Observations: RedBud
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 | 3:30 PM
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Round six of the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross championships took place in Buchanan, Michigan this past weekend at the RedBud Track N Trail facility. In other words, it was time for ReeeeeeeeddddddBuuuuuuuuuuuuddddddddd!
I figured that since the track announcers loved it so much, I would use it here. If I never have to hear an exhausted rider meekly try to yell that into the microphone ever again, I’ll be ok.
This is the event that some might say is the crown jewel of the motocross series. July 4th weekend is not complete without a trip to RedBud for the national. It’s as American as apple pie, bald eagles and complaining about the price of gas, dammit.
The atmosphere at RedBud is always euphoric.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
The track got a lot of water beforehand and the first practices were sloppy and poopy. Soon, though, the dirt started coming around and things got nice and juicy for the motos. The track at RedBud is one of the best on the circuit with some cool obstacles. I love what they’ve done there over the years with the big grass tabletop that says RedBud on the side of it as well as the signature jump, Larocco’s Leap. They brought in video screens this year as well and that was sweet. If you want to see an old RedBud photo report to see what the place looked like way back, check out this report from 1983!
Before we get too far into this thing, a great day of racing was overshadowed by the news of local racer Josh Lichtel’s passing away on Monday night from complications brought on by heat stroke he got in the first moto. There wasn’t any talk at the track about what happened, no one really knew how serious it was. The weather was certainly hot but it wasn’t the hottest day or anything like that and from what I understand, Josh fell late in the moto and was forced to kick his bike for a while. We all know what that does to you and no doubt that didn’t help. I didn’t know Josh at all but my thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Well Chad Reed did it again. The Two-Two won his fourth race out of six with solid 1-3 moto scores. Reed came out in the first moto and with Ryan Dungey breathing down his neck, laid down some great laps to take the win. It’s the exact opposite thing he did last year when he couldn’t hold off Dungey and Ryan went 1-1 on the day. Reed’s 2011 is turning out to be pretty magical even if he didn’t manage to win the SX title. Late in the race, Dungey railed the outside of a turn and for a brief glimmer, got by Reed but Chad shut the door on the champ.
Reed took his fourth overall of the season at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
With Dungey unable to make the pass and settling for second the other Ryan (Villopoto) was in a big crash early in the moto and was forced to come from way back with a bent up bike and no visor. The best he could do was a ninth. Second moto, RV got the holeshot and was gone. Dungey again got second and although you could say Reed might not have been the fastest guy on the day, guess what? He scored more points than anyone else and won.
Dungey has done just about everything possible to win races but win them. His Lakewood ride was great to see but he needs to lay it down, get a little aggressive with Reed if he hopes to get this title. They’ve split the motos so far 6-6 and it just always seems that Reed gets the better of Dungey when they’re head to head- even going back to supercross.
I don’t really know what it’s like in Dungey’s brain but I have to think that he’s ready to crack and start punching walls soon. He’s a nice guy, very proper but you don’t get as many wins as he’s gotten without some killer instinct and right now, when he looks up all he sees is the big 22 in front of him.
Ryan Villopoto just has no room for errors like he had in the first moto. With his poor start to the series, it gets harder and harder to overcome the simple things that happen to everyone over the course of a 24 moto outdoor series. Things like crashes, bike problems, etc, etc- RV’s got to start getting a handle on this series. When he gets out front right away like he did first moto at High Point, first moto at Budds Creek, first moto at Lakewood and the second moto this weekend, he’s gone. Like checked out, see ya’- wouldn’t want to be ya’-- gone.
But so far, when he hasn’t gotten the start and has to come through the pack, he struggles a bit (and when I say struggle, I mean Ryan Villopoto level of struggle) and can’t do it. So if I was Reed or Dungey, I would pretty much do anything short of getting a Panzer tank to drop shells on him to make sure RV doesn’t get out front early.
Wilson is still searching for his first overall of the season.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Poor Dean Wilson, he’s gone 1-3 three times this year and has yet to win an overall meanwhile Chad Reed has won two races with those scores. Wilson’s gotten four straight second place finishes but has yet to win with that score either because Blake Baggett has won four straight motos! Oh well, he’ll have to try and sooth himself by cuddling up to that red plate he holds signifying the championship points lead he has.
