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• THE FIM TO ALLOW 250 TWO-STROKES TO RACE AGAINST 250 FOUR-STROKES IN THE 2017 EMX250 CHAMPIONSHIP

Australia, Canada, Denmark, AMA Amateur and now the EMX Grand Prix support series have made the rules for their 250cc classes engine-neutral.

The 2017 FIM Europe Motocross rulebook has been released with the much rumored rule that allows 250 two-stroke to compete head-to-head against 250 four-strokes in the EMX250 Championship included. Although this rule does not effect the 250 World Championships classes, it does effect the EMX classes that run as support races at the GPs. Here are the six new rule changes, from the FIM press release, but most significant is rule #1.

1. Equal displacement in 250EMX: “The EMX250 championship is open to motorcycles between 175cc and 250cc for both four-stroke and two-stroke powered engines. This will make the European motocross most important championship extremely interesting with the introduction of equal capacities for the two-strokes and four-strokes.”
2. Women’s Cup: he 2016 Women’s Cup is now upgraded to an official European championship for 2017 consisting of 4 rounds in Denmark, Poland, Germany and Latvia.”
3. Sidecar and Women’s Motocross of European Nations: “The Motocross of European Nations combined with the Women’s Motocross of European Nations will be organised in 2017 at Gdansk in Poland on September 2-3 and the Sidecarcross of European Nations combined with the Quadcross of European Nations will be organised at Cingoli in Italy on September 23-24.”
4. Quad championship: “Riders in the EMX Quad championship will be allowed to present 2 machines at technical control for this year.”
5. Legal entrants: “All championships, including the Nations team races, are open to riders from any federation worldwide recognised by the FIM.”
6. Logos: “Riders competing in the EMX65, EMX85, EMX150, EMX125, EMX250 and EMX 300 classes must have the championship logo on their front number plates and on their race shirts.

• GOT A BEEF? THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WANTS TO MAKE MOTOCROSS BIKES THE SOLUTION

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative wants a 100% tariff on European motorcycles between 51cc to 500cc because the European Union banned American beef). According to the AMA, European makers of 51cc to 399cc motorcycles used for racing provide nearly half the units available to U.S. consumers, and nearly a quarter of the market in the 400cc to 500cc class bikes. This tariff would adversely effect KTM, Gas Gas, Husqvarna, Sherco, TM, BMW, Ducati, Aprilia, Beta, Fantic, Piaggio, Scorpa and Vespa (and their American dealers, employees, service centers and aftermarket companies). More than 10,000 emails have been sent to Congress on this issue, 10,000 comments have been made directly to the Trade agency  and more than 5000 emails have been sent directly to President Donald Trump. Now we have to wait and see as the wheels of government grind away

• CLASSIC MXA TEST RIDER CRASHES

Anybody can ride a bike with their hands on the bars and butt on the seat, but have you ever tried it with your left foot on the seat and right foot on the front fender. Dennis Stapleton has it wired.

• BIRTHDAYS OF THE STARS: VALENTINO 38, THE ROCK 45, EL HOMBRE 24

Feb. 10…Rodney Smith
Feb. 10…Russell Bobbitt
Feb. 10…Dave Feeney
Feb. 10…Evan Laughridge
Feb. 10…Jeremy Chaussee 1977

Feb. 11…Livia Lancelot 1988
Feb. 11…Geoff Fox
Feb. 11…Kristin White Anderson
Feb. 11…Sebastien Pourcel 1985

Feb. 12…Mike LaRocco 1971
Feb. 12…Lisa Akin Wagner
Feb. 13…Gavin Gracyk 1984

Feb. 13…Jeromy Buehl 1973
Feb. 13…Mickael Pichon 1976

Feb. 13…Glenn Coldenhoff 1991
Feb. 13…Chris Wheeler
Feb. 14…Sam Gammon
Feb. 14…Tom Carson

Feb. 15…Davi Millsaps 1988

Feb. 16…Josh Hansen 1984
Feb. 16…Don Emde 1951

Feb. 16…Valentino Rossi 1979
Feb. 17…Fredric Bolley 1974

Feb. 17…Heath Voss 1978
Feb. 17…Stefy Bau 1977

Feb. 17…Jason Anderson 1993
Feb. 18…Kevin Foley
Feb. 18…Tyler Evans 1980.

