by Davey Coombs
Racerhead #16
Friday, April 20, 2012 | 5:15 PMHonda is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, and the undisputed leader in motorcycle technology. More motocross riders have won titles on Hondas than on any other bike. When you’re serious about winning, Honda is the machine for you.
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PrintWelcome to Racerhead. We're in the stretch run for Monster Energy AMA Supercross—three rounds to go before it's time to take it outside. Ironically, tomorrow night's Seattle SX is also outside—it lacks a roof, and it's been raining in the Northwest. Fortunately, the Dirt Wurx track crew and the Feld Motor Sports staff rolled out the tarps and got the track covered. Weather permitting—and it's supposed to be sunny tomorrow—it should be another epic race tomorrow night!
The track in Seattle is wrapped up right now and staying warm and cozy...
Jeff Canfield photo
Of course Ryan Villopoto already has successfully defended his #1 plate, but he will have extra motivation this weekend: Not only is Seattle basically his hometown race, but his opponent Ryan Dungey of the Red Bull KTM team will finally be back. Dungey has been out since Daytona, though he somehow raced St. Louis the week before and finished a solid second with a cracked collarbone. He's healed up, he's back, and he will likely be frontrunner.
You can also add Ken Roczen to the mix as Dungey's teammate. The German teen will be on the 350 for Red Bull KTM, and he told me earlier this week how much he's looking forward to not only this race, but finishing up SX all together and turning his attention to the outdoors and the Lucas Oil 250 Motocross Championship. Roczen has ridden well in the East, but maybe below the high expectations some have had for him—especially his fans in Europe, or anyone who saw him at the last two Motocross of Nations races, where he was the top 250-class rider. When asked what the biggest surprise has been for him in this first year in America, Roczen said it was the grind of travel.
Ken Roczen is enjoying his American racing adventure, but the travel has been more than he expected.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
Think about it this: By the time the second Grand Prix of the year is run on Sunday, we will have fifteen rounds of supercross in the books. Roczen didn't do them all, but that's still quite a change from the relatively spaced FIM World Championships where he raced the last couple of years.
The third member of the Red Bull KTM team, Marvin Musquin, will also be back, as will the entire West Region Lites class. After a long hiatus, the title battle between Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Dean Wilson and GEICO Honda's Eli Tomac begins anew. When we last left them in San Diego in February, Tomac threw away a sizable points lead with a huge crash in the whoops. He's all healed up now, and ready to go—and so is Wilson, so this should be epic!
Congratulations to Justin Barcia on winning his second East Region SX title.
Carl Stone photo
On a different note, if you are a bench-racer like I am—if it's incredibly important to you to know exactly what place Kevin Windham got in all 200-and-some starts, or if you just have to know who got fifteenth at the 1976 Anaheim Supercross, or just how many times has a European-brand been on the podium—you're in for a good weekend. That's because the Racer X Vault has been expanded and is now packed with every AMA Supercross result since 1974! Thanks to historians like Larry Lawrence and Nick McCabe, plus help from the AMA, and finally master engine builder Cole Thorsen of Impulse Studios, we are really doing some bench-racing now!
Be sure to swing by and check it out. While it's still a work in progress, it's come a long way in recent weeks. We've cleaned up all of the motocross results too, as well as added the WMX/WMA results. It's all searchable and sortable in a variety of ways. Data throughout the years has been relatively inconsistent, but we're working hard to remedy that so there's a legitimate, one-stop resource for all historical professional results in the United States. And you can help! If you spot inconsistencies in our data, please let us know at [email protected].
Also, coming soon: every rider, every class, every moto, every year from the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch!
Coming down off the hill at Broome-Tioga, David Bailey passes Broc Glover in 1984
"Wardy went 2-1 and got the overall and Johnny (O'Mara) was bummed, RJ swept the 250 (hardest class) and I swept the 500. Gina took this shot of me passing Broc in the second moto. Somehow I didn't fall. One of those years where everything went smooth, except for those milk jug hand guards."
Somehow, David Bailey did not crash at this moment!
The way we were: Check out this funny old Honda commercial, a classic starring Malcolm Smith, back when Malcolm was easily the most popular motorcycle rider in the country (at least the most famous besides the actor Steve McQueen). Thanks to Pat Schutte for unearthing this gem on YouTube.
Ricky Carmichael University is going global! RC is teaming up with his old friend James Dobb and some folks in England to a special riding school on June 18-19 in Doncaster. I have been to RCU a couple of times at Daytona and it's as much about fun as it is about riding faster—Carmichael is an excellent instructor and his race stories are just incredible. He also has very good advice for parents, having been raised in the spotlight of amateur motocross (and raised well by his parents, Rick and Jeanie). If you're anywhere near that part of the world, it's an incredible opportunity to spend some time with the GOAT and go faster!
Sadly, news from New York says that a Ryan D. Mills, 26, from Modena, was arrested again on suspicion of burglary. According to the Daily Freeman Journal, Mills was arrested Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. by state police at Gardiner and charged with felony burglary and four misdemeanors: possession of burglary tools, petit larceny, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a hypodermic instrument. He was released on bail.
