GOBERT AND PRIDMORE: LETS TALK
Gobert = Clinton.
He did something some perceive as bad, and is paying the price. That
doesn't mean we should just oust the man.Pridemore
"I'd like to thank my sponsors..." No doubt Jason is a very talented
rider. But I want some excitement for my $40 ticket.
I want a guy who goes out there and puts on a show (or the hopes of a
show.) I cast my $40 ticket for Gobert.
Not for "The crew really did a great job today."Mike Coustier
Vance and Hines would lose a good rider who would be an outstanding
spokesman for them if they let Jason go and get Gobert back. Gobert has
trashed his career for a couple of seasons until he proves he can stay
clean. Can you imagine being a sponsor for Vance and Hines?
Just my 2 cents...R. BohlDean,
I feel that Pridmore is getting the short end of the stick. Thats
unfortunate because he has so much talent and makes an effort to work
with the bike, to make it better, instead of complaining(ala Gobert).
He get's the shaft from Hypercycle, does an outstanding job for V&H and
ends up without a ride for '99. No problem there as I'm sure someone
will pick him up.As for Gobert, part of me tells me that V&H should have dumped him and
the other supports V&H's decision to give him a chance(he is one hell of
a rider). However, if the AMA is going to be tough on Gobert, maybe
they should take a look at ALL riders to ensure substance-free races.Based on Pridmore's performance: I, as well as many I know, thought that
Gobert was out and Pridmore was in. You never know what goes on behind
the scenes until it hits the press. Oh well.Maybe Suzuki should consider taking on Pridmore as the TLR-man. Now let
your imagination run wild with that!Brian Russell
It really has little to do with me, but if anything happens with Gobert
next year that resembles this year I would not like to be in Terry
Vance's shoes. It seems like he is taking a big risk in retaining a
child who obviously does not understand the importance of his
professional relationships and contractual obligations; Gobert was hired
to race, not tobe enrolled in drug rehab clinics. As a spectator I am
quite tired of the lack of professionalism in this sport/business. I
listen to the journalists and others lament the lack of respect
motorcycle racing gets-- little media coverage, bad track venues, and
poor public image-- yet we make excuses for those that ruin the
enjoyment of racing and do little but complain.
This is the opportunity for Mr. Vance to step up and do what is right,
reward Pridmore for his effort and let Gobert, as great as he is, move
on.
Thanks,
Gary Cooper
Yes, Gobert is awesome. We all know Terry Vance will sign Gobert to move
his product. He appeals to the younger generation who can care less if
he smokes pot or not. This generation has money to spend and Gobert is
their poster child. On the other hand, Jason has been around the block
and respects the rules(unlike his previous crew). What else does he have
to do to prove himself to these teams? If Terry Vance does sign Gobert,
it is a money move on his part. Whoever signs Jason will get a quality
rider that I will back no matter what type of bike he rides. This year I
backed Gobert because of his talent and the team he is with (I own 2
Ducati's). After reading about his downfall, I wrote him off. The area I
live in is known for high drug use(POT, LSD,etc)among the local youth
and it is getting higher. Someone needs to take a stand. I will not
support Vance & Hinds products if Gobert is signed, but money is money.
Fast By Ferracci all the way!!!!Rich Laing
Leadville, CO
Gobert in, Pridmore out: Goes to show that winning is everything. The
teams probably use the money test; if it were a race between Gobert and
Pridmore on equal bikes, who would you put your money on????????If VH didn't take Gobert, FBF would have. VH can't allow FBF to beat
them.I hope Pridmore is hired by Ferracci, so nice guys can finish first.
DA: Thanks for the great site!
David Hart
my feelings are summed up for your review
pridmore got boned yet again, due to piss-poor management(decisions) AGAIN.how unlucky can one person be?
however the best revenge is living well.
i hope he gets the ECKL ride and wins WSC 1st year out!
that'll send a message.
terry vance had the way to the promised land. HEY TERRY
WHAT YOU GOING TO DO WHEN TONY AND BENNY CAN'T PASS THE DRUG SCREEN NEXT YEAR?
yeah, I'LL SEND YOU TISSUES.bone.err@prodigy.net
THE BULLSHIT THING IS,NOT THAT JASON'S WORTH HALF AS MUCH(HE'S WORTH JUST AS
MUCH!) BUT VANCE PROBABLY COULD HAVE HIRED JASON FOR HALF WHAT GOBERT'S
SERVICES WILL COST IT'S A DAMN SHAME IF PRIDMORE DOES'NT GET A TOP SUPERBIKE
RIDE FOR NEXT YEAR!!!!