• THIS YEAR’S CURRENT TOP TEN HEADING TO DALLAS

Cooper Webb is the top Yamaha rider in 7th — 47 points behind Ryan Dungey and 2 points ahead of teammate Chad Reed.

2017 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 5 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Dungey (KTM)…111
2. Eli Tomac (Kaw)…94
3. Marvin Musquin (KTM)…86
4. Cole Seely (Hon)…85
5. Davi Millsaps (KTM)…70
6. Jason Anderson (Hus)…65
7. Cooper Webb (Yam)…64
8. Chad Reed (Yam)…62
9. Ken Roczen (Hon)…51
10. Dean Wilson (Hus)… 48

Justin Hill won three 250 West rounds in a row to take the points lead by 1 point.

2017 250 WEST POINTS STANDINGS
(After 5 of 8 rounds)
1. Justin Hill (Kaw)…113
2. Shane McElrath (KTM)…112
3. Aaron Plessinger (Yam)…97
4. Martin Davalos (Hus)…92
5. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)…73
6. Austin Forkner (Kaw)…68
7. Dan Reardon (Yam)…56
8. Phil Nicoletti (Suz)…54
9. Kyle Chisholm (Hon)…49
10. Jeremy Martin(Hon)…40

• LAST YEAR’S TOP TEN AT THIS TIME 12 MONTHS AGO

Ryan Dungey was in the same place in the standings in February of last years as he is a February of this year.

2016 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 6 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Dungey… 144
2. Ken Roczen…118
3. Jason Anderson…111
6. Cole Seely…105
4. Chad Reed…103
5. Eli Tomac…103
7. Marvin Musquin…77
9. Justin Brayton…72
8. Davi Millsaps…71
10. Jake Weimer…62

Joey Savatgy was leading the 250 West last year at this time. This year he is in the 250 East, which starts in two weeks.

2016 250 WEST POINTS STANDINGS
(After 6 of 9 races)
1. Joey Savatgy…123
2. Cooper Webb…120
3. Christian Craig…107
4. Colt Nichols…99
5. Zach Osborne…90
6. Jimmy Decotis…85
7. Mitch Oldenburg…81
8. Kyle Peters…75
9. Kyle Cunningham…64
10. Jordon Smith…63

• MXA’S 10 MOST POPULAR TWO-STROKE VIDEOS OF THE LAST YEAR

To see these videos, which have been viewed 4,887,000 times, click here.

• DEAN WILSON VIDEO: GRATEFUL TO BE BACK IN THE BIG RIG

• MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK: IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Australian racer and MXA photographer Dan Alamangos shot this photo of Austin Wade coming out of the back section of Glen Helen’s REM track last Saturday — which is strange because Saturday was a sunny day.

• MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING ON APRIL 15

Just in case you need a little extra time to get your trusty, but rusty, two-stroke ready to race, the 2017 MTA World Two-Stroke Championship is a little over three months away. It will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Glen Helen Raceway.

• 2017 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE

Eli Tomac was on fire in Phoenix and Oakland.

Date           Venue                                           450                       250
Jan. 7……..Anaheim, CA………….Ken Roczen…….Shane McElrath
Jan. 14……San Diego, CA…………Ken Roczen…….Shane McElrath
Jan. 21……Anaheim, CA………….Ryan Dungey…..Justin Hill
Jan. 28……Glendale, AZ………….Eli Tomac……….Justin Hill
Feb. 4………Oakland, CA………….Eli Tomac……….Justin Hill
Feb. 11……..Arlington, TX
Feb. 18……..Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25……..Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4……….Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1………….St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8…………Seattle, WA
Apr 22………..Salt Lake City, UT
450 Points leader...Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 West points leader…Justin Hill (Kaw)

• MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE: WHEN MATCHLESS WAS A MOTOCROSS BIKE

During the glory days of the big British singles it wasn’t uncommon to see a Matchless and a BSA going for the win. In this case it is Chris Horsfield (161) and Jeff Smith (4). The pudding bowl helmets are a time stamp of 1965, but the rope tied to 4 x 4 posts lasted well into the 1970s.

