Observations: Dallas
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 | 9:50 AM
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Round seven of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Series took place in Dallas, Texas over the weekend. Sorry, I just can’t use the name Arlington, where the race is actually held (as much as the city would like it). You see, Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones needed some city to step up and help him fund this amazing and awesome stadium and Arlington, a suburb outside of Dallas, did just that in the form of tax breaks and what have you. And so they would like everyone to refer to it as Arlington but until we start saying “The Arlington Cowboys,” I’ll just go with Dallas.
As I said, it’s an amazing stadium through and through. No doubt the nicest one we go to as far as the pits, big screen, press box and all that. It’s an impressive sight as you drive up because the stadium looks like a giant space ship that just dropped there. I will say this though, Chase Field in Phoenix is 14 years older and while the press box isn’t that nice, the stadium itself holds up well compared to Cowboys Stadium. Stay tuned next week when I compare the nacho cheese from St. Louis to Anaheim.
The House that Jerry built.
Simon Cudby photo
Cowboys fans are pretty intense so I thought it was funny when, going up to the press box for the first practice, I told the elevator operator that he shouldn’t allow Coy Gibbs in because he was the son of Joe, who guided the hated Redskins to many beat downs of the Cowboys over the years. The operator didn’t believe me though! Even when I showed him Coy’s pass with the last name of “Gibbs” he wasn’t having it, replying that, “Anyone could have that last name.” And Coy himself clearly wanted to punch me but he couldn’t because the elevator was full. Alas, I couldn’t get Gibbs banned from the stadium despite my best efforts.
Hey, what’s going on with the tracks? Do we need to have an intervention here? The guys at Dirt Wurx are all good guys, they work hard and try to provide the riders and fans with a nice course each and every week, but they’ve really had a few too many stinkers this year in my (and many others’) opinion. At Dallas they had the typical hard pack dirt to work with, but not nearly enough of it because the jumps were super small and everything was very easy. The guys had it all figured out on the second lap of practice and the whoops weren’t very tough, either. You had to slam dudes in the turns to make something happen because all eighty riders in the night show were doing the exact same things. I know that in perusing the pits, no one, not even race winner Ryan Villopoto liked the track this week, last week or even the Anaheim 3 track. We’re going to need some sort of intervention here (maybe we can get old-school builder John Savitski to read the letters the riders have written imploring Dirt Wurx to get better?) to start getting more creative, get more dirt, or more something, because right now the guys are in a slump.
We’ve been waiting for Ryan Villopoto to take charge of this series each week. In my opinion he’s the fastest guy on the track but bad starts, easy tracks (which prevent guys from being able to make up time) and crashes have held him back. But in Dallas he got the start and that was it. If Ryan Dungey or Davi Millsaps had gotten into the lead early, they would’ve won the race. It’s that important on a track that’s easy and has sketchy dirt. The harder you try to ride, the more backwards you go so getting the lead early and focusing on your own riding is key. Not taking anything away from Villopoto, he simply crushed them. Unfortunately for him he only made up three points as Millsaps rode another fine race to finish second.
I found it a bit interesting that Villopoto spoke about having more fun at the races. He mentioned it on TV, in the stadium and to me after the race. When asked to elaborate, he said that he can’t dwell on the points gap and that he had to take what he can get for a result. It’s no secret that I’m around the Kawasaki truck a lot and I haven’t noticed Ryan or the team really ever changing, no matter what’s going on in the points. Be it James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto or Tim Ferry (remember the 2007 450MX season when Red Dog led the points late in the season? I will now light myself on fire), the Kawasaki guys don’t change and although I suppose it’s cool for Ryan to relax a bit. But he bags on me the same way whether he wins or crashes out so I don’t see where he needs to have “more fun,” but whatever. This week he criticized me for wearing the same shoes week after week and a faded sweatshirt. Who is he, Mr. Rockwell?
RV got back on track with a win in Dallas.
Simon Cudby photo
Perhaps the only guy who could’ve ruined Villopoto’s fun was the number 7 of James Stewart. Slowly but surely, the seven is coming back to his old form. It’s just taking longer than his fans would’ve liked (and if you ask the Kawi guys, I’m one of those fans). Stewart’s been fast in practice all year, but his mains haven’t gone his way due to rust, fitness and well, being hurt. He mentioned that he’s been riding during the week now (so that means he’s been able to test a bit) and in Dallas, he caught and passed Villopoto to take the win in his heat.
It was vintage Stewart out there. He looked great and the main was set up for a massive rebirth of Stew (and the bandwagon was no longer taking reservations after that heat race), as I’m sure he had some serious confidence after doing what he did in the heat. Very, very few people catch and pass Villopoto these days, in case you haven’t noticed. Anyway, as per James’ luck recently his RMZ developed clutch problems on the line for the main and he wasn’t able to start the race. Yes, that happened.
The clutch just went away completely. The lever was flopping around on the bar like the cable came unhooked or something, although Suzuki manager Mike Webb said the cable was fine. Knowing what I know about a clutch and the way it works, it’s an odd problem for sure. Perhaps the actuator arm that goes into the clutch broke, or the clutch rod itself might have broken. Anyway, it’s a weird issue because I’m sure Stewart’s mechanic, Lee McCollumn (one of the best in the business), checked everything over and I imagine everything worked perfectly when they rode the bike to the gate for the final. All in all, it’s terrible for Suzuki and for Stewart to have this happen.
Kudos to Webb for being as open and honest to me about the problems afterward. They didn’t know anything for sure at that moment and props to James for being composed and apologetic to the media afterward. Also thanks to Webb for laughing at my attempt at gallows humor when I told him that DeCoster never would have let this happen. Yes, I said that. I’m such an idiot sometimes.
Here’s what I didn’t like about Stewart’s night. I suppose if he reads this he won’t be happy, but opinions are dished around in this column quite a bit, so here it is. In an attempt to switch things up and get some better starts, Stewart had his dad down on the line, by his side and prepping his gate for him. McCollumn worked the pit board and all that but James felt like his dad could, for whatever reason, get him better starts. And as a former mechanic, I thought this was a little much and a bit of a slap at Lee. The person prepping your gate and soothing you with words of encouragement doesn’t truly have a thing to do with your start. That’s all on the rider, as a 50+ horsepower 450c four-stroke motorcycle with little rubber knobs on the tires is not going to know the difference between who prepped the gate. Look, whatever works for James is his decision but I imagine Lee wasn’t happy. The nosy press is asking questions and the fans are whispering this and that about Stewart. I don’t get it. Lee’s been doing a great job of packing the gate in the heat races where Stewart’s starts have been pretty good but what, he’s slipping a bit in the main event gate packing? Sorry, I just didn’t like it.
Stewart's good start to the night was erased due to a clutch problem that caused him to miss the main in Dallas.
Simon Cudby photo
Davi Millsaps made a few comments about being sick and unable to ride all week, which makes his second even more impressive. Davi just keeps motoring on and padding his points lead each week. It’s been remarkable on so many levels that I can’t really wrap my brain around it quite yet. There’s NEVER been anything like this in our sport. He’s been so good with a couple of wins and only one race outside the top three. I bet there are a lot of people at JGR Yamaha and Factory Honda that are shaking their heads right now. Actually I know there are. Those guys say that they always knew Davi had this in him - that’s why they hired him - but that he needed to apply himself, which he didn’t always do.
