MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Jason Anderson

Coming from Edgewood, New Mexico, which coined him the name El Hombre, Jason Anderson has been a top-level racer since his early amateur days. Though he had much success in amateur racing, winning all of the major championships, it took a few years to gain his momentum in the pro ranks. Nonetheless, when Jason Anderson came to life he was a force to be reckoned with. Riding for Rockstar Suzuki he was able to grab his first 250 class win and when the team switched to KTM, Anderson quickly became champion. Moving up to the 450 class was no different as he bounced to Rockstar Husqvarna and became a premier class champion within a few short years. Today, Jason is riding for Monster Energy Kawasaki, and a lot of the hype faded away because of one season of poor results due to Jason being in his first year of fatherhood. Now it seems that fire is back and at the start of the 2024 season Jason snagged a podium at Anaheim. It also seems that some of the competition may have forgotten about Anderson coming into the 2024 season and they are in for a rude awakening.

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT // BUD RACING’S KTM 85SX

The Bud Racain KTM 85SX features many aftermarket parts such as Öhlins Suspensions, Bud Racing Titanium Footpegs, Neken Handlebar, Bud Racing Seat Cover, R-Tech Plastics, Bud Racing Sprockets, Bud Master Cylinder Covers, and Bud Racing Bar Clamp.

The KTM 85 SX is already a very successful OEM bike, but many improvements are always possible. In addition to our specific engine and suspension tuning, you can find below a non-exhaustive list of parts and accessories that we have used to tune this 85 SX, ready to take on the tracks of the French Espoirs Championship!

Bud Racing has its own proprietary cylinder head, piston and portibb.p

The bike is further enhanced with an assortment of parts such as an HGS Exhaust System, which provides a high-performance exhaust tone and improved flow. It also features a Bud Racing Cylinder Head for increased compression and power, a Bud Racing Piston designed for durability and performance, and a JD Racing Ignition Case that offers protection and a performance edge.

Additionally, there’s a Bud Racing Power Valves Cover for optimized valve operation, a Bud Racing Clutch Cover that enhances the engine’s aesthetics and durability, VForce Reed Valves for improved airflow, a Bud Racing Water Pump Kit to ensure efficient cooling, and a Bud Racing Oil Filler Cap that adds a custom touch while securing engine oil.

Bud Racing has it own carbon fiber ignition cover for the KTM 85SX.

AMAZING RIDE FOR THE “COWBOY”

Aaron Plessinger grabbed his first big win in the 450 class in San Diego this weekend, with a stadium full of fans going wild. This win wasn’t just about hard work paying off; it showed how being a good guy off the track makes a difference in the sport. The cheers were deafening, and the respect from the other riders was clear for everyone to see. Aaron’s a genuine guy, and it showed as he left with the red plate, leading the pack. He’s shown everyone that moving on from old mistakes and staying positive can lead to great things. Winning must have felt amazing, like a huge weight lifted off his shoulders, but the season’s not done yet. This likely won’t be Aaron’s last win, and he’s looking strong for the championship with plenty of races still to go.

BEGINNING TO GET COMFORTABLE

Garrett Marchbanks turned heads at the San Diego Supercross, riding for the ClubMX Yamaha privateer team. He showed everyone that it’s not just about the bike or the team, but how much determination you bring to the track. Garrett was on fire right from the get-go, getting off to an impressive start and quickly moving into third. He didn’t stop there; he powered past top factory riders RJ Hampshire and Nate Thrasher, making it clear he was in it to win it. Just when it looked like he was going to take his first win of the season, a mix-up with a lapped rider in the final laps let Nate Thrasher sneak by. Despite this, Garrett’s performance on his bike was solid, and he looked right at home even in the tough conditions of the track. It’s going to be exciting to see what he does in the rest of the season’s races.

MARCHBANKS’ HUMBLE REACTION TO LAPPER COSTING HIM THE WIN

MXA PHOTO TRIVIA

Who is this rider? Answer at the bottom of the article.

