Fill in the blanks on RC

WhKnuckle
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5/18/2013 7:13am Edited Date/Time 5/18/2013 12:00pm
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed his record. That is definitely a stunning record, but there are more factors - he not only won a huge number of races, but he dominated a sport for a decade; and it's a sport that attracts the most competitive, self-confident, driven athletes in the world.

Maybe we should try to fill in the blanks. To me, RCs most amazing statistic is the total number of races that he missed over that 10 year period due to injury or illness: Zero.

What's yours?
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kawasa84
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5/18/2013 7:16am
WhKnuckle wrote:
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed...
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed his record. That is definitely a stunning record, but there are more factors - he not only won a huge number of races, but he dominated a sport for a decade; and it's a sport that attracts the most competitive, self-confident, driven athletes in the world.

Maybe we should try to fill in the blanks. To me, RCs most amazing statistic is the total number of races that he missed over that 10 year period due to injury or illness: Zero.

What's yours?
Well he missed the 04 SX season to have his knee repaired. I believe it was the 04 season anyway.

But yes he did stay healthy compared to most riders.
WhKnuckle
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5/18/2013 7:19am
WhKnuckle wrote:
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed...
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed his record. That is definitely a stunning record, but there are more factors - he not only won a huge number of races, but he dominated a sport for a decade; and it's a sport that attracts the most competitive, self-confident, driven athletes in the world.

Maybe we should try to fill in the blanks. To me, RCs most amazing statistic is the total number of races that he missed over that 10 year period due to injury or illness: Zero.

What's yours?
kawasa84 wrote:
Well he missed the 04 SX season to have his knee repaired. I believe it was the 04 season anyway. But yes he did stay healthy...
Well he missed the 04 SX season to have his knee repaired. I believe it was the 04 season anyway.

But yes he did stay healthy compared to most riders.
But those weren't outdoor races, which is what RacerX was talking about. He did miss one moto in '06 at Glen Helen, but I think that was the only single moto he missed. I think that is near-miraculous.
Crush
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5/18/2013 7:20am
Personally, I think he didn't/doesn't get enough credit for his racecraft... People just talk about his fitness, but you watch him ride, his lines, little things he did to save time, if there were 2 ways to do something, 99.99% of the time he'd be doing it the best way, even if it only saved fuck all of a second...

There were times when he was racing Reedy/James, he'd be just doing some basic things or a line a fraction better and it was hard to watch because his execution was just so amazing and consistent...

Genie probably drilled that into him, but yeah, you never hear anyone talk about his racecraft/lines/precision. Just the big crazy moments or fitness etc.

The Shop

elsinore
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5/18/2013 7:47am
WhKnuckle wrote:
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed...
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed his record. That is definitely a stunning record, but there are more factors - he not only won a huge number of races, but he dominated a sport for a decade; and it's a sport that attracts the most competitive, self-confident, driven athletes in the world.

Maybe we should try to fill in the blanks. To me, RCs most amazing statistic is the total number of races that he missed over that 10 year period due to injury or illness: Zero.

What's yours?
kawasa84 wrote:
Well he missed the 04 SX season to have his knee repaired. I believe it was the 04 season anyway. But yes he did stay healthy...
Well he missed the 04 SX season to have his knee repaired. I believe it was the 04 season anyway.

But yes he did stay healthy compared to most riders.
The only other race I remember him missing was when he hurt his shoulder at Glen Helen, which caused him to miss the MXDN. That dude was simply a machine.....kinda reminds me of Kenny Roberts, but even more so. He was incredibly talented and fast, refused to lose, dominated a sport where the rider represents what; 90% of the equation, and would do anything to win. They should merge GOAT with BMF when describing RC.
dan.karp.5
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5/18/2013 7:59am
When I think of RC, I think about his intensity and how he believed in his gut that he was going to win, everytime. Simply amazing. RC earned #1 like Bob Hannah before him.
5/18/2013 8:07am
RC=Decade of dominance. 2007 says it all, six races and six OA's. Not bad for a guy setting sail into the sunset! GOAT!!!!
5/18/2013 8:12am
The things that Ricky did and was able to do that even James Stewart was unable to do is simply mind blowing. James is regarded by some as the fastest man on the planet. Yes, at one point there was no one faster. But what Ricky was able to do was raise his game even more and go even faster. Whether that be hitting a jump a little differently or nailing turns like the attached image. For me, he will always be the greatest motocross racer that ever lived.

