Is Our Sport On the Right Road?

I don't think anybody has said that Bubba is better than RC. That would be somewhat idiotic. I think those of us who support Bubba just want to see some good racing. Like I've said before, RC has stated he wants the same thing. Even HE is getting board. If Alessi was in the 250 class I'd be rooting for him. I'd probably cheer for RC to win over anybody if he was getting challenged, but the fact that he isn't is driving money away from the sport. If it continues, you'll be watching Motocross at 3:00 A.M. right after the dog races in South Georgia and Florida.

About the only thing you got right on that post was "450F's don't have quite as big as an advantage over a 250 2-stroke as a 250F over a 125 2-stroke, for one." For starters why would the rest of the class ride a 450 instead of a 2 stroke? Answer me that and dont give me this commercial crap about the factory paying them to ride them. Why isn't RC on a 250 anymore? Remember when Windham handed RC his first loss outdoors at Washougal? What was he riding? you guessed it, the CR250 and Kevin was on the 450. Have you ridden a 2 stroke on a motocross track, and a 450 on that same track? It's so much easier. At Washougal's horse power hill the 250's were screaming to stay next to the other bikes. Enough said on that.

Because 450's have a little more power. IÂ’ll concede you on that but then again 450F's have 200cc more displacement. It's just funny to me. Have you ever ridden a 250? The way you 4-stroke people talk these days is like comparing a Ford Escort to a freaking Ferrari and thatÂ’s far from accurate. Since when are 250's not powerful? I can't recall anyone ever, before the advent of 4-stroke MX bikes, ever complaining that 250's didn't have enough power. 125Â’s and 250Â’s have been climbing hills at MX tracks for 30 years and now you bring your big bore 4-strokes with significantly larger displacements and howl and beat your chest like youÂ’re superman. IÂ’ve watched 250Â’s and 125Â’s scream up hills right alongside 450 4-strokes so donÂ’t sit there and imply that 250Â’s arenÂ’t powerful enough. As for K-Dub beating RC, big deal! RC has handed Kevin Windham his a** many times on a 250 2-stroke.

I believe that we are getting away from my original subject, but just for the record.... What type of engine did Ricky ride with when he first went undefeated in '02?

I dont know if you read my post all the way, but i did say i ride a 2 stroke. in my opinion they are a true motocross bike. And I have ridden a 250, they are no joke. It really depends on what type of track you are on though. That's why you see 250's in SX and 450's outdoors...it just makes sense man. Give me an answer to why the 250's are going away. I wish the 2-strokes were still out there, it just doesnt sound right! Hey Gattsu1, you want to start a new post on this topic since we did come off the topic? I also want you to know i'm not doing this in anger like some people on here get. I'm just making an observation from what i see and from experience, and i do believe there is a reason why i think the 450's have the upper hand. And the last thing, RC was on a 2-stroke in 02, but not everyone was on a thumper either...the way it looks RC could ride an 85 and beat everyone out there...

I think there are quite a few people on here that are just SOOOOOOO tired of hearing Bubbaexcuses,BY the hundreds,& in the same sentence hearing about how he's gonna save our sport & how we need him.those comments are getting old as his excuses,are as ignorant as his excuses & some people are just sick of it.but the bubba ites continue.he is not the second coming.As far as where this sport is going,there is a big picture to look at & he's only a small part of it,250,450,is a very small part of it,both mx & sx will eventually be 450,(4stroke)there's no stoppin it.There is a bigger MANAGEMENT problem then there is anything else,from the pros right down to the amateurs.It's already so tough for a privateer to make it,or the ordinary guy that has to work all week & race on the weekend,he doesn't have a prayer.Then you have people that want the sport to be big like Nascar???How hard do you think it'll be for the bluecollar racer then??

You the Man Turtle! Did anyone watch 2Wheel Tuesday last night?
Ed Moreland Â– V.P. of Government Relations Â– A.M.A.
Ed will return to Charlotte as a guest on Â“2 Wheel TuesdayÂ” for the third time. Ed will join Greg White in GregÂ’s Garage to discuss the Government arm of the A.M.A (American Motorcyclists Association) and talk about how he is in Washington D.C. fighting for the rights of all motorcyclists. EdÂ’s topics of discussion will beÂ…sound and noise ordinance issues, the Government funded motorcycle crash study, Healthcare discrimination and the AMAÂ’s strength in numbers. You can learn more about the AMA on their web-site... www.AMADirectLink.com but again, I encourage you to watch the show.
Ed Moreland is supposably fighting the County of Riverside for noise issues on the land that Jeremy McGrath bought. He said, "We are starting here because McGrath is a Motorcycle icon." He went on to talk about putting noise limits on private land use with OHV. He was saying how this will set a trend for the rest of the country.
In the mean time we have issues in Florida too...
Due to complaints and pressure from a local residents, the Board of County Commissioners is about to approve a resolution that will severely restrict the use of off-road vehicles on private property in Marion County, Florida. Even though the Commissioners say they do not want to ban the use of off-road vehicles on private property, the proposed resolution will in all likelihood lead to a de facto ban on their operation. If you live in Marion County, get directly involved. Contact your Commissioners. Be at the Commission meeting when the vote on this resolution will take place. It is scheduled for August 16 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission Auditorium in the Marion County Government Complex at 601 SE 25th Ave. Ocala, FL. Read this PDF file for more details. Additional information is available from propertyriderights@att.net.

While this is a Marion County issue, it is something all off-roaders should be concerned about. What happens in Marion County today can happen elsewhere tomorrow. If you want to let the Commissioners know how the wider off-road community thinks, please contact them using the information in the PDF.