• REM RACES EVERY SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY

Glen Helen’s REM motocross has added races to its already-scheduled race calendar to make up for the races that were rained out during California’s torrential rains. REM will race for four straight weeks, starting this weekend Feb. 4. Plus more races on Feb. 11, Feb. 18 and Feb. 25 before taking a weekend off (March 4) and starting up again. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com

• FOREIGN RIDERS WHO MADE THE MAINS AT PHOENIX

Dean Wilson’s privateer gambled paid off with a Husqvarna ride for the rest of the 2017 seaosn. He replaced Christophe Pourcel, who will race for Husky in Canada.

These are the top foreign riders who made the main events in Oakland last Saturday. There were no foreign-born riders in the top 5 of the 450 class. In fact, the best of the tourists was Chad Reed in 8th. Marvin Musquin was 9th for the second week in a row. Dean Wilson got his first top ten in 19th. Wilson took Christophe Pourcel’s ride at Rockstar Husqvarna — the Frenchman will be racing the Canadian Nationals for Husky this summer. In the 250 West Martin Davalos was 2nd, Australian Dan Reardon 12th and Swiss rider Killian Auberson 13th.

TOP FOREIGN RIDERS IN SAN DIEGO’S 450 CLASS
Chad Reed (Australia)………………..8th
Marvin Musquin (France)……………9th
Dean Wilson (Scotland)……………..10th

TOP FOREIGN RIDERS IN SAN DIEGO’S 250 WEST
Martin Davalos (Ecuador)…………..2nd
Dan Reardon (Australia)…………….12th
Killian Auberson (Switzerland)…..13th

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BUD RACING “SECOND” RADIATOR KIT FOR KAWASAKI KX85/KX100

Bud Racing offers a kit that enables hardcore KX85 and especially KX100 racers to mount a second radiator on their Kawasaki mini and Supermini. It’s a must-have for races looking to improve the engine temperature and increase power on their bikes—especially on ported/high-compression engines. There are different kits include the main one that includes the radiator, bracket, silicon hoses kit and Bud exhaust pipe. It’s ready to install easily. The pipe has a different bracket to aid in fitting the radiator kit. It is possible to modify Pro Circuit or FMF pipe to fit our radiator kit with modifications to the bracket position. There is also a replacement kit that just has the radiator, brackets and hoses (offered as a replacement set-up in case of crash damage). $429.00 (with exhaust pipe), $279.00 second radiator and hoses) – (951) 245-2660 or www.budracing-usa.com

• HARRY TAYLOR CUP FOR HODAKAS ONLY ON APRIL 28-30

• SATURDAY NIGHT’S DALLAS TRACK HAS FOUR HAIRPINS IN A ROW

• THE DALLAS TV SCHEDULE: BACK ON FOX SPORTS 1

Check your local listing for times in your region. Set your DVR accordingly.

• DOING LAPS IN BILLY MUSGRAVE CR125 POWERED KART

For more info on shifter karts go to www.musgraveracing.com or call (951) 278-8885.

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: RENTHAL “WORKS FIT” HANDLEBAR COMPARISON TOOL

Renthal has a new comparison tool that allows you to see the difference between all of their bars and all of the stock OEM bars. If you want to switch bars, but don’t know which Renthal bar to go to—you can find out with the click of a mouse. To try it out go to www.renthal.com/worksfit.

The stock 2016 Kawasaki KX250F bar is in black and the Renthal 602 is in red.

