactly right, this sports EXPENSIVE! It's not for everyone and not every person that would make a great racer will have the means to pursue it. 100% of my racing expenses since I began racing in '96 have come out of my pocket personally. No parents fronting the tab, no supplied ride, no free anything! The most I have had is a parts discount thru my local dealership. I'm not a salesman, and actually dread the thought of having to seek sponsership, so I've paid my own way by working 50 - 65 hours a week.

     Did you know that the average time someone stays involved in this sport is only 2-3 seasons? Do you know why? The main reason is cost. And why is that? Because the number of racers who actually collect contingency and payouts as Experts is limited to a small group.

     The fact is that Amateur payouts/contingency are harming the sport more than helping it. Besides for encouraging racers to stay Amateur for multiple years sandbaging it takes away from larger and deeper payouts for the Experts. Amateur status is a temporary stepping stone, not a destination, payouts should not exist there. The sad fact is that the Amateurs are used as pawns in the big picture. The reason I say that is because the manufacturers know the failure rate of racers actually staying in this sport so they target the revolving door crowd of racers who are in, then out (they also look forward to you using their product after you leave racing as well). What they do is offer contingency to Amateurs to try and get you to use their product and hopefully develop a repeat customer in you. Also depended on is the word of mouth situation that exists with many racers, after all many street riders take seriously the suggestions of racers. A pawn can be described as: a person used by another to gain an end. Amateurs who use the contingency products then drop out of this sport are exactly that.

     Many racers don't look forward to going Expert due to the fact that they think they won't get any type of payout like they do as an Amateur. After all not every one is capable of running up front as an Expert, and that is the only place your going to be seeing any real payout as an Expert. If Expert payouts and contingency were larger and paid deeper into the field you would probably see alot more people staying in the sport because finishing 15th (and getting a payout) as a new Expert is alot more feasible than finishing 3rd.

     Multiple year Experts are not that abundent and money would definately be at the top of the list as to why not. I'm one of those that has made it thru the years, I look at the new racers every year wondering where everyone went, there are very few racers left from when I started back in '96. Lack of supporting the Experts is a sad reality that is a means to it's own end.

So for you to say we should not get any money is just plain ignorant.

     Remember that us Expert were Amateurs at 1 time too and that we are speaking from experience. Ignorence can be described very simply as 'not knowing'. I can't help but wonder if you guys were the ones who actually didn't know all the facts before making those statements? But then again maybe us Experts don't see the big picture and you guys could describe how Amateur contingency helps racers to stay longer in this sport? I'm certainly more than willing to listen. :)

[Super_KC124]

the only thing lamer and weaker than a pro coming here and racing as an amateur is that they are now checking ID's for F40.  Who in God's name are the lame guys "cheating" by racing in the class before you are actually 40 yrs old.

I can't imagine someone pimping that class and feeling good about themselves. When they said they were checking ID's at Summit this weekend, we old guys all laughed.  

If we find out who you are, we will make fun of you even after you turn 40.

Hey K3!!!! ;D

[Super_KC124]

   
     The fact is that Amateur payouts/contingency are harming the sport more than helping it.  

Are you sure this is fact or just your opinion? ;)

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Are you sure this is fact or just your opinion? ;)

Straight from the former master YPSB himself! ;)

[gsxr_rcr]

Remember that us Expert were Amateurs at 1 time too and that we are speaking from experience. Ignorence can be described very simply as 'not knowing'. I can't help but wonder if you guys were the ones who actually didn't know all the facts before making those statements? But then again maybe us Experts don't see the big picture and you guys could describe how Amateur contingency helps racers to stay longer in this sport? I'm certainly more than willing to listen. :)

Ok heres how people stay in this sport longer,  people like me who have raced for several years look for a goal, depending on that goal and how fast they reach it all depends on them.  Me personally I want to become expert and continue to race in events around the counrty with CCS.  I have raced amatuer for 3 years and you may say that cause I suck, the truth of the matter is that in the past I could only afford to do 2 or three races a year because of my job and costs of the races.  This year I have made a dedicated effort to race every race that I possibly can afford without putting myself in too much debt because I want to race for several years as an expert before I am too old.  So for me making any contingency money I can helps me obtain my goal.  I am sure I am not the only one out there with this goal.  I understand that I will never have a full ride and I probably wont win too many races as long as there are guys with many more years of seat time at the various tracks.  But I look forward to being able to say 10 years from now when some new hot-shot kid who is coming up the racks and eventually turns pro that I beat him back in the day.  Its whatever turns you on, thats why we are in this sport or any other sport.  And to say that a amatuer should not be rewarded in some way for improving his skill is just stupid.  I mean if there was no contingency for amatuers when do you think they would see anything from this sport other than a plaque or trophy, or should the amatuers not get trophies either.  You have your personal goals with this racing I'm sure.  If it wasn't for the rewards of the contingency we would have less racers than we have now and eventually there would be nobody racing because wheres the reward until you become expert and can beat everyone which would take many years and lots of money.  Not all of us have sponsors to give us any money.  I know I have never gotten a penny from my parents , in fact my parents have never even attended one of my race weekends or even asked to attend.  And I have probably one of the worst paying jobs for what I do.  Living paycheck to paycheck sucks and my only real stress relief is racing since I don't like to ride the road anymore(too many people getting killed lately) so for me to recieve any contingency money I'm estatic.  I recieved my first check from VP for 25 bucks last year for a 10th place finish at barber and I was happy for a month.  So for you to say contingency for amatuers is harming our sport I say your wrong and I think others including experts will agree. Amatuers recieveing contingency money keeps morale up.  Try working in a department like I do where morale is so low and you will want to shoot yourself, our only incentive to stay is hopes of a promotion. Morale is what keeps things on the up and up in any situation.  A large portion of experts got to where they are at because of contingency as an amatuer, and they remain there now because of their contingency money.  Stop being greedy and share.

