What happened to Starling & Moranz?

Starling seems to be a fuzz on the toxic side

Starling was saying the money wasn't there for him on that program on his Social Post so started his own gig which seems backwards..... but whatever floats ya boat

Nothing happened between KMR and myself. Everything was fine. Financially, the deal did not make sense to me or my family, so I had to step away. 

Flights, hotels, mechanic’s pay (possible mechanics flights as well unless my mechanic agreed to be Lead Mechanic to the program), suspension build / components  / service, handle bars , ECU’s, grips, practice bike parts, was all on me to purchase. 

I was given my helmet to sell for financial gain, 4 logos on jersey, a few small logos on airbox, to sell to help fund my season.   

I was no longer going to be able to have a race day vlog, as that would be the team vlog via Kevin’s channel. 

I ultimately landed a sponsor for my helmet that would fun the entire year for me, for it to be rejected by KMR/CMG and left me searching for another sponsor. 

I was able to sell one jersey spot, but that money was not enough to be comfortable for the season. 

I then found another private sponsor to helmet with flights and hotels, only for that to fall through on Tuesday, which lead me to make the call to KMR/CMG and inform them that this was just not gonna financially make sense to do. I could have stuck it out and tried to make it all happen for me to only have to pull the plug 2-5 races in, or I could try to let them find another rider to take advantage of what they offer and go race a dirt bike. I chose to not take a risk. I have a family, a house, my wife & I’s vehicles, car insurance, health insurance, formula for our child, diapers etc and I will not risk my life to go out, make a main event and come home with a $300/400 profit (if I’m lucky) to provide for my family. Or if I don’t make the main, ultimately lose money on the weekend. 

KMR to me, was providing a race bike, practice bike, entry fee’s. Which is a great deal for someone who can afford to fly in and out and hotels etc! It just isn’t in my cards.

again, I respect what Moranz and CMG have built. I didn’t want to put them in a shitty position in the season if things were not working on my end financially and I have them as much of a heads up as possible. We had a call 4 weeks ago that was offering me an out due to financials but I had found the private sponsor during that time so I was in. When that fell through, I had no choice but to give up my spot. 


With all of that being said, it only made sense for me to leave and work on a smaller program, with my original rejected sponsor, and financially be in a better position to provide for my family, all while racing a motorcycle. 

Again, everything between KMR / CMG and myself was completely fine. We have been putting in the work here at the Lawrence compound, things were all looking great on the bike wise, my only reason of leaving was due to financials and being able to provide for my family. 

 

I am not starting my own gig, Motowhips who actually built all of KMR bikes and my bikes for the last 6-7 years, has started a program and I am working with him to ride there. We have bikes already, a rig etc and we are able to sell sponsorship that helps the program and what not to go race. Much smaller program than KMR, but I could race out of a Honda civic and my results on the track won’t change. 

Ouch. Again, things with KMR/CMG were fine. All was actually really really good. I just could not afford to race for them after a rejected sponsor, and the last resort to ride for them, fell through. I put my family and being able to provide for them first, over just trying to have a cool rig to pit out of and take the risk of losing money each weekend after flights hotels, mechanic, etc. 

I’d rather see someone who can afford all that, have a shot at riding the bike rather than put KMR is a shit spot because I financially can’t afford to risk coming home with maybe $300-400 if I finish in the 10-15 position in a main event. 

Well there you have it. Not the drama many wanted and a well thought out stand up response. (From a “toxic” rider 🤣)  Good luck this season Justin! 

Seems shitty a rider who qualifies for mains dealing with shit like this. If you are still on Justin, why didn't you do WSX, overseas races, Australia or things like that as well?

Thanks for clearing everything up!!! Gotta do what's best for yourself and family at end of the day and if it's going back to what you know bloody good on ya! 

$300/400 if you make the main - WTF 😳 

I would assume that’s net profit as I’m sure gross is a lot higher. Once he pays for hotels, flights, other expenses, then $300/400 profit for the weekend.

             Well thought out, and well presented response from Justin. I don’t believe anyone can argue with his “ family first” way of measuring value. Good Luck this season Justin !

I would have loved too, but after my disaster of a season in 2024, I didn’t deserve to take a spot there from anyone. I wanted to regroup, get off the Honda and back on the Austrian brand bike with my prior suspension company and rebuild. I feel I am in a much better place than I was in 2022/2023 and I am going to keep plugging away at the Lawrence compound. 

Ole Johnny Ringo is pretty quiet. 😛

Hope Moranz ships the products back to you Justin that I had supplied for you.

Oh I’m not allowed to have an opinion, noted. 

Justin; I had occasion to hang out and chat with your dear ol’ dad between gate-drops, a few times - this summer. As they say at Chic-Fil-A, “my pleasure”. Great dude.

Seems like a bad divorce 

What’s your opinion ? Where do you come up with “toxic” ? What warrants that statement ? 

This just paints the picture of how tough it is to race as a privateer. So many pieces of the puzzle have to fall into place, otherwise it just doesn't make financial sense. Tough decision to bail now, but if the money isn't there it isn't there. Beats using the "hope method" that everything will work out rather then standing back and making an honest assessment.

Good luck this season Justin and Kevin.

Thanks for sharing the details and transparency Justin. 

Coming away with $300-400 for a 10-to-15th place finish at the professional level? With a baby at home? Yeah dude, that risk-to-reward ratio is nonsensical.

Just to make it clear on what I mean by that..

That’s after flight / hotel, mechanic pay + his bonus, his travel, his hotel. 

The only bonus I had from anything KMR was I believe gear. That’s all I had heard, at least. 

Why were they blocking your sponsorship deals?

You sure can, but when it turns out to be completely wrong and targeting someone's character, maybe own it publicly since you put it out there publicly.

You know, maturity and all 😂

Not against a fast guy on Vital. 

Herding Mentality bro.  

It’s GoFundMe season, of course Starling is popping up. 

Maybe he’s basing his opinion off of more than just this instance? 

But hey….this is vital and as soon as a fast guy shows up and posts the tongues immediately come out for he ball licking so by all means carry on….

Not from me lol. Starling actually annoys me quite a bit when he's on Pulp, but I've never heard anything about him being toxic. 

Fair enough 🤣

What part annoys you? I ask just for future reference to try and be better.