Still he has to be worried about this Baggett train that is a-rolling right now, I know I would be! Blake’s got as much speed as anyone in the class and he really seems to be in shape right now as well. Not that Wilson or other teammate Tyla Rattray (who’s starts seemed to disappear at the exact moment he got the points lead) aren’t in shape but man, Baggett put together three laps in the first moto that were amazing. Like a Tour de France bicycle rider (or Kevin Bacon in that 80’s bicycle movie), he just broke away from the pack in an impressive fashion.
I spoke to Dean for a while in the PC truck after the race and he was clearly frustrated as he sipped orange juice from the underside of the jug’s lid (yes I’m serious). He just has to keep chugging along and try to find a way to stop his teammate from catching him in the standings. It’s do-able and I’m thinking the week off came at a good time for Dean.
And if you’re Blake Baggett, you just keep on keeping on. He’s on a hell of a roll right now.
Silly season is getting into full swing right now and the big fish in the sea is Ryan Dungey who by all accounts, appears to be headed to KTM for next year and beyond. The big boss of racing at KTM, former GP winner Pit Beirer was at the race on the weekend and if you don’t think he met with Dungey at some point, you’re nuts. The thing that I couldn’t figure out is how come, with everyone I talk to, going back to Suzuki isn’t an option for the champ? A few years ago there was talk of Suzuki not having the money to sign someone like Dungey but according to those at Suzuki and others that worked there, money isn’t an issue. Riders like Chad Reed, Tim Ferry and others have told me how awesome that bike is, many racers that Ryan races against seem to think his equipment is awesome.
Dungey is the top free agent heading into 2012.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
He won a bunch of titles, the yellow crew brought him up throughout amateurs and everything seems like a natural fit to continue right? Well, I guess not. I spoke to Suzuki team manager Mike Webb and he wouldn’t give much up to me on the record other than we’ll see how everything goes. He did indicate to me though (without saying so) that Dungey wants out and they’ve in effect lost him for next year.
I think it just boils down to the fact he wants to work with his old team manager Roger DeCoster again (and to a lesser extent old motor guy Ian Harrison as well) and he’ll go to the unproven (in the USA big bike class) KTM to get that combination back. It was weird to me that KTM has beaten the drum with “We love 350’s, they are the best bike in the world and all our riders will race 350’s except for Mike Alessi because we already tried that, it failed miserably and we don’t want to listen to Tony anymore” but when I spoke to Pit, he definitely backed away from beating that drum again. I specifically asked Beirer about the 350 versus 450 thing and while he brought up the fact that GP hero Antonio Cairoli has won a ton of races on the bike, he also said that maybe for American racing, they need to look at other things. It was a surprising reverse course from the PR’s at the beginning of season talking about the 350 and how good it is as well as from what Euro racing boss Stefan Everts told me at the Glen Helen USGP.
Then I heard from someone else that maybe KTM is working on a new 2012 ½ 450SXF with some new updates like EFI and other things specifically for Dungey who from what I hear, is balking a bit at the 350. Stay tuned to this whole thing, it’s going to be interesting.
Another thing I heard from someone high, high up is that there is another “big fish” that’s out there for Suzuki to get and I think, although his name wasn’t mentioned- I have to think that it’s James Stewart who I reported a few weeks back is trying to get out of his Yamaha contract and get on Suzuki’s for next year. All in all, I’m told it will be “a couple weeks” until everything gets figured out.
Metcalfe finished fourth overall at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Dungey’s teammate Brett Metcalfe had a solid day on the track getting fourth overall and stepping forward more and more to be “the guy” after the top three. The thing that got some people talking was the fact that Brett wore a cool vest for the entire second moto that made him look like a reject on Baywatch. It seems that Metty forgot he had the vest on and forgot to take it off after the parade lap. I’m sure it was real cool for the first ten minutes or so but after that, it turned into a heat vest and Metcalfe told Weege he couldn’t figure out why he was sweating so much! After the race there were some teams upset with the fact that Metcalfe wasn’t punished at all for running the vest as it was covering up his name and number on his back which is an AMA rule. I guess the AMA did talk to Brett and asked him what was up and when they realized it was an accident, they just said don’t do that again.
