Davey Coombs & Gypsy Debate on the Privateers...

In Chapter 307 of the Gypsy Tales Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome a true legend in the world of motocross, Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports. Dive into an in-depth conversation where we explore the rich history, present dynamics, and future possibilities of motocross racing.
Davey Coombs, a key figure in shaping the motocross landscape, shares his invaluable insights and experiences from his extensive career. From the grassroots beginnings to the pinnacle of professional racing, Coombs opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and the relentless passion that drives the sport forward
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[@jessetrauma556]

This sport was built on Privateer racing.

[@OtisFlint]

So was every motorsport, but they all progressed to have a feeder series. This sport has not.

[@kurtheidelbach]

Yeah, and every other sport has moves past it LOL. MX/SX is stuck in the stone ages

[@ghost9431]

​@OtisFlint that's true but then you run into the problem like nascar and drag racing has. Nhra is a bunch of old dudes that have been racing since the 90s. Nascar factory teams had taking advantage of the feeder series for years that got us to the point where it's only rich kids and old men.

[@MrGbustamante]

Nobody wants to see the privateers, not the real moto fans nor the general public. All this sentiment towards them is rhetoric and holds our sport back. We need 20 paid pros on the gate for the mains, not 20 pros and 20 privateers. We dont need factory 250 riders either. There needs to be a salary cap for 250 riders and the bikes needs to be limited as well. There should be NOBODY in 250 making more money than the lowest paid PRO in 450. This sport is a mess. Only way to fix it is to cause some short term pain. Make the Premiere Class Great Again.

[@kurtheidelbach]

@@MrGbustamante I love watching any type of MX/SX racing just don't want to see the two extreme differences in abilities mixed on one stage. There is a reason why no other professional sport does that, and we are stuck in the stone ages. Now of course Davey thinks it's great the way it is because he doesn't have to do any work to change anything that way and can just continue taking privateers money. It takes real effort and desire to want to go in and make things better with documentation and resources to support it.

[@FallenTimber]

Solid points on both sides and great to hear opposing takes articulated in a respectable way. Thanks for the perspective.

[@chrisreetz4117]

So Masterpool wouldn't have been able to race the last year and half with no privaters. What a bone head idea

[@joshjohnston7827]

Should have been better

[@kurtheidelbach]

Yes, he would have. Go listen to his full podcast. He would have been absorbed like he already has been sooner.

[@chrisreetz4117]

@joshjohnston7827 he finished 7th overall in 450 mx last season

[@jamesadams2334]

@@joshjohnston7827 you should have known more motocross history.

[@GYPSYTALES]

And the first thing I said in this video was privateers 100% for motocross, don’t change a thing.

[@jamesmiller1277]

I disagree how many times this year have we seen somebody make the main event for the first time out of an LCC you see the crowd go wild for them. They love it. They themselves love it. It’s a dream come true that is so special.

[@coletraneroscop1597]

1000% agree with Davey’s comment, “some riders just want to be a part of it” and that’s why you have to have the privateers. Ya just don’t get it, unless you’ve been there and tried it.

[@hadynlassiter1076]

whats the point without privateers? Who is buying these pro only bikes? ya'll better think.

[@bollweevil8112]

We can still have a JV & a Varsity

[@GYPSYTALES]

Bro. There are hundreds of thousands of people that ride bikes all over the world every single weekend… the 20 people I’m talking about at a Saturday night in Supercross is such a small % of people who buy bike.

[@user-un5my5bw4j]

​now i am not saying this is what you meant but its how I took what you said. It seemed like you wanted there to be not so many privateers at a pro SX race so it would make your job that you do easier for you. Maybe i took it wrong. That being said its only a disagreement, i still think you are an awsome dude who really brings great content to our sport. I appreciate what you do, and your the only podcast I watch brother.

[@cadillacmoto]

Hiding behind "I don't edit my content" is a piece of crap I didn't think Jayce would pull

[@joshjohnston7827]

Why don’t you cry about it

[@cadillacmoto]

@@joshjohnston7827 planning on it bud

[@randallaumiller8628]

this DUDE IS ARROGANTLY IGNORANT

[@GYPSYTALES]

I don’t edit it? I haven’t for 3 years…

[@solarguy6517]

Cadillacmoto, bruh, go get bent by ur bottom boy cookey media! 🤡

[@DualsportDisport]

Gypsy off his rocker on this one. Why trim the fat race day live is awesome.

