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I've worked with many privateers throughout the years and Tommy Hahn certainly isn't a privateer. Looking at the results from SX, the money should have went to Justin Keeney. Even Jason Thomas should not be considered privateer in SX. He flies to the races, pits out of a semi, has a salary, gets free parts and bikes. That right there should disqualify you from the privateer bonus.
The first true true privateer and very deserving of the 25k the way he road this year is Justin Keeney.
The fact is that all those teams mentioned provide this for the riders.
1. Salary with bonuses.
2. Mechanic who gets a salary.
3. Flights, rental cars, and hotels.
4. Semi to pit out of.
5. Free bikes and parts.
6. Access to test tracks.
If a rider can check off 4 out of 6 of those he should be considered a privateer IMO.
A trip to the gncc's would humble most of these divas out real quick.
Pit Row
It could also be a way for teams to cut cost. They tell rider X that they will sign him for a little less money, but he has the opportunity to make it up in privateer money. It's almost a performance based contract.
P
Privateer Team? No
That doesn't seem correct.
Its good to see the rockstar team doing well though.
So suzuki doesn't supply the team with in house works parts, but they do cut them a check and give them bikes. Teams with "factory support", or "support from the factory" should no doubt be exempt from the Privateer award.
Tommy Hahn had a great SX season but c'mon a guy like Keeney would take that 25K and put it right back into his racing program I sure. Better equipment, attend more races like the nats, maybe a trainer or full-time mechanic. Whats Hahn going to do with it since all that is paid for by his team? A new car, watch, rims... give me a break AMA you guys blew it.
I say we start up a VitalMX true privateer award fund, and hand it out at the end of the nats.
If you're going to go by the definition above, they might as well figure out some other award to spend the money on.
We're talking about Supercross here, right? The guys who fit that description are few and far between, they may make a few night shows, but in the 450 class I'd be hard pressed to think of anyone who's not just doing that, but doing it with any regularity. Making mains? That's even more rare.
And as far as pitting out of a pickup truck? Riders might do that if they're racing in their local area, like GL did at Glen Helen. And I'm not trying to pick on James DeCotis (who definitely falls into privateer territory), but here's the "box van" that he was pitting out of at GH.
Now all that aside, I know that the Nationals are a different deal, and that's where you're more likely to find true privateers. But there's also no privateer awards like you guys are talking about.
There's a big difference between that and this Tour of Rockstar Energy Drink/Suzuki/Canidae big rig,, Big difference.. If you can watch that video and say privateer in the same sentence while keeping a straight face you're a better liar than I am.
Post a reply to: Must be nice to be a privateer these days!