Welcome to Gear Head Operations weekly observations! This is the most favorite Gear Head in the nation Ryan Roberts back at it again with hot takes from Supercross round 13 at East Rutherford New Jersey/New York!
This was the first 250 East versus West showdown for the series and was highly anticipated to see which coast is superior. When I was watching practice though it was billed entirely as Lawrence versus Lawrence race and no one else was barely even mentioned.
Another exciting moment in practice was when Eli Tomac, the points leader in the 450, had a some what freak accident when his hand blew off the bars and had a bad crash that he limped away from. He did not look good and there was about forty-five-minute period of time that the championship was in serious question and fans everywhere were hoping he was going to be able to make it to the line. It was such a freak crash on the first lap that no one saw coming. All the riders were going 60 precent throttle and Tomac just ate it completely unexpectedly. Since it was the first lap, Tomac had to come out in the second qualifying period to get a time in to make the night show, and that is when word was passed down that he would make the second qualifying session.
The race was building up to be an exciting show down and then mother nature unleashed fury on New Jersey York. The lightning delay lasted for a couple hours before the mains could start back up and when it did, everyone knew we were in for one heck of a mud race.
Let me say that I am not a fan of mud races. When I watch these races or any other sporting event, I want to see the best of the best compete in the best environment. I don't like watching mud races because it is as if luck has been introduced into the equation and replaced skill. There is definitely some skill to racing in the mud but it is like being the best flip cup player in the world. Sure it is a skill but does it really get you anywhere? The answer is obviously no. So when I watch a race on TV or in the stands I want to see the riders on the best possible track so I can see who is the most talented in the group, not who can survive the longest.
After all that is said though, congrats to Max Anstie for winning the 250 main and for the whole Fire Power Honda Team. That team has put a lot of money into our sport and it is good to see them finally get a victory and to be able to celebrate the fruits of their labor. The other downside to a mud race is people will write off the victory because it was in the mud. Max has been racing great all year and has been on the podium multiple times so he has the speed to win, and nothing should be taken away from him because of the conditions.
RJ Hampshire had me shaking my head though at the end when he went dive bombing into to Jett Lawrence in the final corner and took himself and Jett out. Jett was able to remount his bike and keep second whereas RJ lost several spots and cost himself points and money. I get what RJ was trying to do to move up into second, but with the conditions of the track and the fact that he survived that long, just take the third and be happy. One thing I realize is racers always want to finish as best as possible but sometimes taking a third instead of going for the possible second is the smartest thing to do.
The 450 class went out on a track that was a disaster after the 250's finished and Justin Barcia managed to keep it together for the win after he Bam Bam'ed Chase Sexton a couple times so congrats to the Gas Gas team also. Tomac pulled off a second after the scary practice crash to extend his points lead to eleven. I am not hitting the done button on this for Eli but I have the button on my desk and ready to hit it, but I hope I am wrong and it drags out for a little while longer!
