My 5yo thought that Bubba was the greatest person ever, he even mentions him in his nightly prayer. This weekend at Budds Creek that all changed. We got there early, bought our pit passes and got fairly close to the front. After he came out and started signing he worked his way down and started back to the other end where we had made it to the very front. Of course about ten feet before he got to us he went to the lounge of the semi to get ready for practice. My 5yo was crying and very upset, but he understood that it was hard for Bubba to get to every one.

The crowd went away except for a hand full of us that were hoping to get him when he was done with his little meeting. After the meeting he came back out, but pretty much ignored us all. He had plenty of time though to bring some little blonde girl in the pit area and talk to her for 10 minutes, and he even saw someone he knew from the small crowd that was still there and went over and took a picture with him. By then we had positioned ourselves right by the door to his motorhome. My son was holding out that a poster he took from his room ( that Supernatural poster with him laying it out flat at the top of Henry's hill) when Bubba walked to his bus he looked at us and told us he couldn't, even though we were the only ones near him he couldn't take 10 seconds to sign the poster of a crying 5yo. My son was crushed, and we left without watching the race. .

I know that these things happen alot because there are just too many people to please, but when it happens to you its different. Those of you that have kids can understand what its like looking down at a young son or daughter whose lips are trembling and is totally distraught. I can't even begin to say how deeply it hurt to see my son like that. I never wanted to beat up some one so bad. Kawasaki is partly to blame because all the other teams had lines set up for their top guys, but not at team Green it was a free for all.

While I know some out there will defend him the bottom line for me is that Bubba is a spoiled, no good piece of *#%T. We were there for three days racing the amateurs and had many pleasant run ins with other top guys (including a nice long talk with RC). James if you are out there, you have a great talent for crushing 5 year olds. I hope you choke on all the trophies you little jerk.

Get your son in line earlier next time dad... me thinks it's your fault pops.

Are people supposed to sit there for unlimited time, sign stuff until there are no more preople in the state that want an autograph? Maybe there is a time when they are supposed to quit and get ready for the "little race". I've seen the lines he and people like Travis have, no way theres time to get it all done. They let WAY too many people in the pits and not enough time for the riders to handle it and still make their pre-race meetings, practice and everything else they HAVE to do. Blame the the promoters, not the riders.

find yourself a new super hero.
and let your little one know "you don't always get what ya want" ...a good lesson to be learned at 5!

well, i wasn't there, and i'm not famous, but i personally would be unable to look at a 5 yr-old (or any kid) and say "sorry, no time."

i would be more likely to say "today i only have a little time, so i'm only signing for kids under 16. you grownups can all p!ss off!"

bummer about your son tho. this might be a good time to explain to him that athletes are just performers, not 'heroes' or any other such thing.

All good points. We were there plenty early, its just hard to fight others for your place in line when you have a 5yo with you. I agree that the promoters do a poor job of it, way too many pit passes. I tell you what though, there is a noticible difference between this year and last as far a Bubba's abilty to be humble. I agree that there is a lot for them to do, but he seemed to be finding plenty of time to race around with J-Bone on their golf carts. It is probley for the best though because now I am back to being #1 on his hero list, although RC's conversation with my son brought him way up on his list.

I think you're going just a bit overboard on disliking Bubba. Perhaps there was a legitimate reason he couldn't give up another 10 sec to sign your kids poster. For all you know, he may have already gone over his time limit for "fan appreciation" type stuff. At some point I am sure all of the pro's out there have had to regretfully turn a fan away. I agree with Okie about getting in line sooner, or else just raise your kid to NOT get all excited about some sloppy squiggly lines on a poster.

That's why I never go for autographs. Too much hassle, and why stand in line for hours for one, when you can cruise the rest of the pits and see whats up. I think for the kids, it's cool if they get a chance, but most everyone over 10 is only there to make a buck off of it on the dread E-bay. As for me, I just like cruising the pits and people watching. I don't care if I ever shake the hand of a pro or get an autograph. Just so long as I can scam a couple free stickers or something, that's all good.

I know the kids dig it, because last summer at the Summit Raceway outside Lewiston, ID, local hero Leighton Lillie (rode for Motoworldracing.com in the 4-stroke nationals at the time) put on a free MX school for the kids. He didn't swing a leg over a bike, he spent all day giving each of the 50-60 kids personal attention, and my boy lit up huge when he got his poster and chest protector signed by Mr. Lillie. Now, most everyone on the board says "Who the hell is Leighton Lillie?" Like I said, just some local boy done good, but you'd think he was Jeremy McGrath to those kids. He's a pro, and now he's all of their hero. These guys have a job to do. I don't want someone busting in to my office asking me for my autograph all day long either. Hell, the way my job is, I bet I damn near sign my name as often as Bubba!

Anyhow, enough rambling from me. Best plan is to never even go looking for an autograph. If you happen to get an easy one, consider yourself lucky. If you go there not expecting anything, you'll never be disappointed.

Next time try after the races are over. Most riders stick around and sign. I'm sure Bubba would have been much more willing to see your boy and sign his poster, now that all the race day pressure is off

It's really not fair to judge any rider with race day jitters. Spectators that are in the pits before race time, need to respect the riders and the pressures they have put on themselves to perform.

Well I'm not in the US so I'm probably not qualified to comment, but I really cannot understand how anyone could not find the time to sign your boys poster, it seems supremely selfish to me, and I can understand what it must have been like for both of you. Perhaps in future years it will seem a good lesson learned, I for one have never been very big on hero worship of sports stars, pop stars etc., although of course I am not a five year old fan. The other thing to consider is that Bubba is just a kid himself, who happens to be an extremely talented motorcycle rider, and he still has time to learn how to be good at being a human being, although it will be more difficult for him as he is surrounded by people telling him he is the best. I particularly remember after one SX heat his excited father stamping around shouting and posturing like a prize fighter asking and then proclaiming "who is number one" etc. Humble in victory they certainly ain't, and I guess it must rub off to other aspects of behaviour as well. Still, I like to watch MX, and as an MX rider Bubba delivers big time. He is, though, just an MX rider, and that is something that it is probably OK for a five year old to learn.

Ya, those are some great suggestions.
Dad comes in here and says Bubba’s a jerk and some of you suggest that the kid should suck it up, It’s all dads fault, and change the way you parent your kid! Way to go, don’t we sound like the helpful group.
Maybe the truth is Bubba is a jerk and the Star struck are having a hard time with it! I think we have had the same thread a couple times before about the arrogant/pompous Bubba, and probably had the same defensive results!

It is pretty hard to get a 5 year up, done the road, and in line. It’s also very hard to keep up in an unorganized crowd when the adults are pushing kids out of the way for signatures to post on e-Bay like Pred says! If Bubba or his promoters had any respect for their fans they would try and organize it, and if bubba cared for his fans, then he could make the promoters do what’s needed to achieve that!

Now since I don't watch, ride, or read about MX then I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about and I'm prepared for my anti Bubba backlash! No Soup for me

Sorry you had a bad experience JJmxr