The GEICO 450??

drumheller34 wrote:

I'm sorry to take it out on you but you are the #1 Stewart thread starter, that's not hard to realise. By the way, I do...

I'm sorry to take it out on you but you are the #1 Stewart thread starter, that's not hard to realise. By the way, I do lurk because I only post when I feel it is necessary, sometimes to joke around too. Clearly Malcolm isn't going to ride the Geico 450. This horse has been beaten to a pulp. (No pun intended) Also, the OP asked WHO will ride it, I don't see "Malcolm" in his first post. With that being said, Mookie has said in multiple interviews that he doesn't have a ride with anyone. He stated that he will most likely be there in a sprinter van, race, and wait for a fill in spot (Just the way the sport is, as you know). Geico helped him out so he had a bike to ride. They loaned him the bike and parts so he could race overseas with decent suspension, exhaust, triple clamps, etc. I'm literally just repeating the information that has been reported already. Again, I'm sorry but it's enough already.

davistld01 wrote:

Michael... You know...I have heard you, and several others that I regard highly for truly being "insiders" that know things for a fact, instead of a...

Michael...

You know...I have heard you, and several others that I regard highly for truly being "insiders" that know things for a fact, instead of a bunch of opinions or rumors with no substance say things about the issues with Malcolm (and even James) not being able to put together deals like "ultimately there are a few reasons why they decided not to do it", or that the potential sponsor/team "didn't like the package", or similarly cryptic statements. I've heard rumors here and other places that nobody wanted to sign "the family" instead of just the riders. That they didn't want "the drama that the Stewarts bring". I've heard people say that the reason the Stewarts haven't found a team is because of Big James...but nobody wants to elaborate. Why? If Big James is that much of an overbearing presence...why not say it? I mean, hell...that's the reason nobody will deal with Tony Alessi, and nobody has a problem saying that! If there are some personal issues that have kept teams like Geico from helping Malcolm out with a 450 ride...why not say them? I mean, truth is truth, right?

I know that you have a level of confidentiality that you have to keep...but why is this, or why are similar statements being made and no explanation given. Why is it left for the fans to speculate?

ML512 wrote:

I wrote this out in two previous threads and didn't feel the need to again, but I guess I have to. Talked to Ziggy from FC...

I wrote this out in two previous threads and didn't feel the need to again, but I guess I have to.

Talked to Ziggy from FC about it...

Here's the condensed version. They don't want to do a 450... They didn't want to with Justin Bogle, but he got left out and HRC offered to do the same deal they did with Tomac, so the bike was built and taken care of by HRC. Bogle actually rode for free as far as I'm aware. Once again, this year they didn't want to do a 450. I asked Ziggy if they could even get a 17 bike, and he said they were offered some bikes and parts if they wanted to do it. But, it sounded like this one would be more in their hands like Brayton and MCR (MCR was given six bikes for Brayton and suspension, no engine goodies, electronics, or anything else. They have to develop the bike themselves). So in Geico's case, they would have to develop this 450.

Now this is a bit of a problem as they're a 250 team and that's what they want to focus on this year. With Christian Craig and Jeremy Martin, they have a good chance to run for all three titles this year. Along with having a rookie, Chase Sexton, and a fairly new pro with RJ Hampshire that need assistance to replace Martin and Craig as they both may have to move up in 18. Over the last year or two, the Geico guys felt they may have gotten a bit off target with their bike (why Smith left) ad they're focusing their resources on getting back on track. Also, later in 2017, they'll have an all-new 250F to develop with Honda releasing a new bike. They need to have budget and resources set aside to handle this, so they can stay a title contending team in 2018. Along with Jeremy Martin coming aboard for a decent chunk of change, the team just doesn't have the budget and resources to focus on winning the 250F titles and develop a 450 program for Malcolm.

Dirty Points wrote:

Factory rides in this sport have always been a game of musical chairs. There's a deserving person that always doesn't have a seat when the music...

Factory rides in this sport have always been a game of musical chairs. There's a deserving person that always doesn't have a seat when the music stops.

And then, two weeks later, in a situation that's more atypical for musical chairs, somebody breaks a femur.