Notes From My First Supercross

[DCox]

Years ago I used to go to the nationals at Unadilla and they were good. The problem was the track was so large that you could only see the action in the little section that you occupied.

But last night was my first time at an indoor event (went w/ Brcrk) and I had a blast! Although the 250cc main is of course the feature attraction, the most impressive event for me lay in a 125cc qualifying heat race. You guessed it-- it involved James "Bubba" Stewart.

I don't think words could do it justice, but I'll try . . . .

This was the qualifying heat that only runs for four laps. As you know, only the top four move on to the main.

In the first corner turn, Bubba went down and was stalled out dead last. The whole pack was gone. Stewart gets up and takes off with a vengeance! This guy was passing riders two and three at a time. I saw him pass some guys so fast in corners that I think they were shocked to find his front wheel right where they were supposed to be in a split-second. The funny thing was that there appeared to be little risk of collision with Stewart because he was gone before they even had time to react.

You would think that in four quick laps everything is essentially decided by who gets the best start, and that is usually true. Stewart, however, blitzkrieg'd his way all the way from last place to second place and, if he had had one more lap to go, he probably would have easily taken first. I was so pumped watching his charge that I started going hoarse in my voice shortly thereafter.

In the main, Bubba got the holeshot, and nothing but the shot (so help him God). He pulled so far ahead of the rest of the pack that it seemed like the rest of his colleagues were racing a different event.

ATM friends, I am indeed looking forward to some real racing the likes of which have not been seen in a long time when Mr. Stewart goes 250cc. If my observations are correct, Carmichael, Reed, and Windham are in for a surprise indeed!

[strykmaster]

We all new it was coming. Bubba kicks butt. He just stayed in the 125's to smash some records.

[Shifting]

Did anyone pay attention to Bubba in the whoops? Holy crap he is fast. I think there will be some growing up to do with Bubba and the 250's. He is awesome but remember Carmichael? He had to bide his time till he worked all the bugs out. I think the race this year will be between RC and K-dub. Reed just isn't that good out doors. Last year Kevin was just getting back to racing and took 2 in points. This is the first time I have been more excited about the outdoors than the indoors!

[Woody_393]

I'm with you Shifting... That kid is amazing, and I don't think it will take as long for him as it did RC, but he'll do it.

This next outdoor season though, is sure to be a barn burner. CANNOT WAIT!

[psyklone393]

i watched that sx replay on tv yesterday and i couldn't believe what i saw stewart do. that was nothing short of amazing, especially when you consider how fast all of those guys have to be to even be on that track ... and he still took care of business within 4 laps. i was speechless.

-Z

[huffdaddy70]

Yeh, that kid is amazing. And i think he will definitely make it MORE interesting in the 250 class! I hope Yamaha can snag him as a factory rider! SHOW HIM THE MONEY!!!!

[Thump_This]

Kawi will never let him go. he is their bread and butter.

[DCox]

Sorry guys, but I failed to mention that at the Atlanta supercross they formally announced that Stewart has signed a three-year contract with Honda beginning next year.
















In my dreams . . . (heh, heh, heh!)

[RacerCR125R]

I was fortunate enough to be able to ride with stewart at a Fox ride in Paradise Park in Macon Georgia. He would come up and pass me so quick, i could hardly tell who it was. He was just out there play riding all day, and still flyin by everyone else. Kyle Chisime (sp?) was also there riding and also Carmichael was there also, but not riding, it was after he announced he was hurt for this year.

[Yardpro393]

it was a great race. the bubba come frombehind was awesome

being there made it even more exciting

[DCox]

Originally posted by strykmaster
We all new it was coming. Bubba kicks butt. He just stayed in the 125's to smash some records.

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Bubba establish a new record (i.e., beat McGrath in total of 125cc Supercross wins) with the Atlanta victory?

[yzernie]

Originally posted by strykmaster
He just stayed in the 125's to smash some records.

Here is the rumor around SoCal.

Stewart was supposed to ride the new KXF250 in the 125 West Supercross because Kawasaki wanted him to grab a title for the new bike. It is rumored he did not like the 4 stroke. Because of the testing schedule they were on, Kawasaki and he were behind schedule on the supercross testing for the 125. They moved him to the East Supercross to get more testing time AND in hopes of grabbing the 125 East tiltle for Kawasaki.

Don't get me wrong but, Stewart is a great rider. I have to agree with Shifting and I'm taking the wait and see approach. We all saw what a rough transition RC had into the big bike class. I think Stewart will probably do better than RC did when he came up. I also think if Stewart tries to pull some of his rough riding games he will get educated real fast!!


My opinion:

The 125 class was designed for the up and coming riders. It was the stepping stone to the 250cc class. I don't think Stewart has anything left to prove riding the "support" class. It is unfair for Stewart or any of the other BIG names (like Ramsey, Tedesco, Tortelli, etc.) to be sandbagging in that class.

Stewart breaking the Mcgrath record is simply a byproduct of Kawasaki's greed for another title. McGrath was man enough to step up to the bike bike class when he needed to.

[strykmaster]

Originally posted by DCox
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Bubba establish a new record (i.e., beat McGrath in total of 125cc Supercross wins) with the Atlanta victory?

That's what I meant. He wouldn't have beat McGrath's 125 record unless he stayed in the 125's this year.

[strykmaster]

Those damn greedy factories.........Breaking Records Sells Bikes. What a concept.

[DCox]

Bear in mind that Stewart is only 18 years old. Time is on his side in a very big way.

I personally believe there are no ethical problems associated with Stewart wanting to break a McGrath supercross record, increase his financial portfolio, and help bring his sponsoring manufacturer (Kawasaki) to a greater level of prominence in the sport. On the contrary--it seems to make perfect professional and financial sense--for Stewart and Kawasaki (which, as a corporation, exists for the sole purpose of turning a profit).

Why rush to face Carmichael, Reed and Windham this year? Stewart hasn't even entered his prime. Time is surely on his side . . . .

[yzernie]

Originally posted by DCox
Why rush to face Carmichael, Reed and Windham this year?

I somewhat agree with you there. Being the professional racer with the amazing skills he possesses, it would seem to me that he (and his sponsors) would want to raise to the premier level of competition.

As a racer, I just don't see much fun in winning beating my class by 25+ seconds in a 13-14 minute race.

Next year will be here before we know it.