Watching his 15-year-old son Kris’ dream ride literally fall apart, Danny Turner fired off an e-mail to Red Bull and its agents, asking for a mechanic who could properly prepare a racebike, or at least one who wouldn’t show up hung over on the race weekend. After the first race, where he watched other parents on the grid or pit lane with their racers, and watched Kris struggle with a poor-running motorcycle that finally threw its chain, Danny Turner figured the least Red Bull could do was let him onto pit lane at the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup races in Europe. What he got, in response, was a letter telling him to butt out that the bike wasn’t the problem, but he was. And at the end of the season, Kris Turner found himself without a ride and without any support from Red Bull even though in the races he finished, he performed better than some of the opponents who wound up staying in the Red Bull development program. “I’m pretty sure what I wrote to them had something to do with Kris getting dropped,” Danny says. “We’re looking at getting him on a 600 in the United States next season, and there’s been some talk, but nothing’s been signed yet.” Red Bull officials say that the criticism played no role in releasing Turner from his contract. They added that it was not just final results, but the overall package of riding talent and personality, that determined whether a young rider would remain in the Red Bull rider development program. “If the rider is frustrated by the restrictions of the Cup series to the point where it is having a deleterious effect on their riding then it makes sense for that rider use their talent in a different way. They may well need the kind of attention that the Cup structure cannot give them and thrive in another team,” Thomas Ãœberall, Red Bull’s International Motorsports Director, told Roadracing World. “We wish Kris the greatest success and will be very happy to see him become a World Champion in the future.” Ãœberall’s tone is far different than the one in the letter from Johannes Diemer Turner’s liaison with the Red Bull program that Danny Turner received early in the season. The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup series in 2007 was an eight-race contest, in which young teens selected from around the world would be given identical KTM 125cc two-stroke road racers and turned loose on MotoGP weekends. In front of huge crowds, the youngsters would get to race at classic venues like Assen, Jerez, Valencia, Donington Park. For those lucky 23 selected, it really was a dream ride. When the program initially was formed, riders were expected to provide their own mechanics. However, this idea was quickly scrapped, and Red Bull provided apprentice mechanics for all of the identical KTM 125cc GP-style machines. Danny Turner was suspicious of his son’s mechanic from early on. In a March 28 letter to Diemer, he wrote: “I would request that you provide a mechanic that is competent and committed to having their rider in front of the competition, not one who shows up at the track hung over from drinking with the competition’s parents the night before. “I understand your reasoning for using trainees as mechanics; however it takes many years and much experience to become a proper race technician and by depending on trainees to do this job you are putting my son in harm’s way.” Danny Turner also wanted to know why he wasn’t allowed onto pit lane, even though he could see the parents of other racers on pit lane with their children. In an e-mail to Danny Turner shortly after the Jerez round, Diemer responded: “Please don’t worry about the safety of your kid. We all are doing our best to limit all possible risks, and frankly to have the parents in the pit lane or grid is more a risk to the riders than it is not. “Maybe this is not true for all parents, but for sure for some, as they disturb the preparations we do with the kids before a race, by pushing them too much just before the start, so that the kid is at the end under a psychological pressure to meet the parent’s expectations. This is one reason why we generally do not want and will not admit parents on the grids or in the pit lane. If some of them, due to relations they have, are able to achieve access we cannot do anything about that but try to keep them outside. “We are, in my opinion, putting as much effort in the whole program as we can do. Of course we are grateful for every feedback we get, but also you as parents need to accept that there are limitations and one of them concerns the access on the grid or pit lane: We will not grant that because it is not necessary in contrary it is more harmful for the kids as positive. “Red Bull is offering a great chance here and spending a great deal of money on putting that program together anyone who does not appreciate that is free to leave any time. I hope you can understand my point.” Red Bull and KTM stuck to their plan. And the Turners stayed in. With more than half the races run, Turner’s bike had run properly in exactly one the Assen round. There, Turner crossed the line first, but was penalized for being forced by another rider’s banzai move to short-cut the final chicane; Turner was docked five seconds and awarded third place. In the other races Kris Turner’s bike had the following problems: – Jerez: An engine misfire that would not allow the bike to perform properly on the start. Turner was dead last going into the first corner. He moved up to 8th place before the chain came off. Kris was told that the chain derailed when his foot hit the lower fairing. He was never given a reason for the engine misfire. – Mugello: Turner was told that the still-present misfire was due to carburetor settings that could not be changed or the bike would seize. Turner still managed to put the bike on the podium, finishing