Insight: Brooks Predicts
Thursday, July 14, 2011 | 11:00 AM
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We gave you former factory racer Ron Lechien’s take on the second half of the 2011 Lucas Oil outdoor national series and now here is another ex-racer and a guy that’s been around take on the series.
Larry Brooks is a former top privateer racer in the sport, multi-time Ultracross champion and is probably better known for his work as team manager of riders such as Jeremy McGrath, Chad Reed, James Stewart and Mike Alessi. Brooks has been there and done it all. Currently in between gigs, Brooks nevertheless has been paying close attention to the outdoor series and agreed to give us his take on what he thinks might happen in the second half of the series.
Chad Reed: My feeling is that is Chad (Reed) has control of the series, he’s put himself in good positioning, finished every moto and won a lot of overalls. Winning overalls isn’t necessarily going to win you a championship but doing well in each moto is. (Ryan) Villopoto is strong and I’m not sure if anyone is discounting how good he is. There are twelve motos left and that’s a lot of racing to go. I think Chad is really smart and he’s got a good stranglehold on it right now but with 14 points between them, the tides could turn quickly. I think Chad’s riding a really good machine, I think it’s exceptional and with Dungey’s DNF going on, it’s helped Reed out a ton. Not that Chad hasn’t been riding well but in the races they’ve gone against each other, they’ve been pretty equal. It’s this simple, you can’t win championships when you DNF races.
Reed holds the valuable red plate at the mid-way point in the series.
Photo: Simon Cudby
I think Reed’s already been thinking about the points and the title. He wins when he can and if not he takes second or third. McGrath was the same way, he didn’t go to the race every weekend thinking he was going to win, he was thinking championships. I think Chad is doing a really good job of that right now, he’s doing the best he can on the day and if it’s winning, great. If not, he just finishes well on the day. He’s riding the best I’ve ever seen. And I mean I’ve seen him ride a lot.
I think Chad’s riding great but the bike is helping him as well. He’s at a level where he can ride a bit slower and do better because the bike is so good. That’s given him a huge mental edge also. You can see how well his bike works and same with Kevin (Windham) who I think is doing better than he probably should be doing with the help of that bike. It’s amazing to see and that bike is much better than anyone gives it credit in my opinion.
Ryan Villopoto: I think Villopoto is really, really fast straight up. I do think that all the guys are fairly even, it depends on who gets out front first. It doesn’t seem any of them can suck the other up from behind. Looking at RV, I always considered him an outdoor guy and I’m sure he’s at the level right now that he has been in the past. I know that he can go faster but I haven’t seen it this year yet.
Ryan Dungey: Obviously, Millville favors Dungey, there’s no doubt about it. I don’t think any of these guys have any weaknesses. I think Chad’s going to be fast at Southwick, he’s always fast there from growing up in sand and living in Belgium that one year. I don’t think there’s a big advantage though in the tracks department. It’s more or less and how the riders get off the line, staying out of trouble and no mechanical mistakes.
I don’t think Dungey’s silly season stuff is affecting him, they keep him in a bubble and he just focuses on his racing. It’s got to make him feel good that people want him and if anything maybe give him a mental edge out there. It’s not his speed, it’s that DNF that’s killing him.
He’s always been tentative and never been aggressive or slammed anyone or anything like that. He’s riding at the level that he’s always been at. I don’t see a difference really. Should he do it? Absolutely! Will he do it or has he ever done it? No. I don’t see him changing that, it’s the way he does business and he’ll keep doing that the rest of his career.
Can Dungey take advantage of home track conditions this weekend?
Photo: Simon Cudby
If I had to choose a rider right now, I’d still say this title is up for grabs between Chad and Villopoto. I’d say that Chad has the advantage right now but it’s still so close and there’s a long way to go. It’s hard to give you a favorite. Those points can be eaten up in one first turn crash. I do think it’s down to those two riders though.
