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RACE WATCH
Supercross: The season revisited
This year’s AMA Supercross series was played up as the most exciting in the history of the sport. All the hype led to a lot of anticipation, well-deserved considering the pool of talent. Among the factory stars capable of winning races, if not the 250cc title, were reigning champ Chad Reed, class rookie James “Bubba” Stewart, three-time title-winner Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham, Travis Pastrana (sporting a cast on his wrist at the preseason press conference), Mike LaRocco and the newly unretired Jeremy McGrath.
Before the gate dropped on muddy Round One in Anaheim, California, the top dogs gathered together to talk about the upcoming season. It was strange to see such talented and often outspoken riders acting so humble and reserved. Mostly, they just wanted to get on with the racing. What was said at the time, compared to what actually transpired during the season, turned out to be quite interesting.
Stewart finished 10th overall with three wins. “I’ve always been moving up in class and always had my doubts, but I don’t see any difference,” he said at Anaheim. “I’m racing against different guys and the level of competition is a lot higher than before. I’m going to go out there and see what I can do.
“It’s a 16-race series, and it won’t be won in the first or second race. I just need to be patient,” he continued. “People are saying that I’ll either win or crash, but I’ve won a lot more races than I’ve had crashes. We’ll see.”
In fact, Stewart threw away his championship hopes at Round Two in Phoenix with a heart-stopping practice crash that broke his forearm. Though sidelined for half the series, the Floridian didn’t waste any time once he returned at Round 11 in Orlando, Florida, immediately showing he had the ability and speed to contend with-or mn away ffom-Carmichael, Reed and Windham. Unfortunately, the season ended on another bad note: A heat race crash in Las Vegas sent Stewart home with a hyper-extended thumb and sprained wrist. Maybe maturity doesn’t come at age 19 after all...
Honda hung its SX title hopes this year on Windham, runner-up to Reed in 2004. “I think it will be a great season,” he told the media. “So far, it’s been a good year for me. There has been a lot of personal stuff going on in my life with the birth of my second daughter, but I’ve been able to keep my focus. I’m on a good team with a good bike and good surroundings. We’re ready to go.”
Prepared he was, winning the muddy Anaheim opener on the four-stroke CRF450R and stepping into the spotlight that temporarily blinded Carmichael and Stewart. But a few races and a big get-off later, Windham appeared to have lost his focus, finishing most events a distant third. Late-season comments from Carmichael about Windham’s heart not being in the right place may have re-lit the fire, though, as the Louisiana native showed renewed speed, although it was too late in the game to affect the points chase. He finished the year tied in points with Frenchman David Vuillemin, though the early-season victory gave him sole rights to third in the season standings.
Reed began his title defense by explaining how much more prepared he was for this season. “I’ve had a great offseason,” he said. “No surgeries, and more than one week on the motorcycle. I went back home to Australia and got married. Last year, winning the championship, I accomplished something that I had been looking forward to my whole life. It was unfortunate that Ricky got injured at the beginning of the season, but I worked really hard and it was a great deal.”
From the first gate-drop, it was apparent that Reed was ready to do whatever it took to win. He was aggressive and precise. Unfortunately for the Yamaha rider, a locked-up front brake caused by the mud at Anaheim led to a 15-point deficit to Carmichael that grew until Reed got his first win at Round Seven in San Diego, California. Carmichael went on to win the next two races, but Reed came back with a win in Daytona. He scored three more victories, including the Las Vegas finale, but came up 25 points shy of Carmichael.
Carmichael had the most to prove this year, having left Honda for Suzuki. “I know there is a lot of hype around this first race,” he said in Anaheim, “but there are 16 races and I want to be the guy on top in Las Vegas. My bike is good, and I think I’ve put myself in the best position. If Bubba wants to quadruple a section, he can go for it. I don’t care. I’m doing my own thing. If that’s not enough, I have no problem admitting I’m not the badass on the track. I’m a man, and I can swallow my pride.”
