[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by sweetonion

I know you're not this dumb, so you can only be fishing.

I sure hope so.

[Trackho]

Originally Posted by sweetonion

I know you're not this dumb, so you can only be fishing.

Not fishing...I agree that what he did was "excessive and improper"---BUT---all these over judgemental couch potatoe wannabees crucifying the guy cuz he lost his temper after 350 miles of Daytona---that have NEVER experienced this situation is embarassing to me---the guy rode two races of 200 miles---he has a temper---so be it---he made HIMSELF look like an idiot------I didnt see any blows that would inflict alot of injury--in fact it looked like a girls cat fight---then when the guy did the "suck me" gesture it was hilarious.

Granted if Yates was sitting n a couch at home watching TIVO---I doubt that he would have had the same reaction

Ive gotten pissed at folks that do stupid stuff on the track---and I let them know it---in fact two folks on this board can vouch for me---I tend to get overagressive when I am dicing---takes a while to "settle"----part of the game

[luvtolean]

I think to a racer seeing that isn't surprising as you know what level the adrenaline is at.

BUT, it is completely unacceptable. Injury, not by the blow, but compounding any injury from the fall. His drop kick hit the guy while he was still getting up, any spinal injury could've made that a paralyzing blow.

[Trackho]

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I think to a racer seeing that isn't surprising as you know what level the adrenaline is at.

BUT, it is completely unacceptable. Injury, not by the blow, but compounding any injury from the fall. His drop kick hit the guy while he was still getting up, any spinal injury could've made that a paralyzing blow.

Yeah right with a back protector---if the guy stayed laying down---he wouldnt of gotten "into it"---what part of "MISTAKE" do folks NOT understand--I havent seen Yates or any other rider routinely pound a backmarker---ISOLATED INCIDENT---let it go---

[ConqSoft]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

Yeah right with a back protector---if the guy stayed laying down---he wouldnt of gotten "into it"---what part of "MISTAKE" do folks NOT understand--I havent seen Yates or any other rider routinely pound a backmarker---ISOLATED INCIDENT---let it go---

Isolated my ass. Yates has always been an ass, and always will be.

Hopefully while doing one of his stupid maneuvers like that, he'll injure himself to a point where he can't race anymore.

You seem to think it wasn't Yates fault the crash happened in the first place. Since you race and/or do a lot of track days, you should know as well as anyone that it's the passing rider's responsibility to make a clean pass.

[oldgoat]

Originally Posted by luvtolean

While we're all high and mighty about this, let's talk about, I think it was DuHamel, saying he needed to add some Barkbusters (to protect his levers) and just push by privateers.

These guys ALL mistreat and whine about privateers.

Yeah, i have to agree ltl, I don't think any or maybe many of the pro's respect the privateers. i think thats just the way it is and its not going to change. To bad the pro's don't realize they need someone to beat or there would be know races.

[Warchild]

Off the Soup site today:

Aaron Yates has issued the following press release:

Racing has extreme highs and extreme lows. It almost seems like there's no in-between when you race at the level that I do. For me, after racing 170 grueling miles, I realized that I had a chance to win the race.

With about eight laps to go, I came up on some lapped riders. I set up to pass, using the same racing line that I'd been using on this part of the track all day - in both the 200 and in the 600 SuperSport race.

I came through on the brakes on the outside and in my peripheral vision I saw a rider stand his bike up. So I got on the brakes harder and stood my bike up a bit to give him some room. But I was running out of racetrack.

We went down and were sliding toward the wall and I was honestly thinking that I was going to break both of my legs. Thankfully, the impact was softer than I'd anticipated. I got up thinking that I'd raced 49 laps with eight left to go and a second-place finish in the Daytona 200 was down the drain.

I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. But I never had any intention of hurting anyone. The last thing that I want is for people to get hurt at the track. This is not the way that I wanted to look back on Daytona '04. And this is definitely not what I want the race fans to think of when they think of me.

I'm just so sorry that the whole incident ever happened. And I'm sorry if my actions offended or disappointed anyone.

