by Davey Coombs
Racerhead #27
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When I left RedBud shortly after the final Women's MX moto last week, one of the last people I said goodbye to was Dr. John Bodnar. He's the tireless trauma doctor from a big hospital in San Diego who spends his weekends working as a tireless trauma doctor for motocross. He inquired about my sister's cold and my own injured toe—I tweaked it running down a straightaway and around a corner after Justin Barcia's hellacious crash while leading the first 250 moto—and told me to have a safe drive home. I never thought to ask how Josh Lichtle was, because I didn't realize that the #810 they’d been talking about over the radio was the local hero and former Suzuki factory minicycle racer.
Photo: Courtney Zollinger
In the days since, there has been a lot of introspection, as everyone from the track promoters to the series promoters, photographers to casual fans, and of course the message boarders have tried to come up with solutions for a problem that has yet to be defined, and suggest changes to the entire system.
Josh Lichtle's portrait greeted hundreds of visitors at his service yesterday in Orion, Michigan.
Photo: DC
But the ideas are flowing. “Shorten the motos” is the one I've heard most often, though the last time I even floated the idea of just doing thirty minutes flat, Jody Weisel told me I would be known as the man responsible for the “pussification” of motocross. Besides, the guys would truly sprint the whole time—ask Blake Baggett how much he holds back until the race comes down to the end—and that in turn might cause bigger, more serious crashes.
Photo: DC
“Smooth the tracks out” is another one, but I don't think that's the answer either (but go ahead and cue up those recycled and off-base “Ayers & Son Paving” jokes). We've learned over the years—especially at Loretta Lynn's—that the rougher the track is, the slower the speeds and the fewer injuries we seem to get.
Jeff Alessi suggested on VitalMX that we have misters placed on the track where riders can cool down when they come around, probably not realizing the liability that comes with getting a rider’s gloves and seat wet and causing a rider to lose grip or slide off his seat in midair. (But any team is free to throw water on their riders as they come by, like TLD's David Pingree was doing last year in Texas.)
Longtime reader Joe Newman suggested telemetry monitors on every rider to make sure their vital signs are in line with the activity they’re involved in, such as the Polar devices riders are using right now on the Tour de France. Heart rate, temperature, pulse, and more could all be followed, but it would require qualified medical professionals to go through the data.
Or what about the cooling device Brett Metcalfe wore over his jersey in the second moto at RedBud after he forgot to take it off? They are not illegal; he just needed to have his name and number on it. And Camelbak drinking devices are absolutely legal—Mike Alessi wears one all the time.
Photo: DC
One question was how soon the riders have to be in staging. Turns out they don't have to be there. In fact, they can go to the starting gate as late as they want, as long as they’re okay with their mechanic picking their spot. They can even forego the sighting lap if they like in order to hang back in their box van and stay cool.
The idea of allowing IVs came up but I am adamantly against that between motos. It's difficult to apply hundreds of IVs in the Asterisk Medical Unit, and who knows what that might lead to, like personal cocktails of preferred fluids and so on. If you're too dehydrated to continue, you should stop for the afternoon.
Mandatory diets where the AMA monitors the food and water intake? I think that goes a bit too far.
There's no doubt the conversation must continue, and it will. But there's also the chance that this was a rare case where one athlete was overcome by a string of events that led to a tragedy—three down-and-up crashes, covered with mud and roost, not having any water for the length of the moto, and still wearing full gear after the checkered flag falls because he's still trying to get going after his last crash. We just don't know right now.
I went to Orion, Michigan, yesterday to attend Lichtle's funeral. It was packed with family, friends, fans, and riders like fellow Michigan native Nico Izzi, longtime friends Jason Lawrence, Josh Hansen, and Michael LaPaglia, and past pros like Kelly Smith and many, many more. Lawrence even said a few touching words at the front of the service, bidding farewell to his friend. It was a sad day for all, and I hope and pray we all will learn some lessons in the near future about what happened to Litchle, the first rider to ever pass away in the forty-year history of the AMA Motocross Series.