ATKpilot99
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5/18/2013 8:12am
Simply put, his record speaks for itself.
chrisbuehler
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5/18/2013 8:13am
Woobie397 wrote:
RC=Decade of dominance. 2007 says it all, six races and six OA's. Not bad for a guy setting sail into the sunset! GOAT!!!!
On his way into the sunset or not, he was at the top of his game in 2007. Go watch the 6 races, he was flying. How many more years would he have kept winning? Would he still be winning today? Hard to say he wouldnt
JJ4
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5/18/2013 8:15am
Crush wrote:
Personally, I think he didn't/doesn't get enough credit for his racecraft... People just talk about his fitness, but you watch him ride, his lines, little things...
Personally, I think he didn't/doesn't get enough credit for his racecraft... People just talk about his fitness, but you watch him ride, his lines, little things he did to save time, if there were 2 ways to do something, 99.99% of the time he'd be doing it the best way, even if it only saved fuck all of a second...

There were times when he was racing Reedy/James, he'd be just doing some basic things or a line a fraction better and it was hard to watch because his execution was just so amazing and consistent...

Genie probably drilled that into him, but yeah, you never hear anyone talk about his racecraft/lines/precision. Just the big crazy moments or fitness etc.
Yes. I remember watching him go through the sand whoops at Glen Helen during practice on his first year on the Honda. He only did it one time, but there was a lap he came in super hot and sounded like a race boat in choppy water. It was like he turned those sand whoops into a big set of doubles and just pounded through that way. That Honda was screaming in between each landing! I couldn't believe it when I saw it. I could only assume he tried it just in case he found himself buried in the pack and needed a spot to make up time. I don't think I saw him do it again the rest of the day(didn't need to), but I also didn't see another rider try it that way either.
WhKnuckle
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5/18/2013 8:17am
dan.karp.5 wrote:
When I think of RC, I think about his intensity and how he believed in his gut that he was going to win, everytime. Simply amazing...
When I think of RC, I think about his intensity and how he believed in his gut that he was going to win, everytime. Simply amazing. RC earned #1 like Bob Hannah before him.
I remember '01 Budds Creek, RC crashed on the first lap of the second moto, picked up a visibly bent bike and started charging from last place. He passed people in places where there was no chance to pass, charged like a starving animal, and got up to Dowd in 5th with two laps to go, out braked him and muscled past going into a turn, and Davis Bailey said on the telecast, "He still thinks he can win the moto."
jtomasik
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5/18/2013 8:26am Edited Date/Time 5/18/2013 8:27am
I'll add that it seemed every season there was supposed to be the other guy who was going to take it to RC, because of specific 'weaknesses' everyone pointed out with RC. 'This' guy was more talented, 'that' guy was faster in the whoops, etc., etc., etc. And, every year, RC would show up, shift a gear higher, and proceed to hand out the losses. I was one of the critics, myself. It wasn't until the last 3 or 4 seasons that whenever I'd hear about the next guy, I'd just chuckle and dismiss it. And, RC remained consistent.

Nobody ever really 'beat' the guy. What else can you say? #1 is accurate.
5/18/2013 9:18am
Never took the smooth line when the rough line was faster ... Unless he was sitting on a big lead. Watching him and everts battle at the des nations everts looked so much smoother and more in control but rc ran him into the ground with his Honda shaking its head like a wet dog down every straight away .
5/18/2013 9:25am
cheapsmack wrote:
Never took the smooth line when the rough line was faster ... Unless he was sitting on a big lead. Watching him and everts battle at...
Never took the smooth line when the rough line was faster ... Unless he was sitting on a big lead. Watching him and everts battle at the des nations everts looked so much smoother and more in control but rc ran him into the ground with his Honda shaking its head like a wet dog down every straight away .




