I am trying to understand Yamaha’s purpose for racing snocross. They spend all this money for a fancy semi, painted up support trailer, YRCC, a couple rent-a-blondes, and a couple pro drivers and one semi-pro?! 
We can all agree the sleds are at a major disadvantage due to their weight, but why not take all that money being spent and give out a bunch of sleds? Play the odds! If you flood the field with Yamaha’s your bound to get someone in the main! Provide sleds and a parts credit to at least 10 semi-pro guys and 10 pros. They are all show and no go, smoke and mirrors.
When will they realize their approach to running a snocross team is not working? I’d be willing to bet the guy running the snocross program now is the same guy who had his hands in it in the early 2000’s, time to get your head out of you’re a$$! How does that guy still have a job?
And, what good is it having Yugi develop a race sled? Shouldn’t the guy developing a race sled at least be a halfway decent driver?
P.S. Yamaha stop bringing over guys from Sweden and Europe, they didn’t produce results in the early 2000’s and they won’t now!
Sorry for venting, anyone else agree?
We can all agree the sleds are at a major disadvantage due to their weight, but why not take all that money being spent and give out a bunch of sleds? Play the odds! If you flood the field with Yamaha’s your bound to get someone in the main! Provide sleds and a parts credit to at least 10 semi-pro guys and 10 pros. They are all show and no go, smoke and mirrors.
When will they realize their approach to running a snocross team is not working? I’d be willing to bet the guy running the snocross program now is the same guy who had his hands in it in the early 2000’s, time to get your head out of you’re a$$! How does that guy still have a job?
And, what good is it having Yugi develop a race sled? Shouldn’t the guy developing a race sled at least be a halfway decent driver?
P.S. Yamaha stop bringing over guys from Sweden and Europe, they didn’t produce results in the early 2000’s and they won’t now!
Sorry for venting, anyone else agree?
adubs916
Extreme
I agree 100% i said the same thing a year and a half ago! The other Mfgs run race specific " race sleds " Not some production model dressed up to play the part. Yamaha's big kicker in the early 2000's was that the stock class was 440, not 600. Well guess what, it is today, and they still don't race in it with their sled because a stock Nytro cannot touch a race specific 600RR etc. I am as blue blodded as they come, but it is sick to see the lame effort put forth with silly results. I am not bashing the individuals who are trying, I appalud you, it's from the top and the decision not to march out a real race program for you.
I think Yamaha should stop Sno-X and focous on Cross Country racing, it is much more closley related to what we come across on the trail.
Last words, can you imagine if poor old Chad Reed had to go up against Bubba Stewart on his TT-R 230!
I think Yamaha should stop Sno-X and focous on Cross Country racing, it is much more closley related to what we come across on the trail.
Last words, can you imagine if poor old Chad Reed had to go up against Bubba Stewart on his TT-R 230!
Kråkan
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
P.S. Yamaha stop bringing over guys from Sweden and Europe, they didn’t produce results in the early 2000’s and they won’t now!
What do you mean didnt produce? He had 2 hours of sleep after 4 or 5 flights befor a short testdrive and then away to duluth. Now I agree that they should have alot MORE riders but to bash someone that jumps at the chance try riding without any practise on the sled is really stupid. By the way when he got back home he won the stock class in the biggest snowcross race in scandinavia.
I am also dissapointed at the results and that there isnt more riders....
What do you mean didnt produce? He had 2 hours of sleep after 4 or 5 flights befor a short testdrive and then away to duluth. Now I agree that they should have alot MORE riders but to bash someone that jumps at the chance try riding without any practise on the sled is really stupid. By the way when he got back home he won the stock class in the biggest snowcross race in scandinavia.
I am also dissapointed at the results and that there isnt more riders....
I mean no disrespect to him as a driver, as I am sure he has tremendous talent, however given that situation why then waste the time and money to fly him here?! What it cost (flight, manpower, preparations, etc.) to fly him from Sweden could have supported a US semi-pro driver for the whole season.
sandy8657
Pro
AS LONG AS "BUNNY" SHOWS UP ONCE IN A WHILE!!!!!!!
I also think they'd be better off concentrating on cross-country since those conditions are far more representative of what most of us ride in for fun.
Perhaps if XC rather than snocross was their focal point we wouldn't have been stuck with a 7.4 gal tank.
