James Stewart reconnaît son seul adversaire … et Bercy !

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http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/james-stewart-answers-your-questions/James Stewart Answers Your Questions

By Azadeh Ensha

James StewartJames Stewart.

Recently, we solicited questions for James Stewart, the 2008 American Motorcyclist Association motocross champion, known as Bubba to his fans. You asked him about his thoughts on circuit racing, people he looks up to, his possible future in Nascar and who he thinks is good enough to beat him. Since then, Stewart has been busy, traveling to Europe to compete (and win, naturally) and training with a new team. But he managed to find time on a recent flight to answer your questions on his Apple iPhone.

This month, the American Motorcyclist Association nominated Stewart for the 2008 AMA Speed Athlete of the Year award for becoming the second rider in history to complete a perfect AMA Motocross season (after undergoing A.C.L. surgery, no less). The winner will be announced Nov. 23.

In 2009 fans will get to see Stewart race a Yamaha YZ 450F for Team San Manuel Yamaha. We’d like to thank him for taking time to answer your questions and wish him the best of luck next season.

Q. What does your off-moto bike strength and endurance training program look like roughly?

— Posted by Jordan

A. My program is great! It has me constantly busy, preparing for any challenge that may come my way, whether it be a round of golf to playing a game of basketball with some friends.

Q. James, If you could fast-forward to the age of 82, what would you like to reflect on as being your greatest accomplishments, professionally and personally?

– Posted by Dan Stiel

A. My first great accomplishment would be winning my first Supercross championship. Second, would be having my family there to enjoy that moment with me!

Q. Bubba, any thoughts on road racing? Nicky Hayden transitioned admirably from dirt bikes to pavement. I would love to see you eventually get to MotoGP or World Superbikes.

– Posted by Chris

A. I’ve had thoughts, but right now I’m trying to focus on the sport that I am in now and give 100 percent. So it’s kind of hard to think about other challenges now. But when the time comes, I’m going to give it a whole lot of thought.

Q. James, I was wondering if you ever get scared thinking about attempting a big jump and what mental techniques you use to deal with fear on the track? Or maybe you have no fear.

– Posted by Jason Fordney

A. Commitment! Once I throw my leg over that bike, I’m committed to take on any obstacle in front of me.

Q. Who is the most interesting person you have ever met? Who is the person you would most like to meet.

– Posted by Steve Metz

A. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, I would have to say, are the most interesting people I have met. Those guys are smart and down to earth, and I really admire that about them. The person I’d like to meet most is Oprah Winfrey — I believe her to be loving and caring; I like what she stands for, and she is a very strong-minded woman as well which makes me want to meet her even more!

Q. After the MXDN what kind of bike will you be riding? Do you think it would be possible to have the perfect season in SX next year?

– Posted by Brett M

A. I will be riding for Team San Manuel Yamaha on a carbureted four-stroke Yamaha YZ 450F. As far as having another perfect season, that would be great, but I have to take one race at a time and stay focused.

Q. Of all the spectacular places you have the opportunity to either race, practice or just ride at, where is your favorite place to roost?

– Posted by Keith Padget

A. I would have to say the track at my home in Florida, there’s no place like it, but there are other places in Florida that I don’t mind riding.

Q. I know you just signed a three-year deal with Answer Racing, so does that mean that Nascar fans have to wait at least four years? Do you think Nascar will be a stepping stone to Formula One or any other form of car racing?

– Posted by Bryan Carr

A. I have to wait and see what is in store for me after my Motocross career is over. I have to wait with the fans to see what happens.

Q. After leading all but 13 laps over the entire season this year (368 laps led), nearly sweeping the 125 class outdoors a couple years ago, and holding the record for most Supercross wins in a season, who can beat you?

– Posted by Flash

A. There is always going to be someone stepping up to challenge the record books, so I try to make whoever that person is really earn it. Right now, the only person that can beat James is probably Bubba.

Q. I was wondering if you like the direction the sport is going with night races, such as Colorado, and many riders signing Supercross-only contracts like yourself?

– Posted by Dylan

A. I think it’s good to try new things for our sport. It’s the only way we’ll see what direction to go in. And as for doing Supercross-only deals, I think it gives riders a chance to recover and not beat themselves up all year round. There is still room for selected outdoor racing if one chooses to do so.

Q. What’s the most important thing that has made you as fast as you are now?

– Posted by Louis#444

A. I’m still trying to figure that out. All I know is when that gate drops it’s time to go!

Q. Congratulations on a perfect outdoor season and an awesome music video on Facebook! With all the speculation out there on your future — I’m curious when you will tell us fans where you are headed?

– Posted by Geoff Z

A. Thanks! Right now, I have a two-year deal with Team San Manuel Yamaha. It is an AMA Supercross-only deal however, and I will be doing other races like X Games. Once I complete the task at hand, which is putting in 17 great races during the 2009 Supercross season, I will certainly make an announcement ASAP to keep my friends (fans) up to date on what’s going on with me.

Q. What do you think the AMA needs to do to grow the sport (MX and SX)?

– Posted by Mike in Vail

A. Visit a race in Bercy so that they can see what it is really like to put on a show, so the fans can really appreciate the riders and their role models.

Q. Would you say this title was your greatest accomplishment?

– Posted by Tom McKibbin

A. I would say it is up there. I’m stoked to go undefeated — that’s huge!

Q. What are you going to do to prepare for SX 2009 and Chad Reed. What about riding a bike that may be inferior to Chad Reed’s Factory Suzuki RMZ 450. I have heard that Chad has remarked how much better the Suzuki is than his L&M Yamaha. You are basically taking his ride with a bike he feels is not up to par with the Suzuki. What is your take on this?

– Posted by MX Pilot

A. Well, Chad is certainly entitled to his opinion — and that is just what it is, an opinion. There is no truth to any of that. Any bike can have its advantages and disadvantages, but it’s the rider, who twists that throttle and makes the bike perform, who will win the championships.

Q. Can you elaborate on the rumored dispute you had with Monster and your subsequent change to Rockstar?

– Posted by Sean

A. I think you mean Red Bull, which is my original energy drink sponsor. There is no dispute — Monster was a Team Kawasaki sponsor, and now that I am with Team San Manuel, I am able to go back to being a Red Bull-sponsored athlete, which I am of course very happy about!

Q. Some of the best racing I ever saw was your battles with Ricky Carmichael. I personally believe you’ll never have a greater adversary than the “GOAT.” Now that you are working under the auspices of Carmichael’s former trainer, Aldon Baker, what have you discovered about yourself that will prepare you for your future battles?

– Posted by LC

A. I have to constantly stay focused, train hard, eat right and do what I love to do — race! I’m a racer!

Q. Do you think there is a cap on recognition in the sports world for Supercross/Motocross?

– Posted by Eric Hunter

A. No, I don’t think so. It would be nice to have more companies involved with our sport so that we can grow more than ever. Nice to see companies that think outside the box coming in to Supercross. A perfect example is our team title sponsor, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. They are not even selling a product, just a great message: set a good example, make good choices and just be a good person — tryin’ to do that both on and off the track, ya know.

Q. Do you ride on the street? And how do you feel about riding on the street? And how do you keep safe?

– Posted by dlew

A. Not really. It’s dangerous, but fun at the same time. I just try to keep it on dirt. I stay safe by staying alert and golfing everyday to keep away from danger.