05/09/05
Re: Investigation of classification Gustavo Laya (Abasolo)
After a thorough investigation as to whether Gustavo Laya (Abasolo) should be classified as amateur or expert, here are the facts:
1. He was accused of racing as an amateur in the 2004 ROC at Homestead and bumped to expert. Findings: I contacted Kevin Elliott at CCS and he reported that he did participate as an amateur and finished as follows: MWSS-13th, ULGP-12th, MWGP-6th. The picture on the National Privateer web site clearly shows amateur status and the name Gustavo Abasolo. This is the same rider (Gustavo Laya). This is a Spanish name where they sometimes use part, or the entire last name.
2. He was accused of being an expert champion in the Venezuelan series. Findings: The Venezuelan Federation says that he is ranked as an amateur. He rode 600's and 125's and won a 125 championship race.
And so after looking at all the information available to me on this matter, I have found that Gustavo Laya and Gustavo Abasolo are the same person. But it makes no difference as the rider is correctly classified as an amateur as he should be. Further, the rider states that he in no way was trying to deceive anyone by giving the name Laya or Abasolo. I agree as I have seen it before with other Spanish names.
As far as any question about Gustavo Marquez, he is an amateur and raced MX in Venezuela last year.
In closing, I would also like to say that even though there was a question about the riders last name, I found all other accusations to be completely erroneous. I also think an apology from those that made the accusations would be in order. So unless you have anything further to show me, I consider this matter closed.
Henry DeGouw
CCS/Florida
great job henry.
is this the man or what.
i think BIB the michelin man is really the marsh mellow man from ghost busters....can you look into this?
Great job Henry!! Good on you sir.
Thanks for clarifying the facts HD.
Well done, Henry. Very professionally processed and communicated.
Henry, Thanks for finding out the real information on Gustavo. Anyone can post anything on their website and when I saw South American champion I jumped at the opportunity to call him out. I guess when I ride as hard as I can and lead the first few laps of almost every race we are in together just to be beaten by him over and over, by a very large margin, it led me to say stuff before knowing the facts.
I guess I need to take the advice of OmniGLH when he said:
Want to win? Don't like him taking your contingency? Then figure out how to go faster, and beat him. You'll never get faster by racing people that are slower than you anyways.
So I guess I must apologize for jumping to conclusions about him and try much harder to get faster myself.
I must also give props to Gustavo Laya for his ability to ride knowing now that he is an actual amatuer. Very good for only riding a little while.
Once again, thanks for looking into this and getting it all straightened out.
Yeah, I have an opinion based on my freshman year Spanish class. The name change is a shell game. Full spanish/mexican names are based on the mother's maiden name and the father's last name, and generally the father's first or middle name. Generally, around %99 of the time, a man will carry and use the same order of familial names throughout his lifetime. Unless he is trying to hide something...It would be the same if I started using my mother's maiden name after 35 years of having used my father's last name. Anyway, sounds like you've made up your mind about the matter anyway. Just keep my 2 cents in the back of your mind.
Just a note:
As per the January issue of Roadracing World pg.101 under the GTU amateur recap:
Fernando Amantini finished third on a Ducati 748RS just in front of Jonny Moore, but Amantini was disqualified from the race (and from all of his Amateur races) when it was found out later in the weekend that he was racing as a Professional in other countries.
Amantini was mentioned for his efforts in MWSB and for coming from the last row of the grid to win the HWSB race. After the HWSB race he told reporters that he was winning the Venezuelan National and Latin American road racing Championships, which he described as "professional" series. (pg.105 - 106)
I guess that solves that good job HD and finding out the truth. I have to admit we u see the website that says he is a Pro Champion it did set me off a little. But i am glad it is settle now and lets go racing .
Quote05/09/05
The Venezuelan Federation says that he is ranked as an amateur.
Henry where did you find information about the "Venezuelan Federation", what is there website, phone numbers, contact information, etc....
I have been looking for this information for the last week, also what is the exact name of the sanctioning body for their racing, as I cant find anything on the net, but I know they exsist.
That was such a good job, you should be investigating the high crime of "underage" racing in F40, as a follow up.
:D :D Good job henry, at least the matter is solved. Some will be happy ::), some sad :'(, some mad >:( but to quote the 2005 Road Race Rules & Regulations pg. 3 "Since it is impossible to anticipate every circumstance, the offical responsible for operation of each racing event will rule on any area of dispute that is not clearly covered by these rules byusing common sence and fair play. THE WORD OF THE REFEREE/RACE DIRECTOR ON THESE GRAY AREAS WILL BE CONSIDERED FINAL."
