halffast
PR Elite
My post was tongue -in-cheek and , I believe , a bit misunderstood .
I first raced Malvern ( Moto Sport Trails ) in 1974 , on a1973 Yamaha SC 500 , 2 stroke . Sure the track has seen many changes since then , in both ownership and and configuration .The track is in better shape now than I have ever seen it . It has always been considered fast and not super technical . There have been some great racers and races there over all that time and usually huge turnouts . OIR always has had huge attendance too ; again , fast and not that technical with more of a natural terrain layout( at least it used to be , haven't been there in a while ) .That is why I questioned the effect " more technical " would have on attendance .
My hill of " Beans " comment was in reference to the fact that it is a technical track ( and the big hill in the back ) and was actually sort of a backhanded compliment , in a way . I have been there many times as a spectator because I liked seeing talented racers like Hill and Karnow go at it , attacking the obstacles and each other during the races .Track prep always seemed pretty good . Saw some decent turnouts , for there , but not close to the amount of participants I've seen at the tracks mentioned above . It always seemed like many who liked to say Beans was their favorite track , didn't show up that much . Guess it was cool to say a racers track was your favorite but not as cool to put yourself to the test of racing there .
There have been many discussions on here about track safety , the power of modern bikes , skill levels , etc. . Injury is an unfortunate reality of this sport . The so called easier tracks have always been very popular because you feel more competitive when you can do all the obstacles . Of course you can get hurt on ANY track . It is also easy to get caught up in the heat of competition and ride over your ability . That is why I don't like to see tracks adding too difficult and technically critical sections that tempt racers into doing something they may not truly be capable of , just to be competitive . Modern engines , chassis , brakes , and suspension make it easy to go faster than you maybe can handle too .
Bj , my comments were not meant to be offensive , just wise cracks ( Hey , everybody else on here does it , don't I get a chance to be a pitbitch too ?) . I chose halffast ( Gee , you mean that sounds like half assed ? Who new ? ) when I started on PR because I knew my best racing days were far behind me . I had just come out of my first " retirement" from MX ( quit that time in 84 ) in '03 because a knee brace allowed me to ride with a trashed knee . Got an '03 KTM SX , rode a short while and destroyed my left ankle jumping and casing a 60ft double . They talked about amputation but saved it . The trauma from that injury caused damage to my already diabetes damaged eyes , requiring lasers to cauterize leaking blood vessels on my retinas . Was off work for 22 months and being on PR helped me get through it . Limp like hell and have had pain every step since . Kept on riding but got into vintage racing , thinking it was " safer " . Had loads of fun and kept racing my old Huskys until about 3 years ago when I trashed the other ankle when it got caught and snapped by a rut ( inherent danger of a 4in. travel bike ). More problems, so as opposed to becoming a blind , crippled up , old SOB , I've hung up the racing gear for good this time . So yes you are right , I ain't a real motocross rider, anymore . Maybe I never really was , but I was involved with bikes and racing most of my life and have seen enough to at least deserve my opinion . I'll be 58 next birthday .
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