MOTOCROSS ACTION’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: GAUTIER PAULIN’S BIG CRASH, THE DEFENDING MXDN TEAM NAMED, KTMS ON THE DYNO & TONY ALESSI’S REPLACEMENT AT TEAM LASER

On Jul 27, 2013

GAUTIER PAULIN’S BIG CRASH WHILE LEADING THE GERMAN GP

Gautier Paulin suffered a concusssion and was airlifted to a German hospital, but was released with no other injuries. Paulin says he will see his own doctor this week and then follow that doctors advice about whether to race in the Czech Republic next week or not. In the AMA Nationals, any rider suffering a concussion must take the specialized imPACT test before they are allowed to return to racing. Paulin dropped from second in the 450 World Championships to fourth ? and is now 146 points behind Tony Cairoli, 38 behind Clement Desalle and 14 back from Ken DeDycker.

THE DEFENDING MXDN GERMANS NAMED THEIR TEAM FOR 2013

Max Nagl will lead Team Germany in September. Photo: Massimo Zanzani

With the Motocross des Nations coming up on September 29 in Teutschenthal, Germany, the defending champs have name the team that will defend their honor on home turf. Team Germany will be Max Nagl, Ken Roczen and Dennis Ulrich. Last year’s underdog hero, Marcus Schiffer is injured and will not be able to compete.

NEXT WEEK’S RACE SCHEDULE: DON’T GO TO BRAZIL FOR THE MX3 GP BECAUSE IT WAS CANCELED

Cairoli and Herlings will be in the Czech Republic next Sunday. The rest of the regulars can show up, but it won’t make much difference. Photo: Massimo Zanzani

2013 250/450 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
   August 4…Czech Republic
CANCELED! 2013 FIM MX3 MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP CANCELED!
   Aug 4…Brazil
2013 FIM SIDECAR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
   August 4…Estonia
2013 LORETTA LYNN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
   Aug. 3, 2013…Hurricane Mills, TN

CLARK JONES IS THE NEW MOTOCONCEPTS TEAM MANAGER

Clark Jones’ most famous MXA cover…on a 1980 Mugen Honda at Saddleback Park ? rockin’ the Kiss helmet.

After the Alessi meltdown in Washougal with Jeff and Tony Alessi been banned from the Nationals, former MXA test rider, Noleen Sizzler team owner, AMA National rider and brother-in-law of four-time 250 National Champion Gary Jones is running the team for the rest of the season.

AIMEXPO TICKETS: THE BIG OCTOBER CONSUMER MOTORCYCLE SHOW IS COMING TO ORLANDO

With just three months to go before the inaugural American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), the show has announced that consumer tickets are now available at www.AIMExpoUSA.com, the show’s official website. Adult tickets are only $15. Kids 12 and under get in free accompanied by an adult, making AIMExpo an inexpensive and fun event for the whole family in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.Consumer days at AIMExpo take place October 18-20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida and provide motorcycle enthusiasts the chance to see and experience the newest products for 2014 through launches, exclusive showcases, riding demos and more. For more information, go to www.AIMExpoUSA.com.

IT’S DYNO TIME: WE RE-RUN OUR 2014 KTMs AFTER 10 HOURS OF RUNNING

When we began testing the 2014 KTM 250SXF, 350SXF and 450SXF, we dyno’ed them after they were broken in. In each dyno run, we noticed a one horsepower drop in peak horsepower on all three bikes. They still pumped out awesome power, but it was less than the year before. Given that there were very few changes to the engines from 2013 to 2014, we asked KTM what could have caused this (given the MXA dynos every bike on the exact same dyno ? and have used the same dyno for a decade).

KTM was honest and said that there had been some changes to the base map (at the level below where the programming tool could reach) and that perhaps that was a contributing factor, but, if they had to hazard a guess, they thought that the best dyno numbers would come once the engines had between 5 and 10 hours on them. Committed as we are, we raced the bikes and ran them through the normal test riders and, when they 10 hours on the clock, we took them back to the dyno and re-ran them.

Surprise! They got back the one horsepower they were missing the first time we tested them. Since the 2014 250SXF and 350SXF tests are already in the September 2013 issue, we can’t change the dyno numbers in those tests, but we want every KTM owner to know that in our second dyno runs the KTM’s produced the same sparkling numbers as they did in 2013.

TEAM USA’S OFFICIAL 2014 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS LOGO

Okay, we admit that we made one minor change, but we are sure that the AMA just forgot to do the right thing.