I think that we all mature at different ages and different times. Millsaps was an amateur prodigy who got a lot of money at an early age, had some success, some family drama and didn’t really realize what he had inside there. And getting married, having a kid and perhaps hitting the ripe old age of 25 (he just had a birthday last week. But doesn’t it seem like he should be about 30?), made him finally have a clear mind, get away from the drama and get to work. There’s also the switch to the Suzuki, which is a very good bike. Whatever it is, Millsaps now has a clear mind and is working hard. Good for him.
The Eastern Regional 250SX series coast kicked off, or maybe I should say the “Leastern” Regional 250SX series coast kicked off. With Pro Circuit’s Darryn Durham, GEICO Honda’s Justin Bogle, Rockstar Energy Racing’s Nico Izzi and Eleven10 Mods’ Alex Martin all missing the start of the coast with injuries, it left the “least” coast with just two riders that have won a race before in Dean Wilson and Blake Wharton. Compare it to the west, which started with five riders (Roczen, Tomac, Seely, Sipes and Baggett) who had won before. But hey, all that means is that there are some racers that are going to benefit and make themselves heroes. It’s a great opportunity for guys to step up and show what they can do and hopefully progress in their career with the extra confidence gained from great race finishes. Or, to put it simply, it is what it is.
Dean Wilson did what we all thought he was going to do by walking away with the main event victory. Wilson’s the favorite for this title but he still has to actually get it done. This just in: racing isn’t done on paper. I know, mind-blowing stuff huh? Wilson looked very good out there considering it’s his first race since Hangtown in May, and after double shoulder surgeries at that. Right from the very first untimed practice, Wilson looked smooth, stylish and effortless out there. With Dean being back at the races, this also means that his mom and dad are at the races too, which is awesome because they’re two of the nicest, funniest people around.
Dean Wilson picked up the first win for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki in Dallas.
Simon Cudby photo
Wilson’s three biggest obstacles to the title are a Frenchman, a media darling and a guy who’s got some great hair. The Frenchman (Marvin Musquin) didn’t have a great result; he fell in the first turn. The Media Darling (Wil Hahn) got a better start than Marvin but not nearly good enough, and he rode well to get a third. Blake Wharton (the other race winner in the class with two career wins, as well as the man with the great hair), had to go to the LCQ to get into the main. It did not start off well for Blake but he made the best of it with a second in the main.
Any one of these three could easily win a race (and I think Musquin and Hahn will) should Wilson crash or suffer from a lousy start, but to have a season where you first grab your first supercross win and then go on to win the title? That’s a tall order. You know who hasn’t been able to get their first career win and win the title in their first season? Ryan Villopoto, Grant Langston, James Stewart, Justin Barcia, Davi Millsaps, Jeremy McGrath, Damon Huffman, Tim Ferry, Ricky Carmichael etc, etc. It seems like you learn to win in one season, then learn how to win a title in the next one.
What a debut for Zach Bell of the GEICO Honda team as he:
1. Raced his first ever professional supercross race.
2. Led his first ever heat race.
3. Absolutely ate crap after separating from his bike and flying through the air like a superhero.
4. Somehow made it to the LCQ and got into the main event.
5. Crashed out in the main and afterward looked like he got beat up by Mike Tyson in 1985.
What a night for the kid! About the only thing he missed was getting to go to the moon. Something I’m sure he’ll remember for years. We’ve all seen the crash by now and it’s one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen, no doubt about it. Lots of Twitter and message board talk about Bell and if he should have been allowed to line up for the LCQ after appearing to be knocked out from his aerial antics. As a matter of fact, friends of mine like Chad Reed, Jason Thomas and Kyle Chisholm to name a few, all came down on me after I mentioned that Zach was checked out by the Asterisk medical crew and allowed to race. The people were angry man, almost like it was ME who made the call to send him back out there. Yes he did look like he was out cold but Bell himself said he wasn’t. The docs at the SX races are some of the best, most caring guys out there and they said he was competent to race. That’s good enough for me, to have, you know, the DOCTOR’S DOWN ON THE TRACK clear Bell to race. I’ll take that opinion over the opinions of people watching on TV who think that he shouldn’t have been allowed out there. To say that he shouldn’t been out there implies that Doctor Bodnar and his staff are incompetent. I’m sorry but I’m not in a position to say that.
Some big news in the pits with the announcement that Andrew Short will be joining the BTOSports.com KTM team for the remainder of the season with a right of first refusal for 2014. Short’s been on a production-based Honda since the Chaparral Honda team folded up, and has been doing pretty well. But with the Kranyak team no longer able to keep helping him out like they have been, Short’s been trying to figure things out for the last few weeks. I know he badly wanted to stay on a Honda but the factory team wasn’t able to take him on and this just in, racing is expensive, so Short had no choice but to get back on orange. It’s nothing against the BTO guys or the KTM guys, but Andrew didn’t have a great experience on the 350 a couple of years ago and he loves Hondas, so he was trying to make his own deal, or have Kranyak get some sponsors to keep going this season.
Andrew Short is back on the KTM.
BTOSports.com photo
But in talking to Short, it seems he was convinced to make the move after talking to DeCoster, who told Short how integral the factory guys are with the BTO program. Let’s face it, the last time Short rode a KTM, he was testing the 450 that would eventually become Ryan Dungey’s, and he broke both elbows in a huge crash. Not a good feeling. But anyone can see now that that 450 is a good machine now, and the guys at KTM have worked hard to make it just as good, or better, than any other bike out there. Short’s going to get a salary, expenses paid, a factory KTM, some good bonuses and he gets to keep all the sponsors he has now. You wait and see, the amount of stress that will have lifted off Andrew will help his results out on the track, and they’re already pretty good.
Once Michael Byrne gets back racing (at least another month or so the BTOSports.com team will be pretty awesome with Short, Goerke and Byrner. What a smart move by the team, by Andrew and by KTM to make this happen. I still liked the team better when they had Jason Thomas and Doug DeHaan, though.
Let’s check the results:
250SX
1. Dean Wilson Wesley Chapel, FL Kawasaki KX 250F
2. Blake Wharton Pilot Point, TX Suzuki RM-Z250- I love Wharton’s podium speeches. He turns going to the LCQ into a good thing by saying it’s just more track time. When the moto gods give you lemons, make lemonade, man.
3. William Hahn Decatur, TX Honda CRF 250- Wilbur told me after the race that he knows he’s got to make this title happen, hence the aggressive move in the heat race. And after the race he was carrying a bag that looked like he was either going to the beach or he was 70 years old.
4. Kyle Peters Greensboro, NC Honda CRF 250- What a ride by the AG Motorsports rider! Great result for Peters in a career best supercross finish for the kid that was on Star last year. In my opinion, they gave up on him too soon. Scroll down a bit to last summer’s OBS from Redbud HERE and you can see how Peters stacked up against fellow one and done Star riders like Wil Hahn, Darryn Durham and Rockstar Energy Racing’s Jason Anderson, who was given time to find himself as a pro. Peters came into last year with an injury suffered two days before the first race, then got hurt in the summer and that was it, he was dropped by Star. So it had to be nice for him to get this finish and see Star’s newest “Kyle Peters,” Jeremy Martin, not even qualify. Will he keep these kind of finishes up? Probably not but don’t sleep on this kid, he’s got some skills. And hey kids out there, if you get dropped from Star, it doesn’t appear to be a death sentence at all.
