Bernard Kerr: World Cup DH racer wants to race SX

1/2/2020 6:00pm
OffRoadBro wrote:
I will start off saying I’m not bothered by Kerr having a crack at this, I do fully understand why there would be plenty of people...
I will start off saying I’m not bothered by Kerr having a crack at this, I do fully understand why there would be plenty of people pissed off if they have fast kids and or, mates that are bound by he SX futures program that there is no getting around by the sounds. Or is there?

Going off what I can sort of work out, if these super fast Amateurs entered a Pro SX race in Canada, or one of the off season SX races as a Pro, would that be their loop hole? And yes I totally understand the cost of such an exercise but I’m purely just asking the question?

Anyway, rules are rules so I hope he gets out there in C practice and has a good safe ride.
They would have to compete under that countries federations licence and provide the insurance to go fim spec (with reparation cover). It would be a bit of a hassle but technically possible
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APLMAN99
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1/2/2020 6:02pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:
It's one thing to do the obstacles at a practice track while in your comfort zone and something entirely different when you have other riders going...
It's one thing to do the obstacles at a practice track while in your comfort zone and something entirely different when you have other riders going through the same sections as you at race speed and inches away from you.

Race experience counts for something.
You are correct. It counts for something. However, that something is different depending the situation. Timed practice? Not so much. Back of the pack heat race...
You are correct. It counts for something. However, that something is different depending the situation. Timed practice? Not so much. Back of the pack heat race? Not so much. It's not like he is showing up having never been on the track with other riders.

I think we are forgetting that our comfort zone/adaptability/instincts and a world class athlete's are much much different.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather be wrong supporting someone then be wrong dragging them down, especially on pure speculation.

d394 wrote:
He is 110% qualifying speed and ability. I've first hand witnessed much slower and less skilled riders qualify in the top 40 at many supercross events.
Qualifying speed? Really? Do you really believe that he can go to a SX track and within two 10 minute practice sessions he can be within 7 seconds of Webb, Cooper, Roczen, and company?

That's about what the last qualifier for the night show is.

He's showing some decent skills (but not even that sort of speed) on a track that he's been riding all day and has dozens of attempts at the obstacles, that's not even close to what he would be facing at Anaheim.

7 seconds separates 1st from 40th at the average SX event. No way he gets within that.

But he'll have some great content for his LSD videos and he's created a lot of buzz!!!!!!!
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visser62
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1/2/2020 6:31pm
Matthes tweeted that he didn't get his license.
bergie11
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1/2/2020 6:46pm
visser62 wrote:
Matthes tweeted that he didn't get his license.
Its true.

The Shop

DA498
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1/2/2020 6:51pm
13 pages, not bad. See ya next year
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slipdog
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1/2/2020 7:11pm
#LetKerrRide
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APLMAN99
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1/2/2020 7:14pm
I'm truly surprised that they let that out so early...……

Hopefully he is still trying to get someone to approve it from the stadium tomorrow, that'd make for some better drama.
-MAVERICK-
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1/2/2020 7:30pm
visser62 wrote:
Matthes tweeted that he didn't get his license.
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Bearuno
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1/2/2020 7:41pm
FWYT (and others), have pretty much got it:

"All the while, the Instagram analytics will be melting and they will have numbers to show sponsors."

In this day and age, so much is just about your social media presence / footprint.
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Bearuno
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1/2/2020 7:56pm
MillsHondaRider : "Supercross futures is Sunday... more appropriate. #BenCanRace (or are entries closed?)"

Well, that's a pretty good observation / question!

Will Kerr do the SX Futures race the next day? I daresay they change the track , but, if he's serious about this whole SX thing, you'd think he'd have a go at at least getting a ride / race in a Stadium. Unless that would preclude him from doing a fully fledged SX - I sure as hell don't know the rules on that - and he is still intent pushing this 'project' of his / his sponsors, further.
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FGR01
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1/2/2020 8:45pm
Does anyone remember when Team Kuwait showed up at the MXON in France and one guy had a box stock RMZ450 that he apparently picked up at a dealership on the way to the track and he was cruising around at half pace with his jersey on backwards?
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tcallahan707
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1/2/2020 11:03pm
brocster wrote:
Simply put Ronnie Ford played the system, had a pro liscense when there were no rules reallly to obtain one. Claim you are a pro, pay...
Simply put

Ronnie Ford played the system, had a pro liscense when there were no rules reallly to obtain one. Claim you are a pro, pay the fee and boom, liscense. He kept it current by paying for years on end.

