Winning the race or riding well?

[Rich]

That was a hell of a fun race wasn't it?  I had just as much fun when Jamie Hall beat me by .011 seconds at Hallett.

I enjoy winning (on the race occasion that I do), but the reality of it is that there is always somebody faster than you that you'll never be able to beat.  Having a good race where you know you've pushed youself to the limit and battling with somebody else is typically what I settle for.

Kevin speaks the truth...  the battle is where it is at, regardless of position.  We all spend a lot of money doing this, so hopefully it is to have some fun.  For me, I don't have to win to have fun.  A good race is always a blast, and the funnest race I had this year I didn't win(you still suck though, Wu).  Of course, I'm really starting to enjoy the wins I had against Probst now that I know how important the whole win thing is to him:)-HA! Just kidding.  Ben, seriously, keep with your goals, but be sure to still enjoy it along the way.

[HAWK]

As many of know from another thread I am lucky to be alive today. I take about 25 pills a day to keep my pain under control. My concenration at this point is so far gone that it will take me 20 minutes   tp write this post.  It doesn't matter if you win or take 7 in a  knock down drag out fight for 7th 8th and 9th.  Any of us who have done this knows  that we do it because it is a passion/addiction that only those who do it willl ever understand.

The accident that almost killed me last month didn't happen on the track it happened at work, do what you love like there is no tomorrow because there might not be. Every one of you knows (with the exception of a very small group of obsessive type A people) that you don't have to win to go out and have the most fun of your life. Ride within you ability and there will be someone right there to race with and  you'll have a blast.

[kvanengen]

Att: Paul V.
This was a good topic. It was good to hear how other riders viewed racing. I wonder if you would have had more "rather win" if you started this thread in the middle of the season.
So you have heard other views and opinion on is it better to win or have a good race. How do you feel about this.
Have a great Christmas!!!

[SV88]

Reality Check #1: You can get seriously injured or killed racing motorcycles. I have friends who have shattered their legs. Ground off their fingers. Broken their backs. Had internal organs removed. Or holes drilled in their skulls to relieve the pressure of bleeding on the brain. I've personally witnessed two fellow racers killed in racing accidents. I'm certain that both of those racers also had a lot more to live for--as we all do. To blissfully ignore the fact that racers are hurt and killed each season, and that it could happen to any of us in a heartbeat, is just being ignorant of the inherent risks of roadracing.

Reality Check #2: To compare roadracing and the preparation needed to go roadracing (or to play a game of football, etc.) to actual war is, at best, trite. At worst, it's disrespectful to the men and women who are truly putting it all on the line today and every day serving our country in the military. War is war. There really is no comparison.

response to #1 - Paul do you think that road racing is more dangerous than commuting to work on a bike in Chicagoland traffic?  I think not - so while you've clearly witnesses some pretty horrible things, are the chance of them occuring on a race track as high as on the street?  Having said this, I should probably sell my street bike because the fun risk ratio is not particularly attractive plus I'm stacking high risk activities increase my overal for

#2: Is the comparison that different? - the motivation of most of the people in military is different - patriotism, desire to instill democracy accross the world, wheras our motivation is pure unadulterated fun/thrills.  We do not have conscription (yet) so for most people in the military, it is a choice to join and possibly be called into battle.  I do feel very bad for the families of fallen soldiers because they didn't chose to lose someone they love.

[kvanengen]

Ok guys (SVR6), don't get you panties in a bind. It always amazes me how a simple survey that the answer should be as easy as yes or no always escalates to someone trying to lash out at someone behind a computer screen. Real tough guys. This tread was started with good intentions and doesn't need to become ugly.
I hope everyone has a great holiday.

[catman]

RACE WIN-temporary result------RACEWELL- Permanent result------  PEACE until the flag drops always!

[L8brake731]

I always ride my BEST!!
Somedays are just bettr than others!!

[PaulV]

Hey Kevi,

Great to hear from you!

Ok,
I'll chime in, to me, Its' all about the Crumpet I suppose!!!
Or, the zone, rythem and flow, zen or what ever you want to call it.
The Best rides in my life have been on bone stock bikes with taped up headlights, ringing every last bit out of it that I could get.  Granted, nobody likes to lose, ie;2nd place=1st loser, so if you can max out bike and your ability with out binning it, and win the race, thats the shit.  But to place anything less than 1st, with out riding your best, would have me taking pictures and supporting others rather than racing bikes.  
At my age....me thinks the risk be ath too great to not want to get everything I can out of it.

Just my 2cents...

Thanks for playing

Merry Holidays
Paul
Polar-Optics

[PaulV]

I always ride my BEST!!
Somedays are just bettr than others!!

Hey Steve,
good to hear from you.  Hope your season went well.
Any plans for 07 yet?

Paul
Polar-Optics

[SV88]

good to hear from you.  Hope your season went well.
Any plans for 07 yet?

yeah Paul, likewise, 06 went OK being my first set of races -10 over 4 weekends.  Plans for 07 are to possibly ride Topeka, Gateway, Road America and every other BHF on the SV but starting to campaign the 04R6 in F40 and MWSS at RA and subsequent races.

[SV88]

Ok guys (SVR6), don't get you panties in a bind. It always amazes me how a simple survey that the answer should be as easy as yes or no always escalates to someone trying to lash out at someone behind a computer screen. Real tough guys. This tread was started with good intentions and doesn’t need to become ugly.
I hope everyone has a great holiday.

PJ and Kevin - no harm intended... I just enjoy good discourse and this topic did excalate in an interesting direction.  So to reply to the original question - I don't know (yet) never having come close to winning!