MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted October 18, 2004 01:06 PM
 Edited By: fish_antlers on 19 Oct 2004 10:01
RICKEY GADSON NO LONGER WEARING GREEN
10/18/04
For immediate release:
After a run of 7 successful years, 5 championships, 12 national records, and 102 round wins; the time has come, as it always does for all good things to come to an end.
Except in my case, it is just the beginning.
With the past help of Kawasaki Motors Corp. and its yearly media training courses, this sharply trained PR (Public relations) savvy racer is looking forward to a broader band of opportunities, which lie ahead.
Be it racing or motivational speaking, or commentating in front or behind the camera, I am ready for whatever is thrown my way.
I would first like to thank KMC for the opportunities they have given me over the past 7 years, and all the doors that have been opened.
I was transformed from a young, African American street racer from Philadelphia, to a seasoned professional racer who has being proclaimed by AMA Prostar, the title of being the winningest professional racer in drag racing history.
That is the highest honor, that a rider can be crowned, especially when compared to the greatest legends of drag racing such as Dave Schultz, John Meyers, and Elmer trett, and Larry (Spider Man) McBride.
Being a Factory rider allowed me a wide range of opportunities from visiting pediatric hospitals and schools, to doing stand up comedy in Vegas with Bill Cosby.
I also got a call from Hollywood about doing work in the movie, Biker Boyz, where I got to work with numerous celebrities, like Laurence Fishburne, and Orlando Jones, and the whole cast.
I have been afforded the luxury of doing commercials, print ads, infomercials, testing and even writing for various main stream motorcycle magazines, such as, Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, and currently2 wheel tuner magazine.
Through my high visibility as a successful Kawasaki factory rider I have been fortunate to be able to meet and befriend such Motorcycle racing celebs, as Doug Chandler, Ricky Carmicheal, Jeff Emig, James (Bubba Stewart) Jason Pridmore, Kevin ShwantzMiguel Duhamel, Eric and Ben Bostrom, Tommy, and Nicky Hayden, Keith Code, and Al Ludington.
Racing has gotten me some unrelated opportunities as well, such as the Macyas Passport Fashion fest, a major 2 city fashion show tour which took us from San Francisco, to Los Angeles, where, for the second time in recent months, I got to walk the Red Carpet, with celebrities like, Gabriel Union,Majic Johnson, Liz Taylor, Marion Jones, Mark Ecko,and Jada Pinkett Smith.
I have even got to host Television shows like speedvision, where they trailed me around Daytona allowing me to do Dave Despaines job as he could not make it but told them he had the confidence that I could do the job well.
I cant thank KMC enough for the training, grooming, visibility, and certainly for the trust, respect, and confidence that they have shown in me by allowing me to be myself and prove that I could do a good job at representing such a major corp., in a positive manner.
You see I understand that racing is only 30% of what they paid me to do, the other 70% was to represent and promote their product, and since I really believed in the product it was easy for me to wake up everyday and do my job to the fullest.
The 2004 Diamond Powersports World Finals held in Gainesville, Fla November 5,6,7 will be my last race wearing Green, as I go for my 8th national championship.
To everybody at Kawasaki I say goodbye:
To the world of opportunities ahead:
I say Welcome!
Although I am not sure which way I am going to point my career, I do know that there are plenty of new opportunities out there for a racer who understands how to give a company the most ROI (return on investment) per dollar spent, so I plan on exploring my options as they come, and I surely welcome new challenges.
Rickey Gadson
rickeygadson.com
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
   
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your car is slow
Needs a job
Fuck Nitrous...Got Boost?
Posts: 4089
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posted October 18, 2004 01:15 PM
Damn.....
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Do not taunt happy fun ball!
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1bad12r
Zone Head
Posts: 567
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posted October 18, 2004 04:44 PM
Ryan S. says there will be no more Muzzy in drag racing in 2005 either. Whats up wit that !
