Pump'd!
By TMX Archives on 9th Dec 05
I'm writing this on the eve of the Toronto Supercross, the opening round of the newly named Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series. Words by Jeff Kocan, courtesy Racer X Photo by Steve Cox I'm writing this on the eve of the Toronto Supercross, the opening round of the newly named Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series. It's the beginning of a whole new season of racing, a fresh start where everyone begins from scratch again. And even though the last season only ended, like, three days ago there's still a sense of excitement in the air. We've already had some pretty big announcements about the upcoming year. That new name for the US supercross series comes courtesy of new title sponsorship from Amp'd Mobile, an up-and-coming mobile phone and technology company. This deal will see some new technology coming to our sport as Amp'd Mobile handset owners (I guess 'phone' has suddenly become passe) will have access to exclusive supercross-related streaming video content, including interviews and race recaps. What's more, the company will also provide live video clips of the races, presumably - although my presumptions are frequently way, way wrong - with an eye toward eventual full-event broadcasts. I don't know if I'd be too excited about staring at my, um, handset for three straight hours to watch a race but I will admit that my inner technology geek is looking forward to checking this out. Now we Americans like to think we're far more advanced than anyone else on the planet but we're years behind the rest of the world in mobile phone technology. I've seen similar offers for the Premiership in years past but it's nice to know we're catching up a bit (after all, we've only recently caught on the whole custom-ringtone-and-text-messaging thing). If the video quality is at least decent it will be a very cool service and one that should take off pretty quickly in the moto community. Supercross isn't the only one bringing a new partner to the dance, though, as Toyota have signed on as the title sponsor for the AMA MX Nationals. For a series that languished without a corporate backer for far too long, the Japanese auto-maker was a good score. Motocross will probably never be as popular in the States as supercross - which by its nature is far more spectator-friendly - but the fact that a major company was interested in backing the series can provide at least some comfort to the hard-core outdoor fans among us. So it's two new sponsors for a highly anticipated new season. And today we got news of yet another change - Team Kawasaki's James Stewart has decided to drop his well-known #259, opting to run #7 instead as his 125cc championships have given him the right to choose the single-digit number vacated by the retired Greg Albertyn. Bubba's decision has taken a lot of people by surprise. He chose #259 as a tribute to Tony Haynes, a promising young racer who was paralysed just as his career was beginning to take off. Many felt Haynes could have become the first prominent African-American motocrosser, a legacy his friend Stewart has since taken up. Now, I don't think anyone feels James has somehow turned his back on Haynes. I'd say the surprise stems more from the fact that Stewart was one of the first racers, along with Travis Pastrana, to really try to brand a three-digit number after the AMA introduced the new permanent-number system. As with Pastrana's #199, Stewart had become synonymous with #259...which might actually be why he felt the need to change it up. Bubba's first year in the 250 class was, by most measures, a disaster. And as noble as his intentions were with the old number, I'm sure the need for a fresh start probably outweighed anything else on the table. And as much as I like the idea of trademarking uncommon, higher numbers, I still think there's nothing cooler than a single digit on your plate. Now if we can just get RC to run that #1... And what would a motocross current events discussion be without mention of everyone's new favorite three-digit rider - good old #800, Mike Alessi? The Bercy SX saw a little French Justice meted out to young Michael as he was on the receiving end of sucker punches and ghost-ridden bikes and mid-race threats and all sorts of deliciously reprehensible and juvenile behaviour. You know, love him or hate him - and I don't think there's much middle ground out there right now - you have to admit, the Alessi Factor has brought loads of weird and freaky drama to the races. Just last month I went all syrupy about the kid, theorizing that he would probably grow up quickly and become a fan favourite. But now? Now I'm not really sure I even care. But I do know that if he's on the track, I want to be watching. You never know what's going to happen with Mike out there and his reputation precedes him these days like a battering ram. It's all eyes on #800 right now and it's nearly impossible to look away. It's gonna be a fun year.