THIS BUTTERFLY WILL BE THE ONLY ONE AT THE KILMARTIN GRAND PRIX REUNION
The Marsh Fritillary eats the devil’s-bit scabious that grows on the old racetrack.
A butterfly has canceled the plan of holding a reunion race at the Kilmartin GP track in Scotland. Kilmartin was the site of a 1978 FIM Grand Prix. The reunion race had to be canceled when the Marsh Fritillary butterfly took up residence in the Argyll farmland. The land owner was happy to help with the reunion, but the Department of Agriculture said that having motocross bikes on the land was not compatible with the Marsh Fritillary (which are protected in Scotland).
INSIDE THE 6D ATR-1 HELMET: HOW IT WORKS IN ANIMATION
TODAY'S "GULF TIMES" SPORTS PAGE: CONGRATS TO MXA'S DENNIS STAPLETON
CASEY STONER’S FIRST-EVER V8 SUPERCAR RACE ENDS IN WALL... HE WAS RACING IN THE SUPPORT CLASS
CAN YOU SAY EMPTY GATES IN QATAR? IF NOT, THEN YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE; WATCH THE 450 QUALIFYING RACE
GODSPEED! HENNY RAY ABRAMS (1956-2013)
Henny Ray Abrams was 56 years old. Photo: Cycle News
Road race reporter and Cycle News was found dead at his computer in New York City. The cause of death is unknown, but when he didn’t answer any calls from Cycle News, editor Paul Carruthers asked Dave Roper, who lives in Brooklyn, to check on Henny. Henny Ray Abrams was one of only a small number of American motorcycle writers who would fearlessly attack the AMA, FIM or injustice wherever he found it. Sadly, that small number has been diminished by one with the passing of Henny Ray. No cause of death was determined. Funeral services for Henny Ray Abrams are scheduled for 1:00 pm,
Thursday, March 7, at the Schoenberg Funeral Home, 519 Philadelphia Pike
Ste 1, Wilmington, Delaware, 19809. For further information the phone
number of the funeral home is (302) 762-0334.
CURRENT AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 9 of 17 races)
1. Davi Millsaps (Suz).............189
3. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw).........177
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)...........166
4. Trey Canard (Hon)..............148
5. Chad Reed (Hon)...............147
6. Justin Barcia (Hon...............132
7. James Stewart (Suz)..........122
8. Andrew Short (KTM)...........113
9. Justin Brayton (Yam)...........103
10. Matt Goerke (KTM)............85
QATAR GRAND PRIX TRIVIA: CONSIDER IT THE MILLER MOTORSPORT’S PARK OF THE GP CIRCUIT
If you were expecting sand in Qatar you will be disappointed. Photo: Youthstream
TERRAIN: It was flat, just like Lake Elsinore and Miller Motorsport’s Park (which are both on the AMA National schedule).
THE HEAT: The weather in Qatar was 81 degrees, which is the same temperature as in Los Angeles. To beat the non-existant heat, the GP riders raced under the lights on Saturday night instead of on Sunday, March 3. What is the deal with the night race to avoid the heat? Man up. AMA Nationals riders would love it if the Nationals were held on cool 81-degree days.
LOCAL WILD CARDS: As part of the deal to hold a race in the Middle East, Youthstream agreed to let some local racers enter the GP. Last week Qatar held a GP Qualifier, which was won by MXA’s Dennis Stapleton, but Stapleton stepped aside in the spirit of the event to let Kuwaiti riders, for which he is their riding coach and team manager, get their taste of the Grand Prix. Stapleton raced the Arab National Championship support race, where he is the points leader. Four local riders were entered into the Grand Prix event. They were Moaath Al Ansari (Kuwait) and Mishary Shibah (Kuwait) in the 450 class, with Abdulla Al Shatti (Kuwait) and Hassan Ahmed (Bahrain) in the 250 class. None of them made the 108% rule and all of them moved to the Arab National Championship support race held in conjunction with the GP.
The night race was schedule to beat the heat. What heat? Photo: Youthstream
FULL GATES OR EMPTY GATES: The 450 heat race was an embarassment as they didn’t have enough riders to fill half of the starting gate. The 250 heat race did have 31 riders in it.
THE UNDER-23 RULE: One of those 250 riders was former Women’s World Champion Livia Lancelot, who got a gift in the form of a last-minute rule change that erased the Under-23 rule (for women only). Obviously Luongo is trying to pump up interest in the race by having a women race in an Arab nation...but he should have found a 22-year-old instead of the 25-year-old Lancelot because playing fast and loose with the rule book is sneaky and underhanded. Lancelot could also not make 108% time (based on the average time of the top ten)—missing it by just under 2 seconds a lap.
Tommy Searle snapped this pix of the lights. Photo: Tommy Searle
NIGHT LIGHTS: Musco Lighting installed lots of poles (from 48 feet to 100 feet tall) around the track to cover the Losail motocross track. The total output is 19 million lumens of light—the equivalent of 13,000 fluorescent light bulbs. That may sound like a lot of light, but it wasn’t. There were some major dark spots on the track.
