MXA WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: HALL INDUCTEES, ’18 RM-Z450 DEETS & FAREWELL SKIP

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GUIDED TOUR OF THE 2018 SUZUKI RM-Z450 (GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO SEE MORE RM-Z DETAILS)

AMA HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2017 INDUCTEES

AMAHALLOFFAMELOGOThe AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame will welcome five new inductees on Sept. 22 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. The ceremony, which takes place in conjunction with the American International Motorcycle Expo. Here are the five honorees

emlerDonnie Emler Sr. helped establish the roots of the motocross and off-road aftermarket performance industry, which continues to thrive today. Emler Sr. started Flying Machine Factory, known today as FMF Racing, out of his garage in Hawthorne, Calif., in 1973. Early clients included such high-caliber riders as AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Marty Smith, the first AMA Motocross 125cc National Champion. Today, FMF Racing sponsors top riders and is one of the most successful aftermarket exhaust companies in the world.

Peter-Starr
Peter Starr
is best known for his career as a filmmaker. After moving to the United States in the mid-1960s, he has been dedicated to bringing motorcycles and motorcycling to worldwide audiences, producing more than 50 feature films and specials featuring some of the all-time greats in motorcycling history. Starr’s most famous film, “Take it to the Limit,” won Gold and Silver Awards at the Chicago and Houston International Film Festivals.

Bobby Moore was a successful American racer, winning the AMA 125cc West Region Supercross Championship in 1985 before shifting his focus to the world stage. That move paid off a decade later when Moore captured the 1994 125cc World Motocross Championship. Over his career, Moore notched 28 individual moto wins in the 125cc and 250cc divisions. After his racing career, Moore co-founded Road 2 Recovery in 2000 to offer support to injured AMA motocross and Supercross racers.

Eddie Lojak Sr. was a three-time AMA Hare Scrambles National Champion and a nine-time  Grand National Cross County Champion. The 1982 AMA Amateur Athlete of the Year, Lojak Sr. also was the top American on the U.S. International Six Days Enduro World Trophy Team that year.

John Ulrich is a leading figure in American road racing with credentials as a racer, a team owner, a journalist, a charitable organization founder and an industry leader. He has served on the AMA Board of Directors and is the 2017 recipient of the AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award.

U.S. VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE SLATED TO SPEAK AT AIMEXPO DEALER SHOW

mike-penceAccording to DealerNews, Vice President Mike Pence will appear at the AIMexpo dealer show in Columbus, Ohio in September. The Vice President is a motorcyclist and his presence comes at an interesting time the motorcycle industry in under threat of having all European built bikes under 500cc subject to a 100% tariff because of a trade argument over American beef. The 2017 AIMExpo is being held from September 21st to September 24th, in Columbus, Ohio.

GODSPEED! SKIP VAN LEEUWEN (1938-2017)

skip-van-leeuwin-4Skip Van Leeuwen passed away on June 21,2017. He was 78 years old and still active in the motorcycle business. Skip Van Leeuwen was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. He dominated AMA TT competition in the mid-1960s, winning four TT Nationals and was a master of the turn left, jump and turn right dirt tracks of America. He won AMA National races in the Houston Astrodome, Castle Rock and Ascot Park in Gardena, Calif. He also won numerous West Coast regional championships during his racing career. After retiring from racing in the early 1970s, Mr. Van Leeuwen went on to launch a successful motorcycle accessories business.

Skip1

His business, Van Leeuwen Enterprises, evolved over the years to become one of the largest motorcycle accessory companies in the country. Van Leeuwen Enterprises released a statement following the announcement of his death: “In the closing years of his life Skip’s enduring joy had been working side by side with his devoted sons and grandchildren. Skip’s greatest accomplishments are not measured by checkered flags and trophies. They are measured by the love and devotion of the people who were lucky enough to know him.”

