CURRENT SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS HEADING TO SAINT LOUIE

Justin Barcia is out of action with a broken hand, but he’s still in the top ten in 450 points (along with the injured Cole Seely).

2018 AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 10 of 17 rounds)
1. Jason Anderson (Hus)…223
2. Marvin Musquin (KTM)…183
3. Justin Brayton (Hon)…170
4. Blake Baggett (KTM)…164
5. Eli Tomac (Kaw)…160
6. Weston Peick (Suz)…153
7. Cooper Webb Yamaha…146
8. Broc Tickle (KTM)…131
9. Cole Seely (Hon)…124
10. Justin Barcia Yamaha…113

Jordon Smith didn’t just win the Daytona 250 East race, but he drew himself back into the points battle against Forkner and Osborne. He is only 8 points behind the leading duo.

R.J. Hampshire is still fifth in the 250 East, but his Daytona injuries will keep him out of action for awhile.

Jimmy Decotis is 10th in the 250 East after Daytona, but he’s gonna miss a few rounds with a back injury.

Colt Nichols (31) is the third 250 East top ten rider to get injured (he broke his arm while practicing last week). After St, Louis the 250 East Top Ten will have lots of new names.

2018 AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 5 of 9 rounds)
1. Austin Forkner (Kaw)…89
2. Zach Osborne (Hus)…89
3. Jordon Smith (KTM)…81
4. Jeremy Martin…70
5. R.J. Hampshire (Hon)…57
6. Luke Renzland Yamaha…55
7. Colt Nichols Yamaha…54
8. Martin Davalos (Kaw)…52
9. Kyle Peters (Suz)…51
10. James Decotis (Suz)…47

Christian Craig (32) is currently running sixth in 250 West points, but will reportedly stay in the 450 class as Honda’s 450 fill-in guy for the rest of the Supercross season.

2018 AMA 250 WEST SUPERCROSS POINTS
(After 6 of 10 races)
1. Aaron Plessinger…133
2. Joey Savatgy…129
3. Shane McElrath…117
4. Adam Cianciarulo…116
5. Chase Sexton…107
6. Christian Craig…106
7. Justin Hill…105
8. Kyle Chisholm…84
9. Mitchell Harrison…72
10. Hayden Mellross…67

MXA PHOTO SEQUENCE OF THE WEEK

It’s important to note that the track is going left, while Blake Wharton in going right (and over the berm). Photo: Debbi Tamietti.

Blake Wharton dropped out of AMA Pro racing during the 2014 season. Blake had three 250 East Supercross wins to his credit and the former Rockstar Suzuki and Geico Honda rider finished in the top five in 250 Supercross five times. He planned to return to Pro racing a couple weeks ago, but suffered a practice injury and had to wait a few weeks. He is riding for the ibCorp/Eterra Yamaha team. However, before he makes his comeback in St. Louis this weekend, he wanted to get in some actual race time, so he showed up at REM’s weekly Glen Helen motocross. Blake raced well, but midway through the second 450 Pro moto he overcooked REM’s fast downhill straight and shot over the berm.

Blake’s swingarm and frame catch on top of the berm. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

But, never one of give up, Blake hammers the throttle and gets over the berm, but he reverse-Hoppalong Cassidy’s off the bike (and in this photo his head is recoiling from bouncing off his triple clamps). Photo: Debbi Tamietti.

By the time it was all over, Sean Lipanovich had blasted by to take the win, but none too worse for the wear Blake got up to finished second. Photo: Debbi Tamietti.

 

2018 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE AFTER 10 RACES

If you are going to win one Supercross in your life, you couldn’t pick a better one that Daytona. “Good on you, Justin. Bob’s your Uncle.” (that’s Aussie-talk for the two-time Australian Supercross Champ)

