Bubba is really fast..... But.............

truespode · Feb 4, 2003

Originally posted by Patman

EXACTLY the reason to up the expectaions of what is said and done! If SX/MX is to ever start to recieve the support of mainstream America it must either choose to project an image of being a professional sport or a side show but trying to be both will get it no place.

You mean they have to act as civilized and mature as those in Football and Basketball? I would say that Stewart acts with more composure and class than over half of the participants in any stick and ball sport.

Jordan was mentioned earlier too. He has transcended sports but don't forget the comments he has made about winning and the trash talk he has done in the game. It is part of the competition and it gives the journalists something to write about and without something to write about nothing goes mainstream.

The point is our sport will grow based on the sport. MC did a lot for bringing viewers to the sport and they came to watch him ride and win. Now we have more viewers and different personalities that make up mainstream America. For every fan that TP brings in with his good boy image Stewart brings in with his excitement and smile along with what he says on the podium. Then there are the devout religious who like Lusks faith and the Canadians who pull for Blair Morgan and... and... and...

If all of our riders were to behave the same our sport would not grow. It is now at a level where all different personalities can find someone to root for and pay to see. That is what being part of mainstream is... it is crossing cultural and social economic boundaries. Our sport of SX/MX is now in movies, commercials and Disney. Each of the personalities are portrayed now (the cocky Frenchman and the overeager shop owner in Motocrossed just for example).

I think it is great b/c the best thing that is happening is that I get to watch great riders race. The only reason I like the mainstream aspect of the sport is b/c it is recruiting athletes that in the past may have not tried our sport. Other than that I could care less who enjoys it other than myself :) I just want to ride and watch the best in the sport compete against each other. Even if there were only 100 total enthusiasts in this sport I'd still be doing the same thing.

Finally, the fact that people dislike Stewart and that others like him is the exact type of thing that will take the sport more into mainstream b/c it gives us the divisiveness in sport to talk about around the watercooler. Without a hero and without a villain there is not mainstream.

The participant is as important as the shelf (lame attempt at making reference to a funny ESPN commercial).

Ivan

Patman · Feb 4, 2003

So Ivan is that perspective shared by all your WWF pals? :moon:

The ball and stick sport reference is interesting because for the most part I find interviews with the majority of the players a waste of time "Grunt, ug, mumble, uh....". Generally these guys are not well spoken, do things in their life outside of the field that make people go "What a moron." and end up being replaced by the next great thing when the season is over. SX/MX is a motorsport and as such it will be compared to the likes of NASCAR, Superbike and IRL type events on a local scale or F1 & MotoGP on a larger scale. In these types of events the majority of participants are able to put words together that have more than 5 letters and realize their actions reflect on their sponsors in both positive and negative ways. Additionally their time in the spot light is generally longer than in field games. I guess there is always the chance to get it associated with the other side of motorsports.... Moster Trucks! What a great flash in the pan idea. For a little more introspective look at how acting like a twit can affect our sport I present FMX. Sure it's popular with who? The people that buy the bikes or the one's that go to the mall and project the image? I agree that I like the racing for the racing but like any parent I also need to keep in mind the image projected to my son by those that he might admire. Sure I could flip off the program as soon as the race is over but why? Generally the interviews is where kids get their impression of the individual.

XRpredator · Feb 4, 2003

. . . I remember the days when stock car racers would jump out of their car and get in a fist fight on the track . . .

Ah, good ol' Dale Jarrett pointing and throwing his helmet at the passing cars. Good times . . .

It hasn't been that many years since Rusty Holland and Chad Pederson "gave each other the business" right after taking each other out in the first turn.

truespode · Feb 4, 2003

Originally posted by Patman
So Ivan is that perspective shared by all your WWF pals? :moon:

I doubt it will surprise you but WWE is more mainstream than SX/MX is nowadays.

For a little more introspective look at how acting like a twit can affect our sport I present FMX. Sure it's popular with who?

By the people who buy the paraphranalia (sp?). FMX is not there really to sell bikes as much as it is jerseys, hooded sweatshirts, baby doll T's and hats. It is popular with those who want to purchase an image that FMX has to sell. It is quite profitable.

It is not my image but it is the image that others equate to motorcycles in general.

The people that buy the bikes or the one's that go to the mall and project the image?

FMX is targeting the image. I agree that it is sad b/c there is so much ignorance out there and not enough people willing to provide information to set people straight but the market is there.