5. Justin Hill Yoncalla, OR Kawasaki KX 250F- Hill’s first ever supercross race and his first race in a while. The younger brother of Josh did pretty well, all things considered.
6. Marvin Musquin Corona, CA KTM 250 SX-F – Last to sixth wasn’t what “Moving” Marvin “The Martian” Musquin wanted but it was a nice salvage job as he nipped Gavin Faith on the last lap. Musquin’s going to win a race this year, stamp it. But this sixth does hurt, no doubt about it.
7. Gavin Faith Fort Dodge, IA Honda CRF 250- Another guy we called a sleeper this year in our 250SX East preview podcast, Faith came out and won the heat over Musquin and Hahn. Yeah, you read that right. He didn’t get a good start in the main but he still rode very well. Faith looked very, very good.
8. James Decotis Peabody, MA Honda CRF 250- Something tells me that Decotis and Cole Thompson will be battling it out each week as fastest full privateers in the main event.
9. Vince Friese Cape Girardeau, MO Honda CRF 250- Friese showed good speed all day, which isn’t a surprise; he rode well on the 450 on the West Coast. He’ll be better than this result showed.
10. Lance Vincent Youngsville, LA KTM 250 SX-F- Lance started up front in the main and was fifth for five laps so this finish (I don’t think he crashed) isn’t what he wanted. As a “veteran” in the class (this is his third year) he’s got to be better, and I’m sure he knows that.
11. Jackson Richardson Cairns, Australia Honda CRF 250
12. Mitchell Oldenburg Fridley, MN Honda CRF 250
13. Gareth Swanepoel Murrieta, CA Kawasaki KX 250F- Swanie was incognito this weekend as I never really noticed him one way or another. He’s better than a thirteenth. I’m not sure what happened to him.
14. Levi Kilbarger Logan, OH Honda CRF 250
15. Adam Gulley Jonesburg, MO Kawasaki KX 250F- Adam Gulley has a twin brother named Aaron and they both wear their gear while they’re walking the track. That’s about all I know about them. I wonder if you spray chain lube on one, does the other get wet?
16. Ryan Zimmer Fuquay Varina, NC Honda CRF 250
17. Cole Thompson Brigden, Canada Honda CRF 250- Whoa Canada! Cole Thompson, who is Canada’s great hope in supercross, is back on a privateer Honda and looking good, although you wouldn’t know it from this result. Thompson was third for a couple of laps when the only jump on the track that was sketchy bit him and he cartwheeled badly. Hence the DNF. Still, he’s ok and he showed that he can be a top five guy each week.
18. Zachary Bell Tallahassee FL Honda CRF 250- I’d be in tears also if my life flashed before my eyes. Because then I’d see how bad my life really is.
19. Bradley Ripple Cypress, TX KTM 250 SX-F
20. Jesse Wentland Elk River, MN KTM 250 SX-F
Cole Thompson had a career night going before a crash knocked him out of the race.
Simon Cudby photo
450SX
1. Ryan Villopoto Poulsbo, WA Kawasaki KX 450
2. David Millsaps Murrieta, CA Suzuki RM-Z450
3. Ryan Dungey Belle Plaine, MN KTM 450 SX-F- Yeah look at Dungey setting Reed up and making a hard semi-aggressive pass on the 22. I like it! We’ve always been waiting for Dungey to ride with a bit of an edge (unless you’re Jake Weimer as he has no problem being agro with Jake) and he showed it in Dallas. Good ride for the #5.
4. Chad Reed Dade City, FL Honda CRF 450- Not a good race for Chad as he goes from second to fourth in the main. After the race he met with his team and then the media with his hood up, looking and sounding depressed. He’ll be fine going into Atlanta, St Louis and Daytona, you watch. It does seem though that for every step forward he takes to where we think he’s ready to win, he takes a step back the next week.
5. Justin Brayton Cornelius, NC Yamaha- Brayton’s been very good but very quiet out there. Can he get a bad start and rip through the pack into the top five? Probably not but then again there aren’t that many that can. But if he starts up front, he can finish there. Next time you’re at a race, watch the #10, he’s pretty good.
6. Justin Barcia Pinetta, FL Honda CRF 450- I don’t like the A-Stars gear that Bam Bam’s been wearing. What happened to the designer over there? The stuff Alessi and Musquin used to wear was sweet.
7. Trey Canard Shawnee, OK Honda CRF 450- A few quiet weeks for Canard, but that’s okay. Yeah, he maybe set us all up for wins and podiums in the first couple of weeks but if you’d have told him before the season that he’d be fourth in the points with some podiums after seven races, he and his fans would take it all day long.
8. Matthew Goerke Lake Helen, FL KTM 450 SX-F- I was talking to Ian Harrison, the long-time motor guy at Suzuki and now at KTM. As far as bikes go, the only difference between Ryan Dungey’s motor and Goerke’s is that except for some titanium and a different right side cover where the kickstart hole is gone, there’s nothing different. The KTM factory guys are heavily involved with the BTOSports.com KTM team and it’s been showing as Matt is now a solid top ten, and if things go his way, perhaps a top five rider. I’m super impressed with Matt but my buddy Jason Thomas has always said that Matt has had this type of talent buried in him, but he’s just been hurt too much.
9. Andrew Short Smithville, TX Honda CRF 450
10 20 Broc Tickle Holly, MI Suzuki RM-Z450-Tickle felt that Short’s pass on him last week was a bit out of line (I didn’t see it) and had some words with Andrew after practice about it. So needless to say when I saw Tickle all over Short like flies on meat during the last couple of laps, I was watching to see if Tickle could get some frontier justice on the #29. Alas, he could not, but it was exciting.
11. Weston Peick Wildomar, CA Suzuki RM-Z450
12. Mike Alessi Hilliard, FL Suzuki RM-Z450- Not a good race for the 800 as he went backward in the main event. Not sure what was up, but did I expect him to stay in fifth? No, but going back to twelfth without crashing seems a little weird.
13. Jimmy Albertson Shawnee, OK Honda CRF 450- I watched with curiosity as Trey Canard reeled in his buddy Albertson in the main event. I knew that with the track being what it was, it was going to take an aggressive move to get Jimmy out the way. And seeing as how these two are best of friends, I wanted to see what would happen. But, using the skill of a surgeon, Canard took Jimmy wide in a left-hander without ever touching him. Albertson was top ten for a while but he had two bad laps in a row, got passed by some dudes and thirteenth is the best he could do. Still, he’s a ton better than he was last year on the BTOSports.com Suzuki squad.
14. Robert Kiniry Holland Patent, NY Yamaha YZ450F- Having Kiniry in X Brand goggles (whom I do some race service for) has allowed me to watch Bobby a little more closely this year. Everyone knows I’m a fan of the guy. He epitomizes effort and gnarliness out on the track. Having said that, I’m surprised at how close he comes to wadding himself on almost every lap. Let’s just say that technically he’s not the best supercrosser around. He uses strength and balls to be as fast as he is.
15. Joshua Hill Yoncalla, OR Suzuki RM-Z450
16. Ben LaMay Wasilla, Alaska Yamaha YZ450F- Two in a row for LaMay. This is what I was saying last week; he needs to get a few of these under his belt so he can build on this.