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768 Ryderz
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BROOKLYNNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 520
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posted October 18, 2004 11:42 PM
If there is no Muzzy in drag racing in 05,does that mean that the ZX-12 R Pro-Stock program gets scrapped?If thats true that would be another Kawasaki blunder,they let Suzuki take over the sport years ago....someone squash the bad news!
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Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
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Ryan Schnitz
Novice Class
Posts: 63
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posted October 19, 2004 04:52 AM
I said and I Quote:
"Kawasaki is doing NOTHING with Dragracing in 2005 at all.... They may never come back... who knows...."
as posted on Psychobike.com
Ry--
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kawpower
Zone Head
Mr kawasaki 2 you!
Posts: 887
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posted October 19, 2004 05:21 AM
Well there goes the neighborhood!!!!!!! Rickey youll be mist.
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BROOKLYNNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 520
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posted October 19, 2004 01:13 PM
Whats going on in Kawasaki's marketing minds?They get involved in drag racing again only to pull the plug again?What the hell is going on?
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Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
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lonniemac
Expert Class
Posts: 225
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posted October 19, 2004 02:29 PM
not only khi that was my and my friends motive to support prostar
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bossman12r
Zone Head
Posts: 513
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posted October 19, 2004 05:45 PM
I thought I read that Muzzy is getting back into road racing with the zx10.
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gen 4 zx10 is fast
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BA
Pro
Posts: 1592
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posted October 19, 2004 06:13 PM
Immensely interesting!!!!!!
I would love to hear from Dan and Chad and whatever thoughts they could share.
Guys? You going to keep racing the 600? (too early to tell?)
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted October 19, 2004 08:36 PM
The 600 is for sale, it is in the classifides right now.
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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rac4it
Needs a job
Bergie
Posts: 3009
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posted October 20, 2004 05:51 AM
I'd like to see RG on a Velocity bike next season
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted October 20, 2004 08:03 AM
Hey BA,
As you guys have read Kawasaki is pulling the plug on drag racing, at least for now.
Chad (and us) have had a blast and we've met some of the best people in racing. So many guys like Chip, Ryan and Rickey have taught him alot and we have enjoyed their company. It's been a great place to meet folks like you, Mad Mike, Angi and also the guys who come to the races to watch like Steve, Rick, Mike, Dave, Harry and a bunch more. We will miss everyone for sure.
Chad is grateful to Kawasaki & Chip Ellis for giving him a shot at riding for Team Green. Not many people have had the opportunity to reach a dream like he did. Even though we would have liked it to have lasted longer, he did get the experience and for that, we are thankful.
As parents (and riders) it's been a thrill to have son's
that race and the icing was to get a factory ride.
It was neat getting to know Muzzy and his crew since he was a sponsor that helped out too.
Another great person is Coby Adams, Chad's tuner for the last three years. We'll miss him and many, many more.
Sorry for the long post and oh yeah his race bike is still for sale, you'd look good & run well on it for sure!!! (Hey, it's only been rode on week-ends :-) )
Take care,
Dan
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kcadby
Pro
Posts: 1733
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posted October 20, 2004 09:30 AM
Edited By: kcadby on 20 Oct 2004 10:30
Time to jump ship???
NOT...
I want very badly to build a ZX12 based Turbo Bracket/7.90/8.20 bike...
It would be EASY to go 7.50s reliably...$$$$$$
Can I borrow 22-GRAND?!?!?!
LOL
Good luck to all involved...
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rickeyg
Novice Class
Posts: 60
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posted October 21, 2004 07:38 AM
Hey Guys
Thanks for all the support, it has certainly been a great run of 7 yrs for me, and I enjoyed representing all Kawasaki owners, especially the dedicated ZX12 owners.
Good luck to all.....
