MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT BY DARYL ECKLUND

51fifty#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

mid week--6

Rider: Dylan Ferrandis
Event: 2018 Thor Intro
Photographer: Travis Fant
Lens: 300mm
Focal length: 300mm
Exposure: 1/1600
F-stop: 4
ISO: 100

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: MICK FRASER’S 1997 KAWASAKI KX80

mid week-4Before and after pictures. 

“I’d like to share with you a Kawasaki KX80 restoration project I recently completed. It is a 1997 year model that I made look like a 1992 year model.
I purchased the bike for $200. It had a seized engine and was quite beat up and in need of a lot of work. The previous owner had left the cylinder head off the engine for a few years and there was rust on the crank and the engine was in need of a full overhaul. JRK Works Motorsports in Calgary, Alberta did a great job of a complete engine rebuild.
I bought the bike to teach my girlfriend to ride on so I took the suspension to Don Ellis at Pro-Action Canada in Airdrie, Alberta for him to service and re-spring/valve for an adult sized rider.

mid week-3The bike was transformed from a 1997 model to a 1992. You don’t hear about people making their bikes older vary often. 

The remainder of the work I did myself:

-Sanded and painted the frame
-Painted the swingarm
-Painted the exhaust expansion chamber and repacked the muffler
-Replaced all bearings in the linkage, wheels and swingarm
-Rebuilt the front and rear brake master cylinders and calipers
-New rear brake disc
-New clutch and throttle cables
-New Renthal handle bars and grips
-Complete new plastics kit and new blue front fork boots

KX80Bought for $200 and restored to an original condition. 

To finish off the bike I added 1992 OEM style tank and rad shroud decals and a 1992 style seat cover. I also used a 1990’s style KX125/250 style swingarm decal as I couldn’t find any readily available 1992 style KX80 swingarm decals.”

Editors Note: Please keep those submissions coming. If you would like your bike to be featured in the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” please email me at [email protected]. All I ask is that you give a breakdown of your bike and a detailed description of the build. Please also send a few photos of your steed. By submitting your bike for the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” you agree to release all ownership rights to the images and copy to MXA. Please don’t email me spam or try selling me Taylor Swift concert tickets or email me spam. I already celebrate T-Swizzle’s entire collective, and there will be “bad blood” if you send me junk mail. See what I did there? Happy submitting your smoker.

2018 FOX INTRO

Fox 2018 intro-9496The intro was held at Saarloos and Sons in Los Olivos about 10 minutes outside of Buellton.

This week the MXA gang headed up to Buellton, Califonria, for the 2018 Fox introduction. They wined us and dined us the first night—releasing their Magnetic Visor release System (MVRS) and the all-new 180 boot as well as new colorways on all their different gear lines. Day 2 we went to Zaca Station to moto in the new gear with Ricky Carmichael, Ivan Tedesco and Carey Hart.

Fox 2018 intro-9552The 2018 Fox 360 line. 

You might have seem the MVRS system in Supercross on Chad Reed’s and Ken Roczen’s V3 lid. While Ken’s came off in his big crash at A2, it was all part of the plan. The MVRS system is made to come off when coming in contact with the ground. Why? So the visor doesn’t rotate your head when hitting the ground. We rode with this helmet all day and got pelted with roost with having no issues with the new magnetic visor staying in place.

Fox 2018 intro-9566Fox has there own beer? 

Fox 2018 intro-9581Not a bad place to spend an afternoon. 

Carey HartCarey Hart was in attendance. 

Fox 2018 intro-9569The V3 lid that Ken Roczen crashed in at A2 was on display. 

Fox 2018 intro-9530One of RC’s old lids. 

Fox 2018 intro-9523Flexair Hifeye gear (left) and Flexair Preest gear (right). 

2018 Fox V3 helmetThe Fox V3 MVRS now comes in 4 shells sizes for 2018. If you were snug in a medium before, you will have to step up to a large in the new V3. The price went from $450 to $500 with the additional features. 