Yes, there have been other tragedies—Jim West was killed at a Trans-AMA at Saddleback Park, Jason Ciarletta as the San Diego SX—but none in AMA Motocross. Until now.
A motorcycle out in front of the funeral.
Photo: DC
If you have anything you would like to add to the conversation, please feel free to send me your ideas or suggestions: [email protected]. I will do my best to work with everyone here and in the pits to make smart changes so we don't suffer through another tragedy like this again.
I wrote a little more about Josh and his longtime friend Davi Millsaps—they used to be on Suzuki's amateur support team together—for this week's 450 Words.
For more on Josh, I turn it over to Jason Weigandt:
Back in 2002, I worked as a grunt guy back at our old office. DC's mom Rita pointed me at an old computer in the corner of the old office and said, "Log in and answer the [email protected] emails."
I logged in and the emails began to download. Hundreds of them. Then thousands, it seemed. The weekends I didn't spend hitching a ride to a GNCC or the Nationals were spent in front of that old computer trying to answer Loretta's emails.
Josh Lichtle in the first moto at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
But I found a way—usually by asking Rita for help—to answer all those emails. Once I got down to work at the actual event, they made me work the sign-up table, which, made me the only male on the sign-up staff. I was just trying to help!
At sign-up, a mom said her kid's number was incorrect. He was given a two-digit number for the race even though he had earned seventh in his class the previous year, and should have been allowed to run #7. I said I didn't know that was the rule, and she then pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. It was an email, from the MX Sports office, saying, "Yes, since your son earned seventh last year he can race with number seven this year." I looked at the email. It had been written by me! So yeah, sometimes I asked Rita for the answers, but I guess some of the info went in one ear and out the other. And I didn't always follow through with what I wrote.
Anyway, I asked the mom who her son was. She said, "Josh Lichtle. He rides for Suzuki."
So now I had apparently screwed over a factory kid, and he had preprinted #7s on his bike and everything. Somehow we got it fixed, but after that I knew to keep an eye on that Lichtle kid. He was a factory Suzuki rider, and he had gotten a top-ten last year even though he was one of the youngest riders in the class.
So Lichtle was on my radar, right there with the other hotshots I already knew about, like Mike Alessi, Davi Millsaps and Josh Hansen.
Josh Hansen went to Michigan to say farewell to his friend Josh, along with Nico Izzi, Mike LaPaglia and Jason Lawrence.
Photo: Simon Cudby
The next year, Lichtle created a moment people still talk about down at the Ranch. Squared off against Millsaps in the Schoolboy class, Josh jumped out to the early lead. But Millsaps was pretty much unstoppable back then, and he tracked down Lichtle and made the pass. Now, we've all watched a lot of motocross races, so you know when someone catches and passes someone that it's pretty much over. But that's what made this so impressive. Lichtle actually found a way to increase his pace, catch back up to Millsaps, and repass him for the lead. He then endured several laps of intense pressure from arguably the hottest prospect at the event, never faltered, and held Millsaps off right to the end.
I was writing the Cycle News story that day, so I asked Josh for a quote on his performance. "I had to do it," he said. "I saw my dad over there cheering and I wanted to do it for him."
No hard feelings from Millsaps—these two were clearly friends (and Suzuki teammates), so all was well.
It didn't work out for Lichtle the same way it did for Millsaps. Davi went on to a (still) solid pro career, he's made money and won races at the highest level. From what I heard, Lichtle had trouble adapting to the pressure of pro racing, and he would just get really, really, nervous on the starting line before a race. Same thing you hear quite often—great speed and talent, just had to figure out how to bring it into the actual race. Suzuki tried him on a few lower-pressure teams, like Jeff Cernic's support outfit, which was also working with Jason Lawrence, but then Josh hurt his ankle and never seemed to recover. It just didn't quite work out the way it could have.
It's very strange how this sport works sometimes. Back in those days, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart had just proven that if you're the fastest kid in your class as an amateur you're going to end up the fastest man in your class as a pro. It seemed that simple. It's not. Sure seems like the odds are more like 50-50, and unfortunately, Lichtle ended up on the wrong end.
