Geoff May and a factory ride

[cornercamping]

Now all you gotta do is convince one of these rich guys that's willing to spend that kind of money for fun, and get him/her to sponsor a team of talented riders, and I mean a full sponsorship.  Full top of the line equipment, trucks, ect.   8)

[Thingy]

Jim, some of us love reading (or listening) to your perspectives.  :)

[fourandsix]

Thanks Bill !

[Johnny B]

Is Geoff on this board? I have a photo he might like.

[xseal]

The factorys should realize they are looking for great riders, and spokesmen/corporate reps. Geoff is a (the) prime candidate to be a great rider and an outstanding rep, he is well spoken, humbe, hard working, etc.  As for "great races," I don't remember any privateers with any race results more impressive than Geoff. If any company was going to make an investment in potential future great that also had the ability to represent their company (without looking like a hiphop punk), Geoff is their man.

If he doesn't get a support ride this year, then something is definitely wrong w/ the system.

[Thingy]

If any company was going to make an investment in potential future great...

This is the point.  Nothing against Geoff, but he is not a viable investment in the future in there eyes.  Why?  He is too old.  They are looking to invest in younger riders.  It may suck, but if you think about it, there are plenty of reasons why this makes sense.

[smoke]

I do agree that it is also who you know.

As far as the statement that someone made: "Geoff did not have the results as a pro"   Please tell me why you said that.  ( Top 5 as a pro in year 2, Rookie of the year in year 1) ( WERA national champ, ROC champ and a title win in FUSA)

Someone correct me if i'm wrong but  Aron Yates did not come form a rich family ; he started off just like Geoff.

It would be nice if MJ did add Geoff to his team. I can see it now JP and GM in superbike, Tez on supersport, and stock.  That would be a pipe dream but a good thought.

[r6_philly]

Could you ride , NO. It's just not paying the money it is having some upside such as actually being able to go fast. To do that you would actually have to be a racer with some potential!

so if Geoff May can come knocking on the door with 150k in hand you think he can get a ride, at least on attack or something?

[khanson]

I'm sure a good support ride could open up.

It's no different in WSB or MotoGP.  The fastest guys don't get the best rides.  Look at MotoGP rides from Spanish companies.  They want Spanish riders.

I can tell you from experience the AMA is an interesting beast.  It's not at all what you think it is on the outside.  Support teams need paid rides so they can continue to exist.  These teams DO NOT have the budgets you think they do.

One of the biggest problems in everyone is competing for inside the industry dollars and that piece of pie is only so big.

Big corporate, outside the industry sponsors are not impressed with their return on investment for sponsoring an AMA team from the coverage and number of fan attendees.

Thats why my survival and growth of my team isn't focused on fighting for a piece of the industry pie.  My Safety program and outside the industry promotions give corporations a viable reason to invest with me.  I'm committed to safety with kids, but it also makes companies look good as well.

Why do you think all of my stuff says POLICE on the side and I continue to maintain my officer status?  It has huge marketing potential and is different from everyoneone else.  I get a lot of recognition and coverage from it.

Secondly, I've surrounded myself with good, qualified people such as four and six.  Jim has been around a long time, knows a ton of people and knows what it takes and how to build it at the AMA level to win.  Saving a buck and working on my own bikes kills my program.  It's cheaper, but how many years would it take me to try and learn Jim's knowledge and would I ever get there.......I wouldn't.

[khanson]

The same goes for people at the club level.

You want to try and save a buck and do everything yourself.  How much does it really cost you in the long run in contingency, recognition, time, results, etc......and the list goes on.

Geoff is a good rider.......if he had a good financial backer doors would open up.  There's also other good privateers though....like Jake Holden and John Haner.

Look at me for example.  Geoff can ride circles around around me but raced out of a 6X10 trailer.  I spent a huge amount of money on pit presence, being creative with marketing and top quality mechanics and doors have really opened up.

Plus....I'm committed to grooming upcoming racers.  Name another AMA team doing that.

Also....a huge word of advice to fast club racers.  Don't go to AMA support teams asking for free rides and RETARDED amounts of money!  It's not going to happen!

Look at the money you spend for a ride is an investment in your future that can't be duplicated by trying to do it on your own.  Instead, start networking, building relationships and saving you nickels now so to put yourself in a position to step up to AMA in future.

Otherwise you are just throwing money away.

[jnup]

I KNOW ALL ABOUT THROWING MONEY AWAY.

i have decided to build a monster ysr racebike and smoke those little moped racers.  anyone who wants a piece of me can come and get it.  that should be cheap and open some eyes.

[khanson]

Knuppie,

PUT DOWN THE CRACK PIPE!!!