Okay, on that sad note, let me turn this over to Jason Weigandt:
It's tempting to say that the DNA Energy/Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki team was ready to celebrate—or was simply relieved by—their first podium finish last weekend in New Orleans with Josh Grant's excellent effort. But anyone working for the team is quick to point out that podiums are nothing new for them. It just looks different now.
The JWR team is actually the old L&M team, minus one high-profile team manager (Larry Brooks) and a mega-star rider (first Chad Reed, later James Stewart). Otherwise the name is different and the bike brand is new, but the staff and shop are the same. And while Wardy is now involved in the operation, Mike Kranyak, who owned L&M, is still the owner of this team. Because it's the same team!
A revitalized Josh Grant had his best race of the year in the Big Easy.
Carl Stone photo
Honestly, I think these guys are relieved to actually not be battling for this year's title, if that makes any sense. From the start, L&M was right in the thick of the pressure and drama, driven hard by the notoriously competitive Brooks and the very high standards of Stewart and Reed.
The men at the helm now are much quieter, and it reflects in their demeanor. Team Manager Paul DeLaurier is not a trash-talker or an ego guy. He's as knowledgable and passionate about the sport as anyone but doesn't go out of his way to show it. And Ward, of course, is one of the most successful racers of all time, and yet he is known for being humble and not at all flashy.
I've talked to Ward and DeLaurier all season and they've never seemed alarmed over a lack of results. Even in an injury-depleted field, Chisholm and Grant have been hard-pressed to find the top five, let alone the podium. But Paul maintains that this is a rebuilding year, with an eye on the future, both this summer's Lucas Oil Motocross Championship and next season. In fact, I don't think I know of another team with this kind of personnel and resources that thinks this far ahead—when you're used to winning, you usually can't help but live and dye by the results every weekend. So far, this team continues to preach patience. And so does Grant, actually, who warned in an interview that just because he finished second in New Orleans doesn't mean he will kill himself for a podium at the final three SX rounds. He, too, is just trying to rebuild himself for the future.
The forecast is calling for a sunny day tomorrow in Seattle.
BrownDogWilson photo
With that, I turn the mic over to Steve Matthes:
We’re heading to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for Seattle, and just like Washougal for the outdoor series, I enjoy going to this part of the country. And it looks like the weather is going to hold off, which is great for the fans who have to sit in the open-air home of the Seahawks. I’ve written this before, but every year I hear from everyone wondering why Paul Allen, the owner of the NFL’s Seahawks, built an open-air stadium when the Pacific Northwest is known for its wet conditions. I wondered the same thing also, and one year I met the guy who runs the place in the elevator and asked him that very question. He told me that Allen did research on what the weather was like for the previous 100 years on Sundays during the football season and found out that it really didn’t rain all that much. So, henceforth, the stadium was built with no roof and, as the guy told me, Allen doesn’t care all that much about anything else that goes on there other than the Seahawks. So now you know.
The SX series is coming to an end but we’re slowly getting some of the walking wounded back. Last week was Nick Wey and Andrew Short and this week it’s Chris Blose and Ryan Dungey. That’s right, The Dunge is coming back, and things just got interesting insofar as who is going to get second in the points behind Ryan Villopoto. Davi Millsaps has a small lead right now over Justin Brayton but you have to think that Dungey is going to have a chance at it now as well. This is the battle, folks!
Shout-out to Blose’s mechanic this weekend, Scott Donkersgoed, who is working for Blose on the Motosport.com team along with his regular rider Justin Sipes. He’s pulling double duty! He’ll go to the line with Blose but along with Nick Wey’s wrench, Big Nasty, both guys will make sure Sipes is taken care of. You just don’t see this type of heart and effort in the mechanic’s ranks anymore. Incredible stuff.
Ryan Dugey's return provides a much needed spark to the Supercross class.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
I’m looking forward to the resumption of the West Region Lites Series, and as I said in Going for the W earlier this week, look for guys like Wil Hahn, Cole Seely, and Marvin Musquin to be a little sharper and a little more on point than the other guys because they’ve been racing. The battle between Dean Wilson and Eli Tomac should be great. Lots of people are asking me who I’ve got, but honestly, it’s too close to call. Both guys are great and I suppose it will come down to the starts, which it so often does.
As far as the James Stewart JGR saga, well, nothing new to report there. James is hurt and won’t be at the next two races, and the team has privateer Gavin Faith to fill in. Faith’s been sneaky good this year—he’s got some real skills—and kudos to the JGR guys for once again helping out the little guys.
And there is something to the James Stewart-leaving-JGR thing: it’s real and there are talks behind the scenes. Whether he does or not, we should know real soon. If he goes anywhere, it will be factory Suzuki and it will be officially for the start of the 2013 supercross series, although my sources say that if he feels comfortable on the yellow bike, later on in June or July he could show up for some nationals. But I don’t think he’s racing motocross on a JGR Yamaha—he doesn’t have to by the terms of his contract, and with the way his year is going, I’m not looking to see him on the line at Hangtown on blue or yellow. Best-case scenario is later on in the summer, methinks.
