RRW - The Rookie papers...what a disaster!
- Thread starter Holeshot
- Start date
Trackho
Well-known member
It would funny if the guy ran in AFM as it would humble the shit out of him running with experts--my novice year I got Top Novice in 80% of my races and only crashed once on my own accord--so what I got the King of the Fucktards tophy--BFD.
Funny as I didnt take out a single person, stayed married, kept the house and even got my wife pregnant and took care of a newborn--prolly wouldn't be all that interesting.
No "Tales from the FuckStain" :laughing :laughing :laughing
Funny as I didnt take out a single person, stayed married, kept the house and even got my wife pregnant and took care of a newborn--prolly wouldn't be all that interesting.
No "Tales from the FuckStain" :laughing :laughing :laughing
Kameron808
Custom User Title
Fuck, I'm glad you mentioned this. In one part he mentions feeling guilty for possibly causing another racer's wreck and injuries and that he swears he learned his lesson. He then he goes on to talk about throwing clumps of dirt all over the track that he sees people riding through but he says "Sorry guys, points are points!" I was pissed, I'm glad I'm not crazy. Good looking out Berto.Holeshot said:
Kurt'sSV said:
They hook up with the deal by submitting their experiences on spec. If JU likes it, he'll print it.
The kid stopped racing because he had an opportunity in the moto field that required he step away from racing for a bit to focus on the career (I think he was buying a shop or something like that). The older guy was, I thought, an interesting perspective on balancing career, family and racing and still having heaps of fun despite not being the quickest.
Dude ... this thread made me kick back and browse through a couple of these articles and I am trying to figure out why you all are getting worked up over this bloke. Sure he has made a few mistakes, but sheit I am willing to bet all of you made some mistakes in your rookie years. He didn't go out knowing he had water and cause that accident, that happend before. He did cause himself to crash though; stupid, sure! He lost his wife the previous year after breaking his back, apparently there were issues with the relationship anyway. He was a dumb ass and forgot to tighten his caliper bolts, among some other stupid things. I have heard of worse from some people currently racing AFM and other orgs. Fast people too.
I think this series of articles is good. It highlights some of the rookie mistakes that most make and hopefully will help some people avoid them in the future. Making the track safer for all of us.
My $4.20.
I think this series of articles is good. It highlights some of the rookie mistakes that most make and hopefully will help some people avoid them in the future. Making the track safer for all of us.
My $4.20.
Sklossmonster
Member
Hey guys,
Wow. Glad to know I'm making friends out there in the racing community.
I don't mean to dampen a good rant session, but I heard about the beating I was taking on this forum so I popped in to check it out. Man, you guys are almost making me hate myself!
If you haven't already guessed, I'm Marshall, AKA "The Fuckstain" and I thought I'd clear up a few points in your "discussion"
First of all, yes I did some stupid shit in my first few weekends racing, haven't we all? And I learned from those mistakes. The reason I included them in the articles was to hopefully help other rookies do the same thing.
To clarify a couple of points. The brake caliper incident was a huge mistake, but I was furiously switching wheels in a dimly lit and crowded trailer in the middle of a downpour. And yes, I forgot to tighten the caliper bolts ... like an idiot, but it was an honest mistake I hope no one else ever makes. The tech inspector didn't catch it, and neither did I. Thus, the "lesson" of always checking your bike over again.
As for the dirt clumps falling off my bike after I remounted at Heartland. I had no idea the dirt I was racing through in some corners was coming off my bike. You guys know sometimes you see dirt or debris on track during a race, I just figured it was from something else. And when you're leading six championships, amateur or not, I'd be willing to bet each and every one of you would try to remount, do a few corners off the racing line, and get back up to speed to earn whatever points you can. No corner workers black flagged me, and I didn't know the dirt was falling off my bike until after the race, so I rode as hard as I could to the checkered flag with a seperated shoulder.
And the infamous water in the bellypan incident ... yes, it was one of the stupidest things I've ever done, and I learned from it. But in my defense, I didn't head back out onto the track, I was already on the starting grid when my buddy noticed it from across the wall. The grid started heading out for the warm up lap, and my idiotic race monkey brain thought, "Hey, it's not oil or gasoline, or even coolant, it's just a little water." Hindsight is 20/20, but I sure wish I had that one to do over again, because even though we can't say for sure if Nate crashed in water from my bike, it sure was a strong possibility, and when it happened I HAD NO IDEA there was water in my bellypan. Damned experience, it's a great teacher ... as long as you can afford the lessons.
