#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Justin Barcia
Location: JGRMX outdoor test track
Date: September 2, 2015
Photographer: John Basher
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Lens: 70-200mm
Exposure: 1/1000 sec.
F-stop: 5.6
ISO: 400

FLY RACING LITE HYDROGEN L.E. HI-VIS GEAR

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: MALCOLM SMITH

“Everybody was riding big, heavy four-strokes back in the old days. They would ride Matchless, BSA and Triumph bikes. Then the lightweight bikes, like the Greeves, Husqvarna, Bultaco and Maico bikes were a big change. Then “On Any Sunday” came out and made motorcycle racing more popular. Then the Japanese started making lightweight motocross bikes and winning races. That was a big change from what had been the norm. When the modern four-strokes came out they made two-strokes practically nonexistent.”

Click here to read the full interview.

MUST-HAVE PRODUCT: KURT CASELLI L.E. BELL HELMET

Press release:  Bell Helmets, an industry leader in innovative head protection, today debuted 200 limited edition Moto-9 helmets, honoring legendary off-road rider Kurt Caselli. All proceeds will go to The Kurt Caselli Foundation, which is focused on enhancing the safety of riders and racers in the off-road motorcycling industry. “Kurt was a member of the Bell family and a great friend to many of us here. We are honored to offer this limited helmet in support of The Kurt Caselli Foundation, which shares our mission of advancing safety for riders,” said Chris Sackett, Bell Helmets Vice President. “Kurt was truly a legend and this helmet is a celebration of his life and achievements.”

Kurt Caselli was an off-road motorcycle racer whose career included four Hare and Hound Championships, three WORCS championships, a completion of the 2010 Erzbergrodeo, winner of two stages of the 2013 Dakar Rally, multiple ISDE 6 Day gold medals and being named the AMA Sportsman of the Year in 2007. Caselli’s life was tragically cut short in an accident during the 2013 Baja 1000. Following the accident, The Kurt Caselli Foundation was launched with the mission of “protecting and supporting the lives of off-road motorcycle riders.” For more information about The Kurt Caselli Foundation, visit www.kurtcaselli.com.

“Kurt was a loyal Bell athlete, proud of his association with Bell and the company’s legacy of helmet safety innovations for more than 60 years,” said Kurt’s family, and also Kurt’s professional ties at The Kurt Caselli Foundation. “The commemorative helmet is a very special way to continue Kurt’s legacy, and helps further the cause of rider safety.”

The Moto-9 features Bell’s lightweight composite “Tri-Matrix” shell, as well as a Velocity Flow Ventilation system for maximum cooling. The limited edition commemorative Moto-9 will be available online only October 1 at www.bellhelmets.com.

Certification: Snell M2015, DOT
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
MSRP: $449.95

For more information on the helmet please visit www.bellhelmets.com.

MONSTER ENERGY CUP: WHO MADE NEWS?

Photos by Travis Fant

There’s no sense in tip-toeing around the Monster Energy Cup. Everyone tried to downplay the race, chalking it up to a one-off race with an unusual format around a track that was neither Supercross nor motocross. Points well taken, but the simple fact remains that the cream of the crop raced the Cup. You’re telling me that some riders backed off the throttle because it was a non-points paying race? Ha! If that were true then such-and-such a rider might as well not line up the gate. It’s a competition, folks! These guys get paid to place well, regardless of the circumstances.

Who made news at the fifth running of the Monster Energy Cup?

Ken Roczen (RCH Suzuki)

It’s easy to say good things about the winner. After all, he won by finishing 1-4-1 in the three mains. However, with all of the drama surrounding Roczen following his father badmouthing the RCH Suzuki squad in an interview, Kenny needed to end 2015 on a positive note. The odds weren’t in Roczen’s favor this weekend. Why? (1) He had back surgery at the end of the Nationals. (2) Instead of testing in the U.S., Roczen rode his Supercross track in Germany. That didn’t seem like a smart move for a guy who couldn’t get comfortable on the Suzuki RM-Z450 and needed all of the team support he could get. (3) Ken swapped to Kayaba suspension after racing on Showa air forks all season. It appeared like a last-ditch effort that would result in Roczen blaming the switch on his poor showing at the Monster Cup. Guess what? Kenny killed it! He was phenomenal, the Roczen of January 2015. So while the Monster Cup was a nice $100,000 pay day for Ken Roczen, it was more importantly a rejuvenation of sorts.

Jason Anderson (Rockstar Husqvarna)

It was confusing when Anderson crossed the finish line in the top spot after the first main event and was subsequently penalized for missing the Joker Lane. Did he skip it? The verdict was that he did. That was too bad. That didn’t bother Jason, evidenced by his win in the second main. He followed that up with a third in the final race for third overall. However, how different things would have been had Anderson hit the Joker Lane. Why? Let’s say that he would have finished second in the first main, rather than being penalized five positions. Jason would have tied Ken Roczen on total points, but would have lost the overall based on Kenny winning two of the mains. Still, Jason would have edged out Ryan Dungey for second overall. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. However, there’s no way anyone could take back Jason’s three holeshots. It will be great to see Anderson up front in 2016 on the new KT…I mean, Husqvarna.

Christian Craig (Geico Honda)

Craig had the best showing out of anyone that raced the 250 class this season. It took him a while to get going, but in the third main he scored a fifth. That was better than Davi Millsaps, Christophe Pourcel and Chad Reed. Way to go, Christian!

Blake Baggett (Yoshimura Suzuki)

Something tells me that Baggett will be a top-five regular in the 2016 AMA 450 Supercross series. He didn’t look like a fish out of water in Vegas, a sure sign that he’s far more comfortable in Supercross than he was during the spring. James Stewart’s return to do wonders for Blake for three reasons. (1) The spotlight will be off Blake. (2) He’ll be able to learn Stewart’s trade secrets. (3) Baggett finally has someone else to test with.

