What would your choice be

[jcbell1007]

So to start this off, I was looking forward to racing this year. But, as circumstances happened, its looking like I'm potentially taking this year off.

I went down for Round 1 while I was still at my previous employer. I wasn't able to race or practice on the new SV because of some ignition issues. While there, like last year, I had union seniority, benefit time, short term disability with my job. So, i feel that my job is relatively safe should something happen.

Shortly after Rd 1, I started a new job. Same career field, same job, just different employer. The catch is, I started with no benefit time, no short term disability, and I'm on probation for a year.

So, if you were in the same or similar situation, where you were essentially an at will employee for a year with no cause termination clauses, would you race?

I've already made my decision and what you say won't impact my choice, but I just wanted to see what others would do.

[Doc]

So to start this off, I was looking forward to racing this year. But, as circumstances happened, its looking like I'm taking this year off.

I went down for Round 1 while I was still at my previous employer. I had union seniority, benefit time, short term disability etc...

Shortly after Rd 1, I started a new job. Same career field, same job, just different employer. The catch is, I started with no benefit time, no short term disability, and I'm on probation for a year.

So, if you were in the same or similar situation, where you were essentially an at will employee for a year with no cause termination clauses, would you race?

I've already made my decision and what you say won't impact my choice, but I just wanted to see what others would do.

I would try and make it down for what fits your schedule and do it more for the camraderie than the competiton...

There are always trackdays.

[BostonSVkid]

take it easy and do some track days

[Kurlon]

So, if you were in the same or similar situation, where you were essentially an at will employee for a year with no cause termination clauses, would you race?

I've been employed that way since I entered the job market 15+ years ago, hasn't stopped me any.

[darkduc7]

Dude, you're being really responsible. Good on you. But, you have the rest of your life to do that, and it's only gonna get worse. Just go out and race when you can, just don't take extra days off, show up Friday nights like me and run it!

Maybe take out a policy with aflac!

[darkduc7]

Oh, and if you want, I can add in a bunch of guilt and peer pressure about how you're leaving the GMR novices out to dry. DICK!

You just like DOC! O Fuck yeah!!!! That happened!!!

[FirstLightning]

I would guess that most people on here do not have an employment contract and can be terminated at any time. If that was the only factor in my decision, then yes I would.

However, you are the only one who can make the call based on your circumstances.

Curious why you would even ask? Who cares what the we say.

So, if you were in the same or similar situation, where you were essentially an at will employee for a year with no cause termination clauses, would you race?

[ThisBitch]

IMHO, it depends on who is counting on you to come home healthy. If its a cat and roommate, race. If its a wife and kids, don't be stupid. If you have a mortgage and don't have 3 months living expenses in the bank, I wouldn't.

[jcbell1007]

My job, LE, is a a touch different and most people probably would never even think twice about it. However, something as stupid as a sprained finger/hand, can sideline me and impair my performance. If you think about it this way, if you needed help, would you want someone physically sub-par coming to help you out? I wouldn't want to put myself in that position and I don't think my employer would either. They will put people on light duty, and desk jobs, but those aren't permanent or long term positions.

There is no contract per-se, but there are union protections against termination once I get over probation. If I put the burden on the department while I don't have those to find me a desk job or something light duty, there is the chance that they may tell me to go pound sand.

I don't care what other people say. I was just posing the question. The conversation is good because I'm sure I'm not the only one that has thought about this or will have to think about this. I have talked this through with a number of my friends already and they know what my intentions are.

It's killing me that I've missed 3 rounds already. Part of it is my schedule as well, and the fact that I have no vacation/comp time to take in order to make it down for the weekend. July looks promising though, we'll see what happens....

[jcbell1007]

IMHO, it depends on who is counting on you to come home healthy. If its a cat and roommate, race. If its a wife and kids, don't be stupid. If you have a mortgage and don't have 3 months living expenses in the bank, I wouldn't.

Spoken like a financial advisor

BTW, thanks for the help on the IRA advice. It worked out great for me. How the hell did you know I have a roomate with a cat? stalk much?

[darkduc7]

My job, LE, is a a touch different and most people probably would never even think twice about it. However, something as stupid as a sprained finger/hand, can sideline me and impair my performance. If you think about it this way, if you needed help, would you want someone physically sub-par coming to help you out? I wouldn't want to put myself in that position and I don't think my employer would either. They will put people on light duty, and desk jobs, but those aren't permanent or long term positions.

There is no contract per-se, but there are union protections against termination once I get over probation. If I put the burden on the department while I don't have those to find me a desk job or something light duty, there is the chance that they may tell me to go pound sand.

I don't care what other people say. I was just posing the question. The conversation is good because I'm sure I'm not the only one that has thought about this or will have to think about this. I have talked this through with a number of my friends already and they know what my intentions are.

It's killing me that I've missed 3 rounds already. Part of it is my schedule as well, and the fact that I have no vacation/comp time to take in order to make it down for the weekend. July looks promising though, we'll see what happens....

if you wanna do july, i'll figure out some way to make it happen on my end too. i wasnt going to, but im all about rationalizing

[Chippertheripper]

The best thing about racing, it'll always be there when you're ready to get back to it.
Personally, I'd try and do a race (or weekend) to keep my license up...but if I knew way in advance I could only do one, it'd be sept or oct when the license was cheaper. And come back with a vengeance in 2012 before the world ends.

[smf]

IMHO, it depends on who is counting on you to come home healthy. If its a cat and roommate, race. If its a wife and kids, don't be stupid. If you have a mortgage and don't have 3 months living expenses in the bank, I wouldn't.

The best thing about racing, it'll always be there when you're ready to get back to it.
Personally, I'd try and do a race (or weekend) to keep my license up...but if I knew way in advance I could only do one, it'd be sept or oct when the license was cheaper. And come back with a vengeance in 2012 before the world ends.

these sum it up perfectly

[xrocket21]

Drop the hammer, harry

[dhuze]

The worst thing you can do is worry about crashing while you are racing. Bad thing happen when you concentrate on them too much.

[Slowpoke387]

Well I'll tell you what Chris Dinoia did last season. He works for a concrete company and at the beginning of last season they asked him to not take any time off (racing or calling out) as a courtesy to them due to a large contract with Home Depot that they had secured. They asked that every available worker stick by them until May when the job would be completed. And so he decided to not race and risk it for the 1st 2 or 3 rounds. Needless to say by July he was badly hurt at the track, but when he was finally able to try to work, they were there with his job waiting. Just trying to say that we dont pay your bills. Do what works for you. Chris absolutely hated sitting out those rounds but in the end he's better for it. BTW you won't lose your license, just renew it next season.

[FirstLightning]

It sounds like you have thought about it thoroughly and came to a very honorable decision.

[b0xmonkey]

IMHO, it depends on who is counting on you to come home healthy. If its a cat and roommate, race. If its a wife and kids, don't be stupid. If you have a mortgage and don't have 3 months living expenses in the bank, I wouldn't.

Can't say it much better than this. I say that as I sit here on the couch with a broken pelvis from a practice crash last Friday. I'll be out of work at least 4 months, if I didn't have short term disability through the union and someone to fall back on at home I'd be liquidating all my toys to buy food.