How/Why? Race expense justification.

[grasshopper]

Dirtbike riding, Hare Scrambles, trail riding and enduro is probably the cheapest motorcycle racing/riding you can do.

Flat Track and TT is runner up.

The destruction of tires is way lower in the above than RR and SM.

[msbrit1]

I love racing and going to the track but the expense is hard to swallow.  Vic is going in to year I believe 8 racing and we are seriously considering doing NESBA only this year just because of the cost of both of us running CCS.  (I am not knocking CCS) The environment at the race track is amazing.  It's one of the best experiences that I could as for even if I could have alot of the things I want if we did not race.  

[lbk]

Yeah well after watching the second round of AMA Superbike last night, and dirt riding yesterday, I found myself mentally going through a race on the way to work this morning. So I may have to just dig deeper into the pockets. The biggest challenge is I still have to spend money to get the bike ready before I can even spend the money to race. So we'll see. Hopefully at a bare minimum I can make it to one or two events this year.

[Grover]

Hmm, we've chatted about this several times over SEVERAL beers over the last couple months.  I think you are on the right path..stick to the family fun and get out on the road track when you can.  I'll probably be sticking more to track days with a few races in there.  Try to find that knob to turn between my ears to make me go faster!

Oh, I suggest a KTM450 w/ dirt and street tires..then let your crazy single friends ride it :)

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

I think this is yet another arguement as to why there shouldn't be Amateur contingency, all contingency should be moved to the Experts for deeper payouts into the field to help racers last longer in the sport. Amateur status is a stepping stone, not a destination, reward those who advance and stay in the sport, not those that just stop by to visit. :)

[goldwing70]

First, the new forum format is vastly an improvement on the old.  I find the navigation much easier!

We all have our own Justifications for racing (or trying to race).  I just try to ignore the cost and focus on the thrill of the race.  When big bills come, I remember that my pilot friend has it worse and I don't golf.  Works for me.

[JBraun]

I think this is yet another arguement as to why there shouldn't be Amateur contingency, all contingency should be moved to the Experts for deeper payouts into the field to help racers last longer in the sport. Amateur status is a stepping stone, not a destination, reward those who advance and stay in the sport, not those that just stop by to visit. :)

Remember that amateur racing doesn't cost any less. The tires, entry and fuel is the same. I agree that it's a stepping stone, but what about the guys who never get to race as an expert because of money. Fast amateurs rely on contingency as much as anyone else. Without it they may never be experts.

[Dawn]

All I know is it would be a lot easier to go racing if that was our only focus.  However we're also planning for:

College for Renee
Home Improvements
Retirement
And those things that cannot be planned for...

What does that leave for racing?  Not a whole hell of a lot.   :(

< heavy sigh >

We're considering the SM route because there is a track about 30 minutes away from our house, it may be a less expensive proposition for us.

Dawn 

P.S.  However if we would win the lottery some day, that would change our outlook considerably.   :D 

[Grover]

I'll admit, I'm eyeing the supermoto route as well.  It's hard to turn down $30 track days and $100 race weekends (with practice).  We don't have too many full blown SM tracks around Chicago though.  The minimoto route is a STRONG possibility (CR80 would be my bike of choice).  Get to race, bang bars, lurid slides into corners, but at 1/3 of the cost.  I'd be building a bike now but I just don't see any time for riding dirt, road, and SM this summer. 

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Remember that amateur racing doesn't cost any less. The tires, entry and fuel is the same. I agree that it's a stepping stone, but what about the guys who never get to race as an expert because of money. Fast amateurs rely on contingency as much as anyone else. Without it they may never be experts.

Though it's true that Amateurs pay the same fees, in the Expert class you'll consume more of everything due to pushing harder. Fast Amateurs are less than a year away from going Expert, so I still don't see the need for Amateur contingency. How many subjects have there been about sand baggers staying Amateur for years due to the easy pickins' and contingency there? The way the contingency system is set-up currently encourages racers to stay Amateur as long as possible, what financial encouragement do racers have to go Expert (unless they plan on going Pro)? With the current system once racers go Expert their chances of getting any contingency is for the most part limited and will go almost exclusively to the really fast guys. How many AMA guys (or racers that should be racing Pro) do we have competing on a regular basis as Experts in CCS? Pretty much a given that when they show up that's where the contingency payouts are going, not complaining about it since it's allowed, but merely pointing out a fact. If you get use to (and start depending on) those nice contingency payouts as an Amateur, what are you planning on doing when you step it up a notch and go Expert and now don't get anything at all or very little? Amateur contingency sets you up for disappointment when you go Expert, unless your a blazingly fast Amateur that can run up front as an Expert.

I strongly believe this is a key area that needs to be addressed in getting racers to last longer in this sport, catering to those that have shown they are here to stay (if treated to the right incentives) will only help to increase the longevity of more racers. I want to make it perfectly clear that I'm not bashing Amateurs here (I was one myself in '96-'97, LOL), I just can't see the justification in not rewarding more of those who are committed to this very expensive hobby and encouraging them to stay by making it continually more affordable?

[bmxr]

What you are suggesting sounds like "shutting the door behind you".  If you want to move ams up more actively , I would say, "OK, maybe".   But NO contingency for ANY amateurs.  Nah, I'm not with you. :)

Anyway, I DO run a supermoto bike due to the reduced expense.  I ran all the winter series supermoto races on one set of tires and while I was not a front runner, that just is not the point for me.  I had a lot of fun and got much faster each outing...  Supermoto racing is limited, but I can always do a CCS race here and there, too.  ULWSB is a fun class that also doesn't eat tires and crashing on my bike is literally free.  As long as it doesn' tumble, there is nothing to break.  Going fast is fun, but going cheap is fun too :lol:

[catman]

For me it was part of a life's dream-whats that worth?