Turns out, there was no need for RC to
swallow his pride. Throughout the fiercely fought series, he was Mr. Consistency: 16 podiums and seven wins-a true champion. Question is, can he replicate that performance in the outdoor nationals? -Ryan Dudek
Corser’s comeback
When Troy Corser burst into World Superbike in the mid-1990s, he blew away the scene. Not in a literal sense of outright dominance in terms of race wins, but because of his ability to breeze in at podium pace and make steps in performance every time out.
The former AMA and Australian Superbike Championyoung, gifted and on the attack when he made his first wildcard rides on a factory Ducati in 1994—became one of a new breed, a true son of WSB and its ’96 champion. With that notch on his racing bedpost,
Corser moved on to Grand Prix, had a diabolical season in the 500cc class in 1997, suffering from contract wrangles, machinery set-up problems and having to contend with more top riders than in WSB. It was his first major reversal of fortune, the first snake constricting the golden vine of what appeared to be an upwardly mobile career.
Corser returned to WSB head-high, and was once again immediately fast. The fact that he never managed to win the cham ionship again is somewhat puzzling, as he’s never lost the ability to transcend the field, whether riding a Twin, Triple or Four. Until this year and his dominant displays on the Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki GSXR1000, however, there were simply not enough victories for a second title.
Most recently, the bike has masked his path to ultimate success, but there was also the question of fitness, or occasional lack thereof, which made him start fast, slow mid-race, then force himself to gather up extra effort in the final laps. Had these moments come at the midpoint of yet another win, no more would have been said. But pundits wanted to know why Corser was only fast sometimes, even when he was on a factory bike.
This may have been an issue going into the 2002 season, particularly in terms of available rides, and Corser signed with old racing nemesis Carl Fogarty to pilot the experimental Petronas FP-1. The Aussie’s ability to test and then race are legendary in WSB, but from the beginning the project was rife with reversals. No racing for a year, then two years of occasional high points and frequent mechanical mayhem. Corser likely put in more effort to finish 10th on the 900cc Triple than to win in his heyday.
Some said he’d lost the hunger to win. Others opined what was missing was fresh success to reassert a sense of self-worth. Regardless, Corser was forced to rethink his future.
Now, with the respected Alstare squad, he’s winning again. Back in February at the first race in Qatar, Alstare was the only team that had tested both its riders and the new generation of Pirellis with a largely finished bike and setup. Only now, despite what appears to be a machinery advantage, is the reason for Corser’s sudden re-emergence becoming clearer: His desire to win is as great as his speed. And isn’t that what makes a champion?
-Gordon Ritchie
Czech Time Warp
It was a trip back in time to the days of aircooled motors, drum brakes and twin shocks for the latest incarnation of the CZ World Championships, held this past May at Amago Race Park near San Diego, California.
The original concept was simple: The machine need only be powered by one of the venerable Czech engines. For several years, some wild creations were hauled out for the yearly battle. Husky-framed contraptions, an ex-Jimmy Lewis KTM, custom-built single-shockers and handcrafted water-coolers appeared regularly. As with most endeavors, the event has evolved over time. Although highly modified units are still present, their numbers have been greatly reduced as a trend toward restored original machines has taken place.
The California Vintage Motocross Club hosted this 25th edition of the CZWC, and a large slice of historic machines were in attendance. Turning out for the event were gorgeous examples of CZ “Side Pipers,” “Yellow Tankers” and Falta Replicas along with the more common 1973-74 models. The sight of these rolling time machines instantaneously took the 40and 50-yearolds present back to the days of their youth. For the youngsters, it was a chance to see how the sport of vintage racing originated in this country.
With the old-school rubberband starting gate, the flags of many nations flying in the pit area and the outdoor track devoid of modem obstacles, it was easy to imagine this was a 1970s Trans-Am event rather than a vintage race in 2005.
Special guests included 1980s factory rider Jim Gibson and long-time magazine test rider (and one-time American JawaCZ supported) Pete Maly. Gibson positively dominated in the 250cc expert class with two mnaway wins. Maly, a winner in 1985, was smooth and steady throughout his day of racing.
After a few years of diminished attendance, the 2005 CZ World Championships was a resounding success. For one day at least, it really was possible to go back in time. -Steve Caro
