paying to have fun
I can't speak for the AMA guys, but as a privateer myself i guess, it's worth every penny. While i have to write all the checks and produce and justify a budget for she who must be obeyed to approve that would shame the pentagon i prefer to ride around on my own. no sponsors to please, no contingency money screwing with my long term disability plan, only rfights with the no babies to kiss. it is ridiculously expensive and i won't do it for very much longer, but there is no feeling like it.
It seems unlikely that motorcycle racing will ever have the money. Maybe too few people understand the skill. i admit i don't get nascar, but judging from the brightly colored clothing and beer commercials, it appears it may not be about the racing. i'm sure i am missing something.
I do feel for the privateers racing nationally. to the person they are damn good riders. they compete on bikes that are much less competitive and then get humiliated on national tv for being a backmarker. still its all i can do to keep from getting lapped by any oone of them in a sprint race.
It's a grand tradition, a man or woman with a van and a plan.
Maybe we should start an adopt a racer program at motorcycle.com everybody give a few bucks and have somebody do a race report.