third. – Donington: The engine cut out in the middle of Schwantz Corner, then re-fired, launching Turner into a highside and forcing him to miss qualifying. After a jetting adjustment, Turner charged from the back to 11th place before the bike quit again. He went back out, but did not complete enough laps to be classified. – Sachsenring: After a qualifying crash, Turner’s mechanic replaced the left clip-on handlebar but failed to properly torque down the triple clamp pinch bolts, allowing the left fork leg and clip-on to move and rotate in the triple clamps throughout the race. Turner soldiered on to finish 14th. Danny Turner outlined all of these problems in an e-mail to Red Bull. He was assured in a reply by Ãœberall that KTM had been notified that they had to take care of the mechanical problems immediately. At Brno, Turner qualified fourth but crashed out; at Estoril, he qualified 12th but finished ninth. At the season ender in Valencia, he qualified 11th and finished eighth. Danny Turner knew the mechanical problems could cost his son. As he wrote to Ãœberall: “The problems have hindered him in the points. Some of the problems have made him look sub-par as a rider to those that are not fully aware of the problems.” It should not be forgotten what the families of the Red Bull racers went through in order to get a shot at the series. Turner’s friends and supporters raised money for him and his family throughout the season to help defray travel expenses. Given the mechanical problems Turner suffered in a short eight-race series, 10th place in the final point standings, with two podiums and (arguably) one win appears to be a significant achievement. But while Sturla Fagerhaug (11th), Daniel Kartheininger (12th), Cristian Trabalon (13th), J.D. Beach (16th) and Adam Blacklock (17th) all finished behind Turner, their names all appear on the provisional entry list for the 2008 Red Bull Rookies Cup. Turner’s does not. “Along with a number of other riders, Kris was not invited to race in 2008 Cup,” Ãœberall wrote to Roadracing World. “As with the other riders in his position he has been released from his Red Bull contract and is free to make new agreements. “We certainly do not shy away from criticism. On the contrary we take it very seriously and appreciate that it can help us improve. The fact that Kris and his father criticized the Cup was not a deciding factor in his ongoing participation. “We stress all the way through the application process and the racing season that lap times and race results are by no means the prime consideration for us. After all what we are looking for are future World Champions, not riders who can put in a quick lap today. So we look at the rider as a complete athlete and person. We also look at how that athlete may, or may not, benefit from time in the Cup series.” Danny Turner says he’s looking forward to having his son race in the United States in the upcoming season. “There will be a lot less stress from travel,” Danny Turner says. “Some of the tracks here aren’t quite as safe as the ones in Europe, but they’re a lot better than they were. “Overall, we’ve really got no regrets over participating in the Red Bull series,” Danny says. “Kris might have gotten more seat time if he’d stayed here in the United States, but this (Rookies Cup) probably got him more recognition.” The full text of an e-mail response sent to Roadracing World from Thomas Ãœberall follows: Thank you for your continued interest in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and especially for the coverage that Roadracing World has given to Kris Turner’s participation this year. I hope I can address the questions you posed concerning the fact that, along with a number of other riders, Kris was not invited to race in 2008 Cup. As with the other riders in his position he has been released from his Red Bull contract and is free to make new agreements. With the Rookies Cup we are trying to offer an opportunity to as many riders as possible and this means that the situation is very different to a normal race team. Kris had frustrations about the Cup this year that were expressed by his father. He rode superbly to cross the line first in Assen and also finished on the rostrum in Mugello but he felt that he could have done better if he had superior technical support. Technical preparation is obviously a vital part of racing and we take it very seriously, any problems are investigated and we continue to look at ways that the bikes and their preparation can be improved. We certainly do not shy away from criticism, on the contrary we take it very seriously and appreciate that it can help us improve. The fact that Kris and his father criticised the cup was not a deciding factor in his ongoing participation. We stress all the way through the application process and the racing season that lap times and race results are by no means the prime consideration for us. After all what we are looking for are future World Champions, not riders who can put in a quick lap today. So we look at the rider as a complete athlete and person. We also look at how that athlete may, or may not, benefit from time in the Cup series. If the rider is frustrated by the restrictions of the Cup series to the point where it is having a deleterious effect on their riding then it makes sense for that rider use their talent in a different way. They may well need the kind of attention that the Cup structure cannot give them and thrive in another team. We feel very privileged to be involved with so many fine young athletes through the selection process and the Cup itself. We wish Kris the greatest success and will be very happy to see him become a World Champion in the future. Thomas Ãœberall And now, some reader comment: FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I had the privilege of accompanying the