by Steve Cox
Southwick Race Report
Saturday, August 28, 2010 | 11:59 PM
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In this article…
Riders
- Trey Canard
- Kyle Chisholm
- Mike Alessi
- Dean Wilson
- Jake Weimer
- Chris Pourcel
- Chad Reed
- Tyla Rattray
- Wil Hahn
- Martin Davalos
- Tommy Hahn
- Ian Trettel
- Blake Wharton
- Nick Wey
- Matt Goerke
- Ryan Sipes
- Bobby Kiniry
- Kevin Windham
- Eli Tomac
- Broc Tickle
- Brett Metcalfe
- Josh Grant
- Kyle Regal
- Dan Reardon
- Ryan Dungey
- Cole Seely
- Justin Barcia
- Chris Pourcel
- Justin Brayton
- Andrew Short
Races
Sometimes, when things are going your way, they’re just going your way. Freight trains are hard to stop simply because they’re moving. It’s momentum. We got samples of this in both classes today at Southwick, round 10 of the 12-round Lucas Oil/AMA Pro Motocross Championships.
450
The first example of momentum came in the form of Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey. To start the day, it was already unlikely that anyone was going to stop him from clinching the 450cc National title by the end of the day – his second national title in his rookie season. But things continued to go this juggernaut’s way throughout the day.
Ryan Dungey won his second national championship of his rookie 450cc season officially today at Southwick.
Photo: Steve Cox
The first thing to roll Dungey’s way happened right away in the first practice session of the day, when Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short suffered a mechanical and dropped out of the session, which turned out to be, by far, the fastest qualifying session due to the smoothness of the track. Short ended up not qualifying on time and had to take a top-10 provisional, as he sat second in points to Dungey and was the only guy who stood a real chance of extending the championship chase at least until Steel City next weekend. Short took the 40th gate pick, which was a very big help to Dungey.
The next thing to roll Dungey’s way would have been impossible to predict prior to the race. GEICO Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe pulled the holeshot, taking over where Short left off in that regard. Metcalfe had two holeshots at the Texas National eight rounds ago, but this time he wasn’t going to let it go.
Dungey moved his way into second early on after TLD/Lucas Oil Honda’s Ben Townley crashed out of the position. But try as he might, he couldn’t do anything with Metcalfe out front. For over minutes, Dungey chased Metcalfe, and at the two-lap board, Metcalfe put the hammer down to try and put the nail in Dungey’s coffin. Metcalfe pulled away slightly, but a little over halfway through the final lap, Metcalfe inexplicably waved Dungey by. One turn later, he came rolling to a stop.
Brett Metcalfe (24) led all of the first moto except for the important part, running out of gas with a few turns left.
Photo: Steve Cox
Metcalfe climbed off of his stalled machine and tore off his goggles before thinking maybe he could push the bike across the finish line. He pushed the bike to the top of the hill it stopped on and then saw there was a whole lot of track left, rolled down the hill, then fell, pulled off his helmet, and walked back to the pits, dejected.
He had run out of gas. So did Short and Townley in the same moto, although Short was the last guy on the lead lap when it happened, on the last lap, so he lost no positions.
Again, things rolled Dungey’s way.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Tommy Hahn inherited second after a strong ride in third all moto, while Jagermeister/FMF KTM’s Mike Alessi inherited third after starting at the tail end of the top 10 and moving forward. Fourth went to MCRMX’s Kyle Chisholm, while privateer Kyle Regal was fifth in front of last year’s winner Matt Goerke, Honda Red Bull Racing’s replacement rider Kevin Windham, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s replacement rider Nick Wey, privateer local Robbie Marshall and New York’s Bobby Kiniry.
Townley was eventually passed by Dungey in a sweeping move to the inside up the hill after the start as the track headed to the back section, and from there, Dungey was in a league of his own, taking the moto win and the overall. Townley held on for second in the moto, holding off Goerke for the spot. Alessi was fourth in the moto in front of Windham and Chisholm, and then an amazing ride from Metcalfe, who caught all the way up to seventh even though he suffered two more falls in the moto getting caught up with slower riders. Eighth was Ryan Sipes over Wey and Justin Brayton. Hahn went out with a reported clutch problem while running up front and did not finish the moto.