Whether or not it’s true, the fact that James thinks the Yamaha is not the bike for him is in his head. And if you’ve ever dealt with riders, you know that the brain is often the strongest tool these guys have. Whether it’s true or not, James thinks the bike is part of the reason why he’s not having the same success as before and that’s an open or shut deal. What are you going to do? Convince him otherwise by typing out an online manifesto on why the Yamaha works for you in the local Vet B class?
Can Wilson hold off Tomac and Seely when the West Region Lites Series returns tomorrow night in Seattle?
Simon Cudby photo
So what’s the hold-up? Well, like a lot of things, it’s the dollars and cents of the deal. We know that James almost went yellow before the season but the deal just wasn’t good enough, and when Stewart rode the JGR Yamaha, he was convinced that the guys there could make a bike that worked for him. Sources also tell me that Suzuki is going to be able to find out its budget for 2013 this week and that it would take “a couple of days” for Stewart and his lawyers to get out of the JGR deal. I’m told the JGR guys, some of the nicest people in the pits, would be open to James getting out of his contract if he asked because we can all see it’s not working and they’re shelling out some serious money for not-so-serious results.
So let’s wait and see what happens. I know the fans and the industry are salivating with every rumor they hear but for right now, we’re all just waiting. These things aren’t easy to do—a lot of pieces have to come together, and in the end, if Suzuki can’t make it work for Stewart, it’s back to the drawing board for Stewart and JGR.
Stay tuned next week!
Okay, over to Ping:
This link looks pretty good for a place that rains, on average, about 366 days per year. My guess is that the track will be pretty good come race time. That’s great news, because you hate to see a supercross title skewed because of a mud race. The most exciting part of the weekend will be the Lites-class main event where Tomac and Wilson will go head-to-head for that championship. The two points separating them aren’t much of a cushion, but they could be the difference when the checkered flag falls in Las Vegas. If Wilson wins this Saturday it puts Eli in a must-win situation for the last two. That’s a lot of pressure. However, if Eli shows up in Seattle with the same speed and fire he had at the opening rounds, he is going to have Wilson on his heels. Good luck to both of them—it’s going to be fun to watch.
Tomac looks to regain the points lead after coughing up over 20 in San Diego.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
It’s great news that Ryan Dungey is healthy and returning to action. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn’t change much, though. I’m sure he just wants to get a few gate drops under his belt again before Hangtown where he at least has a shot at the title. I’m hoping he can make that series interesting.
Since DC is putting up cool, old-school Honda commercials, here’s one with Steve McQueen himself. The actor was paid $1 million for his part in the ad, which aired in Japan.
Now here's Aaron Hansel:The title may be clinched but there are still some great stories happening in supercross, ones that would normally be overshadowed by the action at the front. One of those stories is Cody Gilmore, a privateer who has been trying since 2011 to make a 450 main—a feat he was finally able to accomplish in New Orleans. While qualifying for an AMA Supercross-class main certainly makes you one of the baddest dudes in the world on a dirt bike, the fact that Gilmore is a cancer survivor makes this story all the more interesting. When Gilmore was 18, he was diagnosed with bone cancer, and a growing tumor in his back temporarily caused him to lose all feeling in his legs. We ran a story about Gilmore in our May 2011 issue, so I won’t rip off my own article and repost it here, but needless to say, Gilmore’s recovery process wasn’t fun. Of course, surgery, radiation, feeding tubes, chemotherapy, and brittle, broken bones never are.
Cody Gilmore made the main at New Orleans. Well done!
Andrew Fredrickson photo
“New Orleans was just another night,” Gilmore says. “I was by myself all weekend, I didn’t have a mechanic with me or anything, but as far as the night, it felt normal. In fact, I didn’t feel good on the track at all. In practice, I didn’t feel comfortable, it was kind of weird.” But despite feeling out of sync, Gilmore was able to put some good laps together in his heat and transfer to the main, where he would eventually finish in sixteenth place.
“I’ve made a few Lites races before, but this was the first 450 main I’ve made it into,” Gilmore explains. “I didn’t even realize it right away. I didn’t have a mechanic with me, so I didn’t know what place I was in. When I pulled off, Gus, the guy who hauls our bikes, told me I got tenth, so I was pretty bummed. But back in the pit area, I found out I had gotten ninth. I’m just happy to have finally made one! I’ve been close a few times, but for the most part I’ve been struggling all year, and it’s been tough. There was a few times that I didn’t know if I was going to keep racing, just based on funds and all that stuff. But I was able to keep going, and I’m glad I did. I’m glad I didn’t give up before the end of the year!”
Congrats, Cody, you deserve it. Back to DC.
If you've been playing the Mad Skills Motocross for iOS Tournament, you're in for a treat when the next round begins tomorrow (Saturday) at 4 p.m. Eastern. That's because this week's track was designed entirely by Ryan Morais, and it's a good one. Ryan's still on the mend, so he's got some time on his hands, which you'll sense when you see how carefully build his track is. It's a technical supercross track, and it's a ton of fun. I think it's safe to say you'll see more Ryan Morais tracks in Mad Skills Motocross in the future.
