thoughts

[McBiggity]

thinking about hanging up the race license for now.
After the things that have happened so far this year, so many broken bones and now Scott, I'm having a hard time justifying racing.
Maybe I'll change my mind in a few days, but as of now, I am not faxing in this entry form for June 2-3.

[KB]

I think you will regret it. But it is entirely your decision. If you don't feel comfortable out there then it's best to hang it up, or take a break.

Good luck in your choice.

KB

[Kitt]

scott's incident definately spooked me a bit, and made me realize how dangerous our sport is. Although it's not uncommon to take a spill, something like that is.

I am a big believer in when it's my time, it's my time... People were tellign me about a corner worker who fell when just hopping over a tirewall and hit his head on the ground. I could get hit in a crosswalk at big Y.

It's a dangerous sport, but for now, I like doing what I love. If anything were to happen, I'd go doing something I love.

[Evil_Weasel]

i don't really know what to say dude. if you feel you need to hang up the gloves for awhile than far be it from me to try and convince you otherwise. it would be a real shame if our broken bones stopped you from racing. one freak death and a few snapped odds and ends shouldn't keep anyone from doing something they love. i'll be back flying the DNF flag soon enough and i hope you will be to, but if not...i understand

[scottieducati]

I echo many of the sentiments here... if you aren't feeling comfortable, don't race. I took some lessons from my teammate recently who had some kinda inner ear thing going on and felt a bit dizzy... he's been up the past 2 weekends but didn't ride, which IMO is a smart call.

I pitted with Bozzy and it hit me and everyone in the garages (many of whom knew him far better than I...) very hard. I lost it a few hours after I heard the news.... Sunday AM was somber as well but talking with folks in and around Bozzy's garage, we all shared the same sentiments.

As corny as it is, he'd want us to go ride, race hard (and safe) and have fun. I thought about packing it up for the weekend but decided instead to race with his # on my bike, and keep the spirit alive.

We all know the sport is a dangerous one, but incidents like that are incredibly few and far between. If it's my time, so be it, but I'd rather it doing something I love than having some jackass drunk driver hit me, or any plethora of danger we face in our daily lives.

Scott lived and passed doing what he loved, and being an absolute cracker of a person. We should all take a page from that book and ride hard, race hard, live well, and be kind to those around us. I'm not much of a religious type, but whomever holds the master plan had other plans for Bozzy, and at least now he can enjoy twisty tarmac w/o cages or cops... I can see him grinning through his helmet now.

Scottie.D

[capt1014]

Honestly KB, I can't blame you for thinking about it.

[s a x m a n]

hey man .. you are starting to make some serious progress and would hate to see ya stop. Send in that reg form for the June event!

The pits wouldn't be the same without ya! This weekend made me think as well, but as I was telling justin we could be killed on the ride home from the track too. You all are my 2nd family and I look forward to seeing you all every race weekend.

[TheIglu]

Take your time and really think Biggles.

You seemed pretty down after the racing yesterday, understandably. Just remember that it's about the enjoyment. If you enjoy racing, practicing, hanging out in the pits, etc, then remember that it's not about anything else. The last couple weekends have been unfortunate for everyone at the track.

As far as Scott goes, he raced through many seasons and from what I have been told, would not want anyone to leave the sport due to this accident. He loved the sport and encouraged people to enjoy it with him.

There are risks, we know them. I'd hope you would consider the risks vs. street riding before making your decision. As someone who is professionally trained in street riding and hears about what goes on in public situations, maybe you will see that racing isn't as dangerous as it may seem on the surface.

We'll support your decision either way 100% man. Just don't stop coming up altogether, we like having you up there even if it's just to help get rid of some beers to a thirsty friend.

[McBiggity]

thanks guys. not sure why it's hitting me so hard today.
maybe it's from getting hit twice in one race by bikes. Made me really think about it.
i'll decide soon.

[Awesome]

Only you can decide what is or is not for you. These things happen at loudon and in our sport. Racing ups the risks too. You have to decide for yourself and for the people you love how much it is worth to you. There are other options for riding the track that minimize the dangers involved.

If you give up racing I hope you don't stop coming to the track. Cornerworking, or helping out. They're looking for an assistant starter and stuff like that. There are always jobs to be done and they're very much appreciated by everyone involved.

[TheIglu]

thanks guys. not sure why it's hitting me so hard today.
maybe it's from getting hit twice in one race by bikes. Made me really think about it.
i'll decide soon.

I figured that is partially what made you think about it. From someone watching the situations unfold during that race from dead last, it was just an ugly race. Too much traffic, everyone stayed bunched up, lines were everywhere, etc etc.

Most races are not like that as I'm sure you know, just keep that in mind. For some reason Race 3 yesterday looked more like a rookie race than anything else.

