by Chase Stallo
Unsung Hero: Phil Nicoletti
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 | 11:35 AM
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PrintIn a what-have-you-done-lately sport, privateer Phil Nicoletti is walking off into the sunset, his best result of the season in hand. He hopes he is leaving a lasting impression on teams as they begin to dig into their 2013 budget. It’s not a voluntarily decision, but one that’s reluctantly had to be made.
“It’s the last one for me. I won’t be making Elsinore,” he said. “To do it right, and to do it on my own, it’s just not in the budget for me. So I figured I would go out with a bang at Steel City.
For me it’s a bummer, but with anything in life sometimes money holds you back,” he added. “To make the trip all the way out to California and back to the east coast, it’s just impossible.”
Just weeks before The Southwick National, Nicoletti was still uncertain on which class he would be riding after he and Eleven10 Mods mutually agreed to go their separate ways. Nicoletti showed up to Southwick on a 2011 CRF450 and flirted with a podium spot early before suffering a mechanical problem—a situation that Nicoletti has faced throughout much of the 2012 season. The New Yorker bounced back with a thirteenth in moto two, and headed to Unadilla, and pieced together one of his best rides of the year with an eighth overall. In a season that has been plagued Jekyll and Hyde moments—one good moto coupled with a mechanical problem or a crash in another—Unadilla proved to be a turning point.
The momentum swing would continue along the pristine hillside of Delmont, PA, home of the FMF Steel City National. A hard crash the week before Steel City confined the privateer to rest and relaxation, something that proved to be pivotal in the first moto, as the intensity caught up to Nicoletti and cost him a spot inside the top 10.
“The intensity got to me at about the 20 minute mark. I was in sixth or seventh and then faded back to eleventh—which I wasn’t too happy about,” Nicoletti said.
Nicoletti will not be making the trip to Lake Elsinore due to lack of funds.
Andrew Fredrickson photo
But as been the case all season, the persevering privateer rallied in the second moto and turned in a 450 Class career-high sixth—giving him eighth overall on the day.
A season that was just beginning to gain steam has been cut short. Nicoletti will leave the industry with a lasting impression of a sixth on a 2011 CRF450, and hope that's enough to score something for next season. It was the plan all along for Nicoletti, but one that still has to be a tough pill to swallow. As Nicoletti returns home to spend a few weeks with family and friends before heading back to ClubMX and the grid of another season on the horizon, we leave him with this weeks Racer X Unsung Hero Award.
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Would someone stop putting pins into his ouija doll? Good job Phil! Well done.
This is true with alot of good racers struggling with the expenses of the sport. Since he is tagged an unsung hero here why not we, the moto community, try to do something to help him make one more race or the rest of the season. I hate to put someone on the spot, but Davy Coombs might could get some more interest going with this plan. Somebody might have a list of sponsors we could email or call to ask for help. Surely a west coast sponsor could float him a bike and support for one race weekend or have all the support under the "Racer-x support team" with all the sponsors listed Maybe a quick raffle for a bike -new or used - to help out. Sorry Davey to put you in the spot light here but you have a media tool and connections to help. Davey you have my email address and I will gladly take your flames . Hope we can step up to the plate. motodogg.
Could a sattelite team give Philthy Phil a ride for next year ! He's eligable to ride the lites east/west series and putting him on the 450 outdoors would help your team get bigger exposure. TwoTwo or JGR has an opening ? How about a Philthy Phil collection getting started ? The first fan sponsered MXer, an industry first 1
Wtf is wrong with teams!!! there are great riders like Phil or Derek Anderson who kick ASS on privateer bikes while other teams give rides to riders that barely make top 20 or even finish a race!! these guys need help!!! Someone give Phil Nicoletti a ride or some cash to race elsinore!! He deserves another last ride of the year!!! Come on People help out someone who needs it!!!!
Someone should step up and support his trip to the west coast..it really wouldnt be all that much (to a team at least) and the positive exposure that that gesture would create for said team would be undeniable. I'm hoping he gets a call today or tomorrow with a plane ticket and some wheels waiting for him at the track in Cali. He proved he deserves a ride more than some of the guys who have rides yet consistently finish outside the top 10
get it phil! District 34 is fist pumping for your east coast gnar shreddage. I didn't even realize he was on a 2011 bike... so sick! Ripping huge starts too - dude has great style and no one can say he doesn't work hard.