Vicki Golden. Went through road to SX arena cross I believe.

Big difference with Kerr and I believe its where folks are being called haters on here is the fact that he is using a loophole, in language alone, to attempt to get a pro liscense on wanting to. Problem is there are kids that want to just as bad but are forced to follow the rules to get in.

I know several dudes that are professionals at something other than mx and given the time to practice sx, work with McGrath. And be on solid equipment they would blow this dudes doors off but they aren’t given the chance and, big AND, would be forced to follow the rules to get in.

Its a sticky situation that they are playing with as past precendece could come back to haunt them if they let him in.

However, if he somehow makes it, I’ll be watching and if that was the plan all along. Well played Kawasaki!!!
Lol, unless they are pro endurocross riders, I find it hard to believe they’d blow the doors off the guy who is one of the best DH riders.
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1/2/2020 11:55pm Edited Date/Time 1/3/2020 2:10am
Adam43 wrote:
Bernard Kerr is a great talent at what he does but he shouldn’t be allowed to compete. He has never even entered a motorcycle race of...
Bernard Kerr is a great talent at what he does but he shouldn’t be allowed to compete.

He has never even entered a motorcycle race of any type. A1 is not the place to start.
Fuck you, you noddy.

You were the first voice of dissent and look where its ended up.

All the people who think he shouldn't be able to compete can go eat a bag of dicks.

(P.S: Speaking of "loop holes" - stop sending AMA riders to compete for Puerto Rico at the MXdN - that actually impacts smaller countries and is highly offensive - unlike a good natured Brit trying to make the night show for lols)

EDIT: If Feld wanted to "grow the sport" what better way than some cross pollination ?? Instead they will probably just cosy up to Maxxis and steal another sponsor. Im so dusty about this.
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philG
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1/3/2020 1:06am
BroFoSho wrote:
He is not breaking a single rule. He is just exploiting a loophole in the system. What's wrong with that? Maybe the AMA should fix their...
He is not breaking a single rule. He is just exploiting a loophole in the system. What's wrong with that?

Maybe the AMA should fix their rule book so it doesn't allow this sort of thing.

scott_nz wrote:
He’s not signed up yet , so he’s exploited nothing , It seems he was expecting the acu just to give him an fim licence or...
He’s not signed up yet , so he’s exploited nothing , It seems he was expecting the acu just to give him an fim licence or ride permission. and I doubt they hand those out to world championship events for riders that have never competed in the national series ,
I know the girl that looks after this stuff, and i can tell you she knows what the rules are. He wont be doing it on ACU insurance. So unless the AMA give him a ticket, he's out.
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GODZILLA
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1/3/2020 1:25am
visser62 wrote:
Matthes tweeted that he didn't get his license.
#wotasurprise
Gordon Liddy
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1/3/2020 3:30am Edited Date/Time 1/3/2020 3:31am
I'm curious to know what @JT$ thinks about this situation. I always value his opinion.
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Robgvx
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1/3/2020 3:50am
FGR01 wrote:
Does anyone remember when Team Kuwait showed up at the MXON in France and one guy had a box stock RMZ450 that he apparently picked up...
Does anyone remember when Team Kuwait showed up at the MXON in France and one guy had a box stock RMZ450 that he apparently picked up at a dealership on the way to the track and he was cruising around at half pace with his jersey on backwards?
Nothing wrong with racing the MXdN on a bone-stock bike... 😆
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Tuna
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1/3/2020 4:37am
Adam43 wrote:
Bernard Kerr is a great talent at what he does but he shouldn’t be allowed to compete. He has never even entered a motorcycle race of...
Bernard Kerr is a great talent at what he does but he shouldn’t be allowed to compete.

He has never even entered a motorcycle race of any type. A1 is not the place to start.
motokiwi wrote:
Fuck you, you noddy. You were the first voice of dissent and look where its ended up. All the people who think he shouldn't be able...
Fuck you, you noddy.