Sure I could flip off the program as soon as the race is over but why? Generally the interviews is where kids get their impression of the individual. [/B]

I agree they get the impression of people from what they see and all I'm saying is that there could be a lot worse people speaking than Stewart. I'd rather him speak to the kids in this country than the majority of baseball, basketball or Football players. However, kids grow up and they lose the adoring images they have in their mind as the values and virtues the parent teaches grows with them. I guess that is why I don't worry about stuff said on TV.

Ivan

Patman · Feb 4, 2003

Originally posted by Truespode

I agree they get the impression of people from what they see and all I'm saying is that there could be a lot worse people speaking than Stewart. I'd rather him speak to the kids in this country than the majority of baseball, basketball or Football players. However, kids grow up and they lose the adoring images they have in their mind as the values and virtues the parent teaches grows with them. I guess that is why I don't worry about stuff said on TV.

Ivan

See we do agree he's better than some of the other alternatives and honestly it's not the words coming out of his mouth that bother me, he took some cheap shots but so have the others. My gripe is with the actions, be happy, jump up and down, throw your fist in the air but leave the silly antics for the side show that's all.

truespode · Feb 4, 2003

I guess I just perceive the silly antics as the exuberence of youth.

I know the kid I was when I was a teenager and I had a lot of growing up to do in relation to how I said what. I'd say when I was in my mid-20's I came off maybe as mature as he already comes off in the few soundbites I have seen from him. However, I think I've turned out ok b/c I was taught well by my parents.

I'll share one cool story... yes it goes a little off-topic but here it goes.

When I was a kid I loved basketball and bikes. That is it. I also, like so many other kids, wanted to be looked up to or at least not treated as inferior.

Well, of course that didn't happen. I was the weird kid b/c I had long hair that I refused to cut (my mom had to cut my hair and it looked better 1/3 of the way down my back than the bowl cut she'd give). I didn't make the basketball team until my senior year b/c of how I was perceived by coaches (I was hyper, had long hair and listend to GnR).

All of these people who looked down on me were "pillars" of the community. Teachers, coaches, religous leaders, etc. They looked only at the kid in me.

Well, last year I was on the line for a race. A friend had brought his son out to watch me (he is a guy who owns his own business and is very active in the church... very similar as those I grew up who judged me b/c of my hair). I had showed his son around the pits and let him see the bikes. He was on te fence near the starting gate.

I looked and saw the kid. He was looking intently at me b/c I was the only person he recognized. I gave him a thumbs up. He looked around and finally realized the thumb was for him. He smiled and his demeanor went from bewildered excitement to enjoyment. I could see it in his eyes.

I finished 4th that day. My best race on a full gate (ok, almost full :) ). It was then I thought back to how I was treated as a kid and how b/c of how I looked and how overzeolous I got with my mouth people wouldn't give me a chance but here I was with a newly made friend of mine and I not only was able to make an impact in his son's life but at that moment I realized I was accepted into my friends life as someone he'd trust to point out to his son.

I not only represented the sport well that day but I represented myself well. I am the same guy I was when I was a kid, the only difference is I have short hair and nobody seems to care what I listen to. I still am overzeolous with the mouth and still enjoy bikes and basketball. I have matured a little and am more careful with my words as a result of education and maturity. However, as a kid I was seen as something different than I am as an adult even though the basic core of the person is the same.

I guess that is why I am quick to defend someone like Stewart. I can see past any boisterous comments or the bravado and I see someone who just wants to race just like I just wanted to play basketball. The only difference is he is damn good at what he does and I was just a notch below average.

Ivan

ktmboy · Feb 4, 2003

Originally posted by Truespode

......I know Preston was mentioned earlier as being a good speaker but I remember last week hearing him talking about the riders not getting out of his way and how so much faster he was. I think he said something like "with the exception of the top 3 the rest of it is like the Novice class........" .Ivan

In all fairness to Preston, (yes, I'm going to defend him just as you choose to defend Bubba!), I think you have to look at his answer in the context of the question he was asked, which was regarding him being taken out by the Pro Circuit riders the last few races. I took it that his comment was directed at those riders that chose for whatever reason to intentionally take him out; that he felt this was a Novice move, and that perhaps only the top three guys had a clue on how to race clean and still win.

