Open Mic: Interviews from Atlanta
Monday, February 25, 2013 | 1:30 PM
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PrintInterviews by Jason Weigandt and Steve Matthes
Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy Kawasaki, 2nd in 450SX
Racer X: Last week you said you were going to be happy with what you get, and try to have more fun with it. So, are you happy?
Second is good. Made two points on Davi [Millsaps]. He’s kind of the guy that we need to concentrate on now. Stew is not really that guy. But man it would have been nice to win and get five points on Davi. It seems like every track we’ve been to, at this point, the track sets the limit on how hard you can ride. I was doing the rhythm section a little bit different than James and it was slower. I struggled in the turn after the rhythm section all day. I just felt doing that the way I was doing it was going to be consistent for 20 laps. It wasn’t the dragon’s back, it was that next turn after tripling in there. I just struggled in that turn all day, so.
Was there a point where you tried to turn it up, and then got sketchy?
I rode consistent through the whole time. I think on paper that was four tenths lower doing it that way [the dragon’s back rhythm]. I was decent, pretty good or the best on that other part of the track, or a little bit quicker on the rest of the part of the track. So I would just give it up there and catch back up, give it up there… and just play cat and mouse type of deal. You know, when you gives James a lead like that you’ve got to pressure him into a mistake, especially on a track like this.
A lot of the guys I talked to tonight, they said you can only go so fast on this track. How do you make up time?
It’s been rough this year. It’s been tough, figuring out how to do that. The track was tight. Even if it would have been unbelievably tacky it was a tight track. The track itself just had a limit on it. We were at that limit but it wasn’t the riders’ limits, it was the track’s limit. – Steve Matthes
"Second is good. Made two points on Davi [Millsaps]. He’s kind of the guy that we need to concentrate on now. Stew is not really that guy." - Ryan Villopoto
Simon Cudby photo
Davi Millsaps, Rockstar Energy Racing, 3rd in 450SX
Racer X: How was it?
It was a long 20 laps, but it was a good twenty laps. I didn’t get the best start, but I made my way through the pack and salvaged third place. So I’m pretty excited about that.
It looked like you actually closed in on Stewart and Villopoto at one point.
Yeah, they had a pretty good gap on me before I got into third, so it was kind of hard to catch up to them. But they were riding great. I’m pumped for James to get a win, especially the way his season has gone so far. I haven’t really had much riding lately just to being sick, and bad weather and stuff. So I’m just trying to do what I can and take each race at a time.
And more rain in the forecast at your house this week?
Oh yeah.
What was this track like?
Really slick and awkward and all over the place. Very one-lined. If you don’t get a good start, it’s kind of hard.
Has it changed quite a bit since you first started racing here?
There were years where we had a lot of passing lines here. I think 2008, when I won, that had the tackiest dirt we’ve had here, and I really don’t know why. I don’t think it’s the dirt, though, I think it’s the track. They way they cross over the start, and the way they build 90 degree turns, it makes it really hard. – Jason Weigandt
"I haven’t really had much riding lately just to being sick, and bad weather and stuff. So I’m just trying to do what I can and take each race at a time." - Davi Millsaps
Simon Cudby photo
Eli Tomac, GEICO Honda, 7th in 450SX
Racer X: You looked good in practice, but the starts, they have followed you from the 250s.
I had a good jump in the heat race. I had all the guys to my right beat but [Jake] Weimer got me on the inside. So I had to let off and then some guys went around me on the outside. And then I guess [in the] main, I was like 12th pick so I was outside the box. The gates were junk tonight. I got wheel spin really bad and then I just kind of had to fall in the middle of the pack. It was easy to spin and I spun a lot. I thought I had my weight back enough but it still spun.
What did you think of the class?
It’s actually really surprising how much 200ccs is. I rode a little tight all day but just the way the thing’s different for timing and leaning in your corners and the way the thing yanks on you out of the corners… I’m kind of smoked right now. I haven’t been like that all year. I’ll probably get better every race, it’s just going to take a little bit of time. – Steve Matthes
"I rode a little tight all day but just the way the thing’s different for timing and leaning in your corners and the way the thing yanks on you out of the corners… I’m kind of smoked right now." - Eli Tomac
Simon Cudby photo
Justin Brayton, JGR Toyota Yamaha, 13th in 450SX
Racer X: Looked like it was going to be great, good start, battling near third place, and then you went down.
Yeah, I had a little help from the number 51 on a red bike. A lot of help from him [in the crash]. But it’s all good. Bummer. I had to get a good start. Obviously you had to tonight.