Turner’s to Valencia for the final Red Bull Rookies’ Cup event. It is a pretty incredible thing, on the whole, and I believe that, in most cases, it is a great experience for the kids who are involved. Quoting Red Bull from your recent (12/1/07) Roadracingworld.com on-line article on Kris Turner and Red Bull: “………it was not just final results, but the overall package of riding talent and personality, that determined whether a young rider would remain in the Red Bull rider development program.” I must call BS on this. For nearly a week in Spain, I observed Kris behave as a young professional – calm, quiet, thoughtful, focused, respectful, considerate, etc. – and even when confronted with great disappointment, he took it like a man, far more maturely than one would expect of someone his age. I also observed Kris seek out Adam Blacklock’s younger brother (afflicted with MS and wheelchair bound) several times during the event just to spend time with him, because he likes him, and out of the pure goodness of his heart. I also saw the bond between Kris and Gustl Auinger, the former GP winner and RBRC rider coach. As long as he is employed by Red Bull, I am sure Gustl would never speak openly about the situation, but it was quite easy to see the genuine pain that he felt as the result of the Turner/RBRC separation. Note: I believe that it was a huge plus for the kids that Gustl was a part of the program. It was very apparent how much he cared for them. Concerning the “riding talent” portion of the excuse, how can they possibly claim that as an issue when the USGPRU rider they just contracted into the MotoGP Academy beat Kris by only a fraction of a second at Road Atlanta this year? While at Valencia, I observed closely the activity in what I call the Red Bull Barn, the portable tent-garage for the bikes. One thing was very obvious: The riders weren’t the only “rookies” in the Red Bull paddock. The mechanics all seemed to be quite young, and presumably inexperienced. In your article, you wrote of some of the bike problems that Kris experienced during the series that were mechanic-related. During the Valencia pre-race engine-warming in the paddock, I watched Kris demonstrate for his dad, who was in his proper place off to the side, that he was able to easily pull his front-brake lever back to the handlebar. I watched as Danny restrained himself and resisted the urge to fix the problem. That would be extremely tough situation for any parent, let alone one who knows a motorcycle as well as Danny does. I can’t imagine that there weren’t many other occurrences similar to this with other mechanics/riders/bikes over the course of the year. As I mentioned above, and as I have told many people since I returned to the US from Spain, I believe that the Red Bull Rookies’ Cup, on the whole, is an awesome experience for the kids. I hope that Red Bull has learned from their experience with mechanics this year, though, and that next year, for the benefit of rider safety, they will provide more supervision and oversight for the mechanics at the very least. Concerning the quoted justification for releasing Kris, though, I repeat……..BULLSH-T. Thanks much, Lee Hollimon USGPRU #57 CCS #57 Hampstead, North Carolina FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: After reading about Kris Turner being released from his Red Bull Rookies Cup contract he should consider himself lucky based on the posted copy(on Roadracingworld.com) of the contract all riders/parents must sign. It was basically indentured servitude/slavery for 7 years. I expected better of Red Bull and thought the program was for the greater good of the sport with the fringe benefit being positive publicity for Red Bull. Alas, this does not seem like the actual reality. Best of luck to Kris for the future. Paolo Carrere San Carlos, California FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Have any of the Red Bull Rookies Cup riders consulted a lawyer prior to signing this contract? This is one of the most draconian, one-sided documents I have ever seen. They are essentially signing away at least 7 years of their lives with this contract, as well as what appears to be tax liabilities on at least $150,000 in “associated value,” which means Red Bull says that these rides are worth this much, and we are going to declare it, and you are responsible for the taxes on it. My attorney for my business would sh-t if he saw this. Is the contract for the US series the same? Has anyone told these kids to turn around and run the other way, REALLY FAST? I may be missing the “Intent” of this contract, but I don’t think so. Basically, we will give you a chance, but if you make it, we own you for the next 7 years, and by the way, if you are really good, (read, Rossi or Hayden level) then you get to ride MotoGP for us. For free. For 5 years. Damned, I thought this Rookie Cup was something good, but reading Turner’s accounts and that contract, I think I would turn around and run the other way. Besides, from all the stuff that I have been reading and seeing over the last few years, it looks like anyone from the USA has the wrong passport for racing on the world level. Is the US series going to be the same Bull(Sh-t) stuff? Any thoughts or ideas? Mark Lewellen Ozark, Missouri FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Bottom line, the American riders should be elated that they had the opportunity to race. Instead of complaining, they should all pick up the pieces and move on. Don’t know how much of what has been reported is true of not, but it really doesn’t matter. If they only chose riders based on their times and rankings none of the Americans would have been chosen in the first place. None or them qualified anywhere near the top 20. You called it right last year; the Spanish kids were really experienced and really quick. But I was right