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8682
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4/1/2008
Location
Springfield, MO
US
Edited Date/Time
2/17/2020 8:50am
I'm not posting this to slam the JGR or the Gibbs family, but when they came on the scene they were so incredibly hyped, and expectations were so high...all the talk on Vital and abroad was how deep their pockets were, and how the NASCAR machine shop and group of design engineers could "make anything they wanted" so that the one-off factory parts that were unobtainable to the average teams were within the reach of JGR, and the ones that weren't, they could build themselves! It was looking to be a better-than-factory team!
But now, it seems that JGR has fallen to the level of being the team where factory riders go to retire, and fast guys seem to sign with and never attain what they could have if they'd been on "real" factory teams. They've never had a championship level rider...except for James Stewart, and that completely imploded into a bad situation both with Stewart and Yamaha. Heck, the only A-Tier rider they've been able to sign was Chad Reed...and even he never rode up to his reputation on the JGR Suzuki.
It's a sad affair, if you ask me. J-Bone has been with them seemingly forever...and you hardly ever see Coy Gibbs any more...and there is just a sense of desperation that covers them instead of one of excitement that used to be their attitude. What has happened? Has the money dried up so that they can't "buy" a hot, winning rider? Are their creative hands ties by the OEMs so that they can't build what they want, only being able to use what the OEM gives them, if anything at all?
I'm wondering how many more seasons JGR can hang on. I wish the absolute best for them, but I think their dreams of being a championship team have faded.
I truly hope I'm wrong...
Any thoughts?
But now, it seems that JGR has fallen to the level of being the team where factory riders go to retire, and fast guys seem to sign with and never attain what they could have if they'd been on "real" factory teams. They've never had a championship level rider...except for James Stewart, and that completely imploded into a bad situation both with Stewart and Yamaha. Heck, the only A-Tier rider they've been able to sign was Chad Reed...and even he never rode up to his reputation on the JGR Suzuki.
It's a sad affair, if you ask me. J-Bone has been with them seemingly forever...and you hardly ever see Coy Gibbs any more...and there is just a sense of desperation that covers them instead of one of excitement that used to be their attitude. What has happened? Has the money dried up so that they can't "buy" a hot, winning rider? Are their creative hands ties by the OEMs so that they can't build what they want, only being able to use what the OEM gives them, if anything at all?
I'm wondering how many more seasons JGR can hang on. I wish the absolute best for them, but I think their dreams of being a championship team have faded.
I truly hope I'm wrong...
Any thoughts?
Biggest issue facing JGR is getting good OEM support. They dragged Yamaha along when they weren't interested in running a factory program. Then when Yamaha decided to re-enter they basically said "we're good, we'll do our own thing" and JGR felt pretty slighted. So this is why they went to Suzuki, but that was already a sinking ship.
Best outcome for JGR is to become the GasGas team in the USA, or if KTM gave them the TLD program which certainly has been an underperformer.
The Shop
hopeful things turn around for JGR / Suzuki shortly as the pits need more teams not less
Same reason Martin has done pretty well against All the kids.
Peick ,Peters, Enzo all just had injuries while there but I’m expecting Jimmy D to pull a few good hole shots on East Coast and run well. Love the JGR presence in the Sport!
Ghost
Suzuki haven't won a championship since Carmichael, Kawi hasn't won since Villopoto and so on, Rider > Bike everyday of the week.
Last gasp? Suzuki?
MMm-kay.
Pit Row
With the depth of the pockets that the Gibbs' were supposed to have, they seem to have missed opportunities to hire championship caliber riders the old fashioned way...by throwing the most money at them. Talent can't be taught...but it can be bought.
Its seems like if you are running a non factory team, Honda and KTM are your best bets for factory assistance.
Also, not to bash anyone, but If I owned JGR I would have made a personnel change from J-Bone years ago, he has never had one successful season as manager- and remember, Stewart quit that team mid season to ride a Suzuki.
When they came out with the new frame, they changed the efi manufacturer.... the wheels are the same as the 2005.
Post a reply to: JGR...how things have changed.