But to me, and I really like Brett and all, there should have been some sort of punishment imposed on Metcalfe. I’m not saying a DQ is in order but you just can’t break the rules like that and have everyone just shrug their shoulders. Maybe a monetary fine or something, one position- anything. Try to go out there in a NASCAR race and have a number covered or a mandatory sticker not on the car, you’ll be sure that you’ll be hit with some sort of punishment. You have to bring a jersey to tech inspection for a reason and for the AMA to just say it was ok, to me, is not the way to handle it.
But anyways, good ride by Metty and maybe he’s catching fire (well with a vest on again, he probably would!) and going to be a factor this second half of the season like he did last year.
Let’s take a look at the results shall we?
250 Overall
1. Blake Baggett (1-1) Kaw- I found out Blake weighs 127 lbs. That’s amazing.
2. Dean Wilson (2-2) Kaw
3. Tyla Rattray (5-3) Kaw- Like I said, his starts have gone bye-bye.
4. Kyle Cunningham (4-4) Yam- Well, well, well look who’s figuring all this stuff out. Kyle is getting consistent and staying on two wheels. I’m so proud of him, I feel like me making fun of him for so long has paid off in spades. Tough love works!
5. Broc Tickle (7-5) Kaw
6. Wil Hahn (8-6) Hon- Great ride for Wilbur in his return from injury. He’s been out a looooonnnggggg time. GEICO Honda needed this, their outdoor season is falling apart like the Titanic.
7. Ryan Sipes (3-14) Yam- Sipes rode strong for the second week in a row but also for the second week in a row, he had a bad “other” moto.
8. Martin Davalos (11-7) Suz
9. Cole Seely (9-10) Hon- I bet Cole celebrated his solid day with a Chipotle burrito.
10. Scott Champion (13-13) Hon- Good ride by Champion, he ended up 14th in qualifying, came around the second moto parade lap in 13th and went 13-13 on the day for his best national ever. And then he went home with Erin Normoyle. #winning
11. Travis Baker (12-15) Hon
12. Darryn Durham (6-34) Hon
13. Gareth Swanepoel (17-11) Yam
14. Malcolm Stewart (28-8) Suz- Mookie can’t put two motos together but I suppose that’s the mark of a first year kid figuring things out.
15. Nico Izzi (31-9) Hon
16. Les Smith (15-16) Suz- I think this was Les’s last ride for the Rockstar Suzuki team and he hasn’t had much a chance to get comfy on the bike. He’s fast, let’s give him some more shots Gowland!
17. Lance Vincent (10-33) Hon
18. Gannon Audette (14-18) Yam
19. Alex Martin (34-12) Hon
20. Joshua Clark (16-19) Hon- Happiest guy in the world for Clark’s good result is BBMX’s Dan Truman who picked Josh in his fantasy moto league. He actually goes around and pep talks these guys.
Jake Canada finished 18th overall in his first ride for Motoconcepts Yamaha.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
450 Overall
1. Chad Reed (1-3) Hon
2. Ryan Dungey (2-2) Suz
3. Ryan Villopoto (9-1) Kaw
4. Brett Metcalfe (4-5) Suz
5. Mike Alessi (8-4) KTM- Mike was frisky this week, good rides in both motos and like Villopoto, he came from a long way back in the first moto.
6. Justin Brayton (5-7) Yam- Good ride for Brayton who’s never going to be considered an outdoor warrior. I think he broke up with his manfriend Heath as well, I haven’t seen him at the track lately. I’ll have to get to the bottom of this.
7. Andrew Short (6-8) KTM
8. Davi Millsaps (3-13) Yam- Great first moto for Davi but he twisted his knee second moto. JGR Yamaha was 3 and 5 in the first moto and owner Coy Gibbs celebrated by getting to the next level in Halo in the team lounge.
