Goodbye to the old school pilot (II): the case of Kenny Noyes
Goodbye to the old school pilot (II): the case of Kenny Noyes

Video: Goodbye to the old school pilot (II): the case of Kenny Noyes

Video: Goodbye to the old school pilot (II): the case of Kenny Noyes
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A couple of weeks ago Kenny Noyes told us through his twitter that, unfortunately, Karlos Arguiñano's team had turned their back on him after having everything planned to face the Moto2 season. No convincing reasons have been given for this change in attitude, it just happened that way. It also happened just a few days after starting the tests and the IRTAs in Jerez, the initial appointment that the season presents. What options are there now? Few, with so little room for maneuver Kenny is looking for life as he can Although we still do not know where it will end, he had more options, more offers from other teams, but he had trusted in the project of Karlos Arguiñano, who, by the way, has ended up signing Ricky Cardús.

The season has turned 360º 182º in one second; going from being able to stand out as he has done and to prove his worth in his third year of Moto2 to simply seeing himself unemployed. Is not Kenny one of those pilots who after him run the company of a family member or a personal sponsor, is rather one of those who base of commitment, struggle and enthusiasm have managed to carve out a small gap in the harsh world of motorcycling.

100% dreams, 0% politics
100% dreams, 0% politics

Shortly after announcing that he had no mount for 2012, he posted an endearing photo in which he attached a small comment: “Old times; 100% dreams, 0% politics”. In that snapshot we traveled to the United States in 2000, with a very young Kenny Noyes who at that time was not over 20 years old and was beginning his career on the Dirt Track. Sitting in the back door of a truck, with his motorcycle in front, waiting for the moment to give gas. Of course, because Noyes did not come from the mini-bike championships where little great stars fight while learning to do the first accounts at school. He started there In one of the last bastions of old school motorcycling.

Kenny in California
Kenny in California

Following that track, I came across a character who has marked the history of Kenny; Dale lineaweaver. A classic San Francisco guy who has dedicated his entire life to the world of racing, but first and foremost to the dirt track. It was to him that Dennis turned back in 1999 looking for an opportunity for his son in the world of mud. As in the old days, full of enthusiasm and desire, Dale formed a team to take part in the following season on a national scale. The goal, at the time, was simply to do my best, without big goals.

Lineaweaver had factory support from Husaberg, a handcrafted chassis and a 400cc engine. The result was none other than the Formula Pro Singles title in the year of its debut in front of pilots reference in Flat Track like J. R. Schnabel or Bryan Smith. Kenny left with their mouths open not only the fans, the opponents and the entire team, but also he surprised himself. It was not surprising, the means they had were rather scarce, traveling from one end of the United States to the other in a caravan and dealing with some of the worst moments of his career.

Out in texas
Out in texas

In the following tests I realized that I was in front of a champion, regardless of the results, the races, the position in a time table, Kenny is a champion from before. He could barely fend for himself, you had to help him get inside the jumpsuit and the painkillers were not able to alleviate the pain in his shoulder."

From the first moment Dale wanted to make it clear that it had not been a bed of roses, that along the way there were also discussions and complicated moments.

In the Dirt track you find everything. Anecdotes that will be forgotten, the Bostrom family doing their thing, a very young Roger Lee Hayden using suspiciously powerful engines … but in the end all you can do is keep the good stuff. I still love Kenny like a son.

You already know the rest of the story, shortly after the American pilot tried his luck in our Spanish Championship, in 2006 even in the AMA, he won the Spanish endurance and continued with a more than notable role in the CEV having arrived without any experience. on asphalt. In fact, to give him many of the falls that Kenny has suffered during these years have been due to certain hobbies inherited from the Flat track.

Kenny during 2011
Kenny during 2011

As you can see, we have reached a situation where even the good guys have a hard time finding a sponsor. There are no championships that are saved. Take as an example the official Yamaha team that after being world champion paid for the season without any great company in their fairings. If Kenny does not manage to compete this season, we will be facing another clear example of the color that competition is taking.

I read you in the comments that it has always been like that, that there have always been people with money. Yes, it is true, but have we always sought to lower costs by making a single-brand glass? Have we said with great fanfare that prototypes are unsustainable? Well, if we want it, it's equality and competition, we don't need the son of an entrepreneur on our grills, we need someone who, like Kenny on the Flat track, has fought hard to achieve a dream. This is nothing more than the responsibility of some teams that follow a purely economic and not quality criteria. Now that we are involved in radical changes perhaps it would be time to review the operating model to not finish turning MotoGP into a very expensive circus like Formula 1.

Note: I have to thank Dale Lineweaver who from the first moment has given us all the material he has available and has been delighted to assist us. Thanks!

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