RC and Stewart are obviously in a class of their own right now. Remember the first season RC went head to head with Jeremy McGraf. This will turn out in a similar maner. If it doesn't my bet is Stewart will either have a 4 stroke next year from Kawasaki ..or Honda. Its only a matter of time before James Stewart claws past RC.
One thing I have seen over the years is great riders rise to the level of riding required to win. The point being they start from the top level of their time and move beyond...thats why they dominate in their time. My bet is Bob hannah would be in the mix if he was here in his prime...RC and Stewart are the result of 25 more years of development, pushing the limits and study. The key is how far a rider pushed the limits in HIS time. Hannah completely redefined what was possible and elevated the sport. JMB from France did it again, MC again, RC again...and now we have James Stewart. He's yet again pushing the barriers.
Reason Bob Hannah is considered to be the greatest by some of us old timers, was because prior to his bone smashing Water Ski insident; he just bombed the racing community with a completely different level of athletisizm..and tuned the sport upside down. The difference was stunning. You have to remember that was in an high growth era of the industry and sport...unlike the mid 1990's where the quality of the riding was not the best. JMB beat the best of an era when he took on Ricky Johnson and that crowd..that was a true acheivement. MC again changed the sport and made FX a possiblity but simply didn't have the competition Hannah Had or RC and Stewart have now...although in his prime he would be in the thick of it in SX.
And what I am seeing with James Stewart is yet again the same level of athletisism, focus, AND change redefinining what is possible as we saw when Hannah (and MC to a certain degree) was racing. I just feel damn lucky to have the opportunity to see two true Phenom's in my life time. With a little luck Stewart will have as rewarding a career.
(I really believe RC is amazing as well..don't go there :yikes: ..he's done it bull dog style ..hard work,study&analysis, desire, and dedication)