steve fracy

Sounds to me you are seeking sponsorship from the totally wrong meds! I believe Ridulin is who you are looking for! Perhaps some anti- depressant company could jump on board too!

Simple answer, spectators=$$$$$$$$$

Has anyone else seen this report? Does April fools day fall at a different time of year in Spain?? Looks to be a serious report though. Anyone heard anything? Cheers, Steve

Stu: I see you are a Beta man for sure! I have owned a total of 5 in my time and have ridden them more than any other brand. I never liked the Rev models since they have come out. Never felt right to me. I can see how you would notice a big diff between your 02 and even the 04. The 04 is the first one I ever rode that I liked. Had a quick ride on one at the beginning of the year and it felt good. Then, back a couple of weeks ago I got to ride one a bit more, (thanks to Outlaw Dave) in my backyard riding area when I was setting up my trial. Really, really like it! Like to try one of these 05's now! Cheers, Steve

Is that the voice of experience then Stuey?? Steve

Old Fart: Sorry to hear about your wife! I have had many friends who have lost there battle with cancer. It is a terrible disease. I put on two trials only every year! The first one is a two-day in March, 50% of the total entry fee is donated by the club to the Cancer Foundation. The last event I do every year is in my backyard and surrounding mountains, 100% of the entry fee is donated to the Cancer Foundation. It's a subject that is very near to my heart, and because of that, I wish your wife all the best and send you guys all the positive energy I have to win her fight! Cheers, Steve

So Ishy, is it possible do you think to get the US Nationals back to a place where there would be NO minders at all? Just man and machine against the sections! God, I am making myslelf sound old here! Back in the day when I was Canadian Champ and riding ALL the US Nationals as well, you were almost considered to be soft if you had someone catching your bike! Not saying there is anything wrong with having a catcher when looking at most of the sections the Pro's ride, I'd want a catcher or two and some hay-bayles too! But, I agree with you that it is conceivable to really challenge to top guys in Nat'ls without making the sections over the top, and make them ride alone! If the factories could find a way to see that more rider's and in turn more people would be buying bikes, maybe the rules would change back again!! Cheers, Steve

Huh? It's just like reading one of Wonderboy's posts Not sure if it's broken Italian or English> and just like Wonderboy's post, I sort of get the jist of it! cheers, Steve

Got to have my first view of the Duluth Round from 04 tonight! Wow! For my money, and in my opinion, the conditions in that event helped make it one of the best events I have watched on DVD in many recent years. One thing I have to say after watching it! I'm a re-newed Dougie Lampkin fan! That's right. For many years I've been calling for Raga to take the title, but, after carefully watching all the rider's in that event, there is NO ONE who can hold a candle to Doug. He is still by far the best rider in the world in those conditions. Fuji has gotten much better, no doubt. But, Doug is in a class by himself. It seemed only perhaps that Fuji wanted it a little bit more on the day than Doug! He did for sure have a bad string of luck! I also think that the first year AFTER you have won a title is the hardest out of all. For years you have been the one chasing the #1 rider. Now, all of a sudden, you are the #1 rider! It will be interesting to see how Fuji handles that! I believe that if Doug is healthy, and hungry again, he can take the title back! Another though came to mind when watching that event! There were only 16 riders entered. Granted, it would be a lot higher if it was held in Europe, but still way lower than in past years. I believe that in order to get more riders entering at the world and National level, we need to go back to the roots of the sport. Much like the way that the SSDT has seen a renewed popularity because of going back to no-stop, no nonsense, straight forward sections, how about going back to the days where it was actually a test of rider versus terrain! Not, rider and his 4 or 5 minders! How different would things be and sections be able to take more points with out having to be as difficult as they are today, if rider's were not allowed to have any minder's?? Just some food for thought! What do you think? Cheers, Steve

I believe that Tony Bou has had some impressive results this past year, and although Caby going has to be tough, I think Beta must also have a lot of faith in Bou. Good opportunity for him now also!