Once you get up after that crash, is it a different mentality.
Yeah, it’s not great. There’s eight guys that are really fast so you’re probably not going to get top eight and it’s not fun to get 10th. So you just basically salvage whatever you can. It’s a bummer of a night, but looking ahead to St. Louis. Kind of a home race. I’m sick of getting these results.
Let’s focus on the positives. It looks like you’ve been riding well.
I think so, for sure. What’s a bummer is, last week was fifth. But fifth still isn’t great, it’s okay. With so many good guys… it’s really fun to be a part of it because there are so many good guys, but then again it’s like you could have an awesome night, any of us could have an awesome night and still get fifth. – Steve Matthes
"Yeah, I had a little help from the number 51 on a red bike. A lot of help from him [in the crash]. But it’s all good." - Justin Brayton
Simon Cudby photo
Andrew Short, BTO Sports KTM, 14th in 450SX
Racer X: KTM debut, great heat race. Washed out the front in the main event like we’ve seen so many other guys do, but how was it?
It was good considering what we were up against. It was great to get a ride under the BTO Sports KTM and met everybody and interact with the whole group. So considering first race and all that it went pretty good.
My start was killer. The KTM gets out of the gate really good. I think that’s key because the field is so deep right now in talent. Put yourself in a good position, you get sucked in and you separate yourself. I felt like I was having a great ride going until I lost the front and crashed, but new bike, new tires, new everything. So I think we have a great thing going and the next few weeks we’ll be a lot more competitive. – Steve Matthes
"It was good considering what we were up against." - Andrew Short
Simon Cudby photo
Zach Bell, GEICO Honda, 10th in 250SX
Last weekend I dislocated my wrist and did some damage to it. This week I didn’t ride any, just kind of stayed off the bike and came into this race healthy. I just wanted to go out there and race and have fun, stay on two wheels, and make it through the night. Next week, I want to do the same thing. I just want to make it through the season and have fun. I’m not the fastest guy out there right now so I’m not trying to push over the limits. I’m just riding in my comfort zone. I just happened to make a few mistakes and it’s just turned out to be the worst crashes it could possibly be. But we’re working on that. We’re working on the hiccups and we’re just driving forward to next year and this year. – Jason Weigandt
"I’m not the fastest guy out there right now so I’m not trying to push over the limits. I’m just riding in my comfort zone." - Zach Bell
Simon Cudby photo
Jeremy Martin, MyPlash/Metal Mulisha/Yamaha/Star Racing, 5th in 250SX
It went good, better than last week! I qualified out of my heat race! I got third there and went into the main with a positive attitude and got a pretty good jump, sneaked around the inside and came out, I think around seventh or eighth. I made a few quick passes, I got around Gavin Faith, then I got behind Justin Hill and we battled, for like, four or five laps. Then I was able to get by him, and I had a little bit of a free track and I started catching Blake Wharton for fourth. We had a really good battle going for a little while, but I fell into his pace for a little bit instead of racing the track. So I’ve got a few things to work on, but other than that it’s a big improvement from last week, where I didn’t even qualify. It’s nice to see that during the week everything I did paid off. We’re going to work on a few things here and we’re going to go into St. Louis and hopefully see improvements again.Obviously you had some things go against you with bad starts last week, but how shocking was it for you to qualify third fastest last week and not make the main in Dallas?
To qualify third fastest and not make the main was embarrassing. It was a letdown for the team; they work really hard. I work really hard too. I’ve been training at the Carmichael farm, I believe in my program, and I believe I’m doing things right. It was just very disappointing to not qualify, and I was very disappointed. But I had to let it go. I had to let it go and move on. I learned from my mistakes, and as you can see this weekend, I progressed and got a solid top five.
"To qualify third fastest [in Dallas] and not make the main was embarrassing. It was a letdown for the team; they work really hard." - Jeremy Martin
Simon Cudby photo
How does it feel to bounce bike like this?
It feels good, fifth is good, but I want to do better than that. I want to be up front battling for a win, that’s just kind of my mentality. Nothing is more fun than winning, and that’s what the team and I both work for. I want to be up there in the hunt mixing it up and banging bars with Dean Wilson, Marvin Musquin and Wil Hahn. Hopefully we’ll get to that point in the next few weekends and have some fun.
What’d you think of the track?
I thought the track was good. It was a lot more technical this weekend than last. The whoops were really big in practice, but they got beat down. I thought it was a really good racing track, and it was easier to make passes on, and hopefully St. Louis is going to be good.
What was the trickiest part of the track?
