MOTOCROSS ACTION’S MID-WEEK REPORT: (10/28/10)

NEW AMA RULES FOR 2011: YOU CAN’T PLAY THE GAME UNLESS YOU KNOW THE RULES

OUTSIDE GATES CANNOT BE USED
When using a starting gate with 22 gates, any time a race is scheduled for less than 22 riders, the outside gate at either end will not be used. These outside
gates will only be used when more than 20 riders are competing in the race.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS WILL BE PAID TO FILL-ON RIDERS
Under special circumstances, if more than 20 riders are in the main event, riders finishing 21 and up will receive 1 point.
 
250 EAST/WEST POINTS WILL BE PAID AT THE FINAL ROUND IN LAS VEGAS
250 Supercross East/West points given at the final round in Las Vegas will count towards both the 250 East and 250 West Championships. The format for the 250 class at the Las Vegas round will be announced at a later date. If more than 80 entries are received, entries will only be accepted from riders that have declared a region and have competed in at least one 2011 250 East/West event prior to Las Vegas.
 
CAREER AMA NUMBERS
Riders who finish in the top ten in Championship points from the combined Supercross, MX 250 and MX 450 classes from the previous competition year will
have a priority for the selection of a National two-digit available number for their career number. This change takes effect with the selection of 2011 career numbers.
 
HOW TO LOSE YOUR CAREER NUMBER
Riders who fail to earn at least 25 championship points during the season preceding the new season will lose their career number and be issued a new number based on current points. Special consideration is given to a rider if he/she is confirmed with a season-long injury which prevents him/her from competing that season. This change will take effect with points from the 2011 season towards keeping career numbers in 2012.
 
RIDERS MUST RUN THEIR NATIONAL NUMBERS
All riders must use the competition number that has been assigned for the current season. This includes the Championship number 1, career number or an earned
National number.

MINI-VIEW: BLAKE BAGGETT
By John Basher

    Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s newest member, Blake Baggett, had a roller coaster ride of a rookie season. Baggett is one case of a rider that has tremendous talent, but the results don’t necessarily indicate such. The California kid finished fifth in the 250 East, but he was one of only three riders to win a race. Outdoors Baggett finished 23rd overall, but that was after a podium finish in the first moto at High Point and an abridged outdoor series. During practice at Budds Creek Blake suffered a violent crash in which he suffered a compound fracture. He was rushed to the nearest hospital where doctors worked feverishly to insert a 24mm long rod and four screws. In the process the surgeon cut through Blake’s rotator cuff, which led to extensive time off. He was oh-so-close to racing the Pala finale, but at the last minute was directed not to race. It was a good call. For 2011 Blake will be under the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki awning. We caught up with him as he prepares for his second year on the pro scene.

MXA: In your rookie season you had quite a few ups and downs. An obvious high was winning the Dallas Supercross, but the year was also marked by a horrible crash at Budds Creek, which left you with a badly broken arm. What did you think of your freshman year in the pro ranks?
Blake: Coming from the amateur class I had never ridden Supercross before 2010. I wanted to get my feet wet and I didn’t set my goals very high in Supercross. I hoped to finish inside the top 10 in the first race and then work my way into the top five as the 250 East continued. In my first race I finished 11th, which wasn’t bad, but I didn’t reach my goal. Then I got the ball rolling and started to figure out how things work in Supercross. I became more comfortable around a Supercross track, and I kept my nerves under control. I got an unexpected win at Dallas, and I say that because I didn’t know that I was going to win my first year out. Then two weeks later I finished second, behind Christophe Pourcel. That second place finish made me feel really good, because I was able to back up the win and show people that the win wasn’t just a fluke. I didn’t finish out the Supercross series super strong, but I had a pretty decent showing.

    “At the test track I had two months to get the rhythm down, because the track never changed. Before a Supercross race I had to figure everything out during the track walk. Then I get 15 minutes to figure out the track, jump the big sections, and go for it.”

What was the hardest thing to adapt to in Supercross?
It was hard to throw down a fast lap right away on a Supercross track that I had never ridden before. At the test track I had two months to get the rhythm down, because the track never changed. Before a Supercross race I had to figure everything out during the track walk. Then I get 15 minutes to figure out the track, jump the big sections, and go for it. As the series continued I learned to just go for it right off the bat [laughter].

Blake won a Supercross race in only his fifth time out.

