Ask Ping!
Friday, March 30, 2012 | 8:00 AM
ODI dates back to the 1980’s as the leader in grip manufacturing. Focusing primarily on the bmx and mountain bike industries through the 90’s and early 2000’s, ODI re-entered the motocross scene when they developed the patented lock-on grip system that eliminates wire and glue. Continuing to advance the way riders hold on to their bikes, ODI has worked closely with the teams they support such as Troy Lee Designs to create the product that is now being used by some of the top teams in the industry.
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PrintHola Senoir Pingree,
With so much concern recently among racing fans over rider nicknames, I thought that I should weigh in on this touchy, and oh so important, part of our great sport. I am finding that sleep is eluding me knowing that we have fallen so short with our modern nicknaming convention. We don't consider riding style anymore, too easy. We can’t consider ethnicity, too touchy. Regions and accents? Nah, too boring. Initials with numbers, too dumb! Alas! We have Justin Barcia who goes by BamBam, but that is not really accurate anymore now that he wins every weekend and doesn’t have to bam into anyone. In light of the sweet stache that he's rockin these days, how about this? Justache!? It's brilliant isn't it! It’s like a mix of perfect ingredients, Justin+Moustache. Also, note that since he is only rockin the stache and no other facial hair seems to be possible, at least for now. Just Stache, that’s all there is. How sweet would that butt patch be? That’s all the competition would see as he and his incredible facial hair zoom by. Write that one down in the history books, The Bomber, Bad Boy, Flying Freckle, and now we have Justache. Maybe now I can sleep.
Jay in MT
This is how you do a mustache, bishes.
Anything that draws us away from the initial/number thing is fine with me. I like Justache as much as anything else and as long as he keeps that fur hat on his upper lip it fits perfectly. There really aren’t that many guys who can pull off a mustache without looking ridiculous, and Justin certainly is not one of the few. However, big points awarded for running it anyways. Hey, if he grows it into a handlebar mustache, which would be fitting for a dirt bike racer, we could call him Justin Barstache! Okay, maybe I’m just reaching now.
PING
Dear Ping,
I heard something about Carmichael going onstage during a Britney Spears concert but when I saw this photo I was a little confused. Did a gay backup dancer molest our champion? That doesn’t look cool at all.
Carry on.
B. Lowel
With a lisp: "Does that feel nice, Mr. Man?
Wow, I hadn’t seen that photo before. Like you, I heard that RC was pulled up onstage during one of her performances. Her dad is a big motocross fan so it didn’t surprise me too much when I heard about it. I pictured her crawling around on him during a song, leaving him smelling like the inside of a perfume bottle and sparkling like the bottom half of a bass boat. But after seeing this image I actually feel bad for Ricky. There aren’t many things in this world more emasculating than being tied to a stripper pole in the back seat of a pink Barbie car and being dry humped by a guy in a tight leather vest in front of 30,000 people. It’s great to be famous and have the pull to get invited onstage but I’m guessing RC would have given anything to be jockeying for position out in the sea of ordinary people at that moment.
PING
Dear Ping,
Jake Weimer made a comment Saturday night that I thought was very interesting, and maybe a little controversial. “It’s unbelievable to me that some people make the main event and just roll around.” He may have been whining a little, (like I’m about to) but I completely agree. Why does the AMA allow those guys to stay on the track when they’re not racing? If they’re in the main and they DNF after a few laps, do they not still get paid and earn points for finishing in the top 20?
One thing I would suggest changing, which may help this situation, it to starting taking fewer riders from the heats and more from the LCQ, (maybe 8-8-4 instead of 9-9-2). This seems even more relevant this year since there are so many good riders in the SX class. I hate to see three or four top riders in the LCQ knowing that only two will have a chance to make it into the main.
One other thing! I had to go back to an Ask Ping article from last year to find your e-mail address. How come it’s not at the bottom of your articles anymore? (Now I’m whining.)