The FIM Motocross World Championship gets back underway this weekend with their second round in Bulgaria. Sevlievo is a much different track than the sandy opener at Valkenswaard, so we may see different winners than title favorites Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings. Also, Michael Leib is joining the circuit to fill in for the still-injured Zach Osborne on the Monster Energy Yamaha team. Leib has raced the GPs before, and he had a stellar winter in the West Region in the first Monster Energy AMA Supercross events he ever entered.
We got in touch with Leib to see how the whole adventure came about:
"Steve Dixon contacted me a week before the first GP and we tried to put a deal together but ran out of time so I started training for Seattle SX. I had been riding mostly outdoors and my speed and fitness was good. In the back of my mind I knew that I left the GPs not on my own terms and it would be cool to race a few of them on good equipment. After the first GP (in Holland) Steve contacted me again and with the help of Josh Pitts we figured it out.
Leib's new jersey for the Bulgarian GP and his fill-in ride for Zach Osborne.
"As for after Italy my plans are to get home and possibly race Vegas and be ready for Hangtown. My Dad (Don Leib, of Rocket Exhausts) is building bikes for the outdoors, Chad Sanner (Eleven10 Mods) will be bringing my bikes to the races and that’s our current plan. I also really want to give a shout out to JT Racing. I have a contract with them and they have been really cool allowing me to pursue this opportunity. Thanks JT Racing!"
Also, the Gorna Rositza track in Bulgaria will also host the first the UEM EMX125 championship, which is a pan-European series for promising young riders on 125cc motorcycles. You can watch the races online at www.mx-life.tv on Sunday for a fee, or you can purchase a season pass.
See the full TV schedule below.
|
Episode |
Date |
Time (ET) |
Race |
Series |
|
1 |
Apr 22 |
3:30 |
River Ranch ATV |
GNCC |
|
2 |
Apr 29 |
4:30 |
River Ranch Bikes |
GNCC |
|
3 |
May 5 |
6:30 |
Aonia Pass MX |
ATV MX |
|
4 |
May 26 |
6:30 |
Georgia ATV |
GNCC |
|
5 |
Jun 10 |
5:00 |
Georgia Bike |
GNCC |
|
6 |
Jun 10 |
5:30 |
Steele Creek ATV |
GNCC |
|
7 |
Jun 17 |
3:30 |
Steel Creek Bike |
GNCC |
|
8 |
Jun 24 |
5:30 |
Muddy Creek |
ATV MX |
|
9 |
Jul 1 |
4:30 |
Big Buck ATV |
GNCC |
|
10 |
Jul 1 |
5:00 |
Big Buck Bikes |
GNCC |
|
11 |
Jul 8 |
4:30 |
ATV MX |
|
|
12 |
Jul 15 |
4:30 |
Mammoth ATV |
GNCC |
|
13 |
Aug 19 |
4:30 |
Mammoth Bike |
GNCC |
|
14 |
Sep 2 |
5:30 |
Walnut |
ATV MX |
|
15 |
Sep 9 |
5:30 |
Indy 100 ATV |
GNCC |
|
16 |
Sep 16 |
6:30 |
Indy 100 Bike |
GNCC |
|
17 |
Sep 23 |
5:30 |
Loretta Lynn MX |
MX |
|
18 |
Sep 30 |
5:30 |
Loretta Lynn MX |
MX |
|
19 |
Oct 7 |
4:00 |
Balance |
ATV MX |
|
20 |
Oct 14 |
5:30 |
Masontown ATV |
GNCC |
|
21 |
Oct 21 |
5:30 |
Masontown Bike |
GNCC |
|
22 |
Oct 28 |
5:30 |
ATV MX |
|
|
23 |
Nov 4 |
5:30 |
Millfield |
ATV MX |
|
24 |
Nov 11 |
5:30 |
Snowshoe ATV |
GNCC |
|
25 |
Nov 18 |
5:30 |
Snowshoe Bike |
GNCC |
|
26 |
Nov 25 |
5:30 |
ATV MX |
|
|
27 |
Dec 2 |
5:30 |
John Penton ATV |
GNCC |
|
28 |
Dec 9 |
5:00 |
ATV MX |
|
|
29 |
Dec 9 |
5:30 |
Loretta Lynn |
ATV MX |
|
30 |
Dec 16 |
5:00 |
John Penton Bike |
GNCC |
|
31 |
Dec 16 |
5:30 |
Unadilla ATV |
GNCC |
|
32 |
Dec 23 |
5:00 |
Unadilla Bike |
GNCC |
|
33 |
Dec 23 |
5:30 |
Power Line ATV |
GNCC |
|
34 |
Dec 30 |
5:30 |
Power Line Bike |
GNCC |
|
35 |
Jan 6 |
TBD |
Ironman ATV |
GNCC |
|
36 |
Jan 6 |
TBD |
Ironman Bike |
GNCC |
|
37 |
Jan 13 |
TBD |
Loretta's Bike |
GNCC |
|
38 |
Jan 13 |
TBD |
Loretta's ATV |
GNCC |
|
39 |
Jan 20 |
TBD |
UTV/Utility |
GNCC |
|
40 |
Jan 20 |
TBD |
UTV/Utility |
GNCC |
|
41 |
Feb 3 |
TBD |
UTV/Utility |
GNCC |
|
42 |
Feb 3 |
TBD |
UTV/Utility |
GNCC |
|
43 |
Feb 10 |
TBD |
UTV/Utility |
GNCC |
|
44 |
Feb 10 |
TBD |
UTV/Utility |
GNCC |
WPS in Boise is hosting a very special ride day for their dealers at corporate headquarters on Monday at their own private track. Invited dealers will be treated to riding sessions, fresh tires from Pirelli, and tips from JGR/Pirelli rider Davi Millsaps, Tom Carson, and the Asterisk Mobile Medical Unit will be on hand for tours of the unit and will have the new Ultra Cell knee braces to try on and be fitted. Doug Dubach himself will be here to install Dr. D pipes for testing and will be available to answer any questions. Leatt will be there fitting Fly neck braces. Also present will be company reps from Dragon, EBC, Liquid Image, and Fly.