Aaron Yates

[sweetonion]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

Not fishing...I agree that what he did was "excessive and improper"---BUT---all these over judgemental couch potatoe wannabees crucifying the guy cuz he lost his temper after 350 miles of Daytona---that have NEVER experienced this situation is embarassing to me---the guy rode two races of 200 miles---he has a temper---so be it---he made HIMSELF look like an idiot------I didnt see any blows that would inflict alot of injury--in fact it looked like a girls cat fight---then when the guy did the "suck me" gesture it was hilarious.

Granted if Yates was sitting n a couch at home watching TIVO---I doubt that he would have had the same reaction

Ive gotten pissed at folks that do stupid stuff on the track---and I let them know it---in fact two folks on this board can vouch for me---I tend to get overagressive when I am dicing---takes a while to "settle"----part of the game

I don't see how you can say the actions are OK simply because nobody was harmed this time. The correctness of the action is not defined by the harm caused, or lack thereof. Losing your temper and throwing a fit like a little two year old is not OK. Are you suggesting the guy should have stayed lying on the ground in an impact zone just to avoid "getting into it" with an immature baby throwing a tantrum? You should know that just because somebody gets up it's not an indicator that they aren't injured. Yates had no way of knowing if this guy was injured when he kicked him. Adrenaline and a temper are no excuse. And just because some of us haven't raced does not mean we don't know what it's like to be in a high stress high adrenaline situation. This phenomenon does not happen only on the race track. The only thing about this whole situation that's "part of the game" is a faster rider encountering a slower one. The pass attempt may have been forced and ill advised but I think that was still just a racing situation. His response however, was not a "part of the game." You're right on one thing though, he has proved he has a temper that he can't control in racing situations, so maybe he shouldn't be put in racing situations.


Even though you say you're not fishing I'm still suspicious. I can't understand a coherent person defending what Yates did. Especially one that spends as much time on the track as yourself.

[sweetonion]

Originally Posted by Warchild

Off the Soup site today:

Aaron Yates has issued the following press release:

Racing has extreme highs and extreme lows.....

He's not sorry. His lawyer told him he should be sorry and to sign off on the apology he wrote for him.

[Warchild]

Concur.... he ain't sorry a whit!

More follow-up.... clicky: Yates fined $25,000 by Suzuki

Hmmmmm..... fined by Suzuki, not the AMA.... pre-emptive measure?

I bet the AMA imposes more....

[Red Rider]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

Ive gotten pissed at folks that do stupid stuff on the track---and I let them know it---in fact two folks on this board can vouch for me---I tend to get overagressive when I am dicing---takes a while to "settle"----part of the game

Funny, I didn't see anybody dropkick or headbutt Yates when he took out a bunch of guys at Laguna last year, including Eric Bostrom for the season. Matter of fact, Frankie Chili shook his hand later...

[nomad]

I hate to say it but I think $25,000 may be enough of a fine. However, I think the money should go to the other rider that suffered the abuse; I doubt he will see a dime.

[Rios929]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

Yeah right with a back protector---if the guy stayed laying down---he wouldnt of gotten "into it"---what part of "MISTAKE" do folks NOT understand--I havent seen Yates or any other rider routinely pound a backmarker---ISOLATED INCIDENT---let it go---

yeah, you're right it was a mistake, and when you make a mistake you should have to face the consequences.

[soon2b954]

Originally Posted by nomad

What's that about Mosport?

An American rider was hurt quite badly and is now suing Bar Hodgson the track day organizer (Mosport Playdays) He can no longer sustain the cost of insurance and has pulled out all together.

[luvtolean]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

Yeah right with a back protector---if the guy stayed laying down---he wouldnt of gotten "into it"---what part of "MISTAKE" do folks NOT understand--I havent seen Yates or any other rider routinely pound a backmarker---ISOLATED INCIDENT---let it go---

So racers don't get hurt with back protectors? Let go...shiot..."I have not yet begun to defile myself."

[CBRVFR]

Sent to sales@yoshimura-rd.com

Gentlemen -

I can't find an email address for Rich Doan at Yoshimura Suzuki Racing, so I would appreciate it if you would forward this to the team managers.

