more on zack
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553 Posts
no. fill me in.
Z
Z
won both the 125 and 250 usgpru championships. he got 3rd at vir in 250 on his 125. he was dq'd though for not showing up to final weigh in which im assuming he wouldnt have made. (kind of moot though wouldnt you think?? i dunno) won the final 125 race from the 9th row by almost 10 seconds. i finally got around to reading the roadracing world from december. its all in there. the kids no rossi, but hes pretty good. and yeah, the bikes and money help.
let me ask you something, why a 250 now?? with it pretty much killed in this country why ride one? not being critical. just wondering in general. seems like going to a 600 after a 125 would be the way to go. like you were talking about. i mean, i realize there are financial limitations and stuff for privateers. an r6 or cbr6 isnt something everyone can afford to just go out and buy. maybe the 250 gp bikes are just easier on the wallet. especailly since you can get one a few years old and still be pretty quick if youre a good rider. i dont know, i was just wondering.
jc
let me ask you something, why a 250 now?? with it pretty much killed in this country why ride one? not being critical. just wondering in general. seems like going to a 600 after a 125 would be the way to go. like you were talking about. i mean, i realize there are financial limitations and stuff for privateers. an r6 or cbr6 isnt something everyone can afford to just go out and buy. maybe the 250 gp bikes are just easier on the wallet. especailly since you can get one a few years old and still be pretty quick if youre a good rider. i dont know, i was just wondering.
jc
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553 Posts
Yea, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. Here's what happened;
I was at Steve Aspland's (Rising Sun Cycles) trailer getting parts for my 125 and his 250 was sitting in the trailer. So I said, "Hey, why don't you let me ride that thing, fly the flag, and whoop on some folks". Then he said, "Hmmm, that might be a possibility". Later that day he says it'll probly work out, and there I go. I bought gas, some tires and entered races.
So the short answer is that the 250 was a free ride (pretty much), and if I had landed a 600 I would have done that instead. I need a 600 still. I wont be able to live my life if I never make a run at pro racing.
Z
I was at Steve Aspland's (Rising Sun Cycles) trailer getting parts for my 125 and his 250 was sitting in the trailer. So I said, "Hey, why don't you let me ride that thing, fly the flag, and whoop on some folks". Then he said, "Hmmm, that might be a possibility". Later that day he says it'll probly work out, and there I go. I bought gas, some tires and entered races.
So the short answer is that the 250 was a free ride (pretty much), and if I had landed a 600 I would have done that instead. I need a 600 still. I wont be able to live my life if I never make a run at pro racing.
Z
Zack...why can't you pick up a decent used 600 race bike, run some LRRS/CCS races....kick some butt...go from there.
Even with inferior equipment you are going to make a decent showing for yourself, probably running top five a lot of the time....then hopefully someone will take notice of how you finish on less than perfect equipment and perhaps give you a ride.
I think it's fucked up that the USCRA doesn't sponsor a rider like you in modern racing. Well...I think it's fucked up a lot of things the USCRA doesn't do with their resources....some freakin cheap Mofo's overall. Get about 150 club members invovled...that's a lot of bread....even just $20 a person gives you $3000 a year for tires, fuel and entries. Not to mention what a lot of members could do for you in the way of parts, transportation, services, know-how etc. Nope, not going to happen, bunch of freakin miserable Luddites for the most part. Like to bitch and moan about how good the old days were while making the NEW days suck for everyone else. If we had that Frontier Land attitude throughout the club...that would rock. And you'd have a ride. See...now I'm getting bitter.
JohnnyB
Edited by - jbranson on Dec 12 2005 07:54:38 AM
Even with inferior equipment you are going to make a decent showing for yourself, probably running top five a lot of the time....then hopefully someone will take notice of how you finish on less than perfect equipment and perhaps give you a ride.
