Where's Larry Brooks?
Thursday, March 3, 2011 | 11:00 AM
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PrintThe world can’t agree on much, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that opinions on what happened to team San Manuel Yamaha's team manager Larry Brooks are varied. After all, people can't even seem to agree on what M&M candy is better, peanut or regular?
But what about L&M? We know this about the situation: Brooks, the man who along with partner Mike Kranyak, founded the Yamaha team of L&M in 2006, wasn't in Atlanta for the supercross and there are no indications he'll be back this weekend in Daytona. It had to be a blow to the gut for the ever-intense Brooks to miss the epic race this past weekend. By my count, it was the first supercross Larry missed in 16 years, going back to his start as a team manager in 1996 for the then fledging Chaparral team featuring Brian Deegan, Greg Schnell and Michael Brandes.
Is Brooks on his way out at L&M?
Photo: Simon Cudby
There have been reports of an ownership change on the L&M team for a while now, but when I visited the team in December and hung out at the race shop, it certainly seemed like all was normal. Brooks had hinted to me in a phone conversation that star rider James Stewart had bought into the team and a PR would be forthcoming. I found that interesting for sure, but it didn’t seem like that big of a deal. An official PR never came out, but when the team’s semi truck turned up at Anaheim, there were no longer any L&M logos on it. I started to wonder exactly how much Stewart had invested into the team because there were still big JSE (James Stewart Entertainment) logos on the truck and team shirts—and no hint of L&M.
As far as the team was concerned, this year they hired former factory Yamaha and Kawasaki suspension engineer Sergio Avanto. I had heard through reliable sources that this was a hire that James went out and made. He wanted to hit the ground running at Anaheim and not get behind the eight ball with bike set-up like he had in the past. But a few weeks before hiring Avanto, Brooks himself had called me asking what I knew about him. I knew Sergio, because he was working for Fox Racing Suspension and testing with a good friend of mine named Tim Ferry. (I know Timmy. Maybe you’ve heard?) As well, I very briefly worked with Sergio at Yamaha. But I was definitely a bit confused. Was Avanto's hiring a Stewart or Brooks decision?
At the races and on the track, Stewart and the San Manuel Team didn't look much different this year than in the past.
Photo: Simon Cudby
No matter, on the track it was business as usual with Brooks in the team tower, appearing to make decisions, while James won a couple of races and all seemed to appear normal. There was even a bit of a controversy with Stewart running some GPS sensors on his bike at A1, a scenario which was classic Brooks--always looking for an edge and pushing the letter of the law (in this case the AMA rule book) to the limit.
When I called Larry to talk about the "traction-gate" controversy, I also asked him about the ownership situation. He replied that it was a long story, he didn't really want to talk about it but did say that one day, "I'll tell you the whole deal." Around the LA SX, I heard from another rider that the team was indeed all Stewart's and that Larry was soon to be pushed out, but to be honest, I didn't believe it, thinking back to the conversation I had with Brooks a few weeks prior, where Larry didn’t seem worried. I also asked James if he could talk about it, but he said he didn't want to comment at the moment, but he might be willing to talk in few weeks.
Smash cut to Atlanta. No team manager for the San Manuel team, and when asked about Brooks absence by Racer X, Stewart replied that Brooks was, ”spending some family time,” and when pressed if Larry would be back, Stewart again replied with the same answer.
It was a puzzling answer. Brooks had been to every supercross for sixteen years, so certainly many events had passed for his family, and he never missed a race. To suddenly take time off right in the middle of a title chase did indeed same strange. Stewart didn’t offer any specifics about a bad family issue that Brooks needed to attend to. It seems like the “family time” story was a cover-up and Brooks was, at worse, let-go and at best, reassigned. As someone close to the situation explained to me, “Sure the family matter thing will work for a week, but when Larry doesn’t ever come back to the races, then what? Are those guys just going to say that Larry enjoyed his family so much that he quit?”
In sports, coaches and managers get let go all the time. Sometimes relationships run their course, sometimes people get tired of each other, or sometimes, someone makes a bad decision and pays the consequence. In our sport, we saw it a few years ago when GEICO Honda switched from JC Waterhouse to Mike LaRocco. Coincidence or not, the team has since delivered in the form of their first AMA Motocross Championship with Trey Canard. This is a high-pressure, results-oriented sport with plenty of money on the line. Sometimes things don’t work out.
I believe that Stewart’s team needs a manager that is more than a figurehead. The best athletes in the world have coaches, and they surround themselves with people that can push them. Michael Jordan had Phil Jackson. Magic Johnson had Pat Riley. A little closer to home, Chad Reed owns and operates his own team, yet reached out to a strong personality in Dave Osterman to run his operation as Team Manager. Reed has final say, but make no mistake about it, Ozzy is passionate and not afraid to speak up when asked. This is a good model. The riders need someone around to push them.