9. Kevin Windham (12-6) Hon
10. Christian Craig (10-10) Hon- Solid day for Craig.
11. Nick Wey (14-14) Yam- I thought Wey would do better on his home track to be honest and I’m sure he did as well.
12. Josh Grant (7-32) Hon- We talked about Josh on the wrap-up podcast, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes right now with a bad knee and an expiring contract.
13. Jake Weimer (36-9) Kaw- Weimer was up there in the first moto before pulling into the mechanics area with what he thought was a bad motor. Turns out it was a rock in his rear brake pedal. It was too late to recoup his placing though.
14. Travis Sewell (13-17) Yam- A flying Sewell brother did well on his somewhat home track. Did you know that Travis wears FXR gear which is a Manitoba, Canada company who’s owner I grew up racing with? Now you do.
15. Michael Byrne (40-11) Suz- Byrner broke a chain first moto and that sucks.
16. Tye Simmonds (17-15) KTM
17. Ben LaMay (16-16) Yam- Solid ride for the new guy over on Motoconcepts Yamaha.
18. Jake Canada (11-30) Yam- I’d say Jake, with minimal time on the Yamaha, backed up his solid Lakewood ride with an 11th in the first moto.
19. Tommy Hahn (39-12) Yam- Yeah sure, Tommy wished he would have done better but look at the bright side, the Motoconcepts Yamaha team had the back half of the top twenty covered! That sound you hear is owner Mike Genova trying to jam his head in a hot tub jet.
20. Jimmy Albertson (15-20) Hon- Top Jimmy didn’t have the kind of second race back ride he wanted but on the bright side (I’m Dr Phil!) he did make a very funny Pulpmx TV video that will be out later this week.
Pro Circuit celebrates yet another podium sweep.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Kudos to MX Sports for the awesome stat package they put out each week, nice to see someone trying to help all of us fans get smarter. A few things that I noticed while perusing said stats on the airplane.
-Gareth Swanepoel has an average starting position of 18th (17.9 actually but who’s counting?) and yet is eighth in the points. Good job right there because that starting position sucks.
-Justin Barcia has six(!!) holeshots this year and yet has very little to show for that incredible streak. Generally speaking, starts are a huge factor to how you do in a race (I know right, I’m a real Tony D) and it’s amazing that Justin has done so poorly with it considering how fast he is.
-Andrew Short qualifies eleventh as an average but yet is seventh in the points so he’s getting better once the gate drops which isn’t surprising. By the way, he hasn’t said anything to me but I get the sense that Short is getting frustrated big-time with this 350 in motocross. Just the little things he does and says to me indicates that he hopes these rumors of a 450 getting a revamping are true.
Thanks for reading, send me an email at [email protected] if you want to chat about this column or anything else for that matter.
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350's no good? Pretty sure after that second moto at Hangtown 2010 Alessi had no problems with the bike then. Alessi's head just in not in the right place.
What's with the report from '83? The guy who wrote that sure seems awfully hung up on the fact that guys weren't wearing shirts. They were motocrossers, most likely. What's wrong with them not wearing shirts? It was hot outside! Damn.
good read Matthes.......JS7 at Suzuki means huge $'s and outdoor contract I would think???
That photo is not Ben Lamay... Its Ohio's Tony Gallo #520 on a Rock River Yamaha
In this article, 5 out of the 7 pictures had guys without shirts. Big deal that more people didn't have shirts in '83. Maybe the day was a lot hotter! Maybe they weren't as freakin' FAT as they are now. Most of the spectators back then were probably active racers instead of Rexall Riders, or KMart-'crossers who wear Fox shirts but have never put a leg over a motocross bike.
I don't see a problem with Metcalfe's vest
what are you talking about the number on that bike is 592 and yes that is jake canada.
the '83 race report is awesome!! man the dirt sure has changed from then till now...and the track doesnt even resemble the 30ft wide one we have now, it looks pretty smooth compared to todays track too, would love to see more of the vintage race reports...keep em coming!
Ha, the pic of Bagget spraying champagne is kind of funny, if you know what I mean. :)
YUP RD needs to get rough, I been saying it for 2 years and now everyone is seeing it. if RD, RV and CR start 1,2,3 RV win's it, RD and Reed don't have RV speed so if RV starts up front the partys over I think. Now If RD can hang it out a little bit (not JS out, just a little) I think Reed will be a 3rd place guy.