Overall, Dungey won again, clinching the title actually after the first moto of the day, while Alessi’s 3-4 was good for second overall and Goerke’s 6-3 landed him on the podium overall in his first race back from injury.
250
In the 250cc class, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard was the unstoppable force, as he had won the previous four AMA National overalls and pulled to within 16 points of the leader Chris Pourcel of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.
Tyla Rattray scored his second overall of the season, both of which came with 2-2 scores.
Photo: Steve Cox
In the first moto, despite not feeling all that comfortable on his bike in his first visit (as a pro) to Southwick, Canard worked his way by holeshot artist Wil Hahn, of the TLD/Lucas Oil Honda team, and into the lead while Pourcel found himself mired just outside the top 10 and unable to move forward. Pourcel eventually moved up to seventh, but that was as far as he could make it, while Canard held off Pourcel’s teammate Tyla Rattray to win the first moto. After the moto, the two racers were only five points apart.
Behind Rattray came Hahn, Canard’s teammate Justin Barcia (last year’s winner of this event), Rattray’s teammate Dean Wilson, Barcia and Canard’s teammate Eli Tomac, the aforementioned Pourcel, DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Broc Tickle, Hahn’s teammate Cole Seely, and then Tickle’s end-of-season teammate Gareth Swanepoel in 10th.
Overall, Tyla Rattray took his second win of the year, both of which came with 2-2 scores, while Barcia was second with his 4-1 and Canard was third with his 1-9 over Hahn (3-5) and Pourcel (7-3).
Despite the poor second moto, Canard still managed to pick up three points on Pourcel as the series heads to Steel City next weekend. That’s what happens when things are going your way – even on your bad days, good things happen.
WMX
Despite a first-turn crash in the first moto, DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Jessica Patterson still managed not only to finish second to championship rival Ashley Fiolek, of the Honda Red Bull Racing team, but she finished right on Fiolek’s tail. The second moto seemed to be a foregone conclusion that, if Patterson stayed up, she would beat Fiolek, and that’s exactly what happened, as Patterson put an exclamation point on her first-moto ride to grab the overall win and hang on to her 22-point lead in the standings. TLD/Lucas Oil Honda’s Tarah Gieger once again went 3-3 on the day.
Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship?
Rockstar Energy Southwick National
Moto-X 338
August 28, 2010
Round 10 of 12
450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (1-1)
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (3-4)
3. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., Yamaha (6-3)
4. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha (4-6)
5. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda (7-5)
6. Nick Wey, DeWitt, Mich., Kawasaki (8-9)
7. Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda (34-2)
8. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki (2-32)
9. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda (14-7)
10. Dan Reardon, Australia, Yamaha (13-11)
450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 468
2. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 317
3. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 314
4. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 273
5. Ben Townley, New Zealand, Honda, 271
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 260
7. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha, 216
8. Chad Reed, Australia, Kawasaki, 204
9. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Honda, 201
10. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 194
250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-2)
2. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda (4-1)
3. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda (1-9)
4. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (3-5)
5. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki (7-3)
6. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki (5-4)
7. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (6-7)
8. Gareth Swenapoel, South Africa, Yamaha (10-6)
9. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha (11-8)
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha (8-11)
250 Class Championship Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 399
2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 386
3. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 364
4. Dean Wilson, Scotland, Kawasaki, 363
5. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 291
6. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 262
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 259
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 232
9. Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha, 210
10. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 195
WMX Class (Moto Finish)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (2-1)
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-2)
3. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda (3-3)
4. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki (4-7)
5. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha (6-5)
6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha (5-6)
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM (11-4)
8. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (8-8)
9. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha (9-9)
10. Julie Anne Parizek, Willington, Conn., Kawasaki (10-10)
WMX Class Championship Standings (After 6 of 8 Rounds)
1. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha, 288
2. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 266
3. Tarah Gieger, Winter Gardens, Fla., Honda, 229
4. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha, 190
5. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 180
6. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM, 176
7. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Yamaha, 169
8. Alexah Pearson, Rocklin, Calif., Yamaha, 138
9. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha, 135
10. Erica Cook, Natalia, Texas, Yamaha, 113
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1st! I'd like to dedicate this win to my thesis that has me gettin up at outrageous hours of Sunday mornin! Congrats to Dungey for making history. A truly incredible achievement. Amazing when you think the last guys to do this in either SX or MX were Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael...ever heard of them?? Changing of the guard??? Stoked about Rattray gettin that overall, on the day his baby was born...what a way to welcome him/her into this world!! Come on Pourcel hang in there!!!