I’d say the trickiest part was after you did the sand section, you came over a big single, charged toward the starting gate, then made a 180 degree left where you had to triple into a rhythm section. It was hard, but when the corner was brand new, it was easy to triple. Once it started getting rutted up, the ruts would lead all the way up to the jump face. It was really technical because you had to carry good speed and commit to it. That made it pretty difficult. - Aaron Hansel
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Stewart could definitely be a spoiler ... if he wins now and then, it's fewer points that RV can take from Davi - and besides, Davi's been under the weather ... when he feels good, he'll probably win another 1-2-?. What a season!
Preston....you're lame! If you think a professional is gonna gush all over your boy Stew and tell the world he's not worthy you're dumber than your post. RV was 7th in practice....rode poorly in his heat....yet still was able to beat everyone but your man crush. not bad considering he obviously wasn't comfortable with his bike. When's the last time RV finished 7th in practice?
What excuse Preston? Now that your man-lover won a race finally the tracks are good?
I thought practice didn't matter? Or is that only when Stewart sets the fastest times?
@ Chillmatic.........Practice doesn't matter....
guys...there are other things to talk about...
Retardcross - this isn't to me a JS or RV thing - just a question - if practice does not matter why do they give the fastest in practice #1 gate pick?
I mean with the tracks so one lined and slick wouldn't that make having the gate you thought best for a hole-shot even more inportant - wouldn't that therefore make practice of extreme import?
Wow, Brayton calling out Barcia on that one ?... I'd have to look at it again, but it Looked to me like Barcia had nowhere to go with Brayton getting squirelly and Barcia just sealed the deal...If Brayton didnt screw up, Barcia wouldnt have dove under....
Practice and qualifying is important.....gate selection for heat and which heat race you are put in...fastest qualifier goest to Heat 2 which has advantages...they can watch Heat 1 and two 250 heats to see how the track is.....Heat wins and quickest heat equal gate selection....you want to be one of the first 3 or 4 gate picks this year for sure....Stewart seemed to pick the pefect Gate for the Heat and Mains....so yes, it matters....
KilloMoto - I didn't think that was Barcias fault either - looked like a 'racing incident' to me...
I never read a single excuse in Rv's interview, he said he struggled in the turn before the rythym section all day.. He NEVER made an excuse.. Some guys just love to hate!! LOL!!!!
@ Brayton has alot of balls calling out Barcia, especially afer the big crahs he caused after getting into Reed... Wow!!
@ dinosaur.....I shouldn't say it doesn't matter, but practice is just that, practice. If you finish even top 20 in practice out of 40 guys making the night show, you're still getting a good gate pick on your preferred side of the doghouse for your heat race no matter what. Top 10 in practice have a great gate pick no matter what in my eyes, if you're one of the first 5 to the line you are going to get a great gate for your heat. I say heat races farrrrr outweigh practice times. Bottom line is though, if practice times and heat wins meant anything really, we wouldn't have to go racing because JS would clean up.
Oh ya and I don't think Barcia took out Brayton, that one is on the #10 in my opinion.
RV is the man! He said it like it was. He struggled and never blamed his bike for that. I'll take his opinion any day, since he's a 2 time champ( both stacked years).
It seems what RV said was more reasoning then excuse. He alluded to the fact that he was slower then JS in a section and that's why he didn't catch him......makes sense to me!
Since when is, I was slower then the other guy and that's why I didn't win, an excuse?
An excuse would be something like: I didn't win because my bike wasn't set up properly or because I didn't like the track or because I forgot to lube my chain, etc.
If they don't answer the question, they are boring, and if they do they are making excuses. Kind of no-win situation.
Guys at this level aren't going to say anything that is going to tear down their own confidence, or increase that of their competitor. Reed comes the closest when he say something like "I sucked tonight", but at the same time, he would never say, "RV is riding better than me, and has always been faster when he's on." You don't get as good as these guys even thinking like that, let alone saying it in an interview.
Or , I could beat the guy, but I didn't feel like it.....
Always been a fan of Davi's, and when he gives props to other riders (whether you like the other guy or not) it just adds to his credibility.
As far as RV goes, he will never give the best interview. I would imagine that after the race, each rider gives the same speech 20 friggin times with all the reporters down there. It would be hard to keep things light and interesting. And with RV, he isn't the most entertaining guy to start with...
Love the guy, but I'd rather listen to guys like Wil Hahn that show their emotions any day.
Preston get real, You are digging for something that just is not there.
.