That seemed so sad: one rider makes millions while another doesn't make much at all, with only a pile of injuries to show for his efforts. But it doesn't seem so sad, now. I'm sure if you're Josh's family, race wins or big salaries mean nothing at this point. You just want Josh around to be Josh. This whole situation is so much bigger than just racing.
Anyway, Godspeed, Josh Lichtle. That's about all I have for this week.
RedBud was a big, big race, with a sad ending.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
It’s always shocking and terrible when we lose a part of the motocross family like we did last weekend. I didn’t know Josh Lichtle very well, but that doesn’t matter in this sport. Motocross is such a small community that it hits home any time something like that happens. Just like all of you, my thoughts and prayers are with the Lichtle family.
And then occasionally we get a win. Those in the off-road world know the name Josh Morros very well. Josh was a 16-year-old Team Green prodigy who was just starting his career as a successful off-road racer until a horrific crash left him in the hospital with a severe brain injury and very little chance of survival. Despite the odds, Josh pulled through. If you have a few minutes, go to this website and watch the video. It’s pretty cool.
Is Ryan Dungey turning orange? Everyone seems to think so.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
I was at Pala Raceway this week, and I saw a rider on a Yamaha wearing #15 going pretty fast. It didn’t take long to realize it was Timmy Ferry who has been out here all week testing for James Stewart. Whoa, easy, Matthes—we don’t need your already-high blood pressure going through the roof on us. Take a deep breath, fella. Ferry’s bike was outfitted with simple Red Bull graphics—no San Manuel logos. Interesting, indeed. There was a pack of guys in black Ohlins shirts surrounding the bike every time he came in off the track, so I never got a chance to go over and say hi. I know this is shocking but there was no sign of Larry Brooks.
Ryan Villopoto went from 37th to 9th in the first moto at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
I’d like to offer a little tip of my cap to Ryan Villopoto for his ride in the opening moto at RedBud last weekend. I think it went largely underappreciated due to his ninth-place finish, but after the digger he took it was a gritty ride to salvage some points. His bars were bent, his muffler was falling off, and his visor was buried in the mud somewhere, but he kept charging. He actually won the RC Hard Charger Award, which is almost as awesome as a furious kick to the crotch when you’re in a title chase, because it means you lost points to your competitors. Still, you have to admire his tenacity. Strong work, Ryan.
I keep waiting to see if Justin Barcia will slip off into Epstein-Barrville for the rest of the summer after one of these weekends, but he keeps showing up. He has mono, a broken wrist, and no results to speak of since the nationals began. That sounds like the perfect storm of “reasons I’ll be spending my summer in the Bahamas” on my Doppler Weather radar, but that’s just me. Regardless, DMXS Radio’s David Izer pointed out that Barcia is a pretty good match to 1980s tennis great Bjorn Borg. The resemblance is uncanny but I have to wonder: Does Izer have a Borg poster in his bedroom or something? How else do you put those two together?
Justin Barcia goes fast for a guy with mono, but he still crashes a lot.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Do you see the resemblance?
Okay, here are some random notes to round out the week:
Our friends at Vurb Moto organized an epic "Platinum" session with Justin Barcia on a new track built by Jason Baker down south. Barcia moves way up on the list of great whips we've seen on motocross bikes, just behind Ronnie Renner and James Stewart!
Yesterday for The List, presented by Maxima, former 125cc SX winner Matt Walker contributed his top ten uses for baby products in motocross, and it seemed to be a hit with most of you. Well, if you enjoyed his first online contribution, you'll be happy to learn that he's working on a few more in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to Racer X Online.
Here’s a funny video Danny Stuart filmed of a superfan with a super RedBud mullet this past weekend.
It was good to see Wil Hahn back on the bike and looking fast, as he holeshot both motos in his first race of 2011 at RedBud.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Sproket the Moto Dog’s first two releases can be found on both Amazon and Publish America. Be sure to visit sproketthemotodog.com for more information.