Now back to racing, see ya at Moroso........ ;D
very well done...
and props to grich575 ., for correcting himself., takes alot to do...
dave
As I stated earlier, I consider this matter closed unless someone has any further information. It looks like the person under the name GSXR-RCR is not satisfied and requests further information. I will gladly give him the information he wants but only after he clearly identifies himself on this forum. He has accused and named Gustavo Laya Abasolo of cheating. And I along with Kevin Elliott have been the sources of information that has proved the opposite! So, I ask that GSXR-RCR fully indentify himself on this forum, as he is the one who made the most serious charges against Laya Abasolo. It is not very fair to hide behind a screen name while accusing another rider of cheating. So put up or shut up!
Henry DeGouw
CCS/Florida
QuoteAs I stated earlier, I consider this matter closed unless someone has any further information. It looks like the person under the name GSXR-RCR is not satisfied and requests further information. I will gladly give him the information he wants but only after he clearly identifies himself on this forum. He has accused and named Gustavo Laya Abasolo of cheating. And I along with Kevin Elliott have been the sources of information that has proved the opposite! So, I ask that GSXR-RCR fully indentify himself on this forum, as he is the one who made the most serious charges against Laya Abasolo. It is not very fair to hide behind a screen name while accusing another rider of cheating. So put up or shut up!
Henry DeGouw
CCS/Florida
Wow, great business strategy. I believe he had asked you follow up questions on where you got your info. pertaining to this questionable racer's background in Central/South America. You say you have proof that this racer is not an expert/pro in his home country. Where did you receive that info. from? Pretty fair question Henry, no reason to tell people to shut up.
Sure it is a fair question as my questioning who he is! What do you think about my question?
HD
While we're at it why don't you identify yourself? Seeings you were also one of the accusers.
HD
Henry,
I have not tried to hide behind any screen name. I not only have my race number on the forum, but also my website, where there is only one amatuer listed on this forum, so to say im hiding is not fair. Any one who wants to know who I am can easily look it up and not only get my name but also see my face.
I am only asking for the information you found for my own satisfaction purposes. I leaglly conduct investigations everyday and understand how investigations work. At this point I do not doubt you in your findings but the evidence brought fourth from both sides shows that the evidence that Mr. Laya is expert clearly outweighs any evidence shown in this forum that he is an amatuer.
I do not believe I ever used the words "cheating" though it may be implied I did not use them.
I believe that this topic has been the question of many riders for that last couple of years. Recently there has been a large influx of south american riders that have been competeing very well since their arrival and I know several riders who have wondered about their background. Unfortunately no information has been located on these riders so everybody just dismisses it.
So Henry please dont think Im strirring up trouble Im just trying to find the truth on what is really occuring.
As you can see in earlier posts Im am not the only person who believed he might have been decieving CCS. The name game has been played to CCS, and believe me any time I have an encounter with a person of any decent who has multiple last names and know they are in trouble they play the name game . If you dont believe me come to work with me and well go find some people to play it with you.
Henry all I asked in my earlier post is where you recieved the information from and where we could confirm these findings. If in fact I can confirm Mr. Laya is amatuer he will get my full apology.
Sincerely,
Andrew Moates
Andrew, until now I had no idea who you were ;). It's much better this way. Now we all know who is talking here. Let me again repeat the rider Abasolo and Laya are the same. And he did compete in the 04' ROC as an amateur. I verified Laya Abosolo's classification with the Federation Motorcycle Association Of Venezuela (the official sanctioning body for Venezuela). There were 2 calls made. I was told that he raced 150cc class as a Junior (amateur) and had done what we call track days (not officially sanctioned events) on 600cc and 125cc equipment. I was told that he at no time ever competed as an expert in their race association. I spoke to Mr. Pancho DeChaves who is president (phone-011582122666598 ). I was on a 3-way conference call with an interpreter.
Nothing has been shown to me that proves this rider should race as an expert or that he was an expert racer in Venezuela. And his results at the 04' ROC as an amateur didn't prove anything either. So until I see something different, this matter is closed.
HD
The correct #is 011582122666598. The smiley got in there some how.
HD
QuoteThe correct #is 011582122666598. The smiley got in there some how.
HD
LOL!!!
I just fixed it. An eight with a ) will cause the smiley. 8)
Henry,
Thanks for the info, i was wondering if this sanctioning body has a website??? Also in the prior post Tiffany stated that there was a problem last year at the ROC and that the person was bumped to expert, however we never found out who that person was, Tiffany indicated that it was Mr. Laya. Can we do some research to find out who that was???. Thanks,
Andrew Moates
Andrew you are right Tiffiney did say on this site that it was Abasolo and he was dq'd. But she was wrong, I'm sure we can come up with the correct rider's name.