Chad Reed (Discount Tire Yamaha)

The Monster Energy Cup was Reed’s race to shine. He had a great opportunity to take the one-race factory Yamaha contract and turn it into a full-time deal. Instead Reedy never looked comfortable on the bike, going 9-16-8 for 10th overall. Chad is his harshest critic, so there’s no point in harping on the multi-time Champion. Instead, let’s hope that Reed is back for 2016 and can come out swinging once he gets more seat time on the Yamaha in Supercross.

CLUBMX OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND: SEE YOU THERE!

 

Here’s your chance to spend the weekend at ClubMX. Rumor has it that a bunch of Pro riders will be in attendance. Look for the MXA orange helmet on Saturday, as I’ll be spinning laps. Come on out!

Press release: With our 5th annual ClubMX Open House approaching this weekend, don’t miss out on a great opportunity to come enjoy all we have to offer! Dry camping is free all weekend, show up as early as Thursday night! No gate fee’s, so bring your family, friends and make a weekend with us! Complimentary dinner is on us Saturday after riding, catered by Pig n’ Vittles bbq! ClubWake will be open for demo rides on our new wakeboarding park courtesy of Hyperlite Wakeboard Co.! Concession stands will be open for breakfast and lunch! Last but not least, 3 perfectly prepped tracks that will have you smiling ear to ear all weekend!

Friday…Open Practice Sand Track! (85cc and up recommend, will split classes if needed. 65cc and under not recommended on sand track)
Saturday…Organized Practice Front Track! (Practice order- A/B, C/Vet, Mini)
Sunday…Organized Practice Practice Facility Track! (Practice order- A/B, C/Vet, Mini)
Riding fee: $30/day

MOTO 7 THE MOVIE: TRAILER

MOTO 7 THE MOVIE: TEASER PHOTOS

Images courtesy of MOTO 7

MARTIN & WEBB TO RACE FINAL JAPANESE NATIONAL

Cooper Webb is making a return trip to Japan. He’s looking to add to his 1-1 moto scores from the 450 Japanese Nationals last year. He’ll be up against Trey Canard in the 450 class. 

Pres release: 2014 and 2015 Lucas Oil Pro 250 Motocross Champion Jeremy Martin will compete aboard a Yamaha YZ250F in the final round (Round 10) of the MFJ-GP (Motorcycle Federation of Japan-Grand Prix) All-Japan Motocross National Championship Series, which will take place this weekend at Sportsland SUGO in Miyagi Prefecture (Japan). Joining Jeremy at the event is his Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha teammate and 2015 Monster Energy Supercross 250 West Champion Cooper Webb, who will race at SUGO on a Yamaha YZ450F.

For Jeremy, this will be his first time competing in the event. After winning the Lucas Oil Pro 250 Motocross Championship in 2014, he was scheduled to compete at SUGO, however, he had to withdraw due to the broken foot that he suffered while competing for Team USA in last year’s Motocross of Nations. Jeremy is looking forward to racing in Japan after winning his second consecutive Lucas Oil Pro 250 Motocross Championship.

Jeremy Martin will contest the 250 class.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be racing in Sugo this year after not being able to attend in 2014,” commented Jeremy. “It’s a huge honor to be invited to this event, and I’m looking forward to a great result. I can’t wait to see excitement of all the Japanese fans.”

This will be Cooper’s second time competing in the All-Japan Motocross National Championship. He raced at SUGO last year, and won both motos aboard a Yamaha YZ450F, so he will be returning as defending 450 MX Champion of the event.

Cooper said, “It’s an honor to be invited back. I’m really excited to be returning to Sugo for the second year in a row. Last year was a great racing experience in front of the Japanese crowd, and I’m looking forward to defending my 450-class win from 2014.”

Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha U.S. added, “All of us at Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., are looking forward to having Jeremy and Cooper compete in the All-Japan Motocross National Championship at SUGO. Cooper did a great job last year at that event in winning both his motos, and we’re glad that two-time Lucas Oil Pro 250 Motocross Champion Jeremy Martin will also be making the trip this year. We’ll be cheering our two bLU cRU riders on to victory.”

For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racing.

INSIDE LOOK: ELI TOMAC ON MONSTER KAWASAKI

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: JACOB HAYES INTERVIEW

2016 KTM JR. SUPERCROSS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Press release: KTM North America, Inc. is excited to announce the 2016 schedule for the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge (KJSC) program, the popular intermission show of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. Now in its 17th season, the 2016 KJSC program will include ten total Supercross venues, beginning Jan. 16 with San Diego Supercross and concluding in Las Vegas with the final round of the series on May 7. The schedule is below:

Jan. 16…San Diego
Jan. 23…Anaheim II
Feb. 6…Phoenix
Feb. 20…Dallas
Feb. 27…Atlanta
March 12…Toronto
March 19…Detroit
April 9…Indianapolis
April 16…St. Louis
May 7…Las Vegas

The KJSC is an intermission program where 15 randomly selected riders race aboard identically prepared KTM 50 SXS motorcycles. Throughout the day, the young riders will experience a track walk like the pros, participate in two practice sessions, sign autographs for the fans, participate in opening ceremonies and race a three-lap exhibition race during the Supercross night program. Entry is now open. Interested applicants must be 7-8 years old and meet the full requirements listed in the official rules. All rules and online entry forms can be found at the KJSC event website www.ktmjrsx.com. Any additional inquiries about the KJSC should be directed to local KTM dealerships or through the Contact Us section of the website.