Date           Venue                         450                           250
Jan. 6….…Anaheim, CA……..Marvin Musquin…….Shane McElrath
Jan. 13…..Houston, TX……….Jason Anderson……Aaron Plessinger
Jan. 20…..Anaheim, CA………Eli Tomac……………..Joey Savatgy
Jan. 27…..Phoenix, AZ ………Eli Tomac………………Aaron Plessinger
Feb. 3…….Oakland, CA………Jason Anderson…….Aaron Plessinger
Feb. 10…..San Diego, CA……Jason Anderson……Justin Hill
Feb. 17……Arlington, TX…….Eli Tomac………………Zach Osborne
Feb. 24……Tampa, FL…………Eli Tomac………………Austin Forkner
Mar. 3……..Atlanta, GA……….Jason Anderson……Austin Forkner
Mar. 10……Daytona, FL………Justin Brayton………Jordon Smith
Mar. 17……St. Louis, MO…….Eli Tomac………………Zach Osborne
Mar. 24……Indianapolis, IN……
Apr. 7………Seattle, WA ………..
Apr. 14…….Minneapolis, MN….
Apr. 21….…Foxborough, MA…..
Apr. 28…….Salt Lake City, UT…
May 5………Las Vegas, NV…….
450 Points leader...Jason Anderson (Hus)
250 West points leader…Aaron Plessinger (Yam)
250 East points leader…Zach Osborne (Hus)

INDY SUPERCROSS TV SCHEDULE: DID YOU SEE THE 6:30 P.M. START TIME?

You can look at the Indy Supercross TV schedule all you want, but the big take-away is the odd starting time.

MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE—IN DOG YEARS

Jody Weisel was on the cover of the 1974 issue of Cycle News (with his dog). He didn’t work there, but had been brought in to test ride the then-new Hodaka Super Combat. Later he was hired by Cycle News to do all the testing—then left them for MXA in 1976.

In the 1970’s every rock-and-roller dreamed of being on the cover of “Rolling Stone.” For motocross racers of the 1970’s it was to make the cover of “Cycle News.” Jody Weisel and his Super Combat (not to mention his dog) made it in 1974.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO CIRCUIT CRF250 CLUTCH SPRINGS

Newly released from Pro Circuit, 2018 CRF250R Clutch Springs offer customers an increase in clutch life, decreases clutch slipping and has improved engagement over a stock setup for any rider. These high-performance springs will have riders noticing consistent spring performance throughout time, which is crucial in controlling how efficiently the clutch turns power into acceleration. The Pro Circuit 2018 CRF25R Clutch Springs will also work well in stock or modified engines and are a must-have for any serious racer. The retail price is $69.95 at www.procircuit.com

2018 FIM 250/450 GRAND PRIX POINTS STANDINGS HEADING TO VALKENSWAARD THIS WEEKEND

After one round of the incredibly long 450 World Motocross Championship, Jeffrey Herlings is tied with Tony Cairoli for the points lead.

2018 450 GRAND PRIX POINTS
(After 1 of 18 rounds)
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)…47
2. Tony Cairoli (KTM)…47
3. Clement Desalle (Kaw)…40
4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (Yam)…34
5. Romain Febvre (Yam)….34
6. Gautier Paulin (Hus)…30
7. Shaun Simpson (Yam)…24
8. Julien Lieber (Kaw)…22
9. Max Nagl (TM)…21
10. Glenn Coldenhoff (KTM)…21

Pauls Jonass is the current 250 World Champion and if his performance in Argentina is a clue, he’s the odds-on favorite to win it again.

2018 250 GRAND PRIX POINTS
(After 1 of 18 rounds)
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM)…50
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Hus)…42
3. Hunter Lawrence Hon)…37
4. Ben Watson (Yam)…36
5. Jed Beaton (Kaw)…27
6. Vsevolod Brylyakov (Yam)…24
7. Henry Jacobi (Hus)…21
8. Darian Sanayei (Kaw)…20
9. Jago Geerts (Yam)…20
10. Calvin Vlaanderen (Hon)…19

MXA’S BIRTHDAYS BOYS: CHAD REED TURNS 36

 

Mar. 23…Justin Bogle 1993
Mar. 23…Fredrik Noren 1992

CLASSIC MOTOCROSS ADS: DO YOU REMEMBER THE “SCREAMING YELLOW ZONKERS”

The 1977 Suzuki line-up was pretty sweet. It included an aie fork RM125, super RM250 and a mediocre RM370. But it had a gret ad campaign with riderless bikes flying through the air and th catchy “Screaming Yellow Zonker’s headline.”

WHAT WERE THE ORIGINAL “SCREAMING YELLOW ZONKERS?”

Screaming Yellow Zonkers was a snack food, first produced by Lincoln Snacks in the USA in the 1960s. Screaming Yellow Zonkers was popcorn with a yellow sugary glaze. Lincoln Snacks had developed Fiddle Faddle and Poppycock, but didn’t know what to call their new snack food. A small, boutique Hurvis, Binzer & Churchill ad agency named the product “Screaming Yellow Zonkers.”

