We just found out that Brett Metcalfe will not be re-signing with Pro Circuit Kawasaki, despite both parties giving the impression that it was a done deal. It's a surprising move for sure, as Metty has been there a while and is a solid rider. He's done pretty much everything but win a race (and I bet that's coming soon). Metcalfe is a good guy, a hard worker, fast, and never gives up – all the things you look for in a rider.
Yet by all accounts, he's jumped ship to the GEICO Powersports Honda team, in what I believe is a lateral move. He'll be good no matter what he's on, and I can't help but think maybe some of the desire to switch has to do with money. Sure, you can use the whole "I need a change" thing, or the "they don't respect me enough" thing that athletes use in these types of free agent signings, but if you ask me, this probably boils down to cash.
The Pro Circuit team has long had the reputation that they do not pay a ton of money to the riders. They offer the structure of their team as a enticement. 
The Pro Circuit team has long had the reputation that they don't pay a ton of money to the riders. They offer the structure of their team as enticement. They have obviously proven they win titles, they have proven they have great bikes, and if you want to win and make big bucks down the road, you go to Pro Circuit. At least that's the perception out there. I know that Pro Circuit signed
Jake Weimer away from the GEICO guys, and that didn't sit well with Honda. They liked Jake and he's an up and coming rider for sure. With Josh Grant's enormous contract coming off the books, and with GEICO signing on last year, the Factory Connection guys have some cash to spend. I wonder if the fact that they lost Weimer to PC made them add a few zeros to Metty's last minute deal? This will be an interesting subplot next year, especially if Weimer and Metcalfe are racing the same coast. Who can adapt to the new bike faster and who is faster?
1Steve Matthes
Brett Metcalfe
So what is Pro Circuit going to do? I don't know for sure, but I bet the phone lines into the shop melt down now. Every agent, dad, manfriend and rider will be calling to see if they can try out, or maybe get an offer to go there! Let's look at some options, shall we? We have last year's pick-up rider Branden Jessemen, who did pretty well in supercross considering he got a late start, rising Team Green rider PJ Larsen, who is signed with the Motosport Outlet team, and from what I understand, can be picked up by PC (though that deal didn't work out so well last year when Mitch tried to get
Tommy Hahn), Ryan Morais, who nearly won a Supercross Lites title a couple of years ago, Matt Georke, Bob Kiniry,
Kyle Chisholm or even the ultimate wild card, Josh Hansen. I know he's been blowing Mitch's phone up all summer asking for a tryout. We all know the story by now, that Josh is talented for sure, but known for concentration issues. I think if Mitch were to hire him, it would be under a VERY watchful eye. Maybe Mitch could hire a man-friend to follow Hanny around and keep him on the straight and narrow? (It can't be me, Hanny doesn't like me.) Anyway, I think he could win, and it sure would be an interesting partnership.