Anyway, I'm glad to see they are back into racing snocross but the program could be expanded and improved by supporting more riders. Maybe they're heading that direction?
Perhaps if XC rather than snocross was their focal point we wouldn't have been stuck with a 7.4 gal tank.
Anyway, I'm glad to see they are back into racing snocross but the program could be expanded and improved by supporting more riders. Maybe they're heading that direction?
They might as well put her on a sled, couldn't do any worse...
I thought everybody hated a winner???
Maybe the Euro guys are used as they were running Yamahas there – so they have proven to have the love, desire and some experience.
As far as weight – I really don’t think the race sleds are heavy – these ain’t dumb engineers you are talking about.
Like all forms of racing - from the Road Racers trying to catch Stoner to like you say…… Reed trying to catch Bubba. Listen carefully to the interviews – these guys are telling you ever so quietly how hard they are working to get the speed. Any top four in either venue could win if they had the equipment right under them.
The Yamaha engineers have produced a package that can win…I can assure you of that! But…like the example above – the crew needs to get several more things to work together to get up front. Its there – (like every race Yamaha in the past - well except the stock SX-R example) they just need to take the blinders off.
There was some mention of the sled looking front heavy in the air - that could be as simple as them leaving the ICS on – if the engine runs on after the jump its going to want to lift off the face – hit the brakes – it drops fast – dive into a turn - it runs on - pushing. Not good for snocross. Or – maybe yes.
They are probably thinking (I hope) about – the basic stock sled was close behind the special when they raced together. I can assure the mod has a ton more potential – so where is it being lost?
Trying to outsmart the old guys tuning the top Polaris and Cat sleds is going to be pretty tough.
Simple things like….look close at a fast Polaris and probably Cat on the start line - their suspensions are pre-compressed. They do that as they don’t want to wait for the chassis to collapse before they go. Simple – but they have a million…of them
It’s a 4/ and when that’s realized – they will fly.
Maybe the Euro guys are used as they were running Yamahas there – so they have proven to have the love, desire and some experience.
As far as weight – I really don’t think the race sleds are heavy – these ain’t dumb engineers you are talking about.
Like all forms of racing - from the Road Racers trying to catch Stoner to like you say…… Reed trying to catch Bubba. Listen carefully to the interviews – these guys are telling you ever so quietly how hard they are working to get the speed. Any top four in either venue could win if they had the equipment right under them.
The Yamaha engineers have produced a package that can win…I can assure you of that! But…like the example above – the crew needs to get several more things to work together to get up front. Its there – (like every race Yamaha in the past - well except the stock SX-R example) they just need to take the blinders off.
There was some mention of the sled looking front heavy in the air - that could be as simple as them leaving the ICS on – if the engine runs on after the jump its going to want to lift off the face – hit the brakes – it drops fast – dive into a turn - it runs on - pushing. Not good for snocross. Or – maybe yes.
They are probably thinking (I hope) about – the basic stock sled was close behind the special when they raced together. I can assure the mod has a ton more potential – so where is it being lost?
Trying to outsmart the old guys tuning the top Polaris and Cat sleds is going to be pretty tough.
Simple things like….look close at a fast Polaris and probably Cat on the start line - their suspensions are pre-compressed. They do that as they don’t want to wait for the chassis to collapse before they go. Simple – but they have a million…of them
It’s a 4/ and when that’s realized – they will fly.
The Nytro is at least 50 lbs heavier than any other Mod out there (thats huge), and its all from the weight of the engine. They have a chassis equal or better than anyone else, but the pure weight of that 3 cyl can't be hidden.
The Nytro is an awesome sled, but none of that has come from racing snocross.
SledFreak
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They are not 50lbs heavier.... If you believe that, then you need to take your beer goggles off.
RJH said:
Great post!
Traildale
Extreme
I was gonna post yesterday, but I was too frustrated. I spent the day at the snocross race at Canterbury Park in MN. It was very disheartening and painful to watch the Yamaha factory effort. If I didn't already own a FX Nytro and know how good it is, watching the pro races would have made me think twice about considering a Nytro.
It was embarassing. the typical pro race consisted of the Yamaha getting off the line very well, with Yugi (I assume he was #2) in the top two if not leading midway through the first section of 4 jumps - then he'd get crossed up on the last one (in the same spot every time - duh) and before he hit the finish line jump a few hundred feet ahead, he had either dropped 5 places or was dead last. If not dead last, it was the other Yamaha behind him (looked like #289 or something like that). In the second pro open heat race, Mr. Slow Yamaha racer got LAPPED by Blair Morgan, and this was a short heat race. I bet THAT helped sell some Yamahas - NOT.
