by Andy Bowyer
Rev Up: New Life
Thursday, December 27, 2012 | 1:00 PM
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PrintHello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. Only a few days remain in the year and I always like to take some time to reflect. I go back to the first prominent memory I can think of from the year that is passing and try to immerse myself into that spot. At the beginning of 2012 I was aboard a plane flying to a dirt late model race in southern Georgia. It was a crisp, clear day and you could see for hundreds of miles. All of these plumes of smoke were rising up from the ground and I asked the pilot through the headset what was causing them. He replied, “They’re just random fires. You always see dozens of them from this height just sparking up here and there.” I remember it being somewhat unsettling while creating a realization that the world is an enormous place and a lot goes on that we never see. Thinking about that I went through the months and slowly began to recall things I did see. Man, I saw a lot, but one thing I took more notice of than ever was new born babies.
Check this out. In my little bubble, my youngest brother Casey became a dad for the second time when my niece Blakely Lee Bowyer was born on November 30. Also, two dirt race car drivers, and the business manager that my brothers employ all had babies born within the last 90 days. Along with that one of my all-time best pals Brett Conley and his wife had their baby boy, Cash Conley, enter the world last Friday. In addition to those five newborns my friends Juan Pino and Matt Klug (Ricky Carmichael's PR man from his NASCAR career) also became fathers in recent days and weeks. I know there is more I’m leaving out, in fact so many I just can’t believe it...
This Christmas was very special and the last one of its kind for me because of a couple reasons. First off, my nephew Lincoln is three and it was the first Christmas that he really “got.” We snapped a picture of him holding his new sister in the Lightning McQueen chair Santa brought him and it just made me melt. Secondly, it was the last Christmas I’ll ever experience not being a father as my beloved Mandy and I are expecting our daughter to arrive January 20th. While soaking in this I went back to my first memory of 2012 riding in the plane and seeing those fires beneath me, so beyond my awareness, reach and control. I think motocrossers struggle with things beyond their control more than most. It struck sharply that my first memory of the year was an ominous one, and the last was warm and loving.
I kind of think this mirrors the 2012 motocross and supercross seasons in reverse order. We saw as much or more promise as any season in American motocross history, but injuries would be the story of virtually all of the championships. All of that bright new promise ultimately ended in a crushing defeat at the MXoN. The year produced unprecedented highs and lows. In my opinion, it wasn’t the greatest of seasons and I wish the winds of good fortune would have been blown more generously for motocross. But, 2012 has come to pass and it is time to begin anew.
All of the boys will be starting fresh. The points are set back to zero across the board and it is the only time of the year where championship hopes and dreams are at their absolute peak. The turn of the new year and racing season is freshest and most electric moment of the 365 sunrises we get. The wonder of the unknown makes it such. How fast is James Stewart going be on the Suzuki in supercross? Nobody knows yet. Can the injury embattled Chad Reed and Trey Canard come back and be as fast as they were when they went down? Maybe faster? Will the new blood step up the pace, or will the defending champion come out and prove that the lead pace is whichever one he decides to set? How will the Loretta Lynn graduates fair in the rough and tumble indoor series? The fires they cannot see are out there and everyone will have to race their way through them. The opening battle of 2013 is merely days away.
The 2013 season, just like 2012, will feature a deep 450SX class.
Simon Cudby photo
In closing I hope reading this has prompted you to take an extra moment to reflect on your year. Try to remember your first memory of 2012, and think about the things you did right and wrong since then. We all want a better world to bring new life into and the best chance for that is to start with ourselves. We are the only things we can control. If we work hard and honest on being the best we can be, the rest can only fan upward and outward. This year left me with an impression that life is an amazing gift that we need to be grateful for and never, ever give up on. I truly wish all of you the best in 2013.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
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and if J-law was out there we could have sum trash talking to fire things up^ more!!! hope to see at least one guy on the mic this yr talking smack!!!! kissasses
Beautiful sermon. God bless.
2012 was a year full of frustrations. That could be the quote of the year for most of the posters on this site !!!!!!!!!
Good Read Andy ---
Indeed...2012 was tough inside the SX/MX world and out....for me personally, I lost my father to cancer in April and then welcomed my first child in August....talk about emotional rollercoasters....I turned to my joys in life - Moto and Music to help get me through the tough times and I am looking forward to 2013.... Usually a new year to me is just a new season of SX/MX or when a new album comes out....but this time, it means a lot more... a fresh start like you add above.... so cheers to all the moto heads out there....#bring on 2013....
The picture of Reed above being carried off the track while RV coasts by is quite telling....
As noted above and before every SX season, the questions will simply be questions for another week - yet to be answered. RV 2013 -There is no doubt in most folks mind that RV will still be the cream of the crop......We saw a glimpse of that at MEC and lady luck may be his biggest obstacle at a 3-peat..... JS7 2013 - Last year, the same questions were pondered as every year... at Oakland and even the week prior at Dodger stadium last year, James seemed to be getting things dialed and clearly has the speed, but things went downhill.....MX saw JS7 aboard his new ride and say what, hate or critique all you want, he looked "better" on that Suzuki and hopefully a sign of good things to come..... Reed 2013 - He will be in it to win it...is the speed still there?? we will see..... RD5 2013 - He will be typical Dungey...cautious while fast and ready to capitalize on others mistakes, or bad luck..he will win a couple.... JB51 2013 - not sure what to expect...he will be fast, but I think careless.. he seems a little to cawky and it might be a learning year for him....his agressive style will work in some instances..but work against him more so when he tries it on Reed , RV or others...I think Barcia and Dungey will have some drama in 2013... TC41 2013 - I just hope he doesnt get hurt....He may be thinking that himself and that may be a difference maker.....we'll see...