Mac
About the Pridmore/Gobert debate, Pridmore is the logical choice. He's
professional, clean-cut, well-spoken and hell, even good looking.Gobert on the other hand, is the business man's choice. He is gonna be
plastered on every publication known to motorcycling. He's young, talented,
and very exciting to watch, just what Vance&Hines needs-HangnFury@aol.com
It's absolutely amazing to watch these events unfold.
What kind of message is being sent to all of the young riders out there? Hey
kids, if you've got more talent than brains, don't worry about it. Sure, you
might get slapped on the wrist from time to time, but the next lucrative
contract will be just around the corner.It's even more disheartening to look at Jason's situation. Here's a guy who
has been one of the classiest riders this sport has ever known, turns in
absolutely stellar performances with only a couple of hours on the Ducati, and
ends up on the outside looking in. Again, what kind of message is being sent?
Good guys get left out?It's funny, because just last weekend some fan of Oklahoma football was quoted
as saying he wished they had Barry Switzer back with all of the problems he
and his players brought along, because at least then they would be contending
for a National Championship. How sad.In my opinion, the choice of riders is irreprehensible. It's hard to say
anything negative about Vance & Hines, because they did give Jason the chance
to ride their bike and prove to the world that given competitive equipment he
can race with anyone. And being the class act that he is, the only thing you
will hear from Jason is appreciation to them. A bit ironic it seems. Surely,
some team must appreciate a rider that can perform both on and off the
racetrack.
Hzncute@aol.com
THANK GOD Gobert is coming back to the AMA. He brings some excitement to
the series and it can't be denied he is the best rider in the series since
Scott Russell or Kevin Schwantz. If his bike runs well next year then he
will be unbeatable since he has learned a lesson for sure on the drug
thing. THE GO GO SHOW RETURNS!!!!!When he comes back to Road Atlanta we will be there again cheering him on!!!
Unsigned
I think both of them deserve to ride the Ducati......they both have proven to be quite deadly on the Ducks . I had a chance to talk with Jason about the Ducati and he was absolutely thrilled with the ride . He was all praise for the Duck . Although I'd love to see him ride the Yosh GSXR . Either one it's going to be some good racing to look forward to.
Pranav
Email : pranav4u@earthlink.net
Web Sites : http://home.earthlink.net/~pranav4u/Pranav.htm
Why would Vance and Hines want Gobert instead of Pridmore? Justlook at all the publicity Tony has brought the V and H team. Gobert has always run at the front and got the team a lot of attention from the type of people who will spend a lot of money on Vance and Hines products. As far as Jason goes, he is a very consistent rider but doesn't have as much fan appeal as the Go-show. Sometimes life isn't fair and the "good guy" doesn't win.
Jason deserves a ride but there are valid reasons Tony got first pick, Just look at the attention we have given the matter.As much as I hated to see Jason not get the VHR spot. It is still very
hard to knock Terry's decision to go with Ben and Tony G. I think it
just came down to total superbike experience and raw talent. I'm quite
sure Jason will have many other offers following his very impressive
showing on the Ducati. Now, let's just hope the Go-Show has learned
from his mistake(s).
Chris....I don't see why Elraldo doesn't offer Jason a ride. Szoke is good and so is
Kipp, But Pridmore has proven he can take the to the Italian bike like a
duck to water(pun intended) and could give the team the wins it needs. I
have mixed feeling on Gobert. He is a great rider and brings more excitement
to the sport. If he can't police his actions by himself though, he doesn't
belong here. I have enough to worry about when I race than to wonder if the
guy next to me has killed a few too many brain cells and become a potential
danger to all of us. Keep up the good work and don't let a few idiots with
nothing better to do than criticize spelling errors get you down. The rest
of us appreciate what you do. Mike Helms, RACE (Canada), WERA ,Amature#366
Our fiendish pal Tony G. rides a motorcycle in a fashion that makes me want
to see every race he's in, ever. His off-track escapades don't really
interest me, except for the cool stories from Daytona about evading several
police in a rental car with a back seat full of empty beer cans, and a
friend passed out in the passenger seat. If
the AMA continues testing the young lad for substance abuse, and he stays
"clean", then he should be given every opportunity to race here in the US,
where we can witness his talents firsthand on a regular basis. Bear in mind
that I would love to see Pridmore get a first rate superbike ride, he's
obviously got championship calibur talent, and he's a PR guy's dream as far
as that goes, but... Gobert will sell tickets and get exposure that nobody
else (Kenny Roberts Sr, and Kevin Schwantz aside) could ever offer VHR. To
me the real question is why would Terry Vance hire Bostrom instead of
Pridmore? Seems to me Pridmore is at least as talented, has twice the
charisma, and doesn't have a caged wolverine for an agent (Jason probably
would have signed for 50% of Bostrom's price). I hope things work out for JP
so he can race here - nothing would make me happier than to see him give the
"California Dude from Hell" a good ass-kicking next year.Mike Golden
I think Pridmore will obtain a ride somewhere, if not in the States then overseas.