Rickey
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Rickey Gadson
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DR JOE
Expert Class
Posts: 352
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posted October 22, 2004 03:08 AM
Hey Ricky
This is a double edge sword, on the one hand you will be missed by all of us that have watch and tried to be like you and rode for the Kawasaki name. As one of your students of your school it was and will always be one of the highlights of my racing career to learn from the best. You are a true Champion on and off the track. For the other side of the coin may it bring you all the things that you want and we hope to see you still at the track racing or behind a mic doing some kind of Dragracing show.
Good luck on your new endeavor.
DR JOE
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Lorcan
Expert Class
Posts: 327
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posted October 23, 2004 12:22 PM
All the best for the future Rickey and Ryan.
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RedBull
Expert Class
Posts: 406
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posted October 24, 2004 07:18 AM
quote:
I said and I Quote:
"Kawasaki is doing NOTHING with Dragracing in 2005 at all.... They may never come back... who knows...."
as posted on Psychobike.com
Ry--
Does this mean we should jump ship like Chip Ellis ?
Perhaps we can all race the 'V' twin motors . . .
NHRA fans like the 'V' twins better.
Red, *<(:{)-
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1998 Prostar West Super Gas top ten.
1999 Prostar West Super Gas Champion !
2000 NMRA / Prostar Pro E/T runner up.
2001, 2002, & 2003 NMRA Pro E/T Champion !
2004 #3, 2005, & 2006 NMRA Pro E/T runner up.
2007 Pro St. Legal #6, NMRA Pro E/T Champion !
2008 Motorcycle Drag Race Assoc. SS Champion !
www.dragbike.com - www.MDRA4U.com
www.PMRcomponents.com www.NAARDEN.biz
Photos by www.HooliganUnderground.com
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted October 24, 2004 11:22 AM
Some people like the v-twins better because they're brainwashed into thinking they're better...lol...
The v-twins in NHRA is a bullshit unfair advantage!!!...They have a clean slate to work with and the builders have no rules then slap a Harley Davidson sticker on it and make Megga $$$...
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted October 24, 2004 04:59 PM
Come on CR it is only 85% CUSTOM BILLET..... LOL..
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted October 24, 2004 06:22 PM
Edited By: oldkawboy on 24 Oct 2004 19:37
Yep and they get to run fuel injection while the inline 4's
have to use carbs and they come with FI.
The NHRA fans do like the twins as stated though. The consession stands used to be full when Pro Stock bikes would come to the line, now they stay in the stands!
Dan
Oh, and Red Bull....
Thank goodness I don't have to jump ship like Chip. Gotta remember, this is what he does for a living.
Seems like to me he made a good decision, I guess he saw the proverbial handwriting on the wall.
For Chad it was a paid hobby, luckily he's still employed at his day job!
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BROOKLYNNYZX12
Zone Head
Posts: 520
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posted October 24, 2004 09:14 PM
The V-Twins are also allowed a huge displacement advantadge..the Harleys are 2600cc's...mind boggling.The inlines can only be 92 cubes,it took Vance and Hines 2 full seasons to get the so called V-Rod competitive,you think Muzzy can get the Kaw Pro-Stock competitive ?
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Orient Express Top Street Bike Winner 8-4-07
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RobMuzzy
Expert Class
Posts: 295
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posted October 25, 2004 11:48 AM
The 4 valve late model engines like the ZX12 can only be 87ci. If you were going to race NHRA in 2005 to win, what would you build?
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DR JOE
Expert Class
Posts: 352
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posted October 25, 2004 05:45 PM
Hey Rob
I think that every body on this board was pulling for Ryan and you to make the show every time that you went out. I do hope that you will continue in drag racing even if Kawasaki does not. You have built some of the most beautiful machines to race down a track. I would still like to see you try and be in the show even if it was only a few shows.
DR JOE
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lonniemac
Expert Class
Posts: 225
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posted October 26, 2004 03:31 AM
gainsville will be my last prostar race to attend, along with my friends. i am sure they have input on this.
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