OTHG request

[DirtDgr]

I know what it is like to have pops hurt. Been there a few times. Not a happy feeling when dad is laying motionless in the middle of the track, face down.


Im willing to bet that as hard as that guy was trying to pass your dad, your dad was trying just as hard to stay in front of him.

If not it wouldnt be called racing.

[RCR YZ125]

actually my dad tried to move over to the far right side of the track and led the other guy by. Mike, I know motocross is dangerous, i've was 3 hurt times last year, my dad knows this too, however a suicide pass in novice class is just uncalled for.

[hrlyman]

Originally Posted by mapicella

Last year alone, I broke my pelvis, two ribes, and ankle. The year before, separated my shoulder, tore my ACL/MCL, and broke my other ankle. Not to sound tough, but I accept that I got hurt, and that I will without a doubt get hurt again. If I make it to the end of 07 without a broken bone, I wll be shocked!! But again, all the enjoyment of racing close far outwieghts the injuries.

Dude you need a doctor on your payroll!!!! You have to believe that you can go out riding and racing and not come home hurt???? yes? Also that you dont have to be a broken boned man to be considered a "Motocrosser" .... right? I hope so.

Originally Posted by mapicella

If racing got toned down too much to where it was totally safe (and gay), I wouldn't want to do it.

I"m sure someone will tell me that my above opinion is muffled because I'm talking out my butt... if so, go ahead. Let's hear why racing should be toned down so it is safe.

Racing will never be safe, and I for one am glad it isn't. If I wanted safe, I could sit on my ass in the safety of my living room and eat doritos in front of the tube and watch other people play thrilling (and dangerous) sports.

Why does safe have to mean "gay".... and Im not saying that racing has to be toned down at all, but racing can still have a safety factor and still be the most energizing thing you could possibly ever do. So I dont beleive you have to think in extremism here.

Saying that racing will never be safe and that your glad it isnt... is kinda gay you'd have to admit right? Guys and Girls go out and prove that wrong every day of the week in many different kinds of motorsports and they are taking way more chances than you and I ever would out on a motocross track on any given weekend.

Try a high banked oval in an indy car at 240mph and try to hang on to that car in the turn without being wiped off the face of the track. Thats dangerous but it is safe. People walk away from those accidents all the time. Our safety gear provides us some protection (if worn correctly) and our minds are also suppose to tell us when something is within our capabilities.... thats where our own safety factors come into play.

If you are ok with broken bones on any weekend and I am not, that doesnt mean that I should find another sport. It means I should probably just be aware that you are on the track with me....

I dont think you are like that Mike and I understand you points made, Im just talking back to your butt!

[5150.4mx]

Originally Posted by RCR YZ125

actually my dad tried to move over to the far right side of the track and led the other guy by. Mike, I know motocross is dangerous, i've was 3 hurt times last year, my dad knows this too, however a suicide pass in novice class is just uncalled for.

I agree 100% with your statement. Motocross is dangerous enough without bonehead moves on the track. Also, after 30 yrs in the sport, I've noticed something, which I'm sure anyone else on here who also has been in the sport that long will agree. You see more bonehead moves coming from less skilled or experienced riders. That concept is not rocket science. I'm also not saying that expert riders don't do stupid things... they do. But, it is far more likely that a novice level rider will lose control in a situation when in that same situation an expert rider wouldn't.

Anyone who wants to take issue with that concept, I suggest you go watch any novice pracitce or novice race, compared to an expert practice or race.

Also, anyone who wants to get their feelings hurt over my comments, take a deep breath. I'm just stating the obvious. Being a less skilled rider does not mean that such person is a lesser human being, a pussie, or anything like that. It just means that they have less skill.. plain and simple, and that as a result, they cannot control their bike in certian situations where a more skilled rider can.

So again, you're absolutely right. A "suicide" pass where a rider loses control and nails another rider is totally uncalled for, and is usually (not always) the product of a lesser skilled rider. A more skilled rider will wait and find a better way around by setting up the rider in front.

As for hrylman's comments about characterizing my statements as some type of crazy person out on the track... you should watch me ride more. For the amount of time I'm on the track, the number of injuries I have is very small. I ride about 4 times a week, every week. I put more time in on my bike in a month than some people on here put in a year. So, the chances are that I will get hurt more. Plus, even though I'm a very conservative and smooth rider, I'm not putting around out there, so if something goes wrong, like I catch my boot in a deep, long rut (which is respsonsible for my two broken ankles and torn knee) swap from ruts in whoops (pelvis and ribs) or break lose off a down hill turning jump (separated shoulder) that stuff is part of riding. I ride motocross, I don't trail ride. Motocross is more dangerous if one makes a mistake in certain sections.