You mentioned that the win in Dallas wasn’t expected. Of course you want to win, but before the season started did winning seem like a lofty goal?
I definitely wanted to win. I thought maybe Daytona would have played more into my favor since it’s an outdoor-style layout. The Dallas dirt was super hard packed, and I didn’t expect to do very well there. I rode during the press day there and right off the bat I didn’t like the dirt. Then I barely made it into the main and had trouble going, but once I made it into the main event I basically hit the reset button. All of a sudden I was feeling comfortable on the track and sat in second place behind Ryan Sipes. With a few laps to go the lappers held Sipes up, and I made the pass on him. I didn’t even realize that I had won!

From what I gather you prefer racing outdoors as opposed to Supercross?
I thought I did last year, but the way my outdoor season went it might be the opposite [laughter]! I have always been fast outdoors. I rode the last three Nationals in 2008 as a privateer and finished fourth in a moto at Steel City. I figured that the outdoors would be easier for me to run up front, but this year I had a string of mistakes on my part. My outdoor season went downhill really fast.

Bad luck might have been a contributing factor at Hangtown in the second moto start, because you got caught up in a pileup that wasn’t your fault.
Yeah, but I should have gotten a better start. I shouldn’t have been back in the pack with everyone else. I got beat up from that crash! I didn’t even know if I was going to race the following race at Freestone. I only rode once the week before Freestone, and then I went to the race and just went for it. I drove back to Texas after Hangtown and was super sore. In the first moto I was feeling really good, but then my bike broke. My streak of luck went south again [laughter]. I was so bummed! I had just passed into third around the halfway point, and I think that I could have caught up and passed Eli Tomac, because he ended up fading.

    “I pushed the front wheel through the rut and the rear wheel hooked in the rut. I went off the jump sideways, and there wasn’t anything I could do but jump off the bike. “

Talk about Budds Creek. You were putting in a strong ride, but then all of a sudden the caution flags are waving before the finish line. The double heading into the gully before the finish line jump was one of the worst places to crash on that track.
That was horrible. The crash was 100-percent my fault. I was sitting in fourth place in the qualifying session, and I wanted to go faster so that I could get a really strong qualifying lap. What happened is I jumped into the section and as I was going up to the face of the double I pushed the front wheel through the rut and the rear wheel hooked in the rut. I went off the jump sideways, and there wasn’t anything I could do but jump off the bike. I landed at the bottom of the slope on my side and broke my arm. It was game over for my outdoor season.

Baggett was flying during practice at the Budds Creek National. Shortly after this photo was taken Blake’s luck, as he said, “went south.”

Are you completely healthy?
I would say that I’m darn close to 100 percent. There are a few things that are more difficult to do now than before the injury. However, I don’t have any real limitations while riding. My arm is just a little bit stiff, but that’s how it goes.

After riding for Kawasaki’s amateur program for so long, were you shocked when the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki deal didn’t come about last year?
Ever since I got on 60’s I was loyal to Kawasaki, and I always rode Pro Circuit products. I think that everybody at Kawasaki and Pro Circuit are great. It just happened that when it came time to get a deal there wasn’t anything open for me on a green bike anywhere. I had to take the next offer, which was Suzuki. When I first signed there I didn’t know if the team would be on Suzuki’s or Kawasaki’s, because the previous years they were on Kawasaki bikes. It turned out that the team switched to Suzuki.

You seemed to come to grips with the Suzuki RM-Z250.
Yeah, as with changing from one brand to another, there are things that you need to adapt to. I had never ridden a Suzuki my entire life, although maybe once I borrowed a bike and rode the Suzuki Challenge once. I struggled with the bike at first, but I had a good mechanic over there. I started to get the ball rolling. With my riding style I felt that the bike worked better in Supercross than outdoors. All around the Suzuki people were really cool, and Roger DeCoster and those guys helped out. Having said that, I like being on the green bike better.

Now you’re back on a familiar bike. Good luck next year, Blake.
No problem.

JAMIE LILLY JOINS TROY LEE DESIGNS AS RIDER SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Jamie.

One of MXA‘s favorite people is Jamie Lilly, so we were happy to hear that she is the newest member of the Troy Lee Designs family. Jamie Lilly is now their Rider Support Coordinator. Jamie grew up racing BMX and turned it into an extensive professional career. With roots in the action sports industry, and a passion for the sports that we are involved in, we are confident that Jamie will be a great fit at TLD. Since semi-retiring from BMX, Jamie has worked in the motorcycle industry (at Thor), and most recently worked with Sal Masekala, the host of the Winter and Summer X-Games.

A LOOK INSIDE THE SOON TO BE L.A. SUPERCROSS

If you build it, they will come. Who? Supercross racers, of course!

