Taddy Blazusiak returned to the scene of his stunning debut on the world stage this week. The 2007 Erzberg Rodeo was where he earned his first major win. Since then he’s gone on to a full career doing EnduroCross and Super Enduro, but he always intended to return to the Iron Giant. Unfortunately, he choose the wrong year. It was the toughest event ever, and most riders declared it was impossible to finish without outside assistance. Taddy was carted out with a concussion, leaving only five finishers, who worked together to get to the end. This Red Bull video chronicles Taddy’s return.
BAJA 500 NOTES
This year there were two Bud Light Baja 500s, one in the North and one in the South. Last month, Colton Udall won the southern version by riding solo. For the northern version, he was racing in Australia, so his Ox Racing Teammates Justin Jones, Ray DeSoglio and Mark Samuels handled the duties without him. The Precision Concepts THR Kawasaki team was in a similar situation: team leader Ricky Brabec was riding a National Hare & Hound, so Max Eddy Jr., Justin Morgan and Ian Young rode his 1x bike.
In the end, the 1x Kawasaki won the race, as reported. But not without a lot of drama. Now that everyone is home, the stories are coming out. Justin Jones was leading the race at mile 96, when he hit a truck that was on the wrong side of the road. “I knew the area was sketchy,” said Justin afterward. “There was a lot of traffic and during prerunning there was a speed limit imposed. I knew the turn was blind, so I went outside as far as possible, and that’s where the truck was. I went off the road on the right and he went in the same direction. I don’t think there was anything I could have done.”
Justin was rescued by the locals and a very dedicated bystander name Gabriel, who helped get him to medical help as quickly as possible. Three hours later he was in a San Diego Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis and collarbone. The locals also took care of his bike, making sure it ended up in the right hands. As for the race, Morgan, Young and Eddy took win, which was long over due, after suffering their own bad luck in the previous two SCORE races in Mexico this year. Unfortunately, their team leader was also injured on the same weekend. Brabec went down in the Hare & Hound, and was injured himself.
The Baja 500 was also troubled with a number of crashes on the truck side of the fence, involving Robby Gordon among others. All this brings issues of safety back to the surface. The Caselli Foundation had the funds to provide helicopter support for part of the race, but unfortunately, that had ended before the Jones crash. There will be more updates to come.
SIGN UP AND WIN A FULL BOOST HUSKY TC250!
START YOUR OWN REVOLUTION! WIN A HUSKY TC 250!
Enter the 2015 2 Stroke Revolution contest brought to you by Boyesen, FMF Racing, Motocross Action Magazine, and Dirt Bike Magazine!
Signup once for your chance to win a 2015 Husqvarna TC 250, or win over $2000 in monthly prizes from Boyesen, FMF Racing, PJ1, Torc 1 Racing, DP Brakes, Evans Cooling, Forma Boots USA, EKS Brand, Adventure Center Powersports, MotoSeat, MSR, Sunstar, Goldentyre USA, Decal Works, Darius Company!
Boyesen and FMF Racing both headline the 2015 2 Stroke Revolution contest and have collaborated with other powerhouse brands like PJ1, Torc 1 Racing, DP Brakes, Evans Cooling, Forma Boots USA, EKS Brand, Adventure Center Powersports, MotoSeat, MSR, Sunstar, Goldentyre USA, Decal Works, and Darius Company to bring an awesome lineup of prizes directly to YOU each month! The 2 Stroke Revolution Contest lasts 5 months, leading up to the Grand Prize drawing to be held on July 31st, 2015. Each month, one winner will be randomly selected to win some of the coolest products on the market today. Simply go to the 2 Stroke Revolution signup page, and submit your entry! All monthly and grand prize winning entries will be announced first on Boyesen’s Facebook page. Also look for winning announcements on http://motocrossactionmag.com and http://dirtbikemagazine.com, or any of the program sponsors Facebook Pages. As always… your privacy is important to us and will be protected at all times.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Visit http://www.boyesen.com/2strokerevolution.php for a chance to win every month!