17. Justin Sipes Flaherty, KY Kawasaki KX 450F- Pooh Sipes is back! After recovering from injuries he suffered last year, Ryan Sipes’ brother showed up on a privateer Kawasaki with pops wrenching and used Phil Nicoletti having Phil Nicoletti luck (two turns from qualifying for his first main he was blasted off the track by Goerke) to get into the main.
18. Kyle Partridge Lake Elsinore, CA Honda CRF 450- Partridge switched teams and bikes for this race and is now on a Honda. He looked pretty good in getting to the main but once in the main, he’s got to work on getting near that top ten.
19. Chris Blose Phoenix, AZ Yamaha YZ450F – Blose has had crashes and bike problems in just about every main he has been in. Bummer, we haven’t been able to see his best riding yet.
20. James Stewart Haines City, FL Suzuki RM-Z450- I now not only do not like Stewart’s knee, I also don’t like his clutch.
Some quick hits and as usual, these are dedicated to Tom McGovern:
- The JS7 Seven gear this weekend was pretty cool as it was dedicated to Michael Jordan, who celebrated his fiftieth birthday this past weekend. The Jumpman turning fifty is yet another indication that I’m getting old (as is Kevin Windham, who is holding a mic and not a set of bars at the races). Seven collaborated with Nike to make some North Carolina Alma Mater color stuff. It looked sharp and after all, who doesn’t like blue boots?
- Found out that in 2014 the Yamaha YZ250F is finally getting a huge makeover. My sources say it will have the backwards motor like the current 450, a new frame, they’ll drop a valve to make it a four-valve head and it’ll have sleeker/slimmer shrouds and tank like the 2014 450F. Nice to see Yamaha moving into the modern era on the small bike.
- Related to that note is that there weren’t any Yamaha’s in the 250SX main event, with Star Racing’s Jeremy Martin (who qualified third fastest) not making it. In fact there were only TWO Yamaha riders in the entire pack of forty night-show qualifiers. Yes, you read that right. I’ve applauded Yamaha in the past for raising their contingency for 2013 but clearly they have some work to do to get pro racers on their machines in the 250 class. Maybe that new 2014 will help.
The KTM KJSC was back for the second time this year.
Simon Cudby photo
- So yeah, the latest thing is tire warmers. We’re turning into road racing more and more. The Honda guys were the first ones to do it and now Kawasaki is following suit. Some of the riders swear that if you put the Dunlop through a heat cycle it responds better on the opening laps of a race. Unlike road racing, tire warmers don’t have to be removed right before the race, the tire just needs to go through a heat cycle. Yep, we’re there folks.
- The KTM KJSC was back this week and like the first week, it was a hit. I know that KTM pays Feld to put this show on at halftime but to me, Feld should pay KTM, as it’s so so so so so much better than a fat suit run, a Tuff Block challenge or whatever else that has been there the last few years. I forgot about the KJSC all those years that it was on the tour and I suppose, like Cinderella sung in 1989, you don’t know what you got ‘till it’s gone. This weekend in Atlanta sees the debut of one Evan Ferry, and we’re ALL very excited for this in the Matthes household, as another Ferry begins his supercross domination.
- With the Andrew Short to BTO KTM news, it appears that the wayward Kranyak Racing team is officially closing up shop. So just add a whole bunch of highly skilled guys to the pile of the other highly skilled guys from Chaparral Honda and JDR J-Star KTM that are all looking for jobs in the industry. Tough deal for those guys and I admire Mike Kranyak for going as long as he did with no real goal in mind. But in the end, these guys are out of gigs a quarter way into the season and it’s going to be tough to land decent jobs. Good luck to them.
- When I was working for Tim Ferry we used to talk about how MX fans just move on right away when a guy retires. For examples, look at Larry Ward and Ezra Lusk- two dudes that caused entire stadiums to freak out (Ward-Seattle, Lusk-Atlanta) retired and no one seemed to miss them much. I guess because there’s no jersey raising or anything like that. Anyway, now that Ferry is retired he said he knows why no one cares about the old guys. He told me he has not returned Motocross Action’s Jon Basher’s two calls to him. And when I asked him why, he said, “I don’t know”. So next time you’re wondering why your old MX hero doesn’t get much press, just think about the fact that perhaps your old mx hero just wants to be left alone.
Thanks for reading and shoot me an email at [email protected] if you want to chat about Dallas, Tim Ferry, basset hounds or really anything at all.
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Steve, It could have been a "slap" NOT having his Dad on the line? You can't make everyone happy. I don't see anything wrong with changing things up a little to see if it helps. The "start" is a head game, so if you can make your head better, you might just get better starts..
Stew's dad might be a better motivation for him but what if something mechanically goes wrong (like the clutch) and his mechanic isn't standing right there. Webb is paying the mechanic to do his job so let him do his job.
Sounds like they cut the budget to build the track. At least there is cool lasers and colored pyro, that's all that really matters. Either they are lying about the growth of SX or somebody is taking a lump of the money. Almost ashamed to be going to Atlanta. If this dirt sucks.........
I know the Doc cleared Bell medically, I wonder if he suggested to sit it out anyway. This kid has tons of potential and would hate to see him throw it away by trying to conquer the world in a day.
I say they let the mechanic work at the gate, let James Stewart handle the pit board, and let his dad ride the bike.
I dont know what Stewie thought would make a difference having his Daddy there, but whatever.. He is a grown man and having Daddy there shouldnt really matter..But it sounds like Stewie is having some mental issues if he thinks he needs to change things..He has been killing his starts in the heat races.. I can see why his mechanic would take issue with it, it would be kind of an insult.. A guy not hitting his starts and blaming his mechanic instead of himself.. I can see Stewies side of things trying to change things up, but I can see the mechanics side also, he may be feeling like he is being blamed for something that isnt his fault..
Big Dildo Stewart is just that a big cream pie in the sky... Stay out ! Your son is supposed to be a highley trained athlete.. Alessi dad stay away,toxic... Brad Keslowski nascar stay away! Joey Lagano dad stay away...Get the drift...
Let the team breath sit in the bleachers or transporter and have a Peach Schnopps
I say you are a grown man and a professional athlete your Daddy should have to be around holding your hand.. Why is he even in the pits and on the track during the racing anyway?? Not just his Dad, anyones?? What would happen if an NFL quarterbacks Dad came down to the sidelines and tried to tell the Coach he was doing something wrong, or changing things up?? The Coach would tell him to hit the freaking road...Hell it happens in high school, much less the pro level.. His Dad needs to sit back and count all the money James has made him, and let the Team do thier job..Thats what they get pain to do.. No wonder when Roger Decoster was asked what the "dream rider" would be like.. Decoster answered " An orphan" !!!
@bd200 ,, I guess I didnt read anywhere that JS is "blaming" his mechanic?
"A guy not hitting his starts and blaming his mechanic instead of himself.. "
Indeed MXMOFO - We always hear about the " mental" piece and with Stewart having his pops on the line is purely a mental thing. Big Stew has been next to james his entire career....I am sure it was discussed between the team and approved....not a big deal... Lee is not with Stewart during the week when he practices..Stewart said he was working on starts with his dad all week and wanted him to be there to keep the routine...its a mental thing for sure and he ripped a great start in that heat...almost too good as he went in a little deep...In any event, I get why one would think its a " slap" but I am guessing Lee was fine with it after they talked about it of course...If the bike is all dialed and ready to go BEFORE the race and Lee was still running the boards (and came in to check the clutch issue) i doubt its an issue and Suzuki is probably like " sure, if it gets you up front..run it".....