Thanks,
Andy
“Team Ben & Jerry’s”
The good news here is that the AMA has addressed the issue. Just a few races back they announced at the rider’s meeting that anyone not “striving to succeed” would be black-flagged during the main event. Of course that leaves a lot of room for interpretation but if a guy is just rolling around the track they will have the ability to get them out of the way. This happens for a couple different reasons: First, guys aren’t in shape to race 20 laps. Riders who struggle to make mains will usually focus on going fast for eight laps during the week since riding twenty laps is pointless if you aren’t in the final. These guys are usually spent before the gate drops for the main event and by lap five they have the anchor out and become enormous roadblocks. Secondly, guys won’t pull in because that would be quitting and they have always been told not to quit. Well, guys, this is one time you need to throw in the towel. If you can’t even jump the triples and rhythm lanes because you’re too tired then just pull it into the mechanics area. Catch your breath, roll up your tongue and shove it back in your mouth and then decide whether to head to the truck or ride a couple more laps. While these guys aren’t racing for good finishing positions they can still beat another rider who pulls off sooner than they do. And for their attrition they are awarded an extra point and about $25 extra.
I really like your idea about the LCQ. I’m not sure the fine folks at Feld and the AMA read this article but if they do I hope they will consider it. There have been many instances this year where good riders finished third or fourth in the LCQ after several of them had trouble in the heats.
Thanks for pointing out that we don’t have a link for questions… if there isn’t one at the bottom of this page now I’ll be sure to write a strongly-worded letter to my managing editor requesting one.
Cheers
PING
Got a question for Ping? E-mail him at [email protected].
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Better nick names would def be better! Can you imagine what people outside our industry think, when they hear all the riders called their initials/numbers. I will bet they think we sure are a witty bunch...
Nothing has got to better, than the rev up author/douscher calling one of the baddest dudes in our sport "RV Park". That has got to be the dumbest all time nickname I have ever heard.. In my opinion....
And it's about time the ama gets their act together and starts doing what they are supposed to be doing. I am a big follower of mx/sx, and I think the ama has gone down hill in a major way over the last decade. They are never gonna be what they should be, cause it could have too much negative impact on our "big business" which moto has become, but they need to lay down some laws and stick to em!!! Some of the rider shenanigans thats pulled and not addressed is un-believeable! Suspension of one race, should be mandatory for any rider intentionally cheating in any way. Boy that sure would get alot of fellas to think twice on lining up crooked on the gate, or cutting the track, or any other of the bs Team Alessi thinks is fair.
They need to bring back the semis instead of switching the number taken from the qualifiers, cause not only would it help out getting more enthused guys in there, but it would also give us more show.
GO K DUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to see a 107% rule or a one off version of this. Only allow the riders who are within a certain speed and ability of the top riders race. It is not safe for anyone of any ability on the track to be racing at far different paces.
I like the 8-8-4 idea.
Lose the stupid nickname craze, already. I don't know why people need to try to come up with names for the riders. Do they feel if their idea is used, it will somehow validate what they perceive as their 'moto-coolness'? And when their nicknames are used, I have to stop and think, "now, who are they talking about?" I don't like to think, and it's always about me.
Holy crap Ricky!
Oh and +1 on 8,8 and 4. Didn't they used to do 8,8 and 2,2? (An LCQ for each heat.)
Not to be offensive but do some simple math folks. The reason they do 9-9-2 is because there are 20 riders on the gate for a heat. If you qualify 9 from each heat that leaves 22 riders for the LCQ gate, a gate which only has 22 spots. If you only qualify 8 from each then you have more riders than gates. The obvious answer to me is fill all 22 gates for the main.
And no they never did 8 from the qualifiers for the reasons listed above. For 125 main events they ran 22 guys by qualifying 9-9-4 and 2 guys didn't get points.
I have to say that is "The" strangest setting I have ever seen the GOAT in? - holy crap, I have to feel bad for chuckling to myself after reading that about one of my hero's I am a huge fan of RC. That guy fondling him in his assless leather chaps, would make anyone especially a ginger turn an unsafe shade of Red. lets just hope Britney does not resort back to showing off her kind of ugly little monkey mouth. - Yes erase this whole thought and carry on.
Everyone one knows that Barcia's offical nickname is Nutduster.He's had it for weeks.
If these riders are not in shape for a 17 minute moto in the 450 class what will they do in the outdoors? They should not only black flag them but put a cloth bag over their helmets the next race that reads, "just here for the party".
8-8-4 might help but I am still thinkin 15 guy mains might be better?