KTM 125, 250 AND 300 TWO-STROKES TO COME STOCK WITH BOYESEN REEDS

New for 2014, the KTM 125SX, 150SX, 250SX, 150XC, 250XC and 300X (plus two-stroke XC-W models) will be equipped with Boyesen RC2 Ultra-Flow reeds. Dag Boyesen said, “We feel privileged to help advance the winning potential of KTM’s exciting new two-stroke models. The racing heritage and high-end intake performance experience of Boyesen, coupled with the impressive technological superiority of KTM’s current two-stroke products will surely have the industry taking notice, and as a result will continually position Boyesen products as the superior choice for two-stroke performance for years to come.” For more info go to www.boyesen.com

FOX M14 PRODUCT LINE TEASER VIDEO

PHOTO WITHOUT A CAPTION…ALTHOUGH IT’S HARD TO HOLD OUR TONGUES ABOUT THE GERMAN GP TRACK

Photo: KTM

HANGING OUT WITH AMERICA’S PRIVATEER ? WESTON PEICK

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: THE INVITATION IS IN THE MAIL

July 26…Sarah Whitmore
July 26…Oscar Wirdeman
July 27…Trampas Parker 1967

July 29…Matt Rebeaud 1982

July 30…Josh Hill 1989
July 30…Jeff Dement 1975

July 31…Blake Wharton 1991
Aug. 1…Vince Arimitsu

Aug. 1…Broc Hepler 1986

WORKS CONNECTION PSF AIR FORK EZ FILL

If you own a new CRF450 or KX450F, you know that checking and adjusting the air pressure in the forks is not easy. If you add oversized bars the problem gets worse.

Works Connection came up with a new product that makes checking and adjusting the air pressure in your forks very simple and quick (no matter what position your handlebar mounts are in). For more info go to www.worksconnection.com

JAKE CANADA DODGES A BULLET…AND GETS A RIDE

Jake Canada at REM Glen Helen last weekend. This weekend? Millville. Photo: Dan Alamangos

When Jake Canada left the MotoConcepts team a couple weeks ago, he struggled to find a new deal. If he had stayed, he would have be embroiled in Lasergate. But, after leaving MotoConcepts, Jake Canada borrowed a bike from DR.D and went racing at the the local level, winning every weekend at REM. And guess what, Doug Dubach was impressed by his work ethic and gave him a deal to finish out the 450 Nationals on a DR.D Yamaha YZ450F. Jake went 15-16 at Millville for 16th overall.

USED IT, ABUSED IT, TESTED IT: CANOPY COOL BL-1 PORTABLE MISTER SYTEM

Why suffer in the summer heat? If your truck has a cigarette lighter you can be kicking back under your awning in a cooling mist while your competitors bake in the sun. If you race where it is hot, you need this.

VERDICT: Canopy Cool gets its power from your truck’s cigarette lighter (via a 14-foot power cord). The pump draws water from a five-gallon bucket (which MXA fills up from the track’s watering system). The misting hose has clips that make it easy to attach under your EZ-Up awning. The hotter the day, the better the Canopy Cool works. On a 100-degree day, the temperature under MXA’s canopy measures was a balmy 80 degrees. $219.95 (10-nozzle system-as tested), $179.95 (six-nozzle system) ? www.canopycool.com or (503) 391-9473.

MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE

Remember when every young kid collected race programs from the races he went to? Well, this the 1981 Carlsbad 125/500 National program with Broc Glover on the cover. If you were there, you will remember that Johnny O’Mara, Rick Johnson and Scott Burnworth went 1-2-3 in the 125 class, while Broc Glover, Marty Smith and Mike Bell stood on the 500 podium. Notably, in the 125 class a young Flyin’ Mike Brown finished 19th, while an equally young Troy Lee was 15th in the 500 class.

X GAMES TO DESERT LOS ANGELES: AUSTIN, TEXAS, WILL GET THE X GAMES IN 2014

Austin, Texas, has been chosen as the North American host city for the X Games starting next year. The May 15-18, 2014, event will be held at the Circuit of The Americas sports and entertainment complex in southeast Austin. Other cities that ESPN considered were Chicago, Charlotte and Detroit.

JESSY NELSON RE-SIGNS WITH TROY LEE DESIGNS THROUGH 2015

Jessy and Troy sign on the dotted line.