As for Gobert, He should be happy to get ride with V&H Ducati. Obviously they think he's still got some worth left in him.... Hope he doesn't "fook it up" as the limies would say.
I think you guys should advocate to the readers of this site to send messeges to those pin heads at yellowflag.com I don't know why, but all the sniveling pussies in the Country seem to stand up and rally against just about every good individual type sporting endeavor that people want to get into. Let'em go fuck with the mountain bikers or some shit. (oh, I forgot. They probably are the mountain biker crowd.) The are the same type of assholes that protest against Motocross tracks, desert racers, Shooting ranges, and shooting events, while at the same time arguing that Alternative ( DickSucker ) lifestyles should be tought in public schools...... Fucking Mental.....
Reagards & What Not,
Hunter Pieper
hpieper@pdq.net
ps. Yes, I did send yellowflag.com a message.....While Gobie is an amazingly talented rider, he blew his chance. I would
rather see someone like Jason Pridmore - who not only is talented but who
also WORKS for his results - get the V&H ride. Jason deserves it, probably
more than anyone out there. Hell, give him Miguel's ride - in fact, in a
race who would you prefer? Be honest!
Stephen CruthchinsGobi has paid his dues and endured just punishment. I look forward to
his return to the US. I want to see world class riders like him and
Pridmore at my home track, Willow Springs. Pridmore has been kind of an
enigma. He has been successful in SS 750 but for some reason, lack of
opportunity perhaps, has been out of the superbike limelight. To
Pridmore I say take a ride in Europe next year because you cannot risk
being continually ignored in the US.
Ahmad Hashmi
WSMC #704No need to post this, but you can.
To me, Pridmore's two race bounty of Ducati brownie points makes up
somewhat for the tainted 2 seasons of Hypercycle racing, a cleansing
shower so to speak, which puts him back on somewhat level ground. Gobert?
Fireworks waiting to happen. V&H probably got him a quite a bit cheaper
than they might have had he not indulged. The Gobert doobie story
is like a mini-Monica and Bill escapade. Only who is playing the
role of Ken Starr? Enough already... we are a nation of hypocrites.
Nobody was harmed any worse than V&H and Anthony.
And look what they have chosen to do for next seaon?
That should speak volumes. Pridmore? There are a few
deserving exisiting SB pilots who may find themselves out of
a ride next year. And, World Superbike guys are starting to look
over here, exploring the possibilites. Russell may return, and he
is much faster than he gets credit for. So Pridmore? He'll be lucky
if he gets a factory SB ride in 2000. Next season he needs to do something
other than win a 750SS title running against a bunch of privateers. And
hooking up with Lance Holst as a partner in the STAR riding school? Jeez,
you would think once burned he would be smart enough to distance himself
in that area.
Skeptic in NCThere is very little comparison between Gobert and Pridmore. Gobert is a known
quanity with very high visibility. For marketing purposes there is no contest.
As you have said, for whatever reason Pridmore may as well be the invisible
man. Even if you consider that Gobert has a tarnished reputation, this is
America and I think most racing fans and the buying public will over-look his
indiscretions with mary jane. Racing is a business and Gobert is a gold mine
just waiting to be tapped. V&H will have an unbeatable combo next year
(Bostrom and Gobert) and will reap the rewards of this silly season. I think
Pridmores' best bet is riding the Harley in AMA...
Craig Wright
Vacaville, Ca.NORMALLY, the object of a race is to win, and Gobert has shown he can
and has this year. I wish there was a team that didn't care about PR
and just was there to win, period. They're out there, but not on a
national or internation stage, at least in Road Racing.
However, since there are other factors to racing in the 90s, the best
rider for the job may not be the one riding the bike. This could mean
either Pridmore or Gobert. Heck, we have some hot racers in Colorado
who might do very well with the proper team.
_I_ go to a race to see who'll win, and what he's on, who he's going
against, and what they're on. The winning rider totaled a bike on
friday and still won, cool. He's not american, who cares. Funny hair
or walk, ditto. He's a flake, join the club.
Maybe if this PC PR stuff goes far enough, there will be a 'star'
racer for image and a 'stunt' racer who actually goes out and rides the
damn thing. The star gets seen w/o helmet, and the stunt racer gets
banged up and does the job (his part).
