#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Marvin Musquin
Location: Indy Supercross
Date: March 18th, 2017
Photographer: Brian Converse
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: 300mm f/2.8
Focal length: 300mm
Exposure: 1/500 sec.
F-stop: 3.5
ISO: 3200

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: DOUG FOZO’S 2003 HONDA CR250

It is hard to believe 2003 was so long ago and bikes from this decade are now being considered “vintage”— at least to the millennials.

“I bought this 2003 Honda CR250 around 2010 for my son to ride/race from a local Red Bud fast guy that was ready to move onto a four-stroke. My son raced it for a couple years till he could afford to start buying his own bikes. I decided that I would use it as a practice bike and only ride my CRF450 for racing. The bike was originally a Mike LaRocco practice bike (see the side panels that came with it below), but didn’t really have any trick parts on it, just a ported cylinder. I am constantly putting new parts on it to keep it fresh, everything from footpeg brackets, linkage bolts, fuel tank, radiators, hardware, plastic, graphics, all frame/suspension/wheel bearings…etc.

In another life, this smoker was once in the hands of legend, Mike LaRocco as his practice bike (check out Mike LaRocco’s full factory CR250 HERE).

It gets torn down every winter for a thorough rebuild. I actually spend a lot more money on this bike than I do on my CRF450. The bike has a V-Force reed cage, Pro Circuit pipe and silencer, oversize Galfer front rotor and Factory Connection modified suspension. I refer to this bike as my “vintage” bike and intend to hold onto well past my racing days.”

Editor’s Note: Please keep those submissions coming. If you would like your bike to be featured in the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” please email me at [email protected]. All I ask is that you give a breakdown of your bike and a detailed description of the build. Please also send a few photos of your steed. By submitting your bike for the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” you agree to release all ownership rights to the images and copy to MXA. Please don’t email me spam or try selling me Taylor Swift concert tickets or email me spam. I already celebrate T-Swizzle’s entire collective, and there will be “bad blood” if you send me junk mail. See what I did there? Happy submitting your smoker.

DONNIE HANSEN MX ACADEMY AT LACR MX

Donnie “Holeshot” Hanson himself will be having riding lessons April 8th and 9th at LACR MX in Palmdale, CA.

Donnie Hansen (Donnie Hansen MX Academy) will be holding a class on April 8th & 9th at LACR from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for riders interested in taking their riding to the next level. Enrollment will be limited to the first six riders that sign up each day, and the cost is $125.00 per rider. Learn the techniques he has taught some of the best riders that helped propel them to the top of the sport. Call 877-883-7260 or email [email protected] to enroll or for more information.

MXA EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: JOEY SAVATGY AT THE GOAT FARM

THEY SAID IT: INDY SUPERCROSS

Marvin Musquin: “It was a great day – from having the fastest lap time to my first time winning the heat race this season. I got a decent start, that’s what you need to run with the top guys but I didn’t have good lines at the beginning. I chased down Ryan and passed him and was really happy but Eli was gone, it was too late. I’m happy to feel strong and get back into shape after battling with the flu for the last couple of weeks.”

Ryan Dungey: “It was a little rough for us today but that’s the way it goes in racing. The main event we had the inside gate and I was able to sneak up front. I put pressure on Eli at the beginning and then just kind of fell off the pace. But considering where we were at first it was good.”

Cole Seely: “I’m really frustrated. I got another fifth tonight, and although that isn’t a bad result, I feel like I’m just stuck in these top five finishes. I keep trying to push forward and am not able to make it happen. I want to be back on the podium and know I have the speed to do it but just need to put it all together. It’s definitely tough when you don’t put yourself in a good position off the start, which is what happened in the main. I didn’t make the passes I needed to early enough and by the time I got in fifth, the top four were already gone. The bike is good so I just need to go back this week and work on myself to come back fighting in Detroit.”

Jordan Smith: “The track was really tough out there, which makes me even more happy to be on the podium. I did feel like I had the speed to do more than a third but after getting tangled with Alex (Martin), the leaders got away from me. It would be great to take this progress to the next race.”

Eli Tomac: “This [season] is everything you could ever dream of, other than winning the championship. Right now we’re winning races, so it’s pretty cool. I don’t know what to say, we’re rolling right now. This is good for us. We’re doing what we need to do, but we’ve got to keep doing it.”

PHOTO OF THE PAST: JAMES STEWART’S 2006 FACTORY KAWASAKI KX450F

2006 was the first year James rode a four-stroke and finished the Supercross series 2nd behind Ricky Carmichael. For MXA’s full test on the 2006 KX450F click HERE.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: FLY RACING TRI-PIVOT CLUTCH LEVERS

Break brake levers? Not anymore.

• Three-way Directional Folding System
• Pivots forward AND up and down to keep lever out of harms way in the event of a crash
• Adjustable reach to fit a variety of hand/finger sizes and lengths
• Unbreakable lever design
• 3 year warranty
www.flyracing.com

SUPERCROSS KNOWLEDGE: INDY SUPERCROSS

The start of the 450 main in Indy. Photo: Brian Converse

By Broc Bridges

1. Eli Tomac rode to his 10th career victory in Indianapolis which ties him for ninth on the all-time 450SX class wins list with Mike LaRocco and Broc Glover. He is now on his first career three race win streak.
2. Eli Tomac was making his 58th start in Indy and also earned his 25th career podium and 35th career top five. His victory also ties him with Mike LaRocco for fifth on Kawasaki’s all-time wins list with seven.
3. Zach Osborne earned his third career 250SX class win and third of the season in Indianapolis. It is the first time Husqvarna has won three 250SX class races in a season.

