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Hey guys, I just saw a "return-to-trackday" post, and felt inspired to pool some input from the internet
1. Motivation
What motivated you guys to leave? To come back? I wanted to experience other things, started an entirely different (married) life, with loads of travel, and other recreational activities that prior income and racing combination didn't allow for... I have no regrets. My motivation to come back is to finish what I started... I was still progressing in my last season, having droped from consistent 16's and some 15's to consistent 15's with some 14's... the bike and I both had room to improve. If that's a bad reason to go back, I'd be interested in supermoto or motocross racing instead, since I have a much more laid-back approach to those.
2. Lap times
Has anyone taken several years off and return to where they were? I expect a huge range of responses here depending on activity level outside of sanctioned races. I haven't done much on a sportbike in 4 years, but have had loads of seat time in motocross and have my cardio conditioning at the best it's ever been... I feel like I'm in my best riding shape, but would have to get some laps on the asphalt to get dialed back to racing.
3. Licensing
If I am fortunate enough to come back and be within a couple seconds of my pre-retirement pace, will I need to bump and earn my way back to the proper class? How would that progression go in a worst-case, or best-case scenario.
4. Culture
I won't say I was inert and only a "victim", but the drama and clique-clack BS, including new ownership and lack of understanding/support from NHIMS for the LRRS community was a bit of a turn-off. I'm fairly confident I would have a much different attitude if I return, but curious how those who have stayed perceive the culture/overall off-track experience (blunt = better). I have noticed some of the BS I wished to avoid has gone away, and some of my own has as well... I have 100 ways to spend $20K if a return-season is doomed before i invest.
5. Which Series?
I'm pretty much equi-distant from Jersey and Loudon (well close enough where I would chase the better series) - what's the pro/con of each (please only answer if you've raced both)? Any difference in payout? How about costs/facilities? Is Terricone still helping manage the Jersey CCS series?