Click on images to enlarge
HONDA HALTS PRODUCTION AT EARTHQUAKE AREA FACTORY
Following last week’s powerful earthquakes in Kyushu, Japan, not to mention Ecuador, Honda has closed its factory in Kumamoto, Japan. The Kumamoto site is the base of all motorcycle production for Honda in Japan — it is where the CRFs are built (and annual production of all motorcycle in Kumamoto is 250,000 units). Toyota, Nissan and Bridgestone also have factories in the earthquake zone, which was hit by a 6.5 shock last Thursday and 7.3 tremor on Saturday. Honda has had inspectors in the facility assessing the damage and if all goes well they will reopen the plant on Friday, April 22. One of the major concerns for Honda and the Japanese auto manufacturers is the viability of outside suppliers who may have also suffered damage in the quakes.
DON’T FORGET! BOSTON IS A DAY RACE
This week’s AMA Supercross race from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough will be shown at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) on the Fox network. That is 1:00 p.m. on the west coast, but don’t trust this information—check your local listings. Also note in the schedule below that the final three races of the 2016 Supercross series will be on three different channels and at three different times.
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: THE END FOR RYAN VILLOPOTO
2016 GLEN HELEN NATIONAL SCHEDULE & DISCOUNT TICKETS
The May 28th AMA 250/450 Nationals at Glen Helen will actually start on Wednesday, May 25, when RV will be allowed into their camping spots starting at 2:00 p.m. Thursday will be the open fopr practice for the next day’s AMA Amateur Motocross. Friday will be reserved for the amateur races and Saturday will be the AMA National. You can get all the information you need at www.glenhelen.com. Glen Helen has been discounting AMA Nationla tickets at stages throughout 2016, but the final discount price offer ends on April 30, 2016. If you order now you will save $10 on every ticket—which adds up to a big savings for a family.
DISCOUNT TICKET PRICES UNTIL APRIL 30 (THEN THEY GO UP)
THREE-DAY ADULT: $60.00
SATURDAY NATIONAL ADULT: $40.00
SATURDAY NATIONAL (Child 6-11): $20.00
(For Holeshot Club tickets, Super VIP tickets & other ticket prices click below)
To order your discount National tickets before the prices go up by $10 CLICK HERE
MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE: DESMO 450
The Ducati R/T 450 was not a very good motocross bike back in 1971, but imagine the status you would get today by showing up at the track with a Desmodromic 450 Ducati motocross bike.
MXA GEAR GUIDE: 2016 KTM 150SX
MXA’s “Gear Guide” is designed to show you what 2016 gear the MXA wrecking crew wears for our bike tests. This is what we wore on the 2016 KTM 150SX test. If you like what you see, be sure to click on the contact links for more information. Click on images to enlarge.
PANT: O’Neal Element Shocker Black/Orange
JERSEY: O’Neal Shocker Black/Orange
GLOVES: O’Neal Jump Pistons Black/White
HELMET: 6D ATR-1 (Custom Graphic)
GOGGLES: Eks Brand Limited
BOOTS: Gaerne SG-12
SUPPLIER CONTACTS:
O’Neal Racing: www.oneal.com or (800) 326-6325
Eks Brand: www.eksbrand.com or (818) 706-1700
Gaerne: www.gaerneusa.com or your local dealer
6D Helmets: www.6dhelmets.com or (714) 772-2121
THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: KENNY TURNING 22, CHICKEN 46
April 22…Gary Jones 1952 (64)
April 23…Mike Fisher 1967 (49)
April 24…Robby Skaggs 1977 (39)
April 25…Max Anstie 1993 (23)
April 26…Jeff Matiasevich 1970 (46)
April 26…Mike Jones 1966 (50)
April 26…Taddy Blazusiak 1983 (33)
April 26…Nicolas Aubin 1988 (28)
April 27…Eric McCrummen 1986 (30)
April 28…Keith Bowen 1966 (50)
April 29…Ken Roczen 1994 (22)
April 29…Willy Musgrave 1963 (53)
April 29…Tyler Bowers 1991 (25)
April 29…John Ker 1950 (66)
THIS IS WHERE THE COOL KIDS HANG OUT
2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
April 23……………………Foxboro, MA (day race)
April 30………………..….East Rutherford, NJ
May 7………………………Las Vegas, NV
2016 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