Mr. Moreland... Your needed in Florida too! Not just in McGrath country!

It says it right there,they're helping JM cause he's an ICON,yep,he is.Sorry,I've never been a AMA fan.It should be the big picture we're looking at.AMA will never get another dime from me.I'll support the sport all I can but not them.

Hey Turtleracing...you seem to have a vast supply of knowledge, my question is how do you support our sport without supporting the AMA? it all comes back to them huh? I agree with you man, it's bad. The only thing i had to reply with is (i dont speak for anyone else) the reason i am cheering for bubba, and many others is simply because he's the only one putting up a fight. He's not my favorite rider, but i cheer for him because he puts up the fight. It makes the sunday racing more exciting to the fans. That's the main reason why you see me supporting him...i also want to add on that issue though, you're right when you say that is just the tip of the problem with the sport...no doubt.

Here's another question. Is the AMA using JM as a pawn? Hmm, i think so. So because they can keep the noise down on his private land, they can do it to everyone else after that huh? Hmm, interesting.

I will post a reply to that soon, Qbomb. I have to outline first.

First off I don't have membership anymore,for me or any of my family.I go to see races & watch them on TV & that's all I've got left.I'm getting to old to worry about it anymore.My kids don't race anymore & I'm glad cause I don't have to be a member anymore.That's a terrible thing for me to say cause I loved racing sooo much when I was a kid,it was my life.But,I don't miss ama BS,I'm glad they're out of my wallet.
As far as Bubba goes,he's not the only 1 out there putting up a fight at all,the starting line has more then JS & RC on it & trying to take Ricky out on a weekly basis is not putting up a fight.KW & CR deserve alot more respect then Bubba does.Kw led RC for how many laps a few weeks back,not the 1 1/2 laps that JS just did last weekend.Ricky lost 1 moto this year,it wasn't to James.Again,he's not the second coming.There is other very talented riders out there & with some training & experiance you just don't know who's gonna start lighting it up.Also,when I talk to people that don't follow racing & don't know much about it,they all know who Ricky is,not James.

You go Turtle! I don't even go to SX or MX anymore (BUT, if my son wants to go when he is old enough, I'll take him). That is how much I hate the AMA. Although, I do watch the races on TV and sometimes listen live on the net. I always cringe when you here the comercial on tv, "All the racers on the track are AMA members, blah, blah, blah." It's because they are forced to be members! I raced AMA MX Nationals in the early '90's myself, but always wished there was a different organization. I am done being bitter. PEACE OUT!

i couldnt agree with turtle any more. in the big picture the high prices of 4strokes and 4stroke parts will put the average weekend racer out of the sport when the epa and manufacturers get there way and completely phase out 2 strokes. if it goes like nascar good luck getting parts and not paying an arm and a leg. high popularity will mean more of a demand for parts due to more participants which drives up prices.

the only reason im an ama member is i have to be. i dont really like some of the things theyve done in the past but some other things theyve done has been good. lately the ama has seemed to be catering to the manufacturers and government.

you guys are crazy without the.... AMA........what would we watch JSR in the canadian series please...where would we ride....no one said this is a poor mans sport, and if you want to win you will find a way.

As far as are we on the right track I would say yes!!!! this sport has grown so much in the last 10 years, riders and sponsers alike....

Ok, Sinister, I have a question for you...
Where in the BLEEP is the AMA for the Marion County people? Are they too BLEEPING busy trying to save McGraths rights in Cali? Go ahead, keep supporting the AMA. See where they help you.

September 6, 2005

Marion County, FL, Commissioners Pass Resolution

HereÂ’s a note from Florida resident Greg Parsons, who has been actively involved in the fight against the resolution.

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for Marion County, FL passed a resolutionto the Land Development Code which will require obtaining a Special Use Permit (SUP)to have an off-road vehicle track on private property. The vote was 5-0. This is the countywhere the Hardrock and Motocross of Marion County (Reddick) tracks are located. Thesetracks are not affected by the resolution. The process of requesting a permit involvespaying a $300 fee and completion of administrative requirements. The request then goesto the Planning Department for review, the Zoning Commission for review and publichearings, and finally to the BCC for review, public hearings, and final decision onapproval or denial. If approved restrictions such as buffering, hours/days of use, etc. maybe imposed. There are no published standards as to what will be required to obtain apermit and the process could be completely arbitrary. Existing tracks are Grandfatheredbecause of state laws but must meet noise ordinance standards which recently have beenÂ“reinterpretedÂ” to be more stringent. Tracks not used for a certain period will lose theirGrandfathered status. Just riding on oneÂ’s property should not require a permit however,according to a county official that may not be true in all cases depending on the type andfrequency of activity. While the Commissioners stated purpose is not to stop off-roadvehicle operation this SUP can be used to minimize its occurrence and eventually lead toits demise. This resolution is not only another strike against off-roaders it is also a blowto property rights in general. A PDF of the resolution is available here. For moreinformation contact propertyriderights@att.net.

To view the resolution itself, click here (PDF file, requires Adobe Reader).

Sinister must be an ama employee!!! All my years racing,even when I was a kid I don't remember 1 racer sticking up for the ama!!!We were members cause we had to be to race,it was the greatest thing in Ohio when most of the tracks broke from ama!!!!AMA only cares about the street,period.Sinister also must be swimmin in $$$ cause he has that typical rich mans attitude that he doesn't care bout people on a budget,only the rich should play!!!Sounds like he's afraid 1 of those low rent people might come around & clean the track with him,that would suck to be shown up in front of Buffy!!!!