[@kurtheidelbach]

No he isn't. SX/MX is in the stone ages compared to other sports that have progressed.

[@user-lv3py5vm6i]

I would like to see them spread the money around more like golf. Privateers are the heart and soul of the sport.

[@joshjohnston7827]

Go ride amateur. Get out of the factory dudes way

[@WhiteRein]

The whole point of the superdupermotocross championship is to spread more money around

[@micahhoufek618]

In golf there are dozens of guys that could finish top 5 any given weekend.

[@1969cmp]

Rick Ryan, Daytona 1987. 😊

[@mitchelljordan447]

That editing bs trying to absolve himself of responsibility is lame. Dude’s lost the plot. Without privateers it would severely hurt amateur racing and hurt the sport as a whole. All these amateurs keep pushing forward cuz they know even if they don’t have the connections or have the best amateur career they can eventually show up at a pro race and if they are good enough get noticed. Without that opportunity so many would quit, feeling their chance was lost as soon as the plan goes awry.

[@randallaumiller8628]

fax

[@jamesonclark8306]

Why not have qualifying Friday and Saturday the races giving them time to properly rebuild track for night show?

[@1969cmp]

The sport is supposed to be accessible to the working class motor sport enthusiast. Its part of the reason why two strokes should be the main stay of the sport.

[@northwestrider369]

To help, you could do similar to what the PGA does in golf with their amateurs. Give like the top 15-20 guys in last season points a spot into the Saturday show, then have everyone else run their qualifying on Friday during press day. The main riders see the track, then while they are doing all their press, the other riders are qualifying. Take however many you need to make 40 total riders, then do the normal show Saturday with 40 guys. That’s what PGA does with their Monday Qualifier. Everyone who starts the tournament on Thursday either has a tour card because of how they did last year, has an exemption, or won the Monday qualifier.

[@GYPSYTALES]

I agree with this

[@justingardner3569]

We can’t just get rid of privateers, what we need to do is create a limited number of pro licenses that you need to compete for in a seperate series. That way you have only the best possible riders that can show up to the races. Half of these “professional privateers” couldn’t place top 20 at a national amateur event in B class, why are they out there with the best athletes in the world when they aren’t even top amateurs. Really don’t care about the grind or the backstory to show up to the races, this isn’t the local track this is THE TOP LEVEL. No one deserves a chance to be there, they need to EARN the chance the be there

[@kurtheidelbach]

If Davey is so into it then he should give them free entry LOL. Yeah, they definitely need to be separated. We are the only sport that allows such and extreme difference in athletes on the same court, track, or field. Let alone just having Bubba show up in his pick-up. Having a new format will actually give the better riders more support ultimately. It's actually better for the high performing privateers. There are way too many factory teams coming on board and the non-factory supported privateer will slowly be on their way out anyways. Pure privateers can't even afford the equipment to be competitive. If anything, make a stock privateer class that they can afford and show their talent.

[@Slotmassacre]

Jace’s ego grows by the week

[@jamesadams2334]

and it should!

[@GYPSYTALES]

😂

[@leerjet18]

It’s called confidence. It comes with success.

[@dwelker284]

I believe F1 has a cutoff time for qualifying where if they aren’t fast enough compared to the fastest that they aren’t allowed. It’s some percentage off the top time. Could do something similar that the guys who are qualifying, are within some reasonable speed to the top guys. 14 seconds per lap is too much.

[@Sissypool]

107% rule

[@Dflemms]

107% rule.

[@Sissypool]

@@Dflemms lol

[@jamesadams2334]

It's fine the way it is. If a champion has trouble getting around a lapper or a top pro has trouble getting around then maybe they need to reconsider their line. What happens when you have the situation that happened a few weeks ago. Jett while leading falls, gets hurt, resumes racing trying to salvage some points for the championship but he is obviously slow, way back and in the way. If you black flag him then you have just altered the outcome of the championship. It is fine the way it is and you would not have a championship or a series without the privateer.

[@Sissypool]

@@jamesadams2334 to be fair, Jett didn't even score any points in the first moto so getting black flagged wouldn't have made a difference.

