Ask Ping!
Saturday, January 1, 2011 | 1:00 PM
ODI dates back to the 1980’s as the leader in grip manufacturing. Focusing primarily on the bmx and mountain bike industries through the 90’s and early 2000’s, ODI re-entered the motocross scene when they developed the patented lock-on grip system that eliminates wire and glue. Continuing to advance the way riders hold on to their bikes, ODI has worked closely with the teams they support such as Troy Lee Designs to create the product that is now being used by some of the top teams in the industry.
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PrintPing,
While checking out Racer X online I got a "subscribe now" box with Josh Grant sporting a Metal Mullisha t-shirt and hoody. I personally don't go for all that wanna-be, badass, attitude gear but that's just me. But what's with the corny gang sign Grant's throwing down? Looks like he's teaching a new method of tossing off to me. Any Idea of what this gangster hand sign represents? Kind of a quick change for a guy coming from such a religious-based team like Gibbs. Good thing Deegan has money… He can post bail for Grant in the future. Just watch.
Great job Ping,
Ben
The gang sign for "White Trash."
I’ve seen the ad you are referring to and wondered myself what that was about. Josh grew up on the not-so-mean-streets of Riverside, CA so his street cred as a gangster takes a bit of a nose-dive. I really have no idea what the hand sign means but I thought the attached photo was interesting.
Cheers and happy new year, Ben.
Ping,
Say a factory rider gets hurt, and someone else gets the call to ride the bike for a given number or races. Does the factory rider still get paid his base salary, and is this "loss" to the factory covered by an insurance policy or is it just a risk the factories have to take? And how do budgets work for this possibility? Do teams have to keep money set aside for potential replacement riders, or is the factory lure always enough? Also, is this process any different for non-factory teams?
Thanks,
Brian Atkinson
Too many questions!
Man, you really put the "Ask" in Ask Ping. I haven’t been hit with that many consecutive questions since my wife came home and caught me wearing her high heels and just a touch of eye shadow. Here’s your answers:
Yes, riders will continue to get their salary after an injury, though sometimes it will get reduced after a certain number of months. That depends on how good the riders agent was. This is not covered under a policy; it is the factory’s responsibility. They plan the rider’s salary into the budget for that season. If a replacement rider is used he is only offered the ride and potentially a bonus plan. The salary that was put in the budget is still being paid to the injured rider. Low budget teams would operate under the same basic guidelines, however, some variations occur based on the level of the replacement rider and the needs of the team. Hope this helped. No more questions.
PING
Ping,
I notice that most of the questions you answer begin with some praise to you. I would waste a paragraph talking about it but I feel you already know how awesome your life is. Anyway, why is it that Minneapolis has been booted from the Supercross schedule for the past several years? I know the Metrodome (actually called "Mall of America Field" now) is not the best venue and it is usually pretty cold outside that time of year, but that doesn't mean we can't partially fill up the stadium. Is there a reason why we got taken off of the schedule?
Pelosi blows.
Thanks,
Bertel Buddy
Eagan, MN
The HHH Metrodome needs some work done.
Let’s review the facts as you have stated them:
1) The stadium is not the best venue.
2) Pretty cold outside that time of year.
3) Confusing sentence about partially filling up stadium. [Partially filled is key]
I would normally just revert you back to points one through three but there is something bigger at work here. I’m not sure if you follow your local news or current events nationally but there was a bit of malfunction there at Mall of America Field. I wonder what would happen if a few tons of snow landed on your head as you launched off a triple? Watch the video and you decide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAyLX2hY7E0
And, yes… Yes, she does.
PING
Did you like this article?
Check out TIME TRAVELIN’
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
Ping has an excellent adventure of his own when he heads to Boise, hops on some vintage machinery, and lets it all hang out at the Racer X Inter-Am Classic. Page 164
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
I haven't noticed the exact ad that Ben is talking about in his question, but JG is normally throwing the "bones" for the Metal Mulisha in his photos. That does not change the lameness of the signs, but possibly explains them.
Ping: On this new Racer X web site, if I link my Facebook profile to my profile for logging into this web site, does that mean that all Facebook Friends of Racer X Online will be able to see my Facebook profile?
