Off-The-Cuff
I’m debating how-off-the cuff to be on this site, but in the meantime I’m going to go ahead and get something I have to get off my chest. On the podium at the 2006 Big Buck GNCC, Juha Salminen seemed (to me and my buddies) arrogant to an extreme. Encouraged by the announcer, he speculated that some of the lappers were pulling over and clapping for him as he passed them, and talked about how they acted “like they are spectators“.
Many sports figures exude a better-than-thou attitude, so why does this bother me? First, the people he’s referring to and the ones who actually BUY the bikes, parts, and gear from his sponsors. Second, the lappers were racing extremely hard and fast as far as I could tell (I never actually saw any pull over to clap for Salminen). Bust most importantly (to me anyway), this type of demenor just seems out of place in today’s GNCC races, especially when you’ve seen or spoken with guys like Barry Hawk, Rodney Smith, Charles Mullins, and other top racers. I really like those guys not just for their speed but also their attitudes and examples.
I know I’m getting a bit sappy here but hey - I have kids and I think about these things. In fairness to Juha, this is the only time I seen and heard him in person, so possibly I’m misinterprenting his statements and body language. Please feel free to weigh-in by clicking on the comments link below or by posting in one of the forums.
-Bret
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