[@craigcomfry4645]

I can't tell ya how many times I've seen local private racers at Southwick kick ass at the National

[@GYPSYTALES]

What was the first thing I said in this video.

[@jamesadams2334]

Jase, say the other sport is NASCAR. 14 seconds a lap is far too much difference BUT, in NASCAR, there are no jumps, there are no doubles, triples, or quads. There are no whoops, or ruts, or mud, or sand. That is why they don't have 14 second differences.

[@kevinrayburn3686]

Your just back peddling. I call bs on your response. I’m still a fan though.

[@mikemunshower8963]

I've witnessed this myself with 2 for sure maybe even 4 in the bay area. Ricky Ryan is blessed that he could travel without being payed by a factory team.

[@snooks250sx]

Jayce wants it like World Supercross where only certain teams are invited to race their events and if you aren't on one of those teams you can't race.

[@theread3480]

I’m not sure how this would affect the logistics with the stadiums and everything but what if on Friday we did a mini qualifying before normal press day where only the top 15 qualifiers from that qualifying session are allowed to participate in qualifying on Saturday. And the guys who made the main event the previous week get an automatic qualifier into the Saturday qualifying and don’t have to deal with the Friday qualifying. I feel like this would heavily trim the fat for the events on Saturday while still allowing the privateers to show up and qualify.

[@GYPSYTALES]

I’d honestly be sweet with this

[@kyleb6325]

I think they should take the privateers and run a separate series with them or a separate class

[@jamesadams2334]

Why? That would just plain suck!

[@craigcomfry4645]

Wasn't Masyerpool a Privateer??? Look at him now

[@hayabusaman22]

I think the bone to pick is more with Lappers more than Privateers. I believe if you get 3+ Laps down you should see the black flag because you’re holding up the racing. In my opinion

[@GYPSYTALES]

Who are the riders who go 3 laps down lol

[@hayabusaman22]

@@GYPSYTALES no one in supercross Id hope. You see it in outdoors when dudes pile up in the first turn or mudders. To answer your question, privateers

[@hayabusaman22]

@@GYPSYTALES you see riders go 2 laps down too often to give a black flag for it in my opinion. 3 is acceptable cuz that means it’s not your night no need to be a obstacle. Just an idea. Need privateers, Brian Deegan was a sick privateer I’d say Haiden Deegan is a good product of a privateer lol

[@jammer212]

the way I see it is you should have a 10 second cap to even a 8 second cap. that way the flow of the race stays the same and no one is actually gonna be that slow. and if the rider start to slow down they should do what any other race sport does and black flag them and kick them off the track for messing with the flow.

[@jamesadams2334]

No one is "messing with the flow". That's just racing. Nothing wrong with the current system other than the privateers need to be paid more.

[@jammer212]

@jamesadams2334 Well, it is. having to pass a person going slow is messing with a faster race happening, which ruins the flow of the race and slows it down at times

[@ricksmith7659]

LCQ's are to entertaining to not have privateers. And let's not forget the last place privateer is probably faster then your local fast guy.

[@chuckp3131]

All the top guys were privateters at one time.

[@GYPSYTALES]

That’s incorrect

[@chuckp3131]

@@GYPSYTALES did they start out as factory riders? Take another booster

[@ricksmith7659]

Which "top" riders? Most of the tippy top riders like JS7, Ricky, and Tomac ect.. get picked up by Mitch Payton at around age 12 to 14. The only top rider I can think of that aligns with your comment is Chad Reed but even he didn't race as a privateer in the Big show. Which top riders are you referring to?

[@chuckp3131]

@ricksmith7659 do a search on racers. The list is long. Fjband all that support it and ev bikes

[@jarredtremain4644]

There's too many armchair viewers that would never even throw their leg overs a bike that think they know best. I raced C grade for few years on 125 yz06 and couldn't believe how much more expensive than weekend bashing. New tyres each round, entry fees, tear-offs, fuel&oil plus other expenses, but it was awesome. These armchair opinions need to realise we ride because once that helmet goes on we can't hear and don't care what others say. Avagud1 fella's

[@Deegan38]

If they want the sport to be taken seriously as golf football or baseball pretty sure they don’t let the local golfer down the street try to qualify for the masters on game day. There definitely needs to be a qualifying system to give the privateers a shot of making the show and maybe that’s two or three times this season not every race.