Anyway, I'm sorry so many of you are getting such a negative vibe from the series. I really didn't write them thinking about how other people would judge what happened, and especially not that they would generate such ill will. I just wrote what was happening and what could be learned from a rookie's first full season.
So there you have it, hate if you will, but try and cut me at least a little slack. I'm really not nearly as big a "Fuckstain" as some of you seem to think.
Good luck in your various seasons,
Marshall
Wow. Glad to know I'm making friends out there in the racing community.
I don't mean to dampen a good rant session, but I heard about the beating I was taking on this forum so I popped in to check it out. Man, you guys are almost making me hate myself!
If you haven't already guessed, I'm Marshall, AKA "The Fuckstain" and I thought I'd clear up a few points in your "discussion"
First of all, yes I did some stupid shit in my first few weekends racing, haven't we all? And I learned from those mistakes. The reason I included them in the articles was to hopefully help other rookies do the same thing.
To clarify a couple of points. The brake caliper incident was a huge mistake, but I was furiously switching wheels in a dimly lit and crowded trailer in the middle of a downpour. And yes, I forgot to tighten the caliper bolts ... like an idiot, but it was an honest mistake I hope no one else ever makes. The tech inspector didn't catch it, and neither did I. Thus, the "lesson" of always checking your bike over again.
As for the dirt clumps falling off my bike after I remounted at Heartland. I had no idea the dirt I was racing through in some corners was coming off my bike. You guys know sometimes you see dirt or debris on track during a race, I just figured it was from something else. And when you're leading six championships, amateur or not, I'd be willing to bet each and every one of you would try to remount, do a few corners off the racing line, and get back up to speed to earn whatever points you can. No corner workers black flagged me, and I didn't know the dirt was falling off my bike until after the race, so I rode as hard as I could to the checkered flag with a seperated shoulder.
And the infamous water in the bellypan incident ... yes, it was one of the stupidest things I've ever done, and I learned from it. But in my defense, I didn't head back out onto the track, I was already on the starting grid when my buddy noticed it from across the wall. The grid started heading out for the warm up lap, and my idiotic race monkey brain thought, "Hey, it's not oil or gasoline, or even coolant, it's just a little water." Hindsight is 20/20, but I sure wish I had that one to do over again, because even though we can't say for sure if Nate crashed in water from my bike, it sure was a strong possibility, and when it happened I HAD NO IDEA there was water in my bellypan. Damned experience, it's a great teacher ... as long as you can afford the lessons.
Anyway, I'm sorry so many of you are getting such a negative vibe from the series. I really didn't write them thinking about how other people would judge what happened, and especially not that they would generate such ill will. I just wrote what was happening and what could be learned from a rookie's first full season.
So there you have it, hate if you will, but try and cut me at least a little slack. I'm really not nearly as big a "Fuckstain" as some of you seem to think.
Good luck in your various seasons,
Marshall
NoQuarter
Well-known member
BARF goes national! :laughing
what up Marshall... first off, kudos for jumping into the fire here. fortunately for you, the flames probably won't cause much damage from 2000 miles away.
as for the articles, yep, it's pretty hard not to have a "wft" reaction when reading them... really makes club racing out to be the province of crazy, obbsessive compulsive freaks. which maybe we are, but no one likes to be reminded of such. :laughing
considering you're not a professional writer (i don't think) it's pretty easy to see how a written and published 'confessional' of sorts could easily be taken differently than intended. that being said, one should always consider that the reader will be judging them based on their account of their actions.
on the upside, now you've got some national name recognition... which is kinda the point of writing in a national publication i suppose.
what up Marshall... first off, kudos for jumping into the fire here. fortunately for you, the flames probably won't cause much damage from 2000 miles away.
as for the articles, yep, it's pretty hard not to have a "wft" reaction when reading them... really makes club racing out to be the province of crazy, obbsessive compulsive freaks. which maybe we are, but no one likes to be reminded of such. :laughing
considering you're not a professional writer (i don't think) it's pretty easy to see how a written and published 'confessional' of sorts could easily be taken differently than intended. that being said, one should always consider that the reader will be judging them based on their account of their actions.
on the upside, now you've got some national name recognition... which is kinda the point of writing in a national publication i suppose.
