2009 classes

[rck]

The biggest hurtle this series, and many other series, has to overcome is low rider count. This problem has been discussed at length on other forums but not that much on this one. The simplest solution is fewer classes. The hard part to that resolution is what class or classes do you do away with.

Give us your feed back on the 85cc class. This year that class consisted mostly of two bikes, the Walters boys (God bless the Walters family). No promoter wants to see only two bikes on the track by themselves, that has always been the biggest complainant from promoters.

We need the 65cc class for riders graduating from the 50cc class. It is a big jump from the 65cc to the 250cc class, but on several occasions this last summer on short tracks we saw 85's outrun 250's.

We all know that the future of the sport depends on developing young riders and cutting one of their classes doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. Just saying it is a bad idea will not solve any problems, we want your input, can the 85's run with the 250's, a 125 class, 85's in the 150 class?

Randy

[thumper]

Hard to believe this post has been on here for all week and no one has replied. I don't know enough about the subject to comment but when the 85's ran with us in the 150 class last year they ate our lunch. Good thing we scored as separate classes. Maybe that's the answer? It could help both classes survive. ?

[verticaltwin]

I'd swear I saw one reply the other day... Didn't I?

I trust you guys will do whats best for us. I hope we have more in the Vintage 125-375 class next year. It used to have a good turnout all the time. It gets lonely on the track when Bill is so far in front of me that I have trouble finding him. Although the good Missus has given me permission to go to the Am. Supercamp in January up in Colorado. The bad part is I can't use my regular salary to pay for it, I have to sell off parts and motorcycles to come up with the money... There's always a catch, eh?

Kyle#44x

[British Ghost]

Hold on, don't sell anything just yet Send me your number and lets talk about the dates. I looked at May and for several reasons including half the distance/time, the weather could be bad for driving in CO, maybe seeing a GNC race (though they don't have the schedule posted yet), saving a few more beans etc might be a better time to go??

I'll buzz Jantz this evening.

[walterbros]

There was another post on here earlier this week and now it's gone. You aren't losing your mind!

The Walters will be there to race no matter what class you put us in. Do the boys get tired of just racing each other sometimes? Sure they do - but they also love to go round in circles so they will race in as many classes as are available.

I think we have missed one race in the last two years. While I know that is not feasible for everyone, I just have to wonder why people will travel to five other states to race but won't support our own venue? I've left that elephant standing in the room for the last few days and just can't ignore it anymore. If there are usually no more than five 85cc bikes at the other venues, why leave this venue to support other ones? Is it the organization, the other riders (which would be my kids), the distance, the cost? I would really like to understand because I would really like to help fix it.

Racing is one of the best things that has happened for my family because it has allowed us to spend far more time together than we would have otherwise. (There's nothing like 3 hours packed like sardines into a truck to bring you closer. )

[ddkracing]

Hey Guys
We plan on hitting lots more races in 2009. We decided to go other places to race last year because we didn't support the organization the held most of these dates before the "Orange Shirt Crew" came along.(Does everyone understand what I said w/o saying it?) Anyway we ended up not racing much at all because traveling farther meant more $$$ and with the higher price of fuel the $$$ didn't hold out for the whole season. Every bike in the trailer ended up breaking and that ate into the $$$ once again. I ended up racing a total of 5 races in 2008 and the last 2 were Jeeps/Great Bend. The boys did however get to go to nationals and DYLAN FINISHED THE WEEK IN 10th and DALTON FINISHED IN 8th.(I'm a proud dad, sorry) DDK Racing is alway were my loyalty lies above anything. Anyone and everyone knows if there is a dime to be found we use it to race. We will give up the house, the groceries, the electric bill just LET US RACE! I guess I've drove home my point. I know that some posts have been aimed at us not showing up but what they didn't know is how we tried to resurrect a race season that should have never happened. We had a great time with GPFTS and are looking forward to coming "HOME" to race in 2009. I do want to thank everyone from Kansas that helped us to salvage 2008. Team Kurtz ,The Bells, Dan Clarke, Team Kennedy/Toon. You guys are the best! I would like to leave in closing though that DDK Racing is always accepting sponsors of any kind and they are appreciated!
Thank You
Chris Misener #22g

[cherrypicker]

Chris,

Thanks for your comments. I don't think any posts were aimed at you. A post that was removed last week and was questioned. (I read the post before it was removed and still can't figure out why it was removed.) As I drove home from my soccer game earlier tonight I noticed that gas was down to 2.07. Let's hope this trend continues! We hope to see more of everyone next year because the simple truth is we can't continue to sell a show of 30-40 riders to tracks, its just not going to happen. The future of our sport lies with the younger riders and we are just trying to encourage the growth (which was the sole intention of this thread topic). I think we all have the same goal, and that is to have a place to do what we all love, GO RACING!

Thanks again for your time and thoughts.

Tammy

[cracing]

To answer Randy's inquiry........
Advertise the classes you want to run and feel free to group classes as you see fit. Putting the 85's on the track with 250's is OK, on most tracks it will work fine. Don't rule out putting them in with the the Vintage 375 class if it's more appropriate.

As for the Misner's.....
You know we love ya!! Bring on your washer playing champ, I'm ready for another shot at him!!

Dan

[verticaltwin]

How was the turnout for the Modern 250 Am class this year?

