Click on images to enlarge
WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO THIS WEEK
The MXA wrecking crew split into two groups this week (sometimes three) . John Basher, Dennis Stapleton and Travis Fant went to the Atlanta Supercross and are spending the week leading up to Daytona testing bikes, shooting videos and staying out late. After the race, they fanned out across Georgia and Florida. They went to the Carmichael Farm (above) on Monday to spend some time with Joey Savatgy, Gavin Faith and Stillez Robertson before heading to…
…Climax Motorsports Park to test the Xceldyne Yamaha YZ450F and PHXtreme’s Honda CRF250. That’s Dennis Stapleton spreading some Georgia sand around on the PHXtreme CRF250. Meanwhile…
…the Red Dog Compound (above) awaited our arrival to spend some quality time with Cole Seely and Trey Canard (as they get ready for Daytona). Far away on home soil in SoCal…
…Daryl Ecklund, Kyoshi Becker, Jody Weisel and the rest of the gang are at Glen Helen (above) doing back-to-back tire tests (always a fun way to spend 8 hours).
BELL HELMETS IS SOLD TO VISTA OUTDOOR
Vista Outdoor has entered into an agreement to buy Bell Sports Corporation for $400 million in cash plus an earn-out related to the future performance. The deal will be finalized in 30 to 60 days following normal regulatory approvals. Vista Outdoor owns CamelBak and Bolle and makes products for shooting sports also. The seller, BRG Sports, will now focus on its most recognizable remaining brand, Riddell. Riddell is a designer of protective sports equipment including football helmets and shoulder pads. BRG Sports’ current owners, Fenway Partners Capital Fund II and Fund III, and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, will maintain their investments in the Company.
MOTORCYCLE USA CLOSES DOWN: WEB & DIGITAL
Motorcycle USA was launched in 1986 and at one time included a print magazine, digital magazine and website—now, it is no more. As of last Friday, the operation was closed down and the announcement came via a Twitter message. The website was best known as a extension of the Motorcycle Superstore’s online presence. The company had been absorbed by the Motorsport Aftermarket Group (MAG) in 2012, which made the decision to shutter the website.
EURO ENVIRONMENTAL RULES CLOSING IN ON 125 TWO-STROKE ENDURO BIKES
Small bore two-stroke enduro bikes are under the Euro-4 gun.
According to auto evolution: KTM and Husqvarna 125cc two-strokes may be legislated out of existence by 2017. Stricter European emission regulations, called “Euro-4,” might make 125cc offroad bikes, however, not motocross bikes, unable to be compliant. New technology would be needed to get 125cc and 150cc two-strokes to meet the strict new regulations—and the question then becomes should KTM and Husqvarna invest in new technology for these small displacement bikes or forego European models and instead chase sales outside of the European continent.
MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP TO GIVE A BIKE
MTA has really upped the ante for this year’s World Two-Stroke Championships! Included in the March 26th program are $10,000 in purses for the Open Pro and 125 Pro Classes ($8000 to the Open Pros and $2000 to the 125 Pros); a fantastic tricked-out Yamaha to be raffled-off to one lucky entrant, a huge Monster Energy Freestyle Show, vendor displays and, of course, great two-stroke racing for all classes and all levels! Saturday, March 26, will be a day packed with activities and racing, and will be a great experience for both racers and spectators. Online entries are in the “register” link of the Glen Helen website (www.glenhelen.com). Gates open at 6:00 a.m., with practice at 8:00 a.m. and racing at 9:00 a.m. Spectator entry is only $10; amateur entries are $40, with pro entries at $85.00. Each racer receives a ticket with his/her entry and one ticket will be drawn, with the lucky holder the recipient of the trick MTA/ProCircuit YZ.
