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Edited Date/Time
7/17/2019 10:15am
Hurts to do this.... Yes another Stewart thread.
What was the reason for JS to depart from Kawi? Chatting with some buddies at the track, all had different stories of coarse. A lot of greats appear to change teams right after a dominant season. Most rides are locked down before or early into the final season of that contract. Seems like Kawi made a factory ride for him coming out of amateurs and Monster having deep pockets. So they seen the investment and how it paid off. Surely they weren’t losing money. Money doesn’t look like an issue unless someone isn’t willing to pay, while some else is. All the what if’s coming into play...
What was the reason for JS to depart from Kawi? Chatting with some buddies at the track, all had different stories of coarse. A lot of greats appear to change teams right after a dominant season. Most rides are locked down before or early into the final season of that contract. Seems like Kawi made a factory ride for him coming out of amateurs and Monster having deep pockets. So they seen the investment and how it paid off. Surely they weren’t losing money. Money doesn’t look like an issue unless someone isn’t willing to pay, while some else is. All the what if’s coming into play...
The Shop
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Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
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When it comes to writing checks on future investments, RedBull doesn’t appear to lose much. #deeppockets
The Red Bull personal deal was huge bucks for Stewart in 2006, and he was worth every penny.
Kawi and Monster began their longstanding partnership in '07, Stewart remained under contract for another two seasons.
The move cost the sports premier rider millions of dollars in the prime of his career. Kawasaki wasn't too bothered with Ryan Villopoto in the wings. It was a risky gamble that paid off for them.
But you can't help but wonder what might have happened if they had been able to keep James happy. (my bet, another 3 championships - at least).
Amazing all the dynamics that goes into sponsoring a team to sponsoring a rider and how that rider is connected to a team through outside sponsors. The bike and team can be great, but it depends on the relationship and check book of a sponsor that can change the game.
That’s some major money being thrown around for a young guy especially 14 years ago.
I remember watching the JGR interview with Mr Gibbs stating all of the work that had to be done with sponsor in general to sign him. making sure this “company” wasn’t over lapping that “company” and all he paper work involved.
As for his Fox deal, I was told by two different members of the brand that when James was set to go to L&M the contract talks began around him doing SX and MX in 2009 and negotiations/prices were based around that. When Fox learned it was a SX only deal, they weren't up to pay him that exact amount for SX only and apparently if what I heard was true, Stewart's side continued to say that he would be doing both series...so contract negotiations broke down around that situation.
Can’t wait for the next session of bench racing/gossip with the guys, will sound like I know what I’m taking about this time.. very interesting stuff! I
As for the gear deal. Sounds like the Stewart camp was trying to pull a quick one. Wonder what there thoughts behind that with all the details that goes into contracts and smart people that have to read them to actually think they could surprise a company like fox in the final hr.
But the way he completely ignored anything Monster-related throughout the season ended up being the nails in the coffin, as far as him remaining there.
Pit Row
Kawasaki took a punt and offered RV the money, history shows they made the right call,
Playing the what if game is pretty silly, but James Stewart + Kawasaki were synonymous, and one of the most lethal combinations the sport ever saw.
This particular drama changed his path, through a series of bike and team combinations that only resulted in one more title. All because of fizzy drinks. Wild!
Saying the he hated it is ludicrous, considering he went 24-0 outdoors in 08' on the KX. Something that hasn't been repeated since, and may never be again.
Getting stuck with the experimental YZ 450 backwards motor thing really hurt his chances at more championships as that bike took several years to iron out its handling woes.
Not to mention, having Aldon as his trainer, being in the best shape of his career, and winning with him, to dropping Aldon, and doing it his way.
Also, his last year on Fox, he had Dungey (on a Suzuki 250f) who was on Answer gear, actually train with him down in Florida at Stewarts compound, the next year, Dungey was with Fox, Stewart was on Answer, and Dungey got Aldon as his trainer. The rest, is history!!!
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