Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

By Mark Miller

While thumbing through Roadracing World a few months back, I happened on Mat Oxley’s good article about why people race. Cool topic. Consider this additional input as to why some hooligans race:

I’ve come to the conclusion that most “purists” who road race motorcycles *well*, or more specifically, individuals who chase the sensations of speed that come from riding high-powered motorcycles fast do so not for ego, bravado, or insecurities but more as a means to quiet the demons screaming inside a purist’s head for more exposure to it.

A purist, in this context, might be considered to have a physical sickness of sorts, whereas sitting still makes his body buzz and riding hard becomes the calm. Retired purists like Kevin, Freddie, Reg, Eddie, Scott, Doug Polen and Wayne Rainey still frequently ride bikes or drive extremely fast shifter-karts. I believe there is a reason for this and it’s beyond simply to make a living with their schools, or, “It’s still fun.”

One weekend I was riding and filming a bit up at the Robert’s Ranch with Kurtis and Big Kenny. Naturally, Kenny Sr. was out there riding, on a new CRF450 in fact. A year or so ago Kenny Jr., Kenny Sr., and I had a go on some XR100s together and I can tell you, the old man is still fast. At 50.

Forget for a moment the cliché speak of ‘an addiction to speed.’ I’ve found most who talk of such things don’t usually know dick.

I speculate there is a small percentage of human beings born in low numbers, probably less than even that of Down Syndrome cases, where from day one purists have nearly every thought or desire, away from chasing pussy, totally consumed by a need to pass his or her body through the earth’s atmosphere. To create relative wind, vibration, and any environment where he can exercise precision in manipulating physical forces acting on his body and whatever propulsion device is being used – be it a horse, a fighter jet, or snow sled.

Having access to mankind’s most current performance technologies, and the option to master a specific course layout like a bike at a racetrack, only aids in the elevation of this desire. The thought that this activity could rip limbs off becomes only an unwanted nuisance for a purist, if for no other reason than it would keep him from continuing the activity.

Let’s re-visit the beginnings. Parents bearing purist children might have it revealed to them at an early age. First with big wheels careening down steep hills near the house, then with riding bicycles, then maybe insisting on small motorbikes. And for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours. Another sign could be witnessing your kid squirting about the neighborhood doing as many wheelies or tricks as time allows – even when totally alone – the same as if surrounded by friends or girls.

Purists then might become bewildered by the lack of talent in those around them, with regard to manipulating moving machinery. They’re always the fastest in every group, but are the least impressed by this fact.

To a purist, even a word like “Extreme” develops into an annoying term whored only by TV paddock wannabees or well-meaning children, or idiots, non-purists. Labels like “Extreme” sometime only help to numb the beauty found in high-risk sport, or belittles what is actually being accomplished by special athletes. If you meet someone going about telling you he’s extreme, you’ve found yourself a poser. Purists don’t go out of their way to talk to non-purists about sport.

I’ve seen it 5000 times (and I don’t know shit…), out of 100 people taking to any given racetrack, or ski-slope, or riding school, or whatever anywhere in the world – 80% of the participants infinitely suck right off the bat. Always. The next 8 up are competent, solid, and off the top pace. The next 6 are good, fast on occasion, mostly safe but sometimes stupid and dangerous… and hopelessly long to be better. The next 4 are very good and can win anytime the top few have problems. The last 2 or 3 are special, gifted, battle-tested and always going to win with close equipment (that is of course when there is minimal silliness going on in his head that day). Some of the individuals from this select group are hard working, and for the others it seems enough to just be born with it. Most do/have both, in my limited experience.

My guess is the average top 8 out of 100 racetrack inhabitants today are purists. That’s 32 riders out of every 400 at an average event. Funny thing, there are more than a couple top mechanics in the pro racing community who have more natural talent and riding ability than those on the starting grids. No joke. (Just ask them…)

But for the elite amongst the possessed, motorcycles have become the best way, the most efficient and concentrated formula to accomplish the final goal of producing, ehem… speed.

Sportbikes use the least amount of obtrusive product to reliably propel a human body. Include a chassis design that’s at or about the width of your shoulders and now you include passing as part of this game.

As an added bonus, motorcycle road racing has advanced to a point to allow the drivers to not only sit two inches off the ground like in the best car racing, but our purists get to physically *touch* the pavement while negotiating the machine. A few modern racetracks in the world today are providing near 160 mph, sustained, knee-dragging corners for each and every lap of the racer’s weekend. Mortals discuss psychological ‘control issues’ over coffee and a newspaper? How about two human hands and barely two footpegs as your only control and interface between 200 mph and “That’s your ass.”

For this reason, many top road racing purists I know don’t get the popular interest in NASCAR. Forty-year-old men sitting in shoe boxes with tall ugly tires, driving straight. OK, maybe there’s a little sliding. It’s just a matter of time before the legions of fans come to their senses and take notice of motorcycle road racing in this country.

Simply put, there isn’t a more pure environment that pits man and machine against other men and machines than our sport (not to mention offering a sanctuary for purists). To this end, motorcycle road racing has evolved to the highest form of motorsport, period.

Final point; the mere fact that a purist is born with this natural sickness or gift or curse does not automatically mean he’ll take pride in beating up on others with the same disease. There are purists that don’t race. They can be found on your local freeways chilling at 100 mph and politely moving over for someone coming up doing 105 mph. I guarantee you, though, the young men you’re watching up front on TV don’t come more competitive, and are probably saying in a continuous loop in their heads, “F those guys, I’m better.”

Another subject, entirely.