Ping,
I've been thinking about some of the questionable passes we saw at A1 and wondering how the AMA is supposed to handle "questionable" riding. One way I thought that might work, and I wanted to get your opinion, is to consider a soccer referee's authority. Before you and your readers tune out because I mentioned soccer, please hear me out.
A soccer referee has the authority to throw a yellow card if he thinks you did something questionable. If you do two questionable things in one game, receive two yellow cards, then you get a red card and are done for the game. If your move is not questionable and is flat out dirty (i.e. Alessi vs Tickle in '15) he has the authority to go straight to a red card. It's a model that could possibly be used in moto (with a few tweaks).
Think about when Canard took out Dungey. It doesn't matter if it was intentional or not, wise or foolish, if the official thought it was questionable then Canard would get a yellow card. Canard would then need to be careful for the rest of the race - one more questionable move and he's penalized. It allows people to be aggressive and push the limits but not get carried away.
Furthermore, in soccer some refs let you play rougher than others - you just need to know what your ref will let you get away with. If an AMA official is recognized (or even introduced like NFL refs) then riders would know ahead of time what type of racing this ref will let unfold. I can hear Emig now, "To me, Canard was a little too aggressive but we've got so and so officiating tonight and he likes to let people swap a little paint."
What do you think?
Jeremy
Pleasant Hill, CA
Jeremy,
Huh, what was that? Oh, sorry, I literally stopped paying attention to what you wrote after I read the word “soccer.” Listen, I know it’s human nature to try to fix everything, but bringing in a guy in shiny lycra shorts and knee-high socks to wave yellow cards around when riders bump into each other just isn’t necessary. The AMA has a couple guys who handle that already, minus the ridiculous uniforms. The tough part is that every incident is different in terms of what happened leading up to it and how the altercation unfolds. The AMA guys do their best to hand down punishment when and how they see fit. Besides, the instant that racers start throwing themselves on the ground putting on a show for the ref to get a penalty call like the estrogen-filled dandies in soccer, I’m out of here.
PING
Hello David:
I live in a rural area, where my mother and I operate a small motel business. We don’t receive many guests, which gives me ample free time to ruminate on various and sundry issues, the latest of which is this business of Jason Anderson and his win at the Anaheim Supercross. While I applaud Mr. Anderson for his impressive victory, I take umbrage at the many references to this win being "the first ever in premier class supercross for the Husqvarna brand.” That very line appeared in your own otherwise fine publication just a few days past.
A good student of motocross’ history would note that in 1973, Husqvarna legend Bob Grossi was the overall winner of the Daytona Supercross in the 250cc class. Over the years, that class morphed into what we now know as the 450cc class. Hence, I would credit Grossi with the first “premier class” victory for the Swedish brand, which of course, is no longer being manufactured in Italy.
I am concerned that many of the great riders of mx past are not receiving their due. Riding those old bikes was a difficult task, akin to wrapping a dead body in a shower curtain; just about the time you think you have it figured out, an important part falls off!
Well, that’s all for now. I think I just heard a guest ring the front desk. Oh god, oh mother, no!
Norman in Nebraska
Norman,
You are an excellent little student of the sport and I applaud your efforts to hold us accountable for our postings. Except anything I post, of course, because most of it is a bunch of crap and can’t be expected to contain a modicum of accuracy. If you visit The Vault on our esteemed website you will find that in 1973 Bob Grossi won in Daytona on a Husqvarna, just as you say. What you will also find is that in 1973 Daytona’s event was part of the national motocross series, not the supercross series, so Jason Anderson’s win last Saturday is indeed the first for Husky in that discipline. Thanks for playing, though. Now, there’s a weird stain on the bed and an odd smell in room 19… go check it out.
PING
Hey Ping,
Great column. I'm a brand loyal fan; I always want to see Kawasaki on top of the box. But more than that I like to see good and fair racing. That being said I don't think it is fair that Villopoto and McGrath get to ride the track before the race. I'm pretty sure that they can give input on lines and bike setup. What is your take on this?
Thanks DG
DG,
I’ll bet your closet is very organized. You are a rule follower and that is terrific; everything has to be fair and on the up-and-up. But you’ve drawn your knickers way up into your ass on this one for no reason pal, because there really isn’t much advantage to having these guys ride one lap on a track that is completely prepped and tracked smooth. Sure, Jeremy and Ryan did some laps earlier in the week but I can promise you they didn’t have any line suggestions that Eli or any of the other potential winners didn’t already know about. That isn’t to say that MC and RV aren’t assets to the team; I would tell you that just having those guys watch you and give you feedback from the stands is more valuable than them riding a lap during opening ceremonies. Still, if you continue to be steaming mad like an angry little teapot over this injustice I would suggest writing a strongly worded letter to the ACLU. Those kooks will sue over anything.
PING
Have a question for Ping? Hit him up at ping@racerxonline.com.