April 22-24………………..Nampa, ID
May 6-8……………………Las Vegas, NV
2016 REM MOTOCROSS
April 23…………………….Glen Helen, CA
April 30…………………….Glen Helen, CA (USGP track)
May 7………………………..Glen Helen, CA
2016 KTM JUNIOR SUPERCROSS CHALLENGE
May 7……………………….Las Vegas
2016 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
May 1……………………….Kegums, Latvia
May 8……………………….Teutschenthal, Germany
May 15……………………..Pietramurata, Italy
2016 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 1…………………………Broadford, VIC
May 22………………………Murray Bridge, SA
2016 SPANISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 24……………………..Alhama, Murcia
May 22………………………Belpuig, Lieida
2016 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 21………………………..Hangtown, CA
May 28.………………………Glen Helen, CA
2016 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 29………………………Wakes Colne
UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
Sept. 3……………………..…Charlotte, USA (Saturday)
Sept. 11……………….…..….Glen Helen, USA
SUBSCRIBE TO MXA & GET A $25 GIFT CARD
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 $19.99 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/
MXA MOTO-CHALLENGE: NAME THESE BROTHERS?
Can you name these brothers. They raced the AMA Nationals in the 1980s for Fox and almost always finished side by side. The answer is at the bottom of the page.
2016 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Ryan Dungey and the missus have three tension-filled races left before the Supercross Championship can be clinched. But, if Ryan wins in Boston on Saturday — it’s a done deal..
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……………….Eli Tomac…………..Jeremy Martin
March 12…Toronto…………………Ken Roczen………..Justin Hill
March 19…Detroit………………….Jason Anderson…..Malcolm Stewart
April 2……..Santa Clara…………..Ryan Dungey……….Cooper Webb
April 9……..Indianapolis…………Ryan Dungey……….Aaron Plessinger
April 16……St. Louis……………….Ryan Dungey……….Jeremy Martin
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…Malcolm Stewart (Hon)
SUPERCROSS TOP TENS: HEADING TO BOSTON
Roger DeCoster has had great riders during his time at Team Honda, Team Suzuki and Team KTM, but he seems to get the greatest joy out of the success of protege Ryan Dungey. Photo: Scott Mallonee
450 POINT STANDINGS
(After 14 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Dungey…328
2. Ken Roczen… 280
3. Jason Anderson…260
4. Eli Tomac…226
5. Chad Reed..208
6. Marvin Musquin…188
7. Cole Seely..173
8. Justin Brayton…161
9. Trey Canard…154
10. Jake Weimer…114
250 EAST POINTS STANDINGS
(After 6 of 9 races)
1. Malcolm Stewart…115
2. Aaron Plessinger… 114
3. Jeremy Martin…99
4. Martin Davalos…83
5. Tyler Bowers…78
6. Gannon Audette…77
7. R.J. Hampshire…77
8. Shane McElrath…73
6. Justin Hill…63
10. Matthew Bisceglia…58v
2015 AMA 250 WEST POINT STANDINGS
(After 8 of 9 races)
1. Cooper Webb…170
2. Joey Savatgy…154
3. Christian Craig…147
4. Zach Osborne…132
5. Colt Nichols…132
6. Mitchell Oldenburg…113
7. Jimmy Decotis…109
8. Kyle Peters…100
9. Kyle Cunningham…78
10. Jordon Smith…77
GET A FREE 2016 FMF GLEN HELEN NATIONAL POSTER
In celebration of 50 years of motocross in America, the 2016 Glen Helen 250/450 AMA National poster features Torsten Hallman, who was the first motocrosser to come to America back in 1966. The poster is made from the original painting commissioned from artist and former AMA National rider Jon Ortner. Glen Helen will give this collectible poster away to fans who go to the Glen Helen Facebook page and click “Like.” Click here to go to the Glen Helen Raceway Facebook page www.facebook.com/glenhelenraceway/?fref=ts
The posters will also be sold on the day of the AMA National, May 28, for $5. Torsten Hallman, along with other great motocross legends, will be on hand to autograph these commemorative posters at the Glen Helen Museum between 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
2016 GRAND PRIX WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Romain Febvre (461) won in Thailand and Holland, while Tim Gajser won in Qatar, Argentina and Mexico. Febvre has a 3-point lead on Gajser and a 48-point lead on third place Tony Cairoli.