Skip2

In lieu of gifts or flowers you can make a charitable donation in Skip’s name to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. This will directly contribute to the preservation of his legacy. Services are scheduled for Saturday, July 1 ,2017, at the Bethel Reformed Church (Encounter Christian Church), in the city of Bellflower, California. The viewing will be on Friday, June 30, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. at Whites Funeral Home, 9903 E. Flower Street, Bellflower, California— (562) 867-2741.

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LEGENDS OF THE ROAD UPDATE: SUCCESSFUL RACE ACROSS AMERICA

legendraamoadtorecoveryThe Legend of the Road were second overall in the four-man team (50-59) class. It took them 7 days, 19 hours, 58 minutes to race across America. Their average speed over 3079 miles was 16.33 mph.

From www.road2recovery.com: A truly unique team of racers crossed the line at City Dock to take second in the four-rider age 50-59 category. These athletes are all “Legends” in every sense of the word. All are retired from one of the most grueling and physically demanding sports there is and come to RAAM with a legion of loyal fans from all over the world.

But these four aren’t known for their ultra-cycling. These guys all had highly successful careers in motocross and Supercross, sports where men ride 240-pound, 60-horsepower machines over treacherous terrain that taxes their strength, stamina, skill and endurance. Many will be surprised that sports trainers regard top-level motocross racers to be among the most conditioned athletes of any sport. And as with most of the top motocross riders, these guys used cycling in their training and all have deep knowledge and respect for cycling.

Founding member of the team Micky Dymond is a two-time 125cc Motocross Champion, former Supermoto champion, and a member of RAAM 2014’s winning 4-rider team, the “Legends of the Road.” Micky’s RAAM effort kindled an interest in one of the biggest names and most-loved champions of U.S. motocross, David Bailey, a 250cc and 500cc champion whose career ended when he was paralyzed in a 1987 racing crash. He later went on to be a highly competitive physically challenged triathlete with several top finishes and a victory at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

Together the two recruited another fan favorite, Jeff Ward, the only motocross racer to win the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and Supercross championship. After he retired from motocross Ward had a successful auto-racing career, the highlight of which was a second place finish in the 1999 Indianapolis 500.

The fourth member was Doug Henry, winner of a 125cc Supercross championship, a 125cc motocross championship and a 250cc motocross championship, who after retiring from motocross kept his competitive fire going in Supermoto events, where he unfortunately suffered a paralyzing crash. Bailey and Henry rode hand-cycles custom-built by Dan Gurney Racing while Dymond and Ward rode standard bicycles.

These four men who were once fierce and competitive rivals teamed up for the 3,070-mile test of determination and will that is RAAM for themselves and for Road2Recovery. The Road 2 Recovery Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded to help professional AMA-licensed Motocross/Supercross members with financial assistance if they sustain career-ending injuries as well as providing motivational, emotional, and spiritual support to these individuals and their families.

2018 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

MXGPstart_MXGP_13_CZ_2016

The 2018 World Motocross Championships will start in Argentina (Qatar is no longer a GP) on March 4. Two weeks later the series will return to Europe for a new GP at the Red Sands track in Spain. The third race, plus the 10th and 19th races will be in Italy (at Pietramurata, TBA and Imola). Of the 19 GP races in the 2018 schedule, there will be four fly-away races, requiring three separate trips across the ocean (Argentina, Indonesia and a combined Mexico/USA trip).

For support classes, there will be six womens rounds (Italy 1, England, France, Czech Republic, Holland and Italy 3), one Vet round (Holland 2 at Assen), nine 250 EMX rounds, nine 125 EMX rounds and six 300EMX rounds.

The 2018 Motocross des Nations is scheduled on October 7, 2018, at a track yet to be named—somewhere in the USA.

2018 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 4…………..Argentina
Mar. 25…………Spain
Apr. 8……………Italy 1
Apr. 15………….Holland 1
Apr. 29………….Russia
May 13………….Latvia
May 20………….Germany
June 3…………..England
June 10…………France
June 24…………Italy 2
July 8……………Indonesia
July 22………….Czech Republic
Aug. 5…………..Belgium
Aug. 12…………Switzerland
Aug. 19…………Sweden
Sept. 2………….USA
Sept. 9………….Mexico
Sept. 23………..Holland 2
Sept. 30………..Italy 3

2018 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 7…………..USA

• CHRISTOPHE POURCEL BACK ON TOP IN SASKATCHEWAN

CANpourcel
Chris Pourcel.

