Vital MX Forum QNA: Ricky Carmichael

RC,
No one could match your corner speed..Why?

Any inspirations to race a national for fun and see how you'd do , a la John Dowd?

If you could re-do one race, which one?

Thoughts on four-strokes in SX/MX should we have stuck with two-stokes? Which did you prefer from a simple fun factor?

Is Chad Reed on your Christmas Card list?

Thanks!~

Better trainer, my boy Johnny O' or Aldon? Why?

Champ, would it be OK if I dropped off my 6 year-old son, his TT50, and our camper at the Carmichael Ranch for about 6-8 months? He's a hard worker, don't complain, and will swap yard work for track time. His abilities have already exceeded my coaching capacity, and he needs to move up to the next level.......

Just kidding, my actual question is: " What opponent do you feel brought out the best in you as a racer?"

Hey Ricky

When I think back of your career, the race that stands out the most was the final supercross race in Las Vegas, I think it was 2006. Everything was on the line, you had the momentum going into that race but points were tied and if Chad finishes ahead of you, he wins the title.

Chad rode well that night and had a similar pace but just couldn't quite get close enough. Did everything go well for you in that race or were there a few moments on that slick hard pack surface were it got a bit sketchy.

Was this the biggest individual race of your career?

Ricky, as a kid you practiced at a track in west Kentucky called Lowes Mx (West Kentucky Motocross). I've heard stories from lots of people of how you smoked everyone badly on a KX 80. I've raced this track several times as Lowes is still going strong.

My question is.. do you remember this track and what did you think of it?

Oh yeah...Metallica is and always will be my favorite band/music too.

Maybe the toughest question ever...what's your favorite Metallica song ?

Ricky , what was your favorite MX track ?

What is your favorite sport to watch other than motorcycle racing ?

What do you think will be the biggest change to the sport in the next 5 years? What do you think SHOULD change?

Who was your favorite rider when you were growing up ?

What are you enjoying most about retirement?

Many thanks for the effort you put into your amazing career. It sure made for some great racing for us fans. Couple questions:

Your pit gloves you always wore signing autographs and shaking hands with people who just came out of the porta cans, how big of a part did they play in you making it to the starting line for all those races? You also brought your own food I recall reading somewhere? Every year we hear of this rider or that rider having food poisoning or other illness, but you always showed up and kicked ass.

My youngest son at the Houston SX with you and your pit gloves for those who have no idea what I'm talking about.



And I just recently read on the internet (here actually) that Bob Hurricane Hannah is no longer relevant in the sport of motocross. How many years before you are no longer relevant?

Sorry, that last one was a joke but I couldn't resist. The Hannah thread here was going about as well as could be expected. Thanks again for all you did and continue to do for the sport! Tell your mom and dad thanks too, they always came across as genuinely nice and down to earth people.

What is your other user name on this site?

Out of all the professional riding you've ever done.. Who gave you the best battle?

Was one of your perfect outdoor seasons harder than the other? If so which one and why?

Did you play as big of a part in Dungey being signed as a B rider by Suzuki as what I have heard?

First I'd like to say thanks for the awesome memories.
Question, do you believe that the riders have an obligation to be good role
models for the kids or should their "on track' results be sufficient?
Thanks,

Thanks so much for doing this. What an honor!
Unfortunately a lot of riders may have blazing speed but no consistency. They may win a race and then be out injured for half a season. It is difficult to remain super fast and injury free. What do you think allowed you to be the fastest guy on the track but also avoid many of the injuries that seem to be all too commonplace? Even when you got landed on by JS7 you jump up throw his bike off and then race off! Most guys would be dazed and confused but nothing seemed to keep you down.

No question here Ricky, just a thank you. I stood in line for a long time at the Orlando SX in 2006 to get a picture with you and my daughter, and you were very gracious, so thanks. Truth be told I used my daughter as an excuse to shake your hand and wish you luck. Not much into hero worship, but my original hero was Roger, and you followed The Man for your no excuse, no holds barred attitude as a racer. Your level of consistency at the highest level will never be matched. Most impressive was your half season to end your career-still super prepared and showed James what was up, even with nothing on the line-it was so impressive. You just refused to give in and refused to lose. Lets see someone else do that, and then walk away as promised when you clearly could have won yet another championship. The GOAT-it was a pleasure to watch you all those years.

Hi Ricky,

When you were racing you were known for incredible fitness. What prompted you to get in that kind of shape when pretty much no one else (except MAYBE Mike Larocco) was training that hard?

Thanks for taking the time to do this, RC. If you could ride one bike from your career* – amateur or pro – which would you choose and why?

*Can't be your current RMZ, because that's too obvious.

RC- Who was your favorite to race against ? Chad Reed, MC , KDUB or Stewart etc etc?

What has made you stick with the FOX brand all these years? Have a favorite kit?

How is it working with Carey Hart?

What is the best thing about being Ricky Carmichael....?

2 stroke or 4 stoke and why??

How is your Mom? Dad? Granddad? Just awesome people.

RC, did you get a laugh out of this pic the first time you seen it?

My question though is, what do you think of the champions from the different eras. Would they make the cut it if they were racing now?

Hi Ricky,
I recently finished putting together an RC4 RM250, please check it out, hope you like it!

http://m.vitalmx.com/features/Bike-of-the-Month-Digby-Coopers-2008-RM25…

This was my question as well. One specific bike I mean, not brand.

Btw. This is the most interesting QNA in the history of the world. Thanks for doing this.

Hey RC, hope you're good man, my question is do you ever wish you got to race Everts more? To have you 2 guys race and be in your peak at the same time and only get to see you on the track at the same time a handful of occasions seems insane to me..

Ricky,

Is there any tracks you would like to see make a comeback on the national circuit? or is there any that you would like to see get replaced? I used to love watching you dominate everyone at Broome-Tioga and wish that track would make a comeback.

Curious about your transition to NASCAR. You did pretty well in the trucks but for some reason you never really met the expectations of the sponsors.

Do you feel like you were not understanding the set-ups or, did you never really get comfortable behind the wheel? Was your departure from the truck series totally sponsor related?

So many awesome memories of RC racing Moto, just want to say thank you.