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WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO THIS WEEK

We’ve been busy getting all of 2016 test bikes lined up, ridden, raced, weighed and dyno’ed. We picked up our 2016 Suzuki RM-Z450 early this week. Here, Dennis Stapleton gets set to test some map settings. Brazilian racer Vinnie Angelini stands by in case MXA needs a fill-in rider.

Suzuki’s press relations guy is no stranger to the MXA wrecking crew as he grew up as an MXA test rider, where he followed in his dad Alan Olson’s footsteps. Tim Olson worked at MXA for 14 years.

MXA’s Daryl Ecklund became a KTM two-stroke hero after he jumped the big uphill step-up at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on a KTM 125SX (something that has never been done before). He gets ready to go out and break in MXA’s 2016 KTM 150SX two-stroke before testing starts in earnest. See the video below and the jump at 27 seconds.

Handling all of our questions and needs about the KTM 150SX was Irishman David O’Connor—he’s from County Cork, Ireland. It might seem a long way from home for David to be working at KTM, but not as far as you would think. How so? Jody Weisel’s mother’s maiden name was Helen Ruth O’Connor and she was from County Cork, Ireland. Thus, they are cousins of some kind.

DARYL ECKLUND’S 2016 KTM 125 VIDEO

TREY CANARD TO RETURN TO ACTION AT WASHOUGAL THIS WEEKEND

The stage is set for the highly anticipated return of Team Honda HRC’s Trey Canard for round nine of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Washougal, Washington. Canard has been sidelined since April, rehabbing an arm injury that was sustained at the Detroit Supercross, but he has been officially released by his doctor and is scheduled to campaign the remainder of the series aboard his factory Honda CRF450R.

Now fully recovered, the Oklahoma native is eager to get back to racing. “I’m really excited to be returning to the starting gate and racing with all these guys each weekend,” Canard said. “I don’t have any set expectations for my return except to do my best, give 100% effort, ride within my limits and enjoy doing what I love. Things have gone smoothly since I started riding again. The Honda team was out at my house testing a few weeks ago, and I feel like they really did their homework while I was out. They’ve brought an amazing bike together, and I can’t wait to race it!”

TONY CAIROLI OUT OF THE 2015 450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tony Cairoli broke his arm at Maggiora, but raced the next three races with the help of pain killers.

Tony Cairoli sustained a fracture below the left elbow in Maggiora, Italy, back on June 14. He raced anyway and he raced the next two GPs since then, but Belgian sports medicine specialist Dr. Claes has recommended that Cairoli take a break to allow the fracture to properly heal. Tests have revealed that the fracture is not healing properly—most likely due to the stress of racing. Cairoli may need an operation on his elbow to speed up the healing, but he hopes to only miss two GP’s (Loket and Lommel). Cairoli is currently second in 450 points, but is 41 points behind spectacular newcomer Romain Febrve. If Cairoli skips the Czech and Belgian round, he will lose a maximum of 100 points (assuming Febrve sweeps all four motos), which would make his title chances very slim with only four races left on the schedule after Lommel, Belgium, on August 2. It is unlikely that Febrve will win all four motos, but the competition at the front is not so intense that Febvre won’t come away from the next four motos without earning significant points.

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Mike Alessi used to be MXA’s minicycle test rider and we got talking about the old days at Glen Helen and Mike said that he still had an MXA poster on his wall from his test days. He went home, shot a photo of it and sent it to us.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO CIRCUIT 2016 KTM 250/450SXF EXHAUST

The Ti-6 comes with all titanium construction and a carbon fiber end cap.

The Ti-6 Pro Titanium Exhaust System is designed to provide improved performance plus meet the sound requirements for AMA/FIM Pro level competition. Chosen by factory teams and privateers alike for AMA/FIM Supercross and National Motocross racing. The Ti-6 Titanium Exhaust System is designed for both closed-course and off-road racers. It’s the ideal system for AMA Amateur events or any rider or racer looking for winning performance, legendary durability and a professional look. The Pro Circuit Ti-6 System is equipped with a removable USFS approved spark arrestor, making it easy to alternate between off-road and closed-course racing. The T-6 Stainless Steel Exhaust System is designed for both closed-course and off-road competition. Constructed from high strength stainless steel and aluminum, the T-6 offers the same improved performance as our Ti-6 System. Ti-6 System and Ti-6 Pro Series: $99.95

The T-6 comes has a stainless head an mid-pipe with an aluminum canister and stainless steel end cap.