You were the first voice of dissent and look where its ended up.

All the people who think he shouldn't be able to compete can go eat a bag of dicks.

(P.S: Speaking of "loop holes" - stop sending AMA riders to compete for Puerto Rico at the MXdN - that actually impacts smaller countries and is highly offensive - unlike a good natured Brit trying to make the night show for lols)

EDIT: If Feld wanted to "grow the sport" what better way than some cross pollination ?? Instead they will probably just cosy up to Maxxis and steal another sponsor. Im so dusty about this.
Maybe some anger management classes would be in order for you? You seem like a really nice guy😂
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shuggs
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1/3/2020 6:16am
If true some on here will be happy!!

Me, I would have liked to see how his speed compared on the track
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mb60
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1/3/2020 6:27am
FGR01 wrote:
Does anyone remember when Team Kuwait showed up at the MXON in France and one guy had a box stock RMZ450 that he apparently picked up...
Does anyone remember when Team Kuwait showed up at the MXON in France and one guy had a box stock RMZ450 that he apparently picked up at a dealership on the way to the track and he was cruising around at half pace with his jersey on backwards?
No but I saw guys at the Des Nations at Red Bud that were pretty bad.
scootch
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1/3/2020 6:31am
visser62 wrote:
Matthes tweeted that he didn't get his license.
-MAVERICK- wrote:
And the vitard cry babies rejoice

Bummer.. was stoked to see how he would go
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zippytech
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1/3/2020 6:35am
scootch wrote:
And the vitard cry babies rejoice

Bummer.. was stoked to see how he would go
Why? There is plenty of others that worked hard and got a license that are racing, I for one want to see them, not some goof looking for a free entry with out the work.
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Jeff_Brines
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1/3/2020 7:27am
I've seen a lot more MTB DH guys go pretty damn well at moto, and never....ever seen any top moto guys ride MTB DH well, most...
I've seen a lot more MTB DH guys go pretty damn well at moto, and never....ever seen any top moto guys ride MTB DH well, most look silly actually, something to be said for a throttle.
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough.

I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt ride a mountain bike, you'll see the same almost 6th sense level bike handling. He would be a formidable contender at the national level in Enduro if he chose to do so.

The issue with the top guys is by the time they hop on a mountain bike they are...

1) 100% dedicated to their moto training program (and risk tolerance)
2) They generally end up on a road bike with knobby tires (why do they all ride XC bikes?!)
3) They have next to nothing to gain by charging.

I am yet to see a mountain bike guy this side of Kerr do anything remotely amazing on a moto. Can you name any?

As a guy who transitioned myself, I can tell you I think its a lot easier to go to no throttle, no clutch, and a stupid easy to use transmission than it is to go from a 35 pound bike to a 230 pound bike that has a LOT more going on with a lot higher risk tolerance. Oddly my time on a mountain sled really helped the jump. Throttle is nice, but its also incredibly difficult to "just learn".

Either way, I really hope Kerr gets a crack. Such a talented dude!
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1/3/2020 7:39am
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough. I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt...
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough.

I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt ride a mountain bike, you'll see the same almost 6th sense level bike handling. He would be a formidable contender at the national level in Enduro if he chose to do so.

The issue with the top guys is by the time they hop on a mountain bike they are...

1) 100% dedicated to their moto training program (and risk tolerance)
2) They generally end up on a road bike with knobby tires (why do they all ride XC bikes?!)
3) They have next to nothing to gain by charging.

I am yet to see a mountain bike guy this side of Kerr do anything remotely amazing on a moto. Can you name any?

As a guy who transitioned myself, I can tell you I think its a lot easier to go to no throttle, no clutch, and a stupid easy to use transmission than it is to go from a 35 pound bike to a 230 pound bike that has a LOT more going on with a lot higher risk tolerance. Oddly my time on a mountain sled really helped the jump. Throttle is nice, but its also incredibly difficult to "just learn".