Or go all new, If your in the top 10 in points you don't need to race the heats?? Might make it good too. At least when you go to the race you know the top guys will be in the Race for sure. Then give them 10 guys an 8 lap mandatory timed heat for gate pick so the fans still get to see them out there twice. would be some good fights between the guys in 9th thru 12 in points for sure every week trying to stay in or get into the top 10.
The ama should call it the jeff alessi rule,after 5 laps he rolls around the other 15!!
Jake Whiner....... I like Jake, but man he has had a few pitty party interviews this year....I understand he was irritated and upset....but trying to downplay what you clearly stated on live TV to save face....he sounds a lot like another rider out there who has been known to just whine....delivery of your statement is key...its not always what you say, but HOW you say it.....Tito...get me a tissue
if ifs and buts was candy and nuts.......
A step in the right direction this week Ping. You have one question worth reading instead of the usual garbage you have on here.
Jake is whining quite a bit, but he took full responsibility for what he did. He also was stating his honest opinion which I think he should be respected for, 'cause lets face it not many riders do. Plus his honest opinion is something we all agree on.
Andy sure makes a good point. Here is an idea that has been rolling around in my head since I saw it used in a local sports car racing club event. When you get lapped, you're through. As soon as a driver would get lapped, he would be required to pull off the track, at a safe place. Perhaps we could come up with a variation of this. Maybe when 10th place laps you. The AMA needs to come up with a sensible formula, not open to interpretation, and USE IT.
I feel bad for myself. I have no brilliant ideas to make SX better. I've only been glued to it since 1980 though so maybe something will dawn on me soon to make it more interesting! (Note to Goat, it will probably wash off)
@TheChosen1--Agreed, Fred talks about nuts ALOT, and Barcia alot, maybe he is wanting to dust Barcias nuts..
Bam – uneducated delinquent
Bampot - A Scots word referring to a clumsy idiot
Just stache is looking better than ever and I hope he carries it outdoors wether it be 250/450. I can't believe Wilson hasn't clued him of the moniker imposed on Justin. the origin of Bam Bam occured sometime before Fred and Wilma named their bundle of joy.
A bampot is a colloquial term for a foolish, stupid or crazy person, as are bam and bamstick.
bampot (pronounced bam-pot) - an idiot, unhinged person
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary_of_Scottish_slang_and_jargon
Either way, Justin is straight up ripping, keep up the good work!
HELP someone has kidnapped my favorite racer and handcuffed him to a post in a lifesize Barbie car complete with nancyboys , and is making him smell Britney farts and do Stevie Janowski impressions............use the black flag (cgots ,cant get off the seat) rule during last 5 laps (if you've been lapped with 5 to go, your done) thereby not letting lappers effect the outcome of a race anymore than normal.
@Therealmofo Hows that Barcia cushing for a high speed Richard sucker that you have been trying to grow comming in there gayboy?
How is it that RC spends his whole life talking about surrounding himself with good people and now hangs out with the Spears clan?
@fred- I think therealmofo likes you!
I don't know how I missed that Tommy Hahn is riding Canard's bike outdoors. That rocks. I hope he's fully recovered from his injuries.
@ dickey, Bam Bam is Barney and Betty's kid.Fred and Wilma had Pebbles,maybe we can call Roczen Pebbles.
Fred and Barney were both real good bowlers.
I schlep rocked that one...i better head to asterisk mobile for impact testing!
The 8-8-4 idea is brilliant if ya ask me,.....but nobody does,.........:o
Fred is a f a g g o t!!!!!!
@MXlord327 I'm sorry that I offended you and you life partner realmofo.
I get being the whole thing about riders just cruising around because they are tired etc but it is what it is. Weimer does seem like he whines too much though, he knows his job is likely on the line. I'd say his results are about what they are going to be on the 450, with a podium every once in a while if he gets lucky. If his contract is up next year he wont be on that Kawi ride I'd bet.
Yes bring back the semi finals! 4 riders transfer from the each heat race (8), five riders transfer from each of 2 semi's (10), and 2 riders transfer from the LCQ. It work for a long time and filled the night with good racing. Some how the promoters got lazy and came up with all kinds of BS excusses. After looking at that picture I hope the Greatest of All Time doesn't become the Gayist of All Time. lol
@fred, how come they are on you so hard?