GRAND PRIZE: (1 winner selected on July 31st, 2015)
1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING:
2015 HUSQVARNA TC 250 WITH INCLUDING ALL MONTHLY PRIZES AS DEFINED BELOW.
MONTHLY PRIZES: (1 winner per month for 5 months – selected at the end of the month)
1 WINNER A MONTH WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:
Boyesen, DP Brakes, FMF Racing, Evans Coolant, Moto Seat, MSR, Decal Works, Sunstar, PJ1, Torq1, Golden Tyre, Darius, EKS, Forma.
SUTHERLIN HARES OUT AT H&H, BRABEC CRASHES HARD
Photos and info courtesy of Mark Kariya
FMF KTM’s Gary Sutherlin is back on a mission and became the first rider this year to win three overalls in the Kenda/SRT AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series. Round six was held in Snowville, Utah based at Darin Peterson’s ranch and the X-12 Virgin Ground Hare & Hound lived up to its name. All three loops were on private land and had never been raced on before this event. In many places, only cattle and local wildlife had laid tracks before promoter Ron Dillon and his crew put up arrows and ribbon to mark the course. Sutherlin’s triumph was overshadowed after THR Motorsports/Precision Concepts/Bonanza Plumbing’s Ricky Brabec crashed hard early in the race suffering multiple serious injuries, including a broken C-4 vertebra in his neck a broken foot, a broken hand and a broken collarbone. Fortunately, suffered no paralysis in the crash, and he is expected to recover, although there’s no timeline currently.
Sutherlin had to go for broke after suffering a DNF in round, which forced him to miss round three with injuries as a result.
“I had a really bad start—I think I was out of the top 10 right at the end [of the bomb], but luckily I kind of hairballed through the sage brush [to make some passes right away],” Sutherlin said. “Normally, I don’t really push too hard [to make risky passes], but I knew today it was dusty, there was a lot of tall grass with hidden rocks, so I really paid attention to what the bike was doing. If I felt it was kind of smooth-ish, I’d charge as much as I could. Ivan and me went back and forth a couple times, and it was good. It was scary!”
Overall
Gary Sutherlin-KTM (first Open Pro)
Axel Pearson-Bet
Jacob Argubright-Hus
Ivan Ramirez-KTN
Nick Burson-Bet
Dalton Shirey-Hus (first 250 Pro)
Ryan Smith-Yam
Brandon Prieto-KTM
Kyle Tichenor-Hus (first A Open)
Taylor Stevents-Hus
KREFT MOTO SUSPENSION’S NEW WEBSITE
Our new website is clean and easy.
www.kreftmoto.com
REMEMBERING DANNY
Courtesy of our good buddy Mark Kariya
“Since it was 20 years ago this week that the legendary Danny Hamel was killed in the early miles of the Baja 500, I thought it fitting to post this picture of a poster that Jim “Bones” Bacon from Pro Circuit made a couple years ago. He then had a bunch of folks who knew and/or worked with Danny sign it. Now I can’t remember where it was supposed to end up! But I’m pretty sure this is a Kinney Jones photo.”
ON THE PHONE WITH JOSH STRANG
We checked in with Husky’s Josh Strang who looked solid in his comeback ride at the John Penton GNCC after an injury.
Tell us about the injury.
I have/had a grade 3 ac separation in my left shoulder, I did it racing a local MX, just made a mistake and crashed on it. Unfortunately it has cost me 3 GNCC’s now so at this point I’m just focused on healing it up so I can come back to be competitive.
This was first race back, how was your day?
I had one day, maybe 30 minutes on the bike before the race, I knew it was going to be iffy but I felt halfway decent for about 2 hours, my shoulder played up after that and I figured it was best to finish up early.
What’s next? You riding the national enduro?
Not sure about the enduro yet, I really think I can get good results there but no point riding injured.
Which machine, continue with the 350 for enduro? Are you getting use to it?