Jessy Nelson, 2012 AMA Rookie of the Year, has signed a new contract with Troy Lee Designs for the 2014 and 2015 season. Jessy expected big things coming into the 2013 season, but unfortunately, a few injuries this summer put the brakes on his 2013 racing plans. “I’m so excited to be staying here with Troy’s team,” says Nelson. “I love the atmosphere here and I know our equipment is the best, so there’s no reason I can’t win races. This year was a bit of a bummer with the injuries and stuff, but I’m already looking forward to next year and I expect a lot out of myself.”

AUSSIES IN THE NEWS: MOSS, SIMMONDS & VIRTUALLY EVERYONE ELSE DOWN UNDER

Brettcalfe got penalized in Canada, but it didn’t hurt his points lead by very much.

Matt Moss says that he doesn’t want to be the 2013 Australian MXDN team. Moss is currently running second in the Australian 450 National Championship, but stated that without financial support from the Australian Federation that it makes more sense for him to stay home and focus on the Australian Supercreoss series. After 7 of 10 rounds, Moss leads the Australian 450 National Championship by 4 points over Todd Waters.

Tye Simmonds has called it quits. The Berry Sweet Lucas Oil Yamaha rider made the decision after last week’s Australian National in Appin to hang up his boots. The Craig Anderson-run team will look for a fill-in rider. Simmonds said, “I don’t feel the passion for racing that I used to. I did have plans to retire at the end of the 2013 season, I’ve found it more difficult to give it my all as the year has gone on and things don’t seem to be coming together for me.” Then two days later, Tye said that although he won’t race any more in 2013 and or the 2014 Australian outdoor Nationals, he might race the 2014 Australian Supercross Champion (which starts in 15 months from now).

Cheyne Boyd will replace Simmonds at the Berry Sweet Yamaha team for the remainder of the 2013 season. Boyd has been racing a part-time scheduled for 2013.
Boyd told Fullnoise.com, “This has all happened fairly fast, pretty much just over the weekend. I am extremely excited to get the call up, it is something I have been looking forward to receiving.” Boyd went 12-12 at Hervey Bay this weekend.

Brit Brad Anderson, who moved to Australia several years ago to race, before returning to England this season, has left the LPE Kawasaki team and moved to Dave Thorpe’s Buildbase Honda team (where he will team with Nico Abin). The Honda deal is for the rest of the 2013 Maxxis British Nationals and the 2014 season.

Brett Metcalfe, who is racing the Canadian 450 Nationals this year, was penalized 10 places last week for jumping on the red cross flag at the Sand Del Lee National. Brett had his 2-1 score changed to 12-1?which moved him from first to third overall. This week in Deschambault, Quebec, Bretcalfe went 3-1 for second and leads the Canadian 450 Championship by 74 points with two races left.

The Carlton Dry Honda team has had nothing but trouble in 2013. First, Ben Townley decided to retire two weeks before the season started. Second, Ford Dale went out of action with a knee injury. Third, Daniel McCoy quit the team a couple races into the 2013 Nationals. Fourth, Josh Cachia was sidelined with a recurring wrist injury.

Jackson Richardson, who has been racing the AMA series, went home to fill-in for Josh Cachia at Carlton Dry Honda for the remainder of the Australian National series. Unfortunately, the Carlton Dry Honda curse got Jackson also, as he crashed and broke his femur. Who’s next?

Gareth Swanepoel, who was brought down to fill-in for the injured Ben Townley, Ford Dale, Daniel McCoy or Josh Cachia (take your pick), was injured almost immediately in his Australian debut. Originally it was thought that he had a broken arm, but it was just a deep bone bruise. Swanepoel returned to action this past weekend and went 1-5 at Sunday’s Hervey Bay 450 National. Read below to find out how a 1-5 could be beat by a 6-1.

Daniel McCoy, who left the Carlton Dry Honda team midway through the 2013 National series, showed up at a regional race on a TM 450MX. Robby Marshal won the race and McCoy went 4-DNF. It was a one-off deal and McCoy says he will race for KTM when the Aussie Supercross series starts.

American Gavin Faith will return to Australia over the winter to defend his 2012 Australian 250 Supercross Championship. Faith finished fifth in the 2013 AMA Supercross 250 East Coast Championship this year, but is not racing the AMA 250 Nationals. He will ride for Carlton Dry.