There was frustration in his voice and the interviewer caught him in an 'adrenaline moment'! Before we get into the whole 'b-pass' debate again, I'm not suggesting that b-passing is dirty----that's racing. What I am suggesting is that the last time Travis was taken out it was a blatent, dangerous move, and I think he said some things in the heat of the moment.

You have to admit too that some of the lappers don't always pay attention to the flaggers signaling them that the leaders are coming by. (Yes, I know---lapped traffic is part of racing too.):confused:

Patman · Feb 4, 2003

One minor difference here Ivan. We're talking about somebody that get's paid a LARGE sum of money and has national or even international exposure. That should set a higher standard of expectaions. Did you have a Nike or Addias contract in high school? Were you on national or even local television while participating in the sport? 99% of Bubba or Ricky's or even the Alessi brother's peers can get away acting like spastic idiots and have folks brush it off as just being a kid but when your paying that kid some long green to represent you do you still want that same persona or would you prefer somebody that was a gracious winner?

davis · Feb 4, 2003

I can't wait till James Steward is on a 250
C:\Print pictures\James Strward Jr. two.jpg

121 · Feb 4, 2003

For all you smart computer guys out there I might not me the smartest person on the face of this earth but Bubba's birth day is Dec 21, 1985 wouldn't that make that cocky punk 17? Correct me if i'am wrong but i'am tired of hearing all this about him being 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :laugh:

326mx · Feb 4, 2003

First off I am fifteen. I know for a fact that I would have acted much more immature than Bubba up there. I would have been jumpin and a hollerin. So put that in perspective... Does one year in ones life represent a humongous portion of their maturity level? Here is one case it does. But yet you still feel the you have the right to criticize him when you aren't the one paying his checks? Apparently Fox and Kawasaki and Oakley don't mind. And think about this... his sponsors don't want to appeal to the older crowd... They want to appeal to the young crowd.. the crowd that will buy their products for many more years. So really who are you to judge... Now tell me how would you have reacted at 16 knowing you could beat anyone who tried?

I think young Stewart will represent this sport well.

He will certainly do better than Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.. you know the guy who hired people to kill his wife...

People who have Ray Lewis Jerseys in my school of 500+ : 30
People who know Bubba exist: 15

Another example is Allen Iverson. Have you seen the sleeve he wears on one arm.... do you know why he has that? Because he has incriminating tatoos that the NBA wants to hide.

So who do you want your kids admiring, and who are you to judge a 16 year old kid doing what he loves for a living. How would you react.

James · Feb 4, 2003

Originally posted by Patman
but when your paying that kid some long green to represent you do you still want that same persona or would you prefer somebody that was a gracious winner?

That's the beauty of it, if they don't like the way he is representing them, they (Kawasaki) don't have to pay him a dime. I expect they'll try real hard to keep him as long as they can until Honda buys him no matter how cocky he gets.

It's funny how there is this plague of degenerates on the tv, on the radio, in government office, etc. etc. and we (well not me) all sit around here and preach about Pastrana wasting his life and Bubba not being the gracious poster child we all want him to be. The wonderful irony of it all is that Travis and Bubba will most likely never trouble themselves over such petty nonsense. Come to think of it, even I have better things to do.

No more comment :confused:

Green Horn · Feb 5, 2003

Originally posted by 326mx
So really who are you to judge... Now tell me how would you have reacted at 16 knowing you could beat anyone who tried?

Jeeze, I know how I acted at 16-17 and I wasn't beating anybody at anything. I am sure that I would've been a total punk if I were involved in a sport that gave me a little spot light time.

I think young Stewart will represent this sport well.

Click to expand...

I think that so far, he's doing the typical things that most 16-17 yr olds would do when they're new to the world of fame. I would expect different from him if he had been used to the spot light since he was little. As for him doing the sport well as a whole, that will have to seen. So long as he keeps his ego in check as he grows older, than he'll be alright.

[/QUOTE]

truespode · Feb 5, 2003

Originally posted by ktmboy

In all fairness to Preston, (yes, I'm going to defend him just as you choose to defend Bubba!),

No need to defend Preston. I do not see him as doing anything wrong. I'm just comparing his comments to Bubba's and how a lot of people forget that other say the same things.

It is selective hearing at times I believe.

Ivan

truespode · Feb 5, 2003

Originally posted by Patman
when your paying that kid some long green to represent you do you still want that same persona or would you prefer somebody that was a gracious winner?

If you are saying that he needs to speak in a way that helps his sponsors then he already is doing so. None of his sponsors are anything but happy with him.