I will switch to the 450 with just Cycra shields instead of bark busters and that may help me more. I’m more comfortable short shifting a 450 rather than revving the 350 and getting used to bark busters just made me ride tight.
What’d you think of Sipes racing national then GNCC?
Sipes racing MX and GNCC, that’s awesome! It’s good he did well at both, he did better on Sunday then I thought but the track suited him so it was a little better, but to do both and do both well takes some huevos, not many Moto or off-road guys could do that.
What’s it gonna take to latch onto Kailub?
In order to snag onto KR the one big thing is I need is to be healthy. Kailub is super strong this year! I really need to be on my game if I want to latch on and challenge him. Maybe after the break we can get back into the mix and run with him.
AKE JONSSON POSTER (From Super Hunky himself!)
In the 70s, Ake Jonsson won every race in the US against the best riders in the world on his Maico. Here he already has a ten-bike lead on the pack going down the Saddleback Park downhill … on the first lap! After that, Yamaha signed him up and he never won another race.
He even went so far as to put Maico forks on his YZ, really irritating the Yamaha people. When he wanted to go a step further and use a Maico frame on his YZ, the Japanese went nuts. Even though he had a contract into the next year, Yamaha refused to show up at the races with the YZ-AICO. Needless to say, they parted company as less than good friends.
The poster is 12 x l8 inches and is printed on heavy 120-pound stock; shipped in a stout protective tube. Cost is $12, which includes free mail in the US.
Just send a check or money order to:
Rick Sieman
49818 W. Val Vista Rd.
Maricopa, AZ 85139
GODSPEED GILLES
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Gilles Vaillancourt passed away on June 2. Gilles was a mover and shaker in the suspension world, just when modern day systems catapulted from archaic to outrageous. His company, Works Performance Products, is one of the oldest and largest custom suspension companies in motorcycling.
He was a racer turned tuner and inventor, developing his own shock pistons, relief valves and solutions for multi-stage damping. His designs and innovations continued to push the envelope throughout his long career, which included providing the best suspension in the world to some of the world’s best racers, including Kenny Roberts, Bubba Shobert, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Chris Carr, Scott Parker, Dick Mann, Brad Lackey, Jim Pomeroy, Eddie Mulder and Gary Nixon.
RYAN SIPES IS AN ANIMAL!
Double duty for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing support rider, Ryan Sipes, yielded no shortage of performance as the racer sealed a solid second place finish at round 8 of the 2015 GNCC series, less than a day after he finished the Muddy Creek AMA Pro Motocross National 11th overall in the 450 class.
The “Sipes Double Header” weekend allowed for little to no rest for the athlete as he took on the challenge to race back-to-back an AMA Pro Motocross National and a GNCC. Sipes and his FC 450 would hang at the front of the pack and would eventually pull a gap over the 3rd place runner and cross the finish line in 2nd.
“Couldn’t ask for much better. It was gnarly, but I’m pretty pumped,” said a smiling Sipes.
FROM BIG BAD JEFF SLAVENS
This weeks specials have to do with fencing “ON GUARD”!
Head Pipe Guard for KTM, Husaberg, and Husqvarna 4-stroke by Flatland Racing
Flatland’s head pipe guards protect the header pipe from those pesky damages like minor dings from tire debris and tip-overs.
Durable hardened 1/8″ aluminum
Protects against crash damage and leg burns
Includes all mounting hardware for quick & easy installation
$38.95 – $52.95
2-Stroke Pipe Guards for KTM, Husaberg, Husqvarna by Flatland Racing
These durable aluminum 2-stroke pipe guard protects your pipe from tire debris dings and will even protect your legs!
Made of tough 1/8″ thick hardened aluminum
Ultimate pipe protection
Quick and easy installation with all hardware included
Colors: Blue, Orange, Polished
$61.95 – $91.99
Impact Moto Peg by Fasst Company
This is a footpeg with a proven purpose. The Impact Moto Peg offers better foot traction and much improved comfort while not changing the characteristic of how a peg should feel. This is accomplished by isolating the cleat from touching metal-to-metal, resulting with riders experiencing less vibration and abuse transferred to their foot. The Impact Moto Peg literally grabs hold of the bottom of your boot!