I cannot believe the Geico team and the Asterisk crew would allow Zack Bell to continue racing after his crash. I am neither a doctor nor a team manager, but it is common sense to have someone checked out after being rendered unconscious. He could have further damaged his brain in a subsequent fall.
Negligence, plain and simple. I am not looking for an argument. Only concerned for this young man and his well being.
Just a thought with Reed, I wonder if this is where the Owner/Rider aka "the Boss" problem comes into play...He went out and hand picked all these dudes and offered them more money to join Two Two and when things are good, you do see a healthy enviroment with everyone saying "yes boss-your a badass" etc, yet when things get tough you may have this scenario of Reed doing all the talking and the guys just saying " ok boss...your the boss" and they just do what he says rather than perhaps challenge the guy on his decisions......
No blame should be put on the Asterisk crew. If he didn't fail the concussion test there isn't a whole hell of a lot they can do. I just hope they suggested he sat out. Of course Bell would say he wasn't out, lots of people that get knocked out say that. I bet the first question on the test is "were you knocked out?". He lay motionless a good bit before anyone got there and probably came to by then. Those 6-D helmets seem to work.
"Davi just keeps motoring on and padding his points lead each week. It’s been remarkable on so many levels that I can’t really wrap my brain around it quite yet. There’s NEVER been anything like this in our sport."
.Steve it is VERY easy, The tracks SUCK and Sap's has been in the top 3 on every start, End of story.
Matthes, I think you meant Blackwell rather than Rockwell. I am slightly uncomfortable that I know this.....
If Stewart didnt have a bike problem, and busted a holeshot, having his dad down there would have been a great move.
PLEASE get some real dirt. and lots of it. Go back to your vintage vhs or beta tapes, and look at the tracks and dirt. They used to build mountains and some of the turns actually looked loamy. Cut corners some place else.It almost looks like they are trucking the same dirt race to race.
Pretty sure JS's dad did not just say I am going to the line. Pretty sure it was OK with the whole team, just not OK with some posters.
Not even a word about Mitchell Oldenburg and a 12th in his pro debut......screw you Matthes!!
Observations of a fan:
The weather was much improved over last year and the sunny skies meant that the pits were very busy. Fans lined up to get pictures with Monster girls and the riders autographs. One of the longer lines was for Trey Canard, as an abundance of Okies had made their way down to see their guy race. Speaking of Guy, The Legend and Heroes booth featured the ever popular Guy Cooper. He brought down his 89 Honda 250 sx bike along with his 1990 championship winning Suzuki for fans to look at. That exhibit is always fun for us old guys to check out and bench race about, sometimes, you even have to correct the barker when he gets his facts wrong..lol..
Once inside, if you had any money left from the $40 ticket and the $30 parking you could buy a $30 t-shirt, a $8.50 beer to drink with your $20 hamburger or $6 hot dog. Either attending a supercross race has gotten expensive over the last 40 years or I am just a cheap ole man, not sure which is more accurate, maybe both..
The track was lacking and the racing a little bit of follow the leader, but live, it is still exciting! You may see more on TV and get better announcing, but the live experience is well worth the expense I listed above. You can feel the electric atmosphere created by the fans, hear clearly the panic revs and the torque of the engines coming out of a corner, along with the smell of race gas, it all raises your level of excitement and anticipation for the action you are watching.
Just a couple more things, a good friend of mine works for the stadium, he said the crowd was much better behaved than those he has witnessed at the college football games, where they have to expel many drunk fans. This year, they only bounce a couple race fans for being unruly. Also, I would like to say I was wrong earlier in the year, when they announced they were bringing back the KTM Jrs, I was against it, but seeing it live it was a great thing for the fans and the riders involved, hope they continue with it and I am glad they brought it back
Short seems to perform better when there is " stress" .....his best ride and first 450 victory came under major team stress....this year, I am sure since A1 he knew shtuff was going south for Chapparel and if you have to show up in your own pick up for press day - not a good sign..... But overall this year he has been doing pretty good considering and maybe that helps him ride more agressive...trying to sell himself???...so now he is on a established worry free team and we'll see what happens...he is riding the same bike Dungey has basically.......
@MXMOFO--- I just commented on what Matthes wrote--he said to him it was like Stewie is saying he needs his Dad to prep his gate now, instead of his mechanic..And to a mechanic it is just like him saying the mechanic wasnt doing the job correctly, which is why he wasnt getting starts..Matthes wrote that Stewie said that with his Dad he felt he could get better starts, and Matthes said he felt as a mechanic that was a slap to "Lee" who is Stewies mechanic--so MXMOFO, you need to read the article, that is what I was commenting on.. And to me I see it from the mechanics point of view, it would be kind of an insult..Its all I was saying.. It seems Stewie is saying that in a way it was Lee,s fault,
@BD25--Wow that is high prices.. At Indy, I can park just a few blocks away for $10 bucks.. I can get a whole meal, burger, fries and drink inside the stadium for less than 20 bucks..and its pretty good quality.. I guess they have to pay for that billion dollar stadium..
@BILLC--along with the top 3 starts Millsaps has fast lap times, second to only RV in Dallas..So what does a sucky track have to do with Millsaps being fast?? Did the sucky track have anything to do with RV winning, or Millsaps getting second??
I think the decision to let Zach ride was ok. Why should chad care anyway? Hes not going good at all this year and should just shut up. In a world that gets more pussified each day, i was surprised they let him ride and very pumped on it too.
@ BillC.......As much as you don't want to give Davi any credit for being prepared this season and ripping good starts, I agree the track sucks. Regardless of the tracks I see Millsaps where he's at now anyways, he's been too good and consistent to blame it all on crappy tracks.
Yes Sap's has been Fast all year, But so have a LOT of other guys, the dif is Sap's starts and a little luck missing every big mess, he even said he has been LUCKY. Not a bash on him at all just the facts. If RD, RV, TC, JB had started every race in the top 3 they could have a huge lead also. No a rip on Sap's at all but a fact that if you are cloase to the top in speed all you need is good starts on these crappy tracks and you are gold!!
and Yes BD200 the track could have something to do with it. You said so yourself in the other thread. The tracks have leveled the playing field. if it's one line and easy they can all go fast!! everyone can go fast on a smooth track right?
"If RD, RV, TC, JB had started every race in the top 3 they could have a huge lead also."
But they haven't, you make your own luck and Millsaps is doing everything a racer can do to position himself well and be smart on the track. In this series he's outperforming everyone else bottom line, and they all race the same series and tracks.
@BD - the KTM jr challenge is always cool and the chicks dig it....More over its a good time filler than anything...long tracks, short tracks, crappy or nice...I think they need MORE time with bikes on the track....Semi races were great and maybe you get a point for direct heat transfer and no points for semi??? I dunno...you definatley sit around looking for something to keep ypu busy more than you do watching racing.....that needs to change..
