Slaw Dog
When teams experience bike problems it rarely is ever explained in detail in a post-race press release.
Haha, who am I kidding, it NEVER happens.
While I’m sure there are reasons that team members would point to as to why this never happens, we aren’t in hold of the nuclear codes, people. We are racing dirtbikes. Fans, like myself, would rather be told what happens and move on instead of starting 75 Vital threads on what MAY have happened.
Case in point. Not a good weekend at Southwick for the Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha team. Following the red flag in the second moto due to Julien Beaumer’s crash, neither of the teams 250 riders—Mark Fineis or Jett Reynolds—bike would start on the restart. Weird, right? I smell 700 Vital threads coming….
Wait a damn minute, WE WERE GIVEN AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY…..
According to the team, “We have added electric water pumps and electric fans to the bikes for Southwick. When they came back to the line, both of those pieces ran longer than expected and totally drained the batteries on both bikes. We have tested and used these components for the two weeks leading up to Southwick, but we did not simulate a red flag condition – so that is on us as a team. It was no fault of the bike or components, just us as a team not planning for every scenario.”
Bravo. Bravo. See, it wasn’t that hard.
In addition, Garrett Marchbanks, in his first race back from injury, ran out of fuel at the finish line in the first moto, which was also explained. Marchbanks finished that moto 15th.
“We run the big tanks so we are not sure what happened, but if his clutch was any indication, he was on the gas the entire moto.”
Wonderful PR job here. Just wonderful.
Below is the full recap of the weekend from the team.
Well, if we claim to be one of the most transparent teams on the circuit, I would be a hypocrite not sending a note after Southwick. Likely not our best moment as a team, but we will chalk it up to a learning experience.
Moto 1 went fine for the 250 guys. Reynolds ended up at a season high of P12 and continues to build. You will see his breakout moments at RedBud. He likes that track and is ready to show his stuff. Fineis was up there also but had a late moto tip over pushing him back to P14. For the 450 guys, good run as well, but Garrett ran out of fuel with ten feet to the finish line. We run the big tanks so we are not sure what happened, but if his clutch was any indication, he was on the gas the entire moto.
Moto 2 started off ok for the 250’s but then came the red flag. We have added electric water pumps and electric fans to the bikes for Southwick. When they came back to the line, both of those pieces ran longer than expected and totally drained the batteries on both bikes. We have tested and used these components for the two weeks leading up to Southwick, but we did not simulate a red flag condition – so that is on us as a team. It was no fault of the bike or components, just us as a team not planning for every scenario. The 450’s were much better although Garrett drove into the first turn pile up causing him to start 35th. He came all the way back up to 12th for the moto. Phil was the highlight of the weekend going 9-9 for 8th overall. Guy is a stud.
We always tell our guys, don’t let the highs be too high or the lows be too low. We will find out who we are through adversity and be better for it in the future. See you at RedBud.
Main Image: Octopi Media