So we’ll see in the upcoming weeks where the JSE team ownership issues go. No one is talking, but it’s a story when one of the more successful managers in the sport gets demoted, or maybe outright fired. I hope that whatever the problem was is fixed in Stewart’s eyes and he can keep on amazing us each Saturday night. I also have no doubt that we’ll see Brooks on the line again someday pulling the strings on a team and trying to help a rider reach his potential.
The “family time” answer asks more questions than it answered, really. Stay tuned, there has to be more to come.
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I think Big James should take over as manager, keep Regal - he's going to be good out doors, hire Malcolm as their Lights rider - Simple.
Its for the better, Larry has shown his questionable sportsmanship many times, they don't need that negativity. Not a Bubba fan, but I think this is a good move for them.
really glad to Larry gone. Never liked him. I hope James doesn't put Big James in the position. I don't believe it would be a smart decision. Just my opinion.
I heard that Charlie Sheen is looking for a new job.
maybe they have to keep it covered up till they run the larry brooks gets the boot on bubbas world
hahahahahahaha ^^^^^^
So... with Brookes gone.... WILL BUBBA RIDE THE NATIONALS?
So... with Brookes gone.... WILL BUBBA RIDE THE NATIONALS?
What experience does big Stewie have being a team manager, none. They need someone with experience and a big enough personality to not just be a yes man. but either way, I am glad to see whiney crybaby Brooks gone. Good move Stewie.
One of the things I dont like about JS7 is the somewhat shady answers he often gives, in this case and even with the Reed incident...Whether Larry is a dip chewing jackass or not, dont try to play the media and fans like idiots. Its obvious there is something going on and it may be for the good, just say "no comment at the moment " instead of looking like a liar....If Larry had a family emergency of somekind, something tells me it would be known and not just "family time". What you have hear is probably legal issues with L&M and JSE and nobody can talk about it due to contract negotians..."family time" meaning he is spending time at home on the couch with his family cause he is out of a job??? .....On the last Bubba's world I saw (dont watch religously) he was talking about meeting with all the big folks about only being a SX only team....The "SX only" disease started with MC and then Reed cause they admittedly couldnt hang outdoors.....
One of the things I dont like about JS7 is the somewhat shady answers he often gives, in this case and even with the Reed incident...Whether Larry is a dip chewing jackass or not, dont try to play the media and fans like idiots. Its obvious there is something going on and it may be for the good, just say "no comment at the moment " instead of looking like a liar....If Larry had a family emergency of somekind, something tells me it would be known and not just "family time". What you have hear is probably legal issues with L&M and JSE and nobody can talk about it due to contract negotians..."family time" meaning he is spending time at home on the couch with his family cause he is out of a job??? .....On the last Bubba's world I saw (dont watch religously) he was talking about meeting with all the big folks about only being a SX only team....The "SX only" disease started with MC and then Reed cause they admittedly couldnt hang outdoors.....
Ironically I finally caught the latest Bubba's World, as someone mentioned above, in which he chronicled the Unadilla race attempt after the long layoff. There was alot of unhappiness from the Stewart camp in that particular show with respect to bike setup, preparedness, etc...and I believe one quote that resonated from Stewart was that "it would never happen again." Interesting turn of events on this team.
Ironically I finally caught the latest Bubba's World, as someone mentioned above, in which he chronicled the Unadilla race attempt after the long layoff. There was alot of unhappiness from the Stewart camp in that particular show with respect to bike setup, preparedness, etc...and I believe one quote that resonated from Stewart was that "it would never happen again." Interesting turn of events on this team.
Ironically I finally caught the latest Bubba's World, as someone mentioned above, in which he chronicled the Unadilla race attempt after the long layoff. There was alot of unhappiness from the Stewart camp in that particular show with respect to bike setup, preparedness, etc...and I believe one quote that resonated from Stewart was that "it would never happen again." Interesting turn of events on this team.
Maybe that’s why we saw Big James ordering JS around at the end of ATL; he's the new manager. JSE might be the new team with Sonya as the CFO (haha!), Big James as team manager, and Malcolm to be added as the Lites effort. No matter the look of the team, not having Aldon Baker as the trainer is hurting JS's title chase.
Roger Decoster aided Ryan Dungey (no matter the opinion of the level of competition) and a management move has hindered Ryan. Dungey needs a trainer to move from the leader of the ‘B pack’. It isn’t enough just to be a self motivated hard worker to enter the ‘A pack’. The racer needs to peak on Saturday, which takes serious management; diet, training, rest, ect. Just like the mechanic manages the components of the race bikes, someone needs to manage the 'hour meter' of the rider.
And btw...I don't recall Reed or MC ever ADMITTING that they couldn't hang outdoors. They both have won an outdoor title. I believe they preferred SX to MX, but it's a pretty far stretch to say they stated they couldn't hang.