Wow so happy for Ryan Dungey, it's truly amazing what he's managed to do this year. Bad luck for Short i'd love to see him win a title someday. Can't beleive Metcalfe ran out of fuel. 3 Hondas all out of fuel? Are the tanks slightly to small or are these guys just going that hard for the moto.
Dungey is a good guy and very deserving, but I am just as happy for Roger Decoster. Suzuki was at the bottom when he took over back in '95. How many championships have his riders won since then? Off the top of my head I think it's 9 championships. Great job, he's still "The Man"
I feel so bad for Metcalfe, he had it. Good to see that he is capable of being up there with a start. Speaking of starts, look what Alessi did with a couple of decent ones... a short start straight with him on the inside. Still way back though gap-wise. Look what happened to Short without a start. Maybe Matt Goerke didn't hear about YZ 450 setup issues or long layoff issues? Just sayin'. I love the "I'm super pumped" t-shirts members of the crew are wearing in that pic!
Hey what happened with Barcia and WIlson? I heard Barcia ran into Wilson again on the final lap of the 1st moto but the didn't take him out.
Congrats to Dungey, he is riding great, what a last 12 months for him. Pourcel is looking like he has no drive, like he isnt hungry. Canard had a big chance and lost it. What a great race at Southwick. Jealous of everyone who got to see it in person. Canard needs a big 1-1 at Steel City, put Pourcel into 2nd place for the 2nd year in a row. But at least take the race for the title all the way to Pala.
This is typical shallow reporting by Steve Cox, if it doesn't happen inside the top 5 he doesn't bother. This is Southwick and not one word about Dowd. Does anyone know how he finished...or if he even raced?
The 450 class is weak. look at the top five, of course Dungy won. I can't wait for a full class of racers. RV2, James, Reed hurry back! and staying a full season would be great. Carmichael and McGrath would still be able to finish in this top five
Love2smell, clasic words from a computer chair racer.
When will things go mettys way? the guy is a warrior. Good job Dungey(yawn). Hey 2stroke lover guy, the 450 class may not be full but the guys you mentioned all crashed and got hurt trying to catch or stay in front of the new 450 champ. The guard has changed.
Good point about Goerke BKR. Right now I guess hes the FMOTP on a Yamaha. Maybe James should ride his bike and see how it goes.
Goerke clearly likes Southwick. In that first 250 moto, Wilson and Barcia came by me with less than half a lap to go, Wilson was swapping badly, and Barcia got him at the finish. He, too, loves the 'wick. Canard got knocked down in a collision with Wilson in that second moto. At the start, he was behind the whole PC team and I wondered how that might play out. Not good for TC. Nice ride for Rattray. Dowdy got a tough start in moto one but was battling for top ten. He finished somewhere 10-12. He looked good. Second moto, he went down in a first-turn pileup and damaged his bike, thus DNF. Tough break, but the crowd still saluted him as he limped his Kawi back to the pits. Great day of racing, but a little weird. Three Hondas ran out of gas in moto one? When we yelled to Metcalfe's mechanic as he walked back to the pits, he shook a trick but empty stainless steel fuel bottle. Story told. Also, Short's bike quit during timed practice? That set him up for a seriously tough day. What’s the deal, Honda? Great job by new guy Ian Trettle. Another glorious day for moto in southern MA. Has to be the toughest place to watch a National, though. Congrats to the Dunge.
Hey 2 stroke smeller, I'd like to see you on the track with Short, Metcalfe, Alessi, and Townley, or Brayton, or Goerke, or Hahn, or even Chisholm then tell me they're slow. Kudos to everyone who makes the program.
I told you guys that Tyla would win. Deano owes some hard take"outs to both canard and Barcia. WTF was canard thinking??? Mike alessi sucks. I hope people stop blaming the bike now. When alessi finishes 13th, its because thats all he's capable of. Tommy hahn needs a freakin factory ride already. hope to see Ian trettel and Stroupie under the suzuki tents next year... Good race except for dirty Trey being a fool. the honda guys think deano is expendable. He needs to show his and PC's dominance and put both honda riders on the dirt. At one point Trettel had passed Tomac and Canard, They must have been stunned
How come nobody gave a flying f{}ck about metcalfe until he rode a honda??? ya know, he got alot of SX and MX podiums on a kawi too. Honda's are crappping out right and left, suzuki's and kawi's are winning everything. but its like "until you win on a honda you wont have fans". You guys would cream your pants if stewey or dungey went red... Why?