The Losail track is the only track in Qatar and didn't exist a month ago. Photo: Youthstream
THE PROGRAM: The first moto of the 250 class and the 450 class paid points to the top 20 riders (and how they finish in moto one determines how they choose their spots on the grid for the Super Final 250/450 combined moto). The top 18 from moto one in the both the 250 and 450 classes advanced directly to the Super Final moto, while a “combined” Last Chance race advanced the top two 250 riders and the top two 450 riders (even if they weren’t in front of any other riders—they were selected if they are in the top two of their respective class). Which means that if the LCQ’s 450 class riders go one through ten in the Last Chance, only two of the first ten will advance to the Super Final and the first two 250 riders, even if they are 11th and 12th, will also advance.
The top 20 250 and 450 riders raced against each other in the Super Final, but they were scored separately. Maximum points weree awarded by the order in which a rider finishes in his class–not in the overall results of the race.
The top 20 250 riders got first pick at the gate, and the 450 riders got gate picks 21 through 40. It didn't make a lot of difference as the 450 still came out in front.
CURRENT AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 3 of 8 races)
1. Wil Hahn.....................70
2. Dean Wilson..............69
3. Blake Wharton............60
4. Marvin Musquin..........53
8. Vince Friese...............39
7. Gavin Faith.................38
6. Justin Hillt....................36
9. Jimmy Decotis...........34
9. Jeremy Martin............32
5. Kyle Peters.................31
HONDA'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY AY DAYTONA
CURRENT AMA 250 WEST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 6 of 9 races)
1. Ken Roczen (KTM)..............138
2. Eli Tomac (Hon)...................121
3. Cole Seely (Hon).................95
4. Jason Anderson (Suz).........88
5. Kyle Cunningham (Yam)......83
6. Martin Davalos (Kaw)...........82
7. Zach Osborne (Hon)............82
8. Joey Savatgy (KTM)..............62
9. Christian Craig (Hon)............62
10. Jessy Nelson (Hon)............60
DANISH SUPERCROSS GOES TO THE FRENCH WITH FLORENT RICHIER, FABIEN IZOIRD & CYRILLE COULON
MTA TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: ROUND ONE
As part of the build-up to the April 7 World Two-Stroke Championships at Glen Helen, MTA and L.A. Sleeve are sponsoring two warm-up races (as part of a three-race series that includes the April 7 race). This is a chance for two-stroke riders to iron out the bugs in their smokers before the giant one-day Championships on April 7. The first warm-up race held at The Ranch in Anza, California, on a cool and windy day. KTM sponsored Mike Sleeter won both motos in front of Doug Dubach, with former NESC star Austin Squires in third. The second round wil be at Racetown (395) on March 24. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com
THE RANCH RESULTS: MTA TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE
1. Mike Sleeter (KTM).............1-1
2. Doug Dubach (Yam)............2-2
3. Austin Squires (Hon)...........3-3
4. Richi Gilmore (Hon).............5-4
5. Austen Scroggins (KTM).....5-6
6. Hunter Falk (KTM)...............8-5
7. Chris See (Hus)...................6-8
8. Stephen Heighton (Hon)......7-9
9. Shawn Wyn (TM).................9-10
10. Mat Cox (Yam)..................10-11
2013 AMA SUPERCROSS SCOREBOARD
DATE CITY 450SX 250SX
Jan. 5 – Anaheim 1...........Davi Millsaps........Eli Tomac
Jan. 12 – Phoenix.............Justin Barcia.........Eli Tomac
Jan. 19 – Anaheim II.........Ryan Villopoto......Eli Tomac
Jan. 26 – Oakland.............Ryan Villopoto......Ken Roczen
Feb. 2 – Anaheim III..........Ryan Dungey........Ken Roczen
Feb. 9 – San Diego...........Davi Millsaps.........Eli Tomac
Feb. 16 – Arlington............Ryan Villopoto......Dean Wilson
Feb. 23 – Atlanta...............James Stewart......Wil Hahn
Mar. 2 – St. Louis.............Ryan Villopoto......Wil Hahn
Mar. 9 – Daytona...............??
Mar. 16 – Indianapolis.......??
Mar. 23 – Toronto..............??
Apr. 6 – Houston...............??
Apr. 13 – Minneapolis.......??
Apr. 20 – Seattle...............??
Apr. 27 – Salt Lake...........??
May 4 – Las Vegas...........??
Points leaders: 450–Davi Millsaps, 250 West–Ken Roczen, 250 East–Wil Hahn
USED IT, ABUSED IT, TESTED IT: KITE/EXCEL WHEELSET BY DUBYA
Kite’s billet aluminum, anodized hubs are manufactured in Mandello Del Lario, Italy. Dubya is also the Talon hub importer which gives them two price ranges. We laced our Kite hubs up to Excel A60 rims, which are 15 percent stronger than Excel's Signature Series rims, but would have been just as happy with DID STX rims (which cost the same). Kite stainless steel, double-butted spokes tied the pieces together.
