Scott Summers comeback????

[Senior KX Rider]

from racerx


January 16, 2002

Is Scott Summers making a GNCC comeback?

GNCC legend Scott Summers, arguably the most successful off-road racer of the 1990s, seems to be contemplating a comeback to racing. The longtime American Honda factory star has sat out the last three seasons after breaking his leg twice and retiring. The Kentucky native has been doing television work on the series as well as PR work with Honda, but he's never stopped riding, and he's apparently kept up the rigorous training that was a benchmark of his attack.

Recent "Summers sightings" have come at regional races such as the SETRA and Mid-South Series. The first event ran two weeks ago in Georgia. The multi-time GNCC #1 was leading the entire event - which included current GNCC title contender and Yamaha factory rider Jason Raines - until the last lap, when he ran out of gas and had to pit without a quick-fill racing can and lost the lead to Raines. Then, this past weeked at an event in Alabama, he finished first with Team Yamaha's Barry Hawk second and Raines third. (Both Hawk and Raines won GNCC races last season). Summers has been riding a three-year-old Honda XR650R, the big Honda having been his customary ride over the years.

How far Summers plans plans to take this comeback remains to be seen. We'll keep you posted....

 

[23jayhawk]

Now the question becomes whether Honda will drop their ridiculous XR-only rule and provide support for a CRF450.

 

[Roughrider]

Scott may have been on an old xr at Maplesville last week, but he sure had that tank of a motorcycle humming! 90%rider 10%bike

 

[kxbeastrider]

More like 98% rider and 2% bike! ( for him at least) He could probably win on a XR 80! I remember being at the old Sumpter SC GNCC race and he was running so hard inthat sand that he melted the foam insert in the rear tire!
And you can't ask for a nicer guy. At the Big Buck race I think it was. We saw him going down a staright in the field. I was hollering for him and he cam past me throtal pinned and took his left hand off and pointed at me! He must have been going 70+ MPH and the man took one hand off! Great rider.
-bryan

 

[OnAnySunday]

Originally posted by 23jayhawk:
"Now the question becomes whether Honda will drop their ridiculous XR-only rule and provide support for a CRF450."

I didnt think their was an XR only rule.
But it would make sense to pick the 650R over the motocross biased 450F.
More tractable power for off road / woods use.
Or just more power period. :p
As for the xtra weight..........well the guy used to dead lift his 600 remember?
I doubt the xtra lbs bothered him that much. :thumb:

 

[nate97kaw250]

It was just really nice to see the man back in the saddle. You see all the motocross guys quiting at 30 or 32 look at the off road guys, just to see who's got the heart and who's going for the bucks. This is just my personal thoughts.

 

[KTMSMITH]

Scott has always been my all time favorite off road racer. A total class act. I would love to see him out there racing again. Thanks for the post Senior Kx Rider.

 

[andy27414]

At the race at maplesville he came by me on a up and down road like their were no bumps at all while I seem to be bouncing around like a pinball. I heard from some good contacts that he will only be racing a couple of the gncc's because of his job, which works him on the weekends, but if he can win I don't see honda having a problem with him running the whole circuit.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Here is part of another report from racerx

This winter, there have been "Summers Sightings" at hare scrambles throughout the South East. Top GNCC stars like Barry Hawk, Jason Raines and Randy Hawkins, all of the Am-Pro Yamaha factory team, found themselves dueling with Summers several times this winter. The Yamaha boys were just looking to get in shape for the upcoming GNCCs, but they didn't expect to face stiff competition from a rider who had not won a race in nearly four years.

But Summers has been riding very well, and according to his agent Fred Bramblett, his oft-injured leg is totally pain free. Over the weekend, at a SETRA Hare Scramble in Abbeville, South Carolina, Summers romped home with a win in front of a stacked lineup of GNCC talent, including Hawk in Second, Kawasaki's Chuck Woodford in third and Jason Raines in fourth. All three of these riders had won GNCCs in 2002, and yet Summers was able to best them all on a 2000 Honda XR650.

According the Bramblett, Summers is ready to make a comeback in 2003. So will we see him back on a bike at the GNCC opener in Palatka, Florida on March 4? That's up to his main sponsor, Honda, who still has him under contract as a spokesman, and not a racer. But Summers is rumored to be talking to them right now in trying to figure out the best plan for him, and them, for 2003.

