Rapid ReaXtion: Wilson to JWR
Monday, August 27, 2012 | 1:50 PM
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Steve Matthes (Recovering Wilson-is-from-Canada fanboy)
It’s taken a very long time but finally, Scottish-born American motocross hero Jeff Ward has begun his very quiet, stealth-like assembly of a Scottish super team to dethrone the Americans. I would guess that Wardy probably wanted to race alongside the wee lad when he was the number one motocrosser in the world but the timelines just didn’t match up. Well folks, the second Scot to rise to moto prominence finally arrived and Jeff Ward Racing snatched him up like Haggish hot off the stove.
I don’t even know if Haggish is cooked on the stove actually.
Dean Wilson to JWR has been a badly kept secret for a while now but I suppose we can talk about it because, well, Dean finally talked about it today in Monday Conversation. And in the end, all these other guys that refuse to talk about their new deals out of fear of some sort of retribution or respect to their old teams is sort of silly. That’s two things that I admire Dean for now--one is just talking about a upcoming contract and two is never following anyone else on Twitter.
I’ve gone on the record as stating if I was Wilson, I would have stayed down in the 250 Class another year as he’ll make a ton of money either way, he’s never won a 250 SX title (and with five career wins, he’s second on the all-time 125/250/Lites SX wins list for guys to not win a title, behind Jeff Emig--who has 6 wins) so he can try again to do that, he’ll be a top guy in the Nationals and then he can move up to 450’s next year where he will be exactly where he is now. Highly paid, a rising star in the class, etc, etc.
But Wilson feels like he’s too big for the bike and just wants to move up, so here we are. As a member of the Wardy Racing Team, he’ll have a factory Kawasaki under him and that’s a good start. The contract Dean signed is a big one, Ward Racing is definitely bucking up as it were so good for Wilson as he sets off on this new career path. I think Dean is great rider, he’s a hard worker and he’s going to be fine provided his double shoulder surgery has worked and he’s all good to go.
Wilson is also moving to Florida to base himself there and on a recent Pulpmx Show, he mentioned that Chad Reed has invited him to go ride out there so he doesn’t need his own property and all that. We’ll see how long that lasts as Wilson, in my opinion, will be someone who Chad has to watch for out on the track and these things never work out. See Reed, Chad vs. Ferry, Tim or Carmichael, Ricky vs. Lusk, Ezra as examples of riding “buddies” that soon turned sour. But hey, while it lasts Dean can pick some things up from Reed.
Wilson’s going to be right into the front five or six guys and maybe even sneak a win in here or there. The absolute best part of all this is he’s following his buddy Justin Barcia right up into the 450’s and these two are so close in speed that I predict we’ll have 17 more SX rounds of Bam-Bam and the Scot trying to take each other out! Good times indeed.
David Pingree (All-time Jeff Ward fan)
This is a great move for Dean, for JWR and for the sport in general. Wilson had nothing to gain by staying on a 250; he already won an outdoor title and he's proven he is fast indoors he just couldn't quite secure a championship. By moving up he immediately puts himself into the upper echelons of the sport where I believe he will excel.
For Wardy this is a huge step for the team. There is no question that they have the staff and equipment needed to win over there and Wilson is a rider who could help them get to the top of the box. It also makes it much easier to get better (factory) equipment when you have a guy like Wilson signed. That's not meant to disrespect Grant or Chisolm but Deano is one of Kawasaki's long-time team green boys.
And if this pairing can produce results it will end any stigma that JWR is not up to par with the factory teams because they are "new", and add another great home where top riders can be successful and win races and titles. The addition of teams like JWR, JGR, TwoTwo Motorsports, Langston/Witt Racing, BTOSports.com, etc is critical so that riders have a place to go when they've done their time in the 250 Class. If you flash back ten or fifteen years the only teams outside of the factory race teams that even existed were Moto XXX and Yamaha of Troy (and YoT only occasionally fielded a 250 rider). Now, if you are ready to move up you have multiple options that will put you on very competitive equipment and give you a chance in the premier class. This frees up rides in the 250 Class as well, which allows more young talent to be showcased. It's a win-win.
Good luck to Dean and Wardy this year. It sounds like they have some cool things happening and Wilson is focused on making a splash into the 450 Class. He has a camp setup down in Florida where he can limit his distractions. And knowing Jeff Ward he has gone far to long without winning races so he's chomping at the bit to get going. Now, who will be Wilson's teammate?
Chase Stallo (Dude who writes, posts everything, and reads everything on this site. Commenters, beware.)