Is the U.S. Grand Prix on or off the schedule for 2012? We're getting mixed signals. The FIM does not have the race on its provisional schedule, but Glen Helen's Lori Bryant told Cycle News they were still trying to work things out and get commitments from the riders and teams. She also hinted that if the race does come back, it will likely be in September 2012.
Blake Baggett has won four of six rounds in the 250 class, but his teammate Dean Wilson is the points leader.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
All the riders get a weekend off, thankfully, and a chance to rest and regroup. That also means they have a chance to go back and watch some motos on the Alli Sports Moto Archives, including all of the Racer X Pre-Race and Post-Race shows. You'll find everything right here.
These two wild and crazy guys came to RedBud from Barcelona, Spain to see their hero, Sarah Whitmore!
And finally, congratulations to the Ritchie family for once again producing a stellar American Motocross race. RedBud was packed with fans, wet on Friday, hot on Saturday, hungover on Sunday—and they had nearly 1,000 amateur riders. And congratulations to race winners Chad Reed, Blake Baggett, and Ashley Fiolek. It was a great day for all of them, but it will likely be remember for the tragedy, not their triumphs.
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How about stop Fu$%ing around all day and getting the moto,s done early, so i,m not riding in the heat of the day and getting home at midnight
I always thought Barcia was the Marty Smith love child
I sure hope thay DON'T change anything about Moto-Cross. I feel bad for Lichtle but nothing needs to be changed!! PLEASE!!!
Sad news for sure and I wish the best for his family...but let's not over react. This is the first death in 40 years of AMA Pro MX. One time is a true accident, not a trend.
This is my opinion and no disrespcet is meant in anyway to him or his family.
I am really sorry for the Lichtle family, as a community we never like to see these things. I didnt know Josh or how he trained but I know quite a few racers taking the same drugs used in cycling(myself included). This poses a larger risk than length of Motos or track grooming. The AMA needs to step up testing for EPO and other drugs like this. I am not implying Josh took anything, I didnt know him and am really sorry for his family.
Thank you to all of the racerx team for there comments on Josh,I reffereed for Mich. moto-x all while Josh was growing up. He never had a bad day, he left it on the track, Bless the Lichtle family
Davey- your words have been spoken like the true leader that you are. In these paragraphs you have represented yourself and our sport as a professional. My heart aches for the entire family of Josh Lichtel. With that said, it is a dangerous sport that we choose to participate in and every time that you sling your leg over a dirt bike (of any size) you have to be willing to except the consequences that MIGHT happen. At this point in time I don't believe that blame should be thrown at anyone or any "thing". Again, my prayers and thoughts go out to the Lichtle family and friends. God Speed Josh!!!
As for changes to help save a life. Monitoring riders closer.. is not very doable nor would it help much. Making them have a mandatory diet.. how is that even an idea, geez. Cancelling races because its too hot.. maybe if it happened more but that doesn't seem to be the right idea here. Shortening motos..30 min +1 lap always seemed more natural to me, but probably wouldn't matter much.
But how about this..didn't someone say he wrecked toward the end and had to spend a good while kicking his bike madly before it started. Well I dont know about you other people but us racers know that probably the closest most any of us have ever came to passing out in the heat is after a small crash and then kicking your bike like crazy. Nothing seems to be harder on the body during a race if you ask me. Even 45 seconds kicking can seem to wear you out more than a whole moto for at least the short term......So could madatory electric start have prevented this?? Maybe not, but in heat stroke it is always that last little bit that puts someone over the edge.
I LIKE THIS COMMENT......"How about stop Fu$%ing around all day and getting the moto,s done early, so i,m not riding in the heat of the day and getting home at midnight"
DO A COUPLE OF TOURS IN IRAQ WITH ME WHERE ITS 120 DEGREES,EVERYDAY, IN FULL BATTLE RATTLE, HELMET, VEST, WEAPON, CARRYING 600 rds of AMMO, PEOPLE SHOOTING AT YOU, IED'S....... AND THEN COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR 1 DAY OF HARDSHIP A WEEK AND HEAT OF THE DAY AND GETTING HOME AT MIDNIGHT.
