It's very possible SuperCross would not exist as we know it today if RJ had not had the balls to tell it like it was. Many props to RJ and I think any true SX fan will agree.
Rickey was the best ever its a shame his career got cut short in its prime while he was the best in the world he would have won numerous more titles he all but had the 89 Supercross title in the bag when he got hurt in gainesville in 89.
I remember seeing the coverage of this race in MXA and RJ wearing the Lifes a Beach MX Missile Shorts over his Yamaha Pants because he was between his old Yamaha contract and his new Honda ride...those were the days...dayglow riding gear, the last days of the works bikes and some fast riders...great memories!!!
soulrful terrain, no offense, but you actually have it backwards. This was what is remembered as the golden era. Bikes were brutal and so were the men that raced them. Just like Moto Grand Prix of the same time. RJ, Bailey, Hannah, Broc, O'Mara, Ward, Barnett, Lacky, Bradshaw, Jean-Michel this were all men riding very hard to ride motorcycles.
I respect ALL motocross racers, regardless of era. To run up front today, everybody has to be at the top of the training and racing game. Motocross is the baddest-ass sport of the best sports....always has been, and always will be as long as they don't water down the race times.
Back in 1985 when I heard his protest speech, I thought it was pretty cool. Now that I am older, I realize it was not a very smart thing to do. 1st off, we have to understand that not all rules are good rules. Many rules are made by people in power who have no business making any rules for anybody. A socialist or communist government is a great example of that. These rules were based on socialism (not individual rights), and would have destroyed Rick Johnson's career if this were to be the new racing format. The racing organization (the strong arm of the FIM) wanted to make it "fair" (by punishing Americans on the starting line) and made the rule, Europeans start in the front row, and Americans start in the back row. But that did not last, because Jim Holley was leading the series championship, and he is an American. They could not put the points leader in the back row for the final race that determines the championship--which Holley won that night (I don't know if he had to qualify with the points he had), if so, I don't know if he sandbagged himself). Then they changed the rules to who ever finishes 1st or 2nd in their heat race, has to start at the back row. RJ's heat was first, and he won the heat race. He should have sand bagged like his bright competition did. Why? Because it was a stupid rule made with nothing but a "losers emotions" (the Americans were the best at the time, and Europe did not like it--so they play dirty) and no rational thought,---and it was not fair. RJ admitted on that microphone that "They want to try out a new format that may become next years format." Now if the dysfunctional FIM could have stopped the sandbagging,---would RJ, the best racer in the world at the time, really want to start in the second row every supercross main event? He would lose his ride. This is how stupid socialism is, and this is a example of socialism. RJ, and a lot of Americans fell for it (even myself back in 1985). But "I" have gained some wisdom since then.
+EarthSurferUSA But Ward, O'Mara, Bailey and Lechien (along with a few Euro racers)---did not fall for it. They overcame it. Kudos the sand baggers in this case.
If you've already signed a contract for millions who cares what you say,,and I'm sure the guys who did slow down cleared it with their team manager first, but it goes without saying winning is a l w a y s is the goal of the team..
I agree with rj , but I agree with Ron and Johnny more, the reason. ama was bull shit, if everyone would have done their best, today it would total chaos, qualify 22nd start on point, slowest heat time advanced directly to the main... That's bull shit... I'm glad some of the riders stunk up the show... rj just used his mouth like always not his noggin. I liked rj he was one hell of a rider, just had a mouth that did not match. better racing now because of Johnny and Ron protesting imo.
at least a smart guy would get a mediocre start and work up into 3rd as the highest he would go . OR .... Lead and fall over in a corner , pick up and finish in 3rd place ..... The whole damn thing was a bunch of ass clowns , from the goddamn top all the down ..... That's how reparations work 👌
HANDS DOWN RICK WAS THE KING! THANX FOR THE MEMORIES!
I'LL NEVER FORGET!
I was always a RJ fan saw him many times at Southwick mass met him got his autograph multiple times and still hang on to them!
RICK JOHNSON IS DA MAN
SO SAVAGE. . LOVE THIS.
It's very possible SuperCross would not exist as we know it today if RJ had not had the balls to tell it like it was. Many props to RJ and I think any true SX fan will agree.
Rickey was the best ever its a shame his career got cut short in its prime while he was the best in the world he would have won numerous more titles he all but had the 89 Supercross title in the bag when he got hurt in gainesville in 89.
👍
Just met him today, super cool dude
Awesome cool
hes a freegin legend.....i can only imagine how many more titles he would have won if he didnt get landed on.
Rick said it best. Who's an man, and who's chicken. And I'm on a privateer bike.
