steve fracy

I just knew the first response to this thread was going to say something about the 4RT! Sadly, I beleive that it really comes down to economics for today's importer's. A decision has to be made to either spend sponsorship bucks and hope for big sales to re-coup the investment, or help out selected rider's with discounts and let the bike pretty much sell itself. In today's market, who of any of us can say for sure. All I know is, we owe all the importer's a great deal for their continued support of the sport we ALL love, sometimes at their own expense! I wouldn't want to comment on Chris until we hear from Martin himself! I think also that this comment of Ishy's about the state of things in US nationals has to be re-examined. Entries in the Pro class have been slowly dwindling over the years. Not even enough rider's to make up a top 10 list. Oh and Ish, rather presumptious of you to think that you would finish ahead of me on my 240 Fantic!!!!! Cheers, Steve

Now I know the results of this weigh in are tainted!! Dom claims to have had some friends there!! Cheers, guys! Not a Mont fan at all, but just the same I am very curious and anxious to give one of the new 4RT's a go! Just hope that we as the consumer are left to have a choice and the FIM do not try and force an all 4RT situation on us! Ride on fellows! Steve

Sorry Billy, but I know it's you!!! On the off chance I am wrong, there is someone out there who know's far too much about me!! That is scary! They can remember stuff about me I've forgotten years ago! A stalker perhaps! You hit it on the head with your reasoning Ishy! I'd say there are possible 1 maybe 2 other people who know the info that M4rt knows, and they never come on here! Cheers, Steve

He calls Canada his home, but it is not the origin of his imbalance! I've heard of cases like this before when guys from Scotland were forced to give up their velcro mits at the border when entering this country! Bit like mad cow, sad really! Cheers

Hmm, some hints on your whereabouts are filtering through now! Only a Canadian or a few Americans would know what Tim Horton's is! Show yourself my chemically imbalanced friend!!! Surely you can see the merit in admitting what Nationality you are and where you plan on competing with all this vast amounts of sponsorship? Cheers

How much for the Pentax Ish? Sell the 300, it's a tank! I'm an old Fantic man from days gone by, and almost no one enjoyed riding the 300! Except r2w? The 200 is the way to go, unless you know someone with a mint 240! Cheers,Steve

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?