This stuff is pretty simple to understand for those in the know, due to sufficient experience. Injuries to guys that ride a lot does not mean they are reckless. If you don't know that, then I don't know what else to say.

[hrlyman]

Originally Posted by mapicella

As for hrylman's comments about characterizing my statements as some type of crazy person out on the track... you should watch me ride more. For the amount of time I'm on the track, the number of injuries I have is very small. I ride about 4 times a week, every week. I put more time in on my bike in a month than some people on here put in a year. So, the chances are that I will get hurt more. Plus, even though I'm a very conservative and smooth rider, I'm not putting around out there, so if something goes wrong, like I catch my boot in a deep, long rut (which is respsonsible for my two broken ankles and torn knee) swap from ruts in whoops (pelvis and ribs) or break lose off a down hill turning jump (separated shoulder) that stuff is part of riding. I ride motocross, I don't trail ride. Motocross is more dangerous if one makes a mistake in certain sections.

Injuries to guys that ride a lot does not mean they are reckless.

Mike I wasnt trying to make you out be be a crazy person in any way, you better already know that.... I have the utmost respect for you as a rider out on the track and your abilities. What I was trying to express is that SAFETY does not have to be given up for the sake of "racing" within the parameters of the dangers that we accept. Does that make better sense? Safety can be involved in anything we do as long as we are aware of the things that make us unsafe. We can and we do overcome many dangers everytime we go out on the track, just some days $hit happens! We typically learn from those mistakes, but sometimes they can be costly and time consuming.

I agree experience can be the most significant part of being able to be safe out on the track and that will hopefully keep us less injured. And I agree that with more experience, people take more risks than someone of lesser experience would. Beginners and novices can be un-predictable in any given situation, troubles occur when these riders are mixed together unless they are aware of one another and learn to practice some safety in their riding.

As a Track Operator I believe you totally understand all this already and I am not telling you anything you dont already know, but Im just saying it for the general populous here on the forum and maybe it will help somebody out in their decision to make that "final" pass.... It could be their last.

In the end ... goon moves are unacceptable....

[5150.4mx]

Originally Posted by hrlyman

Mike I wasnt trying to make you out be be a crazy person in any way, you better already know that.... I have the utmost respect for you as a rider out on the track and your abilities. What I was trying to express is that SAFETY does not have to be given up for the sake of "racing" within the parameters of the dangers that we accept. Does that make better sense? Safety can be involved in anything we do as long as we are aware of the things that make us unsafe. We can and we do overcome many dangers everytime we go out on the track, just some days $hit happens! We typically learn from those mistakes, but sometimes they can be costly and time consuming.

I agree experience can be the most significant part of being able to be safe out on the track and that will hopefully keep us less injured. And I agree that with more experience, people take more risks than someone of lesser experience would. Beginners and novices can be un-predictable in any given situation, troubles occur when these riders are mixed together unless they are aware of one another and learn to practice some safety in their riding.

As a Track Operator I believe you totally understand all this already and I am not telling you anything you dont already know, but Im just saying it for the general populous here on the forum and maybe it will help somebody out in their decision to make that "final" pass.... It could be their last.

In the end ... goon moves are unacceptable....

Well said. We are in total agreement. Thanks for the clarification.

[Larry63r]

I think that the one point that has been overlooked in all this is patience.
I used to get hurt all the time racing. That's how I got the nickname Scary Larry.
I have learned to be more patient in my racing. As a result I have been hurt a lot less. I can wait untill I have the right opportunity to pass someone.
I still get hurt. Last year I crashed trying to avoid a downed rider and broke a finger and some ribs. The year before that I crashed trying to avoid running over Joey at E Street and had part of a finger pinched off. It's racing and things happen that are out of your controll.
Riders that are not patient get hurt more often than riders that are.
I think that the spot wear your dad was landed on was a poor spot to make a pass. I would not try to pass anyone there. I would wait untill after the table and pass going into the next corner.
The OTHG is club racing. When new members start racing they don't realize that it is different from regular racing. After you have ridden your eval rides and start to get to know everyone the riders tend to calm down and become more courteous to their fellow members. That is what makes the Gang so much fun.

