So who wants some? In the past we've had Vital MX members asking about the availability of Vital MX t-shirts and hats.
The Peace Sign T is one that GuyB regularly wears at the races, and we also have some other designs available. Well, now you can check them out at our online store, store.vitalmx.com. There are other designs available...be sure to check them out.
Wow. After 18 weekends in ’08 (with one weekend off for Easter), there’s finally a two-week break before the Nationals. That’s something the teams had been pushing for with the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship for quite a while, and they finally got it. But that doesn’t mean that things are quiet on the tracks of So. Cal., no way. Especially at Glen Helen, where they’re already tooling up for the start of the National season on May 25th.
 Nico Izzi. Click for a larger image. |
Speaking of that, have you had a chance to check out the new NPG MX Nationals web site, www.mxnationals.com?
While there’s actually weekend off (which mothers everywhere will appreciate), we stopped by Glen Helen yesterday to check out how the teams are prepping for the ’08 outdoor season. Honda reportedly had the track rented for a couple days earlier this week for a private session. But on Thursday, it was wide open.
 Austin Stroupe. Click for a larger image. |
Yamaha Factory Racing’s Grant Langston was hanging out, watching everyone prep for the ’08 season with a thick padding of gauze over his right shoulder. He now has matching scars over his collarbones, having had both of them surgically repaired in the last year. He seemed most bummed with the idea that his National Motocross title defense was over before it started. But at least he got the souvenir video…Sean Hamblin videotaped the surgery for him.
Speaking of Hamy, he’ll be on a 450 for the outdoor season, on a Yamaha with help from Tuf.
Broc Hepler was also out there, working on dialing in his YZ450F, after a decision to switch to the big-bore class after Las Vegas. You can check out that shot here.
Josh Hill was also getting dialed, and was having fun in at least one section of the track. For a minute here, we thought he was channeling Stefan Everts. This outfit wasn’t as fashionable as what he was equipped with at the Supercross Awards Banquet (which was all picked up in a mall in Vegas), but we do like the riding style.
We also liked the aluminum tank on Hill’s bike, and the plug in for a…headlight? Turn signal? Two-way radio? MP3 player? We’re not sure.
 Josh Hill's YZ450F. Click for a larger image. |
The Boost Mobile Yamaha of Troy guys were also working on their setups, and it looked like they were trying out a bunch of different bends of Easton EXP handlebars, clamps, and other goodies.
 Checking out new Easton hardware with the YOT guys. Click for a larger image. |
Alpinestars has a truck in attendance, and had outfitted two of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki riders (David Vuillemin and Michael Byrne) with their neck brace. We hadn’t seen DV wear any neck protection in the past so that was a bit unusual. It was also cool to see Michael Byrne back on the track after he’d missed the entire Supercross season with an ACL/MCL rebuild. He’s been back on the bike for about three weeks, working his way back up to speed, and…yep, still thinking twice about dabbing a left foot in the corners.
 David Vuillemin. Click for a larger image. |
 Michael Byrne. Click for a larger image. |
Some of the shots above are available in a full wallpaper size, and there are even more available in the photo gallery. Click the following link to check out more Glen Helen practice.
|
We got this update from Charles Castloo. Be sure to send some positive thoughts Matt's way...
Matt had a hard crash at Glen Helen on Sunday. He was unconscious for 10 minutes. He was air lifted to Loma Linda University Hospital and remains in critical condition in the trauma Intensive Care Unit. He has a serious head injury and remains in what the doctors call “decreased level of consciousness” with swelling to his brain. He is not awake yet. The doctors are going to wait until tomorrow (72 hours from injury) to make any decisions on the next steps to take.
He has no broken bones that have been discovered yet but is pretty beat up all over his body. Apparently he crashed at the top of one of the big hills and tumbled to the bottom. His spine is in great shape and he is breathing on his own.
There are no visitors allowed at this time in the ICU aside from immediate family. Matty’s Mom and Dad, (Gail & Phil) and brother Phil are there as well as his girlfriend, Katie McGuire. For now, he needs rest and no outside interruptions.
We will keep you updated as we get more information.