Ace of Hearts
Well-known member
Anyone call Troll???
Usually not in such a compressed time frame, or as overt.
1) The brake caliper incident
2) Dirt clumps falling off my bike after I remounted at Heartland.
2a) I rode as hard as I could to the checkered flag with a separated shoulder.
3) And the infamous water in the belly pan incident
What I guess it really comes down to is that different clubs have different tolerance levels. You would likely not have had as many incidences out here since you’d likely would have been given a good talking too or suspended.
I've met some of the nicest racers in the activity, but they are still oblivious. I guess that's what your write up in RRW shows you as from a veteran's perspective.
Sklossmonster said:
Usually not in such a compressed time frame, or as overt.
1) The brake caliper incident
2) Dirt clumps falling off my bike after I remounted at Heartland.
2a) I rode as hard as I could to the checkered flag with a separated shoulder.
3) And the infamous water in the belly pan incident
What I guess it really comes down to is that different clubs have different tolerance levels. You would likely not have had as many incidences out here since you’d likely would have been given a good talking too or suspended.
I've met some of the nicest racers in the activity, but they are still oblivious. I guess that's what your write up in RRW shows you as from a veteran's perspective.
Ace of Hearts
Well-known member
dgrace said:
Oh, and I spent a year preparing to start racing. Like going to races before I even started and checking out how things were done, and knowing what I needed to make my weekends go off well.
No one knows this, but I will confess it now. When I took the new racer's school (as put on by AFM at the time) I had anti-freeze in my radiator :teeth
Originally it was water, but I had it serviced and the mechanics put regular coolant back in it. That's by "excuse", but it still was glycol based :teeth
I didn't crash or anything, but I'm sure I would have been strung up if I had.
Here's one thing I've taken to heart in my racing activities. Have your machine finished and ready to go the weekend before. Arrive at the track ready to go. At most, never need to do anything more than tires.
It makes a world of difference when all you have to do is set up pit, sign in, and go to tech.
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Sklossmonster
Member
Thanks for not decapitating me for sticking my head into this thread.
I really have learned a lot along the way, and although I know it seems like a lot of mishaps in a short period of time, keep in mind I ran 93 races last season and can count on one hand the number of really stupid mistakes that took place.
When you consider the number of races versus crashes and dumbass mistakes, it's actually not as bad a ratio as it seems. It's just that all those clean laps and good decisions don't make nearly as good a story/lessons as the crashes and fuckups.
Anyway, I hope you guys "enjoy" some of the future installments.
Again, best of luck in your seasons, and thanks again for not teeing off on me for attempting to elaborate on some of the issues in question.
Later,
Marshall
I really have learned a lot along the way, and although I know it seems like a lot of mishaps in a short period of time, keep in mind I ran 93 races last season and can count on one hand the number of really stupid mistakes that took place.
When you consider the number of races versus crashes and dumbass mistakes, it's actually not as bad a ratio as it seems. It's just that all those clean laps and good decisions don't make nearly as good a story/lessons as the crashes and fuckups.
Anyway, I hope you guys "enjoy" some of the future installments.
Again, best of luck in your seasons, and thanks again for not teeing off on me for attempting to elaborate on some of the issues in question.
Later,
Marshall
Ace of Hearts
Well-known member
Actually, there are plenty of bigger of mistakes I've seen at the track.
Like the time in the pits some moron, lent his race bike to another moron (who was a racer), and then moron #2 let a third moron who had never rode a motorcycle use the bike in the pits.
Moron #3 then proceeded to rev the bike to the heavens. He got my attention as I was swapping out a rear tire I thought to myself, wow that sounds like the person doesn't know what he is doing (as I myself has seen others do it, rev the throttle too much because they are unfamiliar with how sensitive it is). He let the clutch out and the bike launched into someone elses pits.
At least you're not that guy.
Like the time in the pits some moron, lent his race bike to another moron (who was a racer), and then moron #2 let a third moron who had never rode a motorcycle use the bike in the pits.
Moron #3 then proceeded to rev the bike to the heavens. He got my attention as I was swapping out a rear tire I thought to myself, wow that sounds like the person doesn't know what he is doing (as I myself has seen others do it, rev the throttle too much because they are unfamiliar with how sensitive it is). He let the clutch out and the bike launched into someone elses pits.
At least you're not that guy.
evolution247
AFM #616
Wow. BARF has such a huge following that our ranting and raving trickled all the way across the land to the writer himself.