VERDICT: Kite wheels are used by Ryan Dungey, James Stewart, Ken Roczen, Davi Millsaps and Antonio Cairoli and the hubs are available in red, black, blue, green and orange, for both full-size bikes and minibikes. The spokes can be order in the same colors. These aren't just Xeroxed billet components, Kite’s weight, options, colors, sponsored riders and price make them a major player in the wheel world. $699.00 (complete front), $844.00 (complete rear)—www.dubyausa.com or (714) 279-0200.
THAI MOTOCROSS STAR TRAKARN THANTHONG TAKES A LAP OF NEXT WEEK’S GRAND PRIX OF THAILAND TRACK
MOTO-PHOTO QUIZ: NAME THESE TWO RIDERS
Answer at the bottom of the page
2013 250/450 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Ken DeDycker.
March 2...........Qatar (Saturday night race)
March 10.........Thailand
April 1..............Holland
April 14............Italy
April 21...........TBA
May 5..............Portugal
May 19............Brazil
May 26............Mexico
June 9.............France
June 16...........Italy
June 30...........Sweden
July 7...............Latvia
July 14.............Russia
July 28.............Germany
August 4..........Czech Republic
August 18........Belgium
August 25........Great Britain
September 8...TBA
ASK THE MXPERTS: RETROFITTING THE 2008 CRF450 CLUTCH TO A 2011
Dear MXA,
I own a 2011 Honda CRF450 and have access to a blown up 2008 Honda CRF450. What would stop me from taking the complete six-spring clutch out of the 2008 model and putting it in my 2011?
One thing would stop you–it won’t fit. Honda changed the shaft and spline size when the introduced the four-spring clutch in 2009. Thus, 2008 and earlier CRF450 clutches will not fit. You could retrofit the 2013 six-spring clutch, but you don’t have one of those.
STEVE HUDSON CHATS WITH TREY CANARD AT ATLANTA
MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: WORKS CONNECTION FORGED BRAKE LEVERS
Designed and manufactured to exceed OEM specifications to deliver superior strength and durability Works Connection forge brakes levers are offered in your choice of black or silver. They are made from quality 6061-T6 precision forged aluminum. The retail price is S37.95 at www.worksconnection.com or (888) 224-8718.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: BIG PARTY AT MALCOLM SMITH'S HOUSE
Mar. 1...Dan Reardon 1986
Mar. 1...Harry Kullas 1992
Mar. 3...Shawn Norfolk
Mar. 4...Malcolm Smith 1941
Mar. 4...Sandy Egger
Mar. 4...Xavier Boog 1988
Mar. 6...Paul Buckley
Mar. 6...Eddie Cole
Mar. 7...Beau Bamburg
PHOTO WITHOUT A CAPTION
THIS ISN’T MOTOCROSS, BUT OHMORI MASATOSHI CAN LAY IT OVER
2013 SUPERCROSS TV SCHEDULE: THANKFULLY, THERE ARE FOUR RACES WITHOUT CBS
Date............Event......................TV network............Time
Mar. 9.....Daytona.............Speed................7:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Mar. 16...Indianapolis ......Speed................7:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Mar.23....Toronto..............Speed................8:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 4......Houston............Speed................9:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 14....Minneapolis.......CBS/Speed.......12:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 21....Seattle...............CBS/Speed.......12:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 27....Salt Lake...........Speed................9:30 p.m. (Eastern)
May 4......Las Vegas.........Speed...............10:00 p.m. (Eastern)
ARE YOU ONE OF THE POD PEOPLE? WIL HAHN IS
ASK THE MXPERTS: LUBRICATING THE HARD TO REACH PARTS
Dear MXA,
It is easy to see how the piston and rings are lubricated on a motocross bike, but I don’t understand how the parts tucked up under the piston can get any oil. Do they have oil lines for the top-end rod bearing?
No, they don’t have oil lines, but they do have a mister system. A nozzle inside the engine cases is aimed upward towards the top-end rod bearing and pulses a fine mist of oil into the cavity of the piston. In fact, Honda has a two-nozzle mister on the 2013 CRF450.
PROMO FILM FOR THE 2013 AUSSIE NATS: STARRING TY SIMMONDS (42), BILLY MACKENZIE (211), JAY MARMONT (2), TODD WATERS (47), LAWSON BOPPING (70) & CODY COOPER (10)
2013 AUSTRALIAN MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
April 14...............Raymond Terrace, NSW
April 28...............Murray Bridge, SA
May 5..................Wonthaggi, VIC
May 19................Broadford, VIC
June 2.................Conondale, QLD
July 14................Appin, NSW
July 28................Hervey Bay, QLD
August 11...........Swan Hill, VIC
August 25...........Toowoomba, QLD
September 1.......Coolum, QLD
Moto-Photo Quiz Answer: Roger DeCoster (left) and Ken Roczen (right)
Suzuki Motorcycle tests
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