Sound legal for AMA Amateur events, the T-6 System is a great way for riders or racers looking for winning performance, legendary durability and a professional look but at a lower price. In addition, the T-6 System is equipped with a removable USFS approved spark arrestor making it easy to alternate between off-road and closed-course racing.T-6 System: $779.95

The T-6 Stainless Steel Slip-On Silencer is for riders looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-install, durable performance silencer that can bolt right onto their stock head pipe. The T-6 Slip-On is constructed of stainless steel and high quality aluminum for increased durability. Just like the T-6 System, the T-6 Slip-On is AMA Amateur racing legal and is a great option for any rider looking for an increase in performance on a small budget. A removable USFS approved spark arrestor is included to make it easier to alternate between off-road and closed-course racing. T-6 slip-on: $464.95. Visit www.procircuit.comfor more info.

JON ORTNER’S LATEST PROJECTS: THE HURRICANE & THE WHITE BRO

Inside the Ortner lair.

Although Jon Ortner makes his living as an artist, he spends his spare time racing motocross. You might remember him from his Indian Dunes days or from the poster he painted for the 2015 Glen Helen National. Here is a photo from inside his Santa Barbara studio of two projects under development. The painting of Tom White (left) depicts Tom’s dirt track days on his Triumph, while the Hannah painting (right) comes from Jon being at the unveiling of the Hannah bronze statue that sold for $50,000 at a charity auction. If you’d like to see more of Jon’s work go to www.weatheredwalls.com/jon-ortner-art-santa-barbara/

PLACES YOU’D LOVE TO BE RIGHT NOW

How lush is your local track? No matter, it probably doesn’t come close to what Daryl Ecklund is flying over at Playa Hermosa.

SEE THE MATT MOSS CRASH

 

MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE

In 1982 Ricky johnson (22) hadn’t won any AMA National Championships and in fact lost the 1982 AMA 250 title when his whel broke at the final National of the year. He would rectify that with 7 titles during his career.

2015 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AT A GLANCE: DUNGEY BEGINS TO PULL AWAY

Ryan Dungey has a 56-point lead after sweeping Millville. There are only four races left. The series will be over in 5 weeks.

WHO’S WON WHAT, WHEN THEY DID IT AND  WHERE
Date               Venue                                      450                                    250
May 16…..Hangtown, CA………….Eli Tomac…….….Jeremy Martin
May 23…Glen Helen, CA………….Eli Tomac…….….Marvin Musquin
May 30…Thunder Valley, CO……Ryan Dungey……Jeremy Martin
June 6…Muddy Creek, TN………..Ryan Dungey……Jeremy Martin
June 13…Mt. Morris, PA…………..Ken Roczen….….Marvin Musquin
June 27…Budds Creek, MD………Justin Barcia…….Marvin Musquin
July 4…Red Bud, MI……………….Justin Barcia….….Jeremy Martin
July 18…Millville, MN………………Ryan Dungey……Cooper Webb
July 25…Washougal, WA
Aug. 8…Unadilla, NY
Aug. 15…Miller Motorsports, UT
Aug. 22 …Crawfordsville, IN
450 Points Leader…Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 Points Leaders…Jeremy Martin (Yam)

2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT A GLANCE: NEW FACES

Tony Cairoli bravely raced while injured. Now, he is injured worse and his 2015 title chase is derailed.

WHO’S WON WHAT, WHEN THEY DID IT AND  WHERE
Date             Venue                              450                                    250
Feb. 28……Qatar………….Max Nagl……………..Jeffrey Herlings
March 8..…Thailand……..Ryan Villopoto………Jeffrey Herlings
March 29…Argentina……Max Nagl……………..Dylan Ferrandis
April 19……Italy…………..Max Nagl………………Tim Gajser
April 26……Holland……..Gautier Paulin…….…Jeffrey Herlings
May 10…….Spain…………Tony Cairoli………..….Valentin Guillod
May 24…….England….…Tony Cairoli……………Valentin Guillod
May 31….…France……….Romain Febvre……….Jeffrey Herlings
June 14……Italy…………..Romain Febvre……….Tim Gajser
June 21…..Germany…….Romain Febvre……….Tim Gajser
July 5………Sweden…..….Romain Febvre……….Tim Gajser
July 12…….Latvia……..…..Glenn Coldenhoff…..…Max Anstie
July 26……Czech Rep….
Aug 2……..Belgium……..
Aug 23……Italy………….
Aug 30……Holland………
Sept. 13….Mexico………..
Sept. 20…Glen Helen….
450 Points Leader…Romain Febvre (Hus)
250 Points Leaders…Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: JEFF DEMENT IS 40

Josh Hill was injured during the Supercross series and hasn’t returned to racing yet. He will be 26 next Thursday.

