So when does a trackday org really become a race org??

Ive racked up some hefty ones over the years, not once has a payment been denied because I was racing.

 

You see, this is what I don’t get. Does WERA have a branding problem? Do riders not understand what the organization does? Or has the definition of “racing” become somewhat convoluted over the the years, in part from trackday orgs presenting themselves as offering a “race” to their trackday clientele?

I love doing trackdays and I love racing but at times I question if the trackday orgs are helping or hurting the sport as the line between the two becomes increasingly blurred. I just don’t think one org can do both justice at the same event with the same riders.

 

I'd be more concerned about the proper safety protocols being in place, such as at least 2 ambulances on site. Also, insurance is way more expensive for the provider if they are doing racing vs just track days. Is the proper level of insurance being bought?

 

This provides an easy way for people to go on facebook and brag about their "wins", talk about prepping for their "next race", and use other catch phrases/keywords...without having to actually grid up in a true racing org.

I see it all the time. Guys will talk about how they "battled for the win" or are saving their "new tires for the Sprint race"......when in reality their "new tires" are Q3's and their "Sprint race" is the mock race over lunch at a track day...and their "win" was against 1-2 other guys, none of whom were running a pace capable of cracking the top 15 in a WERA Novice race.

But they leave those things out when making the posts on facebook.

In other words, these types of events give people an easy opportunity to "play the part" on social media.

 

Have you ever told them you were racing? Sure it may be dishonest but I have no problem saying I fell down some cement stairs at 100mph.

 

Hmm, sounds like a Midwest CCS LWT class race.

 

Same if I wrecked my bike. I'd take it home and say I wrecked on the street to get the insurance payout since they won't cover racing.

 

I was in the ICU for 9 days and I told them it was racing, but at the hobby level and not my profession, and they covered every bit of it.

 

I didn't have to. I showed up in an ambulance from the racetrack and they had to cut my leathers off.

But when asked, yes I told them what happened and where it happened.

 

The way this guy told me, was that his health insurance covered trackdays because it's "training" but won't cover racing because trophy, and or prizes.
He felt he could get around that by doing the "races" at trackdays..

 

There are wins and there are facebook wins.

 

At the last company I worked for there was a clause that heath insurance and disability insurance would not be payed out if the injury happened during competition.

 

The word "competition" can mean different things. Usually they are referring to competition that is at a professional level. If the competition is at the hobby level I have never heard of an issue. And that is how my insurance (BCBS) explained it to me.

 

Thats' what I thought as well. The person I talked to, also @ BCBS, said even hobby sports like softball injuries for instance could be denied... I never had to test it so I am not actually sure what they considered competition vs hobby.

 

I had United Health Oxford at the time (have Cigna now). I'd ask my wife for the exact documentation but it's a Friday and I'd prefer to keep her in a good mood

 

with that said... what would have happened if you were riding with an org that mandated lap timers to ride "track days". now it becomes a timed event. this is HUGE GRAY AREA. not sure I would go to events with mandated timers... could become a BIG ISSUE. now it is not training, instruction, it is a "timed event". food for thought. Ski

 

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