Just curious... Kyle#44x

[ddkracing]

My reply may have came across a little strong but I just wanted everyone to know we in no way were staying away from the current organization. We just weren't able to end the year with many races. The last races for the whole crew was at GPFTS and then Dylan & Dalton raced Springfield but thats them trying to big time dad :Pif you know what I mean. Anyway what I failed to do earlier is give input to Randy. I agree with Dan. Post the classes and everyone will run where they fit in. As for the 85s the plan was for Dylan to ride only 85s after Am Nats next year. Some of the other places kids are riding the 85 class & then another class like you are suggesting to be able to ride 2 classes so he was prepared to ride with some bigger bikes anyway. As for the younger riders being a danger to the bigger bikes I have practiced with Dylan & Chance several times and I believe one time we had 3 450s and 3 85s gettin after it at the same time on the same track so safety shouldn't be an issue. I think they were all out in front of me so I didn't cause much of a danger to them! :-[Anyway what I'm sayin is put the program together & we will support you guys as much as possible this year. Besides we have been around the last couple seasons and no one has a flagman as cool as Randy. ;)That dude is top notch.(Please remember this when I leave a little early. They'll pass me back sooner or later!) ;D
Chris Misener #22g

[cherrypicker]

Oct 28, 2008 14:00:44 GMT -5 ddkracing said:

Besides we have been around the last couple seasons and no one has a flagman as cool as Randy. ;)That dude is top notch.(Please remember this when I leave a little early. They'll pass me back sooner or later!) ;D
Chris Misener #22g

Unfortunately, you are sucking up to the wrong person. I'm the one sending 'em back (just ask Colt!). Randy is pretty awesome though.

[crackerjack]

Way to go Chris Randys hat size is going up as I type, you guys keep talking like that we wont be able to live with him! Just joking everybody knows he is the best and adds so much to our program, we are lucky to have him. BTW Chris it will be good to see your family back at the races next year. I would also like to thank the Walters/Keesaker clan and everyone else that supported us this year.....................Tom Carlisle

[bomber]

Hi everyone. It is hard for me to comment on the kids classes as I have no experience other than watching. I hope that will change soon as Dakota is currently riding her PW50, still has the training wheels, knows where the brakes are, what they do, but prefers to use the throttle! I know that the crowds seem to really like the little kids racing the cones, but I have also noticed a drop in riders there to. I agree that the young ones are the future and without them it is impossible to grow. I know in my case I am looking forward to Dakota being able to race, maybe even next season at some point.
Maybe when we meet in November we can set aside a time for a little brain storming. I know from my owning and managing business for over 24 years that some really great ideas came from my emplopyees and some of the really best ones came about because of an idea that was improved on in commitee so to speak. The Orange shirt crew does a fantastic job and I have no idea what it takes to put on a show the way they do. Good positive input from both sides can make a huge difference.
I am looking forward to next season and seeing everyone in November.
P.S. Thanks to everyone for the calls and e-mails concerning my back injury. It always feels good to know that you are missed. So far the injections have worked and I am planning on racing just as before.

[cherrypicker]

How about a different approach to this subject:

The orange shirt crew is aware that the "regulars" (Walters', Kurtz', Miseners') want to race and do so as much as is feasible for their families (and we thank them ALL for it). The intent of this topic was not to figure out "how to get so-and-so here more often." We need more riders, NEW riders so our regulars don't go around in circles with the same people race after race. How do we find them? Other than a "riding camp" type of scenario (which we are working on with Jeeps for next year), what can we do to bring new interest into our sport? (this question can go beyond the 85 class as well to all classes).

[bomber]

Great post cherrypicker!!!
I like the idea of rider camps to atract new riders. I will be willing to helpout if at all possible.

The following is my opinion and just that, it is not meant to be the only way, but thoughts and ideas to throw into the pot with others to hopefully find a solution that works.

In order to attact new and younger riders, we need a class that is cheap and easy for them to start in. I like the idea of knobbies only class, why because there are scores of MX bikes out there. If they can go to there local race and just sign up and ride with the bike they have there will be more try it. Some will keep coming some won't, some will want to convert their bikes to full trackers, some won't. Family and friends will show up to watch them. Do not let the knobbies in with the regular classes, alot of the riders are intimidated by our speed and bike setups. They will feel more confident with other bikes like theirs. If you can get younger riders, 18+ who are not dependant on mom and dad for the decision to race you can make life long racers and fans. We will of course need to advertise this so they know they are wanted and we will help the new guys out. Maybe a free information clinic before practice to help them on there beginning races. Go to any stock car track, there is never a shortage of cruisers, bombers or any of the low dollar race cars. Alot of those drivers buy or build upperclass cars later.

We need to promote our riders better. I go to local stock car tracts and the drivers are in the stands signing autographs. Remember and expert is anyone who is over 50 miles from home. What if a press release was sent to the local paper announcing that so and so would be racing that weekend in there town and will be available to the public. We have some people with impressive accomplishments. I have seen this in the past but only when they are racing close to home. Who would you be more likely to want to see, someone you know and see regularly or someone that sounds like a celebrity. WE ALL ARE CELEBRITIES OUT THERE!! We have no shortage of racers who are unique personalities whose accomplishments could be heralded, in fact just about everyone. If you think it does not make a difference then just look at all The stuff for sale at local stock car tracks for racers just like us, fans buy it cause the person means something to them. If just a few of us were designated to go into the stands at intermission it would make a difference.

If we have a low rider turnout, then create some extra classes that night just for the laps. Riders need to pony up and put on a show, does not have to have any money or trophy or even an entry fee, just fill in and make it a show. I will ride for the extra laps and the fun if I can. Maybe young against old, vintage against new, king of the hill, it really does not matter, what matters is we have bikes on the track and put on a good show.

I have heard comments of I pay to race and should not have to do anything else, well no you do not, but soon you will be racing in your backyard, because if the fans do not come then the tracks will not want us and there will be no racing.

Well just some ideas to kick around. I am sure someone can improve on them.