Archive for August, 2010
Race fans around the country speculate about where Travis Pastrana will go next with his career. Many think that
Travis ought to hang up his motocross boots for good and join the ranks of NASCAR. Is this the best idea?
Well lets break it down.
Red Bull has the power to put Travis behind the wheel of a stock car tomorrow if they wanted to. NASCAR is the top of American motorsports, theres no doubt there will be a lot of wrecked race cars and poor finishes before Travis becomes competitive, if he ever does. Many top level racers have already failed to make the NASCAR grade. Included on the failure list is Scott Speed. Speed is Red Bull’s purpose built American F1 racer! However, he failed to make it in F1 and is about to fail in NASCAR. If Red Bull had not invested millions in Scott Speed over a 12 year relationship, Speed may have been looking for work 3 years ago. Would he lose popularity if he was not successful?
Another down fall to Pastrana taking on NASCAR is that it will take much of his time. X Games, and Nitro Circus would become things of the past with the demanding 36 week NASCAR schedule. America loves Travis because he is so many things; Top Rally racer, one of the many founders of freestyle motocross, great personality, and killer sense of humor. In NASCAR, Travis maybe limited to just that. X Games without Pastrana would be a sad day.
What is the up side to Pastrana in NASCAR? Well for one, we could see just how good he really is behind the wheel. Could he beat Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and even Dale Earnhardt Jr? Travis’ good showings at ROC since 2005 makes us all wonder if he belongs in NASCAR, WRC, or maybe F1. Travis has beaten some of the best drivers in the world head to head in equal cars at the ROC.
Where do you think Travis should go?
Kids that participate in motocross racing need to focus on the premise of having fun. There’s no better way to take the fun out of a track day then to have the bike break down before the night is over.
If you are not the most mechanically inclined parent in the world, don’t worry. Most tracks have very friendly competition. Other more experienced fathers can assist you in maintenance of the bike at the track. Some may even give you some ideas on what to do before you get to the track.
No matter what routine and preparation will help disolve the disadvantage. Give yourself ample time to prep the bike. Begin working on the bike early in the week so you can identify any damage you over looked at the track. This will also give you time to order parts, and call for help. Check the same items every week helping you get familiar with the process of keeping a bike running.
Carry spare parts. A spare chain, handle bars and spare motocross gloves will help stop the weekend from ending early. A rider’s gear is among the most miss placed items at the track.
Keep up the good work. You son or daughter will appreciate your efforts some day.
Young racers get really excited come race day. After all the work is done keeping dad company while he prepares the bike, a child may be a little wound up by the time he gets to the track. Despite all the excitement in the air, a young rider must be kept in line.
When the kids motocross gear is strapped on, a child should have nothing but fun on his mind. But that fun must have a limit. When at the track do not allow your child to antagonize the pits by riding some obnoxious mini bike around. You know the one you cant start at home cause the wife would kill you if she had to hear it.
Secondly, be safe. I’ve seen more young riders get injured playing on items like razor scooters, pedal bikes, and wagons in the pits then on the track. If you do allow your child to ride a motorized vehicle in the pits, make sure he wears the same gear in the pits as on the track.
Finally, teach him to be friendly. You never know when you may need your pit neighbor’s help. You would not want to have to explain away Johnny’s behavior before you were loaned a master link.
Have fun!
Young motocross racers who aspire to become top professionals need to protect their futures. Avoid injuries. Although you can never anticipate what is going to happen next on a bike, flying through the air at 50MPH, here are some items to lower your risk factors:
Invest in the best Dirt Bike Gear: Having a Snell rated helmet is important at high speeds and high altitudes. Pay the extra to prevent head injuries that can restrict your success.
Always wear your Dirt Bike Gear: Sometimes we just go for a quick ride, or just want to show off real quick. So we short cut and dont wear our helmets, motocross gloves, or boots. This is like not putting on your seat belt to just drive to the corner. Its an additional risk factor. Play it safe even on your quick rides.
Get Strong: Having strength in the muscles used when riding (forearms, biceps, shoulders) is key. Strength will allow you to manipulate the bike even after it gets all out of shape.
Don’t push it too hard: Pushing the limits in motocross is a must. Just remember that if you progress gradually your crash factors go down.
Imagine if James Stewart had the same wrist injury he has now 7 years earlier. He may not have been in the same position that he is now. Push the limits when its needed.