@KilloMoto - yeah I'm not sure why Reed is having so much bike trouble. He has Lars, Goose and Oscar working for him. He has factory Honda support. He has Pro Circuit support. He also has a rep of being a good test rider. It seems like Barcia and Canard have the bike worked out better, though Canard did admit he messed it up in the last couple of races and has reverted to his A1/Phoenix settings. Short had the factory bike working pretty well before he had to hand it back. I can think of two things holding Reed back: 1) His time back in Australia was time that should have been spent pounding laps at the test track in CA to get the 2013 set up, and 2) He is not mentally in the right spot compared to a normal Chad Reed, obviously related to 2012 Dallas. I think going east will tell the tale, if he does not get the bike working well on the tackier dirt that he is traditionally better on then it might be the problem is completely the rider.
I think Short will ride well on the KTM, and the reduced stress has to help. Plus he won't have the nagging questions in his head like "how much better is a works bike than mine" because he will in effect be on a works bike. He did ride the 350 pretty well in the 2011 SX season, his results were basically on par with his 2013 results so far. And I think the Dungey-edition 450 is a much better bike than that 350.
@bd200,, Did you ever think that it's not anyone's fault, and JS just wanted to try something different,, instead of assuming that its the machanics fault??
@bd200 : Stewart said at the race (on TV) and after the race that he and his dad had been practicing starts all week trying to figure out what was going on. He said that his Mechanic has not been able to go down to their house because Lee is always traveling (basically to the next race) he wanted his dad there for familiarity from home practicing AND his dad wanted to see up close what he is doing right/wrong off the start besides getting bad starts (which is obvious). He didnt have his dad there to "pack his gate" mainly to help him ease and feel more comfortable.
@Mathes: Andrew short just said in your podcast that confidence has more power than the power of the equipment (when he was talking about Roczen able to get a better start on a 350 than he could when he was on the 450). Now if his Dad being there makes him more comfortable which in turn will make him more confident than by all means do it. and see what happens.
Goerke passed Villopot in San Diego....Yes really ! 1:20
http://www.racerxonline.com/2013/02/14/rv-gopro-san-diego
JImM
Pala374
@BD25.....your welcome
JimboMX374wrote:10:06pm February 12, 2013
My Observations,.......
JimM
Pala374
@hamncheese - Indeed with Reed. I cant help but going back to the press conference and chuckle at some of Reeds comments about " everyone being so serious" and all that jazz. I think he came in a little too caulky and the rest, even Stewart were all prepared and already in race mode and he was not obviously..
What was the dudes name who worked suspension with Stewart then went to Reed ? Is he gone from two two...
Stewart's starts have been way off compared to the past. His Dad shows up and he rips a great start and then passes Poto for win. The results speak for themselves. Smart move.
@MXMOFO---I am just saying I can see it from the mechanics point of view.. All I said ..Matthes is a former factory mechanic, so he has WAY more insight than any of us, and he said the same in his article.. All I said was I can see that view is all, if you really have an issue with it take it up with Matthes..
Retardcross , Please NO ONE can plan on someone taking out half the pack in turn two, two weeks in a row!! Funny people said the same thing about RD in 2010. Did he lose that skill?? I don't think so!! Saps is just on a hot streak with his starts and lucky enough to miss the crap around him. he even said so!!!
@BillC--Yes everyone can go fast on a smooth track, You just seem to be not really giving Millsaps his credit.. At the start, Dungey and Reed were all right there, and couldnt pass Millsaps, and the lap times prove, Millsaps was faster than them on the track, smooth or not he is as fast as the top guys..
Do you think if the track was tough or had better traction they all would have run down and passed Millsaps??? Just curious how you feel about that..
Matthes - you called it, you are an idiot. Packing the dirt for a start is just that, PACKING. If you are better equipped to pack, then by all means PACK!!! His dad looks like he can pack the dirt!!!
@ BillC......He's missing the crap around him because he is getting good starts consistently, his starts aren't luck.
@Retardcross You got that right. Luck, whichever way it goes, is for racers who do not prepare. DM18 is prepared and is consistent - period!!
@bd200,, You said --- "I dont know what Stewie thought would make a difference having his Daddy there, but whatever.. He is a grown man and having Daddy there shouldnt really matter.."
I dont think thats sounds like you were just "commenting" on what Mathes said.. That sounds a little condescending to me... You must not also understand that making a little change, can sometimes make all the difference..
Never leave home without packing! I always Carry my Glock!
So the new Yamaha 250 is gonna be like the 450.Crap.Here we go again.You think Yamaha would of learned something by now.
Speaking of Dallas Cowboys: Did you hear that ROMO was SOOOOOOOOO upset after the loss in the "must-win" game against The Redskins that he threw his helmet???_______IT ALSO WAS INTERCEPTED!!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
KILLOMOTO IS SO RIGHT!!! Chad (at A1 press day) talking about everyone else was, "SO SERIOUS".....I remember commenting on a video prior to A1 here that showed Reed fartin' around on his go cart. My comment was something like, "Shouldn't he be training and testing"......Plenty of folks jumped me...LOL. He is still complaining! It's getting old. Yeah, he's a top rider, but Geeeeez man, Why can't y'all dial that sh!T in?????? Maybe go to your local Honda dealer like Short had to do!
@MXMOFO--You said once yourself that you never raced and you dont ride..So dont try to tell me what changes may or may not work.. I have raced and still ride alot, so I do know.. Just dont feel a grown pro athlete needs his Dad at the gate.. And I agree with Matthes on this one, he shot down his mechanic.. Not going to argue with you or anyone else...Have a good day..
I have noticed there are a few guys who ONLY show up when someone says something not favorable about Stewart..and they wonder why nobody takes their comments seriously....
@Matthes--I think you are right on this one, he kind of pushed his mechanic out on this move.. Maybe thats why his bike broke, his mechanic wasnt around this time..
@bd200,, When have I ever said I "never" raced? Dude, you are wrong on so many levels.. Are you trying to tell me that small change CAN'T make a big difference sometimes? He "shot down" his machanic?" Where did you hear that? Quit making stuff up... You just made my point with that "shot down his machanic" comment... You have no clue about what went on, so therefore, you just make absolutely idiotic statements without an ounce of knowledge... Go back and watch cartoons...
@therealmofo ,, Yeah, your right.. If his mechanic was there, he could have changed out JS's clutch in 30 seconds on the starting line.... hahahah... You go back and watch cartoons also.
Matthes will interview Lee and get the details....wont you Matthes
Like I said I am sure the TEAM said OK to JS's Dad going to the line and I am sure his mechanic was not crying over it like some on here.
.Retardcross, RV had a GREAT start at SD untill Reed and brighten took him out. He was ahead of Sap at the time. that is BAD LUCK!! Sap is getting great starts form hard work and also has had some GREAT luck. Hell is bike blew up in a heat race if that was the main he would be 3rd in points. Thats GOOD LUCK. if you don't think there is some luck involved thats OK I just disagree and so do most.
"Do you think if the track was tough or had better traction they all would have run down and passed Millsaps??? Just curious how you feel about that.."
.I think it would make a Dif. I think RD would have passed him. Who knows though but thats what my Gut tells me RV and RD are faster. You have said yourself that you think RV is faster too so you should not be surpised I feel that way. again i am not saying sap's is not flying, I just think the tracks have brought everyone closer together.
