Why is Jessica Zalusky racing AMA?

[HandleThis66]

 

[Racingxtc7]

Think about how much faster anyone of us would be with a factory bike and all the track time we could dream of!!!If it were my money I'd invest in a racer with tallent and who shows improvement.

[LMsports]

I so didn't want to comment....but....

She doesn't have a factory bike. She is a privateer with some support, not as much support as you might think. The fact that you all think she gets much more is a testament to how she carries herself.

Now lets hear the negative comments from those of you who actually qualify and finish in front of Jessica at AMA races.

If you don't have your AMA license yet feel free to do as Rob said and grid up against her at a CRA race. That is the club she races with and they race at Brainerd. At least then you'll have an idea of what her riding skill is really like compared to your own. Maybe you'll be able to talk about her shortcomings, which you noticed as you passed her...or maybe you'll come away with a different point of view.

I admit, I sometimes had some of the same questions about some of the riders that I consistently saw at the back of the AMA grids. The one rider that specifically comes to mind is JJ Roetlin. I used to think, what is that guy doing out there. He's just barely qualifying. He did improve year after year and eventually became not only a consistent qualifier but a decent finisher. Now I'm sorry to see him gone. I definitely have a new perspective now that I have run my first couple of AMA races. It is definitely a whole different experience. I haven't had butterflies in years, but qualifying definitely brings back nervous emotions that I thought were long gone. It's not as easy as it looks from the cheap seats I assure you.

[spyderchick]

Yeah, this whole discussion brings to mind when Tez got the opportunity of a lifetime when Jordan approached him to ride for his team. Everyone thought they had a blank check and as such had it 'easy'.

Truth was, Casmay and Tez had to work to help start that team from scratch, albeit with some very good support, and a decent budget for AMA newbies. Even so, it was hard work, and he still needed to focus on the riding. People still question his skill, which was pretty decent for a club racer, and not too shabby for a privateer. Add to the the fact that he rode injured much of the time, and the haters were like piranhas.

Some people just don't get the concept, and perhaps, never will. 

[wolf44]

where is JJ?  I remember him from MAM at Pridmore's school....that and the pink bike is hard to forget

[Jeff]

Think about how much faster anyone of us would be with a factory bike and all the track time we could dream of!!!

I missed the smilie on your joke here...  Surely you can't be serious.

[funsizeracing]

Think about how much faster anyone of us would be with a factory bike and all the track time we could dream of!!!If it were my money I'd invest in a racer with tallent and who shows improvement.

 

[backMARKr]

where is JJ?  I remember him from MAM at Pridmore's school....that and the pink bike is hard to forget

Pursuing his journalism career.....

[r6_philly]

I am a few days late but I have to add something here

I know Jessica farely well at the track. Being one of the few Team Green Supported riders, I had the pleasure to hang around, race against, and helped her at AMA nationals.

I don't feel the need and defend or justify her riding skills. She qualifies for races and and she goes faster than other pros. What I am going to point out is how hard she works to put on a good show for the fans, for PR, and for the promoting our our sport. For each of you who question why is she getting support and racing, there are thousands of people who were brought to this sport by her involvment.

I was at Barber and happened to be in her pit when she was on track and I talked to over 20 fans who came looking for her during a 50 minute session. How cool is that? she takes her time signing autographs, talking to kids, give time to everyone... I can't say I know more than a handful of AMA Pros who spends more time with fans than she does. and those are not friends, they are fans, real fans, people who knew nothing more than her racing persona.

There was a point in time I spent time defending my laptimes, or my finishes, or my failing to qualify, but you know, it all gets old. All I know is I, and everyone else who has ever received a AMA license, that we paid our dues, in money and blood, to get there and to be on that grid.

How many club racers can say that they spent 100% of their effort to pursue a dream? I gave up my corporate career to pursue racing and spent my savings to get far. and if you actually knew her or many other privateers, it would be similar stories. It takes a special someone with a special drive to achieve a racing dream, thats why you see most people make it to expert then quit.

some comments hurts to read, even if it wasn't directed toward me. But in the end, Jessica is the one with the support program and signing autographs to many adoring fans at the nationals... so I guess she doesn't need any defending after all, because, she is living the good life, and I wish nothing but the very best for her and her racing. I just need to work on my program a lil more so I can rejoin the paddock next year.

Thanks for the space...

[Apriliapilot]

 :thumb:Well said!

[danboy]

 She is living a dream and who here wouldn't jump at the chance? More power to her. She also has a huge fan base and does a better job promoting than a majority of the riders out there. I saw a report that the largest area of growth in motorcycles right now is women buying bikes for themselves. Let's face it we all know who she is....name the riders outside the top 10 that finished in front of her at her last race??? Obviously Kawi knows this and why their spending the money with Jessica. I met her down at Barber at a Nesba track day last year.  Many of our Advanced riders were getting around her but that didn't slow her entusiasm or take the smile off her face. She is "Good People" and I wish her well. The more our sport grows the better it is for us all.

[mike_rbm]

I am a few days late but I have to add something here

I know Jessica farely well at the track. Being one of the few Team Green Supported riders, I had the pleasure to hang around, race against, and helped her at AMA nationals.

I don't feel the need and defend or justify her riding skills. She qualifies for races and and she goes faster than other pros. What I am going to point out is how hard she works to put on a good show for the fans, for PR, and for the promoting our our sport. For each of you who question why is she getting support and racing, there are thousands of people who were brought to this sport by her involvment.

I was at Barber and happened to be in her pit when she was on track and I talked to over 20 fans who came looking for her during a 50 minute session. How cool is that? she takes her time signing autographs, talking to kids, give time to everyone... I can't say I know more than a handful of AMA Pros who spends more time with fans than she does. and those are not friends, they are fans, real fans, people who knew nothing more than her racing persona.

There was a point in time I spent time defending my laptimes, or my finishes, or my failing to qualify, but you know, it all gets old. All I know is I, and everyone else who has ever received a AMA license, that we paid our dues, in money and blood, to get there and to be on that grid.

How many club racers can say that they spent 100% of their effort to pursue a dream? I gave up my corporate career to pursue racing and spent my savings to get far. and if you actually knew her or many other privateers, it would be similar stories. It takes a special someone with a special drive to achieve a racing dream, thats why you see most people make it to expert then quit.

some comments hurts to read, even if it wasn't directed toward me. But in the end, Jessica is the one with the support program and signing autographs to many adoring fans at the nationals... so I guess she doesn't need any defending after all, because, she is living the good life, and I wish nothing but the very best for her and her racing. I just need to work on my program a lil more so I can rejoin the paddock next year.

Thanks for the space...

No. Thank you for the intelligent and well spoken reply! Makes 100% sense and I guess I agree with you! Thanks for opening my eyes.