You should take note as well, though, since racing is your biggest marketing expenditure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First, congratulations on a great tactical victory. Your strategy and the amazing work of your pit crew won the day, as did Mat's great riding on a perfectly prepared machine.

I've always been impressed by the riding abilities of Mladin and Yates. They are both undeniably skilled. However, the corporate culture of your team seems to overlook or possibly encourage their tendencies toward acting in an immature, churlish, spoiled manner. . It does not reflect well on your company.

Therefore, all of the respect that is due to your racing team for this tremendous win has been diminished and overshadowed by Yate's childish and mind-bogglingly stupid actions after he crashed into a slower rider at Daytona Saturday.

That's right . HE had the responsibility as the passing rider to make the pass safely, and failed to do so. But that happens in racing, as we all know. What doesn't usually happen is that the rider in the wrong physically attacks the other rider while he's attempting to get up, and possibly injured. Drop kicking? Stomping? Head Butting? Probably not the way Pops wanted the Yoshimura name associated..

Aaron Yates should be banned from the AMA for the rest of the season. If the AMA won't do that, you should. Don't forget that his actions will forever be remembered while he was wearing YOUR company logo. Fining him $25,000 is nothing. He should sit out the season.

Contrast his failure to represent your company with the charisma of Jake Zemke and Miguel DuHamel... Jake, Miguel and Honda end up winning the PR war, while your team gets smeared by association.

Yoshimura and Suzuki have every right to kick him off the team. There are PLENTY of riders who can take his place. It's the right thing to do.


Thanks for reading..

[Trackho]

OK ---you guys win---whats the appropriate penalty???? Denutting?? Death ?? $5M fine???Banned from Racing????Free tickets to DisneyLand??

What would make you guys happy???Since forgiving is out of the question--lets hear it

[Latebraking]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

You whinners Suck
He Should Get a Bonus
Hey he was pumped----yep it was his fault------but the backmarker was pretty damn unpredicatble and Yates---if they were both pros prolly never would have happened-- Yates was trying to win a race-----HE MADE A MISTAKE-----just like Bostrom/Duhammel/Hacking/every other pro last year(personally my fav was when Hayden took out Haga at LS few years ago)--Yes Yates has a temper----oh well----We all watching his apssionate riding----he was pissed cuz his bike was os underpowered----and was riding hella--good til the incident-----like his no one got hurt---and it was funny to say the least---if he keeps doing it---AMA racing will rival hockey----its all very entertaining----and to tell the truth----Yates came out looking like the spastic wiener ---live and learn

How are two guys in full gear gonna hurt each other?????

Personally I think the guys dissing on him are a bunch of whinny wussies---what do you want to do to make yourselves feel better???Crucify him?????go race at Daytona---then judge the pros

I know what it is to race season long in two series ('99) and have knuckleheads do silly things that see me off the track, hping to avoid hard immovable objects so can make repairs to make the grid. I don't go looking for them - because I was passing them and made a judgement call to avoid hitting them and taking them out.

The lost points cost me positions overall in one series, and the class championship in another. That's racing. Doing a bowling ball imitation on another rider, then kicking and head butting them after the incident is not racing. I don't race nationally, but I do race and know the effects of adrenaline and the overpowering desire to win, so don't give me your diatribe about not being on their level - racing is racing, and I don't line up on the grid to get second place any more than Yates does.

The 25k fine is a start, but a couple races spent watching would not be out of line. Perhaps a season spent footing his own bill and tuning his own bikes independent of the factory's assistance would further help him remember where he came from.

Boomer, you're the whiner, probably on the same level as Yates, even. And if you are affected to his level during a 'trackday', which is nothing like a race, then you are to be avoided, or banned.

[abtech]

Originally Posted by 929Boomer

Not fishing...I agree that what he did was "excessive and improper"---BUT---all these over judgemental couch potatoe wannabees crucifying the guy cuz he lost his temper after 350 miles of Daytona---that have NEVER experienced this situation is embarassing to me---the guy rode two races of 200 miles---he has a temper---so be it---he made HIMSELF look like an idiot------I didnt see any blows that would inflict alot of injury--in fact it looked like a girls cat fight---then when the guy did the "suck me" gesture it was hilarious.