Man you have to feel bad for Metty what a ride he had that one. I cant believe some poster are still saying BUT RD1 beat all the rider they mentioned strait up. I like Reed have his 04 championship ban er hanging in my living room but i think he is done. He just does not seem to have the drive after what to Sharky. And Bubble's i think it will be a crash fest in 2011 he just does not no how to finish 2 to 5 and he is not the man right now. As for RV2 i really don't no were he will be he has speed but is also on the edge often. I think the really competition will come from the 125 "250" riders coming up. I think any one not putting RD1 as there top pick are just kidding them self he is on a roll and it's hard to stop someone like that. Any way it tunes out it should be some great racing and i cant wait! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Racer X is my favorite mag and sight but i will say i was upset "P I S S E D" that they put Bubble's on the cover of racer x with red #1 on his bike. Then i started reading the mag and got even more upset when i got to the ad for the denations and there he was again front bike with the red #1 again. Even if he had made the team it would never have been the #1 rider. Racer x , Redbull and Bubble's him self should have never let that happen! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was cheering for Metty so bad that first moto! This guy is very underrated. Shows with a good start he can run the same pace as anyone out there. Congrats to Dungey and Suzuki on a well deserved title.
yzsean, amen on the number thing. Nobody owns the #1 plate. You rent it a year at a time and the price is racing in and winning the season championship. Some riders/drivers in motorsport who earned it in the past have preferred NOT to run it out of modesty, respect for their competition, or felt it gaudy. Others declined to run it in order to build value in their permanent number. But I never heard of a guy who ran it unearned. It's disrespectful, tacky, and lacks class. If you want to be hailed as the champ, you have to able to hail the champ.
Did I read that Broc Hepler was coming back for Southwick or was it Broc Tickle?
Congrats Suzuki and RD. Hats off to Bret for digging deep...he earned that moto. I hope next season brings back some speed and better racing, this season has been a yawner.
jojo - Broc Hepler was coming back but I heard he got hurt during sign ups
poor metcalfe running out gas on last lap.bubba would've run out of gas by 15 mintue mark,matt goerke didn't.
YZ''''SEAN,>>>>>>> I agree your boy dungey is like king midas on a bike right now. He always seems to be in the best line, all the luck is swinging his direction. But dont forget Poto dominated him on a 250f. Ran him down a few times in SX. But most important RV Holeshotted all the lites bikes and 450's at the MXdN, and his laptimes were faster than the GOAT's. In other words, he beat the goat straight up on a 250f. Dont think 6 months off a bike is gonna make him slower. He's probably hungrier than ever, he shows up in shape, and he shows up to win... Not to ride second place to somebody he already know's he can beat (Dungey). all i got to say buddy is that those 2 are going to battle, no ifs ands or buts. as for reed. He'll probably be able to pull off some podiums, as will stewart. But its RD and RV for a few years. their both young and hungry and capable. I personally think Pourcel will catch everybody off guard. He totally has a big bike riding style. He'll be the only guy smoother than RD. so next anaheim their will be about 6 guys that CAN win,,, if they can handle dungey and poto. Poto has the speed, dungey has the confidence. Take your pick. I thaugh you were a joker woofing all this dungey BS last year, but he's proven. absolutely diserves the #1 plate. Burn that racer X cover of biittttchassssss Bubba W/ number 1 plates. How can he be that Cy, and how can racer x let him get away with it??? Sorry guys, i just tore my ACL, I'm gonna be couch racing alot..
Pinned great read i hope every thing you said comes true. Love great racing and battles don't even mind some banging should be a good year! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always great pics from Ben Townley, great riding style, mix of Johnny O’Mara and Alex Puzar (I know I’m old school). For Dungey, you can call him “Mr. Dungey” now!