It looks like we have a new player in town. With Jeff Ward Racing winning the Dean Wilson bidding war, the gauntlet has been dropped. They want to win, and they want to win now. While the team is still in its infancy, remember Mike Kranyak (the “M” of the now defunct L&M Yamaha team) and most of the crew that won back-to-back supercross championships with Chad Reed and James Stewart in 2008 and 2009 are part of the mix. And let’s not forget that the owner of two X Games gold medals, seven AMA national championships, 56 AMA wins, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and part of seven winning Des Nations teams, Jeff Ward, is at the helm. This team is capable and Dean is obviously a great rider.
One question that has yet to be asked is where does this leave Toyota/JGR Yamaha? After losing Davi Millsaps to Rockstar Energy Suzuki Racing and failing to land Wilson, (they reportedly made a big push to get him), where does the team, and Yamaha, go from here? Rumors have begun to swirl that Justin Brayton will make his return after a year with American Honda, but who else is on their radar? With the silly season off to an early start, the pressure to land a budding young star is starting to build earlier than anticipated for many teams.
Also, who will join Wilson on the JWR front? Josh Grant signed a two-year contract with the team, and has quietly had a very productive season. But we all know two-year deals in this sport don't always last two years. Do they keep Grant on and go with the Grant/Wilson duo? Seeing as the Christophe Pourcel rumors are essentially dead in the water right now, it certainly looks like the best option at the moment.
It’s taken a very long time but finally, Scottish-born American motocross hero Jeff Ward has begun his very quiet, stealth-like assembly of a Scottish super team to dethrone the Americans. I would guess that Wardy probably wanted to race alongside the wee lad when he was the number one motocrosser in the world but the timelines just didn’t match up. Well folks, the second Scot to rise to moto prominence finally arrived and Jeff Ward Racing snatched him up like Haggish hot off the stove.
I don’t even know if Haggish is cooked on the stove actually.
Dean Wilson to JWR has been a badly kept secret for a while now but I suppose we can talk about it because, well, Dean finally talked about it today in Monday Conversation. And in the end, all these other guys that refuse to talk about their new deals out of fear of some sort of retribution or respect to their old teams is sort of silly. That’s two things that I admire Dean for now--one is just talking about a upcoming contract and two is never following anyone else on Twitter.
I’ve gone on the record as stating if I was Wilson, I would have stayed down in the 250 Class another year as he’ll make a ton of money either way, he’s never won a 250 SX title (and with five career wins, he’s second on the all-time 125/250/Lites SX wins list for guys to not win a title, behind Jeff Emig--who has 6 wins) so he can try again to do that, he’ll be a top guy in the Nationals and then he can move up to 450’s next year where he will be exactly where he is now. Highly paid, a rising star in the class, etc, etc.
But Wilson feels like he’s too big for the bike and just wants to move up, so here we are. As a member of the Wardy Racing Team, he’ll have a factory Kawasaki under him and that’s a good start. The contract Dean signed is a big one, Ward Racing is definitely bucking up as it were so good for Wilson as he sets off on this new career path. I think Dean is great rider, he’s a hard worker and he’s going to be fine provided his double shoulder surgery has worked and he’s all good to go.
Wilson is also moving to Florida to base himself there and on a recent Pulpmx Show, he mentioned that Chad Reed has invited him to go ride out there so he doesn’t need his own property and all that. We’ll see how long that lasts as Wilson, in my opinion, will be someone who Chad has to watch for out on the track and these things never work out. See Reed, Chad vs. Ferry, Tim or Carmichael, Ricky vs. Lusk, Ezra as examples of riding “buddies” that soon turned sour. But hey, while it lasts Dean can pick some things up from Reed.
Wilson’s going to be right into the front five or six guys and maybe even sneak a win in here or there. The absolute best part of all this is he’s following his buddy Justin Barcia right up into the 450’s and these two are so close in speed that I predict we’ll have 17 more SX rounds of Bam-Bam and the Scot trying to take each other out! Good times indeed.
David Pingree (All-time Jeff Ward fan)
This is a great move for Dean, for JWR and for the sport in general. Wilson had nothing to gain by staying on a 250; he already won an outdoor title and he's proven he is fast indoors he just couldn't quite secure a championship. By moving up he immediately puts himself into the upper echelons of the sport where I believe he will excel.
For Wardy this is a huge step for the team. There is no question that they have the staff and equipment needed to win over there and Wilson is a rider who could help them get to the top of the box. It also makes it much easier to get better (factory) equipment when you have a guy like Wilson signed. That's not meant to disrespect Grant or Chisolm but Deano is one of Kawasaki's long-time team green boys.
