Racer X Notebook: Unadilla
Monday, August 15, 2011 | 5:40 PM
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Print- Back in its early days, Unadilla once enjoyed a great reputation due to its dark, deep loamy soil. But years of racing and harsh weather transformed the track from a loamy one to a hard, slippery, rocky surface. Lately, the track owners have begun to truck some of the old soil back onto the track, mainly by digging it out of the valleys around the facility. In practice, the track was deep, with a good six inches of fresh top soil clearly visible on top. While some of that dirt was eventually pushed and roosted away throughout the day, and the track did get harder, it was still a marked improvement over previous years. The facility also boasted two brand-new towers for the team managers/scoring and for the announcers. Clearly, this old track is making great strides to keep up with the times.
- Monster Energy Kawasaki didn’t start testing the 2012 KX450F until Monday after Washougal, but even after just throwing the existing 2011 race suspension and engine into the new chassis, the riders immediately felt things were better. A week of testing only added further improvements, so by the time Unadilla rolled around, the team was confident the new bike was the way to go. The biggest change is the new frame, which is narrower across the top. You can’t argue with the results, as Ryan Villopoto went 1-1 and Jake Weimer turned in his best rides of the season with 5-6 scores for sixth overall.
Weimer had one of his best rides of the season at Unadilla.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
- Weimer was part of a wild second-moto battle for fifth. Chad Reed was dueling with Weimer and fell. Then Justin Brayton made a move and fell in the same spot as Reed. Weimer, as usual, was battling with Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe, until they crashed into each other! Weimer was able to get up and only lose a spot to Reed, but Metcalfe’s handguard locked into his front brake lever, and he eventually had to stop and kick the guard off. He ended up a lap down and in 25th for the moto.
- Unfortunately, with great racing in front of him and behind him, Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi went almost unnoticed while running fourth most of the way in the second 450 moto. He also snagged the holeshot, a mark that has been all-too-rare for Mike this summer. His 7-4 scores were good enough for fifth overall.
- Kyle Regal showed up to race motocross for the first time this year, racing for the BBMX.com/BTO Sports Suzuki team. Team Manager Forest Butler was quick to point out that this was a quick, simple fit for both the rider and team—Regal wanted to get some outdoor racing in to get his name back out there, and the BBMX squad is down a man since Jason Thomas is out with knee surgery. Regal only really had a day on the bike, but he rode well to 10-9 scores and eighth overall.
- In the first moto, Regal was chased early by Muscle Milk Toyota JGR’s Les Smith, until Smith crashed hard. It led to a disappointing day of 23-26 scores for the South Carolina rider. Yes, Smith is back on the JGR team for a second time this year. He filled in for Brayton earlier, and is now back since Davi Millsaps is out after knee surgery. Millsaps may return for the final two races of the year, so for now, Smith is on a two-race deal for Unadilla and Southwick.
Regal finished 8th overall in his first race of the season.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
- Not a good weekend for the brothers Hahn. Tommy crashed on his Motoconcepts Yamaha and separated his shoulder, knocking him out for the weekend. He’s getting an MRI this week to determine if he will need surgery. Will Hahn was knocked out, literally, with a crash early in the first 250 moto on his GEICO Honda. Will’s concussion is bad enough to where it may keep him off the bike for the rest of the season.
- Justin Bogle had an impressive debut on his GEICO Honda. Fresh off the AMA Horizon Award at the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch, Bogle ran up front in both motos and went 6-6 for fifth overall. Bogle admitted he got tight running up front, but his speed and aggression were impressive. Maybe too impressive to one rider. When Blake Baggett passed Bogle in the first moto, Bogle’s attempt to hold him off didn’t look that aggressive, but Baggett didn’t see it that way. “Yeah he like tried to kill us in the first moto,” said Baggett. “I tried to jump the big tabletop and I clearly had him passed, and he rode straight and put me up near the haybales. I raised my hand up at him and I was like, “Dude what are you doing?” You can’t become a hero in one day.”
- Baggett was named to the Motocross of Nations team along with Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto. Easy selections, sure. And obviously Baggett will be on the 250 in the MX2 class. But who will race MX1? Dungey? Villopoto? Rumor had it that Team Manager Roger DeCoster didn’t want to make such a tough call and wanted to leave the decision up to a coin flip between the two riders. But that didn’t happen, and a decision is yet to be made. To be continued!
- Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Champion Josh Strang raced Unadilla to have some fun. The factory FMF Suzuki rider in off-road raced on fellow Australian Brett Metcalfe’s practice bike, and was running 14th early in the first moto until he crashed and lost some ground. He ended up 22nd, then scored a national point with a 20th in moto two—a match for his 20th in the first moto at RedBud last year. That should be it for Strang and motocross this summer, as the GNCC Series resumes on September 11th—at Unadilla!
