Race Strategy?

Did you ever give any of your sponsors the trophies or the woodies from you regional wins ?

Yes, my girlfriend has them all!

I don't race for anyone but myself.
Sure, I sent out a few resumes, but I didn't try very hard to get sponsors. I am doing this for fun, and I want to be able to quit when I want to without having to let anyone down.
I like being able to say "screw this, it's raining, I'm not going to ride" or to stay home one weekend (although I rarely do).

Hood, you spend way too much time living through Cobb's success. It seems everything revolves around his wins. Everyone has different goals and reasons for racing.

And yes, I am jealous of his success at the GNF.

 

You're crowing about it now, but next year, when a highly sponsored pro hands Cobb his ass at the GNF/ROC, your song will change.

You work all freakin' year, attend every event, only to see a pro, that came to one stinkin' regional weekend, walk with the championship.

I'll tout my regional championship with a hell of a lot more pride than that Pro will his National Championship. He should be embarrassed to have it. Where's the glory in whoopin' up on a bunch of club guys?

 

Steve, had Acree not been at the GNF, you would have finished 14th in the SV Cup, instead of 15th.

Brag all you want to about finishing 14th instead of 15th. I don't think anyone would mind.

In the LW Twins race, you DNF'ed due to the turn one incident. Was Acree involved? If not, you would have DNF'ed anyway.

Don't worry, the SV ridden by Acree is now owned by a guy that you shouldn't have any problems with. No worries, mate.

 

Yes we do still do the discount cards but some riders would rather have trophies (actually if I remember correctly the vote was keep the cards and trophies if we could versus no cards).


Since last year was good (and we found an inexpensive setup) the number 1 plates went out yesterday along with the disocunt cards and the certificates to all of the regional champs.

 

My misguided, ill-informed comrade.. If all bikes are equal at the 145 or 106 hp, then all the money does not matter. At the time the rubber hits the road, it is rider, ssupension and tires that will set the group apart. Ted has the potential to ride with the front. If it happens great, if it does not great.. As long as we have FUN. You keep riding your SV and boasting on your 14th place finish and your DNF. Ted will have an opportunity that you will not never have or see. At least he would be able to say that he raced against the Pro verses yourself - who'd say "I watched the Pros.". Ted has a closer chance of running with the big boys, because of his backing. I am not sure what a 14th or 15th place will bring you in potential sponsonship - Not as much as 8 WINS out of 8 Races at the GNF - against some damn good riders (i might add..)

 

Well yeah they do. Unfortunately you gots to stay healthy the following year to use it. That's the fine print I didn't bother to read at the beginning of this previous season.

Charlie Mc #90

 

Glad to see that you recognised the people that helped you.. As living through Ted.. I agree.. If it was not for Ted, I would not be able to obtain the sponsorships that allows me to participate in a very expensive hobby. I would have 1 win, 1 2nd place, 2 4ths and 2 5th place finishes to talk about. That is not much considering the successful season you put together. The sponsorship i obtain is not just for Ted.. My fat ass gets in on the take. When I have to pay for racing -- I'll stop.. When the racing does not become FUN.. I'll say "Screw it".. pack my bags and go do something else.

 

Originally posted by R Hood:
My misguided, ill-informed comrade.. If all bikes are equal at the 145 or 106 hp, then all the money does not matter.
Ok, it's not all about money, but it helps.

Can you agree that it's frustrating to watch a guy take third in a FUSA race(on CBS TV), behind Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki PRO Riders, then come down to the peon, club level and take a title win? I guess not, as it hasn't happened to your rider.

We all want to do well, but we all can't, and I know that, but I don't think the playing field was as equal as you paint it with your HP Max ideal.

Let me use this analogy. If I were a white belt in Karate, who would I compete against? I think the answer should be white belts. If I'm a white belt, and I CHOOSE to fight a black belt(IOW Race AMA or FUSA), then I can't complain when I get a black eye. But, according to your Hp Max above, a black belt, who has two feet, ten toes, 2 hands, & 10 fingers, should be able to fight white belts. The skill levels involved, FOR A CLUB LEVEL RACE, weren't anywhere close to equal, and I think all of the true WERA Sportman racer walked with a black eye from the event.

(Disclaimer: White to Black belt is a huge span, and I know there are other belts in between. Exactly what level the club level is, must be the reason for this discussion. But, where does a club guy go to race, and do well against other club riders, without the involvement of better-than-club racers?)

Beleive me, if I see Cobb, in a Sportsman race, whoppin' a pro, I'll be the first one to jump up&down and cheer for him.

At the time the rubber hits the road, it is rider, supension and tires that will set the group apart.
See my karate analogy above.

Ted has the potential to ride with the front. If it happens great, if it does not great.. As long as we have FUN.
I agree.

You keep riding your SV and boasting on your 14th place finish and your DNF.
I also got a 6th in Formula II, so I'll take pride in that, too.

Ted will have an opportunity that you will not never have or see. At least he would be able to say that he raced against the Pro verses yourself - who'd say "I watched the Pros.". Ted has a closer chance of running with the big boys, because of his backing.
Now wait, are you talking financial backing. If so, then you're contradicting your statement above. You'd better clarify.

I am not sure what a 14th or 15th place will bring you in potential sponsonship - Not as much as 8 WINS out of 8 Races at the GNF - against some damn good riders (i might add..)
It was still Novice ranks though. It was a great feat, but it still reaks of contraversy. I personally don't understand why he wasted time with doing all that, when he could've been running up front with the experts, and attending pro events.

I'm waiting to see what Cobb does as an expert before I administer any Kudos. He was a fast novice, but it's not the same, sorry. I'm pulling for him to do well, though.