Before supercross started I said Dungey would be a contender and people thought I was crazy saying he wouldn't even be top 3. pinned927- Carmichael also helped out Villopoto because RC had the first gate pick for that moto but he gave it to Villopoto and that helped him get the holeshot. Dungey also won some motos and a few overalls back in 2008 against Villopoto. Not saying Villopoto didn't deserve, which he did deserve it, just saying that the gate pick helped him out. Congrats to Dungey.
I also think starting for supercross in 2010 that Reed and Stewart will both be fast and contend for the title and that guys like Dungey, Villopoto, and Josh Grant will too. I think Canard, Weimer and Pourcel will get some podiums but I don't know about wins though. I think if Austin Stroupe moves up next year (I hope he can race one more year in the Lites class) I think he will get some podiums and maybe even win a race. And for motocross I think all of those riders will contend for the championship.
One more and i am done for the day. racerX wont let me use the word co cky to describe bubba? why not. but I was told that Pro Circuit would have Deano, Hansen, Styla, and would be picking up Broc tickle and Blake Baggett. But Jason Anderson just killed it at loretta's. he got the horizon award. I cant imagine him not riding a PC bike. I'm thinking maybe they Will give the ride to J'Anderson blake baggett and maybe not Broc Tickle. Anybody got any good info on that??? Who diserves the ride the most. 3 super fast riders going for 2 spots available. Baggett, Tickle, or anderson? I wanna hear some opinions
Did Dowd not race this year?
kirk" Dowd went 11-DNF went down in first turn crash and bike had problems kept cutting out. DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's bad enough that Reed and Stewart are not 100% along with Villipoto missing his 2nd straight outdoor season, but what's evern worse is FINALLY somebody looks like they have something for Dungey and bad luck gets in their way. Metcalfe runs out of gas, Hahn loses his clutch, Short has problems, Grant hurts his shoulder. I mean when will it end. No wonder Dungey is champ. It won't be that easy for him next year and luck won't be on his side forever.
I can only imagine what Alessi Weekly will be pumping their chest about (and misspelling galore) after Southwick. Goerke backed up his PR blurb, that's for sure!
I gotta laugh how a very few out there have to talk about Dungey's competition as if they're a joke. It is just that they don't have that big name to go with it. Metcalfe is on it right now and is no joke. Reed has the name, but he can't hang with Metty right now, or maybe anymore. By the end of next year Metty will be considered one of the best in the world, not just some guy that moved up from the 250f after not winning. People put so much into reputation instead of speed. Remember when Henry and Dowd were just privateers from New England that got lucky because it poured rain in Sacremento one year? 20 years later they are both legends of the sport. I'll give Stewart some slack, but Reed was out there and was getting beat pretty good by Dungey and he was 100% for at least the early part of MX. Jojo it is agreed it won't be anywhere near as easy next year for Dungey, but that will only be because of RV if he is healthy. Can we stop with luck being why Dungey has won 9 overalls straight already?
Maybe Metcalfe was the one who was lucky this week almost winning a moto, good god he's been racing all season long and this was going to be his first moto win right.
Here's an interesting thought. Everyone gets faster after their rookie year, MC did, RC did, Stewart did.....RV did....RJ, Ward, Bailey, O'mara, Stanton etc etc etc. Is Dungey going to get faster? I can't think of any champion that didn't improve upon his rookie year, and that includes RC and MC.
Pastrana won his only National Title as a rookie. Never won another title again although he was on his way until he began crashing his brains out on a weekly basis. Perhaps one of the biggest shouda/couda/wouda stories in MX ever. I wonder what ever happened to that kid???
Hey can we wait for RV to beat RD a couple of times on a 450 outdoors before he in declared the Dungey slayer. Dungey haswon 9 450 outdoor nationals and RV has 1 under his belt and that was at the 1st round last year. A few people on here refuse to accept Dungey and his accomplishments. I agree that RV is very fast outdoors and probably didnt lose any speed being off 6 months but keep in mind that Dungey continues to improve and has gained alot of speed and confidence during RV's downtime. It will be good next year and I'm a fan of both riders but enough with Dungey being lucky. He deserves it because he stayed healthy, uninjured, trained like a mad man and never gives up.
