JGR's New Team Plan???

I think moving to contracts like this is what you will see more of as we continue to grow outside sponsorship.

I haven't been able to listen for a few weeks, can someone fill me in on what exactly the new "plan" consists of?

This is not the NHL. That's just plain wrong. What's next? AMA Supercross Draft?

It's been happening before jgr, rockstar Suzuki benched Wharton and Anderson for not riding well.

I have not heard or saw anything on this but it sounds like Phil is actually a sub for the team. He is there IF one of the team racers goes down so they have a full team at every race to fulfill their agreements with sponsors. This way you don't have to try and find a replacement during the season and the back up is all ready used to the team and the team bike.

How is he supposed to get results if he's not seeing gate drops consistently?

They can run their team however they want. It's up to the riders to decide if i works for them of not.

It wouldn't work for me personally, but hey, they aren't looking for me.

I guess Phil is ok with being a fill-in rider, and chances are he will see the track sooner than later.

So is the Yamaha THAT bad that they have 2nd string riders waiting on the sidelines?




Jokes aside, how are 3-6 rounds guaranteed? Does that mean a 3 rider team for 3-6 rounds, or is that a guarantee that Brayton/Grant are going to get benched 3-6 rounds?

I mean if he's getting decently compensated it may not be a bad idea on HIS part. It's like being a factory rider, but without all the risk of actually having to ride a dirt bike. I still think he's getting shortchanged in the long run though.

Phil needs to race every round. It sounds like he will only be at select rounds. I don't like that plan for him but I don't pay his bills so I'll shut up.

Makes sense in a way. I know it is the NFL approach, but you have a B guy sitting on the sideline and during the week he is practicing with the A guys and getting good equipment, getting faster and just waiting for his shot to come out and shine and grab a A spot on the team. And this whole time you have two A guys who know their team has their replacement sitting there ready to go in and be the star. That would drive most anyone to be better and push to keep the main spot. I am sure Phil is being compensated for his role on the team and the deal can not be as bad as anyone views it if he took that role on. I am sure if we sat in on the meeting and listened to all of the logic behind the deal we would all be a bit more understanding of it and for it.
On the other side, it gets scary for the A guys. They already do it to a point, but riding with injuries so they do not give up their spot to a potentially better B guy sitting on the side lines and waiting for their chance to shine

If any of you have ever talked to Coy you would understand his approach. I made a point of picking his brain routinely during MX. It is about performance. Speaking with him at Unadilla he expressed that maybe more riders should put laps down and "just ride" instead of doing so much testing. I tend to agree with him. Many riders want that smooth perfect bike and forget how to adapt if theres a problem.
On another note....being friends with Mike Craig he used to tell the riders never to pull off, ride the damn bike unless the wheels were coming off. Always thought that was what made him a great trainer.
Maybe this kind of pushing will result in closer racing?

Sounds pretty cool. The sport is changing, just like our life. Roll with it.

Sometimes it's easier to blame the bike rather than yourself? Many things in life like that.

Sounds more like the F1 approach where the teams have a test driver that is there if someone gets hurt so they can field the car with someone that is familiar with the car. I see it as a pretty neat idea, it gives an up and coming rider an opportunity on better equipment and be ready when the opportunity presents itself and it fulfills sponsor obligations for the team with a rider that will perform better than just a replacement rider. I like it.