Dear Ping!
I was watching the Daytona 500 yesterday and noticed how, after the National Anthem and before the drivers got into their cars, they gave their wives/girlfriends/boyfriends (can’t forget about Danica…) hugs and kisses. I got to thinking, in what other sport do the participants openly hug and kiss their loved ones before starting the competition? Wouldn’t it be hilarious (or maybe kind of weird..) if the riders started making out with their wives and girlfriends behind the starting gate before the mains, or before the motos at an outdoor national? I don’t have any problem with public displays of affection, but it isn’t like we’re sending astronauts out into space or anything. I’d certainly argue that SX and MX racers are putting their lives on the line more than a pudgy 40-year old going in circles. It just seems a little cheesy. BTW, are you going to race in the Fire/Police MX series?
AGB
AGB,
The traditions and customs in that sport are certainly different than ours in the motocross world. Then again, most of the guys/gal in car racing are a little older and that sport appeals to an older crowd than ours does. I imagine if a typical NASCAR fan walked through the pits on a warm Anaheim Saturday and got a look at the Monster girls and other spokesmodels they would either have a stroke from the sudden rise in blood pressure or start scrambling through their pockets looking for their little blue pills. While some of the car racing traditions seem silly [pouring milk all over yourself after a race?] I'm sure some of the stuff we do seems ridiculous too [making right-hand turns and flying coach to the races]. Neither sport is sending astronauts into space. Hell, we aren't even sending monkeys into space and I'm pretty sure the Russians did that decades ago with nothing more than a few cases of Smirnoff, a stick of dynamite and an old porta potty. It would be pretty awkward to watch Roczen or RV tongue down their old ladies before kicking their bikes to life. Hopefully that custom stays in the car racing realm. The Fire and Police Nationals? Yes, I'll be there.
PING
Pinger,
I know this Alessi thing from Atlanta has been rehashed to death but why in the world are we still letting him race? He's nearly hurt other riders on multiple occasions and shows no signs of changing. I think it's time to bench him for a few weeks.
Ruger
Ruger,
(Sigh) I really want to believe that Mike doesn't have malicious thoughts running through his head when something like this happens but when you look back at his history it's difficult to have his back. If that move, which was executed as badly as it possible, happened on the last lap of the main event for a top-ten finish I probably wouldn't even give him a hard time about it. Points and cash are hard to come by and if you feel like you have a chance to make a pass then go for it. But if it happens in qualifying or even the first half of the race you just look incompetent. I've watched the replay a million times and it definitely seems like the tuff block knocked his foot away from the brake pedal. That theory holds some water right up tot he point where he grabs a fistful of throttle and dumps the clutch into Tickle. I don't think $4000 is going to change the way he rides so these guys will just have to be careful around #800.
PING
Pingree,
What in the world is Cole Seely thinking riding a 450 in supercross? He is in the chase for a supercross championship and he is risking getting hurt by riding a bigger bike in a class he's not used to. Seems like a big risk to me. If I were managing that team I'd have him testing and riding laps on his 250 until they go back to racing in Houston.
Bernie J
Bernie,
There's always a bunch of chatter when a racer decides to ride the opposite coast on a bigger bike but name a rider who got hurt doing it. Go ahead. I tried and I can't think of one guy. The fact is you can get complacent turning laps around the same old practice track over and over and make a mistake that leads to an injury easier than you can when you are focused in a race setting. Of course there is a chance of Cole getting hurt; this sport is an energy drink-fueled, gunless version of Russian roulette that way. But Cole has already raced a factory Honda 450 and done quite well on it. He'll also come into Houston with recent races under his belt, unlike Anderson who will come off a two-month hiatus and go into Houston cold. And, looking big picture, Cole has another chance to impress on the big bike and turn some heads for next year when he makes his move into the 450 division full-time. I think Cole and his team are making good choices and I hope he does well during his run of 450 races on the east coast.
PING