No matter who rides for who next year, there are too many good riders
wanting to race factory AMA superbike. Mabye we'll see more factory
teams or semi-factory teams. Maybe Rainey will run a team, as will
Roberts and Schwantz. More teams is good for racing. Heck, it might
even draw sponsors (gasp)!
More pipe dreams than you can shake a pipe at,
Ed "Overload" DavisDean,
Gobert is without a doubt one of the best superbike riders in the world and
should be given another chance because one, he brings fans in that want to see
his world class talent.two,the competition is elavated to compete against
Gobert. and three, you could'nt meet a more approachable rider who talks
to his fans and poses for pictures without any problems on any given weekend.
Pridmore on the other hand has been given an unfair judgement by the AMA
superbike teams and has proven that he can run up front with the best in the
country (Brainerd and Pikes Peak) and still not be offered a ride! What does
Pridmore have to do to get a ride?I hope that the ride left by Yates at Yosh
is filled by Pridmore,there is not a person more deserving than Jason,then he
can show Vance the mistake he made by not signing him!
cheers
Tom HnatiwPart of me picks Gobert and part of me picks Pridemore.
The part that picks Gobert is the business part. He's fast as hell, talented, flamboyant
and brings much attention to the Vance & Hines team. He has the potential to win any
AMA Superbike race and he's one hell of a character to have around the paddock.
Something that was missing from the AMA was "Characters". The AMA has been filled
by many good and some great riders, but most were sponsor spouting robots and
dull personalities. It is so refreshing to hear Matt Mladin "Tell it like it is" and to listen
to Anthony talk candidly. The AMA paddock was almost boring until some of these
characters showed up and livened up the show a bit. It's exciting and it could have
been great exposure for the Vance & Hines squad if..... the dumb shit hadn't smoked the
weed as if it didn't matter. All that talent going to waste. He gets everyone to look at
him and his team, then goes and screws up like that.The part of me that picks Jason Pridemore is due in part to the fact that I'm tired of seeing
such a worthy rider and great person get passed over once again. I wrestle with the fact
that Gobert is so good (and bad) for company exposure, but Gobert does get the name out
there better than Jason probably would. Too bad there's a dirty sock hanging over the name
when he does get it out there. Jason would do a credible job for V&H and he would be a
clean-cut, well mannered rider as well. Personally, I really, really like Jason Pridemore and
I want him to get the ride over that stupid dope smoking Gobert, but the business side of me
thinks that Anthony adds an element of excitement to racing (despite his stupidity and dope
smoking) that Jason just cannot.I'm not asking for Jason to try to act like a fool, dye his hair and smoke dope. That's not the
kind of person he is and not the type of racer he needs to be. Jason has earned so much respect
as a rider and gentleman and it seems to have gotten him nowhere which is the big rub.
Anthony has only God-given talent and acts like an ass, yet is handed the silver spoon time
and time again. Why?It's real, it's exciting, it's dramatic, it's interesting, thought provoking and it's a damned shame.
In this case, substance (green leafy=Gobert) has won over style (Jason Pridmore)They should have hired a man with some CLASS and style rather than the spoiled brat
with substance running through his veins.As much as I hate to admit this, it'll probably be more exciting to watch the druggy ride
the Duc. He doesn't deserve it. Too bad he has all that talent.--
Roque Torres
Home Office Center
www.homeofficecenter.com
(510) 559-8288
Berkeley, Ca USAWell,Dean, I think it sucks that Jason's not getting a ride at Vance and
Hines. If it were a performance review like I would receive at work,
then I would say that Jason exceeded his expectations and surpassed his
and V&H's goals. I think Jason's a talented rider and only needs a few
more rides to prove his capabilities on Superbike. He's also a
professional, and I don't see him ever doing anything that would cast
aspersions on his team or employers. To top it off, he's a hell of a
nice guy. As for Gobert being re-hired, I think this is folly on V&H's
part, as I would have thought his being busted twice for drugs this year
would have been enough to show that he is both unreliable and
unprofessional. Certainly his being associated with Vance and Hines this
year brought them the publicity they could have done without.Regards,
Stephen ScharfMan, you have got to be kidding. Vance is the one who needs a piss test!!!
They should have sacked that punk and let Pridmore ride next year.I will never buy another Vance product as long as I live, knowing he is
sponoring a dope head and endangering the lives of many of my AMA Superbike
friends. Jesus Christ!!! How many chances is he gonna get?Just my humble opinion.
Boli Muentes
West Palm Beach, FL###############
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