Why does LB get a bad rap? Which one of you clowns on here knows him? I admit I don't, but I did listen to his podcasts with Matthes and he didn't come across as a D-bag one bit. It's obvious he's passionate about his job and loves the industry. From what I can tell the guy has a strong type A personality and a lot of wuss puss dudes can't handle it. Hey, maybe he is a tool. If someone has worked with him let's hear the truth! BUT, I have to say if this thing went south you add that to the dislike that Chad Reed has of LB and it makes you wonder...hmm...
Ride the outdoors now Bubba, Larry can't hold you back.....It's the true essence of the sport!!!!
Johnny omara will be moving up to team manager would be my guess!
Good point trend killer...yeah...i think he was tired of Brooks whining...saw an oportunity to keep Big james on the payroll, plus Malcom is doing his thing so his dad probably wants to be there anyway. Think about it like this...he's already paying his parents way so at least his dad is working for it now..haha Charlie Sheen...best comment ever...LOL
I alos find it unlikely that Decoster going to KTM has hindered Dungey. Go back and count the points up if Dungey wouldn't have had a freak chain pop. Probably would be running 2nd or 3rd in pts right now. How many times do we need to debate the fact of smart racing, or consistency over speed? Just look at the ATL race for your answers. Dungey is in a good position right now. Daytona is traditionally a turning pt in the series when things heat up. He's in the chase, and I'd hardly call him the "B" pack when he's top 5 in pts even AFTER a DNF.
What a joke. The Stewart's have enough money to do whatever they want. They just don't have enough smarts to go with the money. I lost all respect after watching Bubba's World and heard all the excuses he made for getting his @ss kicked at Unadilla. It was everone's fault but his. I hope Big James takes it over and brings Malcom into the mix. It will become the next family circus to rival the Alessi's. I hope Reed stuffs him again this week.
Well.. LB out.. I suspect JSE has bought out all of the remaining shares of L&M.. And with the consent of their exisiting sponsors and manufacturer support (Yamaha)...
And I hope they will not put James snr as a manager... He's by far not the brightest sob... And I do not think the partners affiliated to Sn Manuel racing will not be too pleased as well..
A shame for LB.. For some reason many detest the guy.. Even though as being a clown.. He achieved respectable results as a manager.. I believe he won 5 SX championships.. Not many managers can claim this... Ask a dipshit a la Mike Fischer how many he has won... Or ask a Erik Kehoe as well?
And besides Pro-Circuit & Chaparral.. L&M was a success story as a privateer team effort with factory support... Paved the way for others to follow..
As for the SX deal only... One should blame this on the sponsors and manufacturers who permit riders to enter such a deal... I real shame... I believe a rider should ride both series.
It's like me asking to work 5 months a year iso of the current 12...
My totally unreliable sources tell me JS will hire Tony Alessi as team manager and bring J-Law on board as another rider. Okay...so I made this up, big deal.
What's with the double and triple posts? Twitchy finger? FYI, MC and Reed both have outdoor titles and the other years only got their ass handed to them by one or 2 riders. Supercross only is the sole creation of Larry. This is just a guess but I think maybe Brooks wanted to stay supercross only as that's where the high ROI is but every time stewart talks about it, he seems adamant to do the outdoors. He loves it and knows he came dominate there too (again).
Slim, your pointy is valid. However, consistantly waiting for an accident by the fastest riders is not a game plan, it's a lucky turn of events. Maybe some took VP's podium speech too literally.
This "B pack" would dominate any other MX/SX series in the world, but RD isn't going to outright take a lead away from VP, CR, or JS with their rubber side down.
Johnny O'mara is gonna be the team manager.. James even says "well I wouldn't really call him a trainer"... Then what have you been doin with him these last couple months ...hmmmm maybe evaluating him to take over as the team manager?
How Cool would it be to have TOP guys Own/Run these teams
LaRocco
Reed
JS
RC ( unlikely but way cool )
KDub ( good possibility )
DeCoster
and then Hannah just to bring in some Knarlyness!! hahaha
Would you guys please refrain from ever letting Matthes do reports of any kind. The guy is an absolute moron; he blabbers on about the same stuff day in, day out. You also need to take him out of the twitter, he does the same stiff and even takes it a step further by insulting people.
Fire this bum and let Weege take back over, I enjoy reading his material.
800 will be out of a job soon so we will have another new team with dear ole dad running things again, watch out !!!
hahaha
This thread delivers. o:
This article was a complete waste of time for the reader and the publication. There's nothing in this story that isn't public knowledge and you reported nothing that was news worthy. for christ sakes there's like a gazillion threads about this on vitalmx, any chode and get enough out of those threads to write this story.
Give us the real story, not this lame TMZ report!
