Doh!
Nothing to see here folks, just move along....
Monday, May 21, 2007
Real Motocross
Here's a few selected Hangtown pics in the "real motocross" variety.
Doh!
Nothing to see here folks, just move along....
Doh!
Nothing to see here folks, just move along....
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Silly Season Shockers - Part 2 (Sunday Morning)
As riders do Qualifying Practice at Hangtown and AMA Racing stands by to stop any shenanigans, the silly season circus is back to normal in the pits.
Just a note on this blogging of name-shuffling and team-changing. It should not be assumed everything tossed around is "signed = done." What happens is these changes have different levels. There is "someone said so," or "rider said so on a verbal," or "contract in hand," and finally "the name is on the dotted line."
Teams go looking for replacements at about the "verbal decision/contract in hand" level, so that's where we tread on loose ground. No one really waits for name on dotted line, and this can come with last-minute changes.
Hey, it's all lies anyway, so here's this morning's:
-The Tedesco to Honda thing isn't "signed," but people are proceeding as if it is. It's fully expected that Honda will in fact have Tedesco and Townley on board for 2008.
-There is a good chance this reduces the budget for Honda to support Factory Connection's 450-only semi (Windham's ride), and one has to wonder if it will continue. Maybe they just want a Lites team, 4 or 5 guys. That leaves KW to look at his options, like the new Gibbs team, back to Suzuki, or KTM.
-People were passing around the Byrne to Gibbs part as contract in hand, but yesterday he said people were being premature about things.
-Gibbs hasn't picked a brand to race yet, and as the 450 guys sort out, that could become a factor with some interesting possibilities. (Wow, when has a team that hasn't raced yet made such a splash - besides Reed this year).
It goes without saying factory Honda didn't like going to half of supercross with an empty semi. No 450 riders on the track from Honda is no fun, especially when you are gearing up for a battle over keeping the best-selling 450 a 450 instead of a 350 or whatever.
BTW - Tedesco is missing this weekend due to a concussion from during the week. Hepler is still out and hasn't raced in 2007.
Speaking of absences from racing, is anyone counting the number of races missed due to concussions? Weekend Window found that some pretty knowledgeable people agree that helmets approved for SXMX have hard styrofoam crushable liners which are better suited for high energy impacts where shell integrity is primary (hitting a wall really fast). We are letting these guys race with something that was designed for something else and it could be improved. It just needs to be studied and it's not going to be easy. Too bad we haven't started much yet. The best read on this is Doc Bodnar's comments from San Diego, still here on Weekend Window. (comeon people, get this on the agenda and spend some money! It's taking too long to start - soapbox off, race day.)
Just a note on this blogging of name-shuffling and team-changing. It should not be assumed everything tossed around is "signed = done." What happens is these changes have different levels. There is "someone said so," or "rider said so on a verbal," or "contract in hand," and finally "the name is on the dotted line."
Teams go looking for replacements at about the "verbal decision/contract in hand" level, so that's where we tread on loose ground. No one really waits for name on dotted line, and this can come with last-minute changes.
Hey, it's all lies anyway, so here's this morning's:
-The Tedesco to Honda thing isn't "signed," but people are proceeding as if it is. It's fully expected that Honda will in fact have Tedesco and Townley on board for 2008.
-There is a good chance this reduces the budget for Honda to support Factory Connection's 450-only semi (Windham's ride), and one has to wonder if it will continue. Maybe they just want a Lites team, 4 or 5 guys. That leaves KW to look at his options, like the new Gibbs team, back to Suzuki, or KTM.
-People were passing around the Byrne to Gibbs part as contract in hand, but yesterday he said people were being premature about things.
-Gibbs hasn't picked a brand to race yet, and as the 450 guys sort out, that could become a factor with some interesting possibilities. (Wow, when has a team that hasn't raced yet made such a splash - besides Reed this year).
It goes without saying factory Honda didn't like going to half of supercross with an empty semi. No 450 riders on the track from Honda is no fun, especially when you are gearing up for a battle over keeping the best-selling 450 a 450 instead of a 350 or whatever.
BTW - Tedesco is missing this weekend due to a concussion from during the week. Hepler is still out and hasn't raced in 2007.
Speaking of absences from racing, is anyone counting the number of races missed due to concussions? Weekend Window found that some pretty knowledgeable people agree that helmets approved for SXMX have hard styrofoam crushable liners which are better suited for high energy impacts where shell integrity is primary (hitting a wall really fast). We are letting these guys race with something that was designed for something else and it could be improved. It just needs to be studied and it's not going to be easy. Too bad we haven't started much yet. The best read on this is Doc Bodnar's comments from San Diego, still here on Weekend Window. (comeon people, get this on the agenda and spend some money! It's taking too long to start - soapbox off, race day.)
"Just Trying to Stop the Behavior" - AMA Racing Penalizes Riders
AMA Racing issued a press release on it's decisions over the J-Law/RV incident this morning.