Getting the WPS track ready for company next week at the WPS track in Boise.
In addition on display will be:
▪ The Pirelli Event truck
▪ Two of the Team Honda trucks
▪ The Joe Gibbs Racing truck
▪ The JDR Motorsports truck
▪ Both of the Hart and Huntington trucks
▪ The Team KTM truck
▪ The Jeff Ward Racing truck
Look for a Racer X Film from this event soon after.
Okay, that's it, but that's a lot. Stay tuned all day long to Racer X Online for news from Seattle, as well as our tweets and some Instagram stuff. Thanks for reading Racerhead, see you at the races.
World's most interesting track walk?
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I'm sorry.. but Chad Reed looks like he has a clown outfit on in that photo.
Just returned from Friday practice...Larry Ward was was finalizing the setup on his Noleen/Sizzler Backed Yamaha. He looked really good considering how long he's been off the bike.
Should be epic tomorrow!
"Whether it’s true or not, James thinks the bike is part of the reason why he’s not having the same success as before and that’s an open or shut deal. What are you going to do? Convince him otherwise by typing out an online manifesto on why the Yamaha works for you in the local Vet B class?"
He just called out all of the Stewtards!
"...it should be another epic race tomorrow night!"
Really?? The last "epic" race was San Diego...
"a man's bike. Honda"
Good link. Looks like it just rained. I guess they flattened out the whoops somehow for the commercial. Was that shot in Gorman?
I don’t think he’s racing motocross on a JGR Yamaha—he doesn’t have to by the terms of his contract???
Since when did that change? Their is no way that Gibbs would have just given him a SX only contract and I remember when he signed with the team Stewie even said it himself he was racing SX and MX.
All right Stewie your going to RUN AWAY from outdoors again cant say im really surprised and you wonder why everyone is really hating on you besides your hardcore lovers
No JS7 in outdoors.Big sursprise.What a puss he's done.I hate to break it to him but that Suzuki is starting to age.
Haha. Hey yzchris..better read that again...he is stating that just because the yamaha works for us in the beginner class doesn't mean it will work for js7. Kaw and cr22 didn't get along on the track...worked fine for rv...get it? So actually he is calling all the haters out...lol
Chad has baggy clothes as he probably has knee and back braces on. Thanks RacerX for such an interesting report. This site just keeps getting better and better.
I don´t understand Roczen and KTM. If all the travelling is so exhausting, why does he ride the 350?
He should take some days off and get ready for the nationals. Show everybody why you´re the world champ!
Ok so let me get this clear, RC is going to be at, and doing a riding school in Doncaster in the UK? Its only a hour away so could be tempted into that.
I guess Stewart didn´t improve his arguements for contract negotiations this year. He´s probably not going to get Suzuki to give him a nascar ride in 3 years.
He absolutely f*cked himself by being to greedy.
jbomx363..........GOOD CALL! I was thinking that his hat was on wrong and that he was missing that STUPID neck tat.
I just don't get the styling these guys put up with. Hi clothes look like the fit.....GOOD CALL jbomx363.
Riders at the level of stewie should be able to ride ANYTHING current with speed and style. I DON'T BUY THE BIKE IS THE PROBLEM B.S. STEWIE NEEDS TO PULL HIS HEAD OUT OF HIS BUTT, REMOVE HIS PREMADONNA STILLETOS, STOP PLAYING REALITY/MOVIE STAR, AND FOCUS ON WHAT HAS MADE HIM THE MAN HE THINKS HE IS.
KEN ROCZEN. WHAT A FREAKIN WINER. TRAVELING ON AN AIRPLANE IS HARD AS HELL? IF YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW WRONG YOU ARE AND HOW PRIVILEGED YOU ARE, gIVE ME A CALL AND I'LL LINE UP SOMEWORK THAT IS HARD AS HELL. I'D BET YOU DINNER THAT YOU WON'T FINISH THE DAY!!
What will Stewart's excuse be for not racing the 2013 nationals? Even on a new bike, without racing outdoors he's done. Stamp it.
