MOTOCROSS ACTION’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: CHAD REED TIMELINE PHOTO, TOWNLEY QUITS, MXA WRECKING CREW NEWS, PLUS MUCH MORE
FROM THE REED FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM: TATE REED TODAY AND CHAD REED 25 YEARS AGO
BEN TOWNLEY QUITS VIA TWITTER…
Ben Townley told the NZ Press newspaper: “I’ve only smacked my head once previous to this latest spill, but it made me re-evaluate things. I believe concussion is taken too lightly in this sport anyway. But, with so many injuries, I was just sick and tired of the direction my career was taking. I told my Carlton Dry Honda team that I can’t deliver the championships I promised them while I’m injured and, after this last fall, I realised I needed to take time off to fully recover. I left school when I was 16 and have been racing a long time now. It was a very hard decision to make and I have thought long and hard about it this week. I think it is the right decision.
“Honda in New Zealand and Australia have been excellent and I’d love to continue my relationship with them. But, as to where I go from here… I’m not going anywhere fast, to be honest. I want to do something completely different with my life now, with my wife and our two boys. Although I am retiring from fulltime competition, I am not walking away from the sport. I love motocross and understand and accept that we can get injured. I am only 28 years old and I believe I still have a lot I can give the sport.”
WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW WAS UP TO THIS WEEK
Dennis got a new pet. He could have gotten a dog, but he wanted a cat.
John Basher and wife Hope got a new addition. They could have gotten a dog, but they got a baby boy instead.
With the help of KTM’s Factory Services we have been testing a special KTM 350SXF engine, like the one Ken Roczen used at Daytona. It makes 58 horsepower at 12,400 rpm, which MXA’s Daryl Ecklund is putting to good use.
These are the 24 men who have won the REM number one plate dating back to 1989. MXA test riders have won 10 of the 24 titles with Alan Olson, George Kohler, Rich Eierstedt, Bengt Johansson, Ray Pisarski, Jody Weisel and Billy Musgrave.
With the World Two-Stroke race only a week away, we were at Glen Helen on Thursday testing our YZ250 smokers. We will have Dennis Stapleton and Austin Politelli in the 250 Pro class on YZ250’s (shown above is Stapleton), and Daryl Ecklund (YZ1256), Dennis Stapleton (Husky CR125) and Robbie Bell (KTM 125) in the 125 Pro class.
Also on Thursday, we started testing an FMF Factory 4.1 on our 2013 KTM 450SXF-FE.
This is a close-up of the YZ250 that MXA built for Austin Politelli for the World Two-Stroke Championships. Austin is racing in Costa Rica this week, but will fly back for the Glen Helen two-stroke race on Sunday.
GLEN HELEN’S LORI BRYANT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Talladega first turn is the biggest, fastest, widest and most steeply banked first turn in motocross.
While the MXA gang was at Glen Helen on Thursday testing pipes with Daryl Ecklund, Dennis Stapleton and Austin Politelli, we talked to Glen Helen general manager Lori Bryant about the upcoming World Two-Stroke race.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP?
“We think that it is important that the sport put more emphasis on two-strokes because it leads to affordable bikes, less expensive racing and bikes that can be worked on by the riders themselves. We have seen lots of local riders give up their four-strokes, go out and buy a used two-stroke (for anywhere from $1000 to $3000) and do just as well as they were doing on their $9000 four-strokes. Motocross needs two-strokes and to get more young people and families involved. Glen Helen wants to help bring back the grass roots feel that made motocross what it is today.”
Lori Bryant.
SPEAKING OF COSTS, WHAT DOES THE WORLD TWO-STROKE COST TO RACE?
“We want to keep the entry fees as low as possible?if you enter online the entry is only $30 (and $35 on race day). Plus, a second class is only $20. The Pro class entry will be $40. We will have transponder scoring, but Glen Helen does not charge an extra fee for transponders and we don’t require any kind of membership. This race is open to everyone with a two-stroke.”
