How much for #6?

[unforgivenracing]

Now that Chuck Stephen Jr. is busy with a house payment, how much for his national number?  
  After all........He bought it! :-X

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     Chuck doesn't have a national #6, he has a regional #6.

     It's not very difficult to get a top 10 regional number, it's just a matter of consistency. The whole trick to it is to ALWAYS show up to every event in your region and always complete at least 1 lap in each class you enter so you get at least last place points in each race you enter.

     Individual class championships are the same situation, except for the fact that you just can't enter extra classes to increase your points. In this case you pick what classes you are going to race and you follow those for the entire season.

     All I have done so far this year is follow the same 4 classes all season, and even though I have been finishing in the back I am leading or in the top 5 of the individual class points in 12 classes across 3 regions. With only 4 classes being run this season per event I am still in the top 10 overall points in 2 regions (lost the other region due to a non racing injury forcing me to miss an event in that region).

     As for how much for #6? Consistency, Chuck always showed up for every event.

[Jeff]

Now that Chuck Stephen Jr. is busy with a house payment, how much for his national number?  
  After all........He bought it! :-X

Are you suggesting that a regional championship can be "won"?  No, it's a contest of who can afford the most races and will show up at *every* event.

However, I will say, it's not as easy as it sounds.  It means racing when you don't have a bike, racing when you are sick, racing when there are white-caps on the surface (at Road America), racing at tracks you don't like, racing at every single event consistently.

I did this last year only for 3 classes and ended up with 7 regional 2nd places, 1 4th and 1 5th.  In the end, it was good experience, but it seemed too much like work.

This year, I started out with the same intentions, but all that changed when I blew up the F4 after selling 2 spare motors, and then getting the new RR.  It's nice and relaxing to race when I WANT to, at venues I WANT to.

[sdiver68]

I don't think its that easy...while a Top 10 plate by  is not directly related to actual skill...it does take a dedication and commitment to earn that plate.  Racing when you are sick.  Scrapping your bike together to make that next race.  Not crashing yourself out of a weekend.  Keeping the bike maintained.  Etc...etc...

I used to think it was pretty easy to get a Top 10 plate and class championships...maybe it is skill wise...but the commitment required is more of a physical, emotional, and mental drain.  So, yes, I for one am suggesting class championships and top plates are won...just in a different manner than winning a race.

I think you said this yourself, Jeff, when you emphasized how relaxing not chasing points is in comparison.

So, how much for #6?  My guesstimate for this season would be $15-$20K (taking into account prize money and end of season equipment value)

[Eddie#200]

It cost me a girlfriend of 2 years.   :-/

[Dawn]

It cost me a girlfriend of 2 years.   :-/

Don't tell me you and Sue broke up.   :'(

Dawn  

[Eddie#200]

Don't tell me you and Sue broke up.   :'(

Dawn  

Nope, the one before Sue.

[Dawn]

Nope, the one before Sue.

Whew!  Thank goodness!   ;D

Dawn   ;)

[Super Dave]

Are you suggesting that a regional championship can be "won"?  No, it's a contest of who can afford the most races and will show up at *every* event.

However, I will say, it's not as easy as it sounds.  It means racing when you don't have a bike, racing when you are sick, racing when there are white-caps on the surface (at Road America), racing at tracks you don't like, racing at every single event consistently.

I did this last year only for 3 classes and ended up with 7 regional 2nd places, 1 4th and 1 5th.  In the end, it was good experience, but it seemed too much like work.

This year, I started out with the same intentions, but all that changed when I blew up the F4 after selling 2 spare motors, and then getting the new RR.  It's nice and relaxing to race when I WANT to, at venues I WANT to.

I race about four to five events a weekend, and I usually end up with a plate.  It does come down to consistency.  The expert middleweights are traditionally hard, along with any money paying class.  In those classes, there are the fast guys that are there to get the money week in and week out.  So, just finishing ok won't be enough, you've got to be toward the top to get the championship.  

And if you can go faster, you can get more points for less money because of fewer class entry fees.

But, the overall championship is kind of bought.  If you can afford twelve classes, you can race them and score points.  Should be only a certain number of finishes that apply to the championship so that more riders would be in the fray rather than only the select few with a deeper pocket book.

As for relaxation...oh yeah, it's easy to show up and just play.  Try to play, chase people for a championship, sell stuff, and help other people.  LOL!  I'll show you hard.
 ;D

[unforgivenracing]

To answer this question I asked him.  My understanding is that his last full season cost him a porshe 944 and in the end (@ Datona) another broken sholder and bike.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

3 YEARS LATER,  ?

Chuck crashed at Daytona in '98 thinking he was going to be able to get past me coming out of the International Horseshoe, WRONG!!!! He high-sided his ass into the infield care center with a broken wrist! Chuck should have some memories about that one LOL (tell him Mike Williams says HI - previous Expert plate #214, now #58).

[unforgivenracing]

nope, it was in 2000. 

I was there too, and it was his sholder (turn one) I think...

I think it was the start of the race or he was just getting on the track for pratice.

Either way, his un-used pit garage would have been useful for something other then storage that weekend.

Space was so limited, he would have got his rent money back easy!    So, " " to that!