Steve, your right on the money about class size and racing someone. I race another old man series and they get full gates of fifty (years old, not bike size) plus riders. It sure isn't about awards or money, as there is none. It's about the camaraderie of racing. I would rather have a battle than to race nobody. That's because I am a racer, but I am not young enough to race the A class anymore, so this racing for nothing will do. Many feel likewise.
Also, the shortest race is 6 laps. Longest race is 8. Many senior "A" riders do 32 laps in a day of racing PLUS practice.
I for one don't race down your way anymore because the class size is small and I do not like the 6 minute races, cards for different race series, the complaining of "whatever" and I could go on. I don't think I will race much AMA in the future, and my 16 year old son WILL NOT do that form of racing anymore. The atmosphere "isn't fun" like it is, in his words, as it is around the old men series that we do. Must be a lot of others that think the same, as the C class usually has 20 or so guys anymore. No cards either, and a "true" beginner class ( for big bikes)
Oh, no minibikes or their parents. What a change! Man, mini parents take up a lot of the promoters time, and I believe that is a fact. Not saying if this is good or bad, just stating an observation.
They also have about 13 well staggered motos throughout the day and get done about 3:30PM or so. Sometimes, longer, but usually that is the time we are done. Still a long day, but doable.
The people whom I've race your way are the greatest, and I miss all you guys down that way. I really do. I just don't miss much else down that way.....
I am not vocal about this "AMA Racing" thing anymore. I don't even care about it anymore and the death of local racing. I have found a home racing with a bunch of guys, like you, who just want to race without all the politics. We have mucho fun and we all get along without egos.
Greg