July 24…Petar Petrov 1994
July 24…Bobby Moore
July 26…Sarah Whitmore
July 26…Oscar Wirdeman
July 27…Trampas Parker 1967
July 27…Aleksandr Tonkov 1993
July 29…Matt Rebeaud 1982
July 30…Jeff Dement 1975
July 30…Josh Hill 1989
July 31…Blake Wharton 1991

 

THE OVER-THE-HILL GANG’S 9-11 MEMORIAL RACE IS ON 9-13

 

REM’S “STRAIGHT EIGHT” IS BACK AT GLEN HELEN FOR 2015

REM will race at Glen Helen for the next 8 Saturdays in a row—starting on July 25 and ending on September 12. Then, they will take two weeks off and start again. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com.

2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

For 2016 there will only be two Anaheim rounds and Atlanta returns to a single race, but Toronto, Glendale, and Foxboro are back in play.

2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 9…………………….Anaheim, CA
Jan. 16………………….San Diego, CA
Jan. 23………………….Anaheim, CA
Jan. 30………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 6……………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 13………………….San Diego, CA
Feb. 20………………….Arlington, TX
Feb. 27………………….Atlanta, GA
March 5………………….Daytona, FL
March 12………………..Toronto, CAN
March 19………………..Detroit, MI
April 2………………..….Santa Clara, CA
April 9………………..….Indianapolis, IN
April 16………………….St. Louis, MO
April 23………………….Foxboro, MA
April 30………………….East Rutherford, NJ
May 7…………………….Las Vegas, NV

2016 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Don’t believe what you read on the FIM World Motocross Championship schedule. Every year Giuseppe Luongo releases his dream schedule, but by the time the races roll around there are three Italian GPs filling in the holes.

2016 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 27……………………..Losail, Qatar
Mar. 20…………………….Johannesburg, South Africa
April 10…………………….Neuquen, Argentina
April 24…………………….TBA, Italy
May 1………………………Valkenswaard, Holland
May 15…………………….Teutschenthal, Germany
May 22……………………..Matterly Basin, Great Britain
June 5………………………St Jean d’Angely, France
June 12…………………….Lommel, Belgium
June 26…………………….Kegums, Latvia
July 3……………………….Uddevalla, Sweden
July 10……………………..TBA
July 24………………………Loket, Czech Republic
Aug. 7……………………….Frauenfeld, Switzerland
Aug. 14……………………..Assen, Holland
Aug. 28……………………..TBA
Sept. 4……………………….Leon, Mexico
Sept.11………………………Glen Helen, USA
Sept. 25……………………..Motocross des Nations…Maggiora, Italy

WHERE TO BE & WHEN TO BE THERE

The World Sidecar Cross series will be in Kivioli, Estonia, next week. And from the looks of the race poster, Estonia will be stuck in 1988 for some time into the future.

2015 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 25…………………..….Washougal, WA
August 8………………….…Unadilla, NY

2015 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
July 26………………..………Loket, Czech Republic
Aug 2…………………..….…..Lommel, Belgium

2015 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
July 26-Aug. 1………………Hurricane Mills, TN

2015 WORCS WORLD OFFROAD CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 2 ……………………..…Straddleline, WA

2015 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 2……………………….…Sturgis, SD
Aug. 14-15…………………….Miller Motorsports, UT

2015 WORLD SIDECAR CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 2………………………….…Estonia
Aug. 9…………………………..…Latvia

2015 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
August 2 …….……………………Nowra, NSW
August 23 …………………..……Toowoomba, Qld
August 30 …………………….….Coolum, Qld

2015 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 2……………………………..Riverglade
Aug. 9……………………………..Motocross Ulverton
Aug. 16…………………………….Walton Raceway

2015 GERMAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 09…………………………..…Ried
Aug. 23………………………….…Lichtenvoorde

GRAND PRIX OF USA
Sept. 20…………………………….Glen Helen, CA

MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Sept. 27……………………………….Ernee, France

WORLD VETERAN MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 7-8……………………………….Glen Helen, CA

SUBSCRIBE TO MXA AND MAKE MONEY

Don’t miss your chance to get the August issue of MXA hand delivered to you by a uniformed agent of the United States Government. Plus, subscribers get a $25 Rocky Mountain gift card which pays for their subscription and then some.

Do 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, but better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ or click on the link below to get the print version delivered to your door for only $19.99 (plus you get a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC just for subscribing). There is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: http://hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-motocross-action-magazine/

 

Photos by Ray Archer, Honda, John Basher, KTM, John Ker, Massimo Zanzani, Jody Weisel and MXA