Good stuff. Almost brings a tear to my eye. Almost. :teeth
Good stuff. Almost brings a tear to my eye. Almost. :teeth
Good on your for manning up Marhsall...that takes balls.
That being said, not many of have done what your history entails. Those that have aren't with the club anymore...nor racing for that matter. I suppose you guys do stuff differently out there, but here, that shit wouldn't fly. Consider this: one guy put down synthetic oil from a cracked case cover. THAT was a big issue alone.
If a new racer (or even experienced for that matter) did some of the things mentioned in your article, they'd be banned for the season. I honestly thought things may have been embellished some until I read your response...my suggestion is "Clean it up man". I believe John U may have printed the articles just for this sort of response...IMO.
That being said, not many of have done what your history entails. Those that have aren't with the club anymore...nor racing for that matter. I suppose you guys do stuff differently out there, but here, that shit wouldn't fly. Consider this: one guy put down synthetic oil from a cracked case cover. THAT was a big issue alone.
If a new racer (or even experienced for that matter) did some of the things mentioned in your article, they'd be banned for the season. I honestly thought things may have been embellished some until I read your response...my suggestion is "Clean it up man". I believe John U may have printed the articles just for this sort of response...IMO.
NSR250SP
Well-known member
Sklossmonster said:
Marshall,
I see a pattern in your learning experiences. The pattern is you don't actually take note of what you learned and make sure you don't do things again.
Yes we all make stupid mistakes when we start. But learning from the first dangerous mistake and not repeating dangerous mistakes over and over again is what people are having issues with.
Fine you may not forget to torque your caliper bolts down again. But there are so many other things you haven't learned yet that it seems you will need to experience each and every one of them for yourself so you can learn them. Most people do something stupid and dangerous and step back, examine what they are doing and apply that learning experience to the rest of their program. You on the other hand seem to have tunnel vision and that is what makes you unsafe on the track.
It's sad that you didn't figure out your rookie year isn't about winning the championship, its about learning how to be a good safe racer and to live through that experience so you can have a go at it for a second season.
Since your taking off this season, maybe you can actually sit back, review what your experiences were and learn from them.
Now onto your article... You claim your sending in the article so others can learn from you. The problem is you are failing to point out your own short comings in your article so those that are less educated with racing can know what not to do. Instead people may be coming away from your article with the thought that this is all okay cause this guy in the midlands who has his own column did it (and didn't explain how wrong it was).
Sklossmonster
Member
Actually, the series was originally entitled, "Lessons of a Privateer" but John changed the title to "The Rookie Papers"
The original format was much more about highlighting the "lessons" themselves, but when printed they seem to be less of the focus.
In retrospect, given some of the feedback I've seen thus far, I should've made much more of an effort to point out what was to be learned, rather than just what happened. But again, as I wrote them they were really just verbal memoirs of an insanely busy season from a guy who was trying to compete at that level while juggling all the other stuff you're all familiar with in life.
I could've cleaned it all up nice and pretty, and spun it like I was some kind of amateur hero, but what I wrote was an honest account of what was happening, weekend to weekend, while holding down a full time job, maintaining an old home, recovering from a divorce, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture.
Anyway, I honestly do feel like I learned a lot of lessons, many of them the hard way. And I've passed on a ton of what I learned to guys just like me going into racing for the first time. And as I'm sure you guys all know, the more of this kind of stuff that people read and hear about, the safer an experience everyone can enjoy on track.
The original format was much more about highlighting the "lessons" themselves, but when printed they seem to be less of the focus.
In retrospect, given some of the feedback I've seen thus far, I should've made much more of an effort to point out what was to be learned, rather than just what happened. But again, as I wrote them they were really just verbal memoirs of an insanely busy season from a guy who was trying to compete at that level while juggling all the other stuff you're all familiar with in life.
I could've cleaned it all up nice and pretty, and spun it like I was some kind of amateur hero, but what I wrote was an honest account of what was happening, weekend to weekend, while holding down a full time job, maintaining an old home, recovering from a divorce, blah, blah, blah. You get the picture.
Anyway, I honestly do feel like I learned a lot of lessons, many of them the hard way. And I've passed on a ton of what I learned to guys just like me going into racing for the first time. And as I'm sure you guys all know, the more of this kind of stuff that people read and hear about, the safer an experience everyone can enjoy on track.