worst factory rider ever

Cygnus
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Cygnus 9/16/2009 2:45pm
9/16/2009 2:45pm
Ok, so it was multiple incidences. Doesn't change how I perceive Langston.
Regis
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Regis 9/16/2009 2:56pm
9/16/2009 2:56pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:12am
hartebreak wrote:
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the...
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the worst rider to score a factory ride? Seems like KTM had a few that didnt amount to much when they first started fielding a team. Andy Harrington comes to mind. Donovan Mitchell never got a chance due to his injury. I remember some people talking about how Suzuki was crazy for bringing relitively unkown Ryan Dungey on. Looks like he proved some wrong. What you guys got for factory duds?
I am honored to even be mentioned, and you won't get much argument out of me!

BUT, at least, let's get some facts straight..... I did have shoulder surgery just before the season and rushed back to try to race SX to only have my should completely rip apart in the first day qualifier at Pontiac and have to have another surgery. I came back and in a stupid decision actually chose the Southwick national to be my first race.

I only raced 8 nationals that year, didn't quilify for a couple and yeah.... I sucked big time! I hovered right around 25th every moto and had no business being out there. I thought I could race my way back into shape, my clock was ticking and the year was a waste. Maybe if I was healthy I would have done better, maybe I wouldn't be mentioned as one of "the worst".

1 point at Unadilla... YEAH BABY! I got on the board! That was the first year of KTM, with the semi and stuff, it was a "factory" ride with bitchen parts, suspension and I did get a check from KTM directly but that year I wouldn;t compare it to the next year or when Brooks was manager. They really stepped up their game from 2000 to 2001
X RACER
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X RACER 9/16/2009 2:59pm
9/16/2009 2:59pm
Scott Sheak, very cool and fast guy but couldnt stay off the ground enough to really make it big. anybody know what he does these days?
croom mx
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croom mx 9/16/2009 3:03pm
9/16/2009 3:03pm
OW38B wrote:
Larry Wosick was told to stay home for Kawi.
Why they say stay home?

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JW381
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JW381 9/16/2009 3:03pm
9/16/2009 3:03pm
hartebreak wrote:
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the...
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the worst rider to score a factory ride? Seems like KTM had a few that didnt amount to much when they first started fielding a team. Andy Harrington comes to mind. Donovan Mitchell never got a chance due to his injury. I remember some people talking about how Suzuki was crazy for bringing relitively unkown Ryan Dungey on. Looks like he proved some wrong. What you guys got for factory duds?
Regis wrote:
I am honored to even be mentioned, and you won't get much argument out of me! BUT, at least, let's get some facts straight..... I did...
I am honored to even be mentioned, and you won't get much argument out of me!

BUT, at least, let's get some facts straight..... I did have shoulder surgery just before the season and rushed back to try to race SX to only have my should completely rip apart in the first day qualifier at Pontiac and have to have another surgery. I came back and in a stupid decision actually chose the Southwick national to be my first race.

I only raced 8 nationals that year, didn't quilify for a couple and yeah.... I sucked big time! I hovered right around 25th every moto and had no business being out there. I thought I could race my way back into shape, my clock was ticking and the year was a waste. Maybe if I was healthy I would have done better, maybe I wouldn't be mentioned as one of "the worst".

1 point at Unadilla... YEAH BABY! I got on the board! That was the first year of KTM, with the semi and stuff, it was a "factory" ride with bitchen parts, suspension and I did get a check from KTM directly but that year I wouldn;t compare it to the next year or when Brooks was manager. They really stepped up their game from 2000 to 2001
Don't be so hard on yourself. Better to to be a "has been" than a "never was."
Regis
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Regis 9/16/2009 3:09pm
9/16/2009 3:09pm
I'm cool with it, I went through some real crappy depression from it but the truth is in the results! I had my chance and it just wasn't in the cards. Now I just tell everyone here how it is! LOL.

I do know this, I gave it my all and was nearly in tears every time I came off the track with the pain I was going through (that and sucking wind from being out of "race shape")

Funny story- At Southwick in the last moto I was soooo tired and my kidneys were getting sooo beat up from how rough it was that i had to pee. Coming out of the back section and down a long straight I just let it go in my pants. Problem was the next turn came up too fast and I had to stand and stopped mid-pee. For about a week after that I felt like I had to pee and couldn;t it was the worst feeling ever!
Regis
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Regis 9/16/2009 3:12pm
9/16/2009 3:12pm
Oh yeah, Matthes and I were destined for glory that year, initially teamed up before the season started. I ruined my only shot to work with a future "big cheese" of the industry.