2024 SUPERCROSS POINT STANDINGS (AFTER ROUND 3 OF 17)

The 2024 San Diego Supercoss started out dry in the morning for free practice, but when the first round of qualifying came around, the rain showed up and it didn’t slow until about 4:00 P.M. The rain made for a very slick qualifying session and the AMA ended up canceling the second round of qualifying to save the track for the night show. It was a muddy mess for the Heat races and LCQ’s, but by the time the Main Events came around, the top riders were able the clear the triple out of the 90-degree left-hander and the racing turned out to be very intense and exciting. In the end, it was Nate Thrasher who benefited from a lapper slowing Garrett Marchanks, allowing Nate to get his first win of the year. And it was Aaron Plessinger who stayed strong on the greasy 450SX Main Event track to take the win and points lead.

450SX CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS

POS.	#	NAME		POINTS
1	7	Aaron Plessinger		60
2	1	Chase Sexton		59
3	18	Jett Lawrence		56
4	21	Jason Anderson		49
5	2	Cooper Webb		49
6	14	Dylan Ferrandis		49
7	3	Eli Tomac		48
8	94	Ken Roczen		42
9	51	Justin Barcia		40
10	111	Jorge Prado		35
11	9	Adam Cianciarulo		33
12	12	Shane McElrath		29
13	96	Hunter Lawrence		27
14	15	Dean Wilson		24
15	32	Justin Cooper		22
16	52	Derek Drake		16
17	27	Malcolm Stewart		14
18	28	Christian Craig		12
19	81	Cade Clason		10
20	46	Justin Hill		8
21	22	Freddie Noren		8
22	981	Austin Politelli		7
23	67	Benny Bloss		7
24	148	Justin Rodbell		5
25	11	Kyle Chisholm		4
26	144	Jason Clermont		1
27	125	Vince Friese		0

250SX WEST COAST POINT STANDINGS (AFTER ROUND 3 OF 10)

POS.	#	NAME		POINTS
1	31	Jordon Smith		67
2	47	Levi Kitchen		59
3	26	Garrett Marchbanks		57
4	24	Rj Hampshire		54
5	55	Mitchell Oldenburg		41
6	100	Anthony Bourdon		39
7	30	Jo Shimoda		36
8	41	Carson Mumford		36
9	85	Hunter Yoder		36
10	929	Julien Beaumer		33
11	78	Joshua Varize		31
12	57	Nate Thrasher		30
13	34	Ryder DiFrancesco		28
14	71	Cole Thompson		27
15	20	Maximus Vohland		20
16	73	Robbie Wageman		19
17	36	Phillip Nicoletti		18
18	245	Matti Jorgensen		17
19	162	Max Sanford		15
20	135	Lance Kobusch		9
21	805	SladeVarola		8
22	116	Tj Albright		8
23	35	Talon Hawkins		7
24	114	Geran Stapleton		6
25	942	Deegan Hepp		5
26	500	Julien Benek		3
27	316	Ty Freehill		2
28	473	Lux Turner		2
29	509	Alex Nagy		1

You can read up on the full article by clicking here.

MOTO 4 KIDS THRILLER BEEZZZ SERIES 

Make sure you check your schedule for the next Moto 4 kids race coming up in just about a month. You don’t want to miss out as these races have been having full gates and a lot of racing action to really hone in on your skills. Check out the next event in February and clear those calendars!

AARON PLESSINGER IS THE HAPPIEST MAN IN SAN DIEGO!

2024 ANAHEIM TWO TRACK MAP

Anaheim 2 is looking to be a little more technical this weekend . It has lots of twists and turns, a tunnel and two short whoops sections, but best of all it has a much safer left-hand first turn. 

 SAN DIEGO SUPERCROSS RAW PRESS DAY

ASK THE MXPERTS: ALBERT F. SHORE WAS A MOTOCROSS TIRE GENIUS

Dear MXA,

I’m interested in how tires work on different types of terrain. At my local track the dirt is hard, but almost everyone runs Dunlop MX33s or MX3S tires. It is my understanding that these are intermediate-terrain tires. How can they run intermediate tires on hard dirt? What makes them intermediates when they look just like any other tire?