I am a long time fan of racing, at 52 years old, I am getting tired of seeing all of the riders getting hurt, and have to ask, what is going on ? James Stewart is getting old, as I do not even like watching him ride anymore, all the bling bling, and the waste of money and talent. The stewart family has a great story, but then the money was just too much, and it's all going to end soon ! No one cares like the once looked forward to seeing them race.
So disappointing that James has more natural ability in his little toe than most riders have as a whole & once again it is wasted. With determination like RC & hunger like CR he could of been one of the greatest. Instead we will have him sit out another season outdoors. I guess when he retires he might look back at the years wasted? So sad. Reedy just gains more respect for doing it when the cards were not their. Like everyone else we could all see JS wasn't going outdoors. Years are passing James & you don't get them over!
Well at least Speed has this race, because CBS will most likely air some paid advertisement instead of the last two rounds. About all the complaining about CBS, I hope it does'nt fall on deaf ears. Kick CBS to the curb! They don't care about the worlds greatest sport. Bring on the outdoors-MX for life!
In The Vault CZ should be listed at CZ, not C-z.
Hey yzchris76, ya better read it again...if Weege is calling anybody out it is the anti-js crowd who all say the bike is just fine because they are winning on it in local races....big difference buddy!! I'll admit folks, i still believe that there is a better bike for the guy as i truly believe he still has what it takes to win in this class against this field!! If he does end up on a Suzuki and results don't improve i'll be quick to admit to being wrong about it. I'm gonna give it one more shot, and like Weege said, if it is a factor or not, if James has in his head that it is, that is enough for it to have an effect on things!! I personally believe it is in his head that there is a better fit for him!! Maybe we will find out once and for all....i hope so, either way!!
yzchris76 - you are a dip shit who can't read.
I know it has some what to do with his head, but you can see it when he rides the bike. Not only that but in his TWMX interview he talks about Dungey being 5 seconds faster then him a lap at milestone MX testing right after last years SX. I highly doubt if it wasn't the bike RD would be smoking him that bad. That is the difference between a A, B rider sometimes.
Everyone needs to remember...JS suffered the same wrist injury as RJ...I am not a fan of his but I can understand its a career ender. I do hope that JS had a clause in his contract, about switching brands. Maybe he would do better on a Suzuki and maybe not! We will see this summer how it goes,without James in the mix it just might be another boring season!!!! No Chad to liven things up and fight, it will be up to RV & RD to get it done.
Thanks Matthes for staying hot on the JGR / JS saga because, expiring minds want to know! (and listening to another story on injured riders is no fun).
I really hope this doesn't reflect poorly on the JGRMX camp as they have done wonderful things in this sport and cannot be held responsible for the talents' behavior.
Furthermore, I wouldn't hold it against them for going with the Yamaha deal because they (Yamaha) simply had more stability than U.S. Suzuki, who seems to never know what they're doing until the last minute -36 seconds. Providing a stable home is job #1 of a parent and they should be applauded for trying to be the best "home" they can be for their riders.
I've seen posts that are knocking the Suzuki RMZ-450. This has me baffled because that bike may be the most developed, refined and worthy mount capable of top-tier racing available. That RMZ has had it's essence tweaked by (in no particular order) the likes of DeCoster, Ian Harrison (motor guru par excellence)Gosselar (golden wrench + tax), GOAT, Reed, Dungey and now Yoshimura has their hands on it. I've heard they have made some OK motors in their day (sarcasm alert).
There would be absolutely ZERO chance of another "it's the bike" story. Power is not the issue, nor is it suspension, it's always been the handling and the Suzukis are absolute razors, always have been.
I'm not a big Suzuki fan (mostly because of their business management) but, you have to give respect where it's due and that bike is possibly the most well-developed premeire-class bike in SX history.
I'd like to say something like "with any luck at all, blah, blah, blah" but, everyone knows luck has nothing to do with it. It's all on JS' shoulders now. SWEAT EQUITY will show us all what JS is really made of.
When will these manufacturers and sponsors stop bending over backwards for this guy? He's not the fmotp anymore. Not even close. But he still wants his millions and race part time. I really hope Suzuki tells him to race both series or find another bike. Is he really that clueless about his deteriorating skills and racing part time? I hope not.
I'd also like to know the "real" story about the whole L&M / Stewart / Brooks bruhaha. Time has come to air that laundry, gentlemen (whomever that may be).
We (the fans) are not ignorant to the goings on in the industry and that whole deal stunk to the high-heavens. It's usually politicians who want their dealings done in the dark. What's to hide? Is the someone that's paying for the non-disclosure stipulations affraid of having their business see the light of day? Why?
Insentive-based contract for Stewart. Stamp that!
Red Bull can't kick up a jet so they're riders can get to the races without having to be groped and fondled at the airport??
Also you would think traveling back and forth across ONE country would be light years easier than crossing national borders in Europe......
Does that mean Stewart taking Metty's ride for 2013?
super_fro_daddy, There's no such thing as TSA in europe. Worldwide travel 1, U.S. travel 0.
I'm with CodyRem, can we just stop putting JS7 at the top of the pecking order with these specialized contracts? If anything Suzuki should develop a contract based on results. Maybe start off with just finishing a race.
I think he's done, let's move on.
