Hi Ping,
I’ve got one for ya. I used to race most weekends, but now that I’m old and out of shape I just trail ride in the Rockies. This time of year with the snow finally melting the trails get really rutted and can be really challenging. So, with all the talk of disappointing whoops, here’s my question. Have the track builders ever created man-made ruts similar to whoops but run them in the same direction as the track? This would create four or five distinct valleys between each mound that the rider would have to commit to. Of course to make things interesting they would need to have some random jogs to the left and right. It may be a really stupid idea, but I think the tracks could use some new obstacles. I will await to be pilloried with your rapier wit.
Best Wishes to You and Your Family,
Colorado Bob
Bob,
I’ve heard a lot of bizarre ideas about how to make a track more challenging but this is the first time I’ve heard of this. You are suggesting building a set of whoops that run parallel with the track… like a set of long, deep ruts? It comes off a little Endurocross-ish but I actually like it. I think putting jogs to one side or the other is just masochistic but maybe a bump or two in each would be fun. I’m all for any obstacle that is going to slow these guys down, add some technicality and help push lap times back up to the one minute mark. Some of the tracks this year are so short if you help your kids open their licorice and get their hot dogs set up with ketchup and mustard you miss the entire main event. Anyway, if I get asked to design a track next year I’ll pitch your idea of slot-car whoop sections.
PING
Ping,
How much money do the top pros make and why does it seem so secretive? Some privateers talk about the risk not being worth the reward, while some top guys have a training compound, three trucks and four houses! Why isn't the money side advertised like it is in more mainstream sports like NASCAR or even stick and ball sports? Would it turn off the average blue-collar fan to learn that their favorite guy makes millions to ride a dirt bike? Or might it make the sport more interesting knowing so much is at stake? Aside from the Monster Cup where it's advertised, it all seems like a big secret. Show me the money!!
Thanks,
Rod Tidwell
Rod,
I have no idea. I realize that isn’t what you wanted to hear but I answered this question because I get asked this all the time. There is a huge disparity between the guys who can win races and the guys who can’t; it’s always been that way. At the top you have Ryan Dungey who could be making five to ten million dollars this year. I know it’s a broad range but all these numbers are kept really quiet. Then you have some middle-of-the-road guys who are making solid six figures and consistently running near the front. Then you have a group of guys who are still crazy-fast like Jake Weimer, Josh Grant, Kyle Chisholm, etc. and they aren’t making dick. Literally, I'm not sure if these guys will net $100K this year and their lap times are often on the same second as the guy winning the race. That’s a crazy gap right there.
Why aren’t the salaries posted? I guess there isn’t any reason for them to be posted. We don’t have salary caps so it isn’t necessary to make salaries public. Also, with the exception of the elite few, motocross salaries aren’t that impressive. If you look at what an NBA, NFL, or MLB players gets paid, one who doesn’t even start the game, it’s more than most of our top racers. I think what would be more interesting then what riders make is what riders have left at the end of their careers. There are some ugly stories out there from some guys who were incredible racers.
PING
Hi Ping,
Saying that "I am weekend warrior" is actually too much for me because sadly I don't even ride that often. After few months of break due to Polish winter and motorcycle changeing I finally buy 2011 KTM SX 250. I know, I know that it is not the smartest choise after break. My last bike was 1999 Honda CR 250 so you can see that like rather crazy bikes. Or it is size of my wallet? I was so happy about riding again that I was going too fast in places that it wasn't necessary and it end like this that I've broke bone in my right leg just one week after buying new bike. "Funny" thing is that seven years ago I've broke exactly same bone in the same way but in left leg. So I'm back to watching MX from my couch for at least next six weeks. REALLY not happy about this.
Going to main topic. In pro ranks we have some riders that tend to get injured more often than others. Sometimes they jump from injury to injury. I was wondering before how is it possible but now I can understand that maybe they want to ride so bad that they sometimes push too much and end up on the ground again. I know that there are more variables and I can't measure their seattime to mine but having an injury is nasty thing for both and even that it happened just few days ago I just can't wait to ride again. I guess that urge to ride is the only common thing between me and pros. I just hope I could keep it on two wheels longer next time. The same for great riders like Townley, Cianciarulo, Paulin and many others.
Sorry for all mistakes.
Greeting from Poland,
Krzysztof Tomaszek
Krzysztof,
Am I the only one who read that in a Borat voice? Go back and read it again that way if you didn’t... much more entertaining that way. There is definitely a pressure to return to racing as quickly as possible after injury and it often times leads to a string of subsequent injuries. But other times Forrest Gump summed it up best as he strode through feces during his epic run across the country, opining that “shit happens.” Indeed, Forrest. Indeed. And sometimes when you are hurling yourself across rugged terrain at high speed on a two-hundred pound two-wheeled machine things can go pear shaped. Why certain riders end up in a cast [BT, Trey, Paulin, AC, etc.] and other riders bounce up and run back to their bikes [RC, Bubba, Dungey, etc.] is a head scratcher. It certainly isn’t because those previously mentioned riders aren’t talented enough. I’m chalking it up to the Forrest Gump factor. Thanks for the letter, Krzystof. In the words of Borat, Very nice! Your letter was great success.
PING
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