If nothing else, it's great to see all of Phil's support and exposure on Racer X and in the podcasts. The Matthes/ Weege/ Stallo/ etc. support for philthy is noticeable and awesome - what better way to alert the bigger teams than with press.
its a rough sport. this kid better have a decent 450 ride next year. Imagine him on some top notch equipment? he's proven himself on a 450 already
Motodogg- great idea. Davey, how about a PayPal button so whomever is selected Unsung Hero could receive direct donations?
Factory Suzuki has a bike that nobody wants to ride and they werent even paying for Stewart this outdoor season. Surely they could afford to truck a bike to Elsinore and fly Nicoletti to Cali for one last race. Hell, they might even get two full motos out of him, which would be a huge improvement from what they are used to this year.
I don't know why JGR isn't all over him. I hear they have Brayton back and are trying to get Grant out of his 2nd year at JWR. Grant has to be $500k a year+ and will probably miss 70% of races due to injury based on the past. Give a kid liek Phil a shot! You could probably get him for 10% fo what JG commands. I really hope he lands somewhere.
Get Phil on a good team before I punch people.
-Alex
District 34's own Phil, he is the hardest working rider out of our district, Ryan Mills, Scott Sheak and of course Justin Barcia all had rides straight from their tricycles. Granted Justin Barcia works hard to stay where he is, but hes never had to struggle other then just practice and train. Phil should get some help, he beat some factory riders and a bunch of satellite riders.
FACTORY Phil Nicoletti....WOOOOOOO HOOOOO!
Come on...someone step up and give Phil a chance...he's proving himself worthy...more so than other factory riders. With the right partner...this kid will shine!
Keep up the great work, Phil. Stay focused, train hard...and ride every chance you get.
Remember....RIDE HARD, RIDE SMART and HAVE FUN!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
If someone knows a possible sponsor, start shooting emails or even post on their face book page for exposure. Maybe just a one race deal to start and have an open option for more. It would be simple for someone to pick up a good rider.
and even tweets. All the big name riders,mags and sponsors tweet so this would be a good way to get the word out.
@Seefu hahaha calm down i support phil. I just get angry when people dont give him a chance when he beats guys on factory teams consistently
Great job Phil. Both Dustin and I watched the race this weekend and if/when you are out this way (SF/CA). You have a place to stay. Real proud of a D6/D34 rider finally showing people what the east coast boys can do on a motorcycle. Hope this gets you on someones radar.
Steve (339) and Dustin (663) Wojcicki
A true, Hard working Privater. I here Phil drove all the way to steel City with his bike in the back of a "Pickup Truck". What would have been really cool was a picture of him in the pits with his factory "Pickup" loaded up ready to go. That's dedication. I wish someone would Sponsor him for Elsinore so he could go. Good luck on a Ride for next year. H&H are you Listening. Roger Vista,Ca
Why doesn't he use that Godfather Gus that they profiled during Steel City coverage? Transports the bikes, gives rides and has a well stocked pit area. I just don't know if he charges for the services.
Its time the AMA and the promoters start ponying up some cash.These guys are the hardest working athletes out there and get top tens but still cant afford to make it to the next race. What a joke!Phil should be gettin all his expences paid and new equipment on someone elses dime based on results.The AMA and the promoters need to step it up for the good of the sport.Then they truly will have forty of the best on the line!
It is a shame that 6th place in the premier class at a national does not pay enough to get to Cali and back.How much does 6th pay?
I can't understand why factory Honda doesn't at least give him Tommy Hann's bike to ride for the last race- would be a win win for both Honda and Phil. I bet he would be top 5 on a factory bike for sure.
The factory teams can afford to give this guy a one day ride.They got nothing to lose. Put him on Canard's, Windam's or even Stewarts bike.
Darn right guys! I am with you! I raced with his dad back in the 80's, you know, about 100 years ago and Phil has followed in the footsteps of a wonderful and solid guy who I have a ton of respect for! I really want to see this great, talented young guy on the line down there in Elsinore... love his heart and talent!!!
sounds like we have a new factory phil on the circuit!
Total BS.... Honda has a bike (plus PN would probably finish in front of Brayton anyways!) Suzuki has a bike (as PN would still finish in front of earth worm inspector JS), JGR has a bike (as PN would still finish in front of any replacement rider they have hired).... so why wouldn't a team want a rider to land a top 10 for them? Don't know myself, but would very much like to see PN at Flatsinore on Saturday!
Someone, anyone get ahold of Godfather Gus so Phil can get to Cali !
That guy should get a ride. He kicks butt!!!
You would think someone would step up. It would be good publicity for a sponsor with a one ride deal. National TV and internet coverage would be a plus for them.
Iagree this local kid earned a ride.
klemm how have you been
We tried anyway.