Get comfortable and adjust your reading glasses, Filthy Phil Nicoletti is back to answer your burning questions. This week, racing's most irascible retiree, who isn't really retired, handles topics like racing arenacross as a young buck, starting technique, and getting paid to race dirt bikes.
And, as always, if you've got a question for Nicoletti, shoot him an email right here, phil@racerxonline.com.
Phil,
I spent a lot of time shooting MX races from 2004 – 2014. I happened to shoot the old Bridgeport Arenacross Race held every January and I was there in 2004 when you raced the 85 class. An application I use to manage files shows me photo memories on anniversary dates. These came up today and I thought you might get a kick out of seeing them
-Tom
Tom,
Those were the days!! Gah, I wish I could go back in time. Life was so much more simple then. All it was for me at 13 years old was school, ride, race, repeat. I would dream about being where I was at now. Sure, maybe a few more wins or podiums along the way, but that didn’t happen. But one thing I regret from back then is not keeping any of my CR80s or CR85s. They were gems.
-Phil
Hey Phil,
Longtime fan and fellow New Yorker here. There is no doubt that you were a holeshot threat no matter where you lined up, pretty much anywhere on the planet. Whether it was SX, MX, 250, or 450. How many fingers do you use on the clutch, and which one(s)? Do you like your clutch to grab close to the bar or a bit further out, and why? Thanks,
-300Man
300,
I’m a two-finger guy for the start and a one-finger guy for the track. I could never get the one-finger on the start consistently. I always lacked a little bit of control and finesse. The two-finger bang gave me a much better feel to find the sweet spot. Or maybe I just have weak as fingers because I ain’t a man! But again, everything is always rider preference and it’s whatever you feel best with. Back in the day, I used to do a Shannon Niday technique, alongside Trey Canard and Jimmy Albertson. We used to use the three outside fingers (middle, ring, and pinky), but over time I went back to just the pointer and middle finger.
-Phil
Phil,
It’s been a pleasure to watch you ride, and be entertained by the spice you brought to the sport. You probably have another 50 years to live. Were you fortunate enough to bankroll and invest your motocross earnings and live off them for the rest of your life? Or will you have to get a "day job"? Wish you the best in all your endeavors,
-Erik
Erik,
Did I make money riding a dirt bike? Yes. Did I make money like Cooper Webb/Jett Lawrence? Of course not. Do I still have to have a day job. Yes. But moto was a good start at life for me. It came with A LOT of sacrifices. When I mean sacrifices, I mean body issues. That’s the name of the game. But I’m glad I listened to the right people when it came down to money. Even if I didn’t make a shit load, it was done right. When I was 19, I’m glad I listened to my father. Trust me, it came with some fights and arguments, but my dad always treated my stuff better than his own, and I am forever grateful for that.
There have been horror stories over the years with things like this, and it hurts to hear. My goal now is to help the next 19-24-year-old who's making serious cash, and to make sure they have something when they are done. But WE ALL KNOW, it’s hard to talk to a young man and tell them the facts. I was there too, but fortunately my dumbass brain listened to the right people. Now I feel the need to help the young bucks do the same. The hard part is, at that age you don’t understand a dollar. They think at 22, $200k a year is the norm for them. News flash, dumbass, it ain’t.
There is a movie out there called The Gambler with Mark Walberg, and there's a quote in it from Frank (John Goodman):
“You get up two-and-a-half million dollars, any a-hole in the world knows what to do. You get a house with a 25-year roof, an indestructible Japanese economy shitbox, you put the rest into the system at three to five percent to pay your taxes, and that’s your base. That’s your fortress of [effing] solitude. That puts you, for the rest of your life, at a level of [eff] you. Somebody wants you to do something? F*** you. Boss pisses you off? F*** you. Own your house. Have a couple bucks in the bank. Don’t drink. That’s all I have to say to anybody on any subject.”
-Phil
