OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Roycroft]

Never Ending Silly Season in America

It’s now mid December of ’09, and the US race season is just over three months away, in other words, the off season is more than halfway over, and there’s still way too much up in the air for anyone to be comfortable.

What we do know as of now is that the motocross factory rides have been filled by just six lucky dudes; Jeremy Warnia, Chad Wienen, & John Natalie on Can Am, Dustin Wimmer & Josh Creamer on Suzuki, and Thomas Brown on Yamaha. That’s it, no more factory backing for Doug Gust, Pat Brown, Cody Miller, Jeremy Lawson, Harold Goodman, or Joe Byrd. Polaris has Casey Martin in the Pro Am ranks, but no Pros, while Honda, KTM, & Kawasaki are saving their pennies and opting out of racing. Privateers are once again the rule, as opposed to the exception, and the rumor mill has them dropping like flies.



What we do know as of now is somewhat exciting though. For starters, there’s a new JB Racing Team being formed that’ll house Rookie Pro Cody Gibson, and a slew of fast amateurs. My Media Allstars team is trying to launch a two or three man Pro effort with Pat Brown, Cody Grant, and one more unconfirmed rider. Mike Walsh and Jeremy Lawson have rekindled their relationship, but the brand that Jeremy will ride is still up in the air. Keith Little is doing his own thing in a very creative manner (which we’re sworn to secrecy on). Meanwhile Joe Byrd is having to go back to square one in his effort to compete for another championship. He says he’s never had more dificulty finding sponsorship. Harold Goodman will stay on Hondas but plans to race the GNCC series and continue his role on the Matlock Racing desert racing team. Josh Upperman will be on Baldwin Motorsport Hondas again. “Digger� Doug Gust is a big question mark, as the elder statesman of the class has been linked to various brands, as well as the “R� word. Greg Gee, Cody Miller, Nick Denoble, Richard Pelchat, Brandon Smith & Russell Schumaker are all big question marks at this point. Expect the aftermarket to make a push, and keep racing afloat like they did in the early 90’s when they kept ATV racing alive with little to no manufacturer help or interest
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[Dickie]

A bit disappointing really. Does not help the sport at all. Good to see the aftermarket scene is still trying to keep it alive over there.

Imagine that though, fmore factory support in australia. . . . maybe oneday?

[Ozzy450]

Yer shame. They were going great guns over there last year. Interesting that chad wienen went can am and josh creamer went suzuki hay. Plus pat brown must be p!ss?d with his brother. They should of put chad back on the l, he was an animal on that setup
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