TMW - 1-29-2007 at 07:35 PM
AMA National Hare and Hound this past weekend. Don't know how bad it is and thus how it may affect the SF250 in March.
From Cycle News:
"Honda's Steve Hengeveld, who was sidelined with a broken arm."
tunaeater - 1-30-2007 at 01:45 PM
Tom,
Have you heard anything about Mike Childress departing from Honda. That would be 2 down from the Honda A team.
TMW - 1-30-2007 at 01:52 PM
No I haven't, wow that would be a blow to Honda. I wouldn't mind seeing another manufacture like KTM or Yamaha or Kawasaki step up with an off road
race team to compete with Honda. I like to watch good racing especially between different factory teams. It really doesn't matter to me who wins but
Gees 45 minutes or an hour or more is not really a race in my opinion. I want to see minutes or better yet seconds between them. I'll check around and
see what I can find out.
TMW - 1-30-2007 at 07:24 PM
Word is Steve will be ready for the SF250 race. Mike is racing in a Pro Truck.
MC racing in Baja should get interesting this year.
TecateRay - 2-8-2007 at 11:52 AM
Why is it going to get interesting? Honda is still the only factory effort and that level of support puts them way above the others. Who else has a
helo? All the pre runs paid for? and an organized pit system?
TMW - 2-8-2007 at 12:26 PM
Mike Childress in my opinion is the top bike racer in Baja. Hengeveld is a good racer but not at good as Campbell was and not as good as Childress is.
Andy Grider is not racing bikes and the other Honda and KTM riders again are good but no standouts. By interesting I mean who will be the next group
of bike racers to step up? Honda has decided to use the CRF450 and that alone allows other manufactures to come in with their 450s. Out side of the
Kawasaki KX500 there was no manufacture bikes to compete with the Honda XR650. The KX500 is no longer made so the 450 4 stroke is the choice and
everybody makes one. It should be noted that a 450 4 stroke is allowed in the 250 class as well. I don't know if that alone would draw more top racers
to Baja, maybe not. Most of the really good Hare and Hound racers woun't race Baja because of all the traffic on the course. There is no doubt that
Honda has a great pit support system for their racers and has a helo too. To put forth a top team with what it takes to win can be demanding and
expensive, but it would only take another factory team to put the excitement back into the open class again or even a great effort by a few private
teams. Remember Childress and Mouse McCoy won the 500 in 04 or 05, I forgot which.
Desertbull - 2-8-2007 at 06:22 PM
Guys---
Childress left American Honda for good. Story broke on Jan 26, 2007 when Campbell arrived to Childress shop to collect all the Honda gear.
http://www.dirtnewz.com/dr-pressreleases/01-2007/childress.s...
Bottomline is Childress was not willing to be a corporate puppet as he said himself, "It's not me and I can't do it."
One of the best on two wheels, but there are a handful of replacements available to step into the role of Steve's primary partner.
The opportunity came about for Childress to race one of the Bi-Polar Pro-Trucks in 2007. He qualified first at the Parker time trials among Pro
Trucks and crashed on race day with a DNF.
Honda will continue hauling azz. Steve is the consumate pro and one of the nicest guys besides Andy Grider...okay, joking...they're both down to earth
nice guys like Capt. Mike...again, I'm joking...Capt. Mike-don't make me post the picture of you in your underwear on the Punta San Frisquito runway
being chased by Cadillac Bob
San Felipe, if the race really goes off in San Felipe I have my doubts, is a crap shoot and depends on who holds it wide open through the baddest
gnarliest stuff there...remember Robby Bell captured the win last year...
I have a case of cold ones that Henge will dominate this race...of course, the Sharpe boyz have been reeling towards a big win and I could see them
get an upset victory...depends if Capt. Mike is in the air or in the MiraMar.
TMW - 2-9-2007 at 08:04 AM
["San Felipe, if the race really goes off in San Felipe I have my doubts,"]
Please tell us more. What seems to be the issue? Anyone!!!
bajalou - 2-9-2007 at 08:11 AM
My friends in the Ejido tell me that they have no problem with Score but with the Tourist Bureau in Ensenada which is supposed to distribute the land
use moneys. In the past, they haven't received their share (they believe) and want the money "UP Front" before the San Felipe 250 this year. There
have been similar discussions/comments in previous years and the race has always run - so I wouldn't predict the outcome this year.
TMW - 2-9-2007 at 08:23 AM
Thanks Lou. I hope it works out I need a vacation to your area. I have a couple of side trips I want to take. Paul says he racing, but doesn't know
what section yet. He should get the roughest toughest whoops out there, serves him right for being young and fast.
TMW - 2-9-2007 at 07:01 PM
In Feb 7th Cycle News Campbell says he may solo it under Steve's name. I assume he means Steve either starts or rides the last mile or so to the
finish since the rider of record must do so. San Felipe is a real tough race to solo and be competitive. Hopefully Steve will be ready for a section
at least.
Corky1 - 2-9-2007 at 07:54 PM
This may clear up some questions as to why the Ejido's
are a bit upset?? 
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26219
Of coure the whole story is never told!!
If enough Deniro is spread to the right places the race will go on!!!
Corky
tunaeater - 2-10-2007 at 01:26 AM
Tom almost time to start the preruns. let's see if we get a map soon. Anyway I hope you are still available if needed.
tunaeater - 2-10-2007 at 01:48 AM
This is from Thumper Talk.
cracker1
TT Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: California
Posts: 29
Re: "Childress and HONDA Split Ways After Contract Woes"
mike will be riding the san felipe 250 with chris blais on a 525 KTM. its a done deal people so stop with the rumors.
TMW - 2-10-2007 at 09:21 AM
["mike will be riding the san felipe 250 with chris blais on a 525 KTM']
If they don't have any bike problems there's the #1 team in Baja.
Paul I'm ready and available. Bill Jarkow and I will be there for the race.