MXA PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT: NIHILO KTM 65SX TALL SEAT FOAM
Nihilo Concepts knows that the 2016 KTM 65SX is a great machine, but that many riders need a taller seat as the grow up. Nihilo Concepts tall foam for the 2016 KTM 65 is a full 1″ taller and made from high-quality medium-density foam for comfort and control. The features include: (1) a custom Nihilo seat cover; (2) a full 1″ taller than stock; (3) the perfect foam density for comfort and control; (4) mirror fit to the stock seat pan. $79.95 at www.nihiloconcepts.com.
NEW 250/450 FIM GRAND PRIX RULE
OLD PHOTO, OLD STUFF, STILL COOL
Jimmy Mac’s arty speed blur photo.
Jimmy Mac thought this photo of Jody Weisel racing at Saddleback back in the 1980s deserved some explanation. For example, Jody’s twin-shock bike has air shocks covered by accordian-style rubber boots (air shocks are definitely not new—these shocks were made by Kayaba). The all-plastic Scott boots were popular at the time, the gear is by JT, and the jersey is from Wheelsmith (Jody was a Maico racer during this era). He isn’t wearing goggles, just Hi-Point offroad glasses with tear-offs taped over them. That is a JT visor extension, but it is taped on instead of snapped on. As for the bike—only Jody knows for sure.
TOM WHITE’S GARDEN WALL
Tom White in front of the Great Wall of Motocross.
Have you ever been to Tom White’s “Early Years of Motocross Museum?” If you haven’t you should. Tom has over 140 classic motocross bikes tucked into his 6500 square-foot museum. Saldly, he only opens it to the public once or twice a year. Here, Tom stands by the Italian Fresco walls that he had artist Jon Ortner paint for the museum’s courtyard. For more info on Jon Ortner’s paintings go to www.weatheredwalls.com. Click on the photo of Tom and the wall to enlarge it. and go to www.earlyyearsofmotocross.com to visit Tom’s museum.
THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: COLE SEELY IS 26
Mar. 4…Xavier Boog 1988
Mar. 4…Malcolm Smith 1941
Mar. 4…Sandy Egger
Mar. 4…Phil Nicoletti 1989
Mar. 6…Paul Buckley
Mar. 6…Eddie Cole
Mar. 7…Jake Canada 1991
Mar. 7…Beau Bamburg
Mar. 8…Larry Naston
Mar. 9…Michele Rinaldi 1959
Mar. 10…Cole Seely 1990
Mar. 10…Donnie Hansen
WANT TO FLAG AT THE GLEN HELEN NATIONAL ON MAY 28?
REM promoter Frank Thomason has been in charge of the Glen Helen AMA 250/450 National flaggers for as long as anyone can remember. As a rule, Frank chooses his flaggers from the ranks of motocross racers, starting with his own REM Glen Helen riders, but there are always spots open to anyone who would like to be more than a spectator. It is an incredibly important job and the safety of the riders lays in the balance. Oh yeah, it’s also a thankless task—except for those who have been saved by a man with a flag. If you’d like to sign up email Frank at ghrnationalflag@verizon.net
NICK WEY TO FILL-IN FOR WEIMER AT TEAM TEDDER
ANDREW SHORT UPDATE: CONCUSSION
WIL HAHN UPDATE: COLLARBONE, SCAPULA, LABRUM
IT’S A MOTORCYCLE IN THE USA, CAR IN JAPAN & GOLF CART IN PALM SPRINGS
Toyota i-Road three-wheel leaner.
The Toyota i-Road is half as wide as a Smart car. It seats two in tandem (front to back) and is fully enclosed. It is electric powered and has self-righting Active Lean technology. Three-wheel leaners are not new, Piaggio already makes a scooter called the MP3 that works on the same two front-wheels-that-lean formula. The i-Road is front-wheel drive (with a 2.7-hp hub electric motors for each front wheel). Obviously the major market for this machine is retirement communities that allow small electric vehicles on city streets and crowded urban centers where a motorcycle-sized car would be a plus. Although legal in most States as a motorcycle, because it has three-wheels, it has no future in the USA with its 30-mile range and governed under-40 mph top speed.