No 2 ways about it! Actually, super_fro_daddy, there are 2 ways about it. Bubbbbber is one of the greatest riders ever. ANd-----Bubbbbbber is a pu%$#@*&. As is any national-numbered buy who will not race the Nationals--EVEN IF HE HAS TO DO IT ON HIS OWN DIME, AS IN, "I love this STUFF(NOT THE WORD I WANTED)!!!" BUT NOOOOO! IT'S TOOOOO HARRRRRRRD. IT'S TOOOOOO GROOOLING. And you have to be in it for the LONG HAULLLLLLLLL.........
Finally all of the Haters are called out .! Here we are given insider info , and still , the haters interpret it wrong ! must be in the Genes ! KeyBoard Warriors !
I love that commercial with a1976 Honda XL-350. I raced mine at Mt. Clemens raceway in 1982- Keith Bowen was there on a 125. They made me run it in the Open class against the 500cc 2-strokes. Back then 4-strokes were a rare novelty. I had mine all stripped down for motocross racing- but I forgot to remove the license plate. Then somebody complained and I held up the whole race getting it removed on the starting line. It actually handled pretty good once you took off the big heavy headlight assembly the gauges, tailite and turn signals. It had a big heavy battery too. Whenever I launched the beast skyward it would land with a resounding clank, and knock the fillings out of my teeth. The motor was a real stump puller- run everything a gear high. I ended up getting run off the track on the way to the first turn, but came back and finished ahead of 8 guys on current mx bikes. Then later it got stolen.
I cannot wait til this Stewart debacle is settled and he is on another bike. I just want to see "the truth", then everyone can move on. Whatever way it goes, alot of people are going to be wrong. He comes back and kills it, the yamaha is a P.O.S. He comes back and kills himself, He is a wash-up. Either way, I just want to know, and see it all come to an end. If he does come out and kill it, does anyone think Yamaha's '14 bike will see major refinements? Atleast the real truth will be out and we can all talk and argue about other stuff other than whether the yamaha is a good machine or not.
I guess the big problem for James then is that a rider's greatest weapon may be his head. He is clearly at a severe disadvantage there then. Bike shmike, he needs some brain food. Taco Bell cinnatwists aren't it neither. Poor Suzuki will be the next to suffer the drama that has become James Stewart. He missed the boat, all of this nonsense is what should have been the center of Bubba's World. Big $$ signings and subsequent contract wrangling and termination of agreements. Lawyers must love James. Cha-ching, there goes more bling into the lawyers' coffers.
Preston, actually James is the center of Matthes comments. As in it doesn't matter if it is the bike or not if James THINKS it is. The "haters" (who I will start calling the realists) suffered nothing by that comment. But just like Stewart, all that matters is what is in the Stewtards' heads as opposed to what is real, right? No wonder they follow their fearless leader mindlessly.....errr I mean passionately.
Stewart the fastest excuse on earth. JOKE washed up or actually he never really was
I believe Ken Roczen when he says the travel is tough. I'm a Pilot for a large regional airline (Hi K-dub, Hi Ricky), and for years I've flown 6-8 hours over a 12-13 hour shift, then getting a nice 6.5 hours of sleep, flown another similar day, only to go home and do the same trip again the next two days before resting up over the weekend before doing it all over again the next week. I thought it was funny that USA Today listed Pilots as one of the jobs where professionals got the most sleep. Ha! (No I still would not trade jobs with most, unless it was a pro-motocross deal, lol)
This will be the 4th year in a row that Bubba flaked on the Nationals. No surprise. It's always the bike or the teams fault that he cant go racing. Quiters never win and winners never quit.
Those commercials are classic,I had never seen them before.A million seems like a lot for back then but it was McQueen.That would be great to get paid that much to have a blast.
And reverend Malcolm Smith,that was funny.
JS7 fans are like slutty girls with daddy issues, the worse you treat them the more loyal they are lol
I still chuckle at all of JS7's moron fans getting excited about him racing the outdoors, he wasn't racing outdoors even if he had good results this year, don't expect to ever see him outdoors again, it won't happen. Suzuki as a team doesn't have much going for it right now, if they sign bubbles they will give him a supercross only contract or an option for him to opt out if he desires and gave the results he promised in sx. i find it funny that he says he will for his fans then doesn't and his nuthugger fans just squeexe harder instead of just letting go and cheering for someone else.
Can't wait to see the points chase between DW and ET, going to be some good racing. Great to see Dungey back to shake up the predictable results in the 450's.
joshuamccollum802
"You can;t handle the truth"
There is absolutely no irony in the fact that both the Seattle stadium and the outdoor nationals are in open air. It may be a coincidence, but not even a major coincidence. On another note, congrats to Cody Gillmore. Keep giving it your all.
Wow, factory Suzuki, huh. Red Bull must be real happy or their done with JS too.
