by dirtgirl
5 Minutes with...Mitch Payton
Friday, September 10, 2010 | 10:35 AM
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PrintPro Circuit Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel is facing a titanic, moment-of-truth title fight with GEICO Powersports Honda rider Trey Canard at Pala Raceway. Going into the finale, he holds a tenuous seven-point lead over Canard, who has won the last five of six nationals. We spoke with team boss Mitch Payton to get his thought on the finale and the season in general.
Racer X: Mitch, you were in a somewhat similar position last year when Pourcel’s motor let go at Southwick. Now here you are, once again, caught up in a battle for the 250cc National Championship. How do you feel about things?
Mitch Payton: I feel good about it. Both Trey and Christophe are very good riders. I believe Christophe has been in this position before and he knows what he has to do. The goal should be for him to go there and win. He said that last week in his interview, that he wants to go there [Steel City] and try to win. And last week he gave everything he had. He didn’t get a perfect start in the second moto, but neither did Trey. They both went to the front and they had a great race. The way that those two raced last weekend was awesome.
Mitch helps Christophe cool down after a hard fought moto at Millville earlier this summer.
photo: Simon Cudby
Were you surprised with how Canard really hit full stride just past the halfway point of the season?
Yes and no. Truthfully, Trey was fast two years ago and he was fast last year. He’s just had injuries. He certainly isn’t somebody that you just say, "Oh, that guy is done with and he’s over." That moto at Mt. Morris where he crashed and got hurt, he was in front of Christophe that moto. I think Christophe even went over and saw him afterwards. You don’t wish anyone – or I don’t – to get hurt in our sport. The way it goes down on Saturday will be the way it goes down. They’re both great kids and the way they’re doing it and keeping it clean is something that I think is respectful.
What’s it like for you to have the series come this far and have it all come down to just two motos?
I’ve said this before, but I think when this is all done and all the results shake out, whoever wins or loses this championship won’t win it or lose it this weekend. They will win it or lose it when they look back on the results early in the year. Whether Trey had a really bad moto early on, or with Christophe you could easily say by his crash at Unadilla, where he got zero points, that really hurt him. If you would give Christophe, say, a fifth at Unadilla in the moto he was leading without a crash, a fifth is 15 points, so Christophe would be looking at leading right now by 22 points. That’s almost a moto. A day like last Saturday, those were both respectable rides by both kids. You’ll look back at the results, you’ll tabulate the points, and you’ll be able see where you won it or lost it. Whether Trey or Christophe wins both motos or one moto each, they both had some rough motos early in the season – or just currently for Chris.
When Christophe hit the ground at Unadilla and gave up 25 points to Canard, do you think that miscue allowed Canard to smell blood to a certain degree?
Maybe in one way, because it was a big chunk of points and he was able to capitalize on that. That’s what you have to do, and that’s what he’s expected to do. It’s never been different. I’ve gone to the last moto twice, and shit can happen. It’s good for the series. It’s good for everybody.
The 250 Class championship will be decided this weekend at Pala.
photo: Simon Cudby
By the way, did the fact that Roger DeCoster went to KTM catch you off guard?
It did, I would have to say, for a few different reasons. Knowing Roger, Roger was at Honda a long time, and it wasn’t like Roger quit Honda. He was not re-signed, and that was the same year that Honda told me to beat it.
That would have been the end of 1992, correct?
Yeah. And he’s not the type of guy, nor am I, that just packs up his bags and look for a bigger, better deal. I didn’t really see that coming. I could see Roger staying at Suzuki until his career was over. He was a five-time world champ on the brand. For [Suzuki] not to see that and not have value in that, I think, is a huge mistake. So someone upstairs at Suzuki was asleep with their feet on the desk.
Going back to this new Pala track you’ll run on come Saturday, have you heard anything?
I’m going to save judgment until we go there. I just hope it’s rough. I hope it’s wide, so that it’s not one-lined, because I’ve heard it’s kind of narrow and one-lined. I hope it’s a good weekend for us and that we can close this thing out.
So come Saturday, what do you tell your guys to do?
I’d tell them to frickin’ get it on. What I would love to have is a one-two-three group up there. For me, it’s not going to matter whether Christophe is first, second, or third. The most important thing is that Trey is behind him. And obviously, if Christophe got a bad start and is coming through the pack, then hopefully he can get up there regardless. There’s not much you can do about it. It’s out of your hands when the gate drops. Fate will bring it.
photo: Simon Cudby
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Its gonna be a great race!!
Hate to pick on interviewers, but if there was ever a time to ask a team manager about tactics and whats ifs....this was it. And no I do not believe that Wilson or Rattray will just get out of the way if Trey is coming and CP is out front. They will make themselves as wide as possible and that track as one lined and narrow as possible. Its a big what if obviously, but hey if they do tactics in motogp (remember Hayden and Pedrosa at Valencia in 2006?) then Im sure they'll do it in motocross. COME ON POURCEL!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL the GP fans are with you! Could Allisports please drop the 450 broadcast and put both of the 250s on PLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSEEEE!!!!!!
Hey supercross only guys ,want to see some really good motorcycle racing ,it's on saturday. It's a race where it's dusty rough and long and the top guys are wanting it REAL bad. Theres clean FAST,hard racing and even some decent sportsmanship involved.It's the roots of our sport and it still works for me.