[StumpysWife]

You just don't get this at Blackhawk...a crazy Nicaraguan every then and again, but that's it.  

Anyway, it sounds like the guy would be fast enough for expert contingency/purses anyway. What a strange situation.

Heather

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Living paycheck to paycheck sucks and my only real stress relief is racing since I don't like to ride the road anymore(too many people getting killed lately) so for me to recieve any contingency money I'm estatic.  I recieved my first check from VP for 25 bucks last year for a 10th place finish at barber and I was happy for a month.  So for you to say contingency for amatuers is harming our sport I say your wrong and I think others including experts will agree. Amatuers recieveing contingency money keeps morale up.  Try working in a department like I do where morale is so low and you will want to shoot yourself, our only incentive to stay is hopes of a promotion. Morale is what keeps things on the up and up in any situation.  A large portion of experts got to where they are at because of contingency as an amatuer, and they remain there now because of their contingency money.  Stop being greedy and share.

     I'm in manufacturing, Tool & Die Maker, and know all about stress and low morale. Recently there was a study that ranked Tool & Die Makers in the top 10 most demanding high pressure jobs in the US. Along with that was the observation that my field also very rarely recieves any appreciation for what they do. I also very much so live paycheck to paycheck, I personally know what that is like.

     Time will tell if you last or not, wait till you go Expert for a season or 2 and then we'll see what your opinion is. :)

[251am]

  I guess I don't see anywhere in your argument Mike that particularly states the benefits for amateurs not having contingency money. Are you saying that not having contingency for Ams would help them stick around longer? Anyway, back to the FL problem...


  If this guy was DQed from ROC last fall for racing Am under false pretenses, why is it even an issue now? Why not give him the boot and have him pay back the monies? Strange stuff this fraud is...

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

 I guess I don't see anywhere in your argument Mike that particularly states the benefits for amateurs not having contingency money. Are you saying that not having contingency for Ams would help them stick around longer?

     A benefit is that they will go Expert sooner, instead of dragging their feet for years in the Amateur class and sucking the payouts away from the true Amateurs. This would also increase expert payouts and pay deeper into the fields. As I said before, many Amateurs don't look forward to going Expert, not only because of the pace, but because most won't recieve any contingency/purse payouts like they do in the Amateur ranks.

     What we have now is a system that encourages racers to stay Amateur as long as possible. I'm not saying removing Amateur payouts benefits them as Amateurs, it will benefit them in the long run as a racer. More long term racers would help to stabilize and/or lower costs for not only the racers but also the organization. Experts are far more likely to follow an entire season, instead of just doing random events, lack luster turnouts at certain events is a great way to raise costs overall. My focus is on what is good in the long run, not what is good temporarily as an Amateur. :)

[ducatiracer_#100]

   You Know , this is my first season at competive racing, I race my beautiful Ducati, (well was)and I love it. I havn't seen a dime from any of my contengency sponcers, just like 99% of the riders, it ALL comes out of my pocket, but I don't regret any of it because I'm doing it.  In fact I'm 2nd in points in one of my classes and should be in first after moroso(hopefully), and I havn't got a win yet , just a lot of 2nds.  Just the fact that some PRO has to come over here and take advantage of the situation, as well as take $$$ from the TRUE amatures disgustues me.  Just like most everyone, if I want to do it I have to pay for it. I know I'll never be a pro, but I keep on doing it for the love of the sport.  I just hope that HD takes care of the situation the way it should be. ;) Let pros and experts duke it out, I know one day I'll be an expert and then start making some $$$...          

[Pieserock447]

I agree this racing s@&t is expensive and any help any of us can get make's it easier and for someone to sand bag screws it up for all of us! So kids the lesson of the day is dont be a douche bag!!!

[GIXER157]

 >:(  It's not fair