Slim473 - Reed has stated that "outdoors isnt his thing and he never does good" which to me means he cant hang, thats why he jumped on the SX only bandwagon. He new RC and JS7 would make him look like a pud (like james did in the 125MX). He raced outdoor 250 with RC and got SMOKED!!! We all know if Reed cant win, he doesnt want to play...To me, the outdoors is where you really see who is the most skilled rider....Guys like Damon Huffmam, Robbie Reynard, Kevin Windham, RV, RC and JS7 who have had that amazing speed on an outdoor track and make peoples jaw drop. Guys who win every moto or come from dead last to win......that type of "fast"....
Glad Brooks is gone. At least Stewart will be riding the first 4 nationals.
Might as well dump Regal while they are at it. He has done absolutely nothing
and his excuses are old. Pretty bad when people like Wey and J.T. money have been
around forever and they still beat him in the mains...............JOKE!
Ha...
everyone knows that peanut M&M's are better.
Bring in O'mara as the team manager and let Malcolm run the lites,
that would be pretty cool
Didn't everybody see were James said on Wind Tunnel he was riding the first four outdoors then gonna see from there, because that is the roots of the sport, I do believe he is making the calls for the team because he don't like being told what he can and can't do. Man I love this sport!!!
X19 - Exactly what I was thinking....the Bro & Johnny O Show Racing Team....
enough of this " race the first 4 races" crap..unless your pulling a RC and MC retirement tour, get out there and show em' what you got....I'll race the first 4 races and if I am winning, I will keep going...if I am losing, well i was only racing 4 races so i wasnt into it....i dont get it...
Yep it is true, this is from a inside scoop Larry is gone James, Kyle, & Malcolm are the team and they are possibly going to get Reed to come together and form a new team in 2012 this is going to get good now.
rappers surround themselves with friends and family for advice and management....not the smartest thing to do but if you own the team you call the shots. maybe james is patterning his career after what rap stars do. jame's arrogance may only be matched by a rappers i must admit. nobody likes taking directions from anybody, especially when you're arrogant...i guess arrongance is bliss....lol
and the answer is.....as long as hes not around, WHO CARES!
I bet Eric sorby or big james are going to be team manager for the stupid bubbles world, so that there can be more stupid made up drama about how hard his life is. what a baby, baby bubbles.
Slim473 One could also say look at the points, If the 4 guys ahead of RD were not there like last year he would have a huge points lead right?? RD is Far from a b pack guy but so far has not been able to run with RV and JS and maybe now Reed too.
JS is doing the outdoors, The first 4 for sure.
ZIP197 I dis agree, JS took some blaim for the Uniadilla mess. He said I am not ready what am I doing here. He also gave props to RD.
Hey, wasn't James talking about getting married about a year ago. What ever happened with that? Did he get hitched?
I find it interesting that Racer-x felt it necessary to write this article and for the firts time, probably since message boards were invented, the majority I would say 99% agree with each other. So I agree with everyone else and say who really cares what happen to Larry Brooks. I hope this is the last I hear of Larry.
stewart said on wind tunnel that he is doing the first four rounds of outdoors, and implied that if he can get sponsors, he will do more.
Larry and his family are spending some long overdue time with Mike Craig. HAHAHAHAHA
Larry thought he was Roger D, oops! There's an opening at MXA Larry!
wasn't regal riding a 250f for supercross, and a 450f outdoors, for these last 2 years? if so, then this is his first season on a 450 indoors. Give the guy a break.
If he looks like this in outdoors, on a factory bike, then i will agree with you. I just hope he is racing outdoors. if not, then signing with l & m was a dumb career move for him.
# 7 better show up for all the nationals. For some reason I think he can manage with pockets as deep as his if Reed is pulling off his own team. The other issue that arises if he doesn't race the outdoor series is we have to listen to all his fans say he would have won the title for the rest of time haha.
BigTireGUY_ No offense, but you kind of look like Matthes, as well as Big DAn Mac. Is that you DAn? I dont like larry either. He was a Richard when he was w/ Reed, He was a Richard last year pushing over the factory Kawi's in the pits w/ james last year. And as far as bubbas world. He's the biggest Whiner. Remember how honda pushed MC away. Honda never wanted to lose MC, but MC wanted to do Crusty videos and cliff jump at havasu, honda wasn't having it,,, and MC showed up to anaheim on a suzuki. I think larry did the same. I think Larry was a burden to bubba's world. Not letting stew do what he wants to. Stewey's trying to double dip hard, from MX and Reality TV. Larry (and big James) only wanna let him ride. Therefore James prolly told Larry to "take time off w/ your family". Big James is too much of a hothead to run anything. He's a moto dad, not an entrepreneur. James will surely be bringing in someone else, he's got too much on the line right now.
Let's just hope that San Manuel doesn't turn into the Dallas Cowboys of Motocross and Supercross.
They need a team manager, and that manager needs to be making the day to day decisions of running the team.
L.B. won't be down for long. Driven people like him will rebound and come back to haunt those that have done wrong by him. People that don't like him don't know him, all you have to do is consider the source to see through opinions like those. There are only two better team managers in this sport and one of them only runs 250's (for now). KTM snagging him to start a 250 effort would be brilliant.
