| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
James Ellison, Late of the Tech 3 Yamaha team and given his marching orders at the end of this season, has been signed up by the new Corona Honda Superbike team to race in the 2007 AMA Superbike series. Apparently the team will get HRC support with its Fireblade race bikes. Chaz Davies, who finished a sensational 5th in his Supersport debut at Mid Ohio, is also considering offers from both Yamaha and Kawasaki to race in AMA supersport/FX nect year. Would the last Brit to leave the country please turn out the lights  | ||
| Slaughter |
Heck Matt, You sent the others to Australia first, then some dozen generations later, they all came here to take over AMA racing (OK, well there's this one Texan kid) - and now you're sending them directly over here? (insert smiley here so everybody knows I'm kidding) | ||
| Jimidan |
It isn't a dishonor to be a "reject" from MotoGP. I guess James has been talking to Neil and found out how good the AMA series really is...and he wants to be part of it. Can you blame him? I will personally welcome Sir James to the United States when I meet him. (Message edited by jimidan on November 01, 2006) (Message edited by jimidan on November 01, 2006) | ||
| Trojan |
Funniest thing I have heard for ages is this: James Toseland was offered the D'Antin Ducati ride for next year aboard the new 800cc Desmo, but decided to seek advice from 'experienced' friends in the paddock. Both the people he spoke to told him to steer well clear of D'Antin as they are a bunch of no good cowboys who are incapable of running a decent MotoGP campaign. These fair weather friends were Alex Barros and Neil Hodgson (One has already signed for D'Antin and the other looks increasingly likely to sign for them a second time!) Who needs enemies with friends like those  (Message edited by trojan on November 01, 2006) | ||
| Blake |
Cowboys rock. | ||
| Blake |
My friend Michael Sanchez did some riding for the Corona team last year. I hope James Ellison can do better for them. Any word on what Neil will be doing next year? | ||
| Trojan |
Any word on what Neil will be doing next year? Latest strong rumour is that he will re-sign for D'Antin or ride for Carl Fogarty's team (whatever that ends up to be). Both are things that Neil categorically stated he would not do so long as he had a hole in his a*se, so I can see a U turn approaching  | ||
| Rocketman |
I guess James has been talking to Neil and found out how good the AMA MONEY really is...and he wants to be part of it. Can you blame him? That and his wanting to change nationality, get a US passport and head back to Moto GP unrecognised. Rocket | ||
| Jimidan |
Funny, but out of all of the superlatives that Neil has laid on racing in AMA Superbike and living in America, I don't think I ever read or heard him say anything about money. Sure, he had his minor constructive criticisms of the way AMA sometimes operated, but as Neil expressed it, "living and riding in the States has been a really nice life, and I am definitely disappointed to be leaving." He continued, "Racing in the States is at a very high level--I think the riders are extremely talented and extremely fast...", and, "I'd be 100-percent willing to come back to the U.S. to race in the future--it's already in the back of my mind." You can try and play it off that he was here only for the money, but I think I will take Neil's word for it instead. I think I can speak for all American fans in saying that the guy is a class act and he's welcome back anytime! jimidan | ||
| Rocketman |
Fact is, Hodgson thought he could cut it in Moto GP on a satellite run Ducati in 2004 after winning the WSB title in 2003. After a predicted poor showing in Moto GP 2004 where else on the grid could he expect to go. Let alone his criticism of the D'Antin team he was riding for, and he'd turned his back on WSB by not defending his title from 03, so why would WSB want him back either. More so given the available talent pool. Then he lorded himself up claiming he wanted to be the first to win BSB, WSB and AMA Superbike championships. Something never done by anyone previously. He was gonna do it on an AMA spec Ducati? Puleeez. Ducati saw an opportunity to up their US profile. They knew they'd never win the series though, as I'm sure Hodgson must have done too. On a Superbike he's great. But the man's not done his international career any favours. When that became blindingly obvious, as it was for most everyone else watching, he had but one place left to go. America. The incentive? Didn't need one. The booby prize would have to do. Living the American scene, and the money. I'll be amazed if D'Antin take him back in Moto GP. I'll eat my slippers if he does any good. Superbikes yes. GP no chance. Rocket | ||
| Trojan |
Funny, but out of all of the superlatives that Neil has laid on racing in AMA Superbike and living in America, I don't think I ever read or heard him say anything about money. Thye obviously don't print the interviews he gives to the international press in the 'States then. He was quoted earlier this year saying that, other than the top 10 front runners, the riding standard in the AMA Superbike championship was appalling and more akin to club race level. He also said that the AMA should 'weed out' some of the riders before they caused a major accident. He has probably burned hi US boats too now | ||
| Rocketman |
I was looking for that quote last night Matt, but couldn't find it. Of course, that is probably his most memorable quote regarding AMA racing, and one we are bound to remember the most this side of the pond. Rocket | ||
| Blake |
It's not so tough to lap the privateers when the races are a full one third longer in duration. | ||
| Jimidan |
My quotes all came from his full page column in Road Racer X magazine, entitled "100". BTW, that was not a quote you gave but rather a paraphrase...and I suspect that its purpose was more to obfuscate than to clarify Neil's position.  I think Neil is right about there being too many back-marker bikes in the AMA Superbike race, as they use the 112% rule for qualifying. The top 10 in World Superbike are obviously the only ones with a chance to be on the box as well, and there are plenty of back-markers too. How do they conduct qualifying in World Superbike to weed out some of the riders? jimidan | ||
| 12r |
WSB uses the 107 % rule. | ||
| Trojan |