Here is the hospital information if you would like to send a card:
Loma Linda University Medical Center
11334 Anderson St.
Loma Linda, Ca 92354
ICU 8100 Room 9
Of course, with the Supercross season just wrapping up, there are lots of moves in the moto industry, and one of them is with Eric Sorby, who'd spent the Supercross season with Team Tamer/Hooters/Moto XXX, where he'd finished the season in 15th overall in the big-bore class. Sorballs just landed a new gig with the JGR MX squad, and was happy to check in with us...
 Click for a larger image. |
Hey bud, I am a JGR employee now.
Nice! Does that mean you get a time card?
Not really, but that means I work for them full-time now.
How'd you get hooked up with that deal?
Well, I came here to stay with Hansen, and since then I was training and riding with those guys all the time, and they were looking for a test rider. That's something I am good at and something I like to do, plus I get along pretty good with everyone in the team. J-Bone, Coy, and David Evans are really good friends. That's why I got the job.
I will start my first day testing tomorrow. I do like testing, it will keep me riding and in really good condition because I will ride full factory bikes all the time. That's something I haven't had since I left PC.
Have you had a chance to ride their bikes yet, and if so, how are they?
I've ridden the bike twice already and it's really good.
We hear you have some Bobcat skills, too.
Yeah, I will take are of the MX and Supercross tracks, and I will help everyone do whatever they need during the week and on some weekend at the race too, especially the riders. I know I can help those guy a lot. I learned a lot when I was in Florida with Bubba, and I am a rider so I know what to do to make stuff better and harder when we need to.
Hey, how is their outdoor track?
You know what? Those guys they have everything you need to win a championship. Between the team, the trainer, the gym, and SX, and the MX track, it's really good. Of course, I work on it all the time.
So do we see you at the nationals this summer?
I will be at few but not for riding. Like I say, I am here to help the team as test rider and taking care of the track, I will be on the side of the track and get Summey and Double G motivated!
So how about racing in the future? Is that still in your plans? Supermoto? Supercross? What's next for you?
Supermoto, it was just for fun last year, that's it. Supercross, yeah, I would love to race of course because I think I had a pretty good year, and being here with JGR all summer I will train and get in shape for '09. If I find a good deal I will race next year, and if I don't and if they are happy about what I am doing, I would like to do that full-time and maybe do few races during the year. But not a full series...who knows? But I will see step-by-step for now. But I am super-super happy to work for JGR Racing. Those guys and this team are the best for sure.
Have they turned you into a NASCAR fan?
Man, now I am big fan of NASCAR. They call me Tony Stewart because we look alike. I don’t know if it's good or not, but I take it. I am always with all those guys everyday at the NASCAR shop, with Tony's crew or Kyle Busch or Denny Hamlin. I actually see Denny a lot because we all go to the same restaurant every week, called Red Rocks. Now they're getting to be fans about motocross. They're cool people in North Carolina for sure!
In the restaurant all the menu items are named after NASCAR people. I hope soon they're gonna have Sorballs Penne Pasta. (Laughs)
Hmm...I'm not sure that sounds too appetizing.
(Laughs) Okay, Sorby Penne Pasta then.
That'll probably be a much better seller. Thanks, and good luck with the new gig.
Thanks!
Man, Grant Langston has had some rotten luck. After spending most of the Supercross season on the sidelines with ailments, he was starting to prep for the 2008 defense of his Motocross National Championship. After a tough crash while practicing at Glen Helen yesterday, the U.S. National Motocross champ ended up with a broken collarbone, and Langston was scheduled to visit with a doctor today to find out if it could be pinned. Get well soon, Grant.
Here's one for sales pros...
Wanted! Independent Sales Reps
Metzger Brand is seeking independent sales reps for select territories. Metzger Brand is located in Temecula, CA and we are only looking for top producers that can share the vision of the brand. Metzger Brand is an artistic apparel line that was created by none other than the “Godfather of Freestyle MX” Mike Metzger. Visit the website at www.metzgerbrand.com. Must have sales rep experience. Generous commissions will be paid. Please send your resume to Brandon@metzgerbrand.com or call him direct at 800-615-3145 ext 202.
