Huh? For me there are some definite negatives - mostly that I've wasted two days trying to explain why we created the class the way we did. I give up - the rules are what they are, run it or don't.
Because they are old as dirt I think it's more of a safety issue. They feel more comfortable riding with others who have the same medical conditions, i.e., arthritis, etc....LOL. Seriously though, I think it is a comfort zone factor for them knowing that the other guys are wise and experienced enough not to do stupid stuff. Just like the old people get Medicare and Social Security, they also get CORC.
After all the opinions have been given, the fact is the WERA is being inconsistent on this issue. The 40 class pays fees, races under the same rules and a winner is declared at the end of the race. If someone is willing to line up and race under the rules, they shold receive the same rewards as any other class. the reasons someone races the 40 class is not an issue to anybody but the racer. Having said all that, If you don't like the way WERA runs things, you can always pick up your toys and go play somewhere elce.
CORC Obviouslly, with all the reponses to this topic it must be important to those who race in CORC. The consencsus seems to be to count points/CORC championship. No one wants to leave WERA for another organization and it seems all enjoy racing CORC - just count points/CORC Championship. If it is too difficult to count points and declare a CORC championship - offer a reduced entry fee since there are no administrative efforts with counting points/CORC championship. Maybe, finishes are also important to a racers sponsors. What ever happened to the customer is always right?
As a racer that didn’t start till he was 38, my goal was to have fun, learn to ride better, a competitive release and beat some “kids” when possible. The CORC class was great the first year for me. I did well, got my first sprint win. Though winning and doing well in CORC is great, it definitely feels better when I do well against others regardless of their age. I agree with Mongo (which is very hard for me to type ) on the structure and reasoning for the way it is, though at first I didn’t. The only reason I was interested in points was for the gridding aspect of it, I hate starting at the back when I’m too late to pre-reg. The attraction to CORC for me is that, you don’t usually have to worry about the guy next to you thinking he’s the next MotoGP champion wanting to impress the factory rep who might be hiding in the Talladamdega Gran Prix bleachers. So if no points, means a separate race, not combined with the next group of stars then so be it. Just keep the trophies, and maybe a class within the class CORC Lite, for little bikes Vito
I'm just surprised that any of us that are eligible to race the CORC class were able to stay awake long enough to read through this thread. While we're asking for points and grid positions and contingencies and the like, I want a break after the white flag, mid race, so that those of us who are still awake, and haven't fallen off of our bike, can take a nap so we are rested up enough to finish the race I'll keep running it. It's seat time. Dean
Based on my experience with WSMC Formula 40 (and, in a year, God Willing, WSMC Formula 50): 1. Paying points rewards participating riders with a gridding method that makes good sense. 2. Having Formula 40 Lightweight and Formula 40 Heavyweight divisions with a two-wave start is more fun (I raced in this class before and after they divided it) and increases participation. 3. I've been more scared racing newcomers-to-racing in Formula 40 at Willow than racing anybody else in recent years...they have enough money to have fast bikes and some of them are crazy whether they're racing for a podium or not. The 250 GP guys at Willow seem a lot less crazy. Age does not automatically make people smarter, and the dumbasses are still dumbasses as they age. I have no point here, just making observations. (And I was Formula 40 legal when I won the 1996 WERA 125cc Grand Prix National Challenge Series Championship. I beat a 17-year-old for the title, and I liked it...)
I think that'll be the quote of the day, nothing like waking up to a good laugh. btw, John had a great time at your Team Hammer track day at Barber. Next time I'll smarten-up and take the school though. Vito
As for the CORC guys not being too serious about winning, I don't think I'd agree. I've seen the look in the Rain Director's eyes when he was coming off the track and he looked pretty damn serious to me. Now he may not do something stupid on the track, but I'm pretty sure he'd stuff you in the last corner to beat you to the checkered flag without thinking twice about it.
I just turned 30, can we have a class too? Really, I have to agree with Sean on this one. BTW, did you guys ever think that you could just do the points on your own. The table is in the rulebook. STEVE
You're darn right, Micheal. I'm going so fast now, you can no longer use a sundial to get my lap times!
You forgot, "and Satan is burning the infidel stomachs in hell!" Followed by, "Ignore the raindrops behind me. They are an illusion. Allah be praised."
What's a matta eh. If WERA doesn't want to keep the points, maybe it could be scored by region. Or the riders....which is very suspect. I can only aspire to be the ultimate Crusty. What would the award look like at the GNF......hhmmmm
I thought we did grid Summit by points although I'm not sure. I'll double check today since that is actually something I want to do, I don't like gridding by entry order. I keep telling you guys that the ability to keep points isn't an issue. And the admin aspect of it isn't enough to give you a disocunt sorry. If we get enough riders this year I'll ask Evelyne about splitting to HW and LW (or MW).
Sean, I can't speak for Schwantz, but I will tell you my over 40 opinon. (as the SLOWEST over 40 in the group ) Not only is Tray faster than stink - and not slowing down - but Jamie James and Michael Martin are both over 40 and can still kick butt. As for who IS the fastest ? THAT would get very,very nasty!!!- but fun to watch !!
Mongo, come on, give 'em points and a championship. Just think of the sponsorship opportunities: Viagra, Geritol, Depends, the list goes on and on. Besides, didn't momma teach you to respect your elders? But in all seriousness, I wouldn't mind seeing a CORC championship (and I'm not eligible for CORC, so this has no bearing on me) awarded to these guys. At an age when most folks consider playing 36 holes of golf in one day an "extreme sport" these folks are racing motorcycles. Something which is most definitely a young man's game. Yeah, Tray Batey is over 40 and WAY fast by any measure. But by the same token, folks like him are far from common. What's more likely is folks who have the slow healing rates and responsibilities that come with being a little more, uh, experienced in life. Would it mean the same as, say, winning B Superbike? No. Nor do I think anyone, participant or spectator, would think that. But by the same token, winning the Clubman Novice championship isn't the same as winning the Formula 1 Expert championship either. But it just might have meaning for the person who wins it. While the CORC'ers friends are playing golf and talking about what a loon old Joe is to be racing a motorcycle, he's out winning a championship racing against a group of his peers. Is that "welfare racing?" Maybe so. But I don't think this is the case myself. And maybe I'd just like to see Mr. Sublet, Mr. Mood, and all the rest duking it out at the GNF for the right to wear the title "Crustiest of the Crusty." Besides, they pay the same fees as other classes do. Give 'em the full show for their nickel.
