Good read from MXA

Dear MXA,
I have not seen a press release about what happened to Jason Lawrence after he was thrown out of the AMA Nationals. Did Yamaha or Yamaha of Troy Fire him?

No. Yamaha says that it is not up to them to fire Jason Lawrence. They say it is Yamaha of Troy's problem. From MXA's viewpoint, this is silly in the very least, since Yamaha of Troy's funding and bikes come directly from Yamaha. If Keith McCarty wanted Lawrence gone, he would be gone.

The lack of statements from the two parties is weird and wrong. At the very least they should feel compelled to say that they, as a company and a team, do not condone drunken behavior, driving while intoxicated and public fighting. To say nothing makes Yamaha and YoT look like they are okay with behavior that most of Americans finds reprehensible.

Why hasn't Lawrence been fired? Things are not all that peachy-keen at Yamaha or Yamaha of Troy right now. With Lawrence thrown out of the Nationals, YoT banked everything on the return of Mike Brown. That hasn't worked out yet. Plus the rest of their team hasn't set the world on fire (Zach Osborne did get dropped for going to England and riding in the wrong goggles and boots--a definite no-no). Paradoxically, Chad Reed, who is still under Yamaha contract until September, has been seen riding without his San Manuel logos and on a white Yamaha, both of which are reportedly forbidden in his contract. Not to mention that Reed was reportedly seen riding a Suzuki (and a dealer told Yamaha that Chad also bought a Honda from them). Yamaha and San Manuel could withhold Reed's salary for the last few months or sue him for breach of contract. If MXA was betting, we'd bet that they just wish him well and farewell.

As for Team Yamaha, their 2008 season has been a bummer. Josh Hill, Luke Duke to Jason's Bo, has been a major dissapointment. His results have improved in recent weeks, but that is, in a large part, due to missing and injured riders. Grant Langston is contemplating calling it quits if his eye doesn't get better. He has a large disability insurance policy that he could collect on if he can't race. His other Lloyd's of London-style insurance policy, like the one that Jeff Emig used, is reported to be $2 million. But, since Grant's eye problems are not caused by an injury, but a disease, that golden parachute may not open without a legal fight. As for Broc Hepler, Yamaha says that he is over paid for his results. If they keep him, and that isn't a sure deal, he will have to move to the 450 class full-time and take a pay cut (a substantial cut).

The bright side for Team Yamaha is that they will have James Stewart on a San Manuel YZ450F for next year (it hasn't been announced, but it's true). Stewie is only contracted for the Supercross series, but he could ride a few Nationals if he felt like it. The problem for Yamaha is that after the SX season ends in May, Stewart will be gone and forgotten once the AMA Nationals start. That is a long time to go without a star player. They need to puts some numbers on the board outdoors.

The saving grace for Jason Lawrence is that he is the best that Yamaha of Troy has in the wings. So YoT will send him out for a Lindsey Lohan-style remake with Anger Management classes and whatever rehab it takes to put a pretty face on an ugly picture. If Lawrence hadn't won the 250F West, he'd be toast. But, he did and that is what will keep him from getting fired. Yamaha is driven to keep Lawrence because they are afraid that he will go to another team if they release him. That is probably true, but what team? It is assumed that most team manager of the powerful teams have standards and concerns that would cause them to pause. Additionally, Lawrence probably wouldn't get as much money if he went back on the open market, and the penalty clauses in any new contract would be severe enough that any misconduct on his part would wipe out his whole salary.

Lawrence's problem is that when he finally gets released from his current suspension, he will be back on probation (lifetime probation if the AMA has any smarts). And if he breaks this new probation he will be banned for one year, three years or life. Yamaha and Yamaha of Troy will have to pony up big bucks to support an irresponsible rider, who could with one indiscretion get thrown out of the sport. That would mean that the money would be lost, any positive publicity would be replaced by negative publicity and all of their efforts to win another title would go down the tubes. And, there would be no sympathy for them from the fans.

Lawrence will be at the X games next weekend...on a Yamaha ( MXA tip: If Lawrence isn't on a Yamaha at the X Games, he will never be on one again).