by Aaron Hansel
450 Words: The Return of Rattray
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PrintMotocross is full of ups and downs, something Tyla Rattray knows all too well. After winning four overalls and finishing second in the 250 Class of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship last year, Rattray was looking for more success in 2012. Unfortunately, he ended up sitting out most of the supercross season after sustaining a serious injury in Oakland, and broke his hand in his first race back at Hangtown. Rattray, who has been busy preparing for RedBud, took some time out of his training schedule to give us an update on how things are going in the recovery process.
Racer X: It’s been a tough year so far, huh?
Tyla Rattray: Definitely. With getting hurt in supercross and then getting ready for outdoors and coming back to the first one and having a rock get roosted into my hand and breaking it. Other than that it’s been good though. I’m actually down in Florida right now at Ryan’s [Villopto] farm getting ready for these last few outdoor races.
After missing the past four rounds with a hand injury, Tyla Rattray will make his return at RedBud.
Simon Cudby photo
Was it your left or right hand?
It was my left hand. A rock hit my knuckle so hard that it shifted back and broke the bone on top of my hand. I had to get surgery and have a plate put in, and now I’m getting ready for the last seven Nationals. Hopefully I’ll do well.
Is the hand still bothering you?
No, it’s not bothering me at all. I’ve done a lot of rehab and strength building. There’s still a little bit of scar tissue that needs to break down, it’s still pretty big. I wouldn’t say it’s swollen; it’s just scar tissue.
Was jumping up to the 450 Class this year something you were excited about doing, or were you looking forward to another year of chasing the 250 National Championship?
I really wanted to race the 450, and especially after the result I had at the MXoN (Rattray finished fifth in MX1 + MX2, and third in MX1 + Open), I really wanted to race 450 motocross. At Hangtown, I just wanted to get through it, not having been on the bike for very long. I wanted to see where we were at and work from there, and then I got roosted with a rock. What are the chances of that? Especially on that track on the first turn. I was really looking forward to racing the whole season, but at least I can still come back and race the last few, which will be good. We’ve been testing and getting the bike better, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.
Injuries have decimated Tyla Rattray's 2012 season.
Simon Cudby photo
Yeah, I think my speed will be good when I come back. I’ve been out at Ryan’s track training, which is super rough. I think it’s a good move on my part, there aren’t really any distractions out here, you’ve got a good track to ride on, you can practice turns, you can practice starts, you’ve got the whole track to yourself. Jake [Weimer] has also been out here riding, and I think it’ll be good for both of us to push each other.
What’s your plan for when you come back at RedBud?
My plan is to go there, get good starts, and just see where I’m at. I know my speed is pretty good, my fitness is going to be good, and so I’ll just go there and see how I do. If I leave RedBud with a podium, I’ll be happy with that.
I need to thank everyone that’s in my corner, too. Last year was a good year, and this year has been a crap year. It’s crazy, last year I was out there racing for wins, and this year I’m on the couch watching from home. It sucks, but I’m lucky enough to be able to come back for these last seven rounds and see what I have.
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Fresh meat for RD ..........LOL
Welcome back Tyla!!! May the rest of the year go smoothly for you, as you have faced enough adversity this year, best of luck to you!!!
@ BillC You had me ROFLMAO heck I dont know if I even did that right, I get tired of the silly web macro's.LOL....???? FTOO?
Fresh meat Good one! It will probably be cooked well done!
Good luck Tyla I do wish you luck hope Billc's comment gives yo some incentive. It still was good mainly cause it was th4e opener!
Yes they have came a long way with the medical stuff in "86" when I crushed my leg it was a big deal making a new tib and fib. Now they just go and put plates and take bones from another part of your body and say go racing! No That was not my only injury ands I am not making a deal out of it just saying lots of improvements on the med side of the sport. Yes my doc called em Mudercycleys ,but after I lent him some video's of racing and David Bailey's Chamionship year vidieo he had a whole new respect for us Motocross racers!
I've always wondered why these guys don't run hand guards all the time. Seems like that thin piece of plastic could have saved his season.