Ricky CarmichaelRicky Carmichael had a hand in the development process of the new 180 boot. He came out and rode with us for the day. Photo Travis Fant

180 fox bootThe 180 Fox boot has features never seen on an MX boot before. Features like its silicone closure system and floating cuff system. It offers many features used on the tried and true Fox Instinct boot as well. 

Ivan TedescoIvan Tedesco spinning laps at Zaca in 18′ threads. 

THEY SAID IT: MILLVILLE NATIONAL

Marvin Musquin 2017 millville national--17Marvin Musquin: It was definitely a great day. I knew my speed was good. I was the fastest after the second practice, and the track was so soft. It was sandy and, with all the rain, it made the track super rutted and technical. But that’s good for me – I like that kind of track. I had a perfect first moto and got the holeshot then tried to pull a gap on everyone. I think I had over a 20 second gap, which is the best feeling ever. I controlled the race and was able to be smooth and consistent. I wanted to do the same thing in the second moto. It didn’t work that way off the start, but I was able to make the passes to get up front and try to get a gap. Baggett was putting on a charge, but I was consistent and was really happy with my riding. The bike setup is perfect, thanks to the team. Going 1-1 is a dream come true in the 450 class.”

Cole SeelyCole Seely: “The second moto was definitely the highlight of my day. Leading up to it was just okay. In practice, I never got a good lap in. It seemed like you needed to get out there and go right away and unfortunately I didn’t use that strategy. Instead I was trying to find lines and pick my way through. In the first moto I got a good start and just rode way too tight. I used too much energy in the beginning, made way too many big mistakes, and just wasn’t feeling it. I basically went backward in that one. I was still pretty tired heading into the second moto but we softened the bike up a little to make it easier to ride because the track was very treacherous. I got a decent start but actually went down on the first lap and fell back to 16th. I just started picking my way through guys and found myself in fifth before Eli [Tomac] got me on the second-to-last lap. It sucks I ended up eighth overall but I still feel like I’m making progress each week, even if the overall results don’t show it.”

CHRISTIANCRAIGBDAYChristian Craig: “Today started off pretty good. I’ve ridden here quite a bit when I lived in Minnesota for a couple years, so I knew what I was getting myself into. The track was muddy for practice but I just got out front and put down some solid lap times and actually qualified second, so I was pretty happy with that. I know my speed is there and I know I belong up front, so I just went into the motos open-minded. I got a pretty decent start in the first moto and was running fourth for a while before losing a few spots. Cole and I were battling back and forth most the race, passing each other two times before I was able to get by him with two laps left. I ended up seventh. I just tried to do the same thing in the second moto. I got an okay start and just rode my way through the pack. I was able to make some good passes toward the end for seventh again. I actually went 7-7 for ninth overall, which is a bummer, but oh well. I put in two solid motos and we’re moving forward to Washougal.”

Eli TomacEli Tomac: “When I went down in Moto 2 I was just trying to get back to my bike as quickly as I could,” said Tomac. “Luckily it happened on the first lap, which gave me time to try and make my way back through the field. I had a second crash when I ran into the back of another riders tire, so that set us back even more. I was able to make it back to fifth and that ended up being better than I was expecting I could do. The track was tough today. It was tough to find a flow with the spongy dirt.”

Joey SavatgyJoey Savatgy: “I felt really good today. It’s obviously easy to say that when you win, but I haven’t felt this strong in a while. I did some testing with the team in Florida during the break and it seems to have paid off. It’s important to feel one with the bike, and the team did a great job to get me comfortable. It was really hot and muggy today, almost like another day of training in Florida. I’m headed in the right direction and look forward to contending for some more wins from here on out.”

Zach Osborne 2017 millville national--34Zach Osborne: “I was pretty nervous in the first moto with the bike issue that we had. Fortunately, I was able to salvage some points and had some luck that my bike lasted until the finish. To get an eighth under those circumstances, I’ll take it. The second moto I was able to go out and run my pace, which I felt was pretty good, and came through for the win. All in all it feels good to have minimized the damage and keep the points lead.”

