Ask Ping

Cole,

Because there are no league minimums in our sport, it doesn’t have to be public. I think most people are hesitant to make their income common knowledge because they are susceptible to scrutiny. Either they think you’re an overpaid bum if you make good money, or they are underwhelmed because they thought a professional athlete should be better paid; it’s a no-win situation.

The numbers change depending on what the economy is doing, and there are many factors. Kenny, for instance, is getting a salary from Honda. He negotiated what his salary is, as well as a bonus schedule and the structure of that schedule. Some riders will make a win worth a lot, but not take anything for second or third; Carmichael used to work that angle. Other will spread the money further into the top five or ten positions. He is also getting money from Fox, Oakley, and any other company he signs up with, and those can be big contracts as well.

Most teams will continue to pay a rider their full salary if their injury is short-term. Contracts can stipulate that after a period of time their checks are prorated. This is a common feature in most contracts, but it is negotiable. Privateers doing well are probably paying their mortgage, making under $100,000 a year. But if you aren’t making mains every weekend, there is a good chance you’re just scraping by. The drop from Roczen’s millions to the struggling privateers is cliffhanger steep. And, for the record, there is no truck with enough leg room for Benny Bloss. That kid needs to drive a special-ed school bus from the back seat to keep his legs from feeling cramped.

PING

Ping,

Sure, you get this kind of horse crap all the time, but I’m gonna ask because I value your opinion and it seems logical to ask someone that seems to know what the hell they’re doing. 

So, I’ve been riding long enough, I know how to jump a damn dirt bike and have no issues controlling it, except for one maneuver. I understand the soak technique and can do it mediocrely. But when it comes to scrubs, I literally feel like I get pretzel in my head. I don’t know how much is arms versus legs, etc. Do you lean on your inside leg up the face kind of like a whip? Do you just lean your entire body? I am begging you, please provide me with an explanation so I can figure out how to do this trick and look ten times cooler out on the track. I live an hour from Millville if that motivates your response. Cheers.   

?,

This is kind of like asking what the market price is on the lobster at a fancy restaurant: If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. I like to surf, but I know better than to drop into a bomb at Teahupoo. Just because I can balance a checkbook doesn’t mean I can work through complex equations like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting .

I could tell you that you have to accelerate up the face of the jump at an angle and then turn the front wheel in, lean the bike down, and stay on top of the bike, sliding off the lip. As you move past the takeoff turn, the bars go the other direction and let the gyroscopic effect of the rotating mass bring you back to center. This also has to be timed based on the distance of the jump so that you don’t bring it back too far or not enough. Got it? Or, you could save yourself some stress and doctor bills by just riding your bike the best way you know how. I’m assuming you have missed that delicate window of chasing your dreams as a professional racer and that you just ride for fun. Don’t ruin it by trying new tricks. One more analogy: Don’t be the 50-year-old in the club trying to bust out the latest trendy dance moves. Stick to the robot and The Carlton.

PING

Pinger,

I saw your Instagram post about the 125 All Stars race at Hangtown. You have to be stoked that 125s are back in the program bigger than ever. What is the schedule, and will it be televised so those of us in “flyover” states can watch? Good luck!

Bido