FGR01
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5/18/2013 9:39am
jtomasik wrote:
I'll add that it seemed every season there was supposed to be the other guy who was going to take it to RC, because of specific...
I'll add that it seemed every season there was supposed to be the other guy who was going to take it to RC, because of specific 'weaknesses' everyone pointed out with RC. 'This' guy was more talented, 'that' guy was faster in the whoops, etc., etc., etc. And, every year, RC would show up, shift a gear higher, and proceed to hand out the losses. I was one of the critics, myself. It wasn't until the last 3 or 4 seasons that whenever I'd hear about the next guy, I'd just chuckle and dismiss it. And, RC remained consistent.

Nobody ever really 'beat' the guy. What else can you say? #1 is accurate.
1996: "The kid will never make it in the Pros. He's too small. His speed on minis will never carry over to the big bikes." Hahahahaaa...LOL

1999: "OK, so he did OK on 125's. Never duplicate it on 250's. He's too small. He's a 125 specialist." hahaha fuggin LOL!

2001: "the kid sucks at Supercross. His style is only good for outdoors. He'll never beat McGrath." good one..

2004: "I dunno man, with everyone going to 450's I think RC's days are over. He'll never be able to ride the thumper like he rides the 2-strokes. He's too small and out of control." HAhahahahahha good shit....
NV825
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5/18/2013 9:43am
He lapped the entire field at Millville in the mud. That's just ridiculous. That just goes to show that no matter what the conditions/competition/anything that was thrown at him, he would rise to the occasion and win.
benstone
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5/18/2013 10:07am
I watched him at Spring Creek several times and the thing that stands out to me are his drive and his ability to read the track waaaaayyyyyyy ahead of where he is at the moment. He knows about his passes further ahead than any other rider I've seen (although RV is getting more like him in this regard).

His announcing reflects this too. He calls passes and pending issues 2 - 3 corners before Emig and 4 days before Ralph realizes that there is a race coming up.
5/18/2013 10:19am
dan.karp.5 wrote:
When I think of RC, I think about his intensity and how he believed in his gut that he was going to win, everytime. Simply amazing...
When I think of RC, I think about his intensity and how he believed in his gut that he was going to win, everytime. Simply amazing. RC earned #1 like Bob Hannah before him.
BAMFGOAT?
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5/18/2013 11:28am
Ricky always turned his throttle to 11
FLmxer
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5/18/2013 11:37am
The guy is pure Motocross with a capital M in every way. The guy just dominated what I believe to be the most demanding sport on the planet. He liked it hot and rough and thrived in those conditions. Some of the above comments gave me goosebumps remembering the beatings he would put on those tracks. I was at the track watching him grow from minis to retirement. He would come out to Gatorback during winter ams and just ride laps during the races on his factory Kawi and as an amateur having RC at his peak riding on the same track as you during your race was awesome. He was never mobbed at the Florida tracks here like others and could sit in the stands with out being bothered as well as James. I feel lucky to have witnessed his dominance and believe it made me train harder through my racing.
5/18/2013 11:54am Edited Date/Time 5/18/2013 11:59am
WhKnuckle wrote:
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed...
RacerX, as everyone expected, named RC as the #1 motocross racer in US history. But rather than explain why they had that opinion, they just listed his record. That is definitely a stunning record, but there are more factors - he not only won a huge number of races, but he dominated a sport for a decade; and it's a sport that attracts the most competitive, self-confident, driven athletes in the world.

Maybe we should try to fill in the blanks. To me, RCs most amazing statistic is the total number of races that he missed over that 10 year period due to injury or illness: Zero.

What's yours?
Yeah, RC was one bad dude.
jerryhk91
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5/18/2013 12:00pm
I do know this, They called James the fastest man on the planet, but outdoors when James had the lead once RC got around he usually pulled away.

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