Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Anaheim 1 After Thoughts....

After the Supercross Series Opener at Anaheim 1 ran this Saturday, this is what I would take from the race...

The riders didn't like the track, but that typically leads to good racing. Dirt Track example, Daytona. Most of us hate the track in Daytona, can tell you I don't know of anyone (outside of maybe Slammy) that like the shorttrack in Daytona but it has lead to really good racing in the past. As riders we usually don't like tracks where we struggle to find a set up and get into a good rythym. Not to mention as the night went on the track got rougher, had more ruts, and got slick. A stark contrast to the hard packed blue groove smooth as asphalt test tracks most of these guys have been testing on. That's probably why so many good guys hit the ground. Dean Wilson and Wil Hahn in the 250F's. Reed, Stewart, Dungey, Tedesco, Josh Grant, and T. Hahn in the 450's.

Stewart will come around, even after "Tire Gate" where he ran both a Bridgestone and a Dunlop tire during practice, so they had a baseline to compare against the Pirelli's. They admitted that the track was much different than what they had been testing on and they wanted to eliminate all variables. The next time they have a track that technical don't count #7 out...

Villopoto rode awesome, as expected. Dude is a robot. Reed put in a solid effort and despite a late race crash held on for 2nd. Dungey had a mid race bobble also but held on for 3rd, and in doing so gave KTM it's first supercross podium in the premier class. Justin Brayton was very surprising to finish 4th after coming from the LCQ. Jake Weimer was a big surprise to me also finishing 5th, and Stewart came home 6th. Outside of that, not a whole lot exciting, Tommy Hahn was turning really good turns but must have crashed and busted himself up good. Nick Wey didn't make the main. Which is a bummer. Josh Hill struggled to ride through his injury which is amazing, I'm hearing he'll miss Phoenix this weekend. Hope the kid heals up and comes back. Got serious damage in that left ankle/foot of his.

Cole Seely put a hurt on the 250F guys. Passing Wilson and Rattray of the Pro Circuit team and riding real solid for a great win for the TLD Honda Crew. Good for him. Wilson crashed on the last lap to give up 3rd spot to Tomac. Tomac rode awesome. Hammering a triple out of a corner that only Reed, Stewart, and Dungey were the other ones jumping. And doing it on a 250F.

Was surprised to see Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki have both it's riders in the main, apparently no growing pains there as Josh Grant and Kyle Chisholm both had solid rides.

Also Andrew Short on the new L&Mc team sponsored by Supercross.com was solid and can't expect a team with those guys behind it to ever do bad. I was surprised to see them rocking FMF Exhausts, and it looks like a ton of people are rocking them this year.

Factory Kawasaki is back to Pro Circuit exhausts. Also rocking white rear fenders trying to copy Honda or something. Which I think is not cool. But hey they don't really care what I think do they. At least I don't think they do because they haven't expressed any interest in my feelings yet.

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