Rick Johnson was the best
Rick was always the Pro even when riding as a privateer....
I met Ricky. a proper sports man and rider
I remember seeing the coverage of this race in MXA and RJ wearing the Lifes a Beach MX Missile Shorts over his Yamaha Pants because he was between his old Yamaha contract and his new Honda ride...those were the days...dayglow riding gear, the last days of the works bikes and some fast riders...great memories!!!
Great Rick, the best !!!
RICK JOHNSON FOR PRESIDENT!!!
i believe RJ said the same thing at the pontiac silverdome that year!
I remember this! Man Im old. Check out the "Life's a beach" gear.
soulrful terrain, no offense, but you actually have it backwards. This was what is remembered as the golden era. Bikes were brutal and so were the men that raced them. Just like Moto Grand Prix of the same time. RJ, Bailey, Hannah, Broc, O'Mara, Ward, Barnett, Lacky, Bradshaw, Jean-Michel this were all men riding very hard to ride motorcycles.
I respect ALL motocross racers, regardless of era. To run up front today, everybody has to be at the top of the training and racing game. Motocross is the baddest-ass sport of the best sports....always has been, and always will be as long as they don't water down the race times.
Still wondering how RJ could race a dirt bike with balls that big. Must've hurt like hell to sit down.
Go on ricky my son , having a large portion of RADICAL
I don't get what happened?
That mullet wasn't sandbagging
No. Just happens he was on a privateer 250 😆😆😆😆
Quit acting like one of those mentally disturbed leftists with severe psychological disorders
what was that all about?
WAT TO GO RJ.
Back when Supercross was REAL racing. Now it's just a lame circus act.
Gimme that jacket!
Flash is the man!
Back in 1985 when I heard his protest speech, I thought it was pretty cool. Now that I am older, I realize it was not a very smart thing to do.
1st off, we have to understand that not all rules are good rules. Many rules are made by people in power who have no business making any rules for anybody. A socialist or communist government is a great example of that.
These rules were based on socialism (not individual rights), and would have destroyed Rick Johnson's career if this were to be the new racing format.
The racing organization (the strong arm of the FIM) wanted to make it "fair" (by punishing Americans on the starting line) and made the rule, Europeans start in the front row, and Americans start in the back row. But that did not last, because Jim Holley was leading the series championship, and he is an American. They could not put the points leader in the back row for the final race that determines the championship--which Holley won that night (I don't know if he had to qualify with the points he had), if so, I don't know if he sandbagged himself).
Then they changed the rules to who ever finishes 1st or 2nd in their heat race, has to start at the back row.
RJ's heat was first, and he won the heat race. He should have sand bagged like his bright competition did. Why? Because it was a stupid rule made with nothing but a "losers emotions" (the Americans were the best at the time, and Europe did not like it--so they play dirty) and no rational thought,---and it was not fair.
RJ admitted on that microphone that "They want to try out a new format that may become next years format."
Now if the dysfunctional FIM could have stopped the sandbagging,---would RJ, the best racer in the world at the time, really want to start in the second row every supercross main event?
He would lose his ride.
This is how stupid socialism is, and this is a example of socialism.
RJ, and a lot of Americans fell for it (even myself back in 1985).
But "I" have gained some wisdom since then.
+EarthSurferUSA
But Ward, O'Mara, Bailey and Lechien (along with a few Euro racers)---did not fall for it.
They overcame it.
Kudos the sand baggers in this case.
it was very smart because he gained alot of fans
If you've already signed a contract for millions who cares what you say,,and I'm sure the guys who did slow down cleared it with their team manager first, but it goes without saying winning is a l w a y s is the goal of the team..
You have no idea what you're talking about.......
I agree with rj , but I agree with Ron and Johnny more, the reason. ama was bull shit, if everyone would have done their best, today it would total chaos, qualify 22nd start on point, slowest heat time advanced directly to the main... That's bull shit... I'm glad some of the riders stunk up the show... rj just used his mouth like always not his noggin. I liked rj he was one hell of a rider, just had a mouth that did not match. better racing now because of Johnny and Ron protesting imo.
and compared to things that are relevent and logical.. youre obsolete
Who's the man and who's the chicken? Who is the smartest is the real question?
It was/is a goddamn'd stupid rule to begin with 😖
* That's the way I see it !
at least a smart guy would get a mediocre start and work up into 3rd as the highest he would go . OR .... Lead and fall over in a corner , pick up and finish in 3rd place ..... The whole damn thing was a bunch of ass clowns , from the goddamn top all the down ..... That's how reparations work 👌
what an incredible whiner, like a politician, ha ha