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major changes ahead for race teams.
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Posted by: zcookie49---------------------

Read this link:

http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/detail.asp?id=1085

I could see Bubba going to Honda.....do you think Yamaha could keep Reed and sign RC? probably not. I would prob predict them keeping Reed. That means Suzuki could shell out a wad for RC?????
I know givin the source, what do yall think?

Posted by: TWRT---------------------

I read Yamaha will have 'all new 2-stroke' for 2005???? That will be interesting, also...

Additionally, Yamaha will have all-new two-strokes for 2005--

Posted by: XRpredator---------------------

but will they have all new 2 strokes in 2005?

Posted by: Vic---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRpredator

but will they have all new 2 strokes in 2005?

So I've heard.

Posted by: HiG4s---------------------

Just my guess, I say Honda will get Bubba, Reed will stay at Yamaha, Suzuki would love to have RC but won't be able to afford him and will stick with the rookies Hepler and Milsaps along with 2nd year rider Brian Gray all three are contenders on the 125 class next year, and Zuk will take what they can get in the 250 ranks, maybe get Kdub back.

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

I have no idea who wrote that, but he/she must be big-time connected to make statements like some of those. All major conjecture and assumptions if you ask me.

That being said, I've always wondered if RC was let go (deal not matched) at Kawasaki because of JBS and who knows, maybe this person is right and JBS will run RC out of Honda?

RC wanting to race for just two more years?

Posted by: BEEF706---------------------

I could see all of this or none of this happening. I would like to think Honda shows some loyalty to RC and shells out bucks for him and JBS (Bubba seems to be a forgone conclusion based on team Honda's history). How about this, Bubba does a MC and forms his own team, (machine of the highest bidder) and the huge $$$ come from outside sponsers, (ala Boost mobile) and the factory teams stay set. (I could also see Ricky doing it)

Posted by: biglou---------------------

Rumor is, aluminum frame for Yamaha in '05. Ala Honda. Four strokes to follow in 06/07. We shall see...

Posted by: zcookie49---------------------

Amen BigLou, I wanted the hear that from someone about Yamaha and the alum frame. .. Good point, the article doesnt really say anything about the K-dubber. Does anyone see him going back to suzuki, what about Kawi, maybe they could be the darkhorse bidder to pick him up?

Posted by: biglou---------------------

I could see K-dub on the yellow 450. I bet it feels much like the Honda with the similar frame.

Posted by: nephron---------------------

I, too think Bubba is bigger than a factory ride and could form an independent team. Probably a multisponsored Kawasaki based outfit with factory support. I do not think RC would ever go to Suzuki, or back to Kawasaki--but think Reed will not leave Yamaha as he loves that YZ250 like no other (consistency). I don't think Yamaha would have the ballz to push him. Therefore, I think RC will want to stay at Honda...badly. I'm not even sure he'd leave for money. Windham is riding the best he ever has, could have any factory ride he wants, but I think he's just as likely as Bubba to form an independent team. I can't see him giving up that Honda CRF450. I don't see RC having enough sophistication or 'patience' (without getting pissed off at everybody) to run his own team. Reed will be happy with a factory ride.

Of course, I don't know my head from my arse.

Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

I think the article is complete conjecture and speculation. It's way too early to get into the silly season, IMO.

FWIW, there is an interview with American Honda's Chuck Miller in a recent Cycle News. He is a past Baja winner and now manages at HRC. Basically, Honda is cutting back on their racing budget. That alone is an excellent explanation why they have not yet signed RC to a big $$ contract renewal. Even great riders like RC are subject to a tightening of the corporate purse strings.

It's a business, afterall. If HRC knows they can't afford to give RC a raise without making cuts elsewhere, they are smart to play the waiting game. Let RC find out his market value by getting other offers, then they have the opporunity to match. It's a gamble that might save them a bunch of $ and they still could keep RC.

Some of the stuff in the article was pretty funny, though. "Imagine how fast Ricky would go through the whoops on a YZ--instead of his CR." LOL. Seems to me his CR doesn't exactly hold him back, since he's won every single series he's ever raced on a Honda.

Also, "REED: He would be crazy to leave Team Yamaha. He obviously has the best handling and best suspended bike on the track." Wow, is MXA pro-Yamaha or what?

Posted by: zcookie49---------------------

yeah , I guess we cant forget the fact that Michael Jordan was talking to Bubba about a team as well. rumors, and more rumors.
It would seem logical for Bubba to have his own team ala McGrath.....

Posted by: SpectraSVT---------------------

I don't think MXA's comments about Yamaha's suspension are bogus. Reed and DV have looked fast in the whoops all year. Windham has looked good but I heard he put a steering dampener on his 450 to help it track straight.

Posted by: Reesknight---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcookie49

yeah , I guess we cant forget the fact that Michael Jordan was talking to Bubba about a team as well. rumors, and more rumors.
It would seem logical for Bubba to have his own team ala McGrath.....