@ jojo- Every champion has to have luck on their side and has to catch breaks. In 2008 I think it was Millville when Ryan Dungey was leading the 2nd moto during the mud race and he fell on the last lap and I thought he had a good lead too. Guess who won that? Ryan Villopoto won that race and he was the champion that year. That same year Austin Stroupe won the first overall and then he missed most of the season due to an illness. 2006 Lites motocross didn't Mike Alessi go off the track and do something to his bike at the end of the season and lose the championship? Lites East supercross 2008 Villopoto was crashing out the first half of the season, same thing with Chad Reed in his rookie year in 2003 he was crashing out and won the final 6 races and lost the championship by 7 points. I'm sure James Stewart caught breaks when he went undefeated in 2008. Who knows, maybe Mike Alessi might have won a moto that year if he didn't get ran over at Red Bud? Maybe Alessi would have won that moto when Stewart fell and Cody Cooper couldn't capitilize. Luck happens to every champion but you can't take it away from them because you think they are "lucky." Every champion catches breaks out there.
Wow, congradulations Ryan! A well deserved championship for Dungey and Suzuki.....((((((((((RYAN DUNGEY RULES!!!!!))))))))))
MXRACER71" SMOKIN" Well said right on point. FANCYPANTS its 15 ! points now 15 wins in his rookie year SX & MX year! DUNGEY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lass than a 1/4 lap...Metcalfe...I am sick about it.....There must be some kind of force field around RD....Never seen anything like it.....The luck contues. Wiled day both classes. TC could have taken over but die in moto2. Crazy day at the wick.
WOW bd200 you say this " Pourcel is looking like he has no drive, like he isnt hungry. Canard had a big chance and lost it" but when others said that about RD in SX when RV was hanging it out you looked at if that RD was in the lead and RV was out of control...Hmmmm what a flip flop way of looking at it.
Sef you said "Canard got knocked down in a collision with Wilson in that second moto" Ummm don't think so, TC was passing under yellow( though you can't do that)he took a chance and went down. He even said it. U make it sould like it was not his fault.
Not much on Alessi, I thought he rode well, Best he has in a long time.
Congrats to RD5 and RDC's team....wow what a exclamation point on a historic rookie season.....
Always have to make things into an argument, don't you BillC? Canard got together with Wilson and went down. Better? My point was that finishing ninth in moto two wasn't simply a matter of only having ninth-place speed. The track was putting a whippin' on the boys, and it wasn't easy to recover from a fall. After Pourcel's seventh, I was bummed to see TC give those points back. At five points down (after moto one), the championship was getting tight. With four motos to go, Trey can't afford anymore "give-backs."
Not looking to start anything sef, Just wanted to clarify , anyone who did not see the race and read what you said here "Canard got knocked down in a collision with Wilson in that second moto. At the start, he was behind the whole PC team and I wondered how that might play out. Not good for TC"...After reading that one would think TC was getting beat up by the PC guys when he did not. Thats all.
A great mix of riders in the top 10
A great mix of riders in the top 10
Crowd was noticeably smaller this year. The fence was still crowded, though. That might be because they block off a sixth of the track for VIPs. The funny part was that hardly anyone was in the VIP section and the majority of them were in the tents and bleachers. It was still a fun day, but that stuff irks me.
dungey was so lucky right? i dont know about that, the gas thing with metty, that was lucky. but if dungey wasnt in position to capitalize? has it ever occurred to you that maybe these people are getting hurt trying to match the speed and stamina of this dungey guy?
MX117, I've always said there's WAY too much space "off limits" to us common folks at the Nationals. Southwick did open up the previously closed "Parts Unlimited" space near the start this year. I did think it was a good crowd, though. Southwick is a tough spectator track, especially if you're short (not Andrew :).
If Metty doesn't run out of gas and wins the moto, Dungey still takes the overall with 2-1.
@ BillC- Again, every champion catches breaks out there, just like I said in my post that was a couple before yours when you said "1/4 lap to go.. Metcalfe... I'm sick about it... there must be some kind of force field around RD." You should read it and give me your thoughts. I was pulling for Metcalfe to finally win something too. And thanks yzsean, go Dungey! He's the man! Congrats to him on his great rookie season winning BOTH the AMA Motocross and Supercross championships. He deserves it, he's the nicest racer out there next to Bobby Kiniry.
BillC, YOU "would think TC was getting beat up by the PC guys." Canard WAS behind the PC riders, and after he took back 11 points in the first moto, an astute fan would "wonder how that might play out." He DID collide with Wilson, and the collision DID knock him down. Neither TC nor I "blamed" Wilson.
