MASTERS RACING
Tad posted,
Just thought I would get some discussion going on the subject prior to the start of the season. I'm pretty sure this masters thing is going to be part of the future of DH Racing, and I just have some thought of my own about the subject. There are a couple of reasons that I see masters being a good thing.
As I am getting older,(55 this year) I think the chances of me getting seriusly are increasing each year. I could just quit racing but what fun would that be. I still love it. So the whole idea behind Masters is being able to continue racing, but with somewhat like minded guys that still want to race, but do it with more causious minded people. I do still love lining up at the starts with the best skaters. The part that bothers me about skating in the regular brackets is you have no control over who your lining up with and with all the new up and comming youngsters. often times these new young guys have way more balls than they have skills, and thats fine. but it increases the chances of me being taken out by someone. Anyway that being said, I'm not looking at masters as a way to get more runs in. I actually believe that if you want to race in masters, that you should not be able to race the regular brackets, for a coupld of reasons. One is that I've heard severel guys that are just over 30 express and interest in masters, and I know a few 30 year olds that still have a good shot at getting a podeum in the regular bracket. But would they really rather just race Master division? I don't think so. At some point there is likely to be a few masters divisions. And it's not likely to start at 30 years old, but like in ski racing I believe it starts at 35+ and goes up from there. at some point you might have 35 to 45, then 45 and older. At any rate I plan to pusue this again this year, and hope to raise more interest in it. Most of the organizers are cool with it as long as your not racing in more than one bracket. It funny, I feel like I keep getting better every year, but the sport is growing so fast and I'm not improving at the same rate as you yourger dudes are. But hey look at Wes, he just shows that if you go out and skate hard at any age you can improve at a rapid rate. He is almost my age, and has gotten to where he could get a podeum in the regular brackets. Right on Wes. Anyway, can't wait till next season. Well, what do you think about it?
2011 January 4 8:12 PM
one eye replied,
im liking that idea Tad, im 37 but i still think i can
beat anyone on my style of course, Maybe 40 +
just trying to add positive feedback... If it's 30+ id still
be down , but i think 40+ is more Masterish
2011 January 4 9:08 PM
replied,
tad come to wash and race wes
2011 January 4 9:23 PM
Eric C replied,
I liked to race one more bracket as marsyers division last year at Gold rush. Was not that big of a deal as it was only 2 brakets with 8 of us! Don't like the idea for sure of the choose between the 2 thing. Don't really need to as only 2 brackets do not take lots of time to run. if it gets too big, get the age to go to 35 and your good! I feel the same as you Tad as for the issue of getting hurt, hence my ways of racing not attacking for corners but letting people pass instead. The most dangerous part for me so far at races were the party part. Broke an ankle with big AJ on my back a DB8 in the mushpit.
2011 January 5 3:54 PM
marktheshark replied,
We had 10 masters 40+ years old in the Colorado race last month and 6 masters racing today. 3 over 50+. At 35 your still a kid....knees still work and it doesn't take a week for your back to recover from a few hours of skating and falling. My suggestion: 45+ Pay to race in the open division and pay to race in the masters 45+ just like the juniors. They get to ride in open and their own class.IGSA and other organizers should accomodate another class if they are truly about expanding and building DH. How much extra time is it. 4 or 5 heats? I still suck but riding better every day and have a crew of 45+ year olds to ride with. We're more dangerous than most kids. The teenagers here are unbeleivabley skilled riders and at 51 I'll never get to that level but look forward to racing with you in the masters class at Buffalo Bill this year. Promise not to take you out.