Absorbs vibration and abuse
Elastomers absorb vibrations which improves comfort
Exceptional traction
Large platform: 77mm x 58mm
10.9 bolts secure the cleat to the base
Hard anodized 7075 T6 aluminum
Provides exceptional construction, strength and wear resistance
Orange, blue or red elastomers to match your bike
$259
Large Capacity Fuel Tanks by Acerbis
From modest increases in fuel capacity to much larger gas tank sizes, Acerbis Large Capacity Fuel Tanks match O.E.M. quality while keeping the fuel low and centralized. And to maintain that stock look, Acerbis tanks are available in stock colors as well as natural and black. Whether it’s a long enduro race or an adventure dual sport ride, these Acerbis tanks have the fuel range you’re looking for.
Large capacity fuel tanks constructed from durable polyethylene
Includes all necessary hardware
Gas cap included
Optional MDR cap can be used with dry-break gas cans or standard fill
Used and endorsed by top riders world wide
Color: Black, Orange, Natural
$275.95 – $459.95
SLAVENS RACING
(719) 475-2624
www.slavensracing.com
TLD’S FMF FACTORY EXHAUSTS
BROWNIE ON X-GAMES ENDURO CROSS WIN
“Today couldn’t have gone much better. It feels great to win and I’m absolutely overwhelmed. My bike ran great, the weather was nice and I have a great team and family behind me. I’m loving this shiny gold medal!” exclaimed an ecstatic Brown
TAYLOR ROBERT 2nd IN RETURN TO X-GAMES, WEBB HOLDS ON FOR 3rd
Cody Webb led the opening laps while a hard-charging Mike Brown and Robert began the hunt for the lead position. Brown was able to make a pass on Webb with a few laps remaining. While Brown and Webb battled for that position, it allowed Robert to close the gap. Once Webb was in view, Robert turned up the gas and was able to reel him in. Robert made the pass for 2nd position over the tire double. Robert spent the remaining laps trying to chase down the lead ride of Brown. He put in a great effort and closed the gap to a few bike lengths but was unable to make the pass. He finished 2nd while Webb was 3rd.
“I felt really good tonight,” stated Robert. “This track was really fun and I am happy with my finish. I have come back from some injuries this year and I finally feel 100%. I am excited to get a good finish here and continue to improve in the series.”
BLAST FROM THE PAST
From the well organized library of Mark Kiel Photography
KTM 350/450 SXF END CAPS
The new Power Quiet Pipes end cap for the 2014-15 KTM 250,350 and 450 SXF and XCF, is the easiest and most cost effective way to quiet your bike and get a spark arrestor at the same time. It just replaces your stock end cap in about a minute, takes 3 decibels off the wide-open sound test and is quieter through out the rpm range. It has a spark arrestor installed for off-road events. It has pre-drilled and tapped holes for easy installation. Testers have reported smoother bottom end on the violent 450’s and snappier response on the 350’s. Available in silver and black finishes for $159.95 at www.bestdualsportbikes.com. Oh yeah, and there is a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied
KTM USA FACTORY TEAM TO RACE MXGP FINALE IN GLEN HELEN
KTM Racing is very pleased to announce that the complete lineup of its Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teams – from both sides of the Atlantic will be racing at the MXGP Finale at the legendary Glen Helen venue in the USA. The last race of the 17-round season is set for September 20, just one week before the big annual faceoff of the Motocross of Nations, hosted in 2015 by France.
And…
HUSQVARNA AT MXGP FINAL IN GLEN HELEN WITH ALL FACTORY RIDERS
Husqvarna Motorsports has announced their intention to compete in the final round of the 2015 MXGP World Championship with riders from both of its factory teams. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, the US Factory Team will join Red Bull Iceone Husqvarna Factory Racing and Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing at the classic Glen Helen venue in California for what promises to be an outstanding finish to the 2015 season.
