August 1971-From the Saddle
BEWARE THE PIT RACERS!
(Notes: It seems like my early writing days, I tended to get up on the soap box and preach. So, bear with this one, even though it has an important message. OK?)
Race day! It's finally Sunday, and time to blow the week's accumulation of cobwebs out of your head. Nothing does it like the desert. The atmosphere is electric, with hundreds of racing machines, colorful banners, frenzied last-minute repairs, throngs of friendly people and the huge mountains flanking the area make it all a little unreal.
The whole thing becomes more than just a race; you've got yourself a full-fledged happening. It's the kind of day where nothing can go wrong, and sharing a good time with others is the rule.
Then the bubble breaks.
You're in the pits, with thousands of acres of riding room and some ding-a-ling insists on spending most of the day spinning donuts and doing wheelies right next to you.
You have just encountered the most disgusting species of low-life known to motorcycling: the PIT RACER. He has done more to hurt our sport than all the loud exhausts and injuries combined. Most riders tend to accept pit racers as a bad, but inevitable, side effect of the sport until something really bad strikes home.
The experience that made me sit up and take notice happened about three years ago at a European Scrambles. After a lot of persuasion, the wife had agreed to accompany me to a “real desert race” and get a firsthand look at what it was all about.
We took the kids, a tent, cold beer and good food, and camped out the night before. A night in the clear-aired desert makes for a good time, and plans were made to do this on a regular basis.
Great, so far.
The next morning, all the good feeling and memories of the previous night were shattered. While I was walking in the pits with my 3 year old daughter, a pit racer came booming between the parked cars, flat out in third gear. This hero of the desert hit a small bump, bobbled a bit, and went into a full lock slide, just missing my daughter's face by a few blood-chilling inches.
Needless to say, it took quite a few spectators to keep me from attempting to separate his head from his body. This did little to mollify my horrified wife, but it was a long, long time before I could talk her into venturing out to the desert or any race again.
This is just one example - a not unusual one - of the bad image that these thoughtless individuals give to dirt riding and racing. Imagine , if you will, what would happen if a few children did get killed.
Lawsuits and legislation have a way of dimming even the staunchest clubs. Just picture the consequences of a suit naming the entire AMA district and the Bureau of Land Management as being liable. Even if the suit was dismissed, our reputation would be tarnished beyond repair. People would be hesitant to get involved at any level of motorcycling, for fear of being on the receiving end of a legal document.
The primary responsibility for stopping the pit racers lies with the race organizers and the sponsoring clubs. These people are the key to anything constructive being done at all. Every event should have a patrol, clearly marked, to rove all over the pit area and rigidly enforce any pit racing violations.
Signs should be posted clearly on the way into the pit area staring, PIT RACERS WILL BE THROWN OUT - or something to that effect. This will give the patrol grounds to eject any pit racer on his first offense, instead of having to wait until after a warning or two.
There is usually plenty of room to play-ride away from the people. Anyone who insists on endangering lives, must accept the consequences. If the clubs and race organizers feel they cannot afford the manpower to patrol the pits properly, they should not be allowed to hold a race. A boycott by the concerned riders could bring a club into line if it refused to follow this practice.
This may seem like a harsh idea, but think back a bit, and reflect on some of the boneheaded things you've seen happen in the pits. It really is a wonder that there aren't more accidents. The problem is certain to become more severe as dirt riding grows. We have to do something now.
The second level of solving the problem lies with you. As an individual, you can help make pit racing a totally undesirable practice. If every rider would take the time to stop the pit racer and patiently explain to him just how serious the problem is, he might have his eyes opened and refrain from this habit.
If you run into a real winner, a guy who tells you to mind your own business and get lost, you have a few alternatives. For openers, you can quietly rip off his plug wire and put it in your pocket. If this doesn't appeal to you, take his number, or description, and ask the race organizers to help you eject the offender. Generally, however, a determined verbal effort is enough.
PERSONAL NOTE TO ALL PIT RACERS: Please stop. You're making it much harder for the real enthusiast to enjoy his sport. We don't intend to put up with you or your tactics. Face it - you are not impressing anyone by doing your phony bit around us. We look at your antics with disgust, not admiration.
Grow up. Handle yourself like the real racers and dirt riders, and you'll be accepted. Until then, don't be indignant if you're asked to move on or leave. It's our only defense against your thoughtlessness.
Think about it.