 

Matter fact - I have never won a championship. Yes, my fat ass did race this year - I had a couple of off track excersions, but through it all I had a FUN time.. Hell, I even won a race - because Ted was not in it.. I also got a 2nd (Ted was in that race..)

P.S. Yankin your Chain on the BBS is pretty fun .. I might add..

 

But don't forget, in the Sportsman Series, a National Championship is only a race win.

Does that make a win or a championship more important?

 

[This message has been edited by R Hood (edited 12-21-2000).]

 

How does every thread get back to Acree or Cobb being Cherry Pickers? Just because someone has skill doesn't mean that they want to commit to a factory ride each year. Yes, Ted and Lee have impressive skill, but from what I understand they don't want to travel each week to different races and testing sessions. Maybe they like having some success and a somewhat normal life.

As for Richard riding on Ted's coat tails... Just talking with Richard for 5 minutes gave me a clear picture of their situation. Ted rides, Richard does the business arrangement side. If Richard rides, great, if not he helps Ted to be the best. Why doesn't anyone bitch that Chuck is riding on Lee/Tray/Mark/Chris's coat tails? I'm jealous because I don't have that caliber of talent yet, and I don't have a great friend/manager to travel with and set-up the equipment.

And last as for the money issue. Those who can't get sponsorship... They aren't trying. You can always find someone in your area that will help. It may not be Yoshimura or Arai, but there's always someone willing to help. It may be money, time, effort, equipment, discounts, whatever. If you're bitching that no one will help, you ain't trying too find help then... It's all about getting exposure. IF no one in your area knows you race, better get the word out. Start putting up banners in local shops, riding the bike in parades, attending fairs, etc...

 

All of which is why a Championship earned with points is more significant than a one-off, winner-takes-all GNF or ROC shootout, which is a concept I never understood anyway.

One reason you see better guys enter those GNF or ROC races is private contingency or bonus deals paid by sponsors. The guy wins, he gets paid like he won a points Championship. But you never really know what's going to happen. When Hopkins entered a bunch of races at the ROC in 1999, he was 16 years old, had never been to Daytona before, missed the first day-and-a-half of practice because he was in Italy riding an Aprilia 125 as part of the Aprilia Cup Challenge Championship grand prize, showed up jet-lagged, started at the back of the grid, and won, I think, five races/titles. Next thing you know some angry woman is in the garage screaming at Crew Chief Keith Perry that Hopkins had no right to be there because he came in a big truck and was stealing from the poor club guys!

JU

[This message has been edited by John Ulrich (edited 12-22-2000).]

 

its easy to get some sort of sponsorship. as a novice that never won a race and had only one podium. i was able to get beasly fiberglass, ferodo brakes, sprocket specialists, and lp. they didnt agree to help becouse i was the next sensation to hit the track. they never told me i had to win anything. i told them i was doing something i loved to do, and i would like to represent them at my races and spread their good name as far and wide as i can while having fun using their products. i kept them informed and they kept helping. easy i talk about me and what i like to do and they help.

 

Care to elaborate on exactly what the help consisted of (including specific benefits)...????

Charlie Mc #90

 

If you're bitching that no one will help, you ain't trying too find help then... It's all about getting exposure. Quote from vlwebdesigns

Who was bitching about not being able to get sponsors?

Stick, Racer discount and contigency money is different from sponsorship.

 

Amen, John. Amen.

 

You guys are screwing up a perfectly good thread. Sean lock this puppy up. If I wanted another Cobb thread I would've posted something like that.

I'm leaving to go home now and will check back later.

 

Originally posted by John Ulrich:
All of which is why a Championship earned with points is more significant than a one-off, winner-takes-all GNF or ROC shootout, which is a concept I never understood anyway.
AMEN!

One reason you see better guys enter those GNF or ROC races is private contingency or bonus deals paid by sponsors. The guy wins, he gets paid like he won a points Championship.
That blows.

But you never really know what's going to happen. When Hopkins entered a bunch of races at the ROC in 1999, he was 16 years old, had never been to Daytona before, missed the first day-and-a-half of practice because he was in Italy riding an Aprilia 125 as part of the Aprilia Cup Challenge Championship grand prize, showed up jet-lagged, started at the back of the grid, and won, I think, five races/titles. Next thing you know some crazed bitch is in the garage screaming at Crew Chief Keith Perry that Hopkins had no right to be there because he came in a big truck and was stealing from the poor club guys!
Well, I'm not sure which direction you were headed, but the fact remains that at that point, Hopper wasn't really a club level racer anymore. He was a pro. And the fact that he came in with no track experience, and the equivalent of a 12-tequila shot hangover, but able to kick the hell out every club guy there, only backs it up. (I'm sorry Keith got yelled at, because I'm sure he doesn't take that well, being the nice guy that he is. Plus it's not even his decision who runs & who doesn't.)

Why can't there be a line drawn, whether voluntarily by the team/rider, or by the organizations to say, "Sorry, you're not club level material anymore. You can have all the track time you want, but our club guys pay the bills so we're gonna look out for their best interest. There are plenty of places you can run and be competitive(WERA Nat'l, FUSA, AMA), but give these guys a chance to have fun AND do well."

If Randy Renfrow can come to Summit, win the race, and then disqualify himself, why can't the others?

I know, I know. Start my own organization and see how it works, then get back to us with the results.

For Hire: One, loud mouth, database guru with big ideas, but little experience. Will try to solve every problem, especially when there isn't one. Has a propensity to piss of masses of people, but specializes in heads of companies, and/or magazine editors.