WHAT ARE THE CLASSES?
“We will have classes for all ages, all skill levels and all bikes sizes, from 50cc on up. During the warm-up races last month our biggest class was the Over-50 Experts.”
WHAT ABOUT THE PRO RACES?
“There are two Pro classes?the Husqvarna 125 Challenge and the 250 Pro class (which is open to any size two-stroke).”
HOW BIG IS THE PURSE?
“The combined purse is $9500 between the two classes. The winner of the 250 class will earned $2000, while the 125 winner will get $1000?plus a brand-new Husqvarna CR125 (even if he won the 125 race on a Yamaha or KTM).”
HOW LONG ARE THE MOTOS?
“Every moto will be run on time, not laps. The two Pro classes will race for 20 minutes plus two laps, while the amateurs will go 15 minutes.”
The view from the top.
WILL THE TRACK BE THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN?
“No. We will build a new track for the MTA World Two-Stroke Championship. The track will have more ups and downs and it will include some new features plus Talladega, Shoei Hill and Mt. Saint Helen. We want a fun track that will challenge all the different classes from Novice to Pro.”
ANYTHING ELSE?
“The April 6-7 weekend will be a big party. On Saturday we will open the two-stroke track (on the USGP track) for practice from 8:00 to 2:00pm. And, for riders who want a warm-up race, Troy Lee is holding a special 15th Anniversary REM race on the back track on Saturday. There will be a Pro purse for the Over-40 Experts, Over-50 Experts, 250 Pros and 450 Pros. Plus, Troy is bringing his complete team, semi truck and sponsors out. Then on Sunday, we will open the gates at 6:00 a.m. for the World Two-Stroke Championships (and there will be an ARX vintage race on the REM track also).”
WORLD TWO-STROKE PURSE BREAKDOWN
250/Open class:
1. $2000
2. $1250
3. $910
4. $585
5. $455
6. $390
7. $325
8. $260
9. $195
10. $130
Total $6500
125 Class:
1. $1000 (plus 2013 Husky CR125)
2. $500
3. $420
4. $270
5. $210
6. $180
7. $150
8. $120
9. $90
10. $60
Total $2620 (plus the brand new bike)
FIM 250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Alessandro Lupino is not in the top ten. Photo: Sarah Gutierrez
(After 3 of 18 races)
1. Jeffrey Herlings……….150
2. Jordi Tixier……………..101
3. Romain Febvre……….98
4. Glenn Coldenhoff…….97
5. Jose Butron……………74
6. Max Anstie…………….72
7. Christophe Charlier…71
8. Dean Ferris…………….69
9. Jake Nicholls…………..64
10. Julien Lieber………….62
FIM 450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Evgeny Bobryshev is sixth in points.
(After 3 of 18 races)
1. Tony Cairoli…………….142
2. Clement Desalle……..116
3. Ken De Dycker……….115
4. Gautier Paulin…………108
5. Kevin Strijbos………….89
6. Evgeny Bobryshev…..87
7. Tommy Searle…………87
8. Rui Goncalves…………73
9. Tanel Leok……………..61
10. Joel Roelants………..58
FIM MX3 POINTS STANDINGS
Matthias Walkner didn’t get off to a good start on his MX3 title defense.
(After 1 of 11 races)
1. Gert Krestinov………47
2. Mike Kras…………….45
3. Filip Neugebauer…..42
4. Klemen Gercar……..34
5. Kasper Lynggaard…34
6. Timur Muratov………28
7. Santtu Tiainen………28
8. Ludvig Soderberg….23
9. Lukasz Lonka……….23
10. Martin Michek……..22
FIM WMX POINTS STANDINGS
Chiara Fontanesi picked up where she left off in 2012.