I dont like being lied to and I am sure all the Fans of this sport and media dont like being lied to ....
Not a good move there Stewie,
So james is set to ride the first national??? makes sense. If he kills it at the first national, he'll probably keep riding. I honestly think Poto will own him these days outdoors. With Larry being MIA and James not talking about the L&M split I see exactly where this is going. Make/force Every Motocross fan to watch Bubba's world to see how it all went down. Add some Dough to james piggy bank. I always loved Motocross because the lack of politics compared to NBA or NFL MLB. But this is getting twisted. Regal will do fine without Brooks. He's hardly getting paid anyways. Regal will surely run the nats. Regal will shine on that bike outdoors, he dont need Larry to go fast. He was on the podium on a stock bike, numerous times
Eric Sorby manager
That cute real estate agent from last season is the PR contact
and Malcolm in the middle as the Lites rider
So knowing that Reed and Brooks have issues, its obvious why Brooks knocked over his bike in the pits last year, because it was Reed. I would like to hear Brooks side of the story, especially the issues with Reed....Reed is obviously a pain to deal with and Larry too obviously....Reed spent one year at Suzuki, wins the outdoors, then goes to Kawi for one year....wins Hangtown (right)? then complains the rest of the year.....James is at a point in his career where he needs everything to be functioning right....so he can go win championships....Bubbas world has been a distraction.....
I love the "got smoked @ Dilla comment".........he came OFF THE COUCH.....with like ZERO time on the bike......and i guess you would say "rode around" in 2nd place the entire moto keeping Dungey honest and keeping World Championship contender Clemente Desalle at bay til he tipped over near the end.......then yes, gave up and pulled off rather than getting HURT AGAIN in the sencond moto.....if running 2nd for 30 minutes is getting smoked, then I wish I got "smoked" a little more in my time......
Having a hard time understanding the anger toward Brooks. He has passionately supported his riders. He has formed teams with his cash and hard work (without which investment by he and others we would have have squat to watch on TV). He actually raced as a pro (unlike most wannabee posers on here). He managed JS, CR and the Alessi clan for the last 8 years. That alone earns him a PhD in psychology. As is so frequently the case on these message boards, it is easy to be a hater. It is a lot harder to put your butt and hard earned cash on the line, something not one of us is doing.
To me it seems that LB was laying down the law, trying to run the team professionally (managing). He's stirred up more controversy than your average moto manager & I dont particularly care for that. But you could see the friction lately when LB tried to tell Jame-o what to do. Or what was best for the 'Team'. Now James Stewart is Stewy Enterprises $$ with lots of cash $$ flowin' so he figures he is over being told what to do. Know what I'm sayin? Kinda like Pauly Jr. on American Chopper. Time to try it on my own!
when you give a young kid too much money,and the power to make decisions that effects whole orginasations,then you have a big problem..this will be the start of the end for san manual sponsership. stewart wants what reed has TOTAL CONTROL over everything and every body around him. but at the same time they want everybody els to pay for it. reed and stewart needs to take each other out again for the season.
Who cares! More tabloid BS that continues to infect the great sport of dirt bike racing. Sure would be nice to concentrate on the actual "racing" part and
grow up a bit! There are a hell of a lot more important issues that are a true and present danger to the whole industry. People better wake up and get with the real program or there won't be any racing left (or weak hollywood type yapping) to be had.
If in fact a transaction was done by JSE to purchase the team, records for JSE's transaction may possibly be available as a PUBLIC RECORD filed with the town/county/state where the purchased ENTITY is located . Then you would have to find where JSE is incorparated at then go from there..
Interesting nontheless
Organ, Thats funny!! I have no idea who big dan mac is And Matthes would be lucky if he looked like me!!! hehehe..... My rider of choice is Reed, But I hated him with A PASSION when he rode for L & M. Brooks is and always has been a D-Bag.
Im sorry Larry Brooks but you lost me way back in like 1985 or something when you stated on the podium that your win proved you were the fastest 125cc racer in the world only to crash your brains out the next week. I will never forget that comment and how you ate crap the next week i was listening and watching Larry.
I don't know about the Brooks/L&M mystery, but I've solved the Matthes/Ferry one: Matthes has an ongoing bet with Coombs: He has to find a way to mention Timmy in every article for 5 years straight to win the bet.
He's on year 3, 234 articles.
Every article this clown writes has bad things about James and a nice little licking of Chad's nutsack.....
I thought Matthes said he talked to LB on the phone, but only off the record. Then how do you talk about this in 2 articles and still act like you don't know what is going on? It would be better to just wait for the PR then comment on it.
I used to work for Larry back in 03 at KTM. He is very intense but is a good person. He knows how to balance the needs of the team, the star and family.
One thing I like about James is we dont have to hear in every other sentence and every story about how its "his team" or His $" that hes invested.