WHERE WAS VICKY GOLDEN LAST SATURDAY NIGHT?
Vicki Golden during timed practice in Atlanta.
Vicki Golden was at Atlanta, but she failed to make the top 40 in timed qualifying and had to sit out the night program. Golden’s 55.21 second lap was only 1.77 seconds off of the 40th place time—although over 9 seconds off of the fast time of the day. She is sponsored by Suzuki, PRBC, MicroBilt, Bill’s Pipes, MotoStuff, Wiseco, Hinson and Factory Connection. She will try again at Daytona.
THE WAY WE WERE: 1979 WORLD MINI GRAND PRIX
Last year, the NMA canceled the 2015 World Mini Grand Prix (WMGP) one week before it was to be held at Glen Helen. It was the end of the line for one of the iconic minicycle events in motocross history. The World Mini set the standard and paved the way for all of today’s amateur events. It deserved a better send off.
THE CURRENT TOP TEN: LEADING INTO DAYTONA
With his 250 East purse money and Social Security check, Martin Davalos is in the money.
2015 AMA 250 EAST POINT STANDINGS
(After 1 of 9 races)
1. Martin Davalos…25
2. Malcolm Stewart …22
3. Aaron Plessinger…20
4. Jeremy Martin…18
5. Justin Hill…16
6. R.J. Hampshire…15
7. Darryn Durham…14
8. Tyler Bowers…13
9. Alex Frye…12
10. Jimmy Albertson…11
2015 AMA 250 WEST POINT STANDINGS
(After 7 of 9 races)
1. Cooper Webb…145
2. Joey Savatgy…134
3. Christian Craig…129
4. Colt Nichols…117
5. Zach Osborne…110
6. Jimmy Decotis…99
7. Mitch Oldenburg…97
8. Kyle Peters…87
9. Kyle Cunningham…69
10. Jordon Smith…63
James Stewart (7) handed Ryan Dungey 3 extra points when Bubba ignored the blue flags and eventually made it possible for Dungey to pass Musquin on the last lap in Atlanta for the 450 win.
2015 AMA 450 POINT STANDING
(After of 17 races)
1. Ryan Dungey…191
2. Ken Roczen…158
3. Jason Anderson…145
4. Cole Seely…134
5. Chad Reed…132
6. Eli Tomac…129
7. Marvin Musquin…114
8. Davi Millsaps…103
9. Justin Brayton…98
10. Jake Weimer…77
HOW MANY RACES BACK IS THE 450 PACK?
They are all racing against the number 1, but they aren’t racing on the same race.
Nobody is racing on the same race as Ryan Dungey—which means he can DNF a race and still maintain his points lead. The AMA pays 25 points to the winner of every race, and once a rider gets more than 25 points ahead of his competition, he has a one-race safety net.
The closest: Ken Roczen (94) is 33 point back. That is one race (25 points), plus 8 points adrift.
Second closest: Jason Anderson (21) is 46-point behind. That is one race (25 points), plus 21 points.
Cole Seely is 57 points back, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF two races, plus 7 points.
Chad Reed is 59 points behind, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF two races, plus 9 points.
Eli Tomac is 62 points adrift, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF two races, plus 12 points.
Everyone else in the top ten (Musquin, Millsaps, Brayton and Weimer) are at least three races (75 points) behind in points.
James Stewart is 182 points back, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF seven races of the 9 remaining races left.
2016 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Evergreen Chad Reed made the podium in Atlanta. Chad is currently 5th in points wedge between Tomac and Seely.
Date Venue 450 250
Jan. 9…….Anaheim……………….Jason Anderson….Cooper Webb
Jan. 16……San Diego……………..Ryan Dungey………Cooper Webb
Jan. 23……Anaheim II……………Ryan Dungey………Cooper Webb
Jan. 30……Oakland……………….Ryan Dungey………Joey Savatgy
Feb. 6…….Phoenix…………………Ken Roczen………..Christian Craig
Feb. 13……San Diego II…………..Ryan Dungey………Joey Savatgy
Feb. 20……Dallas…………………..Ken Roczen………..Cooper Webb
Feb. 27……Atlanta………………….Ryan Dungey………Martin Davalos
March 5……Daytona……………..