[@mitch_lifeoregondayz2449]

The one thing the privateers could use is going out on tracks on press day

[@MotoDad22]

The c class rider is back pedaling now

[@GYPSYTALES]

Not really moto mum

[@Dashriprock4]

I wish you would have talked to him about the absolutely abysmal standards of flagging in supercross and outdoors. It's the laughingstock of professional Motorsports. There's absolutely no way that IMSA, SCCA, Indy Car etc would allow this. And it's dangerous to the riders.

[@timothykelly5588]

as a sport becomes more "perfected" it becomes more of a show-less relevant to it's roots; the roots of MX are in motor cross country-riding a dirt bike in the wide open outdoors

[@xafbxmoto269]

So you wouldn’t wanna see stank dog get in the main on a 2 stroke? Or ty master pool run top 3 without a ride? Come on 😂

[@tjroe5190]

The sport needs to leave a space for someone to start up and grow!

[@mikemunshower8963]

You get rid of the privateers in the AMA top levels of motorcycle racing. Rather it's in Supercross, motocross, flat track or GP. It might be the beginning of the end. In the long-term. There is a lot of great talented racers out there that can barely afford to race locality. That never even get seen our noticed. Because them and their parents can't afford to travel to the big race's where they can showcase their talent!!!

[@kevinrayburn3686]

Everyone is a privateer until they get discovered 99% of the time. You got the 1%ers like deegan of course but all the main dudes worked there way up to factory rides.

[@gekcee3266]

At a certain point if you're a lap or 2 down it becomes a safety issue. Go be the fastest guy at your local track. You're not cut out for the pros. If your 15+ seconds slower a lap you shouldn't be allowed to even compete

[@jrod4717]

Yeah but those "slow" guys guys go back home and lap dudes in the A class

[@Kyle-pl6rl]

Some people might be having a bad night. But if it’s a consistent thing for that rider then maybe yeah, they need to re-qualify their pro card

[@gekcee3266]

@@jrod4717 they aren't slow. They just aren't fast enough for the pros.

[@mouthofpower8492]

What are you talking about? Levi Kitchen was a lap down this previous weekend, should he not race? Idiot take

[@dylangreen507]

Totally agree with Jase

[@waynehamilton4264]

yer great , what happens when the corporate walk away because of money , wake up

[@gma4223]

Can Someone with a functioning brain tell me jayce was saying 140 privateers each class show up and Davey said only 40?

[@rockerbob949]

Dude is being super shady about Glenn Helen… Come on now let’s be real speak the truth don’t hide in between the lines. Everybody knows it was about the ticket sales come on now.

[@jonfstyle]

🙄

[@Dealete420]

Because he is SHADY!

[@jamesadams2334]

@@Dealete420 Can't even compare to his father! I don't care much for Davey, but I have tons of respect for his dad. Dave Sr. was a standup guy, always rooting for the privateer. He understood the sport and he understood privateers. I am glad to hear Davey's perspective on the privateer. There might be hope for him yet!

[@1969cmp]

...but on point about privateers...

[@kevinlundin9971]

You’re welcome to go home now

[@GYPSYTALES]

Come and show me the door brother

[@kevinlundin9971]

@@GYPSYTALES you may want to watch your tone!

[@BUTTERY-APEX]

Gypsy making a valid point. Davey... Na.

[@jammer212]

what point exactly. even all the other race sports have private owned teams😂😂😂 all you need is a rider who can stay within 15 to 10 seconds, and it's fine. if they can't maintain that pace, they should get black flagged or just kicked off. Especially if they're lapped twice. At that point, you're not racing for a win. so they should kick them off.

[@theread3480]

@@jammer212There’s only about 3 dudes any given Saturday racing for a win

[@jammer212]

@theread3480 Yeah, but AP got second place and even 4 to 3rd, and he's not even as fast as most of the riders out there that are for the championship. so as long as you keep that pace, then you're fine, but being lapped twice by the leaders is a BIG problem. privateers are fine the riders that are slow aren't

[@goldsbym]

Davey Coombs makes too much money off of privateers to not include them in the sport.

