by Chase Stallo
Unsung Hero: Weston Peick
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 | 4:35 PM
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Print“I think I have the speed right now to run top ten outdoors, so I’m definitely ready.” – Weston Peick, July 2012, days before his season debut at Washougal.
Earlier this season I wrote a piece for Racer X Online (The Only Life They Know) detailing the accounts of a few riders that had failed to secure rides for the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships. California native Weston Peick was one of those riders. One of the lasting impressions after speaking with Weston was that he sounded fully prepared for his debut after a long layoff. He spoke those last words, “I think I have the speed right now to run top ten outdoors, so I’m definitely ready,” with such conviction that you could sense something special was in store for the privateer.
Built more like an NFL middle linebacker than a pro motocross racer, the unheralded amateur burst onto the professional scene at the opening round of the 2009 AMA Motocross Championship at Glen Helen with a top-10 overall in his rookie debut. Peick would pile on another top-10 (Freestone) and four top-20’s in his rookie campaign.
Peick finished 10th overall in his second race of the season at Lake Elsinore.
Simon Cudby photo
Four years have passed since then, and the former high school football player is still bruising his way into top-10, trying to land one of the exclusive factory rides.
“I was striving for a top five this year, but the closest I got with seventh at New Orleans Supercross,” said Peick. “But I think for the most part I had a pretty good season.”
After filling-in for the injured Austin Stroupe and Ryan Morais for Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha in Monster Energy Supercross, Peick went un-signed for the Nationals. Without the budget to race the entire series, Peick was resigned to two Nationals that were close to his Southern California home—Washougal and Lake Elsinore. In all reality, Peick had two chances outdoors to prove he was a consistent top-10 rider and worth a look for 2013.
“I didn’t really feel any pressure. There’s no pressure in my program,” said Peick. “I’m not on a salary right now, so I need to put in results to make money, so there wasn’t really any pressure on me.”
Peick made the most of his first chance at Washougal with a ninth overall but would have to wait nearly seven weeks until his next chance at the season finale at the inaugural Red Bull Lake Elsinore National. Once again, the long layoff seemed to have little affect on Peick, as he rode to his second consecutive top-10 overall.
“I was in eighth for the almost the entire first moto, but with about four or five laps left I got overheated a little bit, which I’ve never gotten before, and dropped back to thirteenth,” commented Peick on his day at Lake Elsinore. “I regrouped for the second moto and came back from about twentieth to eleventh. I got another top-10 overall so it was a pretty successful weekend.”
Two Nationals, two top ten overalls for Weston Peick in 2012.
Simon Cudby photo
If you're scoring at home, that's two Nationals raced in 2012, both as a total privateer, and two top ten overalls in the 450 Class.
With the book closed on yet another season, it’s back to the drawing board for the privateer. He plans to race a one-off SX race in Greece (Peick raced SX in Greece, Finland and Germany last off-season) while also trying to secure a ride for 2013 (he has been in talks with teams but was unable to devolve much on his situation). He'll continue preparing for supercross and hopes to shed weight off his powerful frame—something he admittedly has had trouble with considering his natural build. Peick vows that in 2013 we’ll see a whole new person, so it will surly be a busy off-season for Californian. In the meantime, based on his two-for-two performances in the top ten this summer, on his own, we leave Peick with this week’s Racer X Unsung Hero Award from Lake Elsinore.
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Weston Peick is the new Gavin Gracyk! Hey, what ever happened to GG? Gavin's dad is a Tony? Worse than Regal's daddy?
Yamalink Gavins Dad passed away a couple of years ago so out of respect to Gavin know you're facts or shut your Face!!!!That is all.
What? "The 2 that were closed to his Southern California home" being Lake Elsinore and WASHOUGAL? Washougal is probably 500 miles further than Hangtown.
But regardless, that's one thing that's bad about this sport, even though it's grown and there's more money in it now. I don't follow NASCAR, but I'd bet that NASCAR never has top-10 guys like Peick and Nicoletti not making it to all the races.
Hey 323MX what proof do you have of me being like Tony Alessi. What have I done its funny how about 3-4 people talk smack on me and everyone else knows what I done for Weston to get him to were he is.
Lou dog is a beast and a good dad,that is all.--Yamsquatch
@ yamalink
I know the family YOU C*ck Sucker.............I dont think so his dad passed away after A-1 2008 SO SHUT THE F*CK UP A HOLE
Hey 323 again another big mouth that has no facts. Its all good though not everyone likes everyone. Have a nice day.
the problem that I have seen.. is his attitude unfortunately. He needs to be grateful for opportunities that he has been given and should never bad mouth a situation that he is in. Be thankful with a good attitude and I think that things would start to change for him
Gavin Gracyk raced the Canadian Nationals this year in the 450 class and finished the season 4th overall in points
I meant "Weston's dad is a Tony?" but was inquiring about Gavin since he's fast and did well. Apologies.