Tires are marketed in hard-, intermediate- or soft-terrain varieties. But, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. There is considerable overlap in how far up into intermediate terrain a hard-pack tire can go and how far down into hard terrain an intermediate tire can go. How can that be? The rubber in a tire is rated in something called “durometers.” A durometer is a measure of the hardness of cured rubber. Hardness has an effect on how the rubber grips, how it resists flexing and how long a tire built from it will wear. A tire’s hardness is checked by using a durometer gauge, which has a needle point that penetrates the rubber and reads its hardness on a dial. The durometer gauge is named after instrument maker Albert F. Shore. There are several different scales of durometer used for materials with different properties. The two most common scales are the Shore Type A scale for softer compounds and the Shore Type D scale for harder plastics. Motocross tires are measured using the Shore Type A durometer and given a number ranking that represents their position on a scale from soft to hard. The higher the durometer number the harder the rubber compound. To check out the full article click here

WEEKLY PRIZES IN THE SUPERCROSS MXA FANTASY LEAGUE

Even though the season has started, you can still join for an opportunity to win weekly prizes!

Apple app download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mxa-fantasy-league/id6473468112
Android app download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxa.fantasyleague&pcampaignid=web_share

Prepare for a  Supercross Fantasy experience like never before! MXA Introduces our cutting-edge app, meticulously crafted to deliver all the action right to your fingertips. Say farewell to web browsers as we usher in a sophisticated, seamless, and completely free platform for you to dive into the world of Supercross Fantasy. While we gear up for the upcoming rider selection entries, you can already engage in intense competitions by joining private parties. Challenge your friends, create groups, and immerse yourself in the competition. You can enter at any point in the 2024 Supercross series (and after that we will have a 2024 AMA Motocross Fantasy game. If you’re using Apple click here and if you’re on Android click here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: NATE THRASHER LOOKING TO CARRY MOMENTUM

“It was a good night. I felt good in the heat race, but I was a little too timid there trying to put it in the main event. Once I got in the main, I got a terrible start, but I felt like my speed was good and I just started clicking off laps and ended up getting the win. I felt good tonight in the rain. Normally, I’m pretty good in the rain. I had a bad weekend last weekend, but it was a different race track. It feels great to get back on top. Let’s carry the momentum into next week.”

MOOSE RACING SPRING 2024 APPAREL 

Moose Racing would like to introduce their new Spring 2024 Apparel release. They are introducing 3 new colorways of our stretch fit, Agroid racewear, and 6 new colorways of our fully vented Sahara racewear. For the Youth riders, we have 2 new colorways Youth Agroid racewear and a new helmet called the F.I. Vaporwave. They are also introducing a new moto vest for the chilly rides. For the MTBriders, we have a new jersey available in 3 colorways, a stretch-fit minimal knee pad, and 4 new colorways in our new Agroid MTB glove. Finally, we have a new Roller Gear Bag with locker-style dividers and a fold-out dress mat. Retail Prices will be listed below. Head on over to your local dealer or to www.mooseracing.com to check these out.

MOOSE SPRING APPAREL PRICE LIST:
Sahara Jersey: $49.95 – $54.95, Adult Sahara Pants: $139.95.

Sahara Jersey: $49.95 – $54.95 & Sahara Pants: $139.95.

Moto Vest: $69.95
MTB Jersey: $36.95
MTB Knee Pads: $54.95
MTB Gloves: $24.95
Youth F.I. Vaporwave Helmet: $129.95
Youth Agroid Jersey: $29.95, Youth Agroid Pants: $84.95

Roller Gear Bag: $299.95

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Ernesto Fonseca on his way to an eighth-place finish in the 1999 motocross series. Riding for Yamaha of Troy and competing in the 125cc class.

CLASSIC MXA PHOTO

Three-time AMA 250 National Champion Tony DiStefano gearing up for battle. Tony was the 250 champion in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Anaheim Husqvarna was Tony’s last sponsor before he injured his eye in a workshop accident. If you don’t know, Anaheim Husqvarna was owned by Mitch Payton.

MXA PHOTO TRIVIA ANSWER: KTM built Broc Sellards a KTM 200SX for the 2001 Supercross season because his best lap times on the KTM test track were on his 125SX. Rather than put him on a 250, They built him a one-off 200SX.