Stewarts gonna get mobed by by Dungey, Tickle, maybe Wiemer and later Rattray. Go Dungey kick some more a$$ at Redbud buddy!!!
wonder if will run handgaurds now?
Tyla WAS on a hot track to making a big splash in the 450 class. I'd like to see him back to where he was speed & fitness-wise before the injuries because I felt he would be right near the top in MX.
Good to see Tyla back, always a favorite on the track. I would be great to see him run with Dungey. The guy is like a bull dog and can go forever, so good luck.
http://youtu.be/Y91Jms6MyCY. Check out this fuel injected 500 honda 2 stroke in a yzf aluminum frame. Put Tyla on this and those over weight 4 strokes wouldn't stand a chance. Good luck on your comeback and I hope you give Dungey something to look over his shoulder at. Roger Vista,Ca
I never knew he was so c?cky (racerX blocks that word?? whatever). Hasn't raced all year, never raced a 450 national, is a fill in rider from a lites team and he thinks he can beat basically everyone except stew and dungy on his first try ever? I think he is in for a rude awakening.
as long as tyla has the fitness he's always had he should be top 5 every week. I dont know about a podium first race back. @PRESTON___________ what makes you think 800 is in the same pack as dungey and stew??? Alessi rides a wide bike than gets smoked. Broc tickle made him look like he was passing a stingy lapper.
If written objectively, the article could have pointed out that at this point, the 450 class will take anything it can get, evem Ratty.
But if Stewy returns ....
At least the 250 class has been worth watching ....
Does Dungey even have a chance to win the 450 class at Red Bud?
Welcome back to a tough racer. You would think with all the stuff riding on finishing the pro teams would run hand guards/roost protectors. Seems like it's a head thing, that if you run them you aren't up to the challenge. Being out injured and off the pace for 2-3 months sometimes and wreck a career. Better safe than sorry.
I would kill to have Burger Chef back.
I am betting we'll see pictures of a PC 450 with hand guards on it next weekend
@Pick6-Roger _ Thx for the link. Looks like a really fun bike.
Would love to put FI on my Service Honda, Glad to see others going down this path to keep demand for the CR500 engine. Makes parts easier to get.
Might also keep alive the potential for FI 2 strokes to displace the expensive (to buy and operate) & heavy bikes that are helping close down riding areas. Hey, I can dream can't I?
@ Mr. MX _ Great story. Thx for sharing
I was also at Broome in '79 (went straight there from an amateur national area qualifier).
I must have had too many of Fred's tard pills. I've only got 2 years on you, but I can't say I remember it like it was yesterday. I do remember a local pro, Richie Coon (Hudson, NY), riding really well (5th overall I think). and that Barnett and Glover went at it big time. I remember how far over they leaned their bikes in the sweeper by the end of the start straight, almost dragging their bars every lap. Don't remember much about the 500s from that day though.
Forgot that Myerscough was 3rd in the 125s. Too bad about Brian and his physical issues - he would have been a bad ass like Wardy.
Welcome back to Tyla. Always a potential podium threat, although if Stewie is back at Red Bud, the first two steps on the box are already filled. Be fun to see a Rattray/Alessi duel, though. And @CR500AF, couldn't agree more. Brian Myerscough was blazing fast. His health problems robbed him (and us) of a very bright career.
Welcome back Tyla.Does anybody know if he has another year at Pro Circuit? If he doesn't i wonder if factory Kawasaki will sign him.
Jeez you guys get sidetracked easier than a 3yr. old.
Welcome back Tyla! Good luck at Red Bud!
One can tell this guy puts in the work, the bulldog reference above was spot on.
Love watching this guy grind down the laps and the comp.
Good on ya mate
ratt is on another level to no800!!! if his fit and had the saddle time.....he will be on the box.....had he not hurt himself twice this season he would of been on RD and JS....in mx he is very very fast...id expect the 450 to suit him more aswell...most of u bashed him last yr being two old for the lites bla bla....you just didnt like the 1st american 3rd!!! he will be race rusty this weekend....but he will get faster and faster....you guys are crazy to think he will be down field geting eaten!!! his a world champ !!