When it comes to the money here is how I look at it. He is selling something (himself) and there are those that will pay for that product. If he is giving them what they are willing to pay for and he is comfortable with that payment then no change on his part is necessary. A change only is necessary if he wants to increase the revenue for his product or decrease it. The factors affecting the demand for his product right now are only increasing it. His speaking is a small factor in terms of having a negative impact on the cost or demand.

However, from past observations I have a good feeling that if he changes absolutely nothing about himself he will make tons of money and have a lot of sponsors. The demand for the Stewart product is soaring.

Like I said, if you don't like him or his actions that is fine. I just do not see a correlation between your dislike and a negative image that will fail to take the sport to the mainstream. All the indications of his popularity seem to point towards his current actions (both his speaking and his winning) as taking the sport even more forward than MC did or ever could.

Ivan

Patman · Feb 5, 2003

326mx see if you can buy a clue.
-ANYBODY purchasing anything from his sponsors IS paying him. I realize it's a hard concept to grasp but all sponsors are in business to sell product to make money, the money doen't just show up. Let me ask you this who would you rather appeal to if you were trying to make money a 15 year old kid that might have a couple hundred bucks a year to spend on all these things or somebody with enough disposable income to buy bikes, boats, cars, trucks, tools, all the associated gear, SX tickets and travel to various events? You are future buying power and need to get hooked but folks like myself are the current bill payers so making us happy is a little higher priority. As far as how I would have acted? If I had the same background of winning everything since I was finished loading my diapers and was used to the spot light I would act in much the same manner as I had in the past. How do I know? Well I've been that age and experienced winning on a regualr basis. I was winning races every week when I was 16 & 17, I was undefeated until one night a gentleman of about 40 beat me by 1/2 a fender, I was 17. I never got out of my car and jumped around begging the gathered crowd for their affection when I won and when I lost to that man I walked over and congradulated him because of respect for knowing what it took to do that. He said that I was the one deserving congradulations because he had never had a race that close and had expected to totally blow me into the ditch. Funny thing he didn't jump around like a fool either.

What Bubba and/or his sponsors choose to condone is not my decision BUT it is my right to express MY opinion on what I see happening just as it is for those who disagree. We all see things from a different perspective because of where we are and what our life experiences have been. One thing for sure is that Bubba will continue to be fast just as RC is but riddle me this oh great seers, why has RC been boo'ed several times and McGrath never has? Both have been #1 but, they accepted the responsibilities differently and reacted to the situations differently, not because one is red haired and the other is taller. THAT is why one may win championships but will never see the same recognition as the other. The same fate is in store for Bubba and how it comes out will depend on how he acts and reacts. So yes the little things DO matter to some of us and others it doesn't.

BTW Green Horn still acts like a 17 year old spaz so ya' can't say I'm not used to seeing it. :laugh:

Green Horn · Feb 5, 2003

Originally posted by The Great Patricia How do I know? Well I've been that age and experienced winning on a regualr basis. I was winning races every week when I was 16 & 17, I was undefeated until one night a gentleman of about 40 beat me by 1/2 a fender, I was 17. I never got out of my car and jumped around begging the gathered crowd for their affection when I won and when I lost to that man I walked over and congradulated him because of respect for knowing what it took to do that.

Originally posted by Patsy
BTW Green Horn still acts like a 17 year old spaz so ya' can't say I'm not used to seeing it. :laugh:

Yes, and I someday hope to be as mature as you were at the tender age of 17, oh great one. :) Just be patient, as we're not all as calm and cool as you, Patricia. :laugh:

Patman · Feb 5, 2003

^^^I rest my case.^^^ :silly:

Green Horn · Feb 5, 2003

You're resting your case already? Surely you can enlighten us with more of your "it's MY opinion" junk. ;)

If I knew that all it takes to cut out your long winded-wordy reponses, I would have jumped in on this thread when it was still on the first page. :) (Oh wait, I couldn't have since the 'puter was still broken.) Hehe

Green Horn · Feb 5, 2003

To get back on topic though, I do agree that Bubba's antics are a little less than desired. However, I think it's one of those cases where a person needs to give it some time to see how he really acts once he's matured a little more. He is still light years ahead of the 30+ year old guys in that WWF crap. Not to mention the guys my age that are pushing the immaturity envelope in that FMX circus.

nikki · Feb 5, 2003

Originally posted by Patman
My gripe is with the actions, be happy, jump up and down, throw your fist in the air but leave the silly antics for the side show that's all.