Any rider capable of making the gate at a national is no stranger to fitness, nutrition, and whats required to be prepared for racing at that level. motocross is tough, thats what makes it great, I think Lichtle was every bit as badass as any of the other guys out there, it's a safe bet that he trained hard, ate right, and drank lots of water, but when it's your time it's your time. our names are all on a list up there somewhere and they're gonna get to 'em at some point....in a way he's lucky, the last thing he remembers he was doing what he loved...there are worse ways to go...
Heard a quote once... "die doing what you love, so it is not a tragedy." Very heartbreaking scenario here. Personal opinion here, but i feel i would rather go in a moto, than say, an automobile accedent. Both heartbreaking yes, both i wouldn't wish upon even my worst enemy. And my heart goes out to the family. May they find peace any way they find possible. Much love and respect from the NW.
Motocross has always been touted as a one of the most difficult sports fitness-wise. Is it? Sometimes. We won't know what happened to Josh until the autopsy comes out. Until then judgement should be withheld.
What we can say for sure is that this is possibly the first heat related death in MX, ever. That includes when motos were 40+2 laps and guys didn't sit in ice tubs to cool off but just sat in a box van in the blazing sun.
I agree with the others that the AMA needs to step way up in terms of EPO/steroid testing. Guys coming back from sitting on the couch for 6 months and railing right off the bat says drug use loud and clear.
I sitting here reading all these comments and can't help from thinking that all of us here once again are being brought to another self awareness in our sport. I would think for the most of us, that is taken for granted from day to day. Its sad what happened to Josh, but how many times have we gone out to the track thinking we could be hurt or killed? Me, never! Do I not know the risks are there, Yes! But we go do what we love to do. As for making changes to the game to protect everyone takes away the value of motocross. We can only protect ourselves and knowing what our stenghts and weakness are. Where are we at with our skills and fitness.
And yes even with the best of athletes, when its our time, its our time. Josh may be gone now, but I think he left a little on the table for all us to think about.
So once again, Rest in Peace Josh.
jairtime is =l met him with r capes tiny schlong. lichtle we love you. where is ryan huffman?oh he will win shougal ...if mckormick does not ride
jairtime must be dc
you know why my name is printed on the back of my ass...so you know who to follow
@Holeshot,us Aussies are faster than Yanks anyway. wrote:
You're a dumbass for sure. Check the record books mate. Good on ya
ellllpoop on my face
rip b layton moto rules
I was checking out the Danny Stuart video and had to wonder, are mullets making a come back? I saw 2 kids at gym a couple of weeks ago also sporting mullets. Is there a new twist in Get er done?
lance smail is the man
the track is alive and breathing
race mofos
Johnny oh johnny... First i appreciate the fact you're a soldier and that you're fighting for my country. That being sad, you being there has nothin to do with people complaining about mx promoters taking forever to get through races.
Nothin needs to be done with the current format. Its proven ok for the last 40 years. One accident in that amount of time shouldn't change a format that's been fine for that long.
God speed #810
Howabout starting the motos earlier in the day. I dont want to see puusification but if the first moto was held at 10am then the heat wouldnt be an issue. After the moto the riders could have a forced check out by medical staff. If a rider was struggling and his vitals were not safe then deny him for the second. I know it opens liablity laws but could be a partial solution.
If you ever want to see AMA Motocross on TV, on one channel. You've got to shorten the motos. No body's gonna like it, but it's the truth. It's not pussification of the sport. The fastest, strongest guys are still gonna be the fastest, strongest guys. If you want to see guys go slower. Reduce the 4 strokes so they're competitive with the 2 strokes.
Iraq is your choice and that,s great, remember it,s your choice
Shut up you self rightious ?. You may think so but you aint doing me any favour.
I,m not there, i,m here doing my best to contribute to the majority of society
( 99%), and i do.
i am over 50 and every day is a stuggle in my world
I chooose to ride, and i still want to get home before midnight.
without making it a 2 day format how do you start the moto's any earlier??
Yes, mixed practice, after all they are all pro,s and not the priveliged.
Then 4 moto,s alternating
Sign up 7.00 am,
piss of the church service, F$%^ing bible basher!
, 8.30am practice,
first race 10.00 sharp
Afterall this is a professional sport, if they cant fit in with the schedule they shoudn,t be there.
Johnny O'Hannah - Thanks for your service. Stay safe. Would like to shake you hand and buy you a beer some day,
@Dear Johnny O'Hannah = STFU. It is because of the "favor" that guys like Johnny O'Hannah do for us that low-life's like you can "contribute", whatever the eff you mean by that.
Congrats to the vast majority of you for being level headed in this situation that is so emotional. If heat stroke was the cause we need to educate our riders on symptoms and prevention not mandate the challenge out of our sport.
Thank you O'Hannah for reminding us how easy we have it here.
Deepest condolences to Josh's family and friends.
how about going back to 2-strokes. 20-30 ponds litgher,easy to start,less cost!! yea that will happen.
My heart goes out to the Lichtle family. My Son attended a mx school at Baja Acres last fall run by Joch Lictle and Nicco Izzi, Josh was a fine young down to earth guy, good guy.
I hope this raise's awarness on heat stroke. I have raced for 35 years on many hot days but never thought you could die from heat stroke. Maybe if racers knew the signs of heat stroke they could better understand when to stop before it is too late. Most racers are wired to push through pain, a big heart may have cost Josh.
Having a death at a race is shame and should not be taken lightly. This should an eye opener to all the teams and riders. The bottom line is AMA Motorcross has been around for 40 years and the first 20 year were 45+2 and no one died. The races were shortened to 30+2 and 20 years later AMA Motorcross had their first death. The distance of a race does not cause a death, it is a whole bunch of other things combined. Illness, medical conditions, how a rider eats, drinks not to mention crashes etc. Please do not get me wrong, my heart goes out to the family. We do not need to shorten the rces we need to teach the teams and riders how to be better prepaired to deal with the conditions and the wrning signs of elevated core body tempture.
God Speed Josh.
"the last thing he remembers he was doing what he loved.."
I almost cried when i read this.... beautiful statement brother.
I personally think all these ideas are not the fix to this problem. Thats what moto is. I have not seen anyone else suggest my idea, and that surprises me, but What I would do is just shift the seasons to different seasons. Like, maybe start super x in feb or march, and start the moto tour at the beginning of august or something like that. You could do the northern races first, and as fall progresses, move down south. Fall moto always seems way better anyway.
It was pussified when motos were shortened from 40 minutes plus 2 laps. If anything it should be changed back to what moto was designed to be and why we have so much respect for the sport.
if you race motocross we are a big family when one of us dies its a big lose its ok to feel sad we lost one of our guys rip my friend u will be missed and when my time comes i hope its on the track doing what i love to do
I help make machines that make the bullet proof glass that protect his righteous arse, so we can all be free, then i can talk about how i really feel.
Good night!
I dont think there needs to be any speculation until the medical examiner releases his results. It is terribly sad, Ive seen the kid ride, and was very proud he was michigan mafia. This was horrible news, and I didnt know him personally. I've raced red bud when it was warmer, i did post a little about that day once in here. sweat gone for 3 laps, mouth coated in dust, no saliva, cant swallow, if ya do, ya dry heave thing. Anyone see the dad that fell to his death over the weekend trying to catch a foul ball for his kid in texas? Sometimes I guess its just time?? The older I get the more ya see of this. I dont think motocross needs any sweeping changes as of now.
Why don't any of the helmet companies make actively vented helmets? Maybe a small lithium battery powered fan built into a recess in the back of the helmet so it can't snag anything in a crash. Air would be drawn through and over your head, in addition to just pulling the hot air out. I was riding in 95 + degrees last month and it seems like my head got hotter than everything else. Couldn't hurt...
It was tragic yes.........but do we ALWAYS have to change/make rules everytime there is an accident? Why did he pass away, but not anyone else? Did he not prepare leading up to the race with enough/correct fluids? At some point you must take responsibliity for your own actions. I race 2hr hare scrambles and have gotten dizzy, crashed into trees, dry heaved and stopped sweating on numerous occasions. I will no longer push myself to that anymore, especially for a small time woods race I compete in and I am also getting old.
Well I was gonna leave a reply ,but CZMark said just about what I was gonna say. No changes are needed, I raced in the midwest fom 72 till 78 when I moved to Texas to work. Just got back from a familiy reunion up there and the heat plus humidity up there is a lot different. I did pass out from heat at a big race in the midwest and never did since I moved to Texas although I did retire in 94.
Godspeed Josh and GOD Bless your Family
terrible tragedy but nothing needs changed.he died doing what he loved. if it was me or my child I would still say the same thing. he was doing what he LOVED.
DC , just tried to email you , however it didn't go through..Here's my thoughts about a possible solution.. start the supercross series before the holidays , say around in Oct.Run the west coast series before holiday brake . Then the East coast series into Jan. Feb. Mar. Start the nationals in April and end them in July. Even though the later part of the series will be hot it will allow the riders more time to adapt to the outdoor elements ...Just a thought...
Mark Podolek.........if it was you how would you be able to say it? just messin with you.
Don't change a thing except maybe stop bringing in all this sand. Let the region the tracks are in dictate the track. All the tracks seem to look the same these days [deep ruts and loomy]. What happened to hard pack tracks like carlsbad?
Most importantly my condolences to Josh's family and friends. I feel so bad for them.
I think part of the problem with what happened and not knowing for sure what happened we are all thinking it had to do with the heat. And if it was maybe we need to have fliers to hand out at all the pro races with a list of symptoms for all the riders to read so they can think about how they feel while they ride. The other problem is with ourselves and how we have been told to never give up and to always keep pushing to the end. We as riders are stubborn and never want to give up and that can become a problem in some cases. Since we don't know if this death was from heat or some real off beat problem but if it was heat maybe if we know the warning signs we can help ourselves. Sorry for Josh's families loss.
One thing nobody has talked about is the amount of heat a 4-stoke motor puts out. That could have an affect on todays riders also. If the fuel boils, that means a lot of heat is rising up to the rider also.
What about us guys who work out in the heat everyday, ALL DAY!! It can be done, construction workers do it every day of thier lives. In long blue jeans, leather work boots, shirt with 4 inch sleeves(required by safety) And hard hats, and gloves. All day every day, for at least 8 hours, not 30 +2 . And guys welding wearing a welding hood. Plus a tool belt that alot of people have a hard time picking up. Hanging off my shoulder all day. Accidents will happen, no matter what you try to prevent. We need to quit trying to protect us from ourselves. It a dangerous sport, and everyone knows this going in. Its our choice.
Just read some of the comments on changing the race schedule. Joshuamccollum was the first to mention it along with some of you other guys. I also thought the same thing yesterday, but its seem the arguemnet against would be timing in securring venues for SX. I have both ridden and race during the summer months, and it is just too dammed hot. Nothing like being at a national in 90-100 degree heat and at a SX at night when its freezing. I think the change would be better for all.
Tragedies happen in all forms of professional sports. We see it in football, baseball, basketball and all forms of car racing. While Josh Lichtles death is tragic, there is no need to change the format of motocross. Whatever happened to Josh is not a blaring problem. How could something that has only happened once in the 40 year history of the sport be considered a major problem? As far as I'm concerned, we have had way too many crippling injuries from supercross that should be addressed before we go changing the length of motocross moto's.
"""That being sad, you being there has nothin to do with people complaining about mx promoters taking forever to get through races"""
Some got the Iraq comparison and some missed it. I could have just as easily said Fireman or garbageman, anyone who works long hours everyday and their job isnt their hobby. Yes, it was my choice just like its YOUR choice to race 12 nationals (ride a dirtbike for a living) when its hot and get home at midnight 12 times a year. (try not coming home for 12 months at a time) There are only about 80 guys in the US that get the rare privledge to ride for a living, for about 5-7 years then its over, better stop complaining and start embracing because its over quickly. And there 25,000 fans on the other side of the fence that WOULD LOVE to race for living. Ask those 25,000 fans if they would trade place with a garbageman, soldier in Iraq?? The sport is being shown live worldwide now, qual and racing is done all in one day, racing from 1pm to 5pm and its done. If you cant handle that then you can use that as your excuse why you will never stand on the podium at a National
Guys are always crying on here, slinging insults about how things are run when they dont have the first idea of what they are talking about. It would be better to ASK QUESTIONS OR MAKE SUGGESTIONS, Bring solutions to the table, not problems. Ive seen DC extend the invitation for suggestions a million times.