He just buys it and goes about his business.
Good job.
I dont understand people who bag on JS7 regarding the Unadilla race... It was his first race back in almost 8 months... he set the fastest lap time ... He wasnt 100% and didnt feel right on the bike and still got 2nd. good move on his part to pull out,especially with a fresh wrist.... Dungey is the champ and has putting in rides camparable to James at Unadilla all year....2nd place., aka not winning and he had ZERO time off the bike. Daytona as always will seperate the men from the boys....Dungey is the only guy in the top group that hasnt won at Daytona and got smoked by RV last year....so we'll see....Red Bull will be the main sponsor if San Manuel bails out...
JS7 is jelious that CR22 is sucessful with his own gig now he axes retard so now he has his own gig! I have no respect for the stewarts if you want your own team do it the right way like Reed. By the way Reed @ ATL made JS7 look like his *****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Mathes, what about Peanut-butter M&M's!!!!!!?!!!!! dick.
Ralf, I like your comment. Both CR and JS have massive egos, that's the way it has to be at this level, but yea, I like how JS keeps quiet...
CR is a McGrath wanna be and JS is a Kobe/Lebron wanna be. Am I the only one who notices this? The whole branding thing...I dunno, did RC try to be anything other than who he was? Ok, maybe MC patterned himself a little bit after RJ, but pretty much an original.
Trendkiller give the Reed bashing a rest. The only rider to beat Reed outdoors in points was RC, who was whipping everyone else too. Reed finished ahead of Ferry Larocco and K-Dub, thats some pretty darn good riders. So I wouldnt be calling Reeds outdoor skills bad. He was just were everyone else was, looking at RC's rear fender.
rcmxracing, No you arent the only one who sees this. I have said a number of times my biggest problem with Stewie is Brooks, and his ego. Its out of control.
Reed got beat in the 125 class also. I am not bashing Reed outdoors, Is he as fast as RC, JS or RV??... I don't think so .....but hope so.
Ok anonymously i will post.....
JS7 bought the team..
LB is gone....looking for a new position
JS7 will introduce the new manager within the next 2 weeks
HINT: Not who you are going to expect...
554....is it Sean "P. Diddy" Combs?
I don't think figuring out what happened here is that difficult, just talk to Mike Kranyuk (the M of L&M) who most likely was the money guy or had investors putting up the money while Larry Brooks was the operational guy (who typically has a minor ownership interest). Here in Philadelphia there was a guy named Pat Croce, the face of the 76ers for a few years, who was portrayed as the "owner" of the team by the media. In reality he owned 5% of the team and got pushed out just like this. My guess is Mike or the investors sold their majority interest out from under Larry who has no authority under the new ownership which could be Stewart or even new investors. That's business folks, just follow the money to really find out what happened here.
Also, you can't blame Larry Brooks for Stewart not riding the Nationals. That was a decision made by Stewart when he joined this team and obviously making a television show was/is more important to him than racing outdoors. His choice, not forced on him by someone else.
Is it me, or did Stewart's bike look completely out of whack at Atlanta; the first race without Larry. Was it the bike or an emotional deal?
This is going to get really interesting!
So, who thinks Stewart will try to payback Reed this weekend?
I think it was a supercross, not motocross championship for Geico Honda.
The problem is all Stewart has left is his speed, if he gets hurt the team folds. Whos is going to be talking to sponsors, looking for sponsors, watching over the team in Temecula while he is in Florida? Paggio? Sorbe? Big James? I would love to hear when they call San Manual and ask for money, and they ask what happend with Larry? think they value Loyalty? probaly just a little! or for that matter lets think about who hired the whole team & staff, you think they see loyatly in Stewart after what he is pullling on Larry! My suggestion to the team: In words of Iron Maiden RUN TO THE HILLS!!!
All very interesting, but the absolute highlight of this thread is the user name RICK MELON. Well played.
"Nobody`s ever climbed suicide..."
Steve, why don't you ask Kyle Regal's dad what's going on? He's a straight shooter and he probably has "documentayyyyyshunnnn" on this whole deal.
Man, this makes total sense but trust me DO NOT LOOK at JS7 as the culprit. The real culprit is the fat one who never made Pro and is while big n fat has a Napoleonic complex. Trust me, almost effed up a movie deal with some athlete investors because he didn't believe I was who I said I was. Im just saying, I knew all about Tom Cruise's movie plan and no one outside of movie industry knew of that, so that alone should've told you-know-who that I was exactly who I said I was, a screen writer for hire.
I love how all the couch racers have the insight as to what could or should happen. If Larry Brooks wasn't fitting the team as well as liked, then it is indeed time for a change, and it should be stated as simply. As for the character of Larry, he's put his heart and soul into this sport since we banged bars on mini bikes, and it's not for anybody to critique him from watching that crap show that JS7 spews out. There;s a difference between a person's abilities, and their integrity, and Larry Brooks has integrity, as well as the experience to be an asset to another team, and the sport in general.