HEHE Smile
Alex
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Alex 9/16/2009 3:17pm
9/16/2009 3:17pm
Martin Honda signing Mills was pretty tragic. His personal manager deserved a medal for scoring him that ride. Not sure if thats considered factory but still probably the fanciest team in The GP paddock choosing a guy that was 6 or 7 seconds a lap off the pace
The Rock
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The Rock 9/16/2009 3:17pm
9/16/2009 3:17pm
peelout719 wrote:
no offense intended towards these riders but bobby bonds never made his PC ride work out. and tommy hahn part of the factory honda squad was...
no offense intended towards these riders but bobby bonds never made his PC ride work out.

and tommy hahn part of the factory honda squad was really lack luster. although as we've seen lately, maybe a non-factory ride is better for some guys. less pressure?
Bobby Bonds MX career was not helped by being taken out at speed at Hangtown.

I wasn't there so will let others who were describe this incident in more detail.
Regis
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Regis 9/16/2009 3:25pm
9/16/2009 3:25pm
hartebreak wrote:
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the...
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the worst rider to score a factory ride? Seems like KTM had a few that didnt amount to much when they first started fielding a team. Andy Harrington comes to mind. Donovan Mitchell never got a chance due to his injury. I remember some people talking about how Suzuki was crazy for bringing relitively unkown Ryan Dungey on. Looks like he proved some wrong. What you guys got for factory duds?
BTW- Donovan Mitchell was absolutely, flying before he got hurt. He would have definetely made a name for himself with results that year. Tragic what happened.
BornA'Lil2Slow 9/16/2009 3:30pm
9/16/2009 3:30pm
I have to hear about this.... got PAID to stay home by Kawi? details! I'm curious as hell!


Bess, clear winner imo. He came in, was the future, did nada, disappeared pretty much.

Alex
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Alex 9/16/2009 3:37pm
9/16/2009 3:37pm
I think Colin Mcraes brother Alistair got paid a couple million to sit on the couch one year by mitsubishi. They had to cut back on the no. of cars taken to the races but already had the driver signed. they lost the money to him but obviously saved fortunes on not having to run that car all year.
overdrive09
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overdrive09 9/16/2009 3:46pm
9/16/2009 3:46pm
Regis wrote:
I'm cool with it, I went through some real crappy depression from it but the truth is in the results! I had my chance and it...
I'm cool with it, I went through some real crappy depression from it but the truth is in the results! I had my chance and it just wasn't in the cards. Now I just tell everyone here how it is! LOL.

I do know this, I gave it my all and was nearly in tears every time I came off the track with the pain I was going through (that and sucking wind from being out of "race shape")

Funny story- At Southwick in the last moto I was soooo tired and my kidneys were getting sooo beat up from how rough it was that i had to pee. Coming out of the back section and down a long straight I just let it go in my pants. Problem was the next turn came up too fast and I had to stand and stopped mid-pee. For about a week after that I felt like I had to pee and couldn;t it was the worst feeling ever!
TMI..........lol
newmann
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newmann 9/16/2009 3:46pm
9/16/2009 3:46pm
Regis wrote:
I'm cool with it, I went through some real crappy depression from it but the truth is in the results! I had my chance and it...
I'm cool with it, I went through some real crappy depression from it but the truth is in the results! I had my chance and it just wasn't in the cards. Now I just tell everyone here how it is! LOL.

I do know this, I gave it my all and was nearly in tears every time I came off the track with the pain I was going through (that and sucking wind from being out of "race shape")

Funny story- At Southwick in the last moto I was soooo tired and my kidneys were getting sooo beat up from how rough it was that i had to pee. Coming out of the back section and down a long straight I just let it go in my pants. Problem was the next turn came up too fast and I had to stand and stopped mid-pee. For about a week after that I felt like I had to pee and couldn;t it was the worst feeling ever!
Who else here though has their own action figures????? Got some "NOS" ones up in the attic still in the package! Never opened one to see if it smelled like pee though. Box wasn't stained.........LOL!
lostboy819 9/16/2009 3:47pm
9/16/2009 3:47pm
OW38B wrote:
Larry Wosick was told to stay home for Kawi.
croom mx wrote:
Why they say stay home?
If I remember correct Larry Wosick had a huge ego and treated everyone around him like crap. He didnt train and all he did was complain about the bikes and never had any good results so they just told him to stay home. I think there were some other issues but dont remember them, I can go back to my stack of mags and look it up.
lostboy819 9/16/2009 3:52pm
9/16/2009 3:52pm
Bonds was running Grant high wanting to run him off the track and brake checking him because he was so tired that Langston was going to pass him no matter what. When Grant did pass him he took out Bonds front wheel on a down hill causing Bonds to crash hard. Bonds started it and Grant finished it.
newmann
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newmann 9/16/2009 4:00pm
9/16/2009 4:00pm
OW38B wrote:
Larry Wosick was told to stay home for Kawi.
croom mx wrote:
Why they say stay home?
lostboy819 wrote:
If I remember correct Larry Wosick had a huge ego and treated everyone around him like crap. He didnt train and all he did was complain...
If I remember correct Larry Wosick had a huge ego and treated everyone around him like crap. He didnt train and all he did was complain about the bikes and never had any good results so they just told him to stay home. I think there were some other issues but dont remember them, I can go back to my stack of mags and look it up.
Or I could just ask Benolkin..........................
Matt Fisher 9/16/2009 4:02pm
9/16/2009 4:02pm
roguemx wrote:
In bonds' defense... The kawi hit neutral at the test track breakin his elbow and limiting to about 60% mobility to this day. it wont go...
In bonds' defense... The kawi hit neutral at the test track breakin his elbow and limiting to about 60% mobility to this day. it wont go 20 degrees within straight... the 2nd yr after earning rookie of the year danny smith landed on him breaking his back, neck, scapula,tearing his esophagus, crushing his voice box, left him eating through a tube in his stomach till a month and a half before nationals...
Good grief.