Jordan, McGrath, and Bubba with a team? Talk about pullin in the sponsor bucks!! Just for them to be in the sponsors commercials is worth millions

Posted by: jackdrinker---------------------

i see k-dub sitting pretty with factory connection. He burned out riding for factory teams. Suzuki will pay mucho money for rc and if he doesn't win, decoster will get the boot. bubba will ride red and do something stupid and lose his ride... reed, he will retire from yamaha...

Posted by: MXFastGuy---------------------

That article is a real piece of work.

Posted by: super rat---------------------

DB Dave is spot on. I don't see Honda letting RC go.

Posted by: weimedog---------------------

I would buy the assumption spelled out in that MXA article. RC is now an unknown. How well can he recover from that injury??? Reed beat him before he went out for repairs....at Supercross. Supercross is THE big buck series now AND in the future because its easier to package and sell to larger markets. Bubba adds even more spice to the package....its a no brainer. Honda buys Bubba, RC has to prove all over again he can win..somewhere, probably Honda this summer and else where next SX season. Reed has lost to Bubba and beat RC at Supercross therefor he's in the middle. Sucks for RC but this business is about "what are you doing for me right now!", past has much less value.

Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------

Actually, RC beat Reed in '03 SX, not the other way around. 367 points to 360.

If 'Reed beat RC' and its all about 'what have you done lately', then what happens if Chad goes into 'safe' mode, and loses the last few rounds to Windham?

While injured, RC beat the world's best including Stefan Everts at the MXdN. After repairs, he is likely to be faster, not slower.

My guess is RC took a little break, but has been training like a mad man. Lack of a contract extension will be extra motivation.

When he's lapping Reed at the '04 nationals, a few people will realize that RC just might have given Chad some competition for the '04 SX title. The true test for Chad will be in '05, when all 3 of the world's best SX racers are on the track at the same time. If he repeats, that will be huge.

Posted by: weimedog---------------------

Can only hope. Obviously in the 250 Nationals (Out doors) it was a different story. My premis is the the big four(five?) prioritize the Super Cross series over Outdoors. Even thought RC got the championship, towards the end of SX last year Reed had the advantage in win ratio. The trend going away from RC. Thats what I mean about whats happening lately. I'm actually a RC fan & Stewart fan.(not a Reed fan) Either one wins and I'm happy. When they race either other its going to be tough to root for one or the other for me. Then it will depend on bike...I'm a Honda fan first. So which ever has the Red bike has my vote.

I hope your speculation turns out to be true for RC...coming back better than ever.

Having said that I still think MXA's got a valid analysis as I posted before based on trends.

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Quote:

Also, "REED: He would be crazy to leave Team Yamaha. He obviously has the best handling and best suspended bike on the track."

Hang on now... a poor handling bike was Reed's excuse for a "poor" MX season in 03.

Posted by: weimedog---------------------

Key word is excuse. And it was the four stroke when Bubba handed him some humble pie before that in the 125's.

Posted by: osheen---------------------

Anything MXA says should be taken with a grain of salt. Make that a bag of salt....A big bag of salt.........

Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Osheen nails it.....

Posted by: SpectraSVT---------------------

In case you didn't notice, setting up your bike for outdoors is alot different than SX. Reed has way more SX experience than outdoors so he is gonna know how to set up his bike for SX. I don't think he is comfortable outdoors therefore nothing he does to his bike will feel right.

Hasn't Stewart always been with Kawasaki? or has he switched brands before?

Posted by: super rat---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpectraSVT

In case you didn't notice, setting up your bike for outdoors is alot different than SX. Reed has way more SX experience than outdoors so he is gonna know how to set up his bike for SX. I don't think he is comfortable outdoors therefore nothing he does to his bike will feel right.

Hasn't Stewart always been with Kawasaki? or has he switched brands before?

What? Clue in dude. How could anyone have way more SX experience than MX? He has been racing MX since he was a kid and been racing SX for what, 3 or 4 seasons?

I think Reed is kinda like MC was, a great SXer and just a really really good MXer.

Posted by: BigR---------------------

I know SX gets a lot of exposure/coverage. But when the average MXer is looking to buy a bike - which results are more likely to influence their decision?
1) SX
2) MX
3) Most bikes on a starting line - especially the privateers

Me? I look at 3, 2, 1 in that order - with little emphasis on 1. Plus most factory bikes aren't too close to what I buy.

That being said. It seems like a factory would want someone who is very likely to be in the top 2 or 3 in both SX and MX. I think that leaves KW, RC, and Bubba. Sorry - I just don't see CR as a hot commodity.

KW just resigned a contract - probably for 2 years - so he is out of the discussion.

May also be why we may be seeing a switch from one high paid rider to support for many satellite teams. Look how many Honda teams there are now. Subway, Factory Connection, Motosport Outlet, Honda itself.... I bet we see more of that going forward. Mor support for 125 and 250 satellite teams.

Posted by: nephron---------------------

Quote:

Sorry - I just don't see CR as a hot commodity.

Joking, right?

