Is There Life After Racing?

It’s been just over 16 years since I was forced into retirement after a nasty crash at Daytona. Several times a week I think about how much I would love to get back on the track and have some fun. But, with a bad hip replacement and the thought of being paralyzed for the rest of my life... well, it keeps me in check. Still want too though. Maybe someday in a car. Won’t be as much fun, but at least I can go fast again.

The Mark VII, where I spend half my life, is pretty stable on the highway but little is known about the suspension. Believe it or not the car corners pretty well at high speed. I practice my ramp entrances and exits on the Interstate almost daily. Those 16” tires help. There always seems to be a tailgater entering the highway all over my ass. Usually by the halfway point through the entrance, I have already opened up the gap between us and as I enter the highway, many car lengths.

I know I still got it, but hey, at 53 I have to face the reality (no matter what the brain is telling me), racing on motorcycles is over. Do I like it? No! Good buddy Henry DeGouw and I talk about it all the time at the track. Wishing we were still young. Now a-days we live through the young lions and lioneses that support the Florida Series. We watch them grow up, get married have many babies, move on in life and eventually come back to say hi. It’s great. Most of the time.

Then there are those racers who go out on the track that don’t come back... and we never get to say goodbye. It’s the down side of our sport and many times over the years I have considerded walking away from the pain and heartache that goes with the job. Something deep in my soul keeps me at the track. It’s mostly knowing that I’m the one who carries the load, keeps everyone else in check and remembers those that are left behind.

This past year was really tough on me, losing Jeremy and having to deal with Mario, the new kid who showed so much promise. It’s the down side but, for the new kids coming up and those racers left behind, we never forget. We set an example by holding our heads up as we carry on even though a piece of our hearts have been sheared off.

Every season several of our racers retire from the sport. Lack of money, it’s not any fun anymore, they want to settle down and buy a house or new car. You know the things they could not afford as their racing budgets were killing their paychecks. Life goes on for many. Some walk away and never come back for any reason. I always find that amazing. I miss many of my old friends who will not come to the track, period. I do check on them even though they are not aware of it. Makes me feel good to know that they are doing well.

Whatever the reason, sooner or later we all walk away. I would except for the new motorsports complex I've been working on for the last five years. After years of hanging around the pits I found a way to give back to the industry that brought so much into my life. Yeah, I’ll be in debt for a few years, but that’s nothing new, ask my family. It’s all worth it. Trust me. Just wish me luck.

Many really good racers have come and gone over the years. Some could have very easily gone on to a factory ride if they were available. They were not. If the factories supported the privateers the way I would like to see it done, more teams would be out there racing on the national level instead of the 16/18 that are out there. Superbike grids are pathetic, the racing mostly boring, (except Supersport), the riders have a poor television presence, some look like they belong in a punk band somewhere on MTV. (I was a long haired hippie, but I was also a VET and I worked for a living). Looks don’t effect me, but I bet you all of your money that advertisers in NY pass up sponsorship dollars because of it. The interviews also need a lot of work. A sanctioning body that works with its racers will be successful. Look at our friends in NASCAR. Clean cut, personable and accessible. It works, today they are all worth millions.

And you thought racing was just going to the track and kicking some ass. Wrong!!! This is the biggest reason I stay in the sport, that and hoping someone will come along and turn the whole show around. (Pace are you listening?)

I see potential on all levels of our sport. So few can make a living at it or after their career is over, like me. But, a strong sense of being around the track and my racers keeps me on the job. Some days I’d rather be somewhere else. Again, it’s my life and I chose it to be the way it is.

Being retired sucks, period. The good part is having all of you for friends. As an extended family, my life seems as complete as it’s going to be for now. Until next year. Then lookout. Life will be wonderful, and so on and like that!

Anyway, I hope you all have a great holiday season,

your friend in speed,

smokin’ joe mckay