too; I knew the market needed Americans in the program and I predicted at least one would be picked. From what I witnessed first-hand from being over at the tryouts, the best American rider out of the three is going to the academy. Cameron was clearly the best American in the tests over either Turner or JD. Philip Rispoli Attica, New York FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: In regards to the subject, “The Disintegrating Dream: The End of The Ride for Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Racer Kris Turner”. This situation should be no surprise to anyone and should emphasize why trying to get kids in a “professional” atmosphere is not only harmful to the child, but also not productive. In regards to the specifics of this situation, I would simply say welcome to the real world of racing. It may be late to mention this, but the fact of the matter is that there are many situations annually where the mechanics don’t necessarily like the riders they are working with. This can be for a myriad of reasons including that maybe he wanted to work with a rider that was placed in another team or he flat out doesn’t like the rider he is working with. It happens and yes half a season or more can pass by before it is fixed. I believe what this situation helps illustrate is, “Is this program and the desire to turn kids ‘pro’ before they can adequately handle the adult world really productive?” It is my opinion that we are destroying the focus of good programs already in place and damaging the ability for children to grow up as productive adults. There is such a displaced reality with the kids and the programs in my opinion as most kids lack the maturity to interact and exist within the environments they exist in with these programs. My experience is that kids may “say the right things” as early as 14 or 15 that would lead one to believe that they can go and race motorcycles in a environment that garners media and above normal attention, but rarely do they truly have the maturity to exist in an environment that requires intense communication and interaction skills. On top of that, there may not be able to appreciate what a deadly sport we participate in. The US is turning out less world road racing champions in the premier class in the last 7 or 8 years and I do not believe it is any coincidence that many riders are turning away from what was recognized as the best skill builders for road racers”¦dirt racing, minis, and endurance racing. Dirt racing in any discipline helps develop important skills and a rider can learn more about road racing a motorcycle in a full season of endurance racing they can in 5 years of sprint racing in my opinion. Yet, endurance grids on the regional and National scene seem to be getting lighter. Lots of new series that are the “hot ticket” to get your youngster recognized have been popping up. I think a lot of people are fooled about what a young adult needs to properly develop skills in motorcycle road racing. I have always believed seat time in a competitive race environment where the youngster can make mistakes and learn without harming themselves and those around them is key. When you start sticking kids in series that is advertised as a “Series to get kids discovered”, you just changed the goal for many of the kids involved. There have been several cases where parents lied to make their child appear to be 17 or 18 when they were actually 19 or 20. Some of these kids were very successful. This along with the fact that there are so few AMA or World Champions under 22 or 23 should only underscore that riders need maturity to win races. I think people confuse that because rider “A” rode minis (or motocross/flat track) before their big successful career, then that must be the way to go. NO, in my opinion the fact they had seat time since they were 8 or 9 years old and have been acclimated to riding a motorcycle in a competitive environment is what made them successful, not because of a specific discipline. Even then, at the critical moment when the young person has to perform in their early pro career, what Mom or Dad were able to instill concerning using their judgment and other critical items will be what defines them early in their career not whether they were in a particular series. There are way more riders that have been brought to the “Pro” ranks under 22 that never amounted to anything professionally than did have successful careers. In my opinion, if a parent truly wants their child to have an opportunity for their talents to grow (and possibly be discovered), there are more than enough programs in the United States. Running your child in a program that is a marketing platform for a product with an associated value in the Motorsports world may not provide the best environment for your child to constructively grow up is at best a crapshoot in my opinion. Focus on providing discipline and personal growth, and your child will be successful at more than just racing. At the end of the day for the thousands of kids that try their hand at professional racing, what is going on outside the track will be the most important defining factor in their life. My advice is to keep your kid in school and let them grow up with other kids and learn to interact with peers. If they want to road race, get them on a mini or maybe endurance race. If they ride dirt, let them have fun at it and maybe when they are 15 or 16, take them road racing. Don’t artificially push your kids for something that is not productive to them growing up in a normal environment. If they truly have extraordinary talent, they will make it to where they need to make it. Use the Suzuki Cup, AMA Grand National Championships, WERA GNF to showcase your kids’ talent. If they can win there, they can have a good chance at a professional career. Marcus McBain Houston, Texas