I think it's fucked up that the USCRA doesn't sponsor a rider like you in modern racing. Well...I think it's fucked up a lot of things the USCRA doesn't do with their resources....some freakin cheap Mofo's overall. Get about 150 club members invovled...that's a lot of bread....even just $20 a person gives you $3000 a year for tires, fuel and entries. Not to mention what a lot of members could do for you in the way of parts, transportation, services, know-how etc. Nope, not going to happen, bunch of freakin miserable Luddites for the most part. Like to bitch and moan about how good the old days were while making the NEW days suck for everyone else. If we had that Frontier Land attitude throughout the club...that would rock. And you'd have a ride. See...now I'm getting bitter.
JohnnyB
Edited by - jbranson on Dec 12 2005 07:54:38 AM
but has the topic ever been broached with Heir Coy? I think it is a great idea . . . a bike with USCRA graphics (and SKULL) stickers all over it. and zacko riding it. I'd give cash . . . but there are over 300 members, and if we just raised dues $10.00, that would cover it . . . instant sponsorship. Zach, how much dough does it take?
I got more to say on this and the 350 later. . .
s
I got more to say on this and the 350 later. . .
s
I'm with you Scott....I'd kick in cash no problem to sponsor our own bad boy Zack....I bet you could come up with 50 members that would kick it up right now.
Only problem is...oversight...can't have Zack buying crack, hookers, or speed parts that he'll use to beat us in vintage.
Ok ok...crack and whores are cool...but nothing to beat us in vintage.
JohnnyB
PS. What the fuck....the more I think about this the more I can't believe we don't already do it....jeez, if we are too freakin lame to build our own race track the very least we can do is sponsor a promising member to compete in the big time. I can see it now...big as "USCRA" across the side of the bike etc. Very cool.
Edited by - jbranson on Dec 12 2005 09:26:33 AM
Only problem is...oversight...can't have Zack buying crack, hookers, or speed parts that he'll use to beat us in vintage.
Ok ok...crack and whores are cool...but nothing to beat us in vintage.
JohnnyB
PS. What the fuck....the more I think about this the more I can't believe we don't already do it....jeez, if we are too freakin lame to build our own race track the very least we can do is sponsor a promising member to compete in the big time. I can see it now...big as "USCRA" across the side of the bike etc. Very cool.
Edited by - jbranson on Dec 12 2005 09:26:33 AM
Bear in mind Zack DIDN'T ASK to be sponsored....I just brought it up.
As to "why". I think Zack shows a lot of talent, a lot of class, he's versatile, devoted to the club and the sport, and has supported vintage. Not to mention family history with the club.... I mean who else would we sponsor?? Yes our club has a couple of hot shoe very young guys...but they've got time to make their mark. Zack is in a race against time...if he wants to give it a shot he's got to do it now.
I feel confident that Zack would give it his best shot...he's not going to lose interest, waste money or be irresponsible.
JohnnyB
As to "why". I think Zack shows a lot of talent, a lot of class, he's versatile, devoted to the club and the sport, and has supported vintage. Not to mention family history with the club.... I mean who else would we sponsor?? Yes our club has a couple of hot shoe very young guys...but they've got time to make their mark. Zack is in a race against time...if he wants to give it a shot he's got to do it now.
I feel confident that Zack would give it his best shot...he's not going to lose interest, waste money or be irresponsible.
JohnnyB
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553 Posts
Yes! Victory by default! I love it.
In all seriousness, this outpour is unexpected. I do agree with Johnny in that I think I am a good choice. It's not like it's a schcolarship that I'm up for though, this is kind of a new idea.
To answer some of your questions; Johnny, I could get an old(er) bike and try to go from there. 600s are pretty competitive if you go only a few years back.
Scott, a friend of mine bought a new 600 at the beginning of 2003 and raced it quite successfully that year. He got the bike at cost, then put an aftermarket shock on it and race prepped it. I think he told me he spent around $20k on that season, for everything (bike, tires, gas, entries, etc.). So it's expensive if you do it right.
But Johnny's idea is good, buying an older one and trying to impress. That's pretty much what I've been doing on the 250, other than trying to have fun. Jerry Wood did tell me that he had ridden that bike and was very impressed that I could do those times on it. "I think you could be a real star" he said (then again that's what Hollywood told Tex). Now that I've kicked the modesty, I do think that if the USCRA was to sponsor anyone it should be me. I think Greg is far more talented than I am, but has moved on from pipe dreams of professional racing. And Robbie Nigl already has sponsorship.
