Backmarkers/privateers in the AMA

[khanson]

For the people on the board who whine about backmarkers in the AMA, I say show up at a new track and get 40 minutes of practice and then go qualify.  And for Superstock entries, ride within 112% of pole when they throw qualifying tires on and go over a second faster.  And SB is even worse.

If anybody wants to know how hard the AMA is to compete in, talk to people who are doing the entire season and ask them how hard the travel is on top of rolling the thing out of the truck and strapping it on right from lap one of practice.

It's all the other stuff that people don't see.  Driving through Nevada and stuff breaking down and being stranded.  Crashing your brains out during the race weekend, climbing into a vehicle battered and bruised and drive 57 hours back to Florida from CA like Geoff May does.  And to top it off, get home, have 5 days to rebuild a bike and hop back in your vehicle to do it all over again week in and week out.

Some weekends go well and others don't.  Take John Haner for instance from Hooters this last weekend at Laguna.  He hi-sided in turn 3 on friday and his knee was swelled up huge and destroyed the bike in the process.  Then during qualifying he blows a motor.  He later goes out for saturday practice and the cam chain tensioner gasket blows and oils the pits and the track and 3 guys crash.  To tell you what a stand up guy John is, he went and found every guy who crashed and apologized to them even though it wasn't his fault.  Then during the superstock race he lowsided in the last turn.  That my friends makes for a frustrating weekend that leaves you wondering why we do this sport no matter who you are......because motorcycle racing is kick a$$.
 
Going out and racing 1 or 2 local AMA races doesn't give you any clue as to how difficult it is.  Everybody thinks Tez has it made because he rides for MJ.  Not only does he have the stress of getting used to the travel and learning new tracks and competing at this level, he also has the bullseye and microscope people put him under for riding for Jordan.  Now that I'm not riding, I know that my stress level has diminished greatly.

So for all of the guys who are there every weekend, kudos to you for doing something that is very difficult that few can achieve and many dream about.  It's the whiners that really envy you!!!

So when you are at a race and see the regular privateers there, go up and congratulate them for doing something few can achieve.  Offer to help in some way, buy them lunch, dinner or volunteer to get them something to drink or slip them a $20 for some gas money.  I guarantee it will be greatly appreciated by them because they are spending every dime they have to get to the next level or live their dream.  Heck, go home sober one night from the bar and skip drinking those last 4 drinks at the  bar and don't buy every chic in the bar a drink and make a small donation to a privateer.

The great thing as a fan and a racer is you can have a small part in helping someone achieve that dream!  

That's just my $0.02

[stumpy]

 Agreed Kevin!!
 Nothings better than cruising the pits at a national and seeing the good ole' privateers wrenching on their own bikes, running to the tire guy themselves, refueling their bikes and driving their rigs! Much respect to you all! Heck I got respect to those who do the whole round of CCS. I am doing 16 race weekends this year and boy is it lots of work. Loading, Unloading, packing unpacking, then I have to fit a full time work schedule sometime in there :-/ But honestly I wouldn't rather be doing anything else.
We're living the American dream people now appreciate it :) :) :) :) :) :) :)



Stumpy

[Super Dave]

If anybody wants to know how hard the AMA is to compete in, talk to people who are doing the entire season and ask them how hard the travel is on top of rolling the thing out of the truck and strapping it on right from lap one of practice.
 
Going out and racing 1 or 2 local AMA races doesn't give you any clue as to how difficult it is.

 ;D

Ah, you have become wise too...LOL!  

The relief comes at the end of the year.  Then you let all the motorcycle magazine subscriptions expire (you know which editors are BS and who isn't), you lived it all anyway.  It's all marketing and all.

Nice job, Kevo.

Is Jim having fun?

[spyderchick]

Kevin, don't let the whining from people who have "no idea" get to you. They may never get a clue. Thank you to you for offering Jesse a bike so he can demonstrate and improve his skills. It's guys like you who are the backbone of the sport.

[Xian_13]

Privateers...

Road America, 2001???
There was a Racer on a white bike... Pink flames...
I saw him while he was qualifing.
Later in the day I saw the same rider on hot pit lane, fueling is bike... Cheap red gas can, handed to him by his Wife/Girlfriend.
There were no nice tents... no crew helping out... Heck I bet he was diggin in his truck seats for gas money home.

The sunday race he came in dead last...
I was SOOO Jealous!
That was one of the final stitches in the leather that got me into racing...
Sadly to say, I think that guy still had more money then me ;D

I would be Proud to be a privateer at that level, regaurdless of what anyone else thought.

13X

[mtw]

Mr Hanson...well put.White bike, pink flames?sounds like me,I think I crashed in that race though

[quicktoy]

our goal next year, provided my team mate and I can get our AMA licenses is to run as many of the events as we can afford, we dont care how we do, we just wanna say we were there and did that, and hey if we get lapped, that just puts us closer to the leaders on the cool down lap to haul ass up to them and slap them high fives and waive to the cameras ;-)

[motomadness]

I enjoy helping other racers out.  It's fun.  I'm even trying to develop a business around it, so I can get better at giving help.

Anyone need help at Mid-Ohio next weekend?

[dylanfan53]

Kevin,
Cool post. Thanks for the perspective.  The next privateer to get $20 from me will have you to thank. :)
No, Stumpy, you can't have my $20.  You've already got Heather workin' for your team, you lucky guy.  ;)

[r6_philly]

here, I will take your $20  ;D

see ya all at VIR... maybe I will come in last  :D

[SliderPhoto]

I don't race, but I can relate.  :-/

[tigerblade]

Excellent post.  Privateers rock.   8)