Nice letter in RRW, Ed.

[tstruyk]

clean and close... just like you getting me back before T9 last lap...   

[HAWK]

Hawk,  I hear what you're saying, and you're right about my "animated style" of writing, which I'm more and more sure can be taken the wrong way ... unfortunate, but true.  One thing I would say though, about CCS versus AMA and any other top level of roadracing, last time I checked our CCS events have more than a few AMA racers on the grid, especially when it's an ASRA event.  In fact wasn't that 2-time WSBK Champion Doug Polen I saw charging through the entire field at Daytona in two laps from the back of the grid?  I know most CCS racers aren't professionals, but they did choose to go racing, and to Garth's point, racing is dangerous no matter how you slice it.  I don't want it to be anymore hairball than it already is, but one really good thing about track days is that now everyone has a place they can push the limits of themselves and their motorcycles without the added risks of a full-on racing environment, 'cuz I promise you if Doug Polen needs to stand you up for an $8000 Ducati purse, he's going to do it, and conidering the environment I can't say he's wrong for it.

Marshall, as far as your animated writing style, as you get more articles out there people will read them the way you mean them.

As far as passing I agree with your statement 100% but what you state in the quote above is not standing someone up. Standing someone up is when I have my line set and someone comes under me hot, can't make their line, runs to the outside and I'm on the hooks leaned over waiting for them to clear so that I can start turning again.  To me this is not acceptable behaviour when I'm doing my calculations of risk. Once we accept this form of passing how big a leap is it to 130MPH roller-derby?

As an aside, I used to enjoy going out with a group of my friends and doing some laps in go karts, this can be a lot of fun but anymore the accepted technique is to come into the corner so hot you have no hope of slowing down and ramming the guy in front of you clean off the track, now you've scrubbed enough speed to make the corner and made a very dramatic pass in the procress. Not fun.

[G 97]

Dave you hit the nail on the head with this.  So very true.  Over the years the line has been greatly blurred between the bottom AMA regulars and the top club contingency chasing racers.  We have witnessed it haven't we?  In all reality, after you get past the factory teams and the support teams the talent level at an AMA race is below the level of several racers you can find at a contingency (money round) club weekend. 

With this being true - one could make a good case that yes, in fact, several racers at the club level are making a living out of racing at this level and it is their job.  As you stated, trophies are one thing but cash has value.   One only has to witness how the manufacturers are steadily increasing their contingency programs to realize that this situation is going to become more prevalent. 

We would all like to think that we are all out there for the same reasons but reality says otherwise.

[G 97]

Standing someone up is when I have my line set and someone comes under me hot, can't make their line, runs to the outside and I'm on the hooks leaned over waiting for them to clear so that I can start turning again. 

I'm not sure I understand this.  If this is as you describe would not said "hot rider" hit you prior to clearing you?   Just asking for clarification. :)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I'll state my opinion, and it may or may not be agreeable to everyone.  Once I've turned in, if another rider suddenly appears beneath me and forces me to change my trajectory, he's 100% in the wrong, and I'm pissed.  If he hits me, or if by necessarily changing my trajectory to avoid contact with him I lose grip and fall, he'd better be the world's fastest apologizer.  If he tells me that I was in his way so he moved me....
Since this thread was inspired by a letter from Ed Key, let me tell a tale on him.  Once in a Formula 40 race, Ed caught me on the final lap.  I was mid-pack on my 750, and Ed was leading F40 light from the second wave.  As I turned in and set my knee puck on the asphalt, a gleaming silver wheel and yellow fender popped into my peripheral vison.  The tire took up a position 6 inches behind my knee, and paced it.  I recognizd the wheel as belonging to Ed, so I raised my knee up against the bodywork.  Having been given the 8 inches of pavement that my knee was occupying, Ed then completed his pass and was gone.
Abso-phucking-lutely magnificent!
After the race, Ed came over to apologize.  I told him that he'd just shown me the most perfect pass of my racing career, and that he had no need to apologize.  Ed said, "I made you pick up your knee.  I try never to change what another rider is doing when I pass them."  At this point, I reminded Ed that I hadn't NEEDED to lift that knee as a result of his actions, but had done it out of courtesy to him.
THAT is the fine line between sportsmanship and over-agression.

[dylanfan53]

Marshall,

I don't know you and haven't gotten the March edition yet, but I read Feb.

K3 has just described a beautiful example of racing craftsmanship.  It's something we all aspire to achieve. 

He's also experienced, unfortunately at my hands, the most egregious example of racing poopiness.  I mean, for all intents and purposes, I dropped my leathers and took a giant dump right there on the track for everyone to see, photograph and talk about.

Which brings me to comment that if a racer gets overly aggressive, screws up and punts somebody off the track (sorry K3!) I guarantee that person (assuming he/she has a conscience) will feel like the dumbest shit that ever sat on a bike.  And if, God forbid, a racer pushes it too far, crosses the line and initiates contact that results in injury, they'll have a lot to think about for a long time.  I honestly don't know if I would have continued racing.

I understand the premise of your article and think it's a good one.  I also think it's good to bring the subject out in the open so people can talk about where the limits are.

[Rich]

Like an idiot, I let my RRW subscription lapse and have been too lazy to renew it.

Can somebody post the article?

[Spooner]

Like an idiot...

Rich..why do all your statements start out like this..??   

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

K3 has just described a beautiful example of racing craftsmanship.  It's something we all aspire to achieve. 

He's also experienced, unfortunately at my hands, the most egregious example of racing poopiness.  I mean, for all intents and purposes, I dropped my leathers and took a giant dump right there on the track for everyone to see, photograph and talk about.

                       

Oh, can't breathe!

                           

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

OK, better now.              Ok, maybe not quite.
Well, one thing's for sure.  If you're as nice a guy as Don is, crashing into your competitors is a GREAT way to make new friends!         
Oh!  Stomach cramp!              

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

 If he hits me, he'd better be the world's fastest apologizer.  

Don, you hold the record!    

[dylanfan53]

No where to run to, no place to hide...