Granted if Yates was sitting n a couch at home watching TIVO---I doubt that he would have had the same reaction

Ive gotten pissed at folks that do stupid stuff on the track---and I let them know it---in fact two folks on this board can vouch for me---I tend to get overagressive when I am dicing---takes a while to "settle"----part of the game

As a former race director and board member of a regional roadracing association, I can safely say that Aaron Yates would have had his license revoked (for life) and fined the maximum amount possible for unsportsmanlike conduct. Maybe a quick read of the AMA Pro Racing rulebook will let you know that this gentleman grossly violated several rules and according to the bylaws should be banned for 1 year and fined no less than $10,000.00. It's right there in black and white.

Now I hope you aren't calling me a whiner . . .

BTW, I finished all 200 miles at Daytona on more than a couple of occasions along with running several other back to back races during the week and even though I was involved in a couple of crashes, I never felt it necessary to kick or hit anyone else involved.

[Trackho]

Originally Posted by abtech

As a former race director and board member of a regional roadracing association, I can safely say that Aaron Yates would have had his license revoked (for life) and fined the maximum amount possible for unsportsmanlike conduct. Maybe a quick read of the AMA Pro Racing rulebook will let you know that this gentleman grossly violated several rules and according to the bylaws should be banned for 1 year and fined no less than $10,000.00. It's right there in black and white.

Now I hope you aren't calling me a whiner . . .

BTW, I finished all 200 miles at Daytona on more than a couple of occasions along with running several other back to back races during the week and even though I was involved in a couple of crashes, I never felt it necessary to kick or hit anyone else involved.

Ab---All well and good ---but the guy has a temper---he lost it once in race publicly, over a pretty long career-(I believe it was Yates that won on a blown motor 2 years ago---the Dude is Hella-Focused)--And he already made himself look like a total ass on National TV----I am sure hes NOT sitting at home, watching it over and over on TIVO all proud of himself--I am willing to bet $$$$$, he and the guy he ran into/beat on are over it---why cant everyone else be?????? Not sure were all this punative excess in coming from---And NO I am NOT a big Yates fan----but MANY Pros have done far worse things intimidating backmarkers at speed w/little/no consequences.

This wholesale condemnation just rubs me the wrong way

[abtech]

Originally Posted by Trackho

Ab---All well and good ---but the guy has a temper---he lost it once in race publicly, over a pretty long career-(I believe it was Yates that won on a blown motor 2 years ago---the Dude is Hella-Focused)--And he already made himself look like a total ass on National TV----I am sure hes NOT sitting at home, watching it over and over on TIVO all proud of himself--I am willing to bet $$$$$, he and the guy he ran into/beat on are over it---why cant everyone else be?????? Not sure were all this punative excess in coming from---And NO I am NOT a big Yates fan----but MANY Pros have done far worse things intimidating backmarkers at speed w/little/no consequences.

This wholesale condemnation just rubs me the wrong way

I don't believe that lack of control over one's temper is any type of excuse for this type of behavior. I don't have a problem with the guy, he is very dedicated and focused (perhaps a bit too focused), but in the big picture he represents a lot of people who have spent years trying to make the general public sit up and take notice about the positive side of motorcycles in general and motorcycle road racing in particular.

What really bothers me about this whole situation is that it was bound to happen and several people (the AMA, his sponsors, fellow competitors and obviously anyone close to him in his personal life) knew about it long ago. He was basically a loose cannon rolling around on the deck just waiting for someone to come along and get in his way. If he worked in an office and did anything like this, he would be sent to anger management seminars IF they even let him continue on probation.

Professional athletes have grown accustomed to being treated with kid gloves and as everyone has seen with the last couple of years worth of felony arrests in pro basketball, football and hockey they must feel invincible when in fact they are just little babies throwing tantrums.

Dedication, hard work, training and focus are attributes associated with both greatness and treachery, so on their own, they don't make anyone good, bad or indifferent.

[Red Rider]

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

mind-bogglingly

Hmmm...couldn't find that one in Webster's!