Would you give it up? Racing that is.

[Jeff]

I guess the gamut of responses have been covered here.  Super-Dave has a pretty good response that would mimick what I would tell you.

I have been learning more and more each weekend that I enjoy this so much for the PEOPLE, not just the racing (anymore).  If I couldn't race for a season for whatever reason, I'd sure as heck be somebody's pit beyatch, coach, tire guy, corner worker...  

Right now it's too much a part of my life to cut out cold-turkey.  

[OmniGLH]

Dave,

As an ex-Motorolan who left his job to take a substantial paycut working somewhere else... I think I know where you're coming from.

If you really truly HATE your job - then quit.  It's not worth anything IMO to be miserable for 40-60-80+ hours a week.  I know when I had my limit at Motorola - I found myself feeling miserable everywhere, just not at work.  Not good.

Besides, you'll find a way to keep racing if it's really important to you.  I did.  Granted, I've gone a little overboard (much more than I planned to...)  but racing CAN be done on a small budget.   Only run the money classes.  Only run every other weekend, or just enough to keep the appetite satisfied.

Life is too short to be unhappy.

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Like everyone said Dave. Do what you have to. I've taken breaks from racing because of no money and lack of insurance. Like Kim its been May since I;ve raced and I'm done for the year on teh track. I'm cornerworking though.

[Eric Kelcher]

lbk I understand your dilmena I am doing the samething applied for insurance and with the racing history and planed future racing they wanted a $250/month surcharge for my limited racing, like 1-2 races a year last two years. They said if I went a year without racing and did not race first year or two of policy then I could have preferred rate. So I have decided to hang the leathers up for the time being and concetrate on being AT the races but not IN the races for now.

[Jeff]

oh sure Eric...  We all know your wife won't let you race...   ;D  :D ;)  :-*

[lbk]

Well turns out I put the cart before the horse, it's not final yet because it's not a written offer, but it looks good so far. So keep your fingers crossed and it may not even come to making this decision. :D

Which yes my work has affected me everywhere else, including racing in fact until today I didn't even want to go this weekend because I just felt bad.

Hearing the verbal offer has already if nothing else put me back in the mindset I need to be in and race this weekend. :D

[H-man]

Great news Dave :)

Now don't wait to the last minute and stay up late sapping your tires  ;D ;D ;)

  .

[Eric Kelcher]

oh sure Eric...  We all know your wife won't let you race...   ;D  :D ;)  :-*

Actually she threatned to sell the bikes if I was not going to race. Which will lead to why do we need that big tolbox in the garage if I got rid of that, I could get my car in the garage, which leads to if I could park in the garage I could get the black Pacifica, which would lead to we have a bigger car we can have another kid, which leads to we have too many kids and need a bigger house, which leads to I can't work and clean this big house so I have to quit my job to take care of the house and we can't let that happen. :o

[Baltobuell]

 It's hard to keep perspective sometimes. Your family and their needs come first. They need you happy, balanced, and sane. The extra money you make isn't as important as you may think so that puts your job second. What you want to do with your excess cash and free time comes 3rd when everything else is satisfied. Do what ya gotta do, then do what you wanna do. I won't win any championships, but I have gone on saturday to run 2 practices and 2 races and packed up. About $135. Had stuff I had to do, but got my fix for a month or 2. This IS a hobby no matter how much fun it is.

[khanson]

Dave,

Life is incredibly short and we never know when it's going to end.  Most people gripe and complain about their current job but never do anything about.

If you feel you would be happier by taking the current job then go for it.  Quality of life doesn't hinge on dollars and cents.  Besides, you would be amazed at the opportunities that pop up for you by following your heart.

Another door may open and you have more money than you had before to race!

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I almost completely bailed out of the sport due to massive debt I incurred in large part because of racing. I raced the '96, '97, '98, & '99 seasons then had to spend the next 2 1/2 seasons trying to recover financially. Then in the middle of the '02 season I returned and have stayed racing ever since, but in limited form. Though I attend almost every event in the Midwest, I still have not recovered financially to the point of being able to be a front runner (in other words buying tires every weekend like they were actually affordable).

     That 2 1/2 year break for me was needed, but frustrating, and I was somewhat relieved when I would go to BFR and spectate. It was great to see those that I had come to know thru racing out there still doing it and cheering them on in their races. I also liked to time the leaders and see where I would have been in the races based on lap times I had run there in the past.

     It's a fairly well know statistic that the average racer doesn't last for more than 2 or 3 seasons and usually exits the sport due to significant race related debt or an injury. Though I have choosen to race conservatively since I returned, I am still out there doing it. It can be tough to take this route, especially when you know you can go so much faster, but can't really afford to do it at this time. Staying involved in this sport is kind of like the calm in the middle of the storm when life isn't going so great outside of racing. Think about how many millions of people live in a region of the country, yet so few actually participate in something like this. The racing 'family' is something that isn't found very often out in the non-racing world.

     I will extend to you the advice that I offer to anyone getting involved in or looking to stay involved in this sport. Racing cost/debt is the big issue in this sport which ultimately dictates whether you continue or not, I learned that the hard way. After returning I promised myself that I wouldn't go into debt to race and pay for everything as I go. If you truely want to continue to race then set aside a certain amount of money every week, year round, into a racing fund. If you set aside just $50 per week (all year) you would be able to afford to race 3 classes per event (including gate fee) at 10 events and be able to buy 3 sets of tires for the season. Paying as you go is the best advice I can offer to someone who wants to continue to race. If you still have debt from the previous season when you start a new one then the end is probably inevitable.

[KBOlsen]

Mike, that is some great advice. 8)