Retardcross practice means way more than you think IMO. They are all going for it in practice, have you seen how many have crashed in practice?? It mean a lot to them trust me. If it did not why don't they just put down a good time and call it a day? They are all looking for speed out there.
@BillC-- yes they go for it in practice--kind of.. I think they gage their speed and try different sections one or two ways to see which way is faster.. But I dont really think they put too much into who is the fastest.. I have read where a few top guys say if you make top 3 or 4 you get a decent gate pick in the heat, that is good enough.. So I dont see them really putting much into being the top guy i practice, just finding the right combinations and a decent gate for the heat..
I made it to ATL and I can say 1st hand, THE TRACK SUCKED!!!! I felt like leaving halfway through the main (not just because of JS7), but there was no real racing out there past the first turn. I enjoyed watching Hahn win the lites, but the 450 main was a snoozer. Even the riders are talking about how bad the tracks are. JS7, Villo and all of the top guys looked like they were on the sighting lap, just out cruzin!
RV fanatics cant seem to get those damn orange pubes out of their teeth and shut up and give someone credit for having a good race. RV chose to gain 2 points on Davi rather than 5. Yeah he thought about the points long and hard on that one. Its just an excuse for being straight up beat. James always finds ways to give his competitors credit. RV? nahhh he wanted to get second.
@Thetoothfailry---Wow, how little you actually know, so when did you get into moto--6 months ago??? You said Stew gives his competitors credit?? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Thats rich--Stewart said in an interview right here with Racer X--that RC should NOT be called the GOAT--Stewart also said when asked why he couldnt get that elusive title from RC--Stews answer "That Kawi was so slow!!" Does that sound like credit?? Not to me... So dont throw out comments if you dont have any clue what you are talking about..So get your nose out of Stewarts taint..and pull your tongue in..
for sure BD200 they don't care if they are #1 but they sure want to be in the top 4/5 so they are pushing and that was my point. You are right i don't think they will risk it all to get the #1 spot but hell even RD has crashed twice this year in pratice so they are pushing pretty good.
Yes, Stew went down twice in practice in Dallas--they do haqve to push to get a decent gate, there are so many guys who are within a second or closer its insane..
@ttp116...yeah RV thought long and hard on that one. RV is in the title hunt with Millsaps and not JS. He should of been thinking ...Man I should not worry about pushing the limit and not worry about taking myself out of the Championship just to prove that i can beat someone who is not in the title chase just so ttp116 can not i am a wimp...the heck with 3 points...i dont care if i lose the front end ruin my title hopes and the bounes for winning the 2013 SX Championship.
@therealmoron Do you not listen to the podium speeches? Ive heard plenty of times Stewart saying "those guys were just riding good" when he got beat. RV is the coc kiest rider out there. But he has red hair and we gottta love a ginger. People like you make this sport so annoying. All you are is a bandwagon RV fan. Stop guzzling his steroid pumped acorns and stay in C class and off the message boards.
Watching RV get passed straight up last week and getting beat for 20 laps straight is just too much for people i guess. On a torn acl at that. Ouch.
An RV bandwagon guy?? Really?? How little you really know!! you just keep making a Stewtard out of yourself.. YOUR guy is 100 points down and all you have is one race win and a heat race pass!! LOL!!!! Yes sir, your guy is awesome..LOL!!! And you just keep showing your childish immaturity talking about gay references, or are you coming out?? Which is it?? Just get on your new Suzuki (I'm sure you just had to have one since Stewie is on one now) and get on your Seven gear, and your flat billed hat turned over your ear, and try to get a ride in before your Mommy makes you get your Stewie PJ's on..
@even Stewart himself says the knee is fine now, dont think it was "torn" like you think..
Injured stewy beats RV and all the RV fans get their panties in a wad. Lol. Go bubba!
My guy's better than you guy! No, he's not! Yes, he is!! No, he's not!!!! YES, HE IS!!!!! NO, HE'S NOT!!!!!!! So funny how people get so mad when someone has a different opinion. Does anybody get any sleep, or does everybody just stay up all night stewing about that guy on RacerX who didn't agree that RV was as good as Stewart or vice versa? LOL.
Hey tooth, tell us how you really feel. Do you hate Villopoto or is it just that you hate the Villopoto fans? It seems you can never make an intelligent argument just some vulgar crap that shows your I.Q. ". The stupid crap you say doesn't make me hate Stewart or root for Villopoto, I have a ton of respect for all of these guys.