LMAO Patman... do you watch football in your house? Have you ever seen the victory dances these people come up with after a touchdown? Or have you ever seen the fights in hockey? Or guys like MJ lay on the floor kissing a basketball after a big win? What EXACTLY upsets you about Bubba's actions? Got any specifics other than the victory dance at Phoenix? He was happy and the crowd eats that stuff up! Better than the boring same ole MC's rehearsed "My Dunlops were working great out there" speech. Honestly, I quit listening to MC's podium speeches cuz it was always the same thing unless he lost then there was always a clever excuse. Don't get me wrong, Bubba always thanks his sponsors too. What other "actions" have you seen from him that offend you so much? Him speaking about the Challenger tragedy on the A3 podium while the other guys talk about "Well Walker said in the paper he's faster than me, but he's not..." or like the Brown vs. Langston deal with "I was just trying to take him out, I wasn't gonna kill him or anything" BS? That's a great influence for the kids, isn't it? Bubba is young and full of energy. Why do you think after a 3 year cold spell Ezra has came back to life?

Originally posted by Patman
ANYBODY purchasing anything from his sponsors IS paying him. I realize it's a hard concept to grasp but all sponsors are in business to sell product to make money, the money doen't just show up.

Believe it or not, Bubba is what some fans come out to see. Have you ever seen Bubba's autograph line? I think he's doing a fine job for his sponsors. I have seen more #259 bikes and people in PINK gear that I had ever imagined. Back in November 01 (a month before Bubba turned pro) he came out and raced the Mini O's at Gatorback (a week long amateur national event). Each day there were half full bleachers but when Bubba showed up at the end of the week - I have never seen so many people pack around the track despite standing in the rain. He battled with Woods some, but went down a few times, and finished near last. But he still took a victory lap after the race to wave at the fans - they all cheered. He is what they wanted to see.

My opinion - Bubba is a sponsor's dream. I bet Kawasaki won't let go of him for anything. They already lost one big fish. They won't let this one go.

On motonews - I saw a cool special on Bubba teaching a local Phoenix women newscaster how to ride. It was really cool. I don't think you'll see guys like MC giving their time like that.

Patman good thing you were never at Loretta Lynns to see Bubba's "antics" in the Fox fashion shows :confused: Actually I think the best was when Mike Metzger came out in some droopy whitey tighties and was dancing with all the girls - that one didn't go over well. :eek:

Green Horn · Feb 5, 2003

"My Dunlops were working great out there" speech.

LOL, I love the rehearsed speeches. Nobody can beat the NASCAR boys at that game though. I love the "My Dupont Reybestos Camel Moody Unical 76 Texaco General Motors Chevrolet Monte Carlo was runnin' hard all day." :)

marcusgunby · Feb 5, 2003

i dont really have any problem with what he says or does-hes looks happy to win and speaks reasonbly well-what more do people want?

XRpredator · Feb 5, 2003

326mx said
He will certainly do better than Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.. you know the guy who hired people to kill his wife...

No, Rae Carruth of the Carolina Panthers. And he's in the pokey. Ray Lewis was "involved" in a stabbing incident outside a night club.

Anyhow, go ahead and thank your sponsors, be happy, but the dancing? Puh-leeze! They throw flags on that in the NFL now!

Hmmmmm . . . I can see it now: Bubba gets a 15 yard penalty assessed on the start of the next main event . . . :think:

nikki · Feb 5, 2003

Originally posted by marcusgunby
hes looks happy to win and speaks reasonbly well-what more do people want?

Same thing I'm wondering?

Our beloved PR boy Travis Pastrana has busted out some dances at some freestyle events and that has never been looked down upon. I'm sure if TP could get his act together and come back and win some races - he might join Bubba in a podium dance. :laugh:

Bubba is really fast..... But.............

Moderator / Wheelie King

Pantless Wonder

AssClown SuperPowers

Moderator / Wheelie King

Pantless Wonder

Moderator / Wheelie King

Pantless Wonder

Lifetime Sponsor

aka Chip Carbone

Moderator / Wheelie King

Moderator / Wheelie King

Pantless Wonder

aka Chip Carbone

Pantless Wonder

aka Chip Carbone

aka Chip Carbone

Moto Junkie

aka Chip Carbone

AssClown SuperPowers

Moto Junkie

Similar Topics

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency