Should it be harder to become an expert?

[jigs]

A friend of mine Helmsman is his handle on the board,did well last year,pettitioned and stayed am.I'm not sure of his approach though,or how he went about it.

[truckstop]

+1 on making it harder to stay amateur. I would also venture that there should be less incentive to stay an AM.

The AM grids are tiny this year. I can't help but wonder if it's because people look at laptimes while considering racing and see AM's posting EX times and think - ack, I got no chance!

ktd, I think if you have well meaning reasons to stay AM, then petition to stay AM. If your performance index is low, and the number of entries in each race is low, I don't think it would be much of an argument. Have you looked at the overall results for your adjusted points with the performance index?

[Eye-p]

Lots of issues here-

Should it be more difficult to become expert? Probably, but we then need to define difficult.

My first stint at racing was in the early 90's with WSMC. Not only did we have a points requirement, we also had to do a few days of cornerworking duty. So, you really had to show that you were willing to contribute to the health of the sport and club.
In addition, we had to have our race licences signed by 3 experts in good standing with the club. This helped to ensure that people were not assholes to each other- it created a sense of community.

In my opinion, being an expert is less about being able to run within 5 seconds of lap record pace, and more about being a predictable rider, who is not a danger to others. There are plenty of fast AM's that are totally erratic and out of control.

I would also say that if you continue to ride as you have this year, you will be worthy of your white plates. I will have no problem racing with you next year!

Jason

[Noidly1]

For me, I have to say that;
"Anyone that runs consistantly within 4-5 seconds of the track record, for their bike's class, must go expert".

Case in point, Jimmy Brown 113am. Multiple wins in AMW and a bunch in unlimited w/some 2nds, on a 600,
and within 5 seconds of track records.

[HAWK]

KTD, I ran into your exact problem my first year. I rode a Hawk in Ultra lightweight and one weekend at Autobahn racked up 70 points, I was the only bike on the grid on a double points weekend. One weekend I finished 2nd...of 2 at another double points weekend for another 60 points. All for finishing Last, or first, glass half empty or full.

Document your situation and write Kevin and Eric a letter if you are not comfortable. I had purchased an SV at the end of the season which I knew would put me into the pack and felt that I didn't have enough experience passing. After running the SV the next season I felt I had polished my race-craft and was ready to go.

If you feel you are not ready for issues related to being predictable and smooth around other riders or passing then write the letter, if it is a laptime issue, well then I defer to Dave, or whatever his name is this week. Tough question, you just need to take a really honest look at yourself and your skills.

[benprobst]

For me, I have to say that;
"Anyone that runs consistantly within 4-5 seconds of the track record, for their class, must go expert".

Case in point, Jimmy Brown 113am. Multiple wins in AMW and a bunch in unlimited w/some 2nds, on a 600,
and within 5 seconds of track records.

Which tracks is Jimmy within 5 seconds of lap records? 1? his home track? Just becuase someone is fast doesnt mean they have to leave right now. Other things go into it as well, little things like crashing and race craft. Its racing, some people are fast some people are slow. Should Jimmy go expert next year? Yeah, but its also his first year of real racing. thats how it works, you work hard to get fast and you get your year in the sun. Then you go expert, take your lickings for a year or two, and if you can try for another step into the spot light. A guy like you should go expert too, your consistently placing at the front end of the novices, you have been leading points all year, and you havent burned your bike down this year.  You guys will get a bunch faster if you move up.

[roadracer162]

Lots of issues here-

Should it be more difficult to become expert? Probably, but we then need to define difficult.

My first stint at racing was in the early 90's with WSMC. Not only did we have a points requirement, we also had to do a few days of cornerworking duty. So, you really had to show that you were willing to contribute to the health of the sport and club.
In addition, we had to have our race licences signed by 3 experts in good standing with the club. This helped to ensure that people were not assholes to each other- it created a sense of community.

In my opinion, being an expert is less about being able to run within 5 seconds of lap record pace, and more about being a predictable rider, who is not a danger to others. There are plenty of fast AM's that are totally erratic and out of control.

I would also say that if you continue to ride as you have this year, you will be worthy of your white plates. I will have no problem racing with you next year!

Jason

Well said my friend. Best statement yet.

Mark

[Helmsman]

I petitioned to stay AM this year, as Jigs pointed out.  I know i know, i am a sandbagger.  :)

I simply looked at the times i was running and the times experts were running and decided i wasn't ready.  I didn't have a bad year last year, but not great either.  I didn't win any championships, or really even come close.  I did win one race but that was a bit of a fluke.  I got 2 other podiums all year.  One was at RA with only 3 bikes on the grid...so not sure that counts.  :)  I was actually going to take my bump, but i ended the year with a big crash that i felt fortunate to walk away from uninjured, and i really didn't know how i was going to be riding this year.  Turns out i have picked up where i left off.  But i am still not killing the AM field by any stretch.

I simply wrote CCS a letter explaining exactly why i was petitioning including the crash, laptimes and my performance index (it wasn't great) and i was allowed to stay am.  I made a commitment to myself that if i started winning races all the time i would ask for a bump because i would feel bad.  I really hope no one thinks i am trying to be a sandbagger looking for glory.

Will S.
187 am (midwest)

[tug296]

The old days, Novice, Amateur, Expert.

[ktd]

Jason, that means a bunch comming from a rider like you.  Thanks!  I guess I will see how things come together at the end of the year.  Last year at the end I had a big speed jump so who knows.

Lots of issues here-

Should it be more difficult to become expert? Probably, but we then need to define difficult.

My first stint at racing was in the early 90's with WSMC. Not only did we have a points requirement, we also had to do a few days of cornerworking duty. So, you really had to show that you were willing to contribute to the health of the sport and club.
In addition, we had to have our race licences signed by 3 experts in good standing with the club. This helped to ensure that people were not assholes to each other- it created a sense of community.

In my opinion, being an expert is less about being able to run within 5 seconds of lap record pace, and more about being a predictable rider, who is not a danger to others. There are plenty of fast AM's that are totally erratic and out of control.

I would also say that if you continue to ride as you have this year, you will be worthy of your white plates. I will have no problem racing with you next year!

Jason

[Noidly1]

Which tracks is Jimmy within 5 seconds of lap records? 1? his home track? Just becuase someone is fast doesnt mean they have to leave right now. Other things go into it as well, little things like crashing and race craft. Its racing, some people are fast some people are slow. Should Jimmy go expert next year? Yeah, but its also his first year of real racing. thats how it works, you work hard to get fast and you get your year in the sun. Then you go expert, take your lickings for a year or two, and if you can try for another step into the spot light. A guy like you should go expert too, your consistently placing at the front end of the novices, you have been leading points all year, and you havent burned your bike down this year.  You guys will get a bunch faster if you move up.

WOW, a complement. Who knew??? Thanks Ben.

Yeah, I finally got some things worked out and made a huge turn-around...
But still, I have a ways to go.

As for Jimmy, he has been at it B4 and is blowing everyone away. The guy has skills.
While he hasn't made it to RA, he is killing it out there at HPT and GIR and collecting trophies and points.
He knows he should be expert but is enjoying the high-life in AM now.

The only reason I can think of that I'm in the lead in points is cause I am making all of the races and others are not. Shit, I am horable at HPT but still filling the spots.

[Burt Munro]

   Shit, I am horable at HPT but still filling the spots.

Please keep that turn #14 line at HPT going........   you make a good spotting point for the field coming onto the front straight.   

Noid,  you do look like you're getting it more put together this year!