I thought JG33 signed a 2 year deal with Honda through 2012? I could've swore I read that on this site not that long ago.
So you started that whole "Dungey needs to get aggressive"? Matthes, you owe BillC some recognition. Didn't Dungey pull away from Poto at Lakewood 2nd moto? doesn't have RV speed? your an idiot. no one likes you. your mom dropped you.
if RD gas didnt boil where would he be now? no one would be questioning his riding style or tactics- duuuiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@Kyle - That monster girl seems to be enjoying it... im not saying, im just saying...
I always think it is funny how everyone calls red bud the crown jewel of the series but it wasn't always like that. Before they brought in all the sand and other kinds of dirt the track was sometimes a dump with square edged holes everywhere. I remember going to a national in there early days at Red Bud where we were waring goggles to be able to see the races because the dust was so bad. It was better for the riders that day because of a nice wind that was blowing most of the day.
hey matthes canada is part of america, mexico, brazil, venezuela etc. are all part of america not just the usa
awesome article. I love this silly season stuff. I think if ktm gets a efi 450 up yo par with everyone else iit will be good for Dungey. he has been the exact same rider for a long time so a big change will he'll I think. and thank God Stewart is gunna get on another team. he just isn't Stewart on that Yamaha. the Suzuki will be sooo good for him. he's back! hopefully. and what about Reed team? he is wanting to.sign another big bike. and since he.is getting so much support he could afford a big boy. who.do you think.he'll pick up? when is barcia going yo a big bike?? possibility there. and as always. canard will do work when he comes back. I can't wait to.have the big 5 in supercross and motocross! hopefully it will be big six or seven even! peace
I would consider Brayton a returning "outdoor warrior"....he did win the final moto of the 2009 season, remember. That is an accomplishment, for sure.
@BILLC, you try and take credit for saying that in almost every post you write. I have seen you write that at least 3 times.. Heres a hint, nobody gives a crap what you claim to have been saying for 2 years. You are a know-it-all. And you dont know much of anything, but you think you do. You have an ego the size of James Stewarts, and you go around on post and try to attack and accuse other people of stupid stuff. And bring up crap that happened months ago, get a life. And do you actually belive that you are the only guy who has been thinking RD needs to get aggressive?? Do you really think that YOU started that yourself. Get real, you arent that smart..
I saw on Stewarts twitter page that he said he was going to get another title for the Reservation. Which to me means he is going to resign with San Manuel, so does that mean he is staying with Yamaha?? Millsaps is sure having pretty good success with it, you cant blame the bike.
@Kurt, dont be an idiot. Erin Normoyle was involved in a car accident, dont write it like she was drunk or something and killed someone you as#.. Thats why they call them "accidents" you freakin' tool
Finally, even the guys at KTM are finally admitting that the 350 isnt working. Pit Beirer even said that for American motocross, it might be time to try something different. It is a politically correct way of saying the 350 isnt getting it done. How do you like that BILLC, Mr. i know all..
Give Short a 450
BillC you show how stupid you are every time you post, stupid. Not only does he think he knows everything he pays more in taxes than all of us make. Yup remember saying that BillyC?
Matthes,The track got nice and juicy for the motos.Are you kidding me? That track sucked in the first motos.If you got off the main line you were screwed.It was like follow the leader out there.All the first motos at all the tracks have been that way.Villapoto was about the only one who could pass quickly.It would take a rider 4or5 laps to pull off a pass,sometimes more.I guess you can't really bit@h about the tracks since you would be bitting the hand that feeds u.
No kidding Short is sick of the 350...... he goes from mr. holeshot last year to barely breaking into the top 10 on the underpowered machine. As for Alessi's ride at hangtown, that track is a good track for a 350 other than the long straight toward the step up.. Bring Caroli over here and he would be back with Short on the fighting for 7th or 8th on the 350 too. Also if Dungey signs with KTM, I can no way in heck he would go for the 350 as he rides the crap out of his 450 right now!