"People like you make the sport so annoying"
@RL250ZUK----great post, if the little child Tooth hears it from enough people maybe he will realize how ignorant he sounds.. He is nothing but a one-rider fan anyway!!! He sounds very uneducated and childish,
And I dont see were any RV fans are upset or making excuses about anything.. Their guy is in a title fight, All the STEWTARDS are the ones pis$ing and crying because RV said he dont really worry about where Stew is.. and its got the Stewtards crying because their guy isnt relevent...they cant handle it..
Truth is, "Ripdown", "therealmofo", and "retardcross" are all a little butt-hurt because Stewart finally won a race!! Typical butt-hurt reaction...jumping all over anybody who says anything!! You chumps wanna keep saying that he is out of the title chase, SO WHAT....going out and winning still proves something against this field. He may not do it again, but I hope he does. Winning still matters, and RV is definitely being a snob by saying "Stew doesn't matter".....really RV?? Those three points don't matter to you right now?? If he was that close off the start and couldn't get in to first it was not because he just "didn't want to".....it was because he couldn't..plain and simple!! To make it sound like it doesn't matter is bull s h i t!! You RVtards are every bit as bad as anybody who gushes over Stewart, don't be a trio of hypocrites!! And yes, Stewart does give credit to the other riders often, if you are just going to pull a couple of examples from the distant past where he didn't, then you are just weak!! Practice matters, heats matter, it's just that the main matters more!! It cracks me up that some of the "haters" were actually being kind to James win he was getting horrible finishes, you all started to give a little praise about the way he has been handling himself lately.....but look out, he gets a win and you all change your tune......too funny!! DOn't say it is all because of the "fans" either.....you guys don't and never have liked the guy and I know it just chaps your hides that he finally got a win!! I hope like hell he gets some more!!!
You are a doosh BAG "realmofo", you really are........you come across just as childish as anybody you accuse of the same thing!! Joke!!
I like theysaidwhat Villi and stew are two of my favorites, yes because they're the fastes. That is kinda weak that villi says it doesn't matter
Usually he's gonna say every point matters. Most importantly Reed should quit because he does suck and he said that about himself
I think you yanks need to settle down, this is the best sx season in years, let it play out...the best guys are all head's up, the best racer will win regardless, so why waste ya breathe lovin n hatin.....St Louis should be good, but Daytona will be interesting!!!
I been hopeing for a JS win, I new it would be a fun read.
Could someone answer a question ? Take a look at Brayton's bike, is that a new YZF engine layout ? That is definately the exhaust coming out the front of the motor and wrapping around the left side of the motor and heading out back. Is the great YZF reverse motor experiment over with ?
FMF pipe rjstreets, might see something like that on the 2014's, better low end i think.
YA all it takes is anything about JS7.... I dont make a fan favorite, Dont think RV had anythng for Stewart last week, that is just the way it goes. I am still hoping Team 22 pulls a win out of his hat yet! I think we all know he has it in him!
It would be greeat if they could get some of that good ole MO loamey topsoil into the St Louis stadium! Maybe they can get down to the dirt next to the train tracks that were next to the big backstrech at ST Peters or the Cycle World track? Best dirt ever! Oh it was fun when a train went by when you were racing and you were passing the train.
@ rjstreets--- Looks to me like they are running a longer pipe and bringing it across to the other side. On the 4 strokes you can get your power delivery changed by the lenth of the exhaust, I think that is one problem that Yamaha has to figure out yet with the reverse engine because of the restiction of how far the exhaust can be past the rear tire, and the reverse engine make perfect sense to me cause yo need better intake flow for the carb. I will shut up now I wish I was still racing then maybe I could help Yamaha with this? Then there was this song by Arrowsmith--Deam On...............
@Davo439 - Right on the money. Very funny post.
@theysaidwhat - I understand what you're saying, and I agree with most of it, but the hypocrisy you're talking about runs on both sides of the coin here. Stewart fans are "butt-hurt" over RV's (alleged, lots of mind readers here) lack of respect for Stewarts win, and then there are those that cant stand Stewart and don't want him to win which I believe is also true. Who cares?? I'm a Laker fan, and I'll be the first to admit I get butt-hurt when they lose, especially to the Celtics, who I celebrate when they lose LOL (sorry Celtic fans, all in good fun, don't hate on me lol). Anyway, NO rider is obligated to give props to another rider. Yes JS7 has his share of critics, and many that just can't stand him. Same with Reed. But hell I can remember back in the day people hating on McGrath, saying he was arrogant (at times I thought he was), he was "done", etc. And the point I'm making is why would you be surprised that those who like RV are agreeing with his decision to not "go for it?" I promise you if the shoe was on the other foot, the Stewart fans would react exactly the same.