The Yamaha's had a tough time in the corners and could not stop and pivot like the XP's and Polaris'. Straight line hookup and ability to hit the jumps with minimal run-up was all there, but they plowed into and through the corners - SOUND FAMILIAR? I think I found out where they got the stock suspension setup from!!
I hate to say it, but the Polaris sleds had the hot motors. Nobody could touch them - given equal riders. They also had the most stable chassis in the big rough sections. The Yamaha guys were hanging on for dear life and the Polaris guys looked like they were on a trail ride by comparison.
The XP's weren't as smooth at the P-sleds, but where they really got killed was by the motor-clutching-acceleration of the P-sleds IMO.
I LOVE my Nytro, but Yamaha is not doing itself any favors by taking a knife to a gun fight. If they can't be competitive, they shouldn't be displaying it for the whole world to see.
Truthfully, if I had seen this race BEFORE purchasing my Nytro (which I LOVE by the way - did I mention that?) I would probably not have purchased one and would have picked up an XP.
Anyone else at the Canterbury race?
It was embarassing. the typical pro race consisted of the Yamaha getting off the line very well, with Yugi (I assume he was #2) in the top two if not leading midway through the first section of 4 jumps - then he'd get crossed up on the last one (in the same spot every time - duh) and before he hit the finish line jump a few hundred feet ahead, he had either dropped 5 places or was dead last. If not dead last, it was the other Yamaha behind him (looked like #289 or something like that). In the second pro open heat race, Mr. Slow Yamaha racer got LAPPED by Blair Morgan, and this was a short heat race. I bet THAT helped sell some Yamahas - NOT.
The Yamaha's had a tough time in the corners and could not stop and pivot like the XP's and Polaris'. Straight line hookup and ability to hit the jumps with minimal run-up was all there, but they plowed into and through the corners - SOUND FAMILIAR? I think I found out where they got the stock suspension setup from!!
I hate to say it, but the Polaris sleds had the hot motors. Nobody could touch them - given equal riders. They also had the most stable chassis in the big rough sections. The Yamaha guys were hanging on for dear life and the Polaris guys looked like they were on a trail ride by comparison.
The XP's weren't as smooth at the P-sleds, but where they really got killed was by the motor-clutching-acceleration of the P-sleds IMO.
I LOVE my Nytro, but Yamaha is not doing itself any favors by taking a knife to a gun fight. If they can't be competitive, they shouldn't be displaying it for the whole world to see.
Truthfully, if I had seen this race BEFORE purchasing my Nytro (which I LOVE by the way - did I mention that?) I would probably not have purchased one and would have picked up an XP.
Anyone else at the Canterbury race?
Guys, while I understand your frustrations with the Yamaha Snow-X effort, keep in mind they are doing this to make YOURE snowmobile better. Dont think for a minute that Yamaha doesnt know how to race. This is all R&D for there production sleds.
Tom Rager (Polaris Racing Manager) said to world champion Bobby Donahue at Eagle River when the RX-1 was debuted on the track "God, I sure hope Yamaha never gets serious about racing".
Dont think for a minute that if Yamaha wanted to be winning Snow-X events that they couldnt. They are a very conservative company who will only release products to the consumer that is very very well thought out, and will meet customer demands.
Dont take these Snow-X results so seriously, and try to look at the bigger picture.
Tom Rager (Polaris Racing Manager) said to world champion Bobby Donahue at Eagle River when the RX-1 was debuted on the track "God, I sure hope Yamaha never gets serious about racing".
Dont think for a minute that if Yamaha wanted to be winning Snow-X events that they couldnt. They are a very conservative company who will only release products to the consumer that is very very well thought out, and will meet customer demands.
Dont take these Snow-X results so seriously, and try to look at the bigger picture.
Mighty
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I don't think they can. If they could they would. I don't believe they are spending that kinda cash just for R&DBlueByYou2000 said:
Mighty said:I don't think they can. If they could they would. I don't believe they are spending that kinda cash just for R&DBlueByYou2000 said:
Your kidding right?
Funny how theres no 2 strokes left in Supercross. Wonder how that happened?
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