I was paraphrasing Neil's interview but apart from maybe the odd word it is what he said. It certainly isn't taken out of context at all. I will dig out the article concerned if I find time and quote it word for word. I have no idea of the quality of racers in the US as I haven't raced there, so am not touting this is my personal opinion in any way. I have nothing against Neil Hodgson either, although my opinion of him is sinking all the time these days. If he stands up and says something to the press & public then he should have the courage to stick by his opinions or not say anything in the first place. He did say (and I quote as exactly as I can) 'I would rather eat my own faeces than ride for Carl Fogarty' a few weeks ago, but is now 'apparently' deep in discussion with him about running in Foggy's team next year. He said pretty much the same about D'Antin, and is talking to them too about next year. I hope other people have longer memories than he has | ||
| Blake |
Then the apparent next question is... "Does Neil like his feces deep fried or frozen on a stick?" | ||
| Davegess |
"Does Neil like his feces deep fried or frozen on a stick?" LMFAO | ||
| Jimidan |
"I would rather eat my own feces than ride for Carl Fogarty." Neil Hodgson, to Road Atlanta track announcer Richard Chambers. Road Racer X, Volume 4 No. 6 Hey, I don't see what all of the fuss is about...boys gotta eat, don't he?  He also has to feed his family. If he goes to work for Carl, then he should eat it like a man, fresh and unadulterated. You can't have any meat if you don't eat your pudding... jimidan | ||
| Jscott |
Neil could always stay in American and race the MV for Ferracci... http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Nov/061103x.ht m That is if Jordan picks up Yates. | ||
| Jimidan |
Very interesting... jimidan | ||
| Rocketman |
That is fantastic news. I've long since been waiting for MV's arrival in WSB. AMA will do for starters. Especially with Fast on board. I've always loved my MV's. When I was in my early teens my uncle had a business partner who rode a 750 America. Rare and worth a fortune even then. In 1996 I was at the Goodwood Festival and the featured marque was MV. That was an amazing event never mind the MV's!!! Rocket | ||
| Jscott |
James Ellison is official... http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Nov/061113b.ht m http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=27645 | ||
| Jscott |
Not quite an English GP reject, but from across the pond nontheless... http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID= 10221 "...on the recommendation of fellow Irishman Jeremy McWilliams." | ||
| Trojan |
Not quite an English GP reject, but from across the pond nontheless He is indeed English and is a GP reject, so fits the bll perfectly Chaz is super talented and will surprise a few of the established 'names' next year in Superpsort and FX if he gets the chance.  | ||
| Trojan |
From Chaz's web site http://www.chaz57.com/home.asp: I will be riding a Yamaha in both classes which, as I understand at the moment, will have basically all the factory parts on it, except for the electronics. Also, I’ll be using Dunlop tyres and they have promised to give good support which will count for a lot. The team are putting a lot of effort in and I think I can do a good job and hopefully repay them for their efforts. The team have been very good in understanding that MotoGP is my goal and have told me that if for some reason the riders that Ilmor are after don’t work out, for whatever reason, and there is a possibility for me to go there, then I am allowed to. But I think that there is a very slim chance of that happening. Also they have agreed that if somebody gets injured next year in BSB or MotoGP, SBK etc then I am free to take the stand-in rides that I see as being a good opportunity, as long as they don’t clash with any of the AMA rounds. I go testing for the first time in a couple of weeks at Daytona for the Dunlop tests but will be using the ‘06 bike. It will just be a test to get a general feel for the tyres and the track which will be important for the first race of the season, at Daytona, next March. The team is going to build me as good a Formula Xtreme bike as possible for the Daytona 200 as it means a lot in America to get a strong result there. It’s going to be a good experience and like I said I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously it’s not MotoGP but hopefully long-term it’s another route around. Most people usually associate America with big money which I can assure you is not the case. Yes I will be paid by the team for the first time ever but results are what I’m after. The contingency money from the factories in America is usually decent so if you have a good race, then you get paid well. I like it that way. So, I’m looking forward to my new challenge and hopefully I’ll get some good results and good recognition and some personal satisfaction for my efforts. It’s refreshing to know that the bike is going to be there or thereabouts with hardly anything to moan about. (I’ll probably be kicking myself for saying that this time next year and moaning about something!). I will be travelling mostly to and from the UK next year, but will probably stay out there now and again where the team are based in upstate New York. Thanks to Barry, Mark Hamilton and Mark Rozema from Team Celtic Racing for this opportunity in America and also thanks to everyone who has supported me the last few years in GPs. Also big thanks to the Eurosport boys, Toby, Julian and Randy for fighting my corner for these past years and to Dorna, for giving me the opportunity. | ||
| Jscott |
Trojan, do you know why Celtic Racing switched from Alstair Seeley to Chaz Davies? | ||
| Davegess |
What I saw was dispite some early good efforts he had two poor rounds at the end of the season so he got dumped. Tough business. | ||
| Norcal_blast |
I think Chad Davies will do just fine in AMA... maybe open a few eyes as far as relative depth of talent (Message edited by Norcal_Blast on November 27, 2006) | ||
| Trojan |
Trojan, do you know why Celtic Racing switched from Alstair Seeley to Chaz Davies? I have no definite information, but I would think that Chaz is a more attractive long term proposition because of his age and GP experience, which may be used as a bargaining chip to influence Yamaha to provide better equipment . I also suspect that Chaz will bring some personal sponsorship money with him. As I say, I have no definite info on this but just my thoughts. |