Current GNCC points leader Josh Strang finished 24th overall at Unadilla.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
- Two riders were out for DNA Shred Stix Star Racing Yamaha. Ryan Sipes didn’t race the second moto at Washougal saying he felt like he had an illness. Turns out he’s hypoglycemic, and had low blood sugar. He’s changing his diet to get his strength back, and should be back for Southwick. Kyle Peters was supposed to make his pro debut here, but it turns out he suffered a fracture on the wings on one of vertebre with a crash at Loretta’s. He may make it back for the last two rounds.
- Andrew Short had a rough day, derailing a chain in the first moto, leading to a DNF. Then he had a terrible gate pick for the second moto, but overcame that to get an 8th.
Alex Martin continues to impress.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
- Well done by privateer rider Lowell Spangler, who went 13-18 for 16th. On the AMA results sheet, the Pennsylvanian’s sponsors read as “None Listed.”
- Signs of life for the Rockstar Suzuki team, which has had a rough year. Martin Davalos took fifth in the first moto, Nick Paluzzi was 7th, and rookie Jason Anderson was also fighting inside the top ten until he crashed.
- Alex Martin keeps turning in the solid rides, going 10-10 for 9th overall in the 250 class on his Eleven10 Mods Honda.
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There was nothing dirty about what Bogle did to Baggett. Baggett had plenty of room. Bogle was racing hard and not giving up. Good job Bogle!
Alessi should have an arguement for a DeNations pick
Regal did great! Off the couch and onto a strange ride.
Was Strang the fastest "off roader"? How did 539 do?
Dowdy should get one of those 2012s for 338. He needs to do good to keep his number. I bet he does it though. Go 40+ king!!
Who ever has the most points SX and Moto together should get the MX1 ride and the #1 plate IMO.
. I thought all you guys said Alessi would holeshot every moto when he got back on a 450...Hmmmmmmmm he holeshot a few last year on the 350 too. Hmmmmm again
Will be hard for JD, he needs 21 points...I hope he does it.
BillC, I think Dowd can do it; If he finishes fifteenth or better will that give him the points needed to keep his number for next year???
God job for Regal, he became one of my guys to watch after last years performances. But Dowd likely won't keep his number....Regal only got 23 points with a 10-9.
@billc - I do see the logic, but going on 'most SX + MX points' means Short would have been our MX1 guy several times over the last few years. No disrepect to Short - love the guy - but...
Though maybe you don;t mean selection-wise...just use it to break the 'tie' between which Ryan gets MX1? Ok, I like it a bit better if thats what you mean
I'm a NW guy so pulling for RV. But think Dungey should get the MX1. 2x defending champ as our MX1 guy - show him the respect. Though if RV can kick his butt at MXoN (not to mention SX and maybe MX) - all bets off for next year!
All I can say is - sucks for everyone else that the battle for the MXoN win will be between 2 US guys!
Hey Weege,
How many different ways are you and Emig going to pronounce Marvin Musquin's name?
No disrespect but he says it one way, you've said 2-3, sometimes 4 different ways (refer to Freestone) and I know as a professional you've got access and can actually ask him the correct pronunciation.
So is it MUS-Quin..MOOSE-Key-on...MOOSE-Kin...MUS-Kin...Mus-Key-on...which is it.
As a live venue announcer and sometimes action sports radio guy, I'd like to know the correct way to say his name. Just in case.
Again, not calling you out but looking for clarification...Great job on the broadcasts.
Amazing to me to see Regal out there without handguards at Unadilla....is that what happened to Byrne's master cylinder in the first moto....did he have hand-guards on his bike then?
First of all, the user name "Main Event Maker" rules. Awesome.
Second of all, Villopoto + Dungey + Baggett = *ss-kicking team.
Finally, the US once again has a true "dream team".
Kyle Regal knows moto . Impressive .
JD
RD mxon twice, sx 1, mx 1
RV mxon3 times, sx 1, mx ?
what difference does it make, I think in their racing careers when they have raced each other RV has won more than RD but not sure, I don't think rd has beat rv in a series that they both completed.
This article is bull shit. No mention of justin barcia at all? You must be crazy cause the 450 rookie was making dungy look like a tool bag. Might want to actually watch the race next time b4 u write an article about it and leave out the most important parts.
Whoever said alessi should be on the team is a retard
Jon doe we're with you on this one, this article doesn't even mention Wilson either, Jason did you watch the race before you wrote this, if you didn't notice he kicked everyones ass.
Just to get everyone thinking...2010 outdoor season, Kyle regal went like 18-8 for 11th at Hangtown(round 1)....then the season had a week off, and they went to Freestone raceway where Regal then went on the put the MERGE racing honda on the podium....all seems like a similar situation brewing up....Regal is great in the sand and Southwick is a Mans track...so watch out
Baggett is a bad dude, but sounds like a sissy after Unadilla. Is he serious? Thats moto. Bogle is stepping out and showing what he has. I think he is just getting frustrated cause he is realizing it's going to take a miracle to overcome Deano for the crown. He is way faster than Bogle, and the last time i checked, just cause you "wheel up" someone while racing, they are not suppose to just bow down and just let him go. Thats racing! You fight to the checkers.
Alessi to the des nations???? What idiot thinks that? America sends the best three, and Mikey has not shown he is one of the best three at all this summer. Maybe next year....
Barcia,= Phenomenal ride. Dungey Sounded like a sissy also. Barcia did not ride anything like he does in the lites class, and I thought he handled himself really well. Looked real good! Again, moto is a race and fight to the checkers. If he made the gate, he deserves to go out and battle with anyone he encounters. If Dungey is so bothered by it, blow by him, and move forward. Again, frustrations showing because it's not coming as easy as he would like.
If all forty guys would line up, then file in according to points status once the gate drops, why would any of us fans want to even watch. That would be so fun to watch!!! I am really bummed that the guys in the "points chase" would act this way and act like such 'poons. And I like those dudes, but c'mon!
I wouldn't worry too much about who's gonna ride what, rumor has it, that to even things up the Americans will be forced to compete on the latest factory Hodaka's,,,(think 1976) outfitted w/ naguchi gyt kits.
hats off to Barcia, I figured he'd kill himself.
Sweet fan of the week
Regal got screwed in the JS7 BS of this year!!! First he misses some rounds of SX when Larry Brooks went missing??? Then he has to sit out most of the outdoors because crybaby doesn't want to ride outdoors! Regal would have loaded up the #30 yami in the back of his van to ride....This guy has heart! He even did well in the SX series which is not his specialty. This guy passed Reed, Short and Windham on rough tracks like Millville and Freestone on a full privateer Honda! Then he passes Roczen at the MXON! If JS7 didn't pull the ride out he would be a top 3-5 guy. This guy rocks!
He's done awesome I agree, but that comment at the end about passin Roczen, who was on a 250, had the flu and was only 16 years old...? C'mon on dude.. But I guess that's the kinda rep K.Roc has gotta live with now. I'd put a lot of money on him not passing Roczen at the MXdN this year, even if he was riding lol
ps if Dungey rides in the mx3 spot in France I'm calling Roczen for the mx2/mx3 race. Ya heard it here first.
Waldo, Yes as a tie breaker, So Far IMO RV earned the right to run the #1, SX champ, and leads the outdoors.... Hard to argue IMO.
Too bad team Canada couldn't consist of Faciotti, Wilson & young gun Cole Thompson that would be sweet!! I bet those boys would be a good top ten threat!! Like i said just a dream.........
Dungey and Baggett are not cry babies, they are just sick of these slow punks blocking them instead of racing. Then after they do get passed they fall apart and finish half a lap down. Most of these rides need to be brick layers or boot blacks because the sure cannot race.
@ getreal dude you clearly do NOT understand motocross. Here is the thing man no matter what the circumstances be it weather, soil types, riders blah blah blah everybody on that gate has to deal with it!! ALL OF THEM!!! Some cry, some dont, Baggett and Dunghole were being big babies ohh really you were upset because somebody raced with you??? Welcome to racing!!! WAR BAM BAM!!!! If guys like you made the rules there would be no motocross........
Regal is actually a really good supercross racer....wait till he gets on a bike he is comfortable on....
For John Doe and anyone else who is complaining about the lack of coverage in the article about the podium finishers, the whole point of the Notebook column is to cover the aspects of the race that haven't already been told in all the other articles. Getreal, riding a wide bike has always been a part of motocross. This isn't golf; you don't let the faster party play through.
I'm not sure that uphill, stairstep was an improvement. I believe that used to be a gnarly uphill mogul field where riders really couldn't get a rhythm. I remember watching from that spot and it challenged all the riders.
since the comments section was closed on the vote my opion is who cares it should not matter put your ego's away just flip a coin, have an arm wrestling macth, Draw a high er low card out of a deck. It should not matter!
@getreal..... GET REAL DUDE!!! U must be jokin..... I hope
Good answer BILLC lol I wonder if ger real has ever raced???? or worked for that matter?
Captain Obvious - THANK YOU!!!!...man, some of these dudes just dont get it....We already know RV won....RD whined.....JB turned some heads.......
Yes Barcia did better than I thought he would, WE will see in the next few rounds if it was the new stuff rush or if he is that good on the big bikes?
Tough call on the 1 plate that will not be made until after the outdoors. What if you "give" RV the 1 and then RD wins the outdoor title? Or vice versa - and either way, RV has won the race for us twice in a row now. That alone pretty much earned him the right to have the 1 plate this year, yes?
Decoster's coin flip idea is reasonable. RV being kind of a chill self confident dude might just really not even care so he'll run the 3 and ... problem solved. Thats probably what will happen. RD runs the 1 just cuz it doesn't really matter. What is even more of a concern for us fans is who will be willing to pretty much settle for 2nd place in their shared moto? It's hard to fathom the idea of them taking each other out by accident at the des Nations but,,,,, national honor probably trumps all else. Its just 1 day - - - that is immortalized in the record books
bagget quit being such a little b*tch. barcia KILLED it, villopoto was on another level.
@ joshalessi, when you typed "RV has won the race for us twice in a row now. That alone pretty much earned him the right to have the 1 plate this year, yes?"
I think you might've meant RD instead of RV.
The order is as follows: MX1= 1st #, MX2= 2nd #, MX3= 3rd #.....it's simple.
Would we be having this conversation if we were numbers 10 / 11 / 12 ????
Now that MX3 is a defacto 450 class (no longer open bikes) personally, I'd prefer the MX3 class because less pressure, better opportunity to shine, better shot at class honors, etc........that's just me though.
IMO.......RV should run MX1. No offense to RD as he's done a great job in the past but RV seems to bring it to another level in the pressure situations. He waxed the world on a 250. The MX1 class will have all the worlds best in it.....in a one race, winner take all my money is on RV. He can make passes and force his way through the pack if he gets a bad start.....not sure we can say the same for RD. RD needs a great start to get the win......
I am an RV fan but Dungey has led the team to victory the last two years. RD should be the #1 regardless of the outcome of the nationals. Does it really matter anyway??? I bet RV would want RD to take the #1 and vice versa. RacerX is just stirring the pot for the message boards.
I agree 100% with Ripdown, The MX1 class will be harder and RV can deal with guys much better than RD can. RD will have an easer time pass guys in the MX3 class.
Who would you want in the final Moto if we need passes to be made to win it like we have in the past?? RV or RD?? We need RV to make it happen like Stanton and RJ have done if we need it.
ride a wide bike - for sure a part of mx. I do it whenever a 'faster guy' is behind me (and then consider myself faster if it works). And I get mad whenever 'slower guy' does it to me. But don't complain (at least not after the race - during it I do! Get out of my way!!) but in the end, if I can't get past 'slower guy'...for whatever reason...then I am slower guy
Very similar to the difference between a block pass (which is what i do to others) and dirty riding/take out moves (which is what others do to me)
billc - who s/b MX1: I say precedence (sp?) s/b on who earned that # 1 plate for the US. That was Dunge. Not any fault of RV that he did not, as he was hurt - but he was and it was Dunge who earned it. Precendence should not who won/is currently winning some series unrelated to the MXoN. That said - these 'unrelated series' are what we base out team selection on...so...yeah you have a good argument. But certainly not one that is 'hard to argue' iMho!...smile
but...i will agree to your last post. If push comes to shove and we need a pass made for the win...
anyhoo...pretty good problem to have! 2 guys who deserve the #1 plate
I think Dowd needs 22 point at Southwick, which would mean he needs to average 10th for both motos.
@Waldo We always pick our team based on what they did "This" year not last year. If that was the case Short would be going again right?? "IF" RV win's the outdoor title I think It would be a BIG SLAP in the face if he is not the MX1 guy.
Dowd needs 21 points, Ya get 11 for 10th so it will not be easy.
Is all this Drama about who does, or does not run the #1 plate (that's what it's basically about), just a typical media hype thing, for column inches, or for real?
I can't see that they have to be locked into either class, well before the event itself. Unless it's an FIM / Youthstream thing, and that might easily be sorted out.
Your nationals finish before then, the series will be decided, Whichever finishes before the other, gets the #1 plate, and the class that it is attached to. They are still
going to be on 450s, as the bigger size requirement, if it ever was a manadatory thing in MX3, has long since gone by the wayside. Lannsoo was riding a 350 in MX3, the last I saw of him.
I'd say it's an ego / dominance thing between the 2 riders in question. I can understand that.
But as I said, it may be just another way to hype up the series / MX Des interest, by Mags , Sites and Promoters?
Well, Shorty just broke his elbows & wrist so, scratch him from MXdN service.
Also, to say Dungey hasn't come through & delivered on his MXdN performances is factually wrong. He has performed as good or better than any / all.
I don't care about #'s or who gets MX1 / MX3 whatever, just want to see our best foot forward!
Who said he did not preform?? he did a GREAT job, But this year RV is out doing him so IMO he shoud get the MX1 ride.
It's really pretty simple. Dungey won the oveall at the des Nations last year. He is the defending champ so he gets the # 1 plate.
What was Dowd's moto placings at Unadilla ?