The Regina, Saskatchewan, Moto Valley track has the longest lap times of the series, and this year the  first turn was changed back to a long high-speed straight into a sweeping right hand turn instead of the tight right-hand 180-degree turn from last year.

450 CLASS

CANgoerke
Matt Goerke.

After failing to finish on the podium in last weekend’s second moto, Rockstar Husqvarna’s Christophe Pourcel led the first moto before being passed by Matt Goerke. And that is how they finished the first moto. Pourcel was behind Goerke again in the second moto, but a couple of corners from the checkered flag Goerke threw the chain on his YZ450F. Pourcel’s 2-1 moto finishes gave him the overall for the day, his third of the season, and he is now tied for the series lead with Goerke for the 450 Canadian National Championship. Goerke’s chain issue pushed him back to sixth. His 1-6 gave him third overall.

Kawasaki-mounted Mike Alessi finally showed his true speed with a 3-2 finish for second overall. Tyler Medaglia went 4-4 for fourth. Dillan Epstein was fifth, Kyle Chisholm sixth, Cade Clason seventh, Colton Facciotti eighth, Tim Tremblay ninth and Keylan Meston tenth.

250 CLASS

CANcolethompson
Cole Thompson.

Cole Thompson’s quest to win back-to-back Championships got a strong boost this weekend after he swept both motos in Regina. Josh Osby finished 2-3 for second overall and moved up to second in the series standings. Dylan Wright had his best weekend this season, and his 3-4 moto scores earned him third overall. Shawn Maffenbeier, who is a major contender for the Canadian 250 National Championship finished 16th in the first moto after falling while running second and got his boot caught in his brake pedal. In the second moto, Maffenbeier posted the fastest lap but had to settle for second place behind Cole Thompson

450 RESULTS: REGINA CANADIAN NATIONAL
1. Christophe Pourcel (Hus)…2-1
2. Mike Alessi (Kaw)…3-2
3. Matt Goerke (Yam)…1-6
4. Tyler Medaglia (Hon)…4-4
5. Dillan Epstein (Kaw)…11-3
6. Kyle Chisholm (Hon)…8-5
7. Cade Clason (KTM)…6-7000
8. Colton Facciotti (Hon)…5-8
9. Tim Tremblay (Yam)…9-9
10. Keylon Mestor (Yam)…7-11

CANosby
Josh Osby.

250 RESULTS: REGINA CANADIAN NATIONAL
1. Cole Thompson (KTM)…1-1
2. Josh Osby (KTM)…2-3
3. Dylan Wright (Hon)…3-4
4. Ryan Surratt (Kaw)…5-5
5. Jonah Brittons (KTM)…6-6
6. Shawn Maffenbeier (Yam)…16-2
7. Christopher Fortier (Yam)…9-7
8. Davey Fraser (Hus)…7-8
9. Jared Petruska (Yam)…12-9
10. Kein Denzler (Yam)…9-12

CANADIAN NATIONAL 450 POINTS STANDINGS
(After 3 of 10 races)
1. Matt Goerke…162
2. Christophe Pourcel…155
3. Dillan Epstein…150
4. Colton Facciotti…146
5. Tyler Medaglia…134
6. Mike Alessi…122
7. Kyle Chisholm…114
8. Cade Clason…98
9. Scott Champion…88
10. Tim Tremblay…87

CANADIAN NATIONAL 250 POINTS STANDINGS
(After 3 of 10 races)
1. Cole Thompson…164
2. Shawn Maffenbeier…145
3. Josh Osby…139
4. Jacob Hayes…134
5. Ryan Surratt…127
6. Jesse Pettis…125
7. Tallon LaFountaine…106
8. Hayden Halstead…96
9. Dylan Wright…95
10. Casey Keast…93

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MXA AD OF THE WEEK: THE 1980 YAMAHA YZ250 & IT’S FAMOUS RIDER

1980YAMAHAadBob Hannah was the focus of Yamaha’s new bike campaigns in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Here he’s featured in the “Mud, Sweat and Champagne” ad.