This past week the Feld Entertainment folks invited us down to the famous Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to talk about the conversion plans for the baseball field to be turned into a Supercross track. Although the weather didn’t cooperate, it didn’t actually matter. Why? It’s one thing to be standing on a Supercross track, but it’s entirely different when you’re standing on a perfectly manicured baseball field that only weeks before was played on. Such superstars as Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and Manny Ramirez dug their cleats in to the perfect Bermuda grass, and here we were learning about how Feld Entertainment was going to put on a Supercross at the exact location.

The day started out with discussions from Feld Motor Sports Senior Director of Operations, Todd Jendro, and Director of Supercross, Dave Prater. Afterward the L.A. Dodgers’ Chief Revenue Officer, Michael Young, provided a speech and was given a racing jersey.

Todd Jendro (left) presents Michael Young with a jersey to commemorate Feld Motor Sports’ partnership with the L.A. Dodger Stadium. Feld and the Dodgers inked a multi-year deal. 

Ryan Villopoto was the featured rider, and it was good to see him walking around healthy. The media event included a tour through the Monster Energy/Kawasaki factory rig and a presentation by the Dodger Stadium Assistant Director of Turf and Grounds, Eric Hansen. It was interesting to hear the logistical processes that will need to be followed in order to keep the baseball field from getting completely wrecked. Initially the Dodger staff was skeptical about the prospect of holding a Supercross at their venue, mostly because of the field. Bringing in 500 truck loads of dirt and dumping the earth on top of the grass will kill the green stuff, but that’s to be expected. When all is said and done (including a Monster Jam show a few weeks later), the dirt will be removed, the dead grass will be scooped up, and Feld Motor Sports will bring in enough sod to cover the field. Talk about an arduous task!

Supercross comes to the L.A. Dodger Stadium on January 22nd for round three of the 17-race series. This is the perfect Supercross from anyone around L.A. or even those fans from central California to come see. For more information on the Monster Energy Supercross series, visit www.supercrossonline.com.  

Ryan Villopoto spent time on the mic. He looks healthy and eager to get back to Supercross after missing six months of racing.

Kawasaki’s PR main man, Tom McGovern, invites the media into the Monster Energy/Kawasaki factory rig.

Maybe the MXA wrecking crew could borrow Kawasaki’s rig to attend the local races. What do you say, Kawasaki?

The Dodger Stadium Assistant Director of Turf and Grounds, Eric Hansen (in blue), discusses the play-by-play of what’s going to happen with the field when the Supercross series visits L.A.

Hansen dug out a cross-section of the L.A. Dodger field. Underneath the 1-1/2 inches of grass and soil sits 10-12 inches of sand. The surface can be irrigated from below (evidenced by the white PVC pipes). How cool is that?

There’s a serious amount of history at Dodger Stadium. Although this wall is covered with baseball greats, perhaps in a few years Dodger Stadium will erect a wall specifically for Supercross legends. It probably won’t happen, but it would be cool.

PRESS RELEASE: FMF IS OFFICIAL EXHAUST OF “DAY IN THE DIRT”

FMF Racing is proud to announce the partnership for 2010 and beyond of the 13th annual Day In the Dirt Motocross Grand Prix.  “This is an event that I personally do every year with a great group of friends so it just made sense to work with Kenny and the great folks of the event in making FMF the official exhaust of such a great event.” Donny Emler Jr FMF Racing’s Marketing Director.  FMF will be on hand for support, antics, and hand out a ton of prizes. “We are stoked that FMF has come on board for ADITD #13.  We are celebrating 40 years behind bars and FMF is a perfect fit. Their racing roots are deep and their commitment is even stronger, ” said Kenny Alexander.  For more info of one of the best events of the year please visit www.adayinthedirt.com.  Also please visit us on www.fmfracing.com for the latest in the # 1 off road exhaust in the world. Also, find us on our social sites at www.facebook.com (FMF Racing) and www.twitter.com/fmf73, www.twitter.com/fmflild

PRESS RELEASE: HINSON KTM 350SXF INNER UB

    -Used in the World Championship winning Factory KTM of Antonio Cairoli and the USA based Jaegermeister KTM Team.
    -Improves clutch performance and life.
    -Precision machined from billet T-6 aircraft quality aluminum to aerospace tolerances, and Akadized for five times the wear resistance to stock*  (*with proper maintenance).
    -Allows clutch assembly to spin more true creating less heat when clutch is disengaged.
 
