Honda preparing Dakar assault

[DruncleWill]

Originally Posted by too old

Ha ha - my daughter has been going out with Sam for 4 years and we are very happy - now there's a riding partnership that would sit pretty well with the marketing boys! Sam and Colton that is, not my daughter

Sam should be at JC's race day tomorrow, he is having another scan today - you may struggle to recognise him though as he looks native SoCal, but he'll be the one with his wrist in plaster

The plaster will blend right in, hell my kid was on crutches at the JC Christmas Classic last year. It's the funny way of talking that will give him away

[too old]

Originally Posted by DruncleWill

The plaster will blend right in, hell my kid was on crutches at the JC Christmas Classic last year. It's the funny way of talking that will give him away

Maybe, but the standard MX vocabulary will be right up there dude

[neduro]

Originally Posted by HogWild

As best as I can tell, they were testing in the Stoddard Wells area, south of Barstow.

Thanks for the info- disregard my post!

[neduro]

No one has mentioned Kendall Norman as a replacement rider... he knows Hondas, he goes fast, but I'm guessing he and Johnny are unlikely to be on the same team...

[Ciampa]

Originally Posted by neduro

No one has mentioned Kendall Norman as a replacement rider... he knows Hondas, he goes fast, but I'm guessing he and Johnny are unlikely to be on the same team...

Kendall would would be good. Is there some bad blood with JCR?

What about Casell, Bell, Pearson or Hengeveld?

[neduro]

Originally Posted by Ciampa

Kendall would would be good. Is there some bad blood with JCR?

What about Casell, Bell, Pearson or Hengeveld?

Contracts with KTM, Kaw, Kaw, respectively, tho I think Steve is open? Anyone know for sure? He rode on the THR team but I don't think has a contract.

Kendall and JCR- who knows? But the rumors at the time were that it was not a simple situation...

This is the best part of the internet- speculation without any need for facts! Point remains, it would be great to see some of our talent take one of those seats, sad tho it is that they are open.

[too old]

Originally Posted by neduro

Contracts with KTM, Kaw, Kaw, respectively, tho I think Steve is open? Anyone know for sure? He rode on the THR team but I don't think has a contract.

Kendall and JCR- who knows? But the rumors at the time were that it was not a simple situation...

This is the best part of the internet- speculation without any need for facts! Point remains, it would be great to see some of our talent take one of those seats, sad tho it is that they are open.

Yes all great speculation, but without the necessary navigational GPS/Roadbook skills it would be a non starter for the factory teams and not something to be learnt in a few weeks with the actual event as the test.

Nevertheless for the information we have Honda are not intending to replace Sam for the Dakar and are relying on Helder supported by Johnny.

Philipe is another issue and the concensus is that with it being Honda SA and if Philipe is not fit then it will very probably be a South American rider.

Jaun Carlos could be favourite and he has actually retweeted something that may indicate this, although my Spanish only identifies key words not the grammer to go with them, so he could making the coffee for HCR for all I know - but doubt it

No it wasn't coffee but a general ad for Honda in Bolivia (but they make coffee) still my favourite as a replacement if one is required.

No new news on Philipe though

[neduro]

Originally Posted by too old

Jaun Carlos could be favourite and he has actually retweeted something that may indicate this, although my Spanish only identifies key words not the grammer to go with them, so he could making the coffee for HCR for all I know - but doubt it

Bad translation is a close second to a complete lack of information for internet perfection...

He's proven he's got the stuff, he's proven his navigation, I agree he'd be a great candidate.

[bajaboundmoto]

On the road here and not sure what all has been said for replacement riders but...
A few names I've read would be foolish choices at the level of this program and what's needed.

I'd suggest Aussie Jake Smith.
Fit and ready, good navigator, knows Hondas, been to Dakar before, pissed he didn't get the GHR ride at Dakar.

[Safariaddict]

Originally Posted by bajaboundmoto

On the road here and not sure what all has been said for replacement riders but...
A few names I've read would be foolish choices at the level of this program and what's needed.

I'd suggest Aussie Jake Smith.
Fit and ready, good navigator, knows Hondas, been to Dakar before, pissed he didn't get the GHR ride at Dakar.

Have heard a little whisper the Jake Smith will ride at Dakar to fill in for Sam.
Looks like they will be taking five riders ?

[rmhrc628]

Originally Posted by Safariaddict

Have heard a little whisper the Jake Smith will ride at Dakar to fill in for Sam.
Looks like they will be taking five riders ?

Oh the irony of being passed over to get a gig with HRC.

He might need some sleeping pills to contain the excitement and achieve some rest!!

[Simosez]

Originally Posted by rmhrc628

Oh the irony of being passed over to get a gig with HRC.

He might need some sleeping pills to contain the excitement and achieve some rest!!

would also be a highly beneficial situation for HRC as they would unoficially gain added support for Jake through GHR.

[rmhrc628]

Entirely different bikes though. Not much cross over

[Sylvia]

Originally Posted by Safariaddict

Have heard a little whisper the Jake Smith will ride at Dakar to fill in for Sam.
Looks like they will be taking five riders ?

[Simosez]

Originally Posted by rmhrc628

Entirely different bikes though. Not much cross over

i'm not talking major surgery in the dunes. familiar faces, moral support. i'm sure these things would be counted as beneficial to HRC. nothing wrong with a few extra bodies keeping an eye out for each other.