Luck is always a part of racing, we can only make the best of bad luck and be glad for good luck.
I see TC, DM, JB, RD, CR as all being about the same speed. I see JS, RV being a tic faster, and JW, JB, AS, being a tic slower on most tracks.
DM has pulled a lot of great starts and rode very well and nobody can take that from him. A lot of the tracks have been slick and hard to pass on because there is only one good race line this gives an almost unfair race advantage to the holeshot and puts the racing more follow the leader and hope for a mistake. It makes the race boring and ends up hurting those that have bad luck (1st turn pileups) with tackier dirt and multiple good race lines its easier for the better faster riders to come through the pack. This would let us see more hard racing at the front among the top racers and be more exciting for everyone.
On the subject of tracks I think there is nothing wrong with using the same layouts of tracks that have provided great racing in the past and to add better dirt and mix it in.
I talk shit about Stewart sometimes but some of you are idiots, his dad has been there since the beginning he's there everytime he rides the bike during the week he said he wanted to bring him down there to see if he noticed him doing something different, and surely there is not a single person on earth that knows James riding habits more than big James
I agree about short riding better stressed last year when they lost supercross as a sponsor and weren't sure if they were gonna make the next race he pulled out a win and got chapparal on board
Kudos to stewart For runnin down villopoto and passing him like he was sitting still. I feel bad for him not being able to run down Stewart and pass him for that heat race win. I'M SURE THAT WAS A CRUSHING BLOW TO VILLPOTOS CONFIDENCE. WTFE!!
@MXMOFO--When did you say you never raced?? I dont know when you said it, but you did, in response to a question I asked you before, but you said you never did race or ride.. Dont tell me I'm wrong, you said it..And I never said a small change cant change anything, I just dont like the idea of having his Dad there instead of his mechanic, and a former Factory mechanic feels the same way, so I think I trust his opinion way more than yours..So keep your name calling and grow-up.. I think Matthes has forgotten more about how a mechanic works than you will ever know, I trust his opinion on this matter, and agree with him.. If you dont fine..I dont really care..
If anything, JS7 having papa7 on the gate with him shows his competitors he's struggling with the mental aspect of the game. to me, that seems like it works in his competitors favor knowing he's mental...and physica right now.
Here's to hoping Zach Bell can finish a race without wadding his brains out and becoming the next Broc Hepler. He wadded in both of his first pro outdoor motos, and in both his head and the main in his first pro sx race. Really hoping this isn't a new trend. I also shope Shorty can crack the top ten on that POS KTM.
@BillC--Yes RV is faster, look at the lap times from the last race, RV was faster, but Dungey wasnt.. The last few laps Dungey turned a few faster laps, but Millsaps turned a few fast ones to keep him at bay.. I think Millsaps is as fast as Dungey, and the lap times on the last several races say so also.. I think Millsaps is a top 3 guy now as far as speed goes..
BD25 I don't think you should waste your time writing an essay.
do the guys over at yamaha no speaka any english? they have not received one good review on the 450 and now they are gonna do the same to their 250? wow just wow oh well I dont care much as I would never ride one so they can turn the motor upside down for all I care
@ PW29
Dead man dont talk only were Prada !! Shut the Fuuuck up
@bd200,, hmmm, i really don't know why i would have told you that i never raced, because i have, many years ago.. Just keep living in Fantasy Land.
@bd200, your right, js's mechanic that's been with him for about 8 months now, knows way more than js's dad,, right? I'm talking the mental aspec of js.. I figured i would have to clear that up for you..
PW29... Sorry, but it is not a waste of my time, I enjoy writing and sharing.. besides my word count is probably less than that of those who post several times...Thanks for the concern and tip though I will take it under advisement....
Bd25 keep doing what you do. I like to read what you have to say.
. BD200 like others have said his dad knows him and every move he makes better than ANYONE else. He would pick up on things he is doing wrong or has done in the past waaaaaaaay better than anyone else. Really don't see why you are so bothered by it.
And MXMOFO--the one-rider fan strikes again.. Ever notice how he is NEVER around unless its a Stewart comment?? And everyone who doesnt kiss Stewarts tail is an idiot...LOL!!!
@Racist Preston still thinks his comments are relevant, notice how NOBODY ever responds to him?? LOL!!!
@BillC--I never said I was bothered by it.. I just said I agreed with Matthes as this seemed a slap in the face of the mechanic, and that Matthes has been there before and he would have direct knowledge on how this would feel...I just agreed is all.. And I dont know why anybody really takes issue with me agreeing with Matthes either..Just my opinion--of course you cant go right with some guys unless you kiss Stewie as$ either..
BillC & Matthes: Maybe one day they'll have a "WIN A DATE WITH RYAN VILLOPOTO" contest and you guys can try to woo your big crush!
Here was the conversation after the first heat. RV: "Was it lighting out there?" RV's Mechanic: "No Ryan, that was the FMOTP going by you on his Suzuki".
I DO NOT like JS. Never have. I'm an huge RD fan. But I'm not blinded by love like you two. JS was much faster in Dallas. You guys are pathetic sometimes...
@therealmofo,,, wow,, that was a great comeback... Just how long did it take you to think of that? Probably not very since you can change a clutch out in 30 seconds on the starting line, huh?
I just love how I ask questions to a few on here,, and they never can seem to answer them,, right @bd200 and @therealmofo?
@Preston--go away, this discussion had no race issues for you to start anyway!!
@MXMOFO--you asked a question?? When?? All I saw you write was I Luv Stewart blah-blah-blah I luv Stewart blah-blah-blah LOL!!!!!!
I think people lose sight of the fact that some guys are better at certain conditions. I think Milsaps is doing goodie the slick tracks and do expect RV Dungey and a few others go faster on tracks with some traction.....if they ever come. Anyone forget how Cairoli and Herlngs made them all look on the sandy track? Oddly, that won't transfer to anywhere else.
Matthes you are soooooo in the tank for RV it is kind of sickening. "Very, very few people catch and pass Villopoto these days, in case you haven’t noticed." Really? I believe Goerke did in San Diego. It doesn't seem like too many people pass Milsaps either. It seems to me like these top tier guys get bad starts and then they have to pass everybody else just to find their way into the top 5. What are the excuses going to be at the end of the year when RV does not win the title again? It seems like so many people want to see another dominating rider like RC, McGrath, or JS were in their days but RV is not that guy. Is he fast? Yes, really fast. but so is Barcia, Milsaps, TC, RD, and CR but they are not dominating riders either. Is it so hard to accept that RV will probably not win this year because everybody made so much about him before the season began? Very few will give Dungey the credit he deserves because RV did not race MX last year. Yet where is RV on the all-time win list? Even Villipoto commented that they (he and the team) need to start focusing more on a race at a time than the championship. The media has put a lot of pressure on the young man but he is handling it quite well.
@jw - for the 2nd and final time: RV is currently tied for 6th with BH for overall 450 SX wins with 27. Two more wins and he moves ahead of RJ into 5th all time. Please quit asking the question. 5 seasons, very impressive. So let us all know who is going to win this title if RV doesn't? I hope you don't think RD's 3 pt lead is safe for the next 10 races? And please don't say DM will top 4 the entire series . . .