Zach Osborne wins his third race of the season. Photo: Brian Converse

4. For the ninth time in 11 races, Pro-circuit Kawasaki has put a rider on the podium in the 250SX Class.
5. After three weeks off the podium, Marvin Musquin was making his 32nd start and was able to return to the box for the 6th time this season and 11th time in his career. It was also his 25th top-10 finish.
6. KTM has been on the podium in 10 of the 11 races (fourth in Daytona).

After three weeks off the podium, Marvin Musquin was back on the box. Photo: Brian Converse

7. Ryan Dungey’s top five streak is now at 46 consecutive races, which eclipses Chad Reed’s previous record of 45 straight top five finishes. Dungey also has 82 consecutive starts — which is the fifth most all-time.
8. Blake Baggett earned his third top five finish of the season and sixth of his career with a fourth place finish. He now has five consecutive top-10 finishes and is looking for his 25th career top-10 finish in Detroit.
9. Davi Millsaps made his 145th start and earned his ninth top-10 of the season with a sixth place. He also helped KTM have four riders in the top-6 (Musquin, Dungey, Baggett, and Millsaps). Millsaps will be looking for his 60th career top five finish in Detroit.

Blake Baggett. Photo: Brian Converse

10. Jason Anderson finished 9th in his 43rd career start. He has a top-10 in nine of his 10 starts on the season (has a 19th and DQ in the other two). Anderson will be looking for his 25th career top five and 40th top-10 finish in Detroit.
11. Justin Brayton made his 115th career start which ties him with Jeff Emig and Ricky Carmichael for 17th all-time. He finished 12th.
12. Mike Alessi also tied a Supercross legend on the all-time starts list with his 120th start. That ties him with Johnny O’Mara for 15th.

Johnny O’Mara.

2017 RACE SCHEDULES: BE THERE OR BE SQUARE

California is the richest race state in the union, with seven major events in 2017. Folks in Michigan should rejoice, as Supercross (Detroit), Arenacross (Grand Rapids) and the Lucas Oil Nationals (Red Bud) visit “The Great Lake State.” And those residing in the Pacific Northwest will be happy hosting a bevy of events, from Supercross to the AMA Nationals.

2017 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS SERIES

January 7…Angel Stadium…Anaheim, CA (West)
January 14…Petco Park…San Diego, CA (West)
January 21…Angel Stadium…Anaheim, CA (West)
January 28…University of Phoenix…Glendale, AZ (West)
February 4…Alameda Coliseum…Oakland, CA (West)
February 11…AT&T Stadium…Arlington, TX (West)
February 18…U.S. Bank Stadium…Minneapolis, MN (East)
February 25…Georgia Dome…Atlanta, GA (East)
March 4…Rogers Centre…Toronto, Canada (East)
March 11…Daytona Speedway…Daytona, FL (East)
March 18…Lucas Oil Stadium…Indianapolis, IN (East)
March 25…Ford Field…Detroit, MI (East)
April 1…America’s Center…St. Louis, MO (East)
April 8…CenturyLink Field…Seattle, WA (West)
April 22…Rice-Eccles Stadium…Salt Lake City, UT (West)
April 29…MetLife Stadium…East Rutherford, NJ (East)
May 6…Sam Boyd Stadium…Las Vegas, NV (East/West)
*Visit http://www.supercrosslive.com/ to purchase tickets

2017 AMSOIL ARENACROSS SERIES

January 7-8…U.S. Bank Arena…Cincinnati, OH
January 13-15…Van Andel Arena…Grand Rapids, MI
January 20-22…Royal Farms Arena…Baltimore, MD
January 28-29…Bridgestone Arena…Nashville, TN
February 4-5…Freedom Hall…Louisville, KY
February 18-19…Sprint Center…Kansas City, MO
February 24-26…Georgia Dome…Atlanta, GA
March 3-5…Landers Center…Southaven, MS
March 11-12…Smoothie King Center…New Orleans, LA
March 18-19…Moda Center…Portland, OR
March 24-26…Livestock Events Center…Reno, NV
April 1-2…Golden I Center…Sacramento, CA
April 22-23…Denver Coliseum…Denver, CO
May 5-7…Orleans Arena…Las Vegas, NV
*Visit http://www.supercrosslive.com/ to purchase tickets

2017 LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

May 20…Hangtown…Sacramento, CA
May 27…Glen Helen…San Bernardino, CA
June 3…Thunder Valley…Lakewood, CO
June 17…High Point…Mount Morris, PA
June 24…Muddy Creek…Blountville, TN
July 1…Red Bud…Buchanan, MI
July 8…Southwick…Southwick, MA
July 22…Spring Creek…Millville, MN
July 29…Washougal…Washougal, WA
August 12…Unadilla…New Berlin, NY
August 19…Budds Creek…Mechanicsville, MD
August 26…Ironman…Crawfordsville, IN
* Visit http://www.promotocross.com/mx/tickets to buy tickets

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

February 25…Losail…Qatar
March 5…Pangkal Pinang…Indonesia
March 19…Neuquen…Argentina
April 2…Leon…Mexico
April 16…Trentino…Italy
April 23…Valkenswaard…The Netherlands
May 7…Kegums…Latvia
May 21…Teutschenthal…Germany
May 28…Ernee…France
June 11…Orlyonok…Russia
June 25…Maggiora…Italy
July 2…Agueda…Portugal
July 23…Loket…Czech Republic
August 6…Lommel…Belgium
August 13…Frauenfeld…Switzerland
August 20…Uddevalla…Sweden
September 3…Charlotte…USA
September 10…Assen…The Netherlands
September 17…Villars sous Ecot…France