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1995
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12/18/2013
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Wales
GB
Forgetting to strap your helmet – Jake Canada, Phoenix SX 2013
It was Jake Canada’s unfortunate circumstance to show up at the line for the main event in Phoenix without his mandatory “Hat’s Off” device, an apparatus that riders use to allow their helmet to be easily removed by medics in the event of a crash. Jake’s team scrambled to install it, which they did with literally seconds to spare. In his haste, however, Jake forgot one key move: he did not strap his helmet. The AMA quickly noticed, and he was black-flagged.
Boarding the wrong plane to the race – Jeremy McGrath, Millville 1996
The undisputed King of Supercross has even made his fair share of mistakes; Jeremy was on his way to the Spring Creek National in Millville when he boarded what he though was a flight to Rochester, MN. Instead, his plane landed in, much to his dismay, Rochester, NY. Jeremy still made it to Spring Creek in time for the race, but there was definitely a team manager looking for answers on that one.
Crashing on the parade lap – Jason Anderson & Ryan Sipes, SLC SX 2012
It doesn’t get much more embarrassing than crashing on the parade lap, but that was exactly how the Salt Lake City supercross started out for Jason Anderson and Ryan Sipes. Anderson, in the midst of a practice start, was not aware of Sipes cruising and scoping out the track. The two collided in a heap, and Sipes was visibly feeling the effects of it. Both riders were able to ride, and Anderson actually finished on the podium, his first ever. Maybe there’s something to this crashing business…
https://youtu.be/IMV438lScw0
Mistakenly thinking a rider was a lapper and letting him pass – Dean Wilson, Freestone 2010
Dean Wilson, in his rookie season, was leading the Freestone National in 2010 and looking to take his first professional win ever when his teammate Tyla Rattray came up behind him. Dean was under the impression that he had a huge lead, so naturally he let Tyla go around, assuming he was a lapper and wanting to allow him to salvage as many points as possible. Unfortunately, Tyla was not a lapper, and Dean handed away the win right there. And to salt that open wound, Broc Tickle passed Dean just feet before the finish line, putting him back to 3rd.
Pre-mature celebration to crash – Grant Langston, Houston 2001
Grant Langston was well on his way to his first win ever in the US at round 6 of the 125 West SX series. He was understandably excited, and decided to throw a huge fist pump to the crowd over the triple on the last lap, elated at the thought of finally winning a supercross. On the following jump, unfortunately, Grant dipped the front end and cartwheeled over the bars, effectively ending his early celebration career for good.
What else you guys got?
It was Jake Canada’s unfortunate circumstance to show up at the line for the main event in Phoenix without his mandatory “Hat’s Off” device, an apparatus that riders use to allow their helmet to be easily removed by medics in the event of a crash. Jake’s team scrambled to install it, which they did with literally seconds to spare. In his haste, however, Jake forgot one key move: he did not strap his helmet. The AMA quickly noticed, and he was black-flagged.
Boarding the wrong plane to the race – Jeremy McGrath, Millville 1996
The undisputed King of Supercross has even made his fair share of mistakes; Jeremy was on his way to the Spring Creek National in Millville when he boarded what he though was a flight to Rochester, MN. Instead, his plane landed in, much to his dismay, Rochester, NY. Jeremy still made it to Spring Creek in time for the race, but there was definitely a team manager looking for answers on that one.
Crashing on the parade lap – Jason Anderson & Ryan Sipes, SLC SX 2012
It doesn’t get much more embarrassing than crashing on the parade lap, but that was exactly how the Salt Lake City supercross started out for Jason Anderson and Ryan Sipes. Anderson, in the midst of a practice start, was not aware of Sipes cruising and scoping out the track. The two collided in a heap, and Sipes was visibly feeling the effects of it. Both riders were able to ride, and Anderson actually finished on the podium, his first ever. Maybe there’s something to this crashing business…
https://youtu.be/IMV438lScw0
Mistakenly thinking a rider was a lapper and letting him pass – Dean Wilson, Freestone 2010
Dean Wilson, in his rookie season, was leading the Freestone National in 2010 and looking to take his first professional win ever when his teammate Tyla Rattray came up behind him. Dean was under the impression that he had a huge lead, so naturally he let Tyla go around, assuming he was a lapper and wanting to allow him to salvage as many points as possible. Unfortunately, Tyla was not a lapper, and Dean handed away the win right there. And to salt that open wound, Broc Tickle passed Dean just feet before the finish line, putting him back to 3rd.
Pre-mature celebration to crash – Grant Langston, Houston 2001
Grant Langston was well on his way to his first win ever in the US at round 6 of the 125 West SX series. He was understandably excited, and decided to throw a huge fist pump to the crowd over the triple on the last lap, elated at the thought of finally winning a supercross. On the following jump, unfortunately, Grant dipped the front end and cartwheeled over the bars, effectively ending his early celebration career for good.
What else you guys got?
Got everything ready for saturday riding on friday evening. Filter all oiled and just soaking overnight, so that you can put it on in the morning and go riding. Then you wake up and go to the track, only to find an empty airbox. Yes, that damn filter and filter cage is still in the garage. An hour drive back home, and another hour to get back to the track...
Hey, at least you didn't ride without it!
The Shop
Any way we drive an hour and a half to Broome Tioga and the lock is still on the sprocket and we didn't have a key!
Thankfully there were always a ton of vendors at the track back then and we found a rear sprocket. Could have been a bad ride home haha...
A buddy of mine got bumped up to the novice class and was so nervous for his first moto that he put on all his gear, including goggles, except for his boots. He was walking out to the starting gate in tennis shoes!
Part 2 - I forgot to bring my daughter's boots to the desert for a riding weekend. I had spent her whole riding career telling her that boots and helmet were mandatory and now I had screwed it up for her. Thankfully a buddy had an extra pair in (close to) her size.
7) don’t sleep with the manager of your teams wife....
I have two to add:
1. ALWAYS take a slow sight lap on a track first! Even if you know the track. You never know if something has changed. I had a buddy always do this and had multiple first lap crashes with a concussion, separated shoulder...not smart. In fact I tore an ACL doing this on my very own track, dumb!
2. When you say you are done riding for the day, you are done. NEVER say one more moto or one more lap. I think the moto gods will pull you down if you do this. I saw a guy once say he was done and turned off his gas. Then he said one more moto, forgot to turn the gas on and half way around the track his bike coughed on a double and he broke his femur.
Pit Row
Hammer 663s
Lucky he stands a lot naturally.
Didn't kdub think he was on the last lap at a national and relinquish the lead?
I was a moron and tore my ACL at my own sand track trying to ride like a hero the first lap showing a buddy the fast way around. It’s fixed pretty good but has affected me ever since.
Ya, -1/10, would not recommend as a funny joke. . .
Well, we swapped bikes and I forgot to tell my buddy to turn the gas back on. I got back on my CR250 and my buddy got on the KX and we headed back down. Soon thereafter, he and the bike came to a halt. Tried to restart and it was making some clanking noises. Crank went bye bye! The good news, I put it in neutral and was able to coast it down the hill. Bad news, brought my Dad's bike back broken. He decided not to fix and ended up getting an '83 CR480 that I still have today.
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