If you think this disappointingly sophomoric "article" is anything but a pathetic pile of rubbish, it most likely indicative of your non-existent educational background.
osteo u better just settle down
Sorry you lost your dad to cancer, KilloMoto ... I lost my oldest brother and mother to it too (in the past).
Very nice article -- Osteo -- get a life man... or woman
Great Expectations
This time of year is one of happiness and cheer, with New Years right around the corner. It’s a time for family and friends to rejoice in each other, a time to look back on the year just past and be thankful for all the blessings that we received. It is also a time to look forward to the year upcoming, one full of hope, promise and Great Expectations!
The same can be said for the teams and riders that are preparing for the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Series. Each team has reviewed last year’s results, made the necessary adjustments or improvements and now looks forward to the new season. While it may be a long shot for most, every rider will enter the year with the same amount of points, a desire to win, and the great expectation, of bringing home the ultimate prize, the Supercross Championship title!!
The expectations from the fans this season will be great as well. Coming off last season, one where injuries were all too common, fans want to see every one healthy and at their best, for each round. They were teased at what might lay ahead, at the Monster Energy Cup. That night, they were reminded of the raw speed and aggression possessed by the defending champion Villopoto, they witnessed the desire of Dungey to compete, the veteran smarts of Reed to show up test and gauge the field, and the tenacity, of the class rookie, Barcia, who took the nights top honors, proving he is indeed, worthy of task of racing the elite in 450sx..
Fans have expectations of a rested, rejuvenated James Stewart and a healed, healthy Trey Canard being back to their old selves and up to speed. Together, with the before mentioned riders, forming the “Super Six”, a “Six Pack” of near equal riders, who will be show casing their talents, as they battle intensely for the win each week.
The expectations for a competitive season are heightened even more when you consider, the “Six Pack” will be challenged on the track each week, by as many as 5 other supercross race winners. Just image, half the riders on the line will have stood on the top of the podium, add a group of young, talented, and focused riders, that includes previous 250sx champions and you have the making of a perfect storm.
Unfortunately, our lofty expectations for an injury free, down to the wire, hotly contested season rarely materialize, as last years season reflects. Each year, at this time though, the dream seems to reappear, our hopes re-ignite as our passion for a competitive season is renewed. Could this Supercross season that lays before us, go down in history as one of the best seasons on record? It seems to have all the required ingredients, now only time will tell...
Con crates on that New baby.I hope she doen't come until the 21st.Thats when my BD is.It is also Mickey Dymonds BD.To bad its not a boy because January in the month that STUDS are born.Everybody knows this.Just be fore warned us Aquarian babies definitely march to the beat of a different drummer.Just saying.Don't pull your hair out.Hahaha!!!! You'll see.
I mean congrates
nice bd25 "six pack" is it. you named it and get the credit. Lord please give us a healthy six pack this year, Amen!
@kiilomoto
I feel your pain, it has been a crazy year both my parent were diagnosed with cancer
My father passed away one week before my little John (june 7th) was born, and heather my step mom is fighting for everyday now
All i can say is stay strong and possitve and lets pray that 2013 supercross is the best year ever!
KilloMoto: I disagree completely. Most likely JS, TC and even RV at some point, will crash riding way over their head. Dungey will HAVE to punt Bam Bam off the track and everybody will say it was dirty and "out of character for him". Barcia, TC and JS will win 1 or 2 each. RV Reed and Dungey will win the rest. RV wins 4, Reed and Dungey either 3 or 4 and Dungey wins championship. Nobody seems to take into account that Reed is desperate for one more as he is getting old and Dungey, Decoster and Ian are together on the same team and on a familiar bike for the first time since 2010. That Katoom will be dialed in in 2013!!!
I predict all will fall and 800 will win wire to wire !
@ osteo
funny, but way over most of their (knuckle)heads
sounds like you are crabby 'cause you have to wait for a1 on jan 5
& if you want to read something halfway decent about mx, check out BD25's reply
JS7 will win the most races and the 2013 Supercross Championship! Period!
Mookie 32 will win at less 3 supercross lite races this year!
J-Law just need to come back to racing.
@Killomoto- Man, does this hit home. My dad died before I became a father too. I always say that if I could get him back, for just a bit, it would be so cool for him to meet Melaney (and visa versa) and I would openly admit that he was so very correct in all the things he tried to tell me, that I couldn't seem to listen to. I always thought he was old fashioned, and his advice was for his time in life. But now I realize just how spot on his thoughts were, and it doesn't matter what era you live in...
Indeed Bucky!! When my girl was being born, I said to myself "even if I new I'd lose my dad tomorrow, I would want him here today"....i am not too religous and friends and family have faith that my dad is watching over her every day....somedays, I can almost feel it....cheers!! bring on 2013!
@RCRDDW - you know what they say...opinions are like a-holes...everyone has one... HAHA... its a crap shoot for sure..... I dont know if I see 22 winning that many...considering the past 2 years where he had more than a few chances...so only time will tell I guess....My gut tells me we are in for another RV show like last year, minus the injury.....The KTM will be dialed...but so was the RMZ... Dungey just is a tick off the pace sometimes.....but he is always close behind to pick up the crumbs others drop in the form of crashes or being mired in the pack....but seeing Reed, RV, JS7 , Trey and Barcia all getting a bad start while Dungey gets out early like PHX last year is hard to see.... Atlanta last year was really close and Dungey took 12 laps to pass Seeley....