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I should explain "races shown live world wide" Race kickoff times 1pm at Unadilla East coast means 10am on TV in California, Primetime TV in Europe 6pm in England, 7pm in France, 7pm in Germany, 7pm Sweden. See the big picture for the growth of the sport??
Johnny left out being injected with Anthrax vaccine and having to take the Anti-Malaria pills everyday (Afghanistan), which make you sick, but is much better than the alternitive.
I don't consider myself a hero. Just a guy with a job not many people want. ;)
@Johnny O'Hannah, well put! "Don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution".
Why is there a problem with the nationals? How is this a failure on the races part? Whoever said "one instance is an anomoly, not a trend" hit the nail on the head. The "Liability" bug has the promoters shaking in their boots but, great reward is not without risk and this mantra goes both ways folks.
Do nothing to the format of the nationals. They are fine as is right now.
When something like this happens the tendency is to try and find some kind of fault. Often where none exists.
This is a tough sport and yes we will lose riders on occasion, as does any of the motorized sports. It is and always will be the risk we take. Avoid knee jerk reactions!
We should honor the fallen, and never forget that they passed doing something that they love, a pasion, and in many cases a purpose...a calling.
-OC
That kid had a sweet mullet.
Run supercross in the summer since the races are at night... we can call it summercross. then run the nationals during the winter since the races are during the day
There is no football during summer so you won't have problems with venues. Baseball is also coming to an end around that time.
My heart felt condolences first and foremost. From one of the older guys that has seen motos changed from 2-45 plus 2 laps , and even one promoter ran motocross races at one time 3 separate 25 minute races back at Indian Dunes back in the 70s . I dont see changing a foremat any healthy benefit. Thru the years, Ive lost a handful of friends from crashes. This sport we love is a physically demanding thing. Dont make long term solutions to short term situations. Those that are at the top of the game , seek bigger challenges. The MX nationals are the level most only dream of . Godspeed Josh, roost away!
very sad time for family and friends! motocrooss you either love it or loathe it true test of a rider ,before people try to change to prevent tragdys step back look at the situation,a crash heavy hit to chest ,heart changes rythem have another fall ,then try to restart bike ,bad situation ,
"Is Ryan Dungey turning orange?"
You're turning violet, Violet!
Reed knows what he has to do to get Dungey: HIRE ROGER DECOSTER! It's so simple!
how about this wonderful idea davey. go back to the two day format. instead of trying to cram all this racing down everyones throat. may be the first day of timed practice and qualify would get the riders used to the conditions that they are about to be subjected too, and maybe they would realize how they should take on their next day of racing. they would get more time to recover.
how about stamp collecting , thats pretty safe
I knew Josh personally, in fact there's a picture of my bike sitting in front of the funeral home in this article. For anyone who doubts his fitness let me just tell you your wrong. Josh was training so hard for that weekend its crazy. Just look at his lap times. In a way its a little bit of a relief to know he went out doing what he loved. But I don't think any of us (friends and family) can come to grasp the fact that he's not here anymore. He was one of the most talented people I've ever met. Personally I feel he was robbed out of a career. I seen a few people at his funeral that could be going places in the sport but they seemed to be not all there, and I'm not talking about being depressed. Josh had nothing but heart and he literally gave it everything he had. God speed 811 we miss you bro.
RIP Josh . Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. You got a good friend in lo-ryder 111.
I posted a suggestion on here and now I see all my posts are gone. What's with that? All I said was that the major sponsors of this sport should help put more medics trackside instead of more banner-repair people.