I like how the readers are slowly but surely pulling the curtain back on this whole sorry mess. As for Red Bull sponsorship when (not if) San Manuel leaves, don't bet on it. They have a "sure thing" in the long-term dependable Roger DeCoster, Family (country) ties with KTM (Austria) and a whole slew of fresh talent coming down the pipe including "Wunderkinde" Roczen who would take Stewart to task outdoors. Also, there's this little thing with the economy that might be of issue. I think the money they're going to be asking to underwrite their whole program will have to come from their newfound "Hollywood" friends 'cause the (moto) industry isn't financially stable enough to carry that load (no pun intended).
larry has been here long enough to know a good thing does'nt last forever. he's gotten plenty of time at the top. I'm sure he's bummed out about the divorce, however I just saw him in hawaii,,FAMILY TIME,,HAHAHA...whos laughin now.
Charlie Sheen rotflmfao! Thats good. I can see Sheen and 3 porno stars rolling out of that rig. Stewart would never win again. Malcolm would miss his gate times. Big James would be in surgery having a rolling pin extracted from his ass.
Who cares. Go read this article and act on it if you truly are a member of this great sport: http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/03/03/50-lawmakers-now-support-the-kids-just-want-to-ride-act
mike kranyak is more than likely the main money man of the team not larry.for every dollar larry has mike has 50,000.00. i have no idea whats going on with the team but it wouldnt surprise me if james bought them out so he could own a team that was already up and running. i think i once heard james say that he would start a team if he had to for malcolm .i can guarantee you that the suzuki city team isnt the answer for malcolm, even though his results so far are better than they had all of last year..they pretty much ruined sherri cruse last year by putting her on a death trap of a motorcycle at the first round of the outdoor series.the bike was so bad that she broke her back and hand within the first half a lap of practice.and lemoine did alot of pushing his to the pits . get malcolm away soon so he can show his talent.
Carlsbad.. Redbull is owned by Dietrich Mateschitz.. And I do not think the economy is really affecting his operations...
He has been known to aggressively push the brand through various forms of operations.. The US for now seems offering a great deal of exposure hence he has been buying into the sport.. Like Nascar (Team Redbull), And the Metrostars (Renamed Redbull New York).. And Redbull has been known to sponsor most extreme sports events worldwide...
And smart move to sponsor JS.. As in the motorcross scene.. Seems somewhat dominated by Monster & Rockstar
Plus.. In the energy drink category.. Redbull is also by far the largest...
Yes, those are all good points. I recently received an email about his airplanes / hangar. The man has several WWII warbirds and various other military jet aircraft & helicopters which, means MEGABUCKS. Marketing-wise, I'd guess there's a couple more years on the "James Train" before it starts to unravel but, Red Bull has a whole team in KTM much the same way Monster has Kawasaki. I think to place themselves in the market and create brand loyalty and recognition, KTM (and Red Bull) need(s) to establish a "Satellite" 250 effort like PC or GEICO to give their Euro-spec riders who are U.S. bound, a home to go to as well as contractually "lock-up" new talent. Does Red Bull have enough coin to do both? Apparently so but, when "Team JSE" starts to do the "Tiger Woods / Charlie Sheen" thing (what T.V./ high-profile/ celebrity type hasn't?) Red Bull will calmly and slowly step away. For my money, I'd give Larry Brooks the reigns of a new 250 team and begin the process.
Carlsbad.. I agree... For now.. Redbull sees fit to have JS and pay him millions... Just to associate themselves with him..
As for the brand recognition.. KTM has decided to start from scratch again... And it looks like they mean business... KTM's operations in the US is to stay for the long run and just a matter of time before they will supply their efforts to the satelite teams...
And yep.. Give LB this opportunity.. KTM will do just fine.. But again.. I do not know if some people are still there when LB left KTM back in 05.. Which was one of the reason LB split from KTM... And knowing the Europeans.. If it is management.. They have a tendency to stay on and on..
Didierlotsyeng, I'm not certain if Brooks left on bad terms or not. I think he left to start L&M. Either way, I'm 100% on board with KTM. They're our best hope of having 2-strokes in our future. It's just a matter of time.....or economy until they unveil their D.I. 2-stroke. With Red Bull bucks, they could own ATV MX they way Suzuki did, they already own off-road and just a matter of time for SX/MX with DeCoster at the helm. It would be quite a reunion with Brooks and Alessi together again at KTM.
sean 'p diddy'coombs is funny, get him to the greek.