BIRTHDAYS OF THE STARS: FORGET THE STARS—RANDY SKINNER IS 59

95DOUGDUBACHJune 30…Doug Dubach 1963
June 30…Roy Janson
June 30…Kurt Caselli 1983

DTskinnerfrenchJuly 2…Randy Skinner 1958
July 3…Paul Carpenter 1981
July 3…Steve Stackable

deanferris2014July 4…Dean Ferris 1990
July 4…Mark Phares
July 4…Billy Mackenzie 1984
July 4…Scott Champion 1989

wvdtlarsposterJuly 5…Lars Larsson 1941
July 5…Kyle Cunningham 1989

ricky johnsonJuly 6…Ricky Johnson 1964
July 6…Heikki Mikkola 1945

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MXA MOTO-CHALLENGE: CAN YOU NAME THIS RIDER?

eastgermjeffsmith68NOREKIf you said “four-stroke” any time from 1965 to 1997, this rider would have been the first name mentioned. Can you name him? Answer at the bottom of the page.

HRC FILL-IN RIDER ANTHONY RODRIQUEZ STRUGGLES IN ITALY

MX2start_MXGP_11_LOM_2017Venezulelan Anthony Rodriquez got a once-in-a-lifetime deal to race for the factory Honda 250GP team at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend. Unfortunately, Anthony (126) had terrible starts and went 16-16. Luckily, he gets a second shot in Portugal this weekend.

Venezulelan Anthony Rodriguez, who finished 8th in the 2017 AMA 250 East Supercross series, fell off the turnip truck and ended up with a fill-in ride on HRC Honda’s 250 Grand Prix team to replaced the injured Chihiro Notsuka at the Italian Grand Prix in Ottobiano in Northern Italy last weekend. Rodriquez was signed to a two-race deal for the Italian and Portuguese GPs.  There was hope that Anthony would rise to the occasion and get to keep the Honda ride for the rest of the GP season.

Sadly, the Venezulelan had a bad day at Ottobiano. On a new bike, new team and new track, he struggled to 16-16 finishes. He will get a second shot at Agueda, Portugal this coming weekend..

NATIONAL POINTS: WHO’S WHO HEADING INTO THE HALFWAY POINT AT RED BUD

Weston PeickWeston Peick was fourth at Muddy Creek last week.

AMA 450 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After 5 of 12 Rounds)
1. Blake Baggett…195
2. Eli Tomac…191
3. Jason Anderson…176
4. Marvin Musquin…161
5. Broc Tickle…139
6. Justin Bogle…137
7. Dean Wilson…137
8. Weston Peick…112
9. Cooper Webb…112
10. Josh Grant…106

AMA 250 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After 5 of 12 Rounds)
1. Zach Osborne…207
2. Alex Martin…176
3. Jeremy Martin…171
4. Aaron Plessinger…165
5. Austin Forkner…159
6. Adam Cianciarulo…147
7. Joey Savatgy…144
8. Colt Nichols…124
9. Dylan Ferrandis…118
10. Mitchell Harrison…111

2017 AMA NATIONAL WINNERS

Eli TomacThe pit experts said that Tomac would go unbeaten in 2017. They were right for race one, but it took Eli a little longer to win again.