March 12…Toronto………………..
March 19…Detroit…………………
April 2……..Santa Clara…………
April 9……..Indianapolis…………
April 16……St. Louis……………..
April 23……Boston………………..
April 30……New York…………….
May 7……..Las Vegas……………
450 Points leader…Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 West points leader…Cooper Webb (Yam)
250 East points leader…Martin Davalos (Hus)
UPCOMING RACES: WHO, WHAT, WHY & WHERE
2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 5…………..…….….Daytona, FL
Mar. 12…………………..Toronto, CAN
Mar. 19………..…………Detroit, MI
Mar. 26…………………..No race
2016 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12-13………………..Lafayette, LA
April 2-3…………………..Ontario, CA
2016 REM MOTOCROSS
Mar. 12…………………….Glen Helen, CA
Mar. 19…………………….Glen Helen, CA
2016 KTM JUNIOR SUPERCROSS CHALLENGE
Mar. 12…………………….Toronto, CAN
Mar. 19…………………….Detroit
April 9………………………Indianapolis
April 16……………………..St. Louis
May 7……………………….Las Vegas
2016 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 6…………………..…..Suphan Buri, Thailand
Mar. 13……………………..Sepang, Malaysia (canceled)
Mar. 28……………………..Valkenswaard, Holland (Monday)
2016 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 6……………………….Preston Docks
April 10……………………..Landrake
MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mar. 26……………………..Glen Helen, CA
UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
Sept. 10-11……………….Glen Helen, USA
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MXA AND MAKE MONEY
You probably haven’t seen the April 2016 issue of MXA yet, but if you subscribed it would be in the trusty hands of a uniformed agent of the U.S. Government on its way to your mailbox right now. Or, you can wait for the product reviews, KTM 450SXF Factory Edition test and tech features to appear on the internet…in a couple months. Your choice.
Do you subscribe to MXA? You should. We know that you think that print magazines are dead and that the internet will fill the void, but most of the stuff in the current issue of MXA won’t appear on the web for several months, if at all. Luckily, you can get all of MXA on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play. Better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ for $9.99 a year. The MXA test riders prefer the print version and not just because it is delivered by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government, but because for only $15.99 you get 12 issues and a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. That means that there is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: http://hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-motocross-action-magazine/
2016’S BIGGEST RACES: THE ONES YOU MISSED ARE IN BLUE
2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 9…………………….Anaheim, CA
Jan. 16………………….San Diego, CA
Jan. 23………………….Anaheim, CA
Jan. 30………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 6……………………Phoenix, AZ
Feb. 13………………….San Diego, CA
Feb. 20………………….Dallas, TX
Feb. 27………………….Atlanta, GA
March 5………………….Daytona, FL
March 12………………..Toronto, CAN
March 19………………..Detroit, MI
April 2………………..….Santa Clara, CA
April 9………………..….Indianapolis, IN
April 16………………….St. Louis, MO
April 23………………….Foxboro, MA
April 30………………….East Rutherford, NJ
May 7…………………….Las Vegas, NV
2016 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 21……………………Hangtown, CA
May 28.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 4..…………………..Thunder Valley, CO
June 18..…………………Mt Morris, PA
June 25.………………….Muddy Creek, TN
July 2.…………………….Red Bud, MI
July 9..……………………Southwick, MA
July 16.…………………..Millville, MN