MXA wanted to run a slightly flatter bar on our 2016 Kawasaki KX250F. We liked the sweep and general dimension of the stock KX250F handlebar, but didn’t want the ends of kick up so much out by the grips. Voila! We brought up the specs drawing of the stock KX250 bars and overlaid Renthal bars until we found that the Renthal 602 would give us what we wanted.

• 2017 HUSKY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON MARCH 4-5

This news probably doesn’t affect you unless you own a Husqvarna (and we aren’t talking about just vintage Huskys, but new ones, old ones and pitiful ones). The race will be held at SoCal’s Cahuilla Creek track on March 5-6. For more info go to www.huskywc.com.

• HOW TO SUBSCRIBE & GET MXA FOR FREE: ACTUALLY, WE PAY YOU

The March 2017 issue of MXA is on the news stands now and includes the most commonly asked for shootout ever — the YZ250 Two-stroke versus the YZ250F four-stroke. You should be reading MXA, and if you subscribe now you get a $25 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC which more than pays for your subscription.

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. Better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ for $9.99 a year.

The MXA test riders prefer the print version and not just because it is delivered by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government, but because right now you can get 12 issues for $15.95 and a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. That means that there is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action/

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: FLY RACING’S WESTON PEICK REPLICA F2 HELMET

Weston Peick’s new replica helmet, based on FLY Racing’s F2 Carbon with integrated MIPS helmet platform, features a custom Weston Peick paint scheme with integrated Viking character graphic. It’s feature include Snell 2015, DOT and ECE certification, a MIPS low-friction layer tp absorb more of the rotational forces, state-of-the-art, carbon fiber and Kevlar composite shell, Coolmaxt liner & cheek pads to absorb sweat, dual-density EPS liner combines two layers of EPS (one softer, one slightly harder. $399.95 at: www.flyracing.com.

• HOW IS YOUR TWITTER GAME GOING? UP IT BY FOLLOWING MXA

Follow us to see fresh content every day at www.twitter.com/MXAction or on twitter at “MXAction”

• 2017 MOTOCROSS SCHEDULES: WHERE TO BE & WHEN TO BE THERE

2017 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7…………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14………………………San Diego, CA
Jan. 21………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 28………………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 4……………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 11………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 18………………………Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25………………………Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4………………………Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………………………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………………………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1…………………………St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8………………………..Seattle, WA
Apr 22……………………….Salt Lake City, UT

2017 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7-8…………………….Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 13-15…………………Grand Rapids, MI
Jan. 20-22…………………Baltimore, MD
Jan. 28-29…………………Nashville, TN.
Feb. 4-5…………………….Louisville, KY
Feb. 18-19…………………Kansas City, MO
Feb.y 25-26……………….Tampa, FL
Mar. 3-5…………………….Southaven, MS
Mar. 11-12…………………New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18-19…………………Portland, OR
Mar. 24-26…………………Reno, NV
April 1-2…………………….Sacramento, CA
April 21-23…………………Denver, CO
May 5-7…………………….Las Vegas, NV

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 25…………………….Qatar (Saturday)
Mar. 5………………………Indonesia
Mar. 19…………………….Argentina
Apr. 2………………………Mexico
Apr. 16……………………..Italy
Apr. 23…………………….Holland
May 7………………………Latvia
May 21…………………….Germany
May 28…………………….France
June 11…………………….Russia
June 25……………………Italy
July 2……………………….Portugal
July 9……………………….San Marino (Cancelled)
July 23……………………..Czech Republic
Aug. 6……………………..Belgium
Aug. 13…………………….Switzerland
Aug. 20…………………….Sweden
Sept. 3………………………USA (Monday)
Sept. 10……………………Holland
Sept. 17…………………….France

2017 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 20……………………Hangtown, CA
May 27.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 3..………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 17..…………………Mt Morris, PA
June 24.………………….Muddy Creek, TN
July 1.…………………….Red Bud, MI
July 8..……………………Southwick, MA​
July 22.…………………..Millville, MN​
July 29.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 12..………………….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 19..………………….Budds Creek, MD​
Aug. 26.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN

2017 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 1…………………..Matterley Basin, Great Britain

RICKY CARMICHAEL AMATEUR DAYTONA SUPERCROSS
Mar. 12-13…………….Daytona, FL

MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 15…………………..Glen Helen, CA

2017 TRAVIS PASTRANA’S NITRO WORLD GAMES
June 24……………….Salt Lake City, UT

2017 SMX RIDERS & MANUFACTURERS CUP
Oct. 7………………….Gelsenkirchen, Germany

2017 WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 13…………………….Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 25……………………Wortham, TX
Apr. 9………………………San Diego, CA
May 5………………………Las Vegas, NV
May 18-19………………..Hangtown, CA
June 2…………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 16……………………Mt. Morris, PA
Aug. 5……………………..Hurricane Mills, TN

2017 WORLD OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP (WORCS)
Jan. 6-8…………………….Taft, CA
Jan. 27-29…………………Primm, NV
Feb. 17-19………………….TBA
Mar. 10-12…………………Lake Havasu, AZ
Apr. 1-2…………………….Las Vegas, NV
Apr. 21-23…………………Hurricane, UT
May. 19-21…………………Cedar City, UT
Jun. 9-11…………………..Adelanto, CA
Sept. 8-10…………………Glen Helen, CA
Oct 13-15…………………..TBA

2017 ITALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 29…………..………..Riola Sardo
Feb. 5………………………Malagrotta
Feb.12………………..……Ottobiano

2017 MAXXIS BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12……………………Culham
Apr. 9………………………Lyng
Apr. 30…………………….Canada Heights
May 14……………………Hawkstone Park
June 18……………………Desertmartin
July 16…………………….Blaxhall
July 30…………………….Preston Docks
Aug 27……………………..Foxhill

2017 BELGIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12……………………Moerbeke-Waas
Mar. 26……………………Kruishoutem
Apr. 2……………………..Genk
Apr 10…………………….Mons
Apr. 18……………………Axel
Apr. 30……………………Wuustwezel
June 11…………………..Comines
June 18………………….Genk
July 22……………………Axel
July 23…………………..Hasselt
July 30…………………..Gooik
Aug. 15…………………..Balen
Aug. 20………………….Wachtebeke
Aug. 27………………….Orp le Grand

2017 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 4……………………Whispering Pines, BC
June 11………………….Blackwater, BC
June 18………………….Wild Rose, AB
June 25………………….Moto Valley, SK
July 9…………………….Gopher Dunes, ON
July 16…………………..Ulverton, QC
July 23…………………..Pleasant Valley, NS
July 30…………………..Riverglade, NB
Aug. 6…………………….Deschambault, QC
Aug. 13………………….RJ Motosport, ON

2017 DUTCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 26…………………..Oss
Apr. 9th…………………..Harfsen
May 14……………………Emmen
July 15-16……………….Lichtenvoorde

2017 ADAC GERMAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 9……………………….Muhlberg
Apr. 30…………………….Jauer
May 14…………………….Molln
June 18……………………Bielstein
July 16…………………….Tensfeld
Aug. 27……………………Gaildorf
Sept. 24…………………..Holzgerlingen

2017 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 1-2…………………..Wonthaggi, Victoria
April 23…………………..Appin, New South Wales
May 7……………………..Connondale, Queensland
May 21……………………Horsham, Victoria
May 28……………………Murray Bridge, South Australia
July 2……………………..Nowra, New South Wales
July 16……………………Shepparton, Victoria
July 30……………………Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Aug. 13…………………..Toowooba, Queensland
Aug. 19-20………………Coolum, Queensland

2017 AUSTRALIAN SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 9…………………..Queensland
Sept. 23…………………Queensland
Oct. 14…………………..TBA
Oct. 26…………………..South Australia
Nov. 4…………………….Victoria
Nov. 11-12……………..New South Wales

Photos: Brian Converse, Daryl Ecklund, Dan Alamangos, John Kerr, Massimo Zanzani, MXA, KTM, Honda.