[hrlyman]

Originally Posted by Larry63r

I think that the one point that has been overlooked in all this is patience.
I used to get hurt all the time racing. That's how I got the nickname Scary Larry.
I have learned to be more patient in my racing. As a result I have been hurt a lot less. I can wait untill I have the right opportunity to pass someone.
I still get hurt. Last year I crashed trying to avoid a downed rider and broke a finger and some ribs. The year before that I crashed trying to avoid running over Joey at E Street and had part of a finger pinched off. It's racing and things happen that are out of your controll.
Riders that are not patient get hurt more often than riders that are.
I think that the spot wear your dad was landed on was a poor spot to make a pass. I would not try to pass anyone there. I would wait untill after the table and pass going into the next corner.
The OTHG is club racing. When new members start racing they don't realize that it is different from regular racing. After you have ridden your eval rides and start to get to know everyone the riders tend to calm down and become more courteous to their fellow members. That is what makes the Gang so much fun.

Sounds like your bike has a homing device for downed riders!

I think the patience you mention is still 'experience'.... in the end. When you get more experienced you tend to be a little calmer and patient. it all comes together, but good points made. Its all good man.

So if a brother OTHG member tells me I roosted him; is that not acceptable? I was courteous when I told him to talk to my rear tire!

[andymoto]

Originally Posted by TomMason1968

Luke, Men are men and can (usually) take responsibility for thier actions, and they can decide what bike they want to race. Motocross racing is full of on the track variables which can go your way or not. This happens to be a case where your Dad was on the short end of an unfortunate situation. Pointing fingers and placing blame on a certain sized bike is not the sollution. Accepting responsibility for being out there, in a race is. If you race, you open yourself up to many possibilities. Hope your Dad heals quickly. One more thing Luke. A 250 2 stroke will get away from someone easier that a 450. Especially in the hands of an inexperienced rider.

Where's the other rider involved to MAN UP? Let a fellow rider lay there with a seriously injured knee (couldve been even worse) while this "so called" man takes off not giving a damn. Like I said in my other thread, the Millers have been in moto probably more that most of you put together and THEY DO KNOW THE RISKS! I didnt hear a complaint about being in a race, just about a goon that takes risks on a 450 to make suicide passes that hurts another rider and it just so happens no one knows who this 450 rider is. Luke, at least for a 15 yr old manned up and said he was sorry for going overboard about banning 450's. Anyone not understanding his hurt and frustration needs to go to a psychiatric ward. It's the clowns that take unnecesssary chances and then show what kind of jerks they are by taking off and not helping. Its too bad some people still hammered this classy kid AFTER he said he was sorry. The rider that hurt Pete with some bonzai move should man up and apologize at the minimum to Pete and his family, especially for not giving a damn about how bad he may have been hurt. Let the rest of us, myself included, give the Miller's all our prayers and support we can. And be glad A 15 year old is more of a man than the one that didnt offer Pete any assistance. Your parents should be very proud of you.

[sean 252]

Originally Posted by andymoto

Where's the other rider involved to MAN UP? Let a fellow rider lay there with a seriously injured knee (couldve been even worse) while this "so called" man takes off not giving a damn. Like I said in my other thread, the Millers have been in moto probably more that most of you put together and THEY DO KNOW THE RISKS! I didnt hear a complaint about being in a race, just about a goon that takes risks on a 450 to make suicide passes that hurts another rider and it just so happens no one knows who this 450 rider is. Luke, at least for a 15 yr old manned up and said he was sorry for going overboard about banning 450's. Anyone not understanding his hurt and frustration needs to go to a psychiatric ward. It's the clowns that take unnecesssary chances and then show what kind of jerks they are by taking off and not helping. Its too bad some people still hammered this classy kid AFTER he said he was sorry. The rider that hurt Pete with some bonzai move should man up and apologize at the minimum to Pete and his family, especially for not giving a damn about how bad he may have been hurt. Let the rest of us, myself included, give the Miller's all our prayers and support we can. And be glad A 15 year old is more of a man than the one that didnt offer Pete any assistance. Your parents should be very proud of you.

Very well stated!! There have been some articulate posts here,,hopefully it makes everyone think that does this as their passion.. We must take care of this crap at its infancy... The OTHG guys know who it is,,now hopefully someone will get this to the race director and it will be addressed. Good Posts Mike A and Hrlyman also!!!!