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: SCREAMING YELLOW ZONKERS TV AD

 

OLD SCHOOL SCRAMBLES DOUBLEHEADER ON MARCH 24-25

The Old School Scramble swill return to Glen Helen’s truck track for two days of racing, pne to make up for the weather cancellation from March 10 and the other the regularly scheduled second tound. For more info go to www.oldschoolscramblesracing.com.

REM 20th ANNIVERSARY MOTOCROSS & PRO PURSE 125 TWO-STROKE RACE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 24

REM’s next race is their 20th anniversary race at Glen Helen (they were at Carlsbad Raceway before moving to GH) on March 24.

Not only will they have special awards and prizes, but there will be a 125 Pro class, but you don’t have to be a Pro to race in the 125 race—just a guy with a hankering to hear his 125 two-stroke wind out. This is a warm-up race for the 2018 MTA World Two-Stroke race a week later. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com

MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING ON MARCH 31: SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU’VE GOT ‘EM

Just in case you need a little extra time to get your trusty, but rusty, two-stroke ready to race, you better get on the stick.

The World Two-Stroke Championship will be held at Glen Helen Raceway on Saturday, March 31, 2018. There is an $8000 purse for the 250/Open class and a smaller purse for the 125 Pro class. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

2018 CZ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE HARRY TAYLOR HODAKA CUP ON MAY 4-6

For more info go to www.czriders.com

THE AMA NATIONALS ARE COMING! GLEN HELEN NATIONAL ON MAY 26

For ticket and event information go to www.glenhelen.com

SUBSCRIBE TO MXA & GET A $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN GIFT CARD—YOU MAKE A PROFIT BY READING MXA

The April 2018 issue of MXA is on the news stands, in the mail, on your computer or in your phone now. It is filled with moto-stuff that you can’t find anywhere else.

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 or in a digital version. Even better you can subscribe to Motocross Action and get a $25 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC gift card to spend on whatever motorcycle parts or products you need. You can call (800) 767-0345 or go to www.hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-holiday/.

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”

JOIN MXA’S FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT

We love everything moto and want to bring all moto junkies together into one place to share their two cents, ideas, photos, bike fixes, bike problems and much more. To check it out first you must need to or already have a Facebook account. If you don’t, it isn’t much work and you could even have an alias so nobody knows it is you. You can go to MXA’s Facebook page by clicking here.

SAVE THE DATE! EVERY RACE THAT MATTERS IN 2018

The AMA Supercross season is on round 11 this weekend—only 7 to go.

2018 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 6……………………..…Anaheim, CA
Jan. 13………………………Houston, TX
Jan. 20………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 27………………………Phoenix, AZ
Feb. 3……………………..…Oakland, CA
Feb. 10………………………San Diego, CA
Feb. 17………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 24………………………Tampa, FL
Mar. 3……………………..…Atlanta, GA
Mar. 10………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 17………………………St. Louis, MO
Mar. 24………………………Indianapolis, IN
Apr. 7……………………..…Seattle, WA
Apr. 14………………………Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 21………………………Foxborough, MA
Apr. 28………………………Salt Lake City, UT
May 5…………………….…Las Vegas, NV

2018 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 6-7………………………….Dayton, OH
Jan. 13-14………………………Worcester, MA
Jan. 20-21……………………….Wilkes Barre, PA
Jan. 27-28………………………Greensboro, NC
Feb. 10-11………………………Madison, WI
Feb. 17-18………………………Florence, SC
Mar. 17-18………………………Denver, CO
Mar. 24-25………………………Nampa, ID
Apr. 7-8………………………….Wichita, KS
Apr. 21-22………………………Portland, OR
Apr. 28-29………………………Reno, NV
May 4-6…………………………Las Vegas, NV

2018 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 19……………………Hangtown, CA
May 26.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 2..………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 16..…………………Mt Morris, PA
June 23.………………….Muddy Creek, TN
June 30.………………….Southwick, MA
July 7..……………………​Red Bud, MI
July 21.…………………..Millville, MN​
July 28.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 11..………………….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 18..………………….Budds Creek, MD​
Aug. 25.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN

2018 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 4……………………..Argentina
Mar. 18…………………….Holland 1
Mar. 25…………………….Spain
Apr. 8……………………….Italy 1
Apr. 15……………………..Portugal
May 1……………………….Russia
May 13……………………..Latvia
May 20…………………….Germany
June 3………………………England
June 10…………………….France
June 17…………………….Italy 2
July 1……………………….Indonesia 1
July 8……………………….Indonesia 2
July 22……………………..Czech Republic
Aug. 5………………………Belgium
Aug. 12……………………..Sweden (Canceled)
Aug. 19……………………..Switzerland
Sept. 2………………………Turkey
Sept. 16……………………..Holland 2
Sept. 30…………………….Italy 3

2018 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 7………………………Red Bud, MI

2018 WORLD OFFROAD CHAMPIONSHIP (WORCS)
Feb. 2-4…………………..……Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 23-25……………….…..Phoenix, AZ
Mar. 23-24……………….…..Lake Havasu, AZ
Apr. 20-22……………….…..Hurricane, UT
May 25-27……………………Cedar City, UT
Sept. 14-16……………………Glen Helen, CA
Oct. 19-21………………….…Adelanto, CA
Nov. 9-11……………………..Primm, NV

2018 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
April 14………………………….Boise, ID
May 13………………………….Tucson, AZ
June 8…………………………..Austin, TX
June 9…………………………..Austin, TX
Aug. 3-5………………………..Quebec, CN
Sept. 8………………………….Sturgis, SD

2018 OLD SCHOOL SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 11……………………..Glen Helen, CA (canceled)
Mar. 24-25…………………Glen Helen, CA
June 17………………..…..Glen Helen, CA
Aug. 19………………..…..Glen Helen, CA
Dec. 9………………………Glen Helen, CA

2018 MAXXIS BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar.11…………………………..Lyng, England (canceled)
Apr. 1……………………………Culham, England
Apr. 22………………………….Canada Heights, England
May 6…………………………..Blaxhall, England
June 24………………………..Desertmartin, Ireland
July 29………………………….Duns, England
Aug. 26…………………………Hawkstone, England
Sept. 23………………………..TBA, England

2018 MICHELIN BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 8………………….…….Lyng, England
May 20……………..………Preston Docks, England
May 27…………….……….Hawkstone Park, England
July 1………….…..………..Sherwood, England
July 15………….…..………Canada Heights, England
Sept. 2…………….…..……Crookwood, England

2018 DUTCH MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar.11…………………………..Markelo, Holland
Apr. 2……………………………Oldebrook, Holland
May 6…………………………..Mill, Holland
July 14-16…………………….Lichtenvoorde, Holland

2018 GERMAN ADAC MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 22………………………….Drehna, Germany
May 27………………………….Molln, Germany
June 24…………………………Bielstein, Germany
May 6……………………………Blaxhall, Germany
July 15………………………….Moggers, Germany
July 29………………………….Tensfeld, Germany
Aug. 26…………………………Teutschthal, Germany
Sept. 9…………………………..Gaildorf, Germany

2018 HAWKSTONE INTERNATIONAL
Feb. 11………………………….Hawkstone, England

2018 RICKY CARMICHAEL AMATEUR SUPERCROSS
Mar. 11-12……………..…….Daytona, FL

2018 WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 31…………………..…..Glen Helen, CA

2018 LORETTA LYNN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
July 30-Aug. 4…………………Hurricane Mills, TN

2018 MONSTER ENERGY CUP
Oct. 13………………………….Las Vegas, NV

2018 REM OCTOBERCROSS
Oct. 27……………………………Glen Helen, CA

2018 DUBYA WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 3-4…………………..…..Glen Helen, CA

2018 PARIS SUPERCROSS
Nov. 17-18………………………Paris, France

2018 THOR MINI OLYMPICS
Nov. 19-24…………………….Gainesville, FL

2018 DAY IN THE DIRT
Nov. 23-25………………………..Glen Helen, CA

2018 BRITISH ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 6…………………………..Manchester
Jan. 13………………………….Newcastle
Jan. 20…………………………Birmingham
Jan. 26-27…………………….Belfast
Feb. 10………………………….Sheffield
Feb. 17………………………….London

Click on images to enlarge.

Photos: Debbi Tamietti, Brian Converse, Massimo Zanzani, Spencer Owens, David Gerig, MXA