We should know in a about a week if Summers will be back as a factory Honda rider racing in the 2003 GNCC Series. Stay tuned

 

[Offroadr]

Originally posted by 23jayhawk
Now the question becomes whether Honda will drop their ridiculous XR-only rule and provide support for a CRF450.

 

He also has a 'no race, fun ride only' clause

 

[bscottr]

A bud that worked the race this weekend said he was way out in front of the other guys. After he finished his final lap he went on to run two more just for fun/conditioning. :worship:

I'd say he's back. :thumb:

 

[Mully]

Wouldn't it make more cents (ooo, bad pun) for Honda to develope the 450 in the GNCC arena too ?? The 450 is their latest 4 stroke racer and with a few mods could be made into a much better racing 4 stroke then the 600/650. You would think that it would help to sell more bikes and expand the current line up of CRF's. And of course who better to be on the 450 then Scott Summers himself. Just thinking out loud here.............

Mully

 

[KevinB4stk]

Mully, That is exactly what I've been thinking. Why wouldn't Honda want him racing for them again?
Someone riding a Honda in the GNCC series.
What do they have now? Nobody
Why wouldn't they want Scott racing the GNCC's for them again, promoting there product's.

 

[ScottYZ250]

Honda will never keep Summers down. If he's ready, he'll be back with their consent! Can't wait either! ;)

 

[Barbarian]

For most people the 450 is probably the bike of choice to set-up for GNCC. I'm sure Honda would let him ride it because it is a 4-stroke. Scott has wierd tastes though, he might actually like the big 650 better.

 

[KTMSMITH]

This is great news!! I would love to see Scott back in the racing saddle again. I just might have to ride RED again.

 

[ScottZX7RR]

Another thing though is Honda's Stance on the CR-F and its purpose but they might be able to get away with it seeing how all the other racers/manufacturer's except KTM use the motorcross version of their products. So it would be nice to see him out there again. I got to spend some time talking and taking a loop(trying to keep up, more like it) with him at the VSTA Loretta Lynn Ride two years ago. He was blasting on that XR. He also used it in the competetion games they had there. It is a site to see him throw that bike around like it is a bicycle. LOL

Hope to see him banging bars in the GNCCs this year on OLN!

 

[BigBore]

I can't emphasize how much it would kick ass to have Summers gunning for another GNCC title.

From what I've gathered over the years watching Summer's on TV interviews, and reading in magazines, he doesn't care for the new mid-size four-stroke motors. Evidently he really digs big-bore thumper characteristics. He's also got one of the most unique (strange?) riding styles, it could be possible the ergos of the XR fit him best. Who knows?

 

[KTM-Lew]

Yep, I'd love to see him kick some arse on a 650. I would be very surprised if he rode the 450. Everytime he lapped me going up a big gnarly hill his 600 was turning about 3000 rpm. Not excatly screaming for mercy. He knows how a 4-stroke should be ridden!!!! :yeehaw: :worship:

 

[jacobpd]

Good stuff ya all.........really like the xr600's and up.........magic button makes it even more fun......heavier but worth it.........saw Scott ride the humpmer in tight woods and he does not look fast .....but is obviously IS

thumpers WILL obviously fool a person into thinking they are not fast ..until one passes YA........

 

[Katoom22]

racer x released today saying was not making a comeback. check www.racerxill.com. for details

 

[stevied]

Hey guys check the article at www.cyclenews.com , Summers not coming back to race for GNCC title this year. Oh well it was sure fun to see him at SETRA events going very fast.

 

[Barbarian]

Scott was at the FMX we had here last weekend. I think he's ready to take that 650 to the next level and start doing some can-can whips and death kisses.

 

[Greg]

I heard a rumor that someone asked Scott why he did'nt ride the 450. He replied that it wasn't heavy enough. I've raced two h/s that he was at and maybe we've been heading in the wrong direction. Might have to strap a lead skid plate on my 520exc. I knew he was fast for some reason. He gets traction when my light 4stroke is flying off the ground! Sign me up for an xr650, maybe the L so I'll still have the button to start and even more weight. Go Scott you're my hero!

 

[Barbarian]

It's possible. I guess it just depends on your style. Then again he may have been joking.