by Chase Stallo
10 Things We Learned at Pala
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 | 3:30 PM
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By: Chase Stallo and Jason Weigandt
10. THE NEWEST NEW KID
Overshadowed by the fellow Loretta Lynn’s graduates Justin Bogle, Kyle Peters, and Chris Plouffe, Tennessee native Preston Tilford made his pro debut at Pala far from the limelight. But after an impressive 21-18 performance for twenty-first overall, topping both Peters and Plouffe, eyes around the industry were opened. In a “what have you done for me lately” industry, Tilford has left a lasting impression that could have some reconsidering their strategies for 2012.
9. CAREER REVIVAL
Raw talent. Proven winner. Contender right away. Those are some of the phrases being thrown around when 2010 Horizon Award winner Jason Anderson turned pro. But after dealing with personal issues for much of the season—and a lack of confidence—those plaudits quickly turned negative. The Rockstar Suzuki team sent Anderson home to rebuild his training program. Beaten but not broken, he returned stronger and provided a glimpse of what many were expecting to see from day one. Anderson capped a turbulent season with a eighth overall at Pala—which may provide a glimmer of hope to a season that started out so bright.
Jason Anderson capped a turbulent season with a eighth overall at Pala.
Photo: Simon Cudby
8. HE'S BOGLELICOUS
It's beginning to look like 2011 Horizon Award winner and current GECIO Honda rookie Justin Bogle is the real deal. After a sparkling debut at Unadilla, Bogle has shown flashes of brilliance coupled with rookie mistakes (which is expected). But at Pala, the Oklahoma native proved he could be a real force in the 250 Class next season. Bogle jumped out to a big lead in moto two before being hunted down by a surprisingly motivated Dean Wilson (considering he already had the championship wrapped up), eventually finishing a career best second overall. Throughout his brief stint in the pro ranks, Bogle has showed a poise and confidence that have many wondering just how far this kid can go.
7. WHAT BROWN CAN DO FOR YOU
Since retiring from professional motocross, Mike Brown has enjoyed quite the career in off-road racing. But every so often the wily veteran will return to show the young guns that this old dawg still has some bite left. After an impressive opening round at Hangtown (13-15 for fifteenth overall) and an even better performance at Budds Creek (12-13 for thirteenth overall), Brown returned for the final round of the championship at Pala. He ran into some problems in the first moto, finishing thirty-sixth, but rebounded in the second moto to finish fifteenth. At 39 years old, expect to see Brown fighting for top-tens next year, even at the age of 40!
6. MORE REGAL
As the Monster Energy Supercross season began to wind down, the word was that the San Manuel Red Bull Yamaha outfit of James Stewart and Kyle Regal would contest the first four rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. That didn't happen, and Regal, much more accomplished outdoors than in, was looking for a way to get back to the races and perform for his sponsors. Making a surprise debut for the BBMX BTOSports Suzuki squad at Unadilla, Regal was left well behind the eight-ball. He had his moments but had yet to really show the prowess that made him a fan favorite last year. Pala proved to be the turning point for Regal, as he finished a season-best sixth overall via 6-8 scores. While racing only four races all season, Regal still managed to finish just outside the top twenty in points—two behind Ben LaMay for twentieth.
Regal finished a season-best sixth overall via 6-8 scores at Pala.
Photo: Simon Cudby
5. TOMAC IS TOPS
Top non-Kawasaki in the 250 Class, that is—which, this year, ends up being a fairly impressive stat. There was definitely something special going on under the Kawi tent this year, while the GEICO Honda team definitely didn't have the mojo they did last season. But Tomac kept digging and trying and kept Wilson honest at Unadilla and Steel City. At nearly every other race, bad starts killed him, and that includes Pala. The saving grace? His through-the-pack effort for ninth overall at the finale allowed him to hold off Kyle Cunningham for fourth by just three points. No worries for Cunningham—his huge improvement in consistency is something to be proud of.
4. YOU NEVER KNOW
The 450 championship scenario seemed pretty clear heading into Pala, and since Ryan Villopoto has been consistent all year, it didn't seem like there was much to worry about—until both he and Dungey got rammed coming out of the starting gate in each moto, leaving them to climb through the pack together while battling each other. It was fun to watch but produced a few wild moments for both. Yes, in this sport, even when the destination seems clear, getting there can look pretty scary.
3. WILSON OWNS PALA
Four 250 motos have been run at this track and Dean Wilson has won them all. It was tougher this year, though, with Blake Baggett and Justin Bogle giving him a run in each race. Baggett wasn’t very happy after the first moto, but Mitch Payton had a meeting with Wilson and Bogle and calmed them down. (But we already knew Mitch knows how to handle this stuff.) Meanwhile, the Scotsman is definitely on a roll right now, and he probably wishes the series didn't have to stop!
Sportsmanship at its finest.
Photo: Simon Cudby
2. BARCIA CAN WIN
First, Bam Bam proved he can mix it up with the 450 top guns, which was a surprise. An even bigger surprise was his improvement from week to week, culminating in his amazing run at Pala, where he nearly stole the overall win from title contenders Dungey and Villopoto. It's not going to be easy to stick this guy back on a 250 next year!
1. IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL
We spent the season building up Villopoto and Dungey's incredible seasons. They have shown heart and determination and the resilience to bounce back from adversity. What we didn't know is what kind of sportsmanship they would show when it was over, especially once Villopoto voiced some displeasure over getting the MX3 spot on the MXoN team, with Dungey getting the MX1 position. In the end, it was all good. The two Ryans smiled and congratulated each other on the podium, talking about the respect they have for each other and how strong they'll be as a team this weekend in France.
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Of course Jason was struggling but it would have helped if he had a bike capable of getting a start.
What is wrong with the Suzuki he is riding? It is a factory bike, and Ryan Dungey did not seem to have any problems with his starts in the 250 class.
Photo caption for RV and RD above:
RV - "See I told you I should run the MX1...but its all good I took both your titles away from you (sarcastic) hahaahahahhaa"
RD - " Its ok man....we'll go to France and whoop some but and you can show the world you are number 1....haahahhahaa....besides I have a 5-million dollar deal coming my way ...I am happy no matter what...just dont make me look too bad next year...oranger will win...but its the orange headed kid...hahahahhahaha"
BTW....I am only kidding....RV and RD are good guys.....they are in the early 20s....making lots of cash.....racing all over the world....have hot chicks......and making lots of money.....and they both haul ass on the bike....and they know it.
Freeloader, in 2009 Dungey as well as his bike was the focus of a Decoster-led factory effort chasing a championship. Is that comparable to what the 250 team has now? (I'm asking) I don't recall seeing a Rockstar bike out front on the start this year.
It is so refreshing to see two great riders race each other to the max each week, and at the end slap each other on the back and say "well done". Really proud of these guys!
It was nice seeing the Ryan's race hard and clean all year. Now if we could just get JS7, CR22, IT9 and JB17 to put on clean races like that next year will be a blast.
The definition of a roll model: pursuing your dreams, giving 100% win or lose, learning from your mistakes & respecting others along the way. I have more respect for Ryan V in obtaining his championships. And more for Ryan D on trying to defend his .
Bob the Builder,The Rockstar Energy Suzuki team is the official factory team but run as a satellite program like DNA/Shredstix Yamaha and Geico Honda. I don't know if that makes the bikes less strong than when the team was under DeCosters watch. But when you have full privateer bikes like the Eleven10 Mods Hondas pulling holeshots, and you are on a factory bike, I don't think you have a valid excuse for not being able to get a good start.
Forgot #11. The Track. Per Villopoto ,most of the top guys, and a respected racer turned journalist for this mag, the track is/was too fast and dangerous. Per the fans and said journalist, the viewing was suspect and all together terrible. Pala needs to add a 20,000 seat bleacher section and we can call it what it really is; an outdoor, high speed, Supercross.
Yup, the segment on TV where the riders were talking up the track was a little hard to take. Is it possible the broadcast was taking the riders comments about Pala practice days out of context to praise the race? I wonder if those opinions would have been different if the interviews had taken place after the race.
"Ethnic cleansing" huh Whoops_Blitzer?? Nice racist remark!! What i love about it as that both of you turds are gonna have to watch him again in 2012, actually next month too, and that makes me smile!!
Pala was great. One of my favorite tracks of the series as a spectator. If the riders said it was too fast then I agree they should slow it down next year, but I'm not on the bandwagon of people who hate Pala because it has more jumps. I used to like Kenworthy/Troy because it mixed it up. It's a series and the challenges should differ between the tracks.
It is refreshing to see the two that ended up fighting for the Chamionship have so much respect for each other. I also have had many a batles with my compitition trying to ram each other and when the race is over we would shake hands. Because the battle is on the track not after the race is over. That is why it is called a sport!
I wonder if the riders like it better than Glen Helen. Now that was a fast track!!!
The hills and jumps off them were sick!!! Glen Helen like Pala was a spectator friendly track. Viewing was made easy because of all the tunnels they incorporated
under the big jumps. These tunnels make both sides of the track accessible.
I see other Nationals on the TV and see many venues where spectators are not seen at many parts of the track. Probably because there are none of these big jumps and there are no tunnels under them.
I too thought Pala was a great event.
Whatever,
The comment that jartime wrote about the searies being better with out JS7 in it was not a racist remark. I have to agree with Jartime (this time) JS7 is a dirty rider that has no respect for the sport or the riders. Although he is a great talent his lack of respect for the sport and it's riders is a disgrace to our sport. Until JS7 grows up and learns to have respect for the sport and the riders, both SX and MX would be better off with out him.
Ah only a few months away and people already talking Rames Rewwart, the Yamaha Kamazi King. As for Pala, I had a good time there. The track is very high speed with some good size jumps and rollers. The one thing that takes away from it all, is that the track is very flat. The track lacks character like the other tracks have. The track was easy to get around and I did have a ring side seat to watch the best go at it, Ok a folding chair next to the track, same thing.
Wha...did they really erase my comment? Seriously? OK, I guess if I'm offending my own side (Whatever), I must have been too ambiguous.
There really is a simple explanation: I was only implying that what jairtime really likes about a Stewart-less sport is its ethnical cleanliness, which he subtly refers to as 'beauty.' He's so sly, that jairtime.
So you see, this is all one big misunderstanding, you big sillies. One day we'll look back at this and laugh (assuming this comment isn't also systematically deleted).