[@sneekin9894]

I think Jase is near spot on with the take, It's just the fuck the privateers statement that has everyone offside. YES alot of people love watching race day live etc, But when the superstars are sitting trackside for 14 hrs for only the Last race of the day to be the only one to score points in (SX) . How many of our favourite riders seemingly retired in the peak of their Career purely off being Burnt out? A pre race day event could easily be created to trim some of the fat of the privateers running 14+ second laps off the leader. Even if there was a good prize for winning said event and making RaceDay. I think Motocross in General need to figure out why most of our greats aren't sticking around for a couple years past their peak? Any other sports they'd be getting/wanting a ride/deal into their late 30's.

[@theread3480]

I’m not sure how this would affect the logistics with the stadiums and everything but what if on Friday we did a mini qualifying before normal press day where only the top 15 qualifiers from that qualifying are allowed to participate in qualifying on Saturday. And the guys who made the main event the previous week get an automatic qualifier into the Saturday qualifying and don’t have to deal with the Friday qualifying. I feel like this would heavily trim the fat for the events on Saturday while still allowing the privateers to show up and qualify.

[@jamesadams2334]

@@theread3480 it used to be similar where the top 10 didn't have to qualify but everyone else did. That system sucked.

[@NickSchoess]

Posted 9 seconds ago with no views? Brother fell off

[@NikHodge1]

Pathetic lol the rise and fall lol

[@GYPSYTALES]

You won this round buddy 😂

[@kylereynolds7992]

I've watched too many shorts and this one video to listen to the pod with Davey now. Congrats, you played yourself.

[@GYPSYTALES]

I’ll be fine brother lol

[@guest6423]

Too much Gypsy, not enough Davie.

[@GYPSYTALES]

😂

[@RichPiana5Percent]

I speak for most moto fans when I say privateers need to have their own circuit. They get in the way of the top 15 factory riders.

[@xafbxmoto269]

No you don’t haha

[@jamesadams2334]

Then get rid of the factory riders and just race the privateers!..................That sounds exactly as stupid as your proposal. AND, you are not speaking for most moto fans. The fans that are real riders know what it means to be a privateer and they will disagree with you. The race would be far better watching 40 privateers on the line than just 15 pros.

[@RichPiana5Percent]

@@jamesadams2334 no one would watch privateer only races. Everyone watches for the top pros.

[@Svengali_Fishing]

Gypsy…flog

[@jamesadams2334]

All you guys writing in about eliminating or restricting privateers need to study the history of the sport before making all these bone head comments.

[@costonbrown6699]

Man you really think a lot of yourself lol

[@randallaumiller8628]

go back to Aussie bud- no hyperbole

[@GYPSYTALES]

I’m good here mate, cheers.

[@randallaumiller8628]

dudes so out of touch

[@MiaM1ViiCE]

Jiu jitsu fella thinks he’s an expert on the sport because he talks to people who are 😂😂😂 wannabe joe rogan of the mx world 🎉🎉

[@jefftschetter5881]

Kyle Bitterman, 581, king of the privateers

[@bollweevil8112]

I agree with Jase, trim the fat.

[@soulfulterrain3143]

Motocross and Supercross was built on privateers. I guess this Jayce dude feels he needs to trash privateers to get more top pros on his show. Plus, he say's "bro" to damn much and his accent stinks.

[@theread3480]

Every single Motorsport was built on privateers. Those other motorsports matured. Motocross hasn’t.

[@soulfulterrain3143]

@@theread3480 In Supercross, those privateers have to qualify in the day qualifiers and night qualifiers then, come show time, they have to qualify a third time in heat races and LCQ's. If they can do that, they deserve to be on the track, period end of story./

[@luigimassello4357]

Jase your missing the whole point of the privateer. The sport will never get the attention it so richly deserves face it most mainstream people will never get it so without them the sport is doomed from getting real sponsors with deep pockets & not interested in the details like some auto racing series.

[@kurtheidelbach]

🤣

[@JB-kp9ie]

Privateer hitmen are what make legends, how else do you get perfect seasons if you cant pay a privateer thousansds to get in the way of the leader (as lapper) to allow an over hyped idiot win, or crash into your opponent on the start or jump out in front of pack and slow everyone then do 2 laps and wall walk. come on man

[@GYPSYTALES]

It’s crazy that you edited this comment and it’s still this bad…