And if this pairing can produce results it will end any stigma that JWR is not up to par with the factory teams because they are "new", and add another great home where top riders can be successful and win races and titles. The addition of teams like JWR, JGR, TwoTwo Motorsports, Langston/Witt Racing, BTOSports.com, etc is critical so that riders have a place to go when they've done their time in the 250 Class. If you flash back ten or fifteen years the only teams outside of the factory race teams that even existed were Moto XXX and Yamaha of Troy (and YoT only occasionally fielded a 250 rider). Now, if you are ready to move up you have multiple options that will put you on very competitive equipment and give you a chance in the premier class. This frees up rides in the 250 Class as well, which allows more young talent to be showcased. It's a win-win.
Good luck to Dean and Wardy this year. It sounds like they have some cool things happening and Wilson is focused on making a splash into the 450 Class. He has a camp setup down in Florida where he can limit his distractions. And knowing Jeff Ward he has gone far to long without winning races so he's chomping at the bit to get going. Now, who will be Wilson's teammate?
Chase Stallo (Dude who writes, posts everything, and reads everything on this site. Commenters, beware.)
It looks like we have a new player in town. With Jeff Ward Racing winning the Dean Wilson bidding war, the gauntlet has been dropped. They want to win, and they want to win now. While the team is still in its infancy, remember Mike Kranyak (the “M” of the now defunct L&M Yamaha team) and most of the crew that won back-to-back supercross championships with Chad Reed and James Stewart in 2008 and 2009 are part of the mix. And let’s not forget that the owner of two X Games gold medals, seven AMA national championships, 56 AMA wins, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and part of seven winning Des Nations teams, Jeff Ward, is at the helm. This team is capable and Dean is obviously a great rider.
One question that has yet to be asked is where does this leave Toyota/JGR Yamaha? After losing Davi Millsaps to Rockstar Energy Suzuki Racing and failing to land Wilson, (they reportedly made a big push to get him), where does the team, and Yamaha, go from here? Rumors have begun to swirl that Justin Brayton will make his return after a year with American Honda, but who else is on their radar? With the silly season off to an early start, the pressure to land a budding young star is starting to build earlier than anticipated for many teams.
Also, who will join Wilson on the JWR front? Josh Grant signed a two-year contract with the team, and has quietly had a very productive season. But we all know two-year deals in this sport don't always last two years. Do they keep Grant on and go with the Grant/Wilson duo? Seeing as the Christophe Pourcel rumors are essentially dead in the water right now, it certainly looks like the best option at the moment.
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Haggish? God damn it Steve!
"Haggis" LoOoL
GOOD LUCK DEAANOO!! your the man, i think you'll be fine next year. all the haters dont even bother commenting because nobody wants to hear it
davi millsaps to rockstar suzuki?? when did this news break? and is it the same team that runs the 250s for wharton gonna field a 450?
oh and no one wants to race yamahas , bike is crap. gibbs shouldve went to suzuki
Haggis is Killed then eaten, to hell with cookin' it Lads. Good luck Deano & Wardy in '12. The Clan approves.
i wish dean would have stayed in 250 class one more year. i think he would have one both titles indoors and out!!!!!
@darren29 Not the same team- Davalos signed with pro circuit. I'll repeat that so you know it wasn't a typo.... Martin Davalos to pro circuit. Rockstar Suzuki has another guy to ride a 450, Izzi I believe.
Yes a lot of people will agree that Dean should have stayed another year for his OWN good. But as a spectator,(good for ME and the FANS) this will be another great addition to the premiere class. Good security to have as a fan if there's an early title winner like last year. Especially with Barcia in the class too, I'm sure there will be enough heated battles going on making the 13' series hyped again. Can't Wait!!!
I think that Wardy-Deano is an ideal mix from a psychological standpoint. Dean has shown streaks of absolute brilliance and spots of crazyness. I believe a been-there-won-that guy of the unparalelled caliber of Jeff will be precisely what is needed to bring this guy into his premiere class own. I see a solid top five guy next year indoors until the injury lottery starts to thin the ranks, and if he bypasses the rehab table next year, I see someone pulling a few podiums outdoors, perhaps. I really like this move!
Smart move, the top five 250's are going to be fighting for 450 spots. Deano is all set.
Just think in the next couple years, k-roc, musq, bagget, barcia (already set, Tomac, all moving up. Plus tickle, and tyla will be full time as well.
this is a good move for both. glad RV didn't go to honda.
How kin ya tell which clan a Scotsmans from?
Ya lift up his kilt and if he has a 1/4 lb'er he's a McDonald!!
Cool! i love these kind of late breaking news,... more interesting then hurricanes and elections!
PC replaces Wilson with..................... Davalos ?
Bagget - Durham - Davalos
Where is Wilsons PC contract $ going ?
JimM
Pala374
All this brings one picture to mind... That insane palla jump from last year.................. Go DEANO!!!!
