Losing the desire to race, ever?

[Jeff]

What advice do the veterans have for us who have been racing for a year? How do we stay in this for the long haul without burning out?

SCALE BACK!  Pace yourself.  Most people that I watch burn out are those who run every region imaginable and every class available every weekend.  Instead of running 15 weekends and 9 classes, cut back to running 3 classes and 5 weekends.  I always said I'd rather run 1 class and attend every event than to run 15 classes and run 1 event.  That is what kept me in it as long as I did.

There are many other suggestions about goals, etc, but scaling back is my #1 focus to prevent burnout.

One big thing I've learned, is try to minimize my time on forums. I like to keep the track at the track, and computers at home. If you know what I mean.

Honestly I don't know what you mean...  Are you saying you don't surf at work?  Surfing the forums is not going to burn you out on racing...  You might get tired of the conversation here, but it's distinctly different from being on the track IMHO.

[BRICKMAN]

SCALE BACK!  Pace yourself.  Most people that I watch burn out are those who run every region imaginable and every class available every weekend.  Instead of running 15 weekends and 9 classes, cut back to running 3 classes and 5 weekends.  I always said I'd rather run 1 class and attend every event than to run 15 classes and run 1 event.  That is what kept me in it as long as I did.

There are many other suggestions about goals, etc, but scaling back is my #1 focus to prevent burnout.

Honestly I don't know what you mean...  Are you saying you don't surf at work?  Surfing the forums is not going to burn you out on racing...  You might get tired of the conversation here, but it's distinctly different from being on the track IMHO.

Try going to the wera forums those guys are more about  ripping into people than Racing but you know what they say 'no fool no fun;

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Lost it after a good friend died in a race car after we collided. Took 10 yrs to get the nerve to set foot on a road course again. Racing now is for a hobby. Dont care where I finish. Just out having fun when I started racing bikes in 99. If I wanted to be competative and go for championships, I'd go back to cars.

[TheHiriser]

If anyone loses the desire to race altogether come corner work instead.  Still get to be a part of it. 

[Super Dave]

What advice do the veterans have for us who have been racing for a year? How do we stay in this for the long haul without burning out?

One big thing I've learned, is try to minimize my time on forums. I like to keep the track at the track, and computers at home. If you know what I mean.

Well, isn't it always about the almighty dollar?

Championships can be cute, but doing well at selected events can be more rewarding and satisfying.  Rather than spend $10,000 on ten races, spend $7,000 on five races.  You can focus your money effectively on tires, a tiny bit of extra set up time, an extra set of front and rear springs.  Things like that. 

Simple is still very good. 

Also, doing something different can be a good change of pace.  Race with a different organization.  Race a different bike in a different class.  125's are fun.  Big bikes are fun.  Vintage can be very cool.  Endurance racing anyone. 

Yes, forums can offer two kinds of info.  Good and bad.  They look the same in type, but being able to recognize the difference might be years down the road.  Doesn't even take the internet for that though.  I know I've chased a particular direction on somethings based on what I was told, then I finally was told by someone that I shouldn't do it and that I should be doing it the way I was doing it years before.  LOL!  Progress is sometimes about regression...