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roguemx
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roguemx 9/16/2009 4:25pm
9/16/2009 4:25pm
lostboy819 wrote:
Bonds was running Grant high wanting to run him off the track and brake checking him because he was so tired that Langston was going to...
Bonds was running Grant high wanting to run him off the track and brake checking him because he was so tired that Langston was going to pass him no matter what. When Grant did pass him he took out Bonds front wheel on a down hill causing Bonds to crash hard. Bonds started it and Grant finished it.
no need to take someone out in a 4th to 5th gear downhill section though... kinda brutal
lostboy819 9/16/2009 4:34pm
9/16/2009 4:34pm
Yeah it was brutal and I bet Bonds now wishes he didnt mess with Langston because it ended Bonds MX career.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 9/16/2009 4:38pm
9/16/2009 4:38pm
I bet that woman rider at Glen Helen wishes she never messed with Langston too.
Crash82
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Crash82 9/16/2009 4:39pm
9/16/2009 4:39pm
I know he wasn't factory but the worst was that guy that would try to qualify and would get smoked in the D class. Don't know his name, but he hit a lot of races.
andymoto
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andymoto 9/16/2009 4:41pm
9/16/2009 4:41pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:12am
hartebreak wrote:
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the...
Have seen numerous topics about best rider never to get a ride, best rider never to go pro etc. Has there been a post about the worst rider to score a factory ride? Seems like KTM had a few that didnt amount to much when they first started fielding a team. Andy Harrington comes to mind. Donovan Mitchell never got a chance due to his injury. I remember some people talking about how Suzuki was crazy for bringing relitively unkown Ryan Dungey on. Looks like he proved some wrong. What you guys got for factory duds?
Regis wrote:
BTW- Donovan Mitchell was absolutely, flying before he got hurt. He would have definetely made a name for himself with results that year. Tragic what happened.
Donovan should've never been mentioned in the first place.

He had a great shot being a very good factory rider.

Brian Gray, Charlie Bogard.
Tiki
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Tiki 9/16/2009 4:55pm
9/16/2009 4:55pm
mr50racer
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mr50racer 9/16/2009 5:50pm
9/16/2009 5:50pm
I say bryan mcgavern or something like that ........Team DKNY/Husky........Team Yamaha the last couple of years kinda sucked....Injuries and lack of drive maybe............
UpTiTe 9/16/2009 6:20pm
9/16/2009 6:20pm
lostboy819 wrote:
Yeah it was brutal and I bet Bonds now wishes he didnt mess with Langston because it ended Bonds MX career.
That injury didnt ruin Bonds career, bad comany did.
j100
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j100 9/16/2009 6:25pm
9/16/2009 6:25pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:12am
shane bess, greg rand & charley bogard.

all 3 were amazing amateurs, but never made the transition.

that said, still better than 99% of the rest of the world so....
j100
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j100 9/16/2009 6:27pm
9/16/2009 6:27pm
mr50racer wrote:
I say bryan mcgavern or something like that ........Team DKNY/Husky........Team Yamaha the last couple of years kinda sucked....Injuries and lack of drive maybe............
i remember racing him and Danny Carlson when they were on factory Honda 80's.
mx317
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mx317 9/16/2009 6:43pm
9/16/2009 6:43pm
roguemx wrote:
coon... isnt he from new york?
OW38B wrote:
Well ya got that much. rode for big Team for a year.
Yep, Team Honda
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andymoto 9/16/2009 6:50pm
9/16/2009 6:50pm
UpTiTe wrote:
That injury didnt ruin Bonds career, bad comany did.
Bad company ruined lots of potential top level racers.

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