Our Father and leader Mssr. Coy is old school though, agreed? I don't know if he would like the idea of his logo on the side of a modern monstrosity. I'm not ready to accept money yet, but this is both interesting and flattering.
Z
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553 Posts
Do tell.
Z
Greg is an anamoly. I've made a study of the guy, just watching him, never said more than a couple words to him. Just watched him on and off the bike.
Extremely nice guy, quiet, humble for all to see. Something else going on inside his brain on the race track though. A race he had a couple years ago comes to mind....was running the 350 duc against somebodies Guzzi I think (not Cole)...the Guzzi was obviously faster...and the rider was very good, but Greg was good enough to hang with him from turn 2 to 12...but...Greg was defying death to do it. The guy was NOT going to lose...it was more than competiveness, it was obssesive. It was all very exciting, and Greg was very clean and fair...but I could just feel a spooky level of determination...bordering on death wish...I felt I was invading his privacy watching him run that race. He won....the on the Guzzi gave up about two laps from the end...and wisely so. I think this race was the "class winners race" they tried a while ago.
Anyway...if you are older than 25 you ain't got time to go pro, that's the bottom line. Yes there are people older than that in the game...but they've been there a while, or have their own money.
I see no one else in the club with the right mix of maturity and youth, skill and responsibility, articulate, polite....queer...err..cute. It would be nice to see someone we all know have a shot at it.
I think the membership would come up with $5-6k a year if given the opportunity...I know I'd write a $50 check today. I don't see it as a gift to Zack, or even something that he should be particularly grateful for....to me it's a symbiotic relationship....I'd like to FEEL like I'm involved in a real race effort...Zack would just be a logical choice as a resource to help that effort.
Only thing that can ruin it is if he doesn't keep his fuckin hands off Aaron, if he messes with my bitch I burn this whole freakih place to the ground.
JohnnyB
Extremely nice guy, quiet, humble for all to see. Something else going on inside his brain on the race track though. A race he had a couple years ago comes to mind....was running the 350 duc against somebodies Guzzi I think (not Cole)...the Guzzi was obviously faster...and the rider was very good, but Greg was good enough to hang with him from turn 2 to 12...but...Greg was defying death to do it. The guy was NOT going to lose...it was more than competiveness, it was obssesive. It was all very exciting, and Greg was very clean and fair...but I could just feel a spooky level of determination...bordering on death wish...I felt I was invading his privacy watching him run that race. He won....the on the Guzzi gave up about two laps from the end...and wisely so. I think this race was the "class winners race" they tried a while ago.
Anyway...if you are older than 25 you ain't got time to go pro, that's the bottom line. Yes there are people older than that in the game...but they've been there a while, or have their own money.
I see no one else in the club with the right mix of maturity and youth, skill and responsibility, articulate, polite....queer...err..cute. It would be nice to see someone we all know have a shot at it.
I think the membership would come up with $5-6k a year if given the opportunity...I know I'd write a $50 check today. I don't see it as a gift to Zack, or even something that he should be particularly grateful for....to me it's a symbiotic relationship....I'd like to FEEL like I'm involved in a real race effort...Zack would just be a logical choice as a resource to help that effort.
Only thing that can ruin it is if he doesn't keep his fuckin hands off Aaron, if he messes with my bitch I burn this whole freakih place to the ground.
JohnnyB
im in too. zachs my favorite modern vintage crossover. especially since hes not designing his own bikes, or has daddy writing him a check. and id like to see what he could really do at some real tracks. ra, mid o, infineon, pikes peak, barber etc....even to watch at summit, vir, cmp, and some of the other cool tracks.
jc
jc
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1,670 Posts
got to agree, zack is the man for the job. aaron and I have talked about this very topic many times...how can we get zack into pro racing? maybe a grassroots effort to sponsor a rider would work. I'm sure anyone who knows zack would be willing to pitch in something. I'd be willing to do something here on the site. I could donate proceeds from selling stickers or a maybe a special zack tshirt or something. I think johnny said it best, I'd like to be part of a real racing effort.
JD
JD
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