Hinson Clutch Components is the premier manufacturer of high performance clutches & components, providing to all major factory race teams, including Team Red Bull Honda, Team Monster Kawasaki, Team Jagermeister KTM, Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki, & Team JGR Yamaha.  Through this commitment they are proud to have won over 200, National & World, ATV, Supercross, Motocross, Supermoto and Off-Road Championships. For more info contact www.hinsonracing.com.

ONE QUESTION: BROC TICKLE

Broc was feeling blue in this picture, but now he’s turning green. He will be on the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team in 2011.

MXA: What’s the best thing about being a professional racer?
Broc: Racing as a professional racer has been my dream ever since I was a little kid. It’s easy to wake up every morning knowing that I’m getting paid to ride and race motorcycles. To be able to get to the point where I’m at right now in my career is amazing. With that said, I want to take things further and win championships.

INSIDE SECRET OF A DYNAMO
By John Basher

Would you second-guess this guy?

The factory Supercross test tracks are heating up now that the Nationals are over and Anaheim 1 is 72 days away. However, it will be another few days before the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team takes to Kawasaki’s test track to begin honing in their Supercross skills. Why? Direct from the top (Mitch Payton), the riders are required to ride a week before they take to Supercross so that they can adapt to the 2011 Kawasaki KX250F. This way Tyla Rattray, Dean Wilson, Broc Tickle, Blake Baggett and Josh Hansen can iron out any potential kinks in motocross, which is much more forgiving than Supercross. How smart is that?

Keep in mind that in 2011 Pro Circuit/Kawasaki will field seven 250 Supercross riders. Seven! Not all of these riders will ride the same coast, but come A1 five riders will be pitted under the P.C. awning. Tommy Searle and Max Anstie are racing the 250 (MX2) GP’s once that series starts, but they will contest the 250 West. Josh Hansen will also be racing West.

Mitch Payton is famous (or infamous, if you are one of his riders) for telling his riders which coast they will race only a few days before the Anaheim opener. Mum will be the word for the next two months around the Pro Circuit camp. I’ll make an educated guess and say that Broc Tickle and Dean Wilson are going to be racing 250 West. Of course my guess gets thrown out the window if one of these riders gets injured leading up to Anaheim.

PRESS RELEASE: SMITH OPTICS BOOSTS VALUE TO CUSTOMERS

While most manufacturers are scaling back on features in a challenged marketplace Smith Optics is taking the opposite tact. For 2011, Smith is implementing sweeping changes to their moto goggle line adding immense amounts of value to a majority of their moto products, bringing great deals to customers with every purchase. Going forward at no extra cost, EVERY Smith Optics moto goggle with a Suggested Retail Price of $25 and up will now come standard with features reserved typically for only the upper end of any brand’s MX product line.

No Extra Cost Included Features:
    ? Roll Offs system and film
    ? Anti-fog treated Clear Lexan lens
    ? Multi-layer face foam
    ? In-lens tear off posts
    ? Protective goggle storage bag

This amounts to an average added value of over $40 per goggle and the bevy of features anyone would want from their MX goggle purchase. Models which are a part of this new pricing structure are the Intake Sweat-X ($60-$65), the entire Fuel V.2 lineup ($40-$65), Fuel V.1 ($25), and the Option OTG and Turbo models. Also covered is the Smith x Hart and Huntington ($65) collaborative product offering. “In developing our 2011 goggle line we wanted to exceed the needs and wants of our customer base, giving them amazing product features at affordable price points with a ton of value-added bonuses. Now every consumer taking advantage of our new lineup will be able to experience our unmatched value and performance all made in the USA and backed by Smith’s true lifetime warranty,” said Smith Optics general manager-MX Division,
Mark Phares. Manufactured in Salt Lake City, Utah, Smith Optics is one of only a handful of goggle brands manufactured and assembled in the United States. Like all Smith products, the Smith Optics moto goggle line is backed by Smith’s True Lifetime Warranty. Now most Smith moto goggles will come with the above Roll Offs system with film and visor, a protective goggle storage bag as well as in-lens tear off posts and a Clear anti-fog treated Lexan lens

Smith goggles, like the Signature Pastrana Intake Sweat-X (above), will come with the gamut of performance and experience enhancing features at no extra cost

TONY & MAX: CAIROLI AND NAGL SWITCH TO AXO FOR 2011

Tony Cairoli?2009-2010 450 World Champion

450 World Champion Antonio Cairoli will wear AXO gear in 2010 alongside KTM teammate Max Nagl (both wore Pro Grip gear in 2010). Both riders have two-year deals with AXO to wear the Nickel pants, Pistol Jersey and Padlock gloves.