Interesting turn of events.... Here is my take (based on what I see on TV and what I read - I don't know anyone invloved)
If Bubba bought into the team and if he does indeed own it than he can do whatever he wants. That being said, I hope he doesn't think that he doesn't need a manager to keep him in line. Things have come far to easily for him in the past and since 08' they haven't. This is real life James. You are no longer the fastest man on the planet so stop acting like it. When you were taped for your show preparing for Unadilla you were running the #1 plate. Why? You were not and are not the champion. If I'm your manager I'm ripping those #'s off your bike in a heartbeat. The excuses at Unadilla are mind boggling. Just admit - you got beat. It's not the bikes fault, the manager's fault, or the fact that you didn't get selected to the MXdN's fault. Maybe you don't like being told what to do because you "think" you are the self proclaimed fastest man on the planet. Heck, even your family thinks you are. Maybe they need to look at your results the past couple of years a little closer also... You are a SX/MX rider Bubba. Nothing more, nothing less. You are talented and fast but you aren't this God that you think you are. You will never be the GOAT and I'm sure that must eat you up inside but accept it, move on, and finish your career as the #2 best rider of all time.
Good point Carlsbad. LB must've walked away with a sizable chunk of money, I'm assuming M "the other guy" was bought out as well. They could just start L&M over again next year with new talent........or start with the Nationals this year............Pourcel sign anywhere yet??? Hmmmmmm.... What is with Stewart though? Why do this and basically refuse to answer any questions about it? This is like some other sport pulling a huge trade and everyone sitting around acting like they don't know why so-and-so isn't in the game that night, or at it at all. Oh him, guess he wanted some family time. This is a Pro sport, right? Can those involved start acting like it is?!
Does that mean Regal has to move in with Bubba? I thought he was living with Brooks. That outta be a little awkward at dinner time. Regal must be feeling like a red headed step child right now. Bummer.
some good,some funny and a lot of bad comments,because,bottom line,none of you know!!!!!!!! it's been entertaining though!
IF ANYBODY HAS BEEN WATCHING THE TV SHOW . YOU CAN SEE THAT HIS MOTHER HAS BEEN GETTING A DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAYBE SHE HAD A LOOK AT THE BOOKS ??? EVERYBODY ELSE IS CUTTING COST WHY NOT THEM OR JS7....!!!!!!!!! KEEP IN THE FAMILY........
Hey B-KR, the "Stewart camp" did this w/o comment because there is no transparency in their dealings which, means they've done something they are not proud of (much like politicians). Anything done in the dark, eventually comes to light and all the lawyers and P.R. spin in the world can't hold back the truth forever. To TomKTM, the issue might just be he's NOT just a MX/SX racer anymore but, an "entertainment" source and those types are not renouned for their stability or sound judgment.
Everyone on this post: Carlsbad and Didierlotsyeng are definitely "dialed in" with whats about to happen at KTM. Take notice: This will become the next Pro Circuit talent factory outlet when Brooks comes onboard with Red Bull financial backing and the U.S. dollar (economy, way of life, and country) on the verge of being flushed down the toilet. When KTM/RedBull begins to secure talent (as they have in Roczen) watch out! Red Bull/KTM (Austria) is building a powerhouse. Watch out for a suspension engineering specialist being payed BIG euros/yen to come onboard soon.
For those who haven't been in real business transactions ... often times parties in a large transaction or change in management are legally restricted from speaking about a change until a certain date or until the transaction has closed. Sometimes offers are also on the table that parties have yet to fully agree to. Change isn't always simple and quick. Sometimes lawyers are even involved. I am sure the fact that James or Larry or anyone is talking is for good reasons and the story will be shared in due time. It is their choice when and how they share news publicly and I don't blame them. Why can't we just focus on the racing and wish both of them the best?
I think he needs to quit chewing
Most of you guys are ridiculous. This article and most of your comments are pure conjecture. To say that JS owes you an explanation for the decisions he makes regarding his business, brand or finances is absurd. His only duty is to himself. If he wants to race - great; if not - sucks, but oh well. Besides, not commenting on Larry Brooks departure was most likely out of respect for LB and his family. This way, LB is able to decide who/how and when people are availed to his forced retirement. --> This is called a Classy Move on the part of JS. Furthermore, he was trying to avoid answering a slew of questions on LB's departure because it was a race day. That is the last thing he needs to be concentrating on. * To say that JS cannot perform without this or that is purely myopic criticism. Although this may come as a shock to many of you, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR HIM. Just enjoy the sport and don't get caught up in team politics. Get a hobby.
If you don't race the outdoors I could care less,... my 2 cents
Personally i think James needs a new OEM, the Yamaha never seemed to fit him since he's been on it. i think he could be a Suzuki or Kawi guy(again). but clearly the yam isnt working so he needs to switch it up!
larry brooks is the worst thing that ever happened to mx ...big friggin cry baby poor sport loser....hope i never see that tool on the line again! please dont get involved with him MC
We need guys like Larry B. Everyone is different and he has won championships. Who are you to decide who can make a living at this sport and who can't. My guess is you sit at the comuter all day and wish you had the balls to be involved in MX
So, I guess we all figured out what happened to Regal! He got f-----d!!!!