Date           Venue                                      450                                  250
May 20……Hangtown, CA……………Eli Tomac……………..Zach Osborne
May 27.……Glen Helen, CA………….Marvin Musquin……Zach Osborne
June 3..……Thunder Valley, CO……Blake Baggett………..Joey Savatgy
June 17..….Mt. Morris, PA…………..Blake Baggett………..Jeremy Martin
June 24.….Muddy Creek, TN……….Eli Tomac……………..Aaron Plessinger
July 1.…..…Red Bud, MI
July 8..……Southwick, MA​
July 22.…..Millville, MN​
July 29.…..Washougal, WA
Aug. 12..….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 19..….Budds Creek, MD​
Aug. 26.….Crawfordsville, IN

450 Points leader...Blake Baggett (KTM)
250 Points leaderZach Osborne (Hus)

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AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS ON JULY 7-9

amavintagedays2017For more info go to www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com

OLD SCHOOL SCRAMBLES AT GLEN HELEN ON JULY 23

TTScramblesGlen_Flyer_2017Gary Jones will be designing a special Old School Scrambles track on Glen Helen’s Lucas Oil Offroad Truck track for a race on July 23, 2017. For more info go www.oldschoolscramblesracing.com.

THE PARIS SUPERCROSS ON NOVEMBER 18-19

parissxThe 2017 Paris Supercross will move to the brand new U-Arena in the Paris business district. The U-Arena seats 24,000 spectators and has a larger floor area than Lille or Bercy. The 2017 Paris Supercross will be held on November 18-19, 2017.

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2017 GRAND PRIX WINNERS AT A GLANCE

 Jasikonis_MXGP_11_LOM_2017If Suzuki wants to win a 450 GP in 2017, Arminas Jasikonis is the man who has to do it.

Date                   Venue                                     450                                 250
Feb. 25………..Qatar…………….Tony Cairoli…………..Pauls Jonass
Mar. 5…………Indonesia………Shaun Simpson………Jeremy Seewer
Mar. 19……….Argentina……….Tim Gajser…………….Pauls Jonass
Apr. 2…………Mexico……………Tim Gajser…………….Thomas Covington
Apr. 16………..Italy………………Tony Cairoli…………..Jorge Prado
Apr. 23……….Holland………….Gautier Paulin………..Pauls Jonass
May 7………….Latvia…………….Jeffrey Herlings……..Thoma Kjer Olsen
May 21……….Germany…………Tony Cairoli……………Jeremy Seewer
May 28……….France……………Clement Desalle………Pauls Jonass
June 11……….Russia……………Clement Desalle………Pauls Jonass
June 25……….Italy………………Tony Cairoli……………Jeremy Seewer
July 2…………Portugal
July 23……….Czech Republic
Aug. 6…………Belgium
Aug. 13……….Switzerland
Aug. 20……….Sweden
Sept. 3………..USA
Sept. 10……….Holland
Sept. 17……….France
450 points leader…Tony Cairoli (KTM)
250 points leader…Pauls Jonass (KTM)

GP POINTS STANDINGS: WHO’S WHO HEADING TO PORTUGAL

Tim GajserTim Gajser suffered a concussion and missed two races. He will have to get back in the swing of things to catch up to Tony Cairoli. Gajser is 139 points adrift.

FIM 450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After 11 of 19 Rounds)
1. Tony Cairoli…431
2. Gautier Paulin…364
3. Clement Desalle…361
4. Jeffrey Herlings…335
5. Tim Gajser…282
6. Romain Febvre…275
7. Jeremy Van Horebeek…261
8. Max Nagl…255
9. Evgeny Bobryshev…245
10. Arnaud Tonus…227

Seewer_MXGP_5_TN_2017At the halfway point of the 2017 GP season, Jeremy Seewer (91) is the only rider who can catch leader Pauls Jonass at thi spont in the 19-race series.

FIM 250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After 11 of 19 Rounds)
1. Pauls Jonass…454
2. Jeremy Seewer…416
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen…343
4. Julien Lieber…339
5. Benoit Paturel…330
7. Thomas Covington…263
6. Jorge Prado…233
8. Brian Bogers…212
9. Hunter Lawrence…199
10. Brent Van doninck…195

2017 TV SCHEDULE: RED BUD AIRS ON JULY 1…MAYBE

TVSCHEDULEThe Red Bud National will air on Saturday, July 1 (first moto on MAV-TV and the second motos on NBCSN). The Red Bud Highlight show will air on July 5 (a5 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time). BE FORWARNED! In Los Angeles the Red Bud National has been bumped by the Tour de France on NBCSN and will show on Sunday, July 2, at 12:00 Noon. This could mean that Red Bud has been bumped nationwide and will show at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday across the country.