So... KROC has issues with all the travel. I understand that would be tough. How about the privateers traveling in thier boxvans to every race? Hello? The guy (and I like him) has everything handed to him and still complains. Well, yes, he earned everything, I will admit, but that comment did really add to the posts of people saying he's a whiner. It doesn't do anything for him, in that respect. I am glad I don't have to speak on the air or comment professionally on here cause it puts you in a position where you really need to watch what you say. Makes the robot type podium speeches more understandable. But like most others, I do like the "down to earth interviews" like K-DUB's. And it seems noone ever burns on him for his comments. Perhaps that is part off what makes him so great! Speaking of great-it's great to see RD 5 back!
@scrubthis ...Talk about an Obsession with JS .. Buddy its you , you post over and over again saying the same thing , I have counted at least 10 posts in a row , about JS , from you , Kinda like when your a little kid , in love ! Your obsessive Man Crush on Stewie is shining through dude , and we all can see it !
About some other good news! I got my new Racer X in the mail yesterday!!! Now I have to try to not read it all at once?
To all who bash K-Roc, LOTS of guys have said the same thing there first full year, RD, TC and many others.
Let's see waht Roczen has for everyone this summer, then we can put it all to rest. But I was there in Colorado watching Kenny leading those 450 riders for a bit, so the kid has some real outdoor speed. Its funny how time goes buy when I watched lil Stewie ride his first pro race. He crashed all over the place, but yet it was interesting to watch this kid ride. We are looking at 10 years later and James has not accomplished as much as he should have. The hunger and kill instinct is not there. So another summer off waking boarding and hanging out while the rest of the competition put themselves thru the test again. But it would be interesting to see if another bike would make a difference. As some of you said, then we can all put it to rest. Good to see Dungey coming back.
LOL wow, stfu with the stewart sh1t already. Check out that pic of Bailey!!..Can't believe he didn't pinwheel it lol. Killer.
Ahh hell, KRoc is young man, new to a full series stateside, which is a hella difference from what he's used to. I just want to see what he does outdoors where he specializes moreso.
He's had some silly mistakes, but also started out with a weak arm, and a Barcia on FIRE. Sh1t happens.
I wanna see RC reincarnated beat MCs record regarding points leading the series, may be tough now tho with Dungey back.
I can see Scrubnuts sittin at his keyboard trying to figure out how to move a couple of words around on his well rehearsed "take" and make it new (in his mind only) again ....he move 'lil stew' to in front of the word crash and moves I,Q. to in front of the 'lil stew' ...."there "he says' "that ougta be good for 5 or 6 posts in a row"....he looks over at his blow up doll dressed in Havoc7's latest gear including afro wig and p'wince coat ,stares longingly at his old Jair era corncob pipe and rap lyric book ,grabs his vaseline and gets back to work......@carlsbad ...an excellent description of the championship winning RMZ450 that unfortunately now sits in a shed somewhere.bummer. RV will go all Denzel tonight and burn the house down...Go Wilson...get em lad!!!!
@ScrubThis- Why do you enjoy to belittle people who have a low IQ than your all mighty self? You probably like to stand outside of elementary schools- and throw stones at students boarding a special ed bus. You are clearly an elitist fool and in dire need of a good swift karate kick in the nads by someone of who have lower IQ than you.
Tonewall you should go pro- thats funny!
@tonewall, funny stuff! No one posts more about lil Stewie then jairtime. Maybe the New York wedding didn't work out for him after. His hubby couldn't handle the obession he had with Havoc7. lol
I compare Stewart's career to Pastrana's....Both very talented but somehow lost focus when they entered the big times.......
@Red-Arrow, is that a fair comparison? It seems to me that Travis was always injured and had suffered many severe injuries before going pro. But the again maybe I am wrong. I am sure he wished he could have bettered his racing career.
@ Braaaaap: "Stewart the fastest excuse on earth".
Lol!!!! I love it!!!
pretty sure Scrubthis is the old Jairtime ? Funny his name is a Jump at Budds , dedicated to James ... Scrub This !
@redarrow , When James hit the big times , He won a whole lot more than Pastrana ... 89 AMA pro Wins .. He is way past almost every rider in the history of the sport .. Third on the all time win list ... Just in case you are new to this sport .. Only two other riders have acomplished what he has , If he quit now , he will be remembered as one of the Best , Not getting on you , Just your comment was way off!
Man MX soon thats all I can say, these kids need to understand they made it and it could be a lot harder then flying to the races and having Limos pick you up.I love every moment of it and respect these guys there animals. But wow how much harder it could be, as for JS7 man get on with it just race or get out of it he's so fast but what a waste of talent in my old slow eyes. I love to see all the top guys race and we as fans should be treated to that. Or at least see what they have for us as the best in the world should show. good luck and i LOVE MX to me its the true form of our sport. 3 weeks to go.Lets get it on And i hope RV is OK
“New Orleans was just another night,” Gilmore says. “I was by myself all weekend"
This quote makes it even more incredible....No help all weekend...a "True Privateer"..in my book
Cody,Congrats on a job well done!
the McQueen vid was shot in the valley west of Lancaster... it ends in the mountains west of Palmdale..
I used to ride out there with Holley. An area that was also an old Hannah practice area too. They didn't smooth out the whoops, but it would seem that way if you went there today! They are HUGE now.
JS7 VS. Tiger Woods....only one win each... it might just stop there too..
Phxr.