Expect great things from this young man in the future...
Awesome rides by a dude that doesn't look like a 9 year old girl. Finally a solid strong dude ripping it up on a dirtbike. Enough with these emaciated fragile skinny dudes, one crash and they are busted for months. Somebody like 22 racing should pick him up for next year.
Gavin Gracyk raced the Baja Brawl in Michigan a couple weeks ago. It didnt look like his results were the best. A couple moto wins but no overalls. The locals know that track pretty well so Im sure that didnt help.
I have been helping Weston out over the last few years with trainers, money,contacts,parts,bonuses,even fixing his van if needed-in my opinion with the right team he would be consistant top 10 in sx and outdoors..I ran a Yamaha dealer for 15 years and supported everyone from Micky Dymond to Doug Dubach.He works as hard or harder to become a better rider than anyone racing today.He comes with no ho's,groupies or bullshit just hard work and the ability to be there every weekend w/o injury (some my be faster but are always hurt).Louie has done nothing but support him and want better for him throughout the years and yes he's vocal...I am also.Noone believes in weston more than i and he deserves a shot and wont let any team down that takes a chance on him.
I am a fan of Westin, it is cool to see a big guy haulin the mail! I am sure his dad has good intentions but at some point needs to step back and let Westin sink or swim on his own. Part of being a good parent, but if I had a team I would sign him.
Westin reminds me of the great Ross"Rollerball"Pederson.
I met Louie and Weston 2 weeks prior to his Pro debut at GH in 2009. Weston had just finished 2nd on a 450 at the GH 4 stroke behind Dean Wilson. Dean went back to the Ams and Weston was moving up. As a privateer support race team owner/manager for 6 years I had supported over 100 racers both men and women who where trying to earn a living in an ultra competitive profession.
When it comes to riders not being grateful for the support I can tell you that I do not see it that way... I would ask you to consider if we as fans are grateful for the riders. Many of them are paying (race entry fees, travel expenses, and equipment just to name a few) to show up week in week out to put on a show for us, risking life and limb... isn't that's a form of appreciation? Most importantly appreciate what the riders are dealing with from their perspective... As a fan the riders perspective is paramount.
What I can tell you is that I enjoyed working with each and every rider and their dad/mom including Tony Alessi who I got along with great under tough circumstances. The dedication and support that it takes for a family to get their son or daughter to this level should never be underestimated.
When I start to listen to the nonsense people talk about the dads I just think to myself "I wish my dad was my best friend and supporter like these dads are."
Back to Weston and Louie. I called Louie up and asked if Weston needed any support for GH... everyone worked together (Louie and Weston worked their butts off) and Weston finished 9th OA. Louie is a great dad, dedicated to MX, wants the best for his son Weston, knowledgable about the sport, and the foremost expert on what Weston needs. Weston is rock solid both physically and mentally. Like Lebron he is a beast; perfect blend of power, skill, and durability. Weston has tremendous upside and his no nonsense approach... Daven83 I agree with your top 10 and feel that he can do this against any field in a complete series.
I know Weston could dominate Arenacross but he wants to race the fastest in the world at SX. I call that HEART!!!
Not many strive to compete against the best, do you?
weston is a awesome guy. met you guys the first time at that big money race in monroe this year where you won some big $$$. then again at washougal and lastly at top gun this year ridng for motosport team. washington has been treating you guys good this year. goodluck next year
Privateersupporter thanks for the kind words about the Peicks...I know Louie will appreciate them as I know he's tired of hearing all the critics who have no idea what it takes to compete at this level without factory support.I have been in Florida for about 10 months now so I have not been able to put in the effort to help Weston that I have previously..I only made it to 3 races this year!!!.I was hoping that with my help he would end up with the factory support he deserves as many of the other riders i've helped since the early 80's.I'd like to put out a challenge to anyone who is interested in helping Weston to contact me directly thru Weston or Lou and together we can prove the critics wrong.
Weston is a guy that caught my attention right way because of his aggressiveness & size. He definitely deserves a ride from someone...Buehler? Buehler?
I don't claim to have any inside info and was wondering why he doesn't have a ride. He's definitely better than many of the also rans with factory rides. I like the fact he's a normal sized guy. Most of the top riders seem to be the size of the average 8th grader. There has to be something "inside baseball" holding him back. Seems like JGR would be after anyone willing to ride a Yamaha.
Weston and Phil Nicoletti were the two privateer standouts in the 450 class this year. These guys don't have a ride and Martin Davalos is with Pro Circuit next year after 30 seasons on a 250. He'll probably do well but it doesn't seem fair.