This Week in Kawasaki SX History: Villopoto's Streak
Thursday, March 17, 2011 | 1:55 PM
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Since this weekend’s race in Jacksonville doesn’t have much of a history behind it after just holding a few races and after scouring the record book to try and find a Kawasaki winner on the same date as this Saturday’s race (March 19) but coming up empty, we decided to take a look back to a little bit of Kawasaki history of a different kind. Ryan Villopoto is the fourth Kawasaki rider to even win five AMA SX races in a season. Better yet, he’s only the second Kawasaki rider to pull off the feat in back-to-back seasons. Let’s take a look back at Kawasaki’s history in the premier class when one of its riders wins five main events in a season.
Surprisingly, not that many green warriors have done what RV currently has. You would think that in the heyday of Jeff Ward he would have won five races in a season several few times but nope, he only did it once, in his 1987 championship season. There were a couple of seasons that Wardy captured four wins but, sorry for Wardy, five is the cut-off here.
Stewart is one of only four other riders to accomplish what RV has on a Kawasaki.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Also to remember is that Ricky Carmichael did a majority of his winning on a Honda, he had one dominant year on green but the others were on red.
Think of all the great riders that Kawasaki Team Green has brought up through its ranks, both amateur and pro. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Team Green was essentially the who’s who of amateur moto. But there were only four men who have equaled or surpassed what Villopoto has done this year. Only one other did it back-to-back, and that’s James Stewart. Stewart was also the first to win that many races and not win the AMA Title, but Villopoto won seven last year and then succumbed to injury.
Let’s take a look at the racers that have won five or more main events in the premier class whilst riding a Kawasaki:
1987- Jeff Ward 5 wins—AMA SX Champion
1997- Jeff Emig 5 wins—AMA SX Champion
2001- Ricky Carmichael 14 wins—AMA SX Champion
2006- James Stewart 8 wins—World SX Champion
2007- James Stewart 13 wins—AMA SX Champion
2010-- Ryan Villopoto 7 wins
2011- Ryan Villopoto 5 wins (and counting)
Five and counting.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
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First! Take that Daniel Tosh!
This got me thinking, a little off the subject, but what about MXDN?? I think the 2 Ryan's are in. Do you pick Stewart over Canard??
@ mrb186, Dont forget that someone has to ride a 250, so it'll be RV and RD or RV and JS (If he ventures into the sun), who knows about the lites class, probably barcia though.
Dungey had his time a year ago. I'm a Chad Reed fan and would still want to see Bubba go. He brings a ton of excitement and drama to the sport.
Man, I miss James on that Kwacker ... that bike looks so good!!!
The Kawi does look GOOOOOOOD!!!
Lov'n the new blue hubs and FMF can this tear as well. Sexiest bike in the pits. Plus that Green just POPS!
If stewart actually bought out LB, he needs to switch to a kawi. He always looked more comfortable on that bike.
I really don't think Stewart has ever been as comfortable as he was on the green machines. I hope he gets comfy on the Yami real soon though!!
Yea RV, YOU GOT THIS CHAMPIONSHIP AND YOU WILL DEFFINATLY BE ON DES NATIONS...
mrb186. Why wouldnt you pick a 250 rider?? Why have a guy drop down and try to learn to race the small bike all over again?? Whats wrong with Barcia??
@mrb186
While Villipoto is a lock, I dont think the other Ryan (Dungey) is. In my opinon he just hasnt shown the speed necessary, particularly lately in supercross. I would have to go with Stewart (as inconsistent as he can be, he is still fast as hell) and Canard or like bd200 wrote, possibly throw in Barcia. In my honest opinon, I think Dungey is really starting to show his true colors; a talented and very good rider, but not among the very elites.
Well, I guess I was going for the "slam dunk", the fastest guys that have done it before. Lately, we haven't had all the 'A list' players available. Guys like Tedesco and Short are near the top, but probably not the guys you'd put on your dream team. It looks like this year will be different. If it was a choice between Bam Bam and Canard on a 250, I'd go with Canard. If you really want a current 250 guy, then you'd want to consider Tomac also. Hansen may even turn out to be a champion (if only he didn't look like a carnival ride operator)!
186 thats a good one, he does look kinda like a carnie,,not that theres anything wrong with that,,I suspect there are carnies here in racerxville doing some of the posting...just sayin..
While RV is having a great year and doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon, I don't understand the memory lapse going on with folks over Dungey's accomplishments. The guy is two for two in MXdN appearances and people are crossing him off their lists already??? I wouldn't hesitate for a second to have a Villopoto / Dungey / Barcia threesome on team U.S.A. and I'd bet some coin on DeCoster feeling the same.
Well Barcia has got crazy speed but his habit of stuffing anyone he passes might come back to bite him (Hansen seems to have the same tendency). He has shown some good maturity lately. I guess we'll see when they move outdoors!
Villipoto is a &#&^sucker no matter how many races he wins, sorry to bust your
bromance fantansies. He only wins if someone crashes. ..I.
Cutshall you're an idiot. Stewie can't hang its as simple as that. Get on you tube and search for James Stewart, most of the videos will be of him crashing. The reason he crashes so much is because he is always riding OVER his head. Any true motocross fan or racer would know this, you must be one in a million of the Bubba's World bandwagon riders.