Thanks Ishy: Dennis has contacted me via email! Thanks for everyones help! Cheers, steve

I know that r2w and Stu Essenhigh were talking a while back about arai trials helmets. Where can a guy get one? cheers, Steve

Hey Aarron: I agree with Outlaw Dave about the old bikes being a lot of fun to ride! As much as I love riding my GG, I really enjoy my 240 Fantic a lot! I have been experimenting at our club trials with riding harder class sections on it! The next event I am going to try and ride Sportsman on it ( one below expert here), It really is challenging and harder, but the bike is very capable for sure! Good luck with your series! Cheers, Steve

Marky Boy: Maybe you'd be best to wait for the Scorpa 4t which sounds imminent( 250 or more)! It seems that Montesa and Sherco are doing even more than the regular teasing about delivery dates! It sure has created a demand, hopefully there won't be a supply problem! Steve

I've been following this thread from the beginning, and although there are some great ideas, I have seen the same discussion for my 30 odd years of being in this sport! I reckon that if somebody finally comes up with a winning formula, it will be the equivalent of someone in the medical world finally finding the cure for cancer! That being said, I believe that Ishy's teachings (rather Branch Dividian sounding) are going down the right track! Cheers, Steve

Now boys, as much as I would love to sit and continue slagging both of you favorite teams, we must get back to the task at hand, slagging Ringo! We should continue this thread on a different topic board. I know one thing that all of us can agree on though. Canada is and always has been the best in the world in OUR game!!! Now that Gretzky has taken over the National program, we will not lose either! Go Canada Go! Cheers,Steve

Slapshot3: How did you get to be such a big hockey fan??? Although you seem to have limited knowledge( Leafs fan) it does seems to be current enough! Stonehaven eh? YOu should meet up with IanJ and suss things out trials wise, or have you already met? I feel for both you and JTT. Not sure what is more pathetic, a Habs fan who is in denial, or a Leafs fan who still believes? Cheers, Steve

Hey all you wanna be hockey fans! R2w, nice shot there! The boys puttin the foil on! Every game! Old time hockey, Eddie Shore! Hey Slapshot3, if I were you I wouldn't tell too many people you are a Leafs fan! Might not mean anything where you live, but over here in god's country it might get you beat up! Rumors of playing for "the other team" if you know what I mean. Get some heart and common sense and start following a REAL team. Vancouver Canucks! The name says it all! Ringo, my fine dingle-balled friend . Hearing you comment on the second best sport in the world, is almost as comical as hearing you talk about your FATT bike. Hey wait a minute, dingle, and balls! Hmmmm! Now I do know why we constantly beat any team from the state of CA. You guys are doing most of your scouting at Chip N Dales shows! You yourself aren't some sort of undercover scout working your way through the minor leagues are you?? That would explain why we haven't heard from you in so long! PS. When doing your talent scouting, ensure that you bring the proper credentials with you, and don't try sneaking in as press or something! You just might get the boot! So long for now old buddy! Cheers, Steve

Is it Don Sweet?

JTT: Superb new avatar!!!!!!!!!! Are you missing hockey as much as me? Steve

Atta boy Charlie, I'm not far behind you on both accounts!

Good for you Charlie!! I recently found an old pair of Hyper Products fork guards that I used to use on my Beta TR33. (If you remember Hyper Products, then Iknow you are old too) I was staying at the Team Beta USA Headquarters one year while riding Nat'ls and doing some Neta events. I must have been bored or something, spent hours with a dremel carving little Maple Leafs as vent holes in the disc cover side! Still looks cool! Ah, to have that much time on my hands again.................. Cheers, Steve

To 5again: Yes I have ridden both a current 280 and a 300 with the Raga ignition settings! Very different from my bike and especially the engine! I guess for ME, I still prefer the 02 engine. Like I said in my earlier post, I beleive it is really a Pro motor! There is no doubt that the current models are more rider friendly which indeed will help sell more bikes to a broader variety of people! Heath, if you do the footpeg mod I told you about, you will notice a huge difference, especially if you are a taller rider! Cheers, Steve

Ahaaa! thanks Martin for confirming my suspicions about where it was!! No mistaking that type of terrain! Cheers, Steve PS. Martin, you should have some great pics from years gone by for us to guess at!

That pic looksl like it was taken close to home for me, it must be in Canada!