Quick Poll for the OTHG

[norcaladmin]

Please only answer this if you are older than 30.

[WileE1]

I'm 35. Last year was the first time I ever raced motocross track period. I'm in the novice class now but I broke my leg riding about 7 months ago so I'm just now getting it back togethor. (Nothing to do with an OTHG event) I chose OTHG because another buddy did it and convinced me to jump into the fire. It was a Saturday event at La Grange last year that ultimately convinced me to join. I was impressed with the organization and the classes seemed to be fairly even. I felt comfortable in the environment. I liked the fact that it OTHG only! Especially having a track to ourselves for the day,... Nice! Although, I only raced 4 events last year I got good vibes from the club appeal. The concensus from those I had met was like hey man this is supposed to fun and besides Monday we all gotta get up and go to work. Bottom line is that there is no factory ride waiting for me at the end of a perfect season, I missed my PRO dreams years ago. It's all about Trophies and Bragging rights now!!

[Sean357]

I chose "other" because I joined (not a member anymore) because of the "we work on Monday" attitude. I like to race hard and go as fast as I possibly can, but at the same time I like to know that the guy next to me is not going to take me out, on purpose anyways. I felt like the guys in OTHG would go the extra length to make sure no real contact was going to happen. Joining did also allow me to have 2 classes to ride in and no sandbagging was definitely a plus.

[hrlyman]

Im 46 and I chose "other"; Competitive motorsports is an absolute addiction with me and I have been involved with some sort of 'racing' of some kind of vehicle my entire life. I raced MX from 7- 15 out at Baylands, then once into street bikes at 16, I started into the drag racing scene out at Fremont Raceway on Bracket night with bikes and cars. Went to a few Nats for fun mostly. Then I got into sportscar racing at 21, first on off-road courses - always wanted to do the Baja 500 in a sandrail but never did. Then into road-racing with Porsche Club, SCCA, CSCC. Had my first 911 at age 22 and then built a track only full out race prepped car when I was 25. Then came marriage at 28 and two daughters and all that was given up for a house on the hill, full time jobs, earning a living, and just finding my way through life. At 40 I started the old race car up again and totally refurbed it after sitting in a barn for 10 years. Raced it for a couple years and was out of it again. Lack of funds!

The kids grew up, I got them on dirtbikes, taught em how to ride and I had to have one again too. Found my way to the track and OTHG and that addiction was back... I guess its never goes away, and a 12 step program wont help! If it werent for the cost of asphalt track racing (either motorcycles or cars) I would probably be back involved with that, if money was no object I would be boat racing!!! but Motocross is cheaper and a HELL OF A LOT more fun!.... Bumping fenders is nothing like banging handlebars and elbows out of the gate!

OTHG people are a great group of people too, that makes all the difference.

[Oakrider]

I too race with the gang for the "work on Monday" attitude. We race hard, but it's a fun atmosphere and the National Events are a good time.

Plus, I live in Oakland, and per city ordinance I have to belong to a gang.

[Larry63r]

I chose other because it was easer than picking all of the choices.
I joined the gang in 2000, I was 35. I started racing in 1978 and joined my first MC club in 1980.
I have been a member of two chapters of the gang. I used to be a member of the Sierra chapter. That was fine but I wanted to do more. I joined the Reno chapter because we are a race promoter. I like to work at the races and I like to feel that I am helping to give back to the sport that has given so much to me and my family.
The people in all the chapters are a family. We all look out for each other. I have been at races where I have watched other members children while they were racing. I had never met this person before that day but he felt comfortable enough to ask me to watch his children. I have, and seen other members, stop in the middle of a race to help fellow members that have crashed and needed help. I have seen members take care of a downed members children, even taking them home and getting them to school the next day, while their dad was in the hospital.
This kind of security makes it possible for me to take my son to races all over and know that if something were to happen to me at the races my son will be OK and will be well taken care of. That is the real reason to join the gang, or any other MC club for that matter. You can't put a price on that kind of peace of mind.

[5150.4mx]

Originally Posted by Oakrider

Plus, I live in Oakland, and per city ordinance I have to belong to a gang.

Good answer!

I'd pick "other" too. I joined because I did my first eval at Madera Fairgrounds. It was a gang only race. We got three practice sessions of good length each one. Then, we ran 3 motos. Yes, 3 motos, each one about 7 or 8 laps as I recall. In short, there was enough time to go from dead last in two motos to first.

I got so much track time, I was amazed. Plus, here's the biggest plus of all. I was out of there by about 1:30. Even when I say this now, it seems hard to believe. But, for anyone on here who was there, can attest to it.

So, I assumed that's what most the OTHG races would be like. Sadly, they've not been. But, I don't regret joining the gang, and this is my third year. I will always be a member because the gang only races, especially on Saturdays, are good events. You don't have to wait all day to see 20 different mini gates, as well as all the big bikes.

[mxdad100]

I joined in 93' because it was the "Beavis and ButtHead" era....and they said "Member" alot at the Trophy presentations, and we would laugh and say ...yea yea...he said Member ! LOL

It was at Los Banos in 93'...hot as HELL, and we got early practice, and done sooner, but it was the "belonging to something" in MX that made me feel good.

[lars252]

I'll hopefully be doing my second eval at La Grange this weekend so I'm quite new to the club. I joined the club after meeting several members at local tracks and really appreciated their attitude about racing. I love racing motocross, but being 51, it's nice to have a class where I can compete with guys my age\ level. At the regular races it's tough to dice with some young 40 year old.:-)
The Saturday club races are a big plus for me so I still have most Sundays with the family.
Lars othg 56B

[lee_aflac]

agree with the working on Monday. Plus just a good bunch of guys