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2018 THOR INTRO

thor 2018Here sits the 2018 Thor Plus gear. Photo Travis Fant

Last week MXA headed deep into El Cajon for the 2018 Thor Intro. For the most part the entire Thor Racing team was in attendance and they put on a show for our camera off a dirty hip jump.

Mitchell HarrisonMitchell Harrison displays prime form. Photo Travis Fant

thor 2018This is the Verge Tracker multi helmetPhoto Travis Fant

Cooper WebbCooper Webb. Photo Travis Fant

Colt NicholsColt Nichols throws a Nac-Nac. Photo Travis Fant

thor 2018This is the Fuse Bion blue kitPhoto Travis Fant

Destory AbbottIt was awesome to see offroad legend Destry Abbott showing these kids a thing or two. Photo Travis Fant

2018 THOR VIDEO

PIT PARTY: MILLVILE

mid week--22 Benny Bloss mid week--21 mid week--20 mid week--19 mid week--18 Cooper Webb Ollie Stone Kyle Cunningham Cole Seely Zach Osborne 2018 Millville

MXA ARCHIVES: SHAE BENTLEY 2001 SUPERCROSS

Shae Bentley 2001193Shae won the 2000 West coast Supercross title for the Pro Circuit Kawi team on a KX125. Those 2001 PC bikes are probably the coolest looking bikes to date. 

2017-18 RACE SCHEDULES: BE THERE OR BE SQUARE

MX2start_MXGP_13_CZ_2017
2018 MONSTER ENERGY SUPPERCROSS SCHEDULE

Jan. 6…… Anaheim, CA…… Angel Stadium
Jan. 13…… Houston, TX…… NRG Stadium
Jan. 20…… Anaheim, CA…… Angel Stadium
Jan. 27…… Glendale, AZ…… U. of Phoenix Stadium
Feb. 3…… Oakland, CA…… Oakland Aameda Coliseum
Feb. 10…… San Diego, CA…… Petco Park
Feb. 17…… Arlington, TX…… AT&T Stadium
Feb. 24…… Tampa, FL…… Raymond James Stadium
Mar. 3…… Atlanta, GA…… Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mar. 10…… Daytona, FL…… Daytona Intl. Speedway
Mar. 17…… St. Louis, MO…… Dome at America’s Center
Mar. 24…… Indianapolis, IN…… Lucas Oil Stadium
Apr. 7…… Seattle, WA…… Centurylink Field
Apr. 14…… Minneapolis, MN…… U.S. Bank Stadium
Apr. 21…… Foxborough, MA…… Gillette Stadium
Apr. 28…… Salt Lake City, UT…… Rice-Eccles Stadium
May 5…… Las Vegas, NV…… Sam Boyd Stadium

2017 LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

May 20…Hangtown…Sacramento, CA
May 27…Glen Helen…San Bernardino, CA
June 3…Thunder Valley…Lakewood, CO
June 17…High Point…Mount Morris, PA
June 24…Muddy Creek…Blountville, TN
July 1…Red Bud…Buchanan, MI
July 8…Southwick…Southwick, MA
July 22…Spring Creek…Millville, MN
July 29…Washougal…Washougal, WA
August 12…Unadilla…New Berlin, NY
August 19…Budds Creek…Mechanicsville, MD
August 26…Ironman…Crawfordsville, IN
* Visit www.promotocross.com/mx/tickets to buy tickets

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

February 25…Losail…Qatar
March 5…Pangkal Pinang…Indonesia
March 19…Neuquen…Argentina
April 2…Leon…Mexico
April 16…Trentino…Italy
April 23…Valkenswaard…The Netherlands
May 7…Kegums…Latvia
May 21…Teutschenthal…Germany
May 28…Ernee…France
June 11…Orlyonok…Russia
June 25…Ottobiana…Italy
July 2…Agueda…Portugal
July 23…Loket…Czech Republic
August 6…Lommel…Belgium
August 13…Frauenfeld…Switzerland
August 20…Uddevalla…Sweden
September 3…Gainesville…USA
September 10…Assen…The Netherlands
September 17…Villars sous Ecot…France

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Photos by Scott Mallonee, Travis Fant, Daryl Ecklund

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