Langston-fan, even if he did ask Mitch about team tactics. Do you think Mitch would answer that question?? He isnt going to say "Yea, my guys will knock Trey down if they get a chance". Isnt going to happen. Mitch has always been a fair and honest guy. Thats the way his team races also. And cheering for a guy just because he rode in the GP's. Would you cheer for Zach Osbourne if he was in this position, or are you just cheering against the American??
Anyone else think it is interesting that CP's tattoo is written in English? Doesn't make it good or bad... it was just interesting to me, since French is his first language.
Langston-Fan - Totally Agree. That's what i was looking for when i clicked on this article... but I think he kinda answered it when he said, "For me it’s not going to matter whether Christophe is first, second, or third. The most important thing is that Trey is behind him." You know that whatever is said in an interview is amped up 10 time for the guys when they're behind the curtain. Seriously... if you had a team, wouldn't you tell your other guys to at least 'move out of the way' for the potential champ? I would. As for knocking other guys down, that wouldn't come out of Mitch. But I can probably guarantee you he told them to not make it easy one bit on Canard. But hopefully they all play clean... I think we'll see all the Geico boys and Pro Circuit boys in the top ten making it interesting!
gotta give it up to Trey, however I think CP has him covered,,team tactics,,how bout barcia and trey..they are in it to win it too.
Shows how Naive some couch racers are, When the Gate drops it is every man for himself. The racers at this age are about me anyway so to think that team tactics will play a role is almost inconceivable. Now everyone is thinking Let Broc Bye here but I think the teams will just let it happen, the sponsors are getting their moneys worth here anyway and the winner should want to win it without a teammates help so the #1 plate is legit
Team tactics? I don't think so. Not when you have huge win bonuses on the line. Now some teams pay bonuses out to the entire team should the team get a win, but for the most part this only to support staff not riders. Often times win bonuses are larger then a riders salary, so if Dean Wilson or Blake Wharton has a chance to win and cash in on a huge win bonus they are going for the win. Now of course if a rider has yet to sign for next year he may reconsider his actions.
WETTO107, what about the last 4 nationals makes you think CP has him 'covered'? no evidence there...
I doubt Tyla, or Dean will do anything to purposely take TC down. Who knows what Barcia will do though. If he and CP are close to each other on the track, anything could happen.
A few words on team tactics and sportsmanship. First, there's life after Pro Circuit for all of Mitch's riders (250 only). What ever behavior they display on and off the track will need to be reconciled when negotiating the next contract. Second, playing games and dirty tactics will send you to the "Alessi Hall of Fame". Remember Glen Helen? MA 800 has never recovered from that. Third, you never know who your next boss or teammate will be. A lot of bosses, riders and mechanics carry grudges forever. So as far as Saturday's concerned "let's get it on".
Was it once in a time, Broc and Hanna, LET HIM BY !
Is that an oil cooler or extra radiator capacity at the bottom of the radiator on the right hand side in the picture at the bottom of the article?
The track is the big unknown here. If it’s tough to pass on, the start will be huge and the presence of fast teammates will make a difference. On a note related to another article, this is not the first new track on the circuit since 1993. Texas and Colorado are less than 10 years old, if my often-faulty memory serves me correctly. Kind of surprised that Emig and the editors all missed that.
Mitch, you're the America's version of "the man". All of your success' have been earned, never given. I'm still rooting for Trey though. Please, let Pala track be decent. Traffic, get out of my way when you see me coming. If they don't put traffic workers @ SR76 / I-15 junction it will be a nightmarish mistake.
I don't trust Barcia.
I think Mitche's boys will play fair but for sure will not try and make it easy for TC. I would say the only spoiler could be Barcia. I may be unjust in my thoughts, but he does give the impression that he loves riding dirty and that could ruin an otherwise spectacular race.
I think Cp has an advantage on Trey because his teamates will more likely be up front. At Steel City Trey had to fight for every pass (Izzi-Tomac) and it seemed like everyone moved over for Pourcel. I want to see Trey win but I have gained a lot of respect for Cp through the second half of the outdoor season. The track and facility looks like they spent a ton of money to make it a great event and as a fan I can't wait to see how it all plays out!! God Bless Motocross!
I wonder if we will see an incident like a few years ago when the PC team gets in the way or "fights" the opposition (Matt Walker). PC doesn't like to lose, and will do whatever it takes to win. I am routing for the Oklahoma kid.
bhfox39, what "Matt Walker" incident? SURELY you don't mean the Alessi incident at Glen Helen season finale in 2005? In what bizarre alternative universe is that whole deal a reflection on either Matt Walker for Pro Circuit? Oh, wait... Is that you, Tony? P.S. Trey knows the track and needs no routing. He would likely appreciate some rooting, however.
I think we would all be shocked to see Pourcel lose the title because his own teammates are between him and Trey. No one is going to be knocking anyone down though, on purpose anyway. There is always some semblance of team tactics, just not blatant like "Let Broc bye". Also to think that Mitch would answer such a question truthfully? May the best rider win the title.
International riders invade US soil @ http://wp.me/p11P53-3Y
I hated Alessi BEFORE Glen Helen 2005, but that race just solidified it for me. If I remember right, Walker stopped where Alessi and Tedesco had crashed (with Alessi standing on Ivans bike) and shoved little Mikey off there. Hes lucky that Walker didnt decide to beat his a** for him right then and there. F the Alessis. They will NEVER...repeat NEVER win an AMA title in SX/MX, Supermoto, BMX bikes, whatever...favorite Matt Walker quote to Alessi: "Hey big mouth, we saved a seat for you over here" LMFAO!!!