As far as the article's concerned, that may be the most pathetic thing that was ever in that pathetic rag. While it's common knowledge that you can ignore 90% of what's in MXA (10% being the ads), for some reason they seem to have an 'insider' thing going. My guess is Wiesel pulls tricks in the factory trucks, but hey...

Posted by: thebird---------------------

My 2 cents worth
TP factory suzuki support His own team and sponsors
JBS factory support(highest bidder) own team and sponsors
cr rc suzuki will make a bid for their services but will most likley stay with present team.
I think as the sport grows you will see factory support with bikes and parts and tech help but seperate teams ala nascar. I'm not a jbs fan but he will be the one to bring big name sponsors (nike, coke , a credit card co. pepsi and so on) and he will be the one (if it ever happens) to get live tv coverage. It will take him and those big name sponsors to elevate the sport to the next level. Oh yea for those who do not watch or keep up with superbike Micheal jordan's team rides yamaha Just something else to think about with him and jbs talkin

Posted by: BigR---------------------

I was kinda joking about CR not being a hot commodity. Depends what you are looking for. Marketabillity or front runner.

Case in point - who has more sales appeal.. TP or RC? Don't get me wrong CR will get a great offer to ride for someone, personally, he would be my 3rd choice out of the top 3.

And... Bubba the 1st to bring big names to the sport? Umm... what about Bud Light, 1-800-Collect, Subway, Jack-In-the-Box, Chevy, Red Bull, SOBE, etc. I think big names have tried several times. JBS may get them to stay or find a good way for them to get a return on their investment or just get a good paycheck from them.

1st - I think there needs to be a way to sell advertising real estate or commercials or.... Besides a podium speech - how often do you ever hear or see any sponsor? Fix that issue and someone or team will bring in more big names.

Posted by: HiG4s---------------------

What is needed for live coverage is to get rid of Clear Channel... Daytona, non-Clear Channel event, has been same day for two years now!!!!

Posted by: SpectraSVT---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by super rat

Aussie races have a lot of supercross style tracks. Thats one of the reasons why he went to Europe to get MX experience in the GP's. And I have more SX experience than MX. Its not like its uncommon.

And not to compare myself to anyone, I find it much easier to set up my bike for Sx than MX. Perhaps Reed sux at bike set up or like MC, just doesn't have that ability to ride outdoors.

Posted by: nephron---------------------

Quote:

Fix that issue and someone or team will bring in more big names.

Problem is a bike isn't as big as a nastycar. Can't plaster 10 foot TIDE logos on a KX125 (read: retarded, disgusting motorsport--wait, it's not a motorsport). Hey, maybe they could mount a huge flag on a pole into the subframe and sail that baby around. Or they could drag nascar hoods around with a rope.

Let's face it. Advertising promise (during the race) with MX/SX is miniscule, and personally I wouldn't want it any other way. The sport can still prosper without corporation-sponsored ads. eg, why do pro football and basketball teams not require huge scumbag corporations to make them float? Cuz they're all American popular sports, and MX/SX doesn't need sponsorship money to get people to watch and therefore allow higher salaries for everyone...privateers included. What it needs is intrinsic interest, like pro ball--hell, like FMX which, without obvious sponsors exploded onto the scene by way of the MTV crowd.

Bubba is a start. I can't tell you how many non-mx people I've told about him, that start watching SX just because of him. Another nice idea would be to have the AMA or CCE put up commercials during approprate sporting events (even football).

Posted by: Reesknight---------------------

Not to take anything away from Bubba, but MC was the one who brought SX into the mainstream with his streak of '96. Thats when the stadiums started selling out and the non-industries sponsers started taking notice. Speaking of advertising logo's, whatever happened to the plastic covers that covered the entire motor craddle on the bikes? I thought those would take off just because of the extra sponser logo space they provided.

Posted by: BigR---------------------

I think the plastic covers cause heat issues.

Why not more helmet cams with the logos on the screen - like the Hillfeger add?
If we have to wait for the to tape delay anyway.... how about a small strip of space at the top that displayed riders sponsors anytime they showed them - or just a scroll bar that had a riders name and one or two major sponsors after it.
A leader board or something.

Stick and ball sports... There's a lot of them that operate in the red. I believe broadcast networks pay the organizations to broadcast - ticket prices are ridiculous (well so are SX tickets...)

And.... I believe the players belong to a union....

Posted by: marcusgunby---------------------

Spectra i think we need to look at reed record outdoors, its not as good as his indoor riding but its far from bad, roughly i think he was
250gps 2nd or 3rd
125 AMA outdoors 2nd or 3rd?
250 AMA outdoors 3rd?
Now thats not as good as his SX record but we cant say he cant ride the outdoor stuff.

Posted by: SpectraSVT---------------------

I just mean he doesn't have that little bit extra. I am a huge Reed fan so I'm not hating on him. I would love to see him get right in there with RC and K-Dub this year. Seeing how he loves his bike so much this year maybe those bike setup issues will not be a prob.

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major changes ahead for race teams.

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