MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Jacob Hayes

Jacob was one of the more dominant riders in amateur racing and did go on to have some good results in the professional scene though his career was not the longest. His first time visiting Loretta Lynns was in 2003 in the 65 (7-9) age group and he would grab his first championship in 2005 in the 65 (10-11) age group. He would best some of the riders who are still big names in racing to this day like Colt Nichols, Joey Savatgy, and Kyle Peters. His next win at the ranch came in 2009 in the schoolboy class where he would go 4-1-1 moto scores. Stepping into the pro ranks he struggled his first seasons in 2012 and 2013 and would take a few years off to race Arenacross where he would battle for the championship. in 2017 he raced Australian Supercross which he did until 2019 when he actually grabbed a win. When returning to Supercross back in the States the year after he would put up some impressive results in the 250 West division including a fifth at the Glendale Supercross. Jacob today, still rides and trains working closely with the Lawrence brothers.

LUCERNE VALLEY HARE AND HOUND FINALE

Dalton Shirey on his way to winning the AA pro class on Sunday. 

The National Hare and Hound series had their final this past weekend in Lucerne Valley and the riders did not disappoint. Riders began the race from a dead engine start and from the beginning, it was Dalton Shirey who would take the early lead, followed by Austin Walton. Both riders on board their Rockstar Husqvarnas.

Preston Campbell on his way to finishing third in the AA Pro class.

Preston Campbell also had an impressive showing this past weekend. After the first lap, he had a three-minute deficit with the leaders. Campbell would put his head down through the more technical terrain of the second stretch of the course. By the time the race was finished, Preston was only five-hundredths of a second off of Austin Walton in second. Which was an impressive comeback for the JCR rider.

Colton Aeck finished fourth in the 250 Pro division.

One of the riders with a strong motocross background is Colton Aeck who was able to grab fourth this weekend. This was his only Hare and Hound race of the year as he has spent the majority of his time racing Worcs and NGPC racing. He rode impressively to a solid finish.

Troy Anderson finished a solid fourth in the Open B race and took home third overall in the series.

It’s not just the pros that make this race so interesting. The B classes had some impressive riding as well and riders like Ryan Goodwin and Troy Anderson also battled through the elements. Troy started around mid-pack and immediately began to make his way through the pack. Unfortunately for him, an early crash would land him with a set of bent bars that he would have to complete the race on. A true testament to a rider’s grit and will to finish.

Pro rider Daemon Woolslayer got a kick off the rocks, sending him into an airwheelie. He would also do some bushwhacking before getting back on the course and finishing out his moto.

COLTON HAAKER CLAIMS RUNNER-UP IN FINAL 2024 AMA ENDUROCROSS STANDINGS

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker has finished second position in the 2024 AMA EnduroCross Series after taking the title race down to the wire at Everett’s final round in Washington.

Five-time EX Pro Champion Haaker was fifth in the opening round and then delivered four consecutive podiums to keep himself in contention, including a sole overall victory in Idaho at Round 3.
A fifth-place result in the final round came courtesy of a 2-8-5 scorecard onboard his Husqvarna FX 350, solidifying what has been a consistently strong season for Haaker in 2024.

Fourth position at the final round of the AMA EnduroCross season was a fine way to finish the year for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Ryder LeBlond with 5-5-3 results, which came in as a season-best on his way to P6 in the final standings.

2025 TRIUMPH TF450-RC TESTED

MXA PHOTO TRIVIA

Who is this rider? The answer can be found at the bottom of this article.

MICRO-X HALF-WAFFLE LOCK-ON MX GRIP

Designed for use on Micro Handlebars.  KTM, Husqvarna, and Gas Gas SX50, E2, E3, and E5 Bikes all come OEM with the Micro-Grips.  ODI Has released a replacement for these bikes in 5 cool colors.  They are also adaptive to fit Cobra CX50’s as well as any bikes that have the Pro Taper or Mika Micro Handlebar upgrade.

ASK THE MXPERTS: MYSTERIOUS FORK OIL LEAK

MYSTERIOUS FORK-OIL LEAK

Dear MXperts,
I am trying to build an ultra-trick Kawasaki KX250F. I designed all-new Decal Works graphics, bought Luxon triple clamps, and used all the leftover titanium bolts that would fit from my old Honda CRF250. But, the first time I rolled it out to ride it, oil started leaking. I’ve seen leaking fork seals but never leaking fork lugs. What do you think this is?

The big clue to diagnosing your bike’s problem was when you said that you “used all the leftover titanium bolts” from your old bike. It is critically important that you always use the exact same length fork guard bolts that came with your bike. If the leftover titanium fork guard bolts were longer than the stock Kawasaki KX250F bolts, then they could extend through the fork lug and hit against the fork tube, denting it. This not only damages the fork leg, but it breaks the glued-and-screwed attachment system. Fork oil can weep out through the dented portion. Do not ride your bike until you have both fork legs checked by a qualified suspension mechanic. You will have to replace the forks legs if you have dented them.

JORGE PRADO JOINS KAWASAKI FOR 2025 AMA SUPERCROSS & MOTOCROSS SEASON

Fresh off winning back-to-back FIM World MXGP Championships, Monster Energy Kawasaki welcomes four-time FIM Motocross World Champion Jorge Prado, who will join 2018 Monster Energy Supercross champion, Jason Anderson to compete on the new KX™450SR.

IRONMAN CHALLENGE: SURVIVING GLEN HELEN’S 24-HOUR ENDURANCE RACE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: JORGE PRADO ON HIS NEW RIDE WITH MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

“Coming to America to race Supercross, Motocross and the Supermotocross World Championship with Monster Energy Kawasaki is an incredible opportunity. I’ve always admired the level of competition here, and I’m excited to challenge myself against some of the best riders in the world. This is a new chapter in my career, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got, representing a legendary factory like Kawasaki. The passion and intensity of the fans here is unmatched, and I can’t wait to experience that energy.”

THE LOSI PROMOTO-MX RC MOTORCYCLE IS MAKES THE PERFECT GIFT!  

If you’re looking to shop Losi products be sure to click here.

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK

MXA test rider Connor Steyers getting stylish during our 2024 450 shootout. He also helped along with the 2025 450 shootout which can be viewed here.

CLASSIC MXA PHOTO

Jeremy McGrath racing Supercross for Suzuki back in 1997.

MXA Photo Trivia: Gary Jones who won the inaugural AMA 250cc motocross national championship in 1972. Jones then successfully defended his national championship in 1973 and 1974, winning three consecutive 250cc motocross national championships while competing on three different brands of motorcycles, a feat which has never been repeated in AMA motocross history.