(After 1 of 7 races)
1. Chiara Fontanesi………50
2. Meghan Rutledge……..44
3. Natalie Kane…………….40
4. Steffi Laier………………..36
5. Larissa Papenmeier….32
6. Jessica Moore………….28
7. Nancy Van De Ven……27
8. Britt van der Wekken…26
9. Nicky van Wordragen…24
10. Nina Klink, Nina………..22
CHAD REED’S POST-OP REPORT
COMING TO REM ON APRIL 6! TROY LEE/ MOTO BREW “PRESS DAY” RACE
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of REM Motocross racing at Glen Helen (they were previously at Carlsbad Raceway for 10 years), Troy Lee wants to throw a big shindig on Saturday, April 6 at REM Glen Helen. There will be 30-minute plus 2 lap motos for the Pro classes. Plus, Troy will bring his complete team (along with his semi truck) and there will be Pro purses for the 250 Pros, 450 Pros, Over-40 Pros and Over-50 Pros. It goes without saying that with Moto Brew as a major sponsors of the event, there will some wild times in the pits after the race.
ARC levers is sponsoring the Over-50 Pro race and paying the purse money, while Nick Costello’s Pro Valve Suspension is sponsoring the Over-40 Pro class and purse. If you are an aspiring AMA National Pro, REM always holds 30-minute motos for the Pro class in the month of April…so, the Troy Lee race will kick off four separate long moto weekends on April 6, April 13, April 27 and May 4.
Additionally, the Troy Lee REM race is being held on the Saturday before the April 7 World Two-Stroke Championship race, so you can expect lots of action as Troy’s rider prepare for the AMA Nationals and the two-stroke riders get in a warm-up before the next day’s World Championship. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com
MXA‘S 2013 BIKE SHOOTOUT SPECIAL: EVERY 2013 BIKE TEST IN ONE EASY TO FIND PLACE
Have you ever wished that you could get every one of MXA‘s 2013 bikes test, all the shootouts and the dyno information in one place at one time. Well, you can with MXA‘s 163-page “2013 Bike Shootout” Special. It is available for on the iTunes & Kindle Newstands, for your iPhone, iPad or Kindle. Go to to the Apple or Kindle Newsstand & Search “Motocross Action Magazine.” It is available for $4.99.
THE POD PEOPLE REPORT: WILL HAHN KEEPS ON KEEPING ON
For more info of Pod knee braces go to www.podmx.com
THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS
April 1…Jean-Michel Bayle 1969
April 1…Tyson Vohland 1969
April 2…Tallon Vohland 1972
April 3…Phil Lawrence 1971
April 3…Brock Sellards 1978
April 4…Derrick Shae Bentley 1979
April 4…Jake Nicholls 1990
April 4…Blake Williams 1985
April 4…Bruce Ogilvie 1953
April 5…Ryan Hughes 1973
April 5…Brian Manley 1966
April 5…Ty Davis 1969
GAS GAS AND OSSA TO SHARE A FACTORY IN SPAIN
Spanish motorcycle manufacturers Ossa and Gas Gas are in talks about a joint factory for production of both brands. The facility will be the current Gas Gas factory in Girona, Spain. By combining Ossa and Gas Gas production the factory can increase its volume from 9000 units per year to 15,000. Plus, the joint production will increase employment in the region from 130 to 200 workers. They are not currently talking about merging the two brands, just sharing space.
RIDE WITH DAVI MILLSAPS AT TORONTO: WATCH DAVI MAKE SOME MOVES ON SKIPPY
MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: RIDE ENGINEERING KTM STEERING DAMPER KIT
Ride Engineering has developed a new Lower Steering Stabilizer Bracket ($29.95) that can be combined with Ride’s existing Steering Head Bracket ($149.95) which allows KTM riders to install a Showa Steering Damper onto their stock triple KTM clamps. Or this system can be combined with Ride Engineering’s 20.5mm or 19mm offset clamps (as used by top level GNCC riders as well as the Canadian Factory Motocross Team). Benefits of the damper in motocross include increased entering and exit speeds in rough, rutted corners with less physical effort expelled from the rider. For more info go to www.ride-engineering.com
FMF CALIFORNIA CLASSIC IS A RARITY… AN AMA-SANCTIONED RACE IN SO CAL
Hesperia’s Competitive Edge Motocross Park will host the first FMF California Classic on April 4-7. It is a rarity in SoCal in that it is an AMA-sanction motocross race. Virtually all motocross in Southern California is not related to the AMA in any way. Practice is Thursday, April 4, with racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pre-entry is $55 (open through Tuesday, April 2). Post-entry is $65. Prize bags and trophies will be presented to class placers, with class winners receiving event titles. For more info go to www.2xpromotions.com.
