BMW has been de-Knighted

[noobi]

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/off-road/2009/06/19/knight-and-bmw-part-company

David Knight has left BMW Motorrad.

"I simply felt that I couldn't move forward with the bike. My performances weren't what I, or the team, hoped they'd be, which I think everyone could see. The bike simply didn't suit my way of riding, it's as simple as that. Like I said the team worked hard to give me what I wanted but in the end I felt it was best that I walked away. I'd like to wish BMW all the very best for the rest of this season" David Knight

Juha doesnt seem to have a problem getting on the podium though

[flyingcr250]

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/off-road/2009/06/19/knight-and-bmw-part-company

David Knight has left BMW Motorrad.

"I simply felt that I couldn't move forward with the bike. My performances weren't what I, or the team, hoped they'd be, which I think everyone could see. The bike simply didn't suit my way of riding, it's as simple as that. Like I said the team worked hard to give me what I wanted but in the end I felt it was best that I walked away. I'd like to wish BMW all the very best for the rest of this season" David Knight

Juha doesnt seem to have a problem getting on the podium though

i wounder if he'll go back to KTM??

[vazza]

Hope he goes back to KTM! Or even husky or something, would increase sales for husky thats for sure ;P

[Rupe]

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/off-road/2009/06/19/knight-and-bmw-part-company

David Knight has left BMW Motorrad.

"I simply felt that I couldn't move forward with the bike. My performances weren't what I, or the team, hoped they'd be, which I think everyone could see. The bike simply didn't suit my way of riding, it's as simple as that. Like I said the team worked hard to give me what I wanted but in the end I felt it was best that I walked away. I'd like to wish BMW all the very best for the rest of this season" David Knight

Juha doesnt seem to have a problem getting on the podium though

Good, knighter is one of the best around. Also noticed he wasn't doing any of the one off events (erzberg, tough one, etc) not sure if this was to do with the bmw sponsership, but he seemed to do them all on the KTM.

Husky would be good, or maybe a gasgas

[noobi]

i wounder if he'll go back to KTM??

i think he burnt the bridges with KTM when he left.
and when he launched his bike at Taddy after the las vegas endurocross, i dont think that was good for his career either.
but history will judge him

[flyingcr250]

i think he burnt the bridges with KTM when he left.
and when he launched his bike at Taddy after the las vegas endurocross, i dont think that was good for his career either.
but history will judge him

oh well theres always husky, or maybe TM

[kezzafish]

Juha's been doing pretty shit all year (shit for juha) but has been improving. KTM don't need him... they're having a blinder of a season (besides the bridge burning point). I recon he should take up professional cross stitch racing

[takitimu]

It'll be interesting, when he's racing, he get's pretty wound up.

My guess would be Husaberg, KTM get him back, but at arms length & he has an engine he knows and a frame/engine setup that is very balanced.

The real loser here is BMW, Juha is not at a level you would expect & DK bailed, they spent two months working on a new frame that was worse than the original, that reflects very badly on their R&D department.

I think now they own Husky BMW should give up on the their bike & concentrate on the proven husky brand, though I'm biased :).

[takitimu]

Mmm, womder if a KX450F would suit Knighter well.

http://www.offroadchampions.com/

Damn how good will it be if this works out, Whib's vs Knighter, same bike.

[chrisktm]

Mmm, womder if a KX450F would suit Knighter well.

http://www.offroadchampions.com/

Damn how good will it be if this works out, Whib's vs Knighter, same bike.

The rumor around the Erzberg camp fire was that Knighter will be riding a KX450 in the GNCC starting soon. I don't think he will be riding orange again. Hopefully Kawasaki have some KX250's lying around and he can have a crack at Tadddy in the extreme stuff. I doubt it though...

[Ktmboy]

The rumor around the Erzberg camp fire was that Knighter will be riding a KX450 in the GNCC starting soon. I don't think he will be riding orange again. Hopefully Kawasaki have some KX250's lying around and he can have a crack at Tadddy in the extreme stuff. I doubt it though...

It'd be bit of a downer for Whibbs if he got back into the GNCC this year really. Talk about throw a cat in amonst the pidgeons, no disrespect to Paul but all the focus on Knight could detract from him when at the moment he has a "I'm on a winning roll mindset"

I thought the GNCC teams had no budget this year, recession and all?