Great move by Deano and Ward! If he stayed on the lites bike he could be at disadvantage. When I came up to him@ unadilla, last year, I couldn't believe how tall he was. So him beating everyone twice that day on a small bike was amazing. Go Deano! Thanx for a pic, champ!
I'm happy to hear the Kranyak crew is back to work after L&M and the disasterous "James Stewart Entertainment" buyout. I suppose they needed Wardy to lend a "big name" to the team to add legitimacy but, rest assured, there are competent people behind the scenes over there. I'll be even more happy to hear they are getting Kawasaki's best in regards to equipment.
As "ready" for the 450 class Wilson is, I think Rattray is even more ready and a better shot at 450 success in the company considered. Either way, best of luck to the team and talent.
@dmoney
I rode that track - incredible jump
Wilson was hucking two other jumps at Pala - the blind backside table into the flats on the old nationa track and the backside double into the flats on the vet track
pinned on his 250 - easily 110' out and 15' up
JimM
Pala374
Cool! I guess that means next year we will have both Barcia and Wilson added to the mix in the 450s....FUGGIN AWESOME!
Any bets on when Stewart will retire? My guess is that he will get really stiff competition from a healthy RV2, Wilson, Reed, Barcia, Canard, and Dungey and go half of next season then hang it up.
Either way, All of the guys moving up next year is most certainly going to make it a lot of fun to watch!
Now if we can get someone to ride a YZ250 in the Lites class all year that would be the icing on the cake!
BRAAAAP!
This will be a learning year for Deano, and his presence should add to the field of RD,RV,JS and CR hopefully with this field it should be some good racing.Not to mention JB and TC will also be out there,now it sounds like a good series.Here is to a good 2013 Supercross Season, this is not going to be a runaway!!!
One thing...how come Kawi has such a bad time closing a deal with their riders that have won championships for them. They lost RC and JS just to name a few,and now RV is not settled with a contract ? Just saying...it does seem odd !
@ Harry, I beleive Kawasaki's habit of promoting from within has been fairly consistent, the last three being RC to JS to RV. I think JS's departure from Kawi was not nesseccarily due to "losing" him but rather, attitude issues and conflict with corporate team sponsor Monster and personal sponsor Red Bull over signage space on his person.
As far as RV goes, I don't think he's going anywhere but, the way the "game" is played nowadays, he has a "sports marketing agent" to manipulate the market, create rumors and in general, try to manufacture a high market for him to best sell himself in.
By the next contract cycle, Adam C. (not even gonna try to spell it) will be up and RV's stock will be down...........then maybe I'd consider him leaving Kawasaki.
What about " riding buddies" RD5 and JS7?
Ryan used to ride with him
and now he rides over the top of him...
Davalos to Pro Circuit is not really that big of a stretch. Granted he's been on 250's forever, but we've all seen his holeshots and early race leads. Mitch will simply clean the crash/choke demons out of his head and Davalos' presence on the podium for 2013 supercross will happen, and not as a fluke. STAMP IT!
does anybody know what level of backing wardy will get from kawasaki?? wilson is a rider i expected to be on a factory backed team..... whos building the engines??
im shore DW will be up there next year...jjust hope his bike and team are of the same level....
I just read on MXA that team Canada isn't going to MXdN. How the heck did Matthes (a Canadian) get scooped by the commie-hating orange helmets over in Valencia?
Matthes, I'm worried you're slipping or just too ashamed to let the news out.
Kawasaki lost Stewart because he "secretly" hated the Kawasaki, even though he has said that numerous times. They lost RC because Honda backed up the Brinks truck and threw it at him. Right now negotiations are ongoing to keep RV but obviously he wants to be paid and Kawasaki can only afford so much. Seeing him testing for next year outdoors does make it seem that he will be with Kawasaki again. When KTM is paying Dungey $2.5 mil per year base, and RV makes less than a $1 mil base.......something wrong with that equation. Monster is as big a player (probably bigger) than Kawasaki is and I bet Kawasaki's factory program goes away soon and Mitch fields 250 and 450 teams......or maybe JWR becomes THE 450 program. I can see RV signing a 2-year deal with a Monster team which is factory Kawasaki in 2013, and either JWR or Pro Circuit in 2014.
If he survives supercross he'll have a good outdoor season next year, I think that if all the top players line up at Anaheim though it's gonna be tough for anyone to get a top 5, and who are ya if you aren't getting top 5's? This might cause Dean to get frustrated, make mistakes riding over his head, and get hurt.. Which will lead to a long summer. And not to mention all the rookie mistakes that come with your first year. Hope I'm wrong, but I think he should of stayed in the 250 class one more year.