Was watching the heats last weekend and my nine year old daughter got all excited when she saw James Stewart win his heat after falling to the back of the pack on the first corner. She has a #7 on her KLX 110 (Greg Albertyn and her birthday). Then the next heat Ricky Carmichael on a Suzuki #4 took that heat. My son rides a yellow CRF50 and his birthday is on the 4th so he claimed Ricky as his rider.



The final started with Rick and James side-by-side, #4 & #7, and there was great excitement in our house. For 18 laps my daugter was down-trodden and my son up-beat. Then James blasted to the front and held on for the win. She was screaming and jumping!



I guess that #7 on her bike now stands for James and not Greg anymore. Sob

 

I found myself shouting at the TV and cheering when Stewart made the pass with 2 laps to go. The best thing about the races is that both riders are real class acts. True professionals and competitiors... or at least they've been well coached in giving interviews. Short of a DNF or injury, I think Carmichael will still squeak away with another championship. Steward still doesn't have the coinsistnecy and ability to get away cleanly from the start... but last weekend was his best race yet. Either way, it will be hard fought season and great to watch. Go Team Green!

 

Gotta love it that Kawasaki and Suzuki are sticking it to the big-guns. The much vaunted CRF's and YZF's were lost in the dust!

 

It seems like in the AMA series at least, the bikes are pretty comparable and rider skill is the most important factor along with bike set-up. Stewart and Carmichael are is a league of their own in the series right now. They'd need to knock off at least 50cc off their bikes, just to even up the field.