Weekend Window stopped by the AMA semi to see what the message really was, and asked AMA Racing's communications cheese, Kerry Graeber the question: Answer "We are just trying to stop the behavior." He didn't want to get into the comparisons with Partridge/Dalavos, or previous incidents and the response. This morning it's they know they have someone that acts a certain way and they are addressing that specifically.
J-Law did make a sincere-sounding appology just now at the rider's meeting.
Here's the press pelease:
AMA Racing Penalizes Riders
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 20, 2007) – AMA Racing announced today that Jason Lawrence and Ryan Villopoto have been penalized at the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic from Sacramento, Calif., the opening round of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF.
According to AMA Racing SX/MX Director Steve Whitelock, for actions detrimental to the sport, Lawrence has been fined $7,500 and placed on probation for one year beginning May 18, 2007. Additionally, as part of the penalty, Lawrence loses his earned gate pick for both motos of Sunday’s Motocross Lites event and will now pick 40th out of the 40-rider field.
Villopoto has been fined $2,500.
The penalties stem from a series of instances that occurred during Saturday’s two practice sessions which culminated in a scuffle between the two riders late in session two.
According to Whitelock the severity of the penalties is relative to each riders’ actions. “Jason Lawrence and Ryan Villopoto both share in the blame for what happened today,” said Whitelock. “However, the penalty is harsher for Lawrence because he was the instigator and has demonstrated a pattern of questionable behavior.” Whitelock confirmed that Lawrence had received a verbal warning regarding his actions after the first practice session.
The final decision on the penalties was reached Saturday evening after meeting with both riders and their teams, reviewing photos and considering the reports of AMA race officials.
Weekend Window stopped by the AMA semi to see what the message really was, and asked AMA Racing's communications cheese, Kerry Graeber the question: Answer "We are just trying to stop the behavior." He didn't want to get into the comparisons with Partridge/Dalavos, or previous incidents and the response. This morning it's they know they have someone that acts a certain way and they are addressing that specifically.
J-Law did make a sincere-sounding appology just now at the rider's meeting.
Here's the press pelease:
AMA Racing Penalizes Riders
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 20, 2007) – AMA Racing announced today that Jason Lawrence and Ryan Villopoto have been penalized at the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic from Sacramento, Calif., the opening round of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF.
According to AMA Racing SX/MX Director Steve Whitelock, for actions detrimental to the sport, Lawrence has been fined $7,500 and placed on probation for one year beginning May 18, 2007. Additionally, as part of the penalty, Lawrence loses his earned gate pick for both motos of Sunday’s Motocross Lites event and will now pick 40th out of the 40-rider field.
Villopoto has been fined $2,500.
The penalties stem from a series of instances that occurred during Saturday’s two practice sessions which culminated in a scuffle between the two riders late in session two.
According to Whitelock the severity of the penalties is relative to each riders’ actions. “Jason Lawrence and Ryan Villopoto both share in the blame for what happened today,” said Whitelock. “However, the penalty is harsher for Lawrence because he was the instigator and has demonstrated a pattern of questionable behavior.” Whitelock confirmed that Lawrence had received a verbal warning regarding his actions after the first practice session.
The final decision on the penalties was reached Saturday evening after meeting with both riders and their teams, reviewing photos and considering the reports of AMA race officials.
2007 - The Summer of Improvements
Weekend Window takes a break from writing about track fights to pass on a list of things the NPG and AMA Racing sent out last week as improvements in the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF.
-Revamped television package on SPEED, including same-day coverage of selected events
-An aerial perspective provided via helicopter on SPEED
-Timed practice on Saturday for starting positions in Sunday’s main event
-VIP Hospitality for 200 people, complete with tents, TVs for live timing, scoring and race footage, and bleacher seating complete with catering
-A larger podium for fans to see top athletes for post-race interviews and award ceremonies
-Intermission entertainment, including bands, sky divers and vintage races
-Scripted opening ceremonies with hot laps from the top riders as well as fireworks
-30-second girls added to the start of each moto
-Autograph sessions conducted at every event, featuring the top privateers as well as the factory stars
-Special viewing areas for team managers
-Special mechanics area sponsored by THOR/Parts Unlimited/AMA Racing
-Renewing AMA members will enjoy a half-time track walk
-Vendor’s Row will feature an autograph stage
-Countdown clocks have been added to the Finish Line
-Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.racerxill.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.
