Bench Racing Ammo: Lites Parity Party
Friday, May 13, 2011 | 9:45 AM
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When the tagline “Greatest Season Ever” was marched out in Las Vegas for the Monster Energy Supercross tour, most of that hype was aimed toward the amazing Supercross class battle that featured five riders fighting for points and victories. But that wasn’t the only highlight in this season, as the parity on the big bikes wasn’t even a match for what we saw on the 250s. This year, nine different winners won races in the Lites class, and just like the SX division, both titles came down to the last round.
Sipes took home victory at the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout in Vegas.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Sure, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Justin Barcia carried a solid lead into the finale, but he had to share victory lane with Ryan Sipes, Blake Baggett and Dean Wilson, and for awhile it looked like Barcia’s teammate Blake Wharton was en route to victory in Atlanta. And the West Region was even more stacked, with five winners and a points chase that went to the wire.
The last time the SX 125 class (Lites, today) delivered nine winners was back in 2000, and indeed that was an exciting season as well. The winners included (our own) David Pingree, Tallon Vohland, Greg Schnell, Casey Lytle, Shae Bentley, Michael Brandes, Stephane Roncada, Travis Pastrana and Ernesto Fonseca. Both titles were nail biters, with Roncada going into the East final tied with Brock Sellards (who didn’t win a race) and pulling it out when Sellards went down early. The West was even crazier, as Pingree and Bentley both got into first-turn crashes at the final, and both raged through the pack. At the finish, no one even knew who had won the title, until ESPN pit reporter (our own) Davey Coombs got the word while interviewing Bentley on the podium, leading to the classic, “Yeah I freakin’ won it!” scream from Shae. Great stuff (unless you’re Ping).
Ping and Casey Lytle mixing it up in 2000.
Photo: Jim Sanderson
Point is we had a great Lites season eleven years ago. But the 2000 tour in the 250 class was a yawner, with Jeremy McGrath winning the opener and holding the points lead through the entire season. He won ten races.
So when you’re thinking greatest season ever, think of 2011 as a whole. It pretty much doesn’t get any better than this.
Sipes took home victory at the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout in Vegas.
Photo: Simon Cudby
The last time the SX 125 class (Lites, today) delivered nine winners was back in 2000, and indeed that was an exciting season as well. The winners included (our own) David Pingree, Tallon Vohland, Greg Schnell, Casey Lytle, Shae Bentley, Michael Brandes, Stephane Roncada, Travis Pastrana and Ernesto Fonseca. Both titles were nail biters, with Roncada going into the East final tied with Brock Sellards (who didn’t win a race) and pulling it out when Sellards went down early. The West was even crazier, as Pingree and Bentley both got into first-turn crashes at the final, and both raged through the pack. At the finish, no one even knew who had won the title, until ESPN pit reporter (our own) Davey Coombs got the word while interviewing Bentley on the podium, leading to the classic, “Yeah I freakin’ won it!” scream from Shae. Great stuff (unless you’re Ping).
Ping and Casey Lytle mixing it up in 2000.
Photo: Jim Sanderson
So when you’re thinking greatest season ever, think of 2011 as a whole. It pretty much doesn’t get any better than this.
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Jason I believe this parity will continue for some time. The reasons are many: Few riders ever attend actual school anymore, hence years of consistent travel, riding and racing. Better access to physical training techniques or the financial ability to hire actual full time trainers. Shared riding training sessions. Older riders staying in the business to help train younger riders. The closing of the gaps between full on works bikes vs.off the (albeit expensive) shelf. I do hope this continues.....lots of talented, young (hungry) riders coming up in the next few years ready to do battle.
My first holeshot....sweet
It was a wonderful year for the fans! I would like to thank the riders for their hard work and deternination in such a dangerous and demanding sprort. It was only through the efforts of these young warriors, that will ensure the growth of our beloved sport. Thanks to all of you, from the Factory Pros to the guys who tried valiently to make the night show you brought us a very entertaining Supercross season and with that I wish you all a safe and exciting Outdoor season!
I always thought that Ping should have been a flat - tracker ..
now he's just a FAT Tracker............Sorry Ping, door was open, I just ran in......to the house of inapropriate jokes.....or not funny jokes, I always get those houses mixed up.
Good slideways form though, give you an A-.
The season isn't over yet. Injured riders will be back for the 450s outdoors and all the fast dudes (with a few exceptions) will be thrown together in the 250s. Can't wait.
Uh oh, here we go: Musquin will win the 250's, and either Pourcell or Villopoto titling in the big bike class with wins by Canard and Stewart. My crystaL ball said it, so don't blame me.
Guys are so quik to give the title to a Euro coming in just because he won in the GP's. Dont be so quick to give up on Barcia, Sipes, Wilson, or Tomac, or even Tickle. Remeber Pourcel Rattray, or Searle didnt get it done, and they were GP stars too. Not taking anything away from Musquin, he is a great talent, but he is in a new country, running a new series, on new tracks. And it gets real hot here, unlike alot of the GP races. He may have some adjustment time to do. He may win right away, he hasnt done any supercross. So he has been riding outdoors for a while, that has to help. But I wouldnt give the title away to him yet.
ya know when RC won all the nationals, no one expected it to happen again.
when RC won every moto of the nationals, no one expected it to happen again.
when RC did it again, no one expected it to happen again.
when JS won every moto of the nationals, no one expected it happen again.
soooo, i suppose we can't expect a SX season like that again!
I have a feeling Rattray is a darkhorse title contender. He was right there last year and with some rookie or even sophmore mistakes from the newbies (which are always a part of 250F racing), he could be the guy.
I'd enjoy seeing Tomac or Barcia pulling it off for the Stars & Stripes and hope they can give it a run.....bikewise, there's no reason they shouldn't be top 5 consistently.
i think there should be 2 races where its manditory for every rider to be on a 2 stroke