Re: Why is there never a decent turnout???
I hope there are some people with the ability to make changes reading this post, because it is 100% accurate, and I think echos what a lot of us are feeling. Last year was the first year in over a decade that I didn't compete in a race. I hit several practice days, just never raced. I started "late", at 24 years old, and enjoyed racing and going to the track early on. I tried following a couple of the series programs and had some fun doing so. However, now a year away from 40, as family and money pressure came along, it seemed less important and fun. Part of that is really analyzing what you are getting for your money. I think a common theme is too little riding time, and too much time at the track. There are just too many classes to get through and too few laps for the money you invest to get there, register for a class, and pay the "spectator" fee. If I take my family, that's another $50 just for them to sit around all day and maybe watch 4 other motos aside from my 2. With dwindling numbers for all classes, should you be running a 4 stroke class, 2 stroke, school boy, college boy, etc.? Not to mention the endless mini classes. As for us old guys, do we need the 35+ really? I know running more classes keeps programs consistent with things like Lorettas and also increases revenue for the promoter, but maybe a more efficient program would attract more riders to make up that revenue. We should also be more open to combining starts when there is the ability to do so. I know some complain about starting with other classes, but if you could get more laps in wouldn't it be worth it? Maybe just do a +20, 30 and 40 separate gates with open or 250 C behind us? I like practice days, but there is something about lining up and competing with other guys. So, like others said, I'd go if I knew that there would be 10-12 guys to race against, even if it meant I wouldn't win. I'd rather have that than to go through the time and expense to travel to a race and have 3 other guys there, one of which leaves before the 2nd moto because it's 6 pm, and he's tired of waiting. A victory beating 2 people is pretty hollow. I'd remember a 5th in a field of 15 much more fondly. As for track design, I don't mind a "jumpy" track, but that's just me. Personally, I think Doublin Gap's design in the early 00's was one of the most fun tracks I've ridden. It's pretty clear the vet guys do drive numbers, so something should change.
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