-Revamped television package on SPEED, including same-day coverage of selected events
-An aerial perspective provided via helicopter on SPEED
-Timed practice on Saturday for starting positions in Sunday’s main event
-VIP Hospitality for 200 people, complete with tents, TVs for live timing, scoring and race footage, and bleacher seating complete with catering
-A larger podium for fans to see top athletes for post-race interviews and award ceremonies
-Intermission entertainment, including bands, sky divers and vintage races
-Scripted opening ceremonies with hot laps from the top riders as well as fireworks
-30-second girls added to the start of each moto
-Autograph sessions conducted at every event, featuring the top privateers as well as the factory stars
-Special viewing areas for team managers
-Special mechanics area sponsored by THOR/Parts Unlimited/AMA Racing
-Renewing AMA members will enjoy a half-time track walk
-Vendor’s Row will feature an autograph stage
-Countdown clocks have been added to the Finish Line
-Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.racerxill.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Doh! J-Law Nearly DQ'd for Fighting in Second Practice
Quick summary:
There was a fight in the second practice between Jason Lawrence and Ryan Villopoto. Both were messing with each other for several laps and just stopped in the track, RV gassed it, wheelied, and his wheel hit J-Law in the face guard.
Lots of tempers were flying, still are.
The end result:
-J-Law, already on probation from San Francisco, (Edited) Not DQ'd, but last gate pic Sunday, and fined $7,500.
-Villopoto, fined $2,500.
-Villopoto's dad and mechanic, both fined.
Sounds like quite a fight!
WW was in the RV writing something, but Cudby has photos which will be out later.
Hangtown News/Pics 1: Saturday Afternoon
Some quick notes from Hangtown Saturday afternoon.
The weekend is engergized with a lot of effort, and more that the videos on Motocross.com and the live announcers. There has been a lot of building and improvement.
Silly season is still wide open. Suzuki is still working the pits for a 450 guy. People aren't saying much. The rumor about Byrne going to Gibb may pre-mature and he is at least considered for a Suzuki spot to replace Tedesco.
Factory Connection has 3 confirmed, Grant, Weimer, and Trey Canard. This leaves one or two spots, just depends.
Joaquim Rodrigues is riding under the KTM tent right now.
With Honda grabbing up Tedesco and Townley both, will they have enough budget left for Windham?
Stewart was fastest in timed practice.
Lamson on the full-on retro CR125, with Lamy-retro gear too.
Villopoto is running the red number 1 plate.
Checking sag on the retro Lamson CR125!
It sure is cool seeing RC back!
The rider's meeting covered the new format, timed practice and no qualifiers.
The weekend is engergized with a lot of effort, and more that the videos on Motocross.com and the live announcers. There has been a lot of building and improvement.
Silly season is still wide open. Suzuki is still working the pits for a 450 guy. People aren't saying much. The rumor about Byrne going to Gibb may pre-mature and he is at least considered for a Suzuki spot to replace Tedesco.
Factory Connection has 3 confirmed, Grant, Weimer, and Trey Canard. This leaves one or two spots, just depends.
Joaquim Rodrigues is riding under the KTM tent right now.
With Honda grabbing up Tedesco and Townley both, will they have enough budget left for Windham?
Stewart was fastest in timed practice.
Lamson on the full-on retro CR125, with Lamy-retro gear too.
Villopoto is running the red number 1 plate.
Checking sag on the retro Lamson CR125!
It sure is cool seeing RC back!
The rider's meeting covered the new format, timed practice and no qualifiers.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Silly Season Shocker - Everyone to Honda (Townley and Tedesco at least)
MX Weekend Window kicks off the 2007 outdoors with some very strong pre-news from silly seasons inner workings:
Townley and Tedesco went with Honda for 2008, giving Honda a 4-man team, the other two being Short and Millsaps.
Suzuki has no one at the moment, and will be tapping some shoulders at Hangtown and making some calls tonight.
The guys halfway through 2-year deals are thinking - doh!
The Byrne to Gibb racing thing is still going strong. No word on what brand unless it's Kawasaki.
Justin Brayton is factory KTM for 2008.
Ferry is returning at Kawasaki for 2 more years.
DNA Energy Drink/BTOSports/BBMX will add a Lites team and will have two identical semi's, same as the current SOBE/No Fear/Samsung setup. They plan 3 main SX class riders in one semi, and 4 SX Lites riders (2 east, 2 west) in one semi. The DNA Energy Drink deal is done, the two teams are for sure. News on riders and additional sponsors to come
Townley and Tedesco went with Honda for 2008, giving Honda a 4-man team, the other two being Short and Millsaps.
Suzuki has no one at the moment, and will be tapping some shoulders at Hangtown and making some calls tonight.
The guys halfway through 2-year deals are thinking - doh!
The Byrne to Gibb racing thing is still going strong. No word on what brand unless it's Kawasaki.
Justin Brayton is factory KTM for 2008.
Ferry is returning at Kawasaki for 2 more years.
DNA Energy Drink/BTOSports/BBMX will add a Lites team and will have two identical semi's, same as the current SOBE/No Fear/Samsung setup. They plan 3 main SX class riders in one semi, and 4 SX Lites riders (2 east, 2 west) in one semi. The DNA Energy Drink deal is done, the two teams are for sure. News on riders and additional sponsors to come
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