This means that the Glen Helen finale will finally have some teeth, as the last time they held a GP there the racing was superb, but no one from the inland empire had heard of anyone on the starting grid!
REKLUSE ADVENTURE AUTO-CLUTCH
Product: Adventure EXP™ Auto-Clutch
Model: KTM 1190 (2013-2015)
MSRP: $799
Benefits:
Prevents stalling
Easy external adjustment with adjustable slave cylinder
Improves traction & low-speed maneuverability
Allows bike to be bump-started by making a quick adjustment
Retains stock lever feel for normal clutch modulation
Protects the clutch basket and eliminates notching
GoPro TOUCHSCREEN
GoPro Adds Touch Screen Convenience to their Entry-Level Camera Lineup. The new HERO+ LCD makes it easier than ever to GoPro with Built-In Touch Display, In Camera Video Trimming and Integrated Wi-Fi. Capturing life-like high definition 1080p60 video and 8MP photos, the HERO+ LCD features a convenient touch display for easy shot framing, settings control and access to an all-new in-camera video-trimming feature. Like the entry-level HERO, the HERO+ LCD is built directly into its waterproof housing. The simplicity of this all-in-one design now combines with expanded features to make capturing life’s memorable moments easier than ever.
WOLF: BACK IN THE DAY
Indian Dunes, 1983. Honda CR480. I loved this bike! They’d given it a 5-speed and in the open class there wasn’t a lighter, easier to ride and versatile rocket in the class. I actually added an odometer, fit up my Countdown and did quite well in local enduro circuit. Paul Clipper shot this of me horsing around in the ‘dunes sand wash.
NEW WORCS X
DON’T MISS THIS SPECIAL EVENT!
Announcing WORCS CROSS!
IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORCS ROUND 7
The ultimate combination of motocross
and endurocross type obstacles
Points will be awarded in the following classes
as an additional round of the WORCS Series.
NO ENTRY FEE FOR WORCS MEMBERS!
($25 for non-members)
Pro
Pro 2*
Pro 2 Lights*
Pro ATV
Pro AM ATV*
Pro SXS
Pro SXS Stock
*Standard WORCS Qualifying Rules for Pro 2, Pro 2 Light and Pro AM do not apply.
Eligibility is based off existing skill and bike size limitations.
Save 50%
Bring a Racer and Save! If you bring a new racer to WORCS, you get a bonus! One entry for you is 50% off and the racer you bring gets 50% off one entry too! You do not need this coupon to get the discount. Just remember that a new racer is someone that did not race in 2014 and the two of you must sign up at the race at the same time. This offer is not limited in times used. Bring a new racer to each race and save each time! ALL Classes are eligible.
Offer Expires: Nov 2014
NICE DISMOUNT!
http://gfycat.com/AmusedRealBellfrog
THE BAJA BEACH BASH IS BACK!
The 2015 Baja Beach Bash is right around the corner are you ready? July 23-26 2015
The Beach Bash is back and bigger than ever. Johnny Campbell and Cameron Steele are ready to take you on the ride of a lifetime through some of the best trails in Baja. The good times roll at the Baja Beach Bash but it’s for the greatest of causes as we raise money for the Rancho Santa Marta Orphanage/School. If the Baja is on your bucket list, if you enjoy a good time with great people and if you want to help children in need than this is the ride for you..
Register now at www.BajaBeachBash.com
KTM XC PHOTOS
KTM released its new models to the public a couple of weeks ago, but there were no photos of the XC line. They apparently were late in getting to the studio, but we have them now.
DIRT BIKE’S 300 VIDEO SERIES
Beta 300
2015 Beta 300RR 2 stroke featuring Max Gerston -The 300s
GAS GAS 300
2015 Gas Gas XC 300 E 2 Stroke featuring Geoff Aaron
KTM 300
2015 KTM XC 300 2 Stroke with Cody Webb and Dirt Bike Magazine
Husqvarna 300
2015 Husqvarna TE 300 2 Stroke with Mike Brown – Dirt Bike Magazine