Either way, I really hope Kerr gets a crack. Such a talented dude!
Shaun Palmer....


while still crushing it on a snowboard, downhill mountain biking and owning a snowboard company.
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1/3/2020 7:44am Edited Date/Time 1/3/2020 7:46am
Shaun Palmer....


while still crushing it on a snowboard, downhill mountain biking and owning a snowboard company.
Shaun Palmer had years of actual motocross racing experience before he turned pro. He didn't just decide one day to become a professional motocross racer for shits and giggles.

"Doing something amazing" on a motorcycle is not at all the same as being an experienced racer, but this is the 30 second Instagram world we live in now.

If Bernard Kerr wants to do something amazing, he should try to qualify for Loretta's or show up to Mammoth and race the pros.
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1/3/2020 7:44am
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough. I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt...
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough.

I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt ride a mountain bike, you'll see the same almost 6th sense level bike handling. He would be a formidable contender at the national level in Enduro if he chose to do so.

The issue with the top guys is by the time they hop on a mountain bike they are...

1) 100% dedicated to their moto training program (and risk tolerance)
2) They generally end up on a road bike with knobby tires (why do they all ride XC bikes?!)
3) They have next to nothing to gain by charging.

I am yet to see a mountain bike guy this side of Kerr do anything remotely amazing on a moto. Can you name any?

As a guy who transitioned myself, I can tell you I think its a lot easier to go to no throttle, no clutch, and a stupid easy to use transmission than it is to go from a 35 pound bike to a 230 pound bike that has a LOT more going on with a lot higher risk tolerance. Oddly my time on a mountain sled really helped the jump. Throttle is nice, but its also incredibly difficult to "just learn".

Either way, I really hope Kerr gets a crack. Such a talented dude!
I raced an Enduro MTB race in Arkansas last year with Russell Bobbit, that dude absolutely rips a mountain bike!
heyjohnp
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1/3/2020 7:52am
I've seen a lot more MTB DH guys go pretty damn well at moto, and never....ever seen any top moto guys ride MTB DH well, most...
I've seen a lot more MTB DH guys go pretty damn well at moto, and never....ever seen any top moto guys ride MTB DH well, most look silly actually, something to be said for a throttle.
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough. I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt...
Cough---Aaron Gwin--Cough.

I know Aaron was a nobody in the moto world, but his transition to DH was almost embarrassing. Go watch guys like Russel Bobbitt ride a mountain bike, you'll see the same almost 6th sense level bike handling. He would be a formidable contender at the national level in Enduro if he chose to do so.

The issue with the top guys is by the time they hop on a mountain bike they are...

1) 100% dedicated to their moto training program (and risk tolerance)
2) They generally end up on a road bike with knobby tires (why do they all ride XC bikes?!)
3) They have next to nothing to gain by charging.

I am yet to see a mountain bike guy this side of Kerr do anything remotely amazing on a moto. Can you name any?

As a guy who transitioned myself, I can tell you I think its a lot easier to go to no throttle, no clutch, and a stupid easy to use transmission than it is to go from a 35 pound bike to a 230 pound bike that has a LOT more going on with a lot higher risk tolerance. Oddly my time on a mountain sled really helped the jump. Throttle is nice, but its also incredibly difficult to "just learn".

Either way, I really hope Kerr gets a crack. Such a talented dude!
As you point out, Gwin wasn't well known in moto, but I think his success at MTB probably had more to do with his BMX background than his relatively brief moto experience.

I think a better example would be Doug Henry. He rocked up at Mount Snow in ~2002 when those NORBA races were basically World Cup fields, and did respectably. The best part was that he was wearing hiking boots and running toe clips. Hahaha
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1/3/2020 8:00am
Doug is not a normal human.
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Bermworm
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1/3/2020 12:43pm Edited Date/Time 1/3/2020 12:46pm
O show did pretty well at Mtb and McGrath's bmx skills seemed to transfer over to Sx pretty well.I always find these debates fun because while we all have our two cents to put in almost none of us (way less than 98%) have ever ridden a true Sx track let alone qualified for a night show.I have not either. P.S. I'm not talking about an outside "Sx style" track I mean the real Mckoy inside under the lights. If there are 10 members here with that in their resume I would be truly shocked O.K. make that 20. For the record I wanted him to succeed and was glad that he at least tried whatever the reason.

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