AXO Pistol jersey.  

AXO’s Valentina Zago said, “The AXO staff is pleased to welcome Tony and Max and the whole Red Bull KTM MX1 Factory Racing Team. We have already been working with Claudio De Carli some years ago and I am sure that his professionalism, his long experience in the field, combined with Tony’s and Max’ great performances, will bring us a lot of success. AXO won its last MX1 World Title in 2007 and we are looking forward to repeat this fantastic experience.” For more info on the AXO line go to www.axo.com.

SPECIAL 2010 HUSABERG FX450 OFFER

Husaberg FX450.

Husaberg North America is offering its customers, who purchase a 2010 Husaberg FX 450 before November 30, 2010, a premium accessory kit with a retail value over $1200. The FX 450 Race Kit includes:

Husaberg’s unique slant-engine design.

    (1) FMF Competition muffler (Factory 4.1 Slip-On) – endorsed by Husaberg Factory WORCS rider Nathan Woods.
    (2) Factory Connection suspension voucher (good for one standard re-valve for forks and shock service including springs, fluids and labor) – endorsed by eight-time National Enduro Champion and Husaberg Factory rider Mike Lafferty.
    (3) Husaberg Ignition Map Switch.
    (4) Renthal Dual Compound Grips.
    (5) Renthal Fatbar Pad.
    (6) Husaberg Spare Air Filter.
    (7) Husaberg Air Box Cover.
For more info go to www.Husaberg.com to find your local dealer.

BEFORE YOU PAINT YOUR NEXT HELMET, LOOK AT THESE ITALIAN LIDS!
  
Are you a sports fan? Then, you are the perfect person to buy a Torneo Jet Helmet. These helmets faithfully reproduce the balls used in soccer, football, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Created by Profilo Design in Turin, Italy, the Torneo helmets are coated with PVC synthetic material (coupled with a soft composite to obtain a soft touch effect).
  
With a bold visual impact, the Torneo helmets comply to safety standards and come in all sizes from extra-small to extra-large. Torneo Jet helmets were first introduced at the Milan Show in 2008. Retail price is for around $300 for these handmade, hand-sewn works of art. For more info go to www.torneohelmets.com.

    (1) Exhibit a professional, courteous, and friendly attitude at all times;
    (2) Maintain an effective working relationship with clients, employees, exhibitors, patrons and others;
    (3) Strictly follow all rules, policies and procedures established by FMS, including those related to risk management, safety precautions, and emergencies;
    (4) Remain alert and attentive at all times to performance and surrounding areas;
    (5) Work well independently, exercising sound judgment and initiative, as well as in a team environment with a diverse group of people;
    (6) Travel with the tour and work extended and/or irregular hours including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed;
    (7) Lift up to 35 pounds.
If this job appeals to you, click on www.nuclearcowboyz.com/ineedajob/

MAHINDRA TO MAKE MOTORCYCLES: COULD A MOTOCROSS BIKE BE FAR BEHIND?

The Stallio is an entry-level street bike, but Mahindra has to start somewhere.

Indian mega manufacturer Mahindra plans to move from tractors and sport-utility vehicles to motorcycles in 2011. Mahindra & Mahindra want to challenge Hero Honda Motors Ltd. in the world’s second-biggest two-wheel market. Mahindra’s motorcycles have been designed by Engines Engineering, an Italian design company it acquired in 2008. The engine will be made in China.

The Mojo is water-cooled and sportier than the Stallio.

The motorcycles will be called the 110cc Stallio and 300cc Mojo. The Stallio will cost $994 and the Mojo three times that.

The 2011 Mahindra Mojo will be available in both a 125cc and 300cc version. The Mojo 300cc could claim to be the most powerful bike made in India with its liquid-cooled, 4-valve single producing a claimed peak power rating of 26 horsepower at 8500 rpm.

The 292cc engine in the bigger Mojo utilizes a 6-speed transmission to get all that screaming horsepower to the ground via 17″ alloy spoke wheels mounted with disc brakes front and rear (single 320mm front and single 220mm rear).

The Mumbai-based automaker began making scooters after purchasing the assets of Kinetic Motor Co. in 2008 to boost sales in a country where two-wheelers outsell cars about 5-to-1. Hero Honda, owned by Honda Motor Company and Bajaj, control about two-thirds of India’s 2.7 million unit motorcycle market. Motorcycle sales in India are the only bright spot in the motorcycle business…and even though they are all small-bore street bikes, the large numbers have sparked a sales war.