HD
I believe the rider was Fernando Amantini as posted by GRICH 575 (earlier here).
HD
When I look back at how this whole thing started, I think I understand now. First the guy is fast. Then you have the name thing (Laya/Abasolo). Then there was the Venezuelen that was DQ'D at the ROC. And somehow Laya is mistaken as being the guy that was DQ'D. And then it is backed up by Tiffiney by mistake. And away we go! I can't say that I blame anyone for asking. So in the end it looks like Mr. Laya is a very talented amateur. and we can all respect that.
HD
QuoteAndrew, until now I had no idea who you were ;). It's much better this way. Now we all know who is talking here. Let me again repeat the rider Abasolo and Laya are the same. And he did compete in the 04' ROC as an amateur. I verified Laya Abosolo's classification with the Federation Motorcycle Association Of Venezuela (the official sanctioning body for Venezuela). There were 2 calls made. I was told that he raced 150cc class as a Junior (amateur) and had done what we call track days (not officially sanctioned events) on 600cc and 125cc equipment. I was told that he at no time ever competed as an expert in their race association. I spoke to Mr. Pancho DeChaves who is president (phone-011582122666598 ). I was on a 3-way conference call with an interpreter.
Nothing has been shown to me that proves this rider should race as an expert or that he was an expert racer in Venezuela. And his results at the 04' ROC as an amateur didn't prove anything either. So until I see something different, this matter is closed.
HD
There, now why do you have to know who Andrew is first to tell the truth and the whole story? My name is Todd Erickson. I am not an accuser, but another unfortunate believer of misinformation from Ft Worth; having thought he was the one DQ'ed from ROC last fall. That's all. Glad to hear it was sorted out. No need to be telling complete strangers to shut up. Got it? ;)
I've been out of town since last Thursday and I didn't see the "curt" reply by 251am until now.
You should have identified yourself at the time you "chimed in" on this topic. Only after I asked all interested parties to "put-up or shut-up" did you indentify yourself like the rest of us! Now shut-up ::)!
HD
Henry, Thanks for looking into this and clearing it up! Well Done!
QuoteI've been out of town since last Thursday and I didn't see the "curt" reply by 251am until now.
You should have identified yourself at the time you "chimed in" on this topic. Only after I asked all interested parties to "put-up or shut-up" did you indentify yourself like the rest of us! Now shut-up ::)!
HD
Sorry Henry, I'll excuse your rudeness for whatever disability your defensiveness comes from. Good luck in all your endeavors... ::)
Thank you so much for your support Mr. 251am. You are truly an "amateur"! :-*
HD
QuoteThank you so much for your support Mr. 251am. You are truly an "amateur"! :-*
HD
Aw man C'mon, lets not start busting on Amatures please....
Ok boys.....
Are we done?
Dang, too much testosterone around here!
;)
:-X
I am stunned, I can't believe that one kid can come from another country fighting for the very last penny his family can put together to pursue his dream in the united states to become a motorcycle champion moves to this country to receive all this bullsh*t from people questioning his whereabouts and history, if you people think road racing is expensive to us in the USA you can only imagine how hard it is for somebody from Venezuela where the exchange is controlled to begin with.
I like lots of you have been beaten at the track by Gustavo (712) At Last Jennings in the Supersport Unlimited He won and I got 2 nd place, from this I learned theres more work ahead, people man up!!,
These kids pouring in from whereever country they may come they are giving up a lot to be here NOW so don't under estimate any of us, we are only getting faster.
Put your head down, shut up and be faster
Ignacio Arias Am# 275
QuoteI am stunned, I can't believe that one kid can come from another country fighting for the very last penny his family can put together to pursue his dream in the united states to become a motorcycle champion moves to this country to receive all this bullsh*t from people questioning his whereabouts and history, if you people think road racing is expensive to us in the USA you can only imagine how hard it is for somebody from Venezuela where the exchange is controlled to begin with.
I like lots of you have been beaten at the track by Gustavo (712) At Last Jennings in the Supersport Unlimited He won and I got 2 nd place, from this I learned theres more work ahead, people man up!!,
These kids pouring in from whereever country they may come they are giving up a lot to be here NOW so don't under estimate any of us, we are only getting faster.
Put your head down, shut up and be faster
Ignacio Arias Am# 275
Didn't you see the thank you's to Henry for straightening this out and the apologies given for stuff said that should have been kept quiet until we knew the facts??? :-/ :-/