In one of the stranger scoring schemes in the sport, the Australian federation gives points to the fastest qualifiers. It’s not unusual for pole position winners to earn points towards a series championship, but in Australia they add those qualifying points to the day’s moto scores. Thus, the on-track winner, can be aced out by a rider who finishes behind him in both motos, but benefits from 5 points added to his total for being the fast qualifier. Terrible idea. The fans, who watched Jake Moss go 2-2 have to be wondering how Jake finished third behind two riders that he beat on the track. Jake Moss earned 44 points for his two seconds, Matt Moss went 6-1 for 40 points and Billy Mackenzie went 3-3 for 40 points ? but on the podium Jake Moss was third behind Mackenzie and his brother Jake. The qualifying points should be added to their season total, not the day’s results. Motocross is a race, not a time trial.

AUSTRALIAN 450 NATIONAL RESULTS: HERVEY BAY
1. Billy Mackenzie………….3-3
2. Matt Moss…………………6-1
3. Jake Moss…………………2-2
4. Gareth Swanepoel……..1-5
5. Todd Waters………………4-4
6. Cody Cooper……………..5-6
7. Kirk Gibbs…………………7-8
8. Lawson Bopping………..10-7
9. Jay Marmont………………8-9
10. Cody Mackie…………….9-11

AUSTRALIAN 250 NATIONAL RESULTS: HERVEY BAY
1. Luke Styke…………………1-1
2. Kale Makeham……………3-2
3. Kade Mosig………………..2-3
4. Ryan Marmont……………4-6
5. Beau Ralston……………..7-4
6. Brock Winston…………….5-5
7. Dylan Long…………………6-9
8. Rhys Carter………………..9-7
9. Kayne Lamont…………….8-10
10. Geran Stapleton……….14-8

TIXIER, PAULIN & CHARLIER ON FRENCH MX DES NATIONS TEAM ? NO MARVIN

Gautier Paulin will lead the French team. Photo: Massimo Zanzani

The French 2013 Motocross des Nations team in Teutschenthal, Germany, on September 29 will be Gautier Paulin (450), Jordi Tixier (250) and Christophe Charlier (450). Marvin Musquin did not get selected.

USED IT, ABUSED IT, TESTED IT: PRO CIRCUIT T-5 CRF450 SINGLE-SIDED EXHAUST

The single-sided Pro Circuit T-5 is designed to replace Honda’s twin-pipes with one exhaust pipe and one muffler. It is $600 cheaper than Pro Circuit’s Ti-5 CRF450 twin pipe. It also costs less to replace/repair after a crash, weighs less, is twice as easy to repack and makes better sense.

VERDICT: The Pro Circuit single-sided T-5 exhaust system produced an impressive 53.02 horsepower at peak (compared to 51.63 for the stock pipe). Above 7000 rpm the single-sided Pro Circuit pipe made an average of one horse more across the range. $779.95 ? www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050.

ASK THE MXPERTS: THE CASE SAVER QUESTION

Dear MXA,
Is the chain guard in front of the countershaft sprocket really necessary. I’ve never seen a chain get thrown off the front sprocket, only the the rear. Could I remove it?

Yes, you could remove it. No, you should not remove it. The front chain guard isn’t there to keep the chain from jumping off the countershaft sprocket, but to keep the chain from balling up and breaking your engine cases if it does get thrown off the rear sprocket.

AMA 450 NATIONAL POINTS STANDINGS AFTER MILLVILLE

Ryan Villopoto lost points at Millville to Ryan Dungey, but he still has a solid lead.

(after 9 of 12 races)
1. Ryan Villopoto…….413
2. Ryan Dungey………379
3. Justin Barcia……….307
4. James Stewart…….269
5. Trey Canard………..263
6. Mike Alessi…………195
7. Andrew Short………191
8. Jake Weimer……….184
9. Broc Tickle………….183
10. Josh Grant………..176

AMA 250 NATIONAL POINTS AFTER MILLVILLE

Ken Roczen has had the points lead since the opening round at Hangtown ? now, he doesn’t have it anymore.

(after 9 of 12 races)
1. Eli Tomac………………405
2. Ken Roczen…………..378
3. Marvin Musquin……..334
4. Blake Baggett………..295
5. Zach Osborne………..261
6. Jason Anderson…….238
7. Justin Bogle…………..209
8. Jeremy Martin………..207
9. Kyle Cunningham…..183
10. Cooper Webb………170

MICHAEL LIEB GETS A TWO-RACE GARIBOLDI HONDA DEAL

Michael Lieb.

Michael Leib raced the German GP for the Gariboldi Honda team this weekend and went 29-28 (out of 30 riders). He is scheduled to race the Czech GP is on August 4. Although Michael Leib has never raced an AMA National, he has spent several years in Europe and had a previous ride this season with Beursfoon Suzuki that ended in a high profile break-up.