The King has retired.

[TastinGood]

<font color="#6699FF" size="1">[ December 24, 2002 11:31 AM: Message edited by: TastinGood ]</font>

[Trampis]

I'm pretty bummed about it myself.I was really hoping he could come out this year and make a good showing on the KTM.But...hes getting scared of getting hurt,and when that happens you slow down a bit,and thats not up to snuff for MC to finish 7th(are you listening Damon Huffman?).

The King wore the crown with class and humility.He didnt burn out like Windham or Bradshaw and he didnt get caught with dope like Lechien or Emig.He's of the same mold that brought us Rick Johnson,Jeff Ward,Stanton,Bailey etc...I dont care if RC breaks all of McGraths records,Jeremy will always be The King of Supercross.

My hope is that he can continue the Bud Light Ktm team with Kevin Windham.That would be my wish.He should drag that guy out of the bayou,train with him every day and make him the champion he should have always been.

[TastinGood]

Windham is one of the few other riders that I actually like. I think that it would be good for him to get hooked up on McGraths team and maybe get some motivation back.

Unfortunately, however, I think Windham may indeed be a carbon copy of Bradshaw. Young, rich and burned out from the pressure of dealing with guys like McGrath and Carmichael.

I believe that when Windham is on he is the fastest rider in the world. He smoked Jeremy a few times in SX and who can forget when he caught and passed RC in both motos last year at Washougal?

The word is that Windham has a CRF450 right now and has been putting some time on it. I think that he will end up with a Factory Honda ride starting at Glen Helen.

But I dont think that will be good for K-Dub. I dont think he needs to be teamed up with RC.


As for 2003, Larocco will be up there occasionally and so will Fonseca, Langston, Tortelli and Lusk.

But I believe that the only ones that can match and maybe even top RC's pace will be Chad Reed, David Vuillemin and of course Travis Pastrana (until he crashes doing a backflip on the parade lap).

I just hope someone kicks the RC's ass.

I dont care if they do it in the parking lot after the race.

[SHATOUSHKA]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Tempus Sans ITC, Tahoma">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#25004f"><font size=2 face="Tempus Sans ITC, Tahoma">Originally posted by TastinGood:
I just hope someone kicks the RC's ass.

I dont care if they do it in the parking lot after the race.</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL! thats funny.

as for the bulk of this thread, i have no
doubt that you are crimped by this issue.

i'm just glad i got to go to SL.

[SHATOUSHKA]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Tempus Sans ITC, Tahoma">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#25004f"><font size=2 face="Tempus Sans ITC, Tahoma">Originally posted by TastinGood:

<center></center></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

when i imagine it, i bet it was fun being there that day [img]smile.gif[/img]

[TastinGood]

=)

<font color="#6699FF" size="1">[ January 03, 2003 03:03 AM: Message edited by: TastinGood ]</font>

[TastinGood]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Tempus Sans ITC, Tahoma">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#25004f"><font size=2 face="Tempus Sans ITC, Tahoma">Originally posted by shatzy:


i'm just glad i got to go to SL.</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

[img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]


The following is Jeremy McGrath's official retirement speech from moments ago at the Diamond Club, behind home plate at Edison International Field.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming out this afternoon. As many of you may know, this week has been an extremely challenging, difficult, and emotional time for me. There have been reports out there, but it means a lot to me to be able to tell everyone here about my retirement announcement in the right way.

"First, and most importantly, it is crucial for not only my peers and members of the industry to know - but for race fans and enthusiasts of this great sport to know - that although I am announcing my retirement, this 2003 season should be looked at as my farewell tour. Kind of a way for me to say goodbye over a four-month period. Although I will not be racing this year, I will be at all of the races. I will be expanding my autograph session, and additionally, with Clear Channel's continued support, I will be part of the opening ceremonies at each event. It is my sincere hope that these efforts throughout the 2003 supercross season will allow me the opportunity to meet and greet as many race fans as possible and be able to thank as many individuals as I can for the many, many years of overwhelming and enthusiastic support I have received. This sport truly has the greatest fans. I can't tell you how many times people have come up to me and said that they named their kids Jeremy or showed me tattoos of me that they had put on themselves.

"I want to go back to the comment about reports being out there. It is true that my recent injuries have played a role in my decision to retire, but timing has also played an equally important role. By that I mean, after a great deal of thought and retrospect and looking at this wonderful career I've had, this sport has brought me more than I could have ever imagined or dreamed. I'm closing this chapter - the racing and competition part - and starting to move towards the next chapter in my life.

"As many of you may know, this summer during a test session, I sustained an injury. And while I was laying on the ground for about three hours with my dislocated hip, it really made me stop and think about my life, my family, and my future. I had every intention of fulfilling my contractual obligation and racing for the next two years. I know many of you are probably wondering, Why now? And to be honest with all of you, I never knew how all of this was going to end. I actually thought I would have been retired by now. But during these past few seasons, I continued to be motivated and I wanted to be out there. I wanted to win. I love the competition. However, as all of you may or may not know, it kills me to be out there and not winning.

"To me, this sport is a lifestyle. A passion, not just a job. I promised myself early on in my career if and when I wasn't 100 percent focused and motivated, it was time to step down. And it is important to me to keep that promise to myself. This sport has given me everything and is something I really love. However, if you get to the point where you have doubts and hesitation, it can become your enemy, and I could grow to hate it. I love the sport too much to ever let that happen."

McGrath then commented on his future plans, which include writing an autobiography, expanding his production company, Clutch Films, working on personal merchandising efforts, and probably starting a family. The conference concluded with a long list of heartfelt thank-yous and a Q&A session.



<font color="#6699FF" size="1">[ January 03, 2003 12:30 AM: Message edited by: TastinGood ]</font>

[TastinGood]

I told Hanny last night....


I dont think he believed me.