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE & GET MXA FOR FREE: ACTUALLY, WE PAY YOU

MXAAUGUST2017coverDo 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 right now you can get 12 issues for $19.99 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: https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action/

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mxactiontwitter1Follow us to see fresh content every day at www.twitter.com/MXAction or on twitter at “MXAction”

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2017 MOTOCROSS SCHEDULES: WHERE TO BE & WHEN TO BE THERE

anaheimstadium9The 2018 Supercross schedule has some surprises. There is only one Anaheim event. Detroit, Toronto and New Jersey are gone. Houston, Boston, Atlanta and Tampa are back.

2018 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 6……………………..…Anaheim, CA
Jan. 13………………………Houston, TX
Jan. 20………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 27………………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 3……………………..…Oakland, CA
Feb. 10………………………San Diego, CA
Feb. 17………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 24………………………Tampa, FL
Mar. 3……………………..…Atlanta, GA
Mar. 10………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 17………………………St. Louis, MO
Mar. 24………………………Indianapolis, IN
Apr. 7……………………..…Seattle, WA
Apr. 14………………………Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 21………………………Foxborough, MA
Apr. 28………………………Salt Lake City, UT
May 5…………………….…Las Vegas, NV

2018 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 4……………………….Argentina
Mar. 25……………………..Spain
Apr. 8………………………..Italy 1
Apr. 15………………………Holland 1
Apr. 29………………………Russia
May 13………………………Latvia
May 20………………………Germany
June 3……………………….England
June 10……………………..France
June 24……………………..Italy 2
July 8………………………..Indonesia
July 22………………………Czech Republic
Aug. 5……………………….Belgium
Aug. 12……………………..Switzerland
Aug. 19……………………..Sweden
Sept. 2………………………USA
Sept. 9………………………Mexico
Sept. 23…………………….Holland 2
Sept. 30…………………….Italy 3

2018 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 7………………………USA

2017 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 20……………………Hangtown, CA
May 27.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 3..………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 17..…………………Mt Morris, PA
June 24.………………….Muddy Creek, TN
July 1.…………………….Red Bud, MI
July 8..……………………Southwick, MA​
July 22.…………………..Millville, MN​
July 29.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 12..………………….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 19..………………….Budds Creek, MD​
Aug. 26.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 25…………………….Qatar (Saturday)
Mar. 5………………………Indonesia
Mar. 19…………………….Argentina
Apr. 2………………………Mexico
Apr. 16……………………..Italy
Apr. 23…………………….Holland
May 7………………………Latvia
May 21…………………….Germany
May 28…………………….France
June 11…………………….Russia
June 25……………………Italy
July 2……………………….Portugal
July 9……………………….San Marino (Canceled)
July 23……………………..Czech Republic
Aug. 6……………………..Belgium
Aug. 13…………………….Switzerland
Aug. 20…………………….Sweden
Sept. 3……………………..Gainesville, FL
Sept. 10……………………Holland
Sept. 17…………………….France

2017 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 1………………………Matterley Basin, Great Britain

2017 AMA LORETTA LYNN AMATEUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 31-Aug. 5……..……Hurricane Mills, TN

RED BULL STRAIGHT RHYTHM IV
Oct. 21………………….….Pomona, CA

2017 WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 13…………………….Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 25……………………Wortham, TX
Apr. 9………………………San Diego, CA
May 5………………………Las Vegas, NV
May 18-19………………..Hangtown, CA
June 2…………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 16……………………Mt. Morris, PA
Aug. 5……………………..Hurricane Mills, TN

2017 WORLD OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP (WORCS)
Jan. 6-8…………………….Taft, CA
Jan. 27-29…………………Primm, NV
Feb. 17-19………………….Taft, CA
Mar. 10-12…………………Lake Havasu, AZ
Apr. 1-2…………………….Las Vegas, NV
Apr. 21-23…………………Hurricane, UT
May. 19-21…………………Cedar City, UT
Jun. 16-17…………………Glen Helen, CA
Sept. 8-10…………………Glen Helen, CA
Oct. 6-8…………………….Adelanta, CA

2017 MAXXIS BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 9………………………Lyng
Apr. 30…………………….Canada Heights
May 14……………………Hawkstone Park
June 18……………………Desertmartin
July 9………………………Sherwood
July 16…………………….Blaxhall
July 30…………………….Preston Docks
Aug 27……………………..Foxhill

2017 BELGIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12……………………Moerbeke-Waas
Mar. 26……………………Kruishoutem
Apr. 2……………………..Genk
Apr 10…………………….Mons
Apr. 18……………………Axel
Apr. 30……………………Wuustwezel
June 11…………………..Comines
June 18………………….Genk
July 22……………………Axel
July 23…………………..Hasselt
July 30…………………..Gooik
Aug. 15…………………..Balen
Aug. 20………………….Wachtebeke
Aug. 27………………….Orp le Grand

2017 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 4……………………Whispering Pines, BC
June 11………………….Blackwater, BC
June 18………………….Wild Rose, AB
June 25………………….Moto Valley, SK
July 9…………………….Gopher Dunes, ON
July 16…………………..Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil, QC
July 23…………………..Pleasant Valley, NS
July 30…………………..Riverglade, NB
Aug. 6…………………….Deschambault, QC
Aug. 13……………….….RJ Motosport, ON

2017 DUTCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 26…………………..Oss
Apr. 9th…………………..Harfsen
May 14……………………Emmen
July 15-16……………….Lichtenvoorde

2017 ADAC GERMAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 9……………………….Muhlberg
Apr. 30…………………….Jauer
May 14…………………….Molln
June 18……………………Bielstein
July 16…………………….Tensfeld
Aug. 27……………………Gaildorf
Sept. 24…………………..Holzgerlingen

2017 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 2……………………..Wonthaggi, Victoria
April 23…………………..Appin, New South Wales
May 7……………………..Connondale, Queensland
May 21……………………Horsham, Victoria
May 28……………………Murray Bridge, South Australia
July 2……………………..Nowra, New South Wales
July 16……………………Shepparton, Victoria
July 30……………………Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Aug. 13…………………..Toowooba, Queensland
Aug. 20……………………Coolum, Queensland

2017 AUSTRALIAN SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 9…………………..Queensland
Sept. 23…………………Queensland
Oct. 14…………………..TBA
Oct. 26…………………..South Australia
Nov. 4…………………….Victoria
Nov. 11-12……………..New South Wales

2017 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7…………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14………………………San Diego, CA
Jan. 21………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 28………………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 4……………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 11………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 18………………………Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25………………………Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4………………………Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………………………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………………………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1…………………………St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8………………………..Seattle, WA
Apr. 22……………………….Salt Lake City, UT
Apr. 29……………………….New York, NY
May 6………………………….Las Vegas, NV

2017 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7-8…………………….Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 13-15…………………Grand Rapids, MI
Jan. 20-22…………………Baltimore, MD
Jan. 28-29…………………Nashville, TN.
Feb. 4-5…………………….Louisville, KY
Feb. 18-19…………………Kansas City, MO
Feb.y 25-26……………….Tampa, FL
Mar. 3-5…………………….Southaven, MS
Mar. 11-12…………………New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18-19…………………Portland, OR
Mar. 24-26…………………Reno, NV
April 1-2…………………….Sacramento, CA
April 21-23…………………Denver, CO
May 5-7…………………….Las Vegas, NV

2017 ITALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 29…………..………..Riola Sardo
Feb. 5………………………Malagrotta
Feb.12………………..……Ottobiano

RICKY CARMICHAEL AMATEUR DAYTONA SUPERCROSS
Mar. 12-13…………….Daytona, FL

MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 15…………………..Glen Helen, CA

2017 TRAVIS PASTRANA’S NITRO WORLD GAMES
June 24……………….Salt Lake City, UT

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MORE THAN YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2018 SUZUKI RM-Z450

2018RM-Z450SIDE
Suzuki’s MXGP-inspired styling has a “beak” front fender and radiator shrouds that blend into small side covers and an upswept rear fender to promote the impression of speed while reducing weight and easing service.