VIDEO: JASON ANDERSON ON PREPARING FOR THE OUTDOOR NATIONALS & HIS SEASON SO FAR
AUDI TO MAKE MOTORCYCLE? OR JUST MORE CONCEPT MOTORCYCLES?
When Audi bought Ducati a year ago, it was speculated that Audi might try their hand at building a street bike (per BMW). The Audi Motorrad is a design concept from French designers Thibault and Marc Devauze. The concept would be powered by a Desmodromic 850cc L-twin Ducati engine with a dual clutch. Will Audi build it or are they just trying to get under BMW’s skin?
MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: REC MX’S KX450F BILLET OIL FILTER COVER
The angled cooling fins on Rec MX’s KX450 oil filter cover direct air flow over larger surface area of the CNC-machined from 6061 T6 Aluminum cover. It is anodized blue with a laser marked logo. It uses the OEM bolts, oil filter and o-rings (and new o-rings included). The Rec MX cover fits all 2006 to 2013 Kawasaki KX450Fs. The suggested Retail $59.95 at www.rec-mx.com.
GLENN COLDENHOFF’S VIEW OF JEFFREY HERLINGS AT OLDEBROEK
CURRENT AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 12 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw)………252
2. Davi Millsaps (Suz)………….240
3. Ryan Dungey (KTM)………..230
4. Chad Reed (Hon)……………196
5. Justin Barcia (Hon……………184
6. James Stewart (Suz)……….169
7. Trey Canard (Hon)…………..165
8. Andrew Short (KTM)………..148
9. Justin Brayton (Yam)………..122
10. Broc Tickle (Suz)…………….122
Other notables: 11. Matt Goerke (119); 13. Mike Alessi (84); 14. Weston Peick (59); 19. Josh Hill (37); 23. Kevin Windham (21).
CURRENT AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 6 of 8 races)
1. Wil Hahn (Hon)…………………134
2. Marvin Musquin (KTM)………128
3. Blake Wharton (Suz)…………108
4. Dean Wilson (Kaw)…………..87
5. Vince Friese (Hon)……………81
6. Kyle Peters (Hon)……………..78
7. Jeremy Martin (Yam)…………71
8. Justin Hill (Kaw)………………..68
9. Gavin Faith (Hon)………………66
9. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)…………66
Other notables: 13.A.J. Cantazaro (45); 15. Lance Vincent (38); 16. Zach Bell (37); 22. Kyle Hussey; 28. Austin Coon (3).
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
Other notables: 11. Tyla Rattray (58); 12. Austin Politelli (57); 14. Malcolm Stewart (46); 16. Ryan Sipes (31); 18. Jake Canada (21).
2013 SUPERCROSS TV SCHEDULE: TAKE WEEK OFF AND WATCH “PAWN STARS” INSTEAD
DATE…………EVENT……………….NETWORK…………TIME
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)
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……………Ryan Villopoto……Marvin Musquin
Mar. 16 ? Indianapolis…….Ryan Villopoto…….Marvin Musquin
Mar. 23 ? Toronto…………..Ryan Villopoto…….Marvin Musquin
Apr. 6 ? Houston……………??
Apr. 13 ? Minneapolis…….??
Apr. 20 ? Seattle……………??
Apr. 27 ? Salt Lake………..??
May 4 ? Las Vegas………..??
Points leaders: 450?Ryan Villopoto, 250 West?Ken Roczen, 250 East?Wil Hahn
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