RocketRobin
PR Founding Father
I'm not racing at all locally anymore, but I see the issues that everyone talks about on here. You want to feel safe on the track when you are with "your class". Sometimes, your class will be faster than you, sometimes just your speed, and sometimes you'll be faster than you class if you are lucky. Take a look at it from a kids point of view instead of a keyboard warrior fighting for your point........... Your parents take you to your first 50cc race and you have no idea what you are doing, are scared to "race" for the first time, and most likely are a back marker to the other kids on the track. But if you love it, and your parents like it, they keep taking you to these 50 cc races and next thing you know, you have improved, are comfortable out there, and doing better and better and you might even meet some new people and try to help them out when you see they are at their first race, because after all, you know just what it was like a short time ago to be the new kid on the line for the first time. All is good in your life as you advanced through that cycle of learning to ride, race, and get comfortable on the track............ Then it happens again, you move up to 65cc bikes, now you have to shift, work a clutch, and navigate the track and probably do a jump or two. which increases the difficulty from 50cc racing to 65cc racing. Again you start off scared that you can't do it, and move back in the pack vs those that are a little older and have been doing it longer than you, and you eventually improve and get comfortable again. All is good until you move up to those tall 85cc bikes that you can barely touch the ground on and you're back to uncomfortable again in your racing because of the size of the bikes vs the size of your legs........ The cycle continues for all of us, at some age, you don't want to race against the young guys that are probably a little too aggressive for your riding / lifestyle. The key to all of it is, finding your way in the class structure, get somewhere where you are a little uncomfortable, and improve some and get better at being more comfortable. We all know it's dangerous, no matter what skill level or class level, people are going to get hurt......... from Little 4 year old Johnny who crashes on his 50 and breaks an arm all the way up to Ken Roczen who is at the pinnacle of the sport who crashes and breaks his arm too. There is no guarantee that your class will keep you safe or unharmed, you just need to take your chances and ride if you want to enjoy the sport. There is certainly enough classes for everyone and no matter what, there are going to be people that are nervous about being on the track because it's a cycle of how the sport evolves. Enjoy the chance to ride and race and don't get bogged down by all the details that people bitch and moan about everything continually. Be happy we have places to ride and race if we want to, and help someone who doesn't seem to know exactly what is going on with a little friendly advice to make them more comfortable out there. Aren't we all doing this for enjoyment anyway????