250
Dean Wilson: I’m a big fan of Wilson, I like his style and everything about the kid. I don’t even know him but I root for him a little bit. I like the way he rides and his demeanor but. I think that Wilson’s advantage is his experience and he’s using that. There’s nothing that give you an advantage like having been there before. The little bit that Wilson has, he’s using that on Baggett. It’s honestly really cool to see. I would say that the week off helps Wilson a bit but I don’t know really. If they both treat the week-off in the right way and work on what they need to, it may not favor one guy. Either rest their body or work their body a bit, depending on what they need to do.
Blake Baggett: Baggett is a bad dude. You don’t even know how big my eyes were at the second moto at Hangtown. He showed me something that I haven’t seen in a rider in a long, long time. Not since Ricky Carmichael have I seen a guy just eat them up like that. I think speed-wise and endurance-wise, Baggett’s got an edge
Man, he’s got speed in his back pocket and just yanks it out when needed. It’s amazing. He just flows with the bike, keeps his speed up and just flows. He reminds me of a mini-Ron Lechien where he’s just out there riding and is economical in his movements. I’m going to say Baggett for the title and even though I like Wilson and I guess would like to see him win. Baggett has the sheer speed on Dean even though Blake has had some weird things happen to him.
Baggett has the momentum, but Wilson has the red plate.
Photo: Simon Cudby
Tyla Rattray: I still think that Rattray is sitting in a good position. I think for some reason, he’s losing something somewhere and I don’t know if it’s because he’s a bigger guy or what. I haven’t seen him up there on the starts lately like he has been and we’ve seen that with a guy like Tim Ferry. That 2007 title was his and as soon as he was the favorite, his starts went away. Starts are all upstairs- at least to me. You know that Rattray’s bike is just as good as the two guys in front of him. I know Mitch’s team is super strong but I don’t know if they have the right person to break that mental block that’s there. I like Tyla though; I like the robot in him- just hammer and hammer all day long. For the style and pizazz though, it’s Wilson or Baggett over Rattray. I like watching him but he’s like a train, it takes him a while to get up to speed and he doesn’t have the sprinting speed of the other guys.
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I take it Brooks will be with Honda next year? LOL
I appreciate the insight LB but what I would really like to hear is, the story behind the break-up. You know, the Stewart-Brooks split. Common Racerx, bring us the story. Inquiring minds want to know!
LarryBrooks !!!! Wow man I was wondering if you where still around.I heard a rumor you may be starting up a new team...any comment ?
Agree with mx675 - let's have some real investigative reporting, and spill the facts about his split from the Stewarts! And, as far as Dungey's "silly season" goes, where can I send a photo, relative to that? I took an interesting shot in the pits, after the Freestone national, that might add a little fuel to that fire!
screw larry brooks. itd be better if he stayed away from the sport.
Yeah sure sounds like Brooks loves them Hondas now right? Can't wait to see who he has on Hondas
Has Dungey lived in Belgium???????? When?
HOLESHOT!!!!!!
Great to hear something out of Larry Brooks. One of my favorite people to hear talk about the industry and motorcycle racing. The guy just knows his shit. Good luck with the new race team!
Yeah sure sounds like Brooks loves them Hondas now right? Can't wait to see who he has on Hondas
Wow, Larry Brooks speaketh duh you finally came out? Yes you can see Brooks Hondatude in the article se lets put that new word in the dictionary...... bottom line as everyone says it is Chads title to lose, I think he has some stuff in his back pocket yet (I like that saying) and yes "Big" Blake can do it to it... now Im a poet andf you did not no it????
Brooks how do you think James Stewart would have faired this summer?
I think my old friend would have had his ass handed to him if he would have raced this summer. The Yamaha 450 it a total POS and James thinks he is a rock star.
Thats all I have to say about that!!!
LB
I could care less if he starts a team.He screwed Chad Reed over for JS7 then look what JS7 did to him.I guess I'm just pissed because he won't tell us what happened between him and JS7.It seems to me they kind of deserved each other.I'm kinda pissed at racer x and staff because they won't tell us happend either.I'm pretty sure they know.I mean Davey is the head of MX Sports.I'm sure him or Matthes knows.They sure didn't have a problem telling us about KevinWalker.I just feel that the mx media is obligated to fans to tell this story.Its like the media is not doing their job to inform us.
I was standing next to the track at Midland, Texas one day in about 1982 when a couple of fat guys were talking about the 80cc riders. One of them nudged me with a big grin on his face and asked, "Have you ever seen 80 riders go that fast?"
I said, "Yes," almost with a yawn, but stifled it somehow. I wished some decent 80 riders would show up.
It was about a month later that Larry Brooks, 80cc national champ, showed up at the same track. Looked like a 125 pro, slipping the clutch on the exits, good technique. Smoked 'em like a joint! I still get a chuckle out of that.
Thanks, Larry.
Lary Brooks needs to answer some real questions starting with his split from what I thought was HIS team. I am by no means a LB fan but I would really like to know how that went down. Chances are we will never hear the real story behind it but it probably goes something like this. "I'm James Stewart and without me you dont have a team. I dont like you so I think I'll just buy you out so there is no reason for you to keep coming to the races." My guess is that he signed a no disclosure agreement but I dont think there is one person out there who wouldnt like to have been a fly on that wall.. The sport will go on without him.
Last I heard Brooks is teaming up with McGrath to start a new team and yes they are running Hondas. Will be very interesting to see who they sign?
I'm leaning towards D. Durham, on 250f's and I don't know if they're running both classes, but maybe Josh Grant on a 450 if he's not with Factory Honda.
The way I see it, Larry Brooks shouldn't associate with felons who imitate police and pull innocent people over with cop lights he might have received from somebody like the motorcycle street gang called Wheels of Soul, which you can find on Google. I wouldn't associate with Stewart either.
@jairtime, JS7 is no more a felon than you are and you know it. The charge was misdemeanor, first one dropped, so if you want to spread lies I can probably think of some on you, boy!
It seems kind of obvious that he going to use Hondas.He also seemed to be kissing Chad and Dungey's butt pretty good too.They are the only title contenders to choose from right now.Without one of them his team will be lacking.I guss Porcel could be an option if he get his stuff together and starts winning some GPs.I kinda doubt that Chad would join forces or ride for him after that SMBI deal.
Guys, LB won't talk about the split between him and JS right now, I guess they're working through things still. We want the story also and it's not like, myself and RXI staff haven't tried. Someday he will be able to talk but not right now.
Um, Wow.
Here is the deal with Larry and James. James got tired of Larry riding his back and there personalities did not mesh.Larry owned L & M which got all the sponsors like Redbull and San Manuael Band of Mission Indians...So for James to start JSE he had to offer to buy out Larry and his partners.They had planned to work together for the full season but James just got to big for his shoes and was just done with Larry so he sent him home (Paid) and started lining up sponsors and a new factory to get better bikes ( sorry Yamaha your 450 is a P.O.S. ) . Yamaha may fight this in court or accept a buy out as they have a contract thru 2012 with the team. Larry is not allowed to talk negative about all this due to non disclosure and and how things are written in his buy out. Expect James to team with Redbull and another major sponsor for 2012 and Larry to start a new team with help from another major player. I got this from an industry insider.
You know Matthes,to tell you the truth I don't know why I want to hear that story.I bet when it comes out it probably won't be that big of a deal anyhow.I'm not to excited about his team because it will probably be a SX only team.Speaking of teams.I would like to see Pro Circuit drop kick Kawasaki and pick up Husqvarna.It woulb be awsome to see if Mitch could make those POS run and handle well.I think it would be so cool if PC could keep on winning and not miss a beat.It would help get another brand to go mainsteam and give us the big6 instead of just 5 brands..Plus it would have a cool nostalgic vible to it because of its history with PC.Maybe Mitch will have a mid life crisis and need a new challenge.I'm sure BMW has plenty of money to make this happen.
@ Dave C, Clearly, you have heard alot of what I've heard, and IF Brooks was riding James, think how Kyle Regal must have felt, as he was in the middle literally as he was living with the Brooks family in CA and then moved to practicing at JS7's home in FL. If anyone has BOTH sides of the story and INSIDER info. RACERXill needs to do an interview with Kyle Regal, but that won't happen.
Agree 100% with Brooks (is that bad ?)
CR has been laying back and picking his spots.
RV has way more to give
We will see everything Dungey has at Millville
JimM
Pala374
Thanks Davey C & Matthes, I knew he wouldn't be able to talk about it.....Lot of Money involved sponsors etc.....
I dont know Larry Brooks but his Biz is Biz.
My obsevations as an outsider are :
1) Chad Reeds time with LB did not work.
2) James Stewarts time with LB did not work
3) LB prepped Yamahas for JS7 did not work
3) LB is the architect of SX only contracts (MC & 7)
JD
dont mind LB but it sucks what happens with Kyle Regal being he was fun to watch outdoors. but im sure he doesnt mind a constant pay check compared to living out of a van. (is he still part of JSE?)
There are a whole lot of the current riders that need their collective asses ridden hard.
We are now in the "Its not fair! Cry baby generation." Barfing now.
@jair suks , in my disgust with @jair 'the racist' I mistakenly lumped you in with him last week, my sincerest apologies. @joe dirt , spot on take. Brooks sure seems Honda bound.
2 questions or maybe 3
In 2011 how did JS7 do with Brooks?
How did JS7 do without Brooks?
I should know this but dont and wondering and need an answer. MXoN classes used to be 125, 250, 500 so an amatuer like me knew the differences in the bikes.
What is the difference in the set up, hp, weight, etc. or I guess rules between a MX1 and MX3 bike.
MAICOS RULE or RULED (for a little while anyway)
Thanks
@maish25 I believe with brooks 3 wins and 1 win without...so do the math better with Brooks.
@joe dirt 1) Reed did fine with Brooks 2) James won a championship with Brooks 3) Brooks prepped yz450's where the best yz450's ..but the bike has problems with weight bias and geometry ..ask around not the best pro bike. 4)Supercross only contracts where asked for by riders like Jeremy McGrath who where worried about how they would get hurt outdoors and jeopordize their chance to make money in the supercross season= also is less expensive and more exposure to run supercross only=better tv coverage for sponsors.
Having said that...I hate supercross only contracts .
I saw part of one of Stewart's jive TV shows, and Aldon Baker was trying to get that good-for-nothing sluggard out of bed. Stewart was totally content to laze around and wasn't about to get out of that bed.
My thinking is that Larry Brooks made Stewart mad because Brooks expected him to get the hell out of bed. Maybe if Stewart would man up, be a professional and get up in the morning he wouldn't crash every time a slight breeze blows across his face.
I like Larry as a racer and a team owner, apperantenly he knows what he is talking about, dont forget that when MC was riding for him so was MC's best friend Button and Button wasnt doing that bad either. AS far as JS7 he pretty much wasted a good season for Kyle by sitting out the outdoors, what a waste. As far as I am concerned JS7 team will be himself and his brother MOOKIE, who I think has more talent right now than James and they will be on the new TMS since there going to pay big bucks for them, Redbull will end up staying with KTM.
Since you guys seem to be watching this Dave and Steve, do you guys have any idea what folks like JGR and Motoconcepts are doing with the Yamaha to make it better? Hanging weight on the front somewhere to compensate? You could tell by James's ride last Unadilla that the front end is a BIG problem with that bike! Millsaps bike has looked much better lately so JGR must have something going. This is really good reading here guys! Thanks! On a side note, James has lost his focus and if he doesn't get it back, he's toast no matter what he rides. It's stupid for me to even mention the obvious. Screw that damn TV show!!! I want to see him ride!!!
i love myself......im the fastest rider on the planet....i crash better than all of you...thats how good i am.....i think im going to kiss myself....pick me for des nations im ready!!!! ps how do i set my rebound???
#3....i believe CR22 was a sx only guy as well...and LB had much to do with that...
@harddog321
JGR runs larger and lower mounted radiators.Lower engine motor mounts.Many different offset triple clamps.They build there own shock bodies and have a fork and shock dyno. They have tried different sub frame heights .They run different linkage on the rear shock. they also do the normal stuff like titanium nuts and bolts ,light weight hubs,different springs and sag height. These are just some of the stuff they try but even they are talking about goinig to a different brand of bikes because the yamaha has such a bad stigma among the pros. JUST SAYIN !!!
who cares what he says , guy is a real D-bag !
met him @ atl sx in 2008 total dic*head , when the camera's and media isn't around him,you know when he is being his real self !
Getting a real kick out of all these comments. People thinking that they know things, when all they hear is gossip and repeat it. Thats not to smart. You shouldn't repeat something that some tells you and you don't know if it's really the truth. But thats your choice and I'm sure thats why you won't use your real name when you repeat gossip. Just through it out there.
And take it for what it's worth;
+ Reed won a Supercross Championship with LB
+ Stewart won a Supercross Championship with LB
+ LB had a hand in building Reed's, Stewart's, Hill's Yam 450's and they were good.
+ LB had nothing to do with building Stewart Yamaha 450 this year and it sucked.
+ LB left the team and Stewart fell apart.
It looks pretty obvious to me who was the person holding that team together.
I would love to tap into what regal and mookie know about what is up. i am hoping regal still gets a ride of some sorts next year after sitting out nationals for whatever reason. and we all know nationals is where regal shines.
If the article is entitled "Brooks Predicts," then specific predictions for each class could have been made ... instead of an apparent attempt at the beginning of the article to flaunt one's achievements followed only by information about the main contenders and their potential to win the championships.
Seems as if not to many Girls comment , But I would like to say I am new to this sport , Three years as of this summer , This Jairtime character comes off as a real Jerk , My guess is he is overweight , and doesnt get a lot of action , Me and my friends allways say the bigger the mouth , the smaller the you know what . LOL, But it is Sad that he has to be so mean , I am a fan of Dungey , hes cute , and Bubba , cute as well , oh yeah , and Barcia ,sigh! I feel sorry for Jairtime , being so outdated with his Racism , I think mostly all the racist people are kinda old.
susan
the word "jive" is not attached to any certain color or race. A word that is attached to one kind of person is "bitch" so weather you are a female dog or just a mouthy hog like yourself the word fits. :)
Thank you, Larry. I think Susan is really tonewall, also known as "jairtime suks". He (she) should move to Detroit, where paradise awaits.
wow. there are some truly hateful evil ignorant bastards on here today. Really makes the whole deal a lot less fun.
Dammit tonewall,
Is everything racist? If I said that bubbas new sponser was Jheri Curl would that be racist? Who do you think they would sponser, a cracker like me, the real larry B? The fact is, why do you think that KFC stop selling watermelon? Jackass. I liked it when they sold watermelon.
The real
LB
@ jairtime,damn!!!,,you are such a joke!!!,,i hardly ever comment on this crap, but when i see your stupid a#s comments i just have too,,,,you are such a D-BAG!!!,,,by the way did travis ever take your advice about getten married??,,when will you ever let go of stewarts mistake??,,,i never never saw someone spew sooo much crap out of ones own mouth than you do,,give it a rest already RICHARD!!!!!
Hey Mike O
Get off my man jairtime, the dude speaks his mind and that is righteous. Why don't you spend some deep quality vag time getting to know supertwat susan and spew out some moronic puppies. Maybe Nascar is more your sport, four wheels in a circle that way you don't get lost.
@mike o... You have to understand the dark side humor or jairtime... And also, it's his right not to like JS... And the guy has some experience in this field... He posts ome interesting stuff, and the others in regards to bashing JS... Well, that's life.
As for Brooks.. Read and heard as well he might team up with MC to field a team next year.. Which is good. And that San Mauel will support their effort... They need a clean cut image of a rider.. And JS sadly, blew this one, by stupid mistakes commited.
As for the split up... Well, we will have to wait... Amd also curious to read what Reed has to write on his break up with Brooks.
At the end.. You can say whatever you want.. Brooks is one hell of a manager... Won 5x SX championships as a manager... Not many can say that.