You are right about Southwick, tough spectator track for sure. Last year my buddy flipped out when he saw the big tent with the big TV's and crap... WTF go hame and watch it on TV give the real fans more room to see. True about Metty ..... but maybe not, he wins that moto goes to the line for moto2 with Confidence instead of being real upset and who knows what happens right?? Thats how it happen when TC won his first race now look at where he is so why not for Brett too??
Sef I NEVER said you blaimed anyone, All I said is the way you worded it to someone who did not see the race it did not sound good. Thats all. I wondered too Sef how it would play out, But you make it sound like u thought the PC guys would play dirty.Thats all I am saying.
mxracer71 No question at all about the good luck, My only point is I have never seen sooooooo many things fall one guys way ever. All year long, I could give you many examples. Thats my only point to the good luck thing with RD. The funny thing is ( I don't expect anyone to believe this but I sware its true) Going into the last lap I told my bro and a friend watch metty will run out of gas or something, When it happen we did not know what happen for a wile but I just watched and shook my head as RD crossed the line for another win.
Dude you jinxed Metty!? Lolz jk. Yeah that stuff just happens with every champion. Like at Red Bud, Townley fell on the last lap, but he fell in the way of Reed's line instead of Dungey's line on the last lap when Reed was right behind Dungey. If Reed was the points leader I'm sure it might have been the other way around and Townley would have tipped over to Dungey's side.
LOL its my fault!!! Yes Red Bud is another time, in SX too there were many. I know its part of it but after awile I just say WTF I can't believe it ya gota be kidding!!! Thats what I said at southwick... I can't believe it!!!
BILLC, look idiot. I dont know why you think you need to TRY to call me out on every single post on here but you really need to get a life. And go F#ck yourself while you are at it. And about your "flir-flop" statement. You are an idiot and cant be further from the truth. I NEVER said RD was in control and RV2 was out of control. Because RV2 is my favorite rider, and wouldnt say that about him. dumba#s. Yes I started name calling. Tired of BILLC being an as@hole and starting arguements with me over nothing. Get a life BILLC. You are a loser. And you once said if we met at a race we would share a beer. NO, I will knock you on your little spoiled baby old man grey headed as@. Count on it. Now leave me out of your ignorant comments..
I was so bummed to see Metty run out of gas. Its funny because I think them 2 crossed the finish line with about 20 seconds left on the clock, so if they hadn't been pushing each other and had slowed down just a bit, they would have done 1 fewer laps and Metty would have won. The 250 class did the same thing. Barcia crossed the line with 3 seconds left and I was waiting to see if any of them would run out. I thought maybe Barcia would since he always seems to have the bike running wide open, even in the air, but I guess the 250's are more fuel efficient.
BillC, it just looks like Dungey is the luckiest ever because you don't like him and wish he wasn't winning. If it was any of your favorites, you wouldn't notice all this luck that falls into his lap. I don't think that way but wanted to phrase it so you would be comfortable with it. Every champ has significant luck, some would also call it preparedness, **** together, or whatever else. Is it luck that the Hondas ran out of gas or poor preparation on Honda's part? Seriously, Team Geico 250f was running big tanks as I'm sure other teams do. Is it luck because someone crashes, gets hurt, or just can't hang? Dungey's bike would have run out of gas too if the tank didn't hold enough to finish. Strangely HE didn't run out of gas. Lucky for him I guess. Team Honda doesn't have it figured that they can go a whole moto in the sand? That's luck?? Lucky for Dungey he's also the fastest and fittest out there.
I hope Honda gets their "luck" figured out before MXdN! How does the biggest motorcycle company in the world not get their #1 rider's bike through the first practice?
Rutro bd is mad!!! Out of control you are bd.... out of control.
BKR I like RD, so stop saying that i don't like him. Also I said above i know all champs have some luck just not as much as what RD has had, Hell did u see RD after the Moto?? He knew he had one handed to him. I just call it like I see it. Way back in the day I was a BIG Jeff Ward fan, I remember he won a title one year because RJ's bike broke or he got hurt, Sure I was happy "my guy" won but even as a little kid I knew RJ was the better man that year and Wardy got lucky. Thats all I am saying. Did you watch the race on TV?? I heard Wiggie and Fro use the word "luck" at least 3 times in the second moto. You could look at it both ways, You asked this "Is it luck that the Hondas ran out of gas or poor preparation on Honda's part?" It could be good luck for Rd that they were not prepared LOL. Either way if they never had issues how do you prepare for the unknown??