I didn't mention it yesterday, but me and a 125 got together in the exit of turn 2 on the second lap of the race. I went wide to avoid getting stuck behind the guy who ran into you and was pinched in between a motard who was pinching off a 125 who was pinching me between himself and the wall. 3-4 wide out of 2 into 3 wasn't smooth at all. We bumped, both stayed on the gas and I let him go deep into 3.

[McBiggity]

if I do take a break. I'll be up their cornerworking and I'll still do trackdays.
i won't be able to stay away from the track all together

[Doc]

Dude, Take your time. REALLY think on this and make your decision.

Don't decide soon. If you have to take a weekend off DO IT. I bet you will miss it and be back for the Classic.

As for the untimely passing of "Bozzy". I too did not know the man, I took Scottie's advice and raced with 33 on my bike to keep the spirit alive and try to show support for him and his team. I will continue racing, I don't need to win, hell I don't even NEED to be competative so I don't NEED to push it to have fun.
I am having a blast and belonging to such a great group is the bigger part that I would miss if I quit.

Just had a better Idea Biggs... Come up and cornerwork. Especially if you haven't yet. You get to see things from that side and how hard people work to make it as safe as possible, plus your still around to hang out with.

Take your time man, I know I am.

[OreoGaborio]

Biggles... I want you out there chasin me down & improving every weekend. A good weekend for you is a good weekend for me... a bummer of a weekend for you is a bummer of a weekend for me. Based on that, you know where I stand on this, but the decision's not up to me.





OK, so maybe it is.... Man up, lets go!

[Paul_E_D]

This is a tough one. As much as you guys want to deny it, what we do is WAAAAAY more dangerous than almost any other activity. In a group of just 500 or so racers we've had 3 killed in 3 years. Can anyone think of ANY other group with odds like that? I sure can't.

It's something serious to think about. Especially, it should affect your attitude when riding on track. Taking big chances has serious consequences for you AND for me and everyone else up there. Ride smart.

[McBiggity]

i think i'll take June off and just cornerwork. Then re-asses for the Loudon Classic.
like Jerry says every rider's meeting, we're racing for plastic trophies. Some people out there are just too dangerous.

[TheIglu]

like Jerry says every rider's meeting, we're racing for plastic trophies. Some people out there are just too dangerous.

Exactly. People in our race yesterday were riding like they were going for a million dollar prize. No need for that.

I'll respect your decision either way.

[TTD]

You'll know when it's time...

The first time I quit I was laying in the hospital. That one didn't last because I knew it was a freak thing that put me there.

The second time I quit was on my terms and I haven't had the urge to race since.

But... the urge to go fast around a track is still with me. I just don't feel the need to "beat" anyone anymore.

When you find yourself racing and not excited to be out there... give it up.

[reiobard]

Bigs,
if you do anything why don't you come up and just run practices before you make any decisions. get out there and ride and not have anyone trying to "beat" you. sounds like you have had a rough couple weeks and the is weekend was the straw that broke the camels back. Take your time and remember how happy racing makes you and then decide for yourself. if not then i welcome the chance to work in a corner with you.

[Paul_E_D]

FWIW, I'm on the same fence Biggles. I just found out that another friend of mine sustained serious spinal injuries this weekend, and I'm really losing my drive.

I was in a street crash in November and hurt my back. It has changed something for me. I love racing, and riding at the limit, but I don't know if I'd trade my life for it, or even my physical health. That's the fundamental question: What would you trade for this sport?

[McBiggity]

Well, I decided to take the June 2-3rd weekend off. If I miss the competition that bad, then I'll be back the following weekend. If not, then it's track days from here on out for me

[Ken C]

I've "retired" from racing about 4 times. Just becasue you want to take some time to process your feelings doesn't mean it's all over.

I planned on racing a couple of times this season, but as the planned dates get closer, I find little passion for getting out there. The risks outweigh the return at the moment. Give me a month or two and it could change. The recent injuries haven't really swayed me one way or the other, rather they just confirm what I know-- that racing involves significant risk.

[derrickhackman]

But... the urge to go fast around a track is still with me. I just don't feel the need to "beat" anyone anymore.

When you find yourself racing and not excited to be out there... give it up.

That is well said right there

[keifa9]

Well, I decided to take the June 2-3rd weekend off. If I miss the competition that bad, then I'll be back the following weekend. If not, then it's track days from here on out for me

two cents from a newb, and mike's good friend.

congrats to mike and everyone who makes a decision either way. it takes real thought, and a real man (woman) to actually sit back and evaluate whats important and what makes you happy. most of us are either too scared or too oblivous to even spend time and REALLY think. it takes serious thought, and it sucks when its the loss of a friend that starts it. Life sucks like that.
On that note, you should go with your gut and take the advice of family and friends.... like I and everyone else said, taking a step back is probably the smartest thing to do. maybe track days, and conerwork is enough to satisfy the racer in you. If your not out for the fame (pl. trophy) or fourtune then full out competition might be not for you, anymore. I say anymore because you have, and no one can take it away from you, and no one should/will second guess your decision. You deciede.