MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Justin Hill
Bike: 2020 Honda CRF450
Track: Anaheim 1 Supercross
Photographer: Daryl Ecklund

JAMES STEWART FREESTONE AMATEUR SPRING NATIONAL CANCELED

March 17, 2020 – Freestone Raceway has decided to cancel 11th Annual James Stewart Spring Championship. Our number one priority is the best interest of our racers, families, industry partners, and keeping them safe. Hour by hour things are changing with the situation of Covid 19. We couldn’t foresee a day ago the news we hear today, and the safety concerns as they escalate daily. It is the most difficult decision we’ve had to make but, it was the best one for the riders and families. As a whole the way Freestone staff and industry partners all felt Sunday was not how we feel right now.

However, this is just one event to be affected. Not only will other events and race tracks be affected by these same difficult times we are faced with and the impacts received from them but, the families and small businesses that drive the sport we all love will be impacted too. On behalf of Freestone Raceway family and staff, we are praying for a safe and healthy return home. We hope there is as little impact as possible over the next few months. Freestone is honoring our refund policy as posted and allowing people plenty of time to prepare for their return home.

Geico Honda amateur rider, Hunter Yoder was looking forward to the Freestone Spring National. He and many amateur motocross families will be driving home from Texas now to wait for the Coronavirus to go away. 

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: MAX GIERMAN’S 2007 YAMAHA YZ250

Max Gierman’s 2007 YZ250 looks like new.

Max Gierman gave us all the details about the build: “The bike is a 2007 YZ250. Its kind of been a consistent project from around november of 2019. That’s around the time when we have to stop riding in Michigan. First off, I decided to send the suspension to Enzo Racing, I have their stuff on my 250F as well and it is unbelievable. I got a great deal on black friday from Pro Circuit for a full system. I also added a Hinson clutch this past summer. I decided I wanted to make a white and black YZ250 because I’ve only seen a couple of them with the new style plastic and aluminum frame so I thought that would be unique. I also had some friends that just started up a couple businesses. One being a Graphics company called Prizm Designs, as well as Tuscola’s Finest Powder coating. My wheels were a little beat up when I first started, so I had my friend Kodee at Tuscola’s Finest powder coat my hubs a cool copper color and I laced those to some DID STX black rims for a pretty cool look. I also added a GYTR flywheel weight because I had read that Jody and MXA recommend those so I figured I’d give it a try. I added full Acerbis Plastics. Last was the graphics from my friend Aaron at Prizm Designs and I think he knocked it out of the park. Overall, I’m super pleased with how the whole bike turned out. Next on my list of things to do is to get the triple clamps coated, a new clutch cover,  as well as try out some linkages.”

Another view of the bike.

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. 

MXA RIDES MRE’S KTR500 TWO-STROKE: PART CR500, PART KTM

JUSTIN BRAYTON’S 10-DAY GEAR GIVEAWAY (6 DAYS LEFT)

Justin Brayton is doing a gear giveaway on his instagram @justinbrayton.

Justin Brayton is making the most of his time off from racing and he’s working hard to promote himself and his sponsors while also making his fans happy at the same time. Read Justin’s instagram post below to get yourself in the running to win some authentic gear!

Justin Brayton said via instagram: “What a crazy time it is right now with so many unknowns. In light of the situation I’m gonna do a 10 day giveaway with assortment of stuff. @flyracingusa gear and a Fly hat, @scottmotosports goggles, some JB10 swag, an @10cycles cycling kit and hat. I may add in a few other items along the way. Simply like, share and tag a friend and tell me why you should win and I’ll let my daughter Parker help me pick the winners. I’ll be posting around 10am (est) over the next 10 days so be ready.”

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: DRC 1.6 HIGH PRESSURE RADIATOR CAP

We struck the DRC high pressure radiator cap on our 2020 KX450 test bike to ensure all of our coolant stays where it belongs. 

TWO COLTON HAAKERS? – HUSQVARNA TE300i TWO-STROKE

WILL THE 2020 AMA NATIONALS BE ABLE TO RUN?

The 2020 AMA outdoor National Championship is set to begin on Saturday, May 16th, but we aren’t holding our breath. Read what Mx Sports has to say about it below:

MX Sports Pro Racing stated: “As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, MX Sports Pro Racing is carefully monitoring the impact of the illness across the country and recognizes the proactive measures that professional sports leagues and sporting events in the United States are taking in an effort to minimize its spread. With the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship approaching, MX Sports Pro Racing is conducting discussions with our series partners to determine what actions might be required for currently scheduled series events. Each day presents new information in regards to the coronavirus, and that newfound knowledge will be taken into consideration as we continue to prepare for the new season, as will any actions taken by local and state governments where our venues are located, or any precautionary measures issued by the national government.”

MXA RIDES THE 2020 YAMAHA YZ125X

It’s not too often you see someone with an orange helmet riding a bike with a kickstand. Well, MXA’s Josh Mosiman had so much fun on the new 2020 Yamaha YZ125X in South Carolina that we had Yamaha give us one here in California to test out on motocross tracks. No, it’s not as powerful for motocross, but it is suited for entry-level riders much better because of the more mellow powerband. This bike is easier to ride and you don’t have to ride the clutch as much to get it into the power. Check out the magazine for a detail article about the bike soon and watch the First Ride video from South Carolina below:

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI REPLICA GRAPHICS

PRO CIRCUIT CORONA, CA – March 6, 2020 – Recently stocked in the Pro Circuit warehouse, the 2020 Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team graphic kit will make any 2014-2020 KX85, 2017-2020 KX250 and 2019-2020 KX450 model look like it belongs under the team tent! Each kit includes high-quality digitally printed graphic decals for front and rear fenders, front fender curved decals, shroud decals, fork guard decals, swingarm decals and extra sponsor decals for fenders and tank. Number plate backgrounds and seat cover are not included in the kit. Please note: Gold hologram elements seen on team bikes are not featured in the sale kits.Priced at $126.75, you can order them online at www.procircuit.com.

WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO

Josh Mosiman has been spending some time on the 2020 Yamaha YZ250F lately with the Rekluse RadiusCX auto-clutch. Previously, Josh never thought of running an auto-clutch on a motocross track, but after hearing that the Star Racing Yamaha team has been running it often, he had to try it. The auto-clutch is great because it eliminates the worry of stalling and allows you to focus on riding technique and line choice rather than feathering the clutch to keep the bike in the proper rpm. 

Rekluse Clutch engineer, Karl Jensen drove down from Idaho to come testing with MXA in Southern California. Here, Karl shows Josh how to install the Rekluse RadiusCX auto-clutch.

Up close on the Rekluse RadiusCX auto-clutch. 

Justin Muscutt got to test MXA’s 2020 Yamaha YZ450F airbox mod. With just changes to the air filter, airbox cover and the map, MXA got over 60 horsepower from the YZ450F without any other mods.

Dennis Stapleton on MXA’s 2020-1/2 KTM Factory Edition at Glen Helen.

Josh Mosiman laying over the 2020-1/2 Husqvarna Rockstar Edition FC450.

Here’s a sneak peak at our 2020 TM144 project bike. It’s headed to the MXA studios for photos this week and then to the track for testing soon.

MXA’s fleet of 2020 test bikes, well half of them anyway, lined up and waiting for the weekend.

MXA assigned Josh Fout to race our 2020 Yamaha YZ125X (note the kickstand) in motocross and then take it to his Big Bear home terrain and run the off-road portion of the test.

Josh also received some of the new limited edition Helium gear from FXR Racing recently. We get excited for limited edition gear, but it’s extra exciting when the gear has our logo and name custom printed into the jersey fabric. Now that’s cool.

ANDREW SHORT JOINS MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA RALLY TEAM

Andrew Short recently switched from the Rockstar Husqvarna team to Monster Energy Yamaha and he has set his sights on the 2020 Rally season.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands (13 March 2020) – The Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official Team are excited to announce a strengthened rider line-up for the 2020 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, as Andrew Short and Ross Branch join the squad. Both racers showed impressive pace and the ability to overcome adversity at this year’s Dakar Rally and look set to become key members of the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official Team.

Andrew Short is one of the world’s most versatile and successful off-road motorcycle racers. A hugely experienced US Supercross and motocross competitor, with close to 40 career podium results to his credit, he was also a winning member of the USA’s 2010 Motocross of Nations team.

Calling time on his 16-year supercross and motocross career, the Texas native switched to cross-country rally racing at the end of 2017. Competing in his first Dakar Rally in 2018, Andrew has since completed three Dakars, placed as runner-up in the 2019 Silk Way Rally and won the 2019 Rally du Maroc.

Andrew Short:“I am really excited to be joining the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official Team ahead of the 2020 FIM Rally World Championship. I’m looking forward to working with a new group of people and a brand that has enjoyed a lot of success in rally in the past. I know everyone in the team will be pushing me to improve and get better results. My main goal is Dakar 2021, but between now and then we hope to get a lot of racing and preparation work done, and I can’t wait to get it all started.”

Short and Branch were set to make their competitive debut for the Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official Team at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. However, with the opening event of the 2020 FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship postponed due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, the new target is Rally Kazakhstan, which runs from 24-29 May.

Andrew is still in Fly Racing gear, but now the logos on it have switched from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna to Monster Energy Yamaha.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: WORKS CONNECTION SKID PLATES

The new Works Connection skid plate for 19-‘20 KTM 250/350SX-F’s and ’19-‘20 Husqvarna FC250/350 models.

Works Connection has just released its MX style Skid Plate for ’19-‘20 KTM 250/350SX-F’s and ’19-‘20 Husqvarna FC250/350 models. Coverage includes protection for the center cases, frame rails and clutch side case. A CNC’d front bracket and single bolt for the rear mount makes installation simple and reliable. Convenient oil drain access hole means oil changes are quick and easy without having to remove the skid plate. The skid plates cost just $84.95 and you can find them at worksconnection.com.

FIND MXA ON TIKTOK: ALL THE KIDS ARE DOING IT

THE APRIL 2020 ISSUE IS JAM-PACKED FULL OF BIKE TEST & TECH ARTICLES

If you haven’t seen the latest issue of MXA then you are missing a thrill ride of motocross facts, figures, information, racing, tech and the stuff that never makes it to your phone.

If you subscribe to MXA you can get the mag 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 the awesome print edition delivered to your house by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government. You can call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here (or on the box at the bottom of this page) to subscribe.

125 TWO-STROKE BATTLES IN TEXAS: BRADON RAY’S GOPRO

WANNA RACE IN SOCAL? NEED TO RENT A BIKE? FIND A PLACE TO STAY? NEED MOTOCROSS INSTRUCTION: JUST CALL STAPO

Dennis Stapleton doing what he does every day of the week — let him make your dreams come true.

In his spare time, when he’s not testing with MXA, racing in a foreign country, going to Japan or helping many of his motocross buddies, MXA test rider Dennis Stapleton opens up his house, garage, bikes and mechanics to help riders who would like to come to SoCal on a motocross vacation. He offers full service to all of the Southern California tracks for racers or for play riders. Whether you want to rent a bike, move in for a week, race at Glen Helen or take motocross lessons—this is one-stop shopping. Just send them an email ([email protected]). If you’d like to live the SoCal lifestyle for a day, a weekend, a week, a month or three months, visit Dennis Stapleton’s’ website at www.knobbyshopsouth.org for more details!

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