I agree Sef, Honda has been going down hill for a few years now. I don't know what happen to them, The once proud CO seems to have no direction or desire.
I was just thinking BKR, (scary i know) RC was one of the most prepared guys ever right?? So when he went down and tore his ACL what was that?? Bad luck or just a mistake, can't be a mistake because he was prepared right? Not trying to be a smart ass but can you see my point at all now?
Yeah, it can be looked at as luck on Dungey's part but this is one instance. People are saying he is the luckiest guy ever...and yes Weege does point out that Dungey has had some luck. The point is some say THAT is why Dungey is winning, not because he is the best this year. That may be why a few things have gone his way, but that isn't why he is winning. I also recall him falling and his goggles getting messed up at budds Creek, he got up and challenged for 2nd still. That doesn't sound all that lucky. I never would have guessed you like Dungey though bewteen the bad passing and luck comments. That's cool though. Can't wait to see him and RV go at it next year. I have a feeling this is gonna be real good. I won't know who to root for. In SX this year I was back and forth as to who I was pulling for. Hey, I too was rooting for Ward but I don't see it as him getting lucky that RJ's bike broke. I think keeping the bike together, not crashing, avoiding injury etc. are all part of the game. There were years Ward was riding with injury and RJ took advantage...part of the game. They say good fortune comes with preparation and I believe that.
RJ insisted on flogging his YZ that day when riding more conservatively would have sealed the championship. He was young and admitted later that he learned from that mistake. Wardy was always a smart rider and both men made their luck -- good and bad.
Not that year Sef, That was not Ward he lost to that year it was....Ummm... I can't rememebr....Hanson maybe?? Hmmm I can't believe I can't remember. The year you are talking about he said he just wanted to beat them real bad and would not back off. I think he blow up his front wheel right?? Because he would not slow down of some big jump I think. Yes BKR I do like RD, I mean whats not to like?? The Kid is very polite and works hard.The things I say about him like the luck thing just seems like everything that could go his way has more than I have ever seen before thats alll, and I hate this passing thing, All I ever ment is He is not what I am use to seeing out of a top guy, Most of them, RC, JS, RV ect don't stay behind and wait, they go for it as soon as they get close, I never said RD is not GREAT just goes about things slower and more mathodical, This year that worked great all year except a few races but in a deeper field he might need to work on guys faster witch my put him out of his comfurt zone and then maybe some crashes?? Hey right now my Fav is RV and i am hard on him too so please cut me some slack. Its just the way I am. I am very hard on myself too and even if it was my best friend or Bro out there I would be hard on them too. Thats why I am hard on Short also, I like him too, Good dude but I just think he should be much stronger than he is. Just my opion. I could be wrong but I don't think so ;)
Bill was talking about 1988 with RJ's bike breaking one moto which isn't going to fly against Wardy and I do think it was Hansen that won that year Bill. RV is my favorite too and I do think Dungey might feel some urgency when RV gets a better start next year. Then again, he has that philosophy of riding his own race and it worked out for him this year. RV probably would have won the SX title this year fairly easily if he had used that philosophy this year as he twice went from tied for the lead to around 20 points back. When you look back at Bubba's career you also see several titles that slipped away when he didn't back it down some and ride smart. That's part of racing though. Look how many times this year we've seen a guy do great one moto and crash or break in the next. Speed and consistency go hand and hand for titles and Dungey looks to have that figured out right now.
"Johnson came into his own during the 1982 season. Racing in the 250 class, he took his first national win in the 250 opener at the Hangtown National.... Johnson had a solid series points lead going into the final national of the season in Castle Rock, Colorado. In that final event, he broke a front wheel on his bike and lost the championship in heartbreaking fashion to Honda’s Donnie Hansen by just three points." That's the season I was thinking of.
Yup thats the one Sef, i was right it was Hansen!! My mind is not shot after all. I was thinking 83 though on that one when you brought it up. You guys remember at the MXD or I should say the trophy des nations in I think 85 when Rodger D told Ward to slow down?? LOL He said Wardy was going so fast he would have lapped the field, i had to slow him down!!!