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Actually no, it doesn't.
I'm re-researching what I need to do in order to run with the local club out here (AFM). Egads! Nightmare. The think they are the hottest club on the planet and the 'rules' will make you cringe. It's basically red-tape central with a healthy dose of 'no fun' simmering in a 'we're so awesome' sauce.
For example, here's what ex-LRRS racer Go-Go Gulbransen has to say comparing the two:
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Brother. Welcome. You're gunna like it here.
Let me help you out on some fronts that caught me off guard when I first came on the scene. There are big differences in how things work out here that you'll need to keep in mind:
You can't sign up at the track. Doesn't matter who you rub, where - you're gettin' shut down. But when they shut you down here and tell you to go home, there's nicer places to visit on the way..
Race entries costs more here, and you actually have to pay for practice.
You can't bullshit your way onto the track without health insurance - so don't even try. This is actually one of the best rules the AFM has.
There are no amateurs here. You go straight from the freezer, to the fire. But you're lucky because you're coming now. Had this move come sooner you'd have been lining up sixty eight feet from the fire on your first go-around.
Back home they run practice by your plate. A novice is never on the track with an expert - practice or race. Here they run you by time. Seems to work pretty well, too.
You'll hear talk sometimes about this track or that, being dangerous - and you won't understand any of it because of where you come from. This will make you feel tougher than most. But it should make you feel stupid. You'll understand what I mean in time..
In the east they grid you by the order you signed up. In the west it's by your points. You got no points, you're in the back. Oh, and there's a "Known Fast Guy" rule that they actually call "KFG". But it's named wrong because it doesn't matter worth horse manure if they "Know" you're fast or not - they only move you up the grid if you record fast times on their watches in practice.
Also... You know how back east if you crash on the second lap in the rain - pick your bike back up with no front brake lever and press on to finish the race in second place anyway - you're a hero? Well, you can't do that here for two reasons: One, first sign of rain and the whole world stops. Two, your bike hits the ground - you're done. On top of that, someone in the tower just put a mark next to your name. And you only get so many marks - then you're really done.
Back east when you have a problem, or when someone has one with you, you go throw them through a tent (or they do you). Out here you might never even know you screwed up until you get a letter from the supreme court the next week. Then I think you're supposed to write back, or submit an appeal in a certain number of days? I'm a little foggy on this but believe me, they do have trials sometimes for shit that happens out there on the track. And shit definitely does happen out there on the track. We won't even talk about what will happen to you if you ever throw someone through a tent.
The girls out here are hot. And lots of them actually race. I know, I know - what are their names and where do they live.. There's one problem though. More than half of them will spank your ass out on the track. And one of those chicks is like twelve. You see her out there - go home. Believe me. You'll never recover emotionally.
In the AFM there's this woman who always wears white on the weekends. Her name is Barb. She's as cool as they come. But, having said that, she'll hand you your head in an instant if she thinks that's the right call - and she's got pretty good judgement. Go introduce yourself to her, BEFORE she introduces herself to you.
Lastly, you know how back east there's like three really fast guys? Well hold onto your ass my friend, cause there's like three hundred out here.
Good luck brother
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Ah jeezus.
PS: My motard is really only slightly good for one track (Sear's) and it can only run in two classes. One of those two is against 95HP SV's.
AWESOME.