Stewart will look good on a Suzuki, but would love to see "checkers" on a Honda....Suzuki in my opinion are the closest thing to a Kawasaki and that is what Stewart should still be riding.. Hopefully RV becomes a lifer for Kawasaki and stays there for his career....although RV on a Honda would be sick!!
Many of the top guys have been born on a Kawasaki and raced all the way through the amateurs.....then for some, they make the switch and seem to lose something....I was surprised Reed didn't gel on the Kawasaki since he raced one for so long, but maybe that was the 2 stroke days.....
RV - You the best guy out there, Lets get this outdoor championship thing together....you can do this !
Oh yeah....Dungey needs to stay at Suzuki or jump on a Honda.....do not go backwards RD...your a good kid, but the KTM isn't the right move..they are great GP bikes, but our USA guys usually smoke them on the big 4 bikes when they get the chance....sure, everyone wins a race and the bikes have come along way....DON'T DO IT !!!!
Two Two should sign Grant and keep the Honda's if they can't land Dungey...Big factor is if Reed plans on racing 2012 SX....Im thinking Monster cup may be it for 22 if he doesn't win the outdoor title..Grant would be a good fit if they keep the Honda support....
Only reason the 350 does so well in Europe is because those bikes are truly "Works" grade. The 350 will never trump the 450 in a production rule environment.
Steve, you know I love you, but please, never compare Quicksilver to The Tour or mistake it for the awesome cult classic Breaking Away, which is one of the best sports movies ever. Jack's trick riding is cool, but, unlike Dave, he doesn't do any breaking away. However, I'll give Quicksilver extra points for casting Jami Gertz. I mean, who doesn't love her, right? Damn, now everybody knows I'm a bike weenie. Seriously, if you haven't seen Breaking Away, you're missing out big time. Matthes, get it right, Goober.
stewart going to suzuki is the worst to happen ever since i started following motocross i hope to god that does not happen
I KNEW IT!!! That's what I've been babbling ALL freakin' season!!! Good for you Pit Bierer, we still like you and will buy your stuff (the bigger stuff). Admitting mistakes is the measure of a man and shows character.
BTW, I knew this was going to happen 'cause BillC told me so. j/k Bill. Dungey being KTM bound is obvious to anyone with ears and / or eyes (even Mike Webb).
The 450 Suzuki is (obviously) an awesome machine with one of the greatest development teams ever assembled. Why the 250 isn't getting the acclaim the big bike is comes down to the talent behind the throttle, I think.
Stewart to Suzuki would satisfy a lot of people for a lot of reasons but, he would probably have to sign a SX & MX deal 'cause the economy dictates he isn't the "Blue Chip" he once was. There would be no way to site the bike as a problem anymore and what does he do with his "JSE" team: transporter, infrastructure, employees, etc??? (I guess craigslist in FL. is going to have some equip. & "partially" used Yamahas for sale shortly).
Also, Suzuki couldn't pay Dungey his bonuses from '10 so, who sticks around when the boss can't cover payroll? Money not a problem at Suzuki? Who said that? Why close up your "can't lose" ATV MX & Superbike teams if money is no problem??? The Jedi mind trick doesn't work on MXicans.........
Oh yeah, Reed just keeps on keepin' on......there's an EXCELLENT chance BOTH of the U.S. titles will go to foreigners. I like Reed & Ratters and would not deny them the titles but, Dungey & Baggett are our best hope(s) against the foreign invaders. Time to rally the troops, unfurl the stars & stripes and cheer for the homegrown boys! USA! USA! USA!
@tom...
you look like someone just shit in your cereal...
Stewart to zook for a full mx/sx racing would revive this sport(not saying it needs it) but it would be great to see 4 guys that could win...mix in tc41 and this outdoor season could have been as epic as sx was this year...
as a 7 fan, I hope he does this, learns to accept not winning every race(doubtful) and learns just to race cause he loves it...Reed has it figured out and the results are there...
bring back the love
Also, whoever said KTM's suck will be eating their own hat very shortly. With DeCoster at the helm, Ian Harrison developing the motors, Red Bull sponsoring them (and must match $ with Monster to remain competitive), the euro off of life support, KTM's positioning in the market and their sales compared to their competitors in the off-road catagory, their stable of talent gearing up for a 2012 gate drop and corporate coming around to reality all adds up to one thing. You can bet your sweet bippy KTM's will flood the podiums next year.