 

2018RM-Z450FRAME
The new aluminum-alloy twin-spar frame combines cast and extruded sections to achieve superior front-and-rear weight distribution while balancing strength and weight. The new frame is 700 grams (1.32 lbs.) lighter to improve cornering performance and shock absorption while delivering stable handling. The new swingarm is assembled with thinner materials for 100 grams (0.25 lbs.) lower weight while cornering performance and handling stability is improved.
2018RM-Z450INTAKETRACT
A 30% larger air cleaner opening is combined with a more direct air cleaner outlet tube path to the throttle body to increase air flow.
2018RM-Z450TOPEND
The intake camshaft profile is changed, including more valve lift than the prior model, increasing power at all engine speeds. The compact aluminum cylinder is finished with a Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) coating for durability, light weight and efficient heat transfer.
2018RM-Z450throttle_body
The RM-Z450 has a new, Suzuki-unique throttle body design to improve atomization of the fuel/air charge. The new throttle body design eliminates complex control linkage so the rider feels a more direct connection to the engine.
2018RM-Z450fuel_pump
The 2018 RM-Z450 has a relocated fuel injector, fed by a higher-pressure fuel pump that directly sprays fuel at the butterfly valve.
2018RM-Z450tank
A new plastic fuel tank weighs half-a-pound less than the prior model’s aluminum tank. Fuel capacity is raised to 1.7 gallons. The seat base, inner fenders and side covers were developed to reduce dirt from getting to the air cleaner. This helps prevent debris from contaminating the air filter element.
2018RM-Z450rear_master_cylinder
A new design rear brake master cylinder hugs the frame beam to reduce dirt contamination and the chance of the rider’s boot hitting it during riding.

 

RM-Z450L8_Action_5
The wheelbase is shorter and the frame’s head pipe is relocated 10mm rearward to produce more accurate handling characteristics. New hexagonal aluminum rails are used on the sub-frame for lighter weight, a slimmer appearance and easier air-filter service.
2018rm-z450front brake
Suzuki was the last of the Japanese brands to stick with old school 250mm brakes, but for 2018 they have stepped up to a larger 270mm wave-style front brake rotor.
2018RM-Z450RIGHT
A refined 5-speed transmission enables precise gear shift operation. The transmission feel has been improved with a precisely machined shift cam. Specialized machining processes also increase the precision of the matching gears.
2018RM-Z450FORKS
Showa coil spring front fork have larger inner tubes and cartridge rods for durability. Springs in each fork leg are combine with larger adjustable damping cylinders to deliver better response to the terrain. Their is a 3-pound weight penalty in the switch from air forks to spring forks for 2018.
2018RM-Z450TRIPLECLAMPS
Renthal aluminum tapered handlebars have a straighter bend that prior models to help aid the rider during aggressive maneuvering. A new, lighter top triple clamp is used to complement the new front suspension and handlebars.
2018RM-Z450SHOCK
The fully adjustable BFRC shock controls damping better during small suspension movements so that ride comfort at low speeds is improved, while stability is enhanced at high speeds.
2018RM-Z450CLICKERS
The 2018 RM-Z450 uses Showa’s Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) shock that has separate, external damping circuits that improves the responsiveness of damping force for better absorption over bumps.
2018RM-Z450LEFT
The 2018 RM-Z450 has stronger brakes (for better stopping power), a wider spread of engine muscle (with higher peak power), a frame that is stronger and lighter, and ergonmics that are thinner, flatter and more comfortable.

MOTO-CHALLENGE ANSWER

jeffsmith68NOREK300
Answer: Jeff Smith.

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Photos: Rick Brothers, Brian Converse, Kyoshi Becker, Jody Weisel, Daryl Ecklund, Massimo Zanzani, Ray Archer, Husqvarna, MXA,

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