Petition letters to remain Am

[cleezmo]

Maybe cause you don't want to get killed by all the fast guys.  Some people get bumped because they are conistant and they go to every event, which I am not hating on at all.  They may not feel comfortable going to white plates and feel that they would have a better experience roadracing as a yellow plate this year.

Exactly. The points needed for getting the bump are ridiculously easy to come by if you attend a bunch of races, race a bunch of classes each weekend, or race in classes w/ small grids (if there are only 4 of you on the grid, you're guaranteed at least 4th place).

I had enough points from attending 4 race weekends my first year to get bumped. I petitioned to stay AM because I knew I was nowhere near as fast as the average EX in the LW classes I rode. I stayed AM, learned more, then got bumped the next year.

[tstruyk]

I didnt want my original post to come off the wrong way.  sometimes I forget that the MW class isnt the only class out there and compare everything to my experience.  

to clarify:  lightweight this may be the case with much smaller grids... maybe even unlimited.  But MW/HW?  I didnt exactly blow the doors off the "point limit".  I figure if your running MW and earn enough points... you should have all the experience you need to run expert.  Sure you wont necessarily crack the top 10 right outta the gate but thats really not the point.  In my head its similar to running track days for 3 years so you can come out as a first year amature and win everything.  I'm not hatin on anyone and their decisions, just posting my opinion.  Some feel different than I do, and thats ok.  I believe the learning curve is excellerated by level of competition... hence my decision.  Will I make mistakes next year.  you bet.  will I win races.  doubt it.  will I grow faster as a 2nd year racer/1st year Expert running somewhere from the mid pack back than a 2nd year AM running up front?  I believe I will.

I agree that finishing last (4th) all year in LW might warrant a petition.  you dont really learn that much if your racing by yourself... there just isnt as much to experience.  

The tough part is that noone learns or gains confidence at the same rate.  I dont want a guy rubbin elbows with me at triple digits anymore than they would have wanted me there early last season unless he is confident in BOTH of our abilities!

this is one of those things that can go round and round and round till were blue in the face.  If your intentions to stay AM are confidence and safety... by all means...STAY AM!!  If its to cherry pick contingency and win championships... thats up to CCS to regulate.  I think it should be left to the guys that are true AM's.

again I just cant stress enough that personal decisions are YOURS... thats why they are personal!  ;)  I have made alot of friends that have raced a few years as AM, some that have petitioned to stay so.  If nothing else it made me faster to learn from them.  A little more success would have been nice, but it made me work harder!

timmay

[cleezmo]

tstruyk,

I totally agree that LW classes can get you points MUCH faster than the MW classes. The 600s are so much more competitive, and much harder to gain the points needed to get bumped up.

[Eric Kelcher]

FYI all reviews have been done for licenses recieved, letters all went out this last week.

[PJ721]

I'm a perfect example of why to petition to stay AM.
I had over 1200 points - BUT my Performace Index was below 200. Many races I ran had less than 10 riders on the grid...Roebling weekend alone I must have gained almost 1/2 the points needed to go expert. One race there were only 2 of us on the grid!
With that and being no where near as fast as the slowest EX - I can easly say for myself...there was only one answer..stay AM. Get my butt going faster for 2006 and earn my EX status....not get it by default.