Stamp it.
This announcment is BillC approved as well.........
We love 350’s, they are the best bike in the world and all our riders will race 350’s except for Mike Alessi because we already tried that, it failed miserably and we don’t want to listen to Tony anymore” LMAO Mathes you are a fool for that one.
I've heard that Barcia isnt happy at FC at all and wants out. We will see what he rides but at the 250 class there arent that much options.
If JS7 gets on a makita suzuki, its pretty much an RC domination once again. but I have to say ever since Roger left that yellow bike dont look as cute as it used to
One more thing come MXON FRANCE is gonna be really hard to beat. Frossrd, Pourcel and Paulin orMusquin.
Villo was on the ground a long time before he even remounted and came through the field on a torn up bike, and you still slag? It's only Villo slag? That doesn't make sense.
Jake pulling in with a rock problem, and him and his professional team ruining the only good thing going for him right now.. maybe a bit a slag in that direction eh?
Carlsbad.. Ha,ha... Good to read your posts. KTM is maybe re-thiking their strategy for the US.. Over here in Europe.. 350 is THE bike,.. And for now, Cairoli is doing what KTM expects him to do.
KTM at the end, is a company which at the end wants to sell, sell... And whatever it takes, they will do it.
As for JS... Read at another french forum, where he will have san Manuel on board for next year... But he's still trying to figure out the bike... He hired the services of T.Ferry... But right now.. All depends what Dungey will do..
I will be thrilled if he goes to KTM and will ride a 450... He will earn the big bucks for sure, and will bring a lot to KTM.
Another guy wrote it would be good for RV to ride Honda??? No way... RV will either stay at Kawasaki... Kawi for life.... Unless he finds out the salary Dungey will get at KTM... he might reconsider... Honda anyway, is not known to pay huge salaries....
I think we still need to see a top rider on the 350 in the US.
Short is a nice guy and all but no wins from that side of the gate are to be expected...
@half316, Stewie to Suzuki would revive this sport?? What the hell are you talking about?? Myself and the 40,000 plus fans at Red Bud would have to disagree with you. Stewie is not racing and the sport is absolutely wonderful and growing still without him. This sport does not need him or any other rider to survive. No one rider is bigger than the sport.
And I disagree with Trend Kileer with Rv being on Honda,,, Why would anyone wish that on RV?? So he can get screwed over like MC and RC did?? I dont think it would be "sick" at all.
@Carlsbad - was Suzuki really un-able to pay out there bonuses owed to Dungey after his 2010 campaign? WOW - surprising that isn't bigger news or not more known to the public...
Sounds like JS7 and suzuki would be agood fit - both "FLAKES".
To the haters... I LMFAO at you.
MXNUT128, you are correct sir, i think thats exactly why the 350's work better everywhere else but here....do we even know that carioli is riding a "true" 350? It may have a 380 or 390 in it, or it may be pushing close to 60 hp too...just saying if you throw the production rule out, then the 350 could probably be made to run close to a 450, or at least the manageable power would be similar
I think I'm cool because I post in the Racer X comment section. I'm awesome and have no life. I'm really stupid and still misspell words despite there being a built in spell-checker.
@BILLC, what do you think of Pit Bierer saying the 350 isnt working in the US? I was wondering if you had a comment for that..
589mx, that's one of those things no one will talk about. Dungey can't because he is contractually obligated to Suzuki and dispariging comments would be breach of contract which, would allow Suzuki to weasel out him more than they already are. Have they paid him off yet? Will they pay him in installments? Will he have to resort to legal actions? These are all great questions that we would like to know but, nobody's saying. DeCoster, no longer being tied to Suzuki could say but, he probably won't out of classiness or (misplaced) loyalty to his old bosses.
Never heard that bd200, Where can i read it? Look I NEVER said it was batter or even as good, I just get tired of people saying it's junk because it is not winning, Because Short never won on the 450 Honda either and the 800 is not winning on the 450 either so why call it junk?? Also people blaim KTM and say its killing Short... Well Short is a big boy and signed on to ride KTM and also picked the 350 and even if thats a lie he still signed the deal so don't blaim KTM.
bd200, obviously Beirer didn't say it the way you worded it. I think he's smart for changing his position. He's (obviously) courting Dungey and that's what Dungey wants to hear.