Speaking of blows, this new website blows. Much like the 09 Hondas, lots of changes were made for changes sake. I love change when it's actually an improvement. I don't see improvement here, just lots of clutter.
Ping tweeted that this was the first post for 2011 on Racer X....I'm pretty sure Matty Fran beet him by by 25 minutes!!!
anyone having problems viewing the pix on ask ping. i just get text. no pix. wtf?
Reese - Who can and cannot see your FB profile is determined by your Facebook settings. Linking your account is used to pull your profile pick and to make logging in easier.
New site sucks. just like mad mark said. Its like a new Honda. Lots of changes but it was a step backward. well like 2 steps forward, 3 steps back
Mad_Mark - I think if you cruise the site a bit you might find that you like it better. Change is hard and sometimes its tough to see the good until some time passes. We are working on an intro that will explain some of the enhancements of this site that may not be blatantly apparent. There are actually some really cool new features. yzpilot62 - Showing up fine for me.
I agree with Mad Mark, This new website really blows. Going for the grocery store tabloid look.
If your unfamiliar with the new layout it dosent mean the site sux, it means you are impatient and take longer to learn new things than the average person.
Like yzpilot stated above, I cannot see the pics!!!! Come on RX, lets do better than this - not a fan of the new site so far at all.
The new site is fine, take some time to learn it. And quit crying like a bunch if bit#hes, its FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, And Minneapolis lost its race due to attendance, fine, Hope its not weather, Indy is cold too, but it sells 60,000 tickets plus every year. WAY more than Anaheim stadium even holds.
Website change is always a good thing. Much like this morning as I was still 3 sheets in the wind I mistakenly changed into a pair of dirty underwear. But I told myself that change was always good and never a mistake. I forced myself to think young and get with the program, and people are now starting to notice me more.
Free or not this is beyond lame.
I love the ability to watch video in a large screen and HD. Your site also loads faster. Those who dont like it must be struggling with a lower bandwidth. Try Racetime
todd potter on the cover,wackey web site,where are u davie?
as far as the new site goes maybe you could find a way for users to choose "classic" or "new" yahoo does this for their site and i find that quite helpful
One thaing that hansn't changed; BD200 is still lurking on this website trying to convince people that he, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of the tree hugging liberals don't blow. Please BD, do everyone a favor, leave this websit to people who ride dirt bikes, and don't lay in wait to take an unfair jab at someone who 99% of the readers here agree with.
The site looks cool, the same stuff we love just in different order. I find it so funny how people hate changes so much that they can't even see that there is not much of a difference. unbefreaklievable!
I agree this new site is the worst ever, I am going to quit looking at it can't figure anything OUT!!!
I agree I'm not sure why a punk freestyle smuck made the cover for doing a whip. Luckily Mathes is back to turn the ship around!
To those of you thinking that "change" is what has people complaining...just quit. Change is fine...but don't roll it out until it works.
The Potter cover is a badass image captured by the master Garth Milan. Stoked RX isnt scared to run an image of a freestyle rider on the cover. Say what you want about Potter, but no MX Racer or FMXer for that matter can touch the guys whips! If I could whip it like that I would do it over every jump on the track on every lap. Maybe if you actually read the article instead of just looking at the pictures you might have a new perspective about him. I'm just saying...
Grants gang sign reminds me of the circle game. Make the circle with your index finger and thumb, if its below your waist and someone looks at it, then you get to punch them in the arm. I think there is a Malcom in the Middle episode about it too.
Ping, can you get this to KW? I would love to send Kevin something from the Civil War, that came from your home state. That's what I do for a living Buy & sell Civil War Artifacts, the real stuff not the repo stuff, the real thing. Let him know this, Kevin You win any one of the first 3 rounds & I will give you a real Civil War Pistol from the 1860's a 3 to 5,000 dolllar pistol.....! Go get them KW Dear racer X or Ping, please get this offer to Kevin. E-mail me for info on Civil War Pistol's / Artifacts it is not one you would need a FFL for it is our History.