Date Venue 450 250
Feb. 27…. Qatar…………………..Tim Gajser…………..Jeffrey Herlings
Mar. 6…..Thailand……………….Romain Febvre…….Jeffrey Herlings
Mar. 28…Holland………………..Romain Febvre…….Jeffrey Herlings
April 10….Argentina…………….Tim Gajser…………..Jeffrey Herlings
April 17….Mexico…………………Tim Gajser…………..Jeffrey Herlings
May 1…… Latvia………………
May 8……Germany………………
May 15….Italy………………
May 29….Spain………………
June 5……France………………
June 19….Great Britain………………
June 26….Italy………………
July 24…..Czech Republic………………
July 31…..Belgium………………
Aug. 7……Switzerland………………
Aug. 28….Holland………………
Sept. 3…..Charlotte, USA………………
Sept.11…..Glen Helen, USA………………
450 Points leader…Romain Febvre (Yam)
250 West points leader…Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
GRAND PRIX TOP TENS: AFTER ARGENTINA
Tim Gajser is 3 for 5 and the old stars are beginning to wonder what’s happening.
450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
(After 5 of 17 events)
1. Romain Febvre…219
2. Tim Gajser…216
3. Antonio Cairoli…171
4. Evgeny Bobryshev…170
5. Max Nagl…165
6. Jeremy Van Horebeek…162
7. Kevin Strijbos…127
8. Shaun Simpson…122
9. Glenn Coldenhoff…104
10. Tommy Searle…98
250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
(After 5 of 17 events)
1. Jeffrey Herlings…250
2. Jeremy Seewer…192
3. Pauls Jonass…166
4. Aleksandr Tonkov…163
5. Petar Petrov…132
6. Benoit Paturel…126
7. Vsevolod Brylyakov…121
8. Samuele Bernardini…117
9. Alvin Ostlund…89
10. Max Anstie…82
REM GLEN HELEN: APRIL 23RD & APRIL 30TH
For more info go to www.remsatmx.com
GREAT PLAINS VINTAGE MOTOCROSS SERIES STARTS ON APRIL 24
For more info go to www.greatplainsvintagemx.org
“BABES IN THE DIRT” AT HUNGRY VALLEY — APRIL 22-24
For more info go to www.babesrideout.com
CZ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP REVIVAL — APRIL 24
For more info go to www.avdra.com
GLEN HELEN NATIONAL PRE-RACE PARTY ON FRIDAY, MAY 27
For more info go to www.glenhelen.com
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MXA AND MAKE MONEY
You probably haven’t seen the May 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, 44-horsepower CRF250 test and KTM 125SX versus Yamaha YZ125 shootout 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 $19.99 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/
MOTO-CHALLENGE ANSWER
Pete and Tony Wanket.
Pete and Tony Wanket were from Vista, California and raced the AMA Nationals from 1977 to 1980. They were consistent top 20 performers with Tony getting an 8th in the Sandy Oaks 125 National in 1997 and a 7th at the Saddleback 250 National in 1980. Brother Peter also had a top ten finish in 1980—an 10th at the Atlanta 250 National.
Photos: Scott Mallonee, Kyoshi Becker, Debbi Tamietti, John Basher, Brian Converse, Massimo Zanzani, MXA