July 23.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 13..………………….Unadilla, NY
Aug. 20..………………….Budds Creek, MD
Aug. 27.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN
2016 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 27……………………..Losail, Qatar (Saturday)
Mar. 06……………………..Suphan Buri, Thailand
Mar. 13……………………..Sepang, Malaysia (canceled)
Mar. 28……………………..Valkenswaard, Holland (Monday)
April 10……………………..Neuquen, Argentina
April 17……………………..Leon, Mexico
May 1……………………….Kegums, Latvia
May 8……………………….Teutschenthal, Germany
May 15……………………..Pietramurata, Italy
May 29……………………..Talavera de la Reina, Spain
June 5………………………St Jean d’Angely, France
June 19…………………….Matterly Basin, Great Britain
June 26…………………….Mantova, Italy
July 24………………………Loket, Czech Republic
July 31………………………Lommel, Belgium
Aug. 7……………………….Frauenfeld, Switzerland
Aug. 28……………………..Assen, Holland
Sept. 3………………………Charlotte, USA (Saturday)
Sept.11……………………..Glen Helen, USA
2016 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 9-10………………….Cincinnati,OH
Jan. 15-17………………..Baltimore, MD
Jan. 22-24………………..Allentown, PA
Jan. 30-31………………..Greensboro, NC
Feb. 4-7…………………..Colorado Springs, CO
Feb. 13-14………………..Omaha, NB
Feb. 20-21………………..Tampa, FL
Feb. 27-28………………..Birmingham, AL
Mar. 12-13………………..Lafayette, LA
April 2-3…………………..Ontario, CA
April 9-10…………………Salinas, CA
April 16-17………………..Tacoma, WA.
April 22-24………………..Nampa, ID
May 6-8…………………..Las Vegas, NV
2016 GEICO ENDUROCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 27……………………..Atlanta, GA
Sept. 3………………………Sioux Falls, SD
Sept. 10…………………….Salt Lake City, UT
Sept. 24…………………….Phoenix, AZ
Oct. 1………………………..Denver, CO
Oct. 22………………………Everett, WA
Nov. 5………………………..Boise, ID
Nov. 19………………………Ontario, CA
2016 KTM JUNIOR SUPERCROSS CHALLENGE
Jan. 16……………………..San Diego, CA
Jan. 23……………………..Anaheim II, CA
Feb. 6……………………….Phoenix, AZ
Feb. 20……………………..Dallas, TX
Feb. 27……………………. Atlanta, GA
Mar. 12…………………….Toronto, CAN
Mar. 19…………………….Detroit, MI
April 9………………………Indianapolis, IN
April 16…………………….St. Louis, MO
May 7……………………….Las Vegas, NV
2016 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
April 9…………………….Bakersfield, CA
June 18………………….Loudon, NH
July 2……………………..Sturgis, SD
Aug. 6…………………….Quebec, Can
Sept. 3…………………..Denver, CO
Oct. 22…………………..Tucson, AZ
2016 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 5…………………..Kamloops, BC
June 12………………….Nanaimo, BC
June 19………………….Calgary, Alb
June 26………………….Regina, Sask
July 10…………………..Courtland, ON
July 17…………………..Ulverton, NS
July 24……………….….Pleasant Valley, NS
July 31…………………..Moncton, NB
Aug. 7……………………Deschambault, QC
Aug. 14………………….Barrie, ON
2016 ITALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 31…………………….Alghero
Feb. 7………………………Lamezia Terme
Feb. 14…………………….Ottobiano
MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mar. 26……………………..Glen Helen, CA
2016 CZ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
April 24…………………..Marysville,CA
2016 AMA JUNIOR MOTO X INDOOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
May 11-14…………………..Guthrie, OK
2016 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
July 8-10…………………..Lexington, OH
2016 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 1-6……………………..Loretta Lynn, TN
2016 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Sept. 25………………………Maggiora, Italy
2016 REM OCTOBERCROSS
Oct. 29……………………….Glen Helen, CA
2016 DUBYA WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 5-6…………………….Glen Helen, CA
Photos: Harry Leitner, Jimmy Mac, Brian Converse, John Basher, MTA, Daryl Ecklund, Jake Klingensmith, Travis Fant, Jody Weisel, Kyoshi Becker, Suzuki, MXGP, KTM and MXA