[takitimu]

It'd be bit of a downer for Whibbs if he got back into the GNCC this year really. Talk about throw a cat in amonst the pidgeons, no disrespect to Paul but all the focus on Knight could detract from him when at the moment he has a "I'm on a winning roll mindset"

I thought the GNCC teams had no budget this year, recession and all?

Mmm, here are the laptimes from lat year

<table border="1"><tr><td>David Knight</td><td>Paul Whibley</td><td>Leader</td><td>Time Ahead</td></tr><tr><td>00:29:32.984</td><td>00:29:26.140</td><td>Whibs</td><td>00:00:06.844</td></tr><tr><td>00:30:47.000</td><td>00:31:07.375</td><td>Knighter</td><td>00:00:13.531</td></tr><tr><td>00:32:15.656</td><td>00:31:57.422</td><td>Whibs</td><td>00:00:04.703</td></tr><tr><td>00:31:47.719</td><td>00:32:09.922</td><td>Knighter</td><td>00:00:17.500</td></tr><tr><td>00:31:58.359</td><td>00:32:37.031</td><td>Knighter</td><td>00:00:56.172</td></tr><tr><td>00:32:05.641</td><td>00:32:07.891</td><td>Knighter</td><td>00:00:58.422</td></tr></table>

I don't think it's a slam dunk that Knighter will win, in fact I'd say Whib's goes in favourite.

[camchain]

Good work snagging the interesting data takatimu. Looks like when Knight's got the bit between his teeth he can really get serious gapping happening though.

If the Axeman keeps doing his thang hopefully he'll be standing on top of the podium at the end, Knight would have been on a decent paycheck with Beemer but he obviously prefers winning, past GNCC halfway point too late to catch up to the mighty Whibs now? Trouble is tracks getting drier now and isn't PW at his best in the wet?

BMW must be hugely embarrassed with Knight bailing. You'd think he'd be able to win on just about anything. Seemed to be a fair sprinkling of the 450X's in the Erzberg field though. Hope BMW can get the bike fully sorted, it's good see some some innovative & interesting design being attempted. Wonder if ChrisKTM got to have a ride on one and get an impression?

[scott411]

i think Whibs should be able to beat him in this round, the KX450 is different to the BMW or KTM in handling and i would suspect David to take at least a couple of races to get used to it,

[scott411]

interesing article from racerxonline

David Knight to Return for Snowshoe GNCC?

By
Jason Weigandt Jun 23 2009 4:37PM

With $50,000 on the line, including $10,000 for an overall win at this weekend's Motorcycleusa.com Snowshoe GNCC in West Virginia, rumor has it that 2007 and 2008 GNCC Champion David Knight might return to the U.S. this weekend to show off his number-one plate and go for the big prize.

Knight departed the States this season to go back to his native Europe and race the World Enduro Championship for BMW, but Knighter never got along with the new Beemer, and last week he announced he had parted ways with the brand. That makes Knight a free agent, and what free agent wouldn't like to pocket some extra cash?

The rumors say Knight is buying a Kawasaki with his own money, which makes him eligible for Kawasaki's $10,000 to win a GNCC contingency. Throw in an extra $1000 for winning the XC1 pro class with the $10,000 overall bonus and $10,000 Kawasaki bonus, and Knight could pocket $21,000 for winning the three-hour event.

Of course there's the matter of getting an unfamiliar bike ready in a week, and the fact that GNCC regulars Paul Whibley, Josh Strang, Charlie Mullins, Jimmy Jarrett, Barry Hawk, Thad DuVall, Nathan Kanney and Kurt Caselli want to win the race too, for points, pride and money.

It's all just a rumor for now. Stay tuned.

[secondfield]

One things assured' - it will be a hell of a race ... :woohoo:

[takitimu]

Just got a twitter from GNCC Racing, saying "David Knight riding a Kawasaki at Snoeshow GNCC", pretty close to as official as you get :)

[camchain]

Hmm. Doubt the Kawasaki will require as much adaptation as the quirky beemer. Going to be interesting. That's a handsome green contingency cheque, wonder how it compares to win bonus if actually on team green?

[noobi]

An interview with David about BMW and him leaving, also an interview with a spokesperson from BMW about it also

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/off-road/2009/06/26/interview-david-knight

[camchain]

Exceptional article with some surprising candour. Good spotting noobi.