This Week in Kawasaki SX History: Seattle 2005
Thursday, April 14, 2011 | 10:35 AM
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Whenever I write this Week in Kawasaki SX history, I always try to make it relatable to the race that’s coming up. Maybe write about the same venue the series is heading to, or the same date we’re racing on. You know, something to give it a little twist for the upcoming race. And seeing as how Kawasaki has had so many great riders over the years, it’s easy to figure something out.
Well folks, it doesn’t get any easier than this, as we have the Seattle SX coming up this weekend and a quick glance at the record book shows that a Kawasaki rider won the Seattle SX in 2005 on the, get this, exact same date as this weekend.
Factory Kawasaki’s James Stewart’s supercross season was already down the tubes as the youngster had broken his arm at round two in Phoenix but his return was highly anticipated as he was a rookie in the then-250 class. Everyone wanted to see what the #259 could do against heavyweights Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael and when he won his second race back (Dallas), well we all knew we were watching something special.
Stewart dominated the field en route to victory in 2005.
Photo: Simon Cudby
So the series rolled into Seattle on April 16th, 2005 (just like this weekend!) and with nothing to lose and the track a rutty, wet mess (hey, probably just like this weekend!) the green KX250 grabbed the holeshot and immediately opened up a big lead on the field.
We just did a Racer X Podcast the other day with privateer Jason Thomas and this race was brought up. JT commented that he was in 11th or so and Stewart came flying by early in the race and he was riding like it was dry.
“It was amazing really because the track sucked, I was riding good but still had some major sketchy moments out there and this guy just went by like it was perfectly dry,” said Thomas years later.
Eventually Stewart backed it down a bit and only won by about six seconds but it was a thorough beat-down by James and signaled that if it wasn’t for the injury early on, Reed and Carmichael would have had their hands full.
After the race James had this to say: "I definitely feel good. The more I race, the more confident I get. I like to get out front like I did tonight and it makes it a lot easier and a lot more fun."
Will history repeat itself this weekend?
Photo: Simon Cudby
Stewart’s ride was so dominating in the tough conditions that he ended up lapping everyone but the top four on the night and led all twenty laps.
This weekend in Seattle, team Monster Energy Kawasaki definitely hopes that history repeats itself only this time with Ryan Villopoto onboard and not Stewart. He’s now on Yamaha!
250 Results:
1. James Stewart (Kawasaki)
2. Kevin Windham (Honda)
3. Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki)
4. Chad Reed (Yamaha)
5. Mike LaRocco (Honda)
6. David Vuillemin (Yamaha)
7. Travis Preston (Honda)
8. Tyler Evans (Suzuki)
9. Heath Voss (Yamaha)
10. Tim Ferry (Yamaha)
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So when I looked at the weather map this morning as I read the paper (yes you young ones) there is a thing called a newspaper lol I saw it was raining in Seattle so it may be a mudder lets see what the Dirt works crew can do? I feel so bad for Carnard this am but we still got the races tight and its gonna be tough. We will have to see who can do this one. If I was having to bet big money I guess I would put it on Windham to pull this out somehow? Reed is smart in the mud RV knows how to do it Stwewart can ride in the mud as he has shown, Dungy has yet to show us what he can do in the mud. As Stanton said- A great year for the fans.
I work about 6 blocks from Qwest field. Monday and Tuesday were dry. Wednesday saw some heavier rain in the afternoon and last night. No rain at the moment but likely to sprinkle this afternoon. I believe tomorrow should be a little rainy and the weather channel (at the moment of course) calls for a sunny Saturday and Sunday. I doubt it will be a mudder but we will see I guess.
Dirt crew did a great job at San Diego and I think they had more rain in days prior to the race....hopefully it doesnt become a sloppy one....those are good in the early races....but this deep into the series I woudl hate to see mother nature spoil it for someone....GO RV!!! ITS YOUR TURN!!!
1 RV
2 STEWART
3 RD
4 Reed
That was a fun night for me as my buddy Tommy Hofmaster won the 250 LCQ on a Motoworld Suzuki. It was my birthday that night too.
He and Isaiah Johnson crashed together early in the main and were done.
Then we all partied into the morn.
I got Hof's muddy Seattle jersey on my wall right now.
Seattle race forecast - 60% chain of rain and event time temp of 45 degrees. However, I defer to "Jay" and what he sees outside as the ultimate authority here. Go Windham!
Remember, it was snowing last year in SLC.
Just finished watching the Bulgarian GP video and it dawned on me that quite possibly the most influential move EVER, being used by every top racer around the world, is the "Bubba Scrub". Not only is it stylish but it works wonders and shaving valuable time off lap times. What do you guys think....
@JonR290 and anyone else interested in the weather - Coming to you not so live from about 6 blocks North of Qwest field: It has been raining, as expected, pretty much most of the day today and should continue until around midnight tonight according to the Weather Channel. We shouldn't see nearly as much rain tomorrow given the precipitation percentage drop to around 20-30%. They call for Sun on Saturday which is good but I will remain skeptical. I'll send another update tomorrow.
@ hufstuf565
I have to agree with you, other than way back when MAGOO was jumping anything put in front of him, but even having said that it was not a technique it was just BALLS, what JS7 has done has really put a different angle on how to be fast/fastest
althought I must say that maybe JSSR should recieve the praise for this technique of jumping.
I feel opposite of Melon in that, I think we NEED a mud race to bring that "X" factor to the series each & every year. Like Stanton said, it's not about anyone / anything else, it's what you are going to do.