Short is too nice a guy to tell it like it is. They need a guy like Hakan Carlquist to come in after the moto, dig a hole and bury that darned thing.
They could give it to the off-road teams to develop but, I don't think anyone west of the Mississippi would choose to race it.
Didierlotsyeng, good to see you posting again as well. Didn't see you around for a while.........
I totally agree, RV & Honda wouldn't work. Kawasaki has him locked up while they find the next big thing in the amatuers or the Pro Circuit rig. I really thought it was going to be Pourcell. I guess that proves what I know.
Hmmmmmmm Carlsbad you saying BD200 streached the truth??
I've no problem with the 350. With the right rider on it, it wins. The right rider being someone who will rev it, as it needs to be, and is good enough to make his own lines, if need be. Cairoli is that man. Nagl does well to - having wanted to go to the 350 part way through last years GPs. Check out the racing from last year on MXLife.com.if you want to see how a 350 is ridden effectively. I think if you register, you get free access to the 2009 and 2010 GP archives, but you have to pay to get this years GPs, and the MX Des Nations.
A 350 would suit a smaller stature rider, coming off 250s, very well.
I hope that the 450EFI KTM is brought out as a .5 model - they have it developed and ready for use, as Nagl used it for some of the GPs last year.
The main reason for my hope for that, is with Dungey on it, it would probably re-commit KTM to 450s, and in doing so, might stop them from lobbying for the introduction the 350 limit that Lluongo proposed a few years ago. For once, Honda and the other Japanese factories used their power for the good of the sport, and vetoed it. Though, at the same time they vetoed the 250 2 strokes from being allowed into MX2 in 2010, which had been gazetted in the rules. That, strangely, 'dissapeared' from the 2010 regs, suddenly. The MX1 class should be the class that has the most potent, difficult bikes to ride, if a rider / factory chooses to race a monster. By the same token, a rider / factory should be free to run a 350, for example. And in a perfect world, 2ts of any capacity, within the minimum and maximum class limts, should be out there in MX1, as well. But, hell might freeze over before big H allows that.........
The 500 class, years ago, had a large variety of capacities being used, from 360cc through to 499.... cc. A hell of a lot of the 500 World Titles were won by sub 400cc bikes, notably, quite a few by RD on his Suzukis - many of which were 370cc / 400cc.The last 2 stroke to win the 500 class was Shayne King on the 360cc KTM, before the final steamrollering of the class by 4ts. Many of the CR500s used by teams in the last few years before the CRF450 was released, were debored to 400 / 420cc, as it made them so useable. The Sarholtz Team were notable for their development of that debored engine.
But restricting the premier class to 350s, as has been proposed once, and I think KTM were / may be ready to back again - They are the 800lb Gorilla in the GPs, though Honda are now back with an official team - would be a travesty for our sport, which has already suffered enough with questionable rules.
@BILLC, another backhanded comment, cant you just be normal and not a douchebag. It was just a few days ago right here on Racer X websire, in a story written by Matthes I think. He said "the KTM 350 is doing very well in the GP's but obviously we have to go a different direction for the US Nationals."" Maybe not word for word, but something to that effect. And I was not trying to cut your opinion down, I like the idea of a 350 myself, just asking your opinion of it thats all. Now can you answer the question normally??
back handed?? I asked where I could read that than Carlsbad said YOU streached the truth. so don't get all pissy about it. and why must you cakll me names? Please grow up. I said noth bad in my post.
@BILLC, you say "where can I read it"? Its right here in this article..
LOL OK I thought it was somewhere else because the way you worded it and I had read this article on the 6th and i told you before my memeory aint what it once was. Sorry
You think thats bad, I actually left this article when I was looking for it to tell you were you could read it. Its been a long week, I'm losing my mind I think.
LMAO I am actuly laughing out load righ now, That cracked me up!!! We are both shot!!
What were we talking about anyway?? LOL