At the Supercross Finals this weekend in Las Vegas, the Factory Connection bikes and gear will have a new look, as Geico Powersports will replace Torco Racing Fuels as the team’s primary sponsor. Here’s a quick first look at what you can expect to see.
 Click for a larger image. |
 Click for a larger image. |
What do you think? If you’re a Vital MX member (membership is free), you can leave a comment below, or talk about it in the Vital MX Forums.
Here's another opportunity to meet some riders if you're going to Vegas, without the hassle of long lines in the pits.
Come out to the Vans store @ Boulevard Mall to meet Ryan Villopoto, Austin Stroupe, Brett Metcalfe, Nick Wey and others Thursday, May 1st @ 6:30pm. There will be tons of giveaways and prizes including limited edition Ryan Villopoto tees for the first 50 attendees.
Vans
Boulevard Mall
3528 South Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 369-4392
If you’re headed to Las Vegas this weekend, and are looking for something else to do on Friday night (besides the ever-popular gambling, drinking…and before you go to the MiniMotoSX), you could catch the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team signing autographs this Friday night at RideNow Powersports in North Las Vegas.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hours 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
RideNow Powersports
4120 E. Craig Road
N. Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 214-5380
James was in Seattle last weekend, signing autographs at the Monster Energy Kawasaki rig, and we had a chance to catch up with him to find out how his recovery from knee surgery is going, as well his plans for the summer...
Vital MX: How has the time off been, and how is the recovery going for you?
James Stewart: It’s actually been going good so far. I should start riding next week, so I’m looking forward to that. Everything’s going according to plan so far, and the toughest part, these injuries take forever and you want to make sure you do them right. Somehow we have to become Superman and do things quicker than we normally have. They should take four to six months, and to make it back at Glen Helen, that’s four months.
Have you missed the bike in the time off?
Oh yeah. It seems like it’s been forever since I raced. A lot of people say it seemed like the season went by fast, but if you’re sitting on the couch at home and doing your thing, it goes by slow, I’ll tell you that.
One of the things missing from your racing resume is a big bike outdoor title. Is it important for you to try and get one?
Yeah, it’s been a big deal for me for a while. I felt like last year I should have had it, and let it slip away from me. This year, it’s going to be one of those things. I don’t like to start where I’m at, and I already feel like I’m in a hole. I only have a couple weeks to ride. It’s going to be tough. I think at the end of the day, the program I’ve been on, and the hard work I’ve put in, I think we can be where be at where we need to be. As long as we go in healthy, I don’t see any issues with trying to get this done.
Do you have to see how it feels after you start riding and that’ll determine whether you make it to Glen Helen?
Yeah, like I said, the problem was you want to get it (the knee surgery) done once, and get it done right. These injuries, they suck and I don’t want to go through it again, not because it (the return) was a week or two weeks early. So far I think I’ve been doing a good job as far as sticking to the program, and everything’s been good. But it’s going to obviously tell on the motorcycle in the next few days.
Judging by when you were healthy in the past, missing one race probably wouldn’t make that big a difference in the series outcome. It probably wouldn’t make that much difference if you miss a round.
Yeah, I plan on making all 12 rounds. The only race I want to miss is Unadilla. I don’t want to go to that place. So, I’d rather suck it up in the beginning and get it done, and take a weekend off at that race. (Laughs)
Should we call it the Unadilla flu?
I don’t know. I won the first three years, and didn’t even make it the last three years, so hopefully I can turn it back around and win it again.
I feel like once I get past Mount Morris…if I get past Mount Morris good, I’ll be good for the season ‘cause Mount Morris has always given me issues. It’s the third race of the season and if I get past that, I’ll be in good shape.
I guess I need to quit reading the Internet, because if I go by the list of rumors I’ve seen, you’re not racing this summer, you got fired by Kawasaki…there’s a lot of nonsense on there.
Yeah, there’s a lot of rumors going around. If I got fired, they’re still awfully nice to me. The checks are still coming, and they let me come in here and eat, so…
As far as the plan of not riding any nationals, that’s the first time I heard the memo, so I guess I can just go on vacation now, huh? (Laughs)