What a bunch of biocth phonies out there. Susan is not a real chick, pretty sure its jairtime suks/whatever at it again. And evertime someone doesnt kiss Stewarts backside does NOT mean its racist. That is a black guy thinking everytime a white guy doesnt cheer for him he's racist. Its a sick thing, and shows a little self-esteem problem with the complainers.
And no that Dave C. guy is not Davey Coombs, I would like to know where this guy got his "Inside " information. Larry Brooks is a tool. EVERY rider who rides for him gets the "I am the greatest in the world" attitude. Look at how Reed has changed since he got away from him, and look how Stewart acts now that he is/was with him. After getting his butt kicked in supercross and hiding out in the Nationals, wonder if Stewarts head will shrink now.
Can't believe Bubba got off with only a Misdemeanor? What's wrong with our Justice system?
Jairtime rules.....!! Funny as f**k
@phonies
You are right I am not Davey Coombs. I get my information from a mechanic/engine builder on a team that runs Yamahas. While it is true that only Larry and James know the whole story how this played out...You can believe that I gave pretty good info on how things went down and are going to play out.Please remember that all of this is still happening and can change
By the time I get to the bottom of the comments, I'm lucky if I can remember what the actual article was about. Ay caramba!
@Donnie - It was REED who lived in Belgium, not Dungey. "I think Chad’s going to be fast at Southwick, he’s always fast there from growing up in sand and living in Belgium that one year." Read much?
@ thereallarrybrooks Here we go , Another racist tool like Jairtime , I noticed that you Called one of the only girls that comments a Beotch , Way to go Moron , Alienating anyone from this sport is stupid , People like you is what keeps this sport relativly unknown , to most , Do us all a favor and go back to what ever you used to do , Mud bogs , Corn holing , tobaco spitting , Swamp fishing , Mulet growing , You are embarrassing yourself little man .
I lost all respect for brooks when he had chisholm try to take reed out in salt lake a couple years ago.
The same freedoms that allow "Jairtime" his posts are the same same ones used by "Jairtime suks" & the other posters to verbally abuse him. Usually the first ones to cry racism or foul are the ones that have lost the ability to intelligently conversate their position............maybe taking ques from the "grown ups" and leaving the childish behavior behind is prudent.
I like Larry Brooks and anyone in the So. Cal region has seen that this man is a staple in the racing community.
I'm not a fan of "SX-only" BUT, Larry went with the program that MC wanted, simple as that. Reed & Bubba bought into it because Larry was / is a winning team manager running a winning program. Also, it was easier to gain financial support / commitments for a partial season, does anyone still do the math?
I like Reed better in his post-Brooks days and I like the outdoor force he has become. That isn't a knock on Brooks or Reed, it's just the way I see it.
It's pretty clear that Stewart was better off with L.B. running the show. The problem is, prima-donnas can't be told what to do, not by Aldon Baker, not by Larry Brooks. That IS a knock on Stewart because I've never been shy in my dislike for his antics.
Regarding the Brooks / Stewart break-up, whatever was done in the dark will be brought into the light. If the people involved were proud of what they did, there would be no reason to hide it, whether it be non-disclosure contracts or non-compete contracts.
I'm all for L.B. getting another gig. I really hoped it would've been running KTM's 250F program but apparently, RD wants his newest super-talents close to his vest pocket.......someday KTM will have to join the fray as Kawasaki & Honda have with 250F super-teams (GEICO & PC) plus a home-grown (U.S.A.) support program.
David C, thanks for the info.It makes sense to me.I'm sure Matthes has a pretty good idea about what was going on.I guess Larry or Stewart must of fed Matthes with lots free food at the races or something.I mean MX SX is like a tiny town.Everyone pretty much knows what going on. I think Carlsbad summed it up best .If the people involved[ LB/JS7 ] were proud of what they've done,there would be no reason to hide it.
Whats up now brooks? Dungey makes an aggressive pass and wins, Reeds honda kicks out and Reed crashes.
Meanwhile Rattray wins.....go figure, opposite of what was predicted.