Unadilla NY was the stage for the long awaited return of James Stewart to professional competition. Injury has taken Stewart out of the balance of the Supercross Series. To be back at the top Stewart would have had to knock off the dominant Ryan Dungey.
Stewart did not have the outing he was looking for last weekend. Stiff competition lead to Stewart finishing 3rd in the first Moto and then not completing Moto 2. Ryan Dungey padded his points lead by winning both Motos almost making it look easy. 2nd place went to Clement Desalle the number 2 rider in the Europe based World Motocross Grand Prix Series. Desalle’s top finish was not exactly shocking, but a very good showing for the Belgian rider.
We hope to see James Stewart strap on his Nike Motocross Boots again later this season.
The hard working lady advertisers of tires, energy drinks, dirt bike gear, works manufacturers, race tracks and even
race teams have a special tool that makes them the star of the show everywhere they go. The outfits! The outfits are stunning and we males rarely forget what sponsor was attached to the track beauty.
These tight sleek outfits are made of Lycra and coolmax yarns that help keep the lady cool. The outfits use a dye sublimation process which make the outfit more durable and longer lasting. The sponsor designs will not begin to peel off, fade or stretch. This allows for a quality investment by all those big companies. It’s hard work looking that good in the hot sun near a race course. Appreciate the lady and the sponsor that made our day a little brighter.
There have been motocross helmet Mohawks for sale at every motocross dealer around for years. Just recently there has been an additional dirt bike helmet accessory aimed at female riders.
A ponytail for Motocross Helmets can easily identify the rider as a female. The ponytail comes in many different hair colors. Blond, brunette, or a number of neon colors can bring special attention to any female rider. Buy two and wear pigtails. Very cute for your young female rider.
The next race in the AMA Pro Motocross Series in 2 weeks at the legendary Unadilla Track in New York. Unadilla has been home to major motocross events since 1969.
Ryan Dungey has a commanding points lead going into this race. With only 4 races until the dirt bike gear is hung up for the season, Dungey is in full control.
Look for Dungey and all the AMA competetors on NBC sports on August 14th.
The X Games Speed and Style competition combines the speed of motocross racing with the style of freestyle motocross. Guess who can provide the best of both….. Travis Pastrana with dirt bike gear on was golden! Travis took another Gold in this competition making it look easy against full time freestyle racers.
Travis took out Mike Metzger, Ronnie Faisst, and Nate Adams in head to head eliminations. Adams took Silver and Jeremy “Twitch” Stenburg took Bronze.
Stenburg put on an exciting show in the Bronze medal race when he fell in the first corner of the first lap. Just when everyone thought the race was over and Faisst would have an easy win, Faisst stalled his bike through the rhythm section. Stenburg caught up and past Faisst while Faisst struggled to restart his bike. To make matters worse and the excitement better Stenburg did not cross the finish line on the last lap! Faisst also did not cross the finish line. Both riders stopped prematurely to congratulate one another. Stenburg even sent his bike off on a ghost ride! Brian Deegan ran to his Metal Mulisha teammate to tell him that the race was not over! Faisst also realized what had happened. Stenburg recovered his battered bike and finished ahead of Faisst for the Bronze.
X Games 16 ended in spectacular fashion with the Speed and Style competition. If you have never seen this competition, you need to check it out. Its a “holy shit!” moment every few seconds!
Super Rally at X Games Sixteen was a step above the Rally Car competition earlier that same night. However the result was the same. Tanner Foust took Gold in an odd finish where the flag man waved the checkered flag before the race was actually over.
Travis Pastrana’s bad luck while not wearing his motocross helmets continued in Super Rally. Travis never hit the track. Engine trouble prevented him from competing. Team Subaru even tried to put Travis in Dave Mira’s car after he was eliminated from competition. This was a clear violation of the rules and Travis had to sit out the entire competition.
Early favorites Ken Block and Kenny Brack did not make the finals. Without Pastrana, Brack, or Block in the finals, it was anyone’s game.
Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan, Andrew Comrie-Picard, and surprising finalist of Formula Drift fame Samuel Hübinette ran a fast clean race. Deegan fought hard but had to settle for Silver once again. Surprisingly Brian Deegan built a replica of the X Games rally track at his home to practice, and Foust spent time in Europe participating in RallyCross in preparation for X Games 16. The 2 most prepared drivers came out on top in both rally events.