Matthes we need to know what Stewarts mechanic thinks. he's probably glad he doesn't have to pack the dirt, and he does not know James like big James. Did anyone else hear Jame say "I started my career with him and I'm gonna finish it with him" , this could be his last supercross season those are retiring words.
@jw62... yeah Goerke is gonna keep RV awake now.....unless you have time travel and no the outcome I wouldn't count him out just yet theres plenty of racing and plenty chances for DM and RD to also make mistakes and t-mac will throw a wrench in it somewhere most likely.... If i'm a grown man with a factory ride and I want my dog or my grandma to pack the starting line , dammit rover and gram's are gonna be packin....what difference does it make.....Mofo ..lol...you ain't fixin anything in thirty seconds...not even plates....or cable...or lever or associated parts..or Ramen...and you also have no idea what broke @RCRDDW ...RV WON...! even your RD love could not stop him.....now hes comin fo your boy.......
jw621557 , RV has 27 SX wins and is in 5th all time I believe and RD has about 11 wins so I don't get your point?? Also RV has just as many titles in the 450 class as RD and a lot more 250 titles than RD. again what was your point?
bd200 because you keep saying it was a slap in the face ECT...HOW do you know that?? For all we know it was his mechanic's idea to have Dad go to the line with JS. Maybe he said you work with him all week why don't you go to the line with him and see if you pick up on anything. Could that be??
@BillC,, Yep,, that's one of the questions I asked bd200 also,, and he had no answer,, like usual...
@therealmofo,, I asked how could JS's mechanic have changed out the clutch in 30 seconds on the starting line? Because you had said if his mechanic was on the line, he might not have had a bike problem.. Can you remember anything that happened over a half hour ago ??? HINT-- that was another question.. I'm assuming you are not a brain surgeon? HINT-- that was another question..
I quit reading a "stamp it".
@BILLC--Just like I said, its my opinion.. And apperently its Matthes opinion also.. and he is a former factory mechanic, so I feel he has good insight on the subject.. Just my feelings on it..
How many times do I have to say it for some people-- I answered this question a hundred times.. hard heads!!!JUST MY OPINION ON IT!!
Good Lord..the bad part of it is, if it wasnt Stewie these guys could care less what my feelings where..
@BILLC --you wonder why guys say you are a "know-it-all" I said a dozen times its just my opinion, and you keep on and on and on, because you assume I am wrong and your right.. But its just our opinions... Let it go.
@Billc, BD200, Mxmofo and therealmxmofo - Matthes really set a fire with this one...haha...Suzuki and Lee supported having Big James on the line to help JS7.....and when the bike malfunctioned, Lee was right there to take care of business as Big James stepped aside...BIg James was there to help JS7 with his starts - as he had been all week...Had nothing to do with packing the dirt and all that BS....they worked on starts all week and he was there help JS7 do what he needed to do to get a good start.....it obvioulsy worked
bd200 I said no one know so how can you say I think I am right and you are not??
,I like this one too "Good Lord..the bad part of it is, if it wasnt Stewie these guys could care less what my feelings where.. "
.If it was NOT JS you would not have cared!!
.LOL bd don't get mad all just havein fun.
bd200 I said no one know so how can you say I think I am right and you are not??
,I like this one too "Good Lord..the bad part of it is, if it wasnt Stewie these guys could care less what my feelings where.. "
.If it was NOT JS you would not have cared!!
.LOL bd don't get mad all just havein fun.
LOL Killomoto even if RacerX asked Lee and he said he was fine with it some would say he is just saying that but it's not true!!
@MXMOFO---If you dont understand "sarcasm" You really are Stewtarded!!!!
@BILLC--If you dont think you are right and BD200 is wrong, then why do you keep harping about this for so long???
Indeed BillC.... Lee was probably like, " sure...whatever it takes...get my bike on that f*ckin' podium...I'll eat glass if I have too"..hahhaa.... If it was anyone other than Stewart, it probably wouldnt have been mentioned to begin with.....nor would the issue receive so much attention....The non - JS7 fans take the first swipe saying it must be because of this or that.....
@therealmofo ,,, I didn't think you could answer my question, just another lame comeback...
WOW, Mathes said "very few people catch and pass RV" this statement is absolutely true, he was talking of RV's win at the time and some sensitive people on here start bagging on him for it. Mathes could have said that about some others but he was reporting on this weeks race where RV won.
JW621557, what is your excuse going to be when RV DOES win the title this year? And I'm sorry you were sickened by the truth about RV, what did he do to offend you?
I don't think RV is dominate or head and shoulders above all the rest- but I do think he is still most likely to take the title this year.
therealmofo wrote: about 46 minutes ago
@BILLC--If you dont think you are right and BD200 is wrong, then why do you keep harping about this for so long???
.Because i knew it would get you to post at least once more.
davidl I do not get JW621557's post either. Seems bitter about something. Maybe RV stole his prom date?? LOL
This thread has exploded....Now that's entertainment!!! Thanks for making me smile!!
Great writing Steve,
"Thompson was third for a couple of laps when the only jump on the track that was sketchy bit him and he cartwheeled badly. Hence the DNF. Still, he’s ok and he showed that he can be a top five guy each week."
Uhhh bro he cartwheeled out of the main and DNF'd. That does not prove he can be Top 5 every week. That proves he can run top 5 for 3 laps then crash on what you called above a relatively easy track.
Us Canadians were all cheering for him. Hope he can hold it together as 6th is better than a DNF.
Just saying....
People are so funny. If I had come on here in December and said Davi will be leading the series by 21 after Dallas, people would have laughed. Yet, because they have seen him podium just about every round, they now assume he will podium every single round. There is so much happening out there he is bound to have that bad race which will tighten the points right back up. It easily could have been his cutch breaking on the line. So much racing left and I think it's ridiculous that anyone is counting out Dungey, RV, even Reed at this point. Davi is doing awesome so far but we're still a ways from even being HALF way there.
I would like to know Doc Bodnars explanation of what Zach Bell was doing then as he laid there not moving at all for the length of time he did. Was he just relaxing? I don't think so. He was unconscious. What racer lays on the track in a spot like that knowing he could get landed on by another bike. You say "Bell himself said he wasn't knocked out" Guess what folks... he lied so he could get out there and race again! It was a very bad call by the Asterisk crew to let him race again that night. I suggest in the future they look at race footage too in assessing the condition of a downed rider.
@matthes : This is pretty late but I hope you see it. Also being a mechanic I was very curious about what broke in that clutch. And knowing Hinson, I also guessed the same as you, actuator problems. Please update us if / when you find out more. And nice to see the mention of Savitski. He built killer tracks. Not to mention being killer fast. Bevo was his mechanic. And speaking of Bevo, what's he been up to? Finally had enough of all the travel?
Matthes, your comments about the "least coast" are BS. The east is always a bit thinner but it is by design. As A1 approaches, the big teams (PC, Geico, Rockstar...) decide who is riding each coast and the choice is usually based on the injury report and rookies who could use a little more time on the team track. Other top teams only race west because of the location of the industry. When east coast comes around some of the injured riders aren't ready (Durham, Bogle, Izzi, Martin....).Happens every year. What's left is a few top riders, some high dollar rookies, and some east coast teams and privateers that don't have budgets to play the game on level ground. My opinion is that the east is exactly what the class was intended for in the first place. By definition, an entry level class should have 3-digit riders filling the main event.