MOTOCROSS ACTION’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: THERE IS NO TIEING IN MOTORCYCLE RACING

On Nov 15, 2013 Last updated Mar 5, 2018

MX GP ACTION GROUP’S ALTERNATIVE ANNUAL AWARDS

Most American motocross racers don’t have much interest in Grand Prix motocross?unlike the old days when Americans clamored for anything European. A lot of this could be because of the GPs constant fiddling with the formats of the sport, not paying their riders any purse money and the “improving the infrastructure” clap-trap that is really just an excuse to squeeze more money out of sponsors, riders and teams.

But if you are looking for more depth in the coverage from a European website, you need only to look at www.mxgpactiongroup.org. It would be easy to say that they are antI-Luongo, but more accurately they are pro-motocross. MXA wants you to see their “MX GP Action Group’s Inaugural Alternative Annual Awards,” for which the acronym would be MXGPAGIAAA.

Dylan Ferrandis flies at Ernee.

BEST TRACK OF THE YEAR:
Ernee (France).
Honorable Mention: Maggiora (Italy).

Compared the Maggiora, Italy, track to the track below.

Believe it or not this is a Grand Prix Motocross track held at a German road race course.

WORST TRACK OF THE YEAR:
Lausitzring (Germany).
Honorable Mention: Losail (Qatar).

Does Qatar’s track look like one of the world’s best motocross tracks?

MEETING OF THE YEAR:
   The one convened by the FIM on June 19 in Switzerland, which prevented (or least delayed) the desecration of Grand Prix-level motocross.
RIDER OF THE YEAR:
   Jake Nicholls (for not being afraid to follow us on Twitter).
   Honorable Mention: Marc de Reuver (for also not being afraid to follow us on Twitter).
TEAM OF THE YEAR:
   The ones in the GP pit area who believe in our campaign and continue to support us (you know who you are).
FAN OF THE YEAR:
   The thousands of people who have expressed their support towards our campaign.

MXA is the only magazine who knows that the emperor has no clothes…or Napolean’s clothes at the very least.

MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR (PRINT):
   Motocross Action (for having the courage to speak up against the injustices in GP motocross, despite having no horse in the proverbial race and therefore doing so for purely altruistic reasons).
MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR (ONLINE):
   OTOR (for having the courage to at least write about the real issues affecting the world motocross championship).
QUOTE OF THE YEAR:
   “…very few selected riders in the world can truly race this bike [a 450]” – Giuseppe Luongo.
   Honorable Mention: “From that very first night GP race and the super-final, the season just continued to produce magic moments.” – Geoffrey Meyer.
SYCOPHANT OF THE YEAR:
   Geoffrey Meyer.
   Honorable Mention: Rob Kinsey
BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR:
   Placing banners in front of empty start gates (Youthstream).

Giuseppe Luongo.

WORST IDEA OF THE YEAR:
   Simply too many to choose from (Giuseppe Luongo).
   Honorable Mention: Naively believing the teams and press would lobby Youthstream and the FIM for genuine change (MX GP Action Group)
SURPRISE FACT OF THE YEAR:
   Prize money is paid at the Motocross of Nations.
WEBSITE OF THE YEAR:
    www.mxgpactiongroup.org(please forgive the indulgence).
STORY OF THE YEAR:
   The truth behind the FIM, Youthstream and the contract to promote the world motocross championship.
    Honorable Mention: Giuseppe Luongo’s 30th anniversary party.
RUMOR OF THE YEAR:
   The alleged familiarity of certain industry figures with a European country’s penal system.
   Honorable Mention: The alleged beneficiary behind [former] Youthstream shareholder Severus Stiftung.

Wolfgang Srb.

FRANCESCO ZERBI FELLOWSHIP FOR SERVICES TO MOTOCROSS AWARD:
Dr. Wolfgang Srb.
Honorable Mention: Giuseppe Luongo.

For more info go to www.mxgpactiongroup.org

THE TIE WILL BE BROKEN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Las Vegas Endurocross track map.

Mike Brown and Taddy Blazusiak are tied heading into the final round of the 2013 Geico AMA EnduroCross Championship. After six events they each have two wins, two seconds and two fourth place finishes. It now comes down to a single main event on a tough and unpredictable EnduroCross track inside the Orleans Arena and whoever finishes in front of the other will be the 2013 Champion.

The track inside the Orleans arena will have the usual mix of rocks, logs, tractor tires, loose wood, a pond and always difficult matrix obstacle. Brown won the opening round inside this same arena but Blazusiak has the momentum from his Boise win on his side so it is anyone’s guess on who has the upper hand coming into Las Vegas.

BIRTHDAYS OF THE WEEK

Nov. 15…Dennis Stapleton 1981
Nov. 16…Jim Pomeroy 1952
Nov. 17…Arne Kring
Nov. 18…Chris Taylor

Nov. 19…Jeremy McGrath 1971
Nov. 19…Mike Metzger 1975
Nov. 20…Weston Peick 1990

Nov. 20…Sten Lundin 1931
Nov. 20…Jeff Hedden 1975
Nov. 20…Jon Hedden 1975
Nov. 20…Mike Healey
Nov. 20…Rob Healy
Nov. 20…Malcolm McCassy
Nov. 21…Dave Casella

Nov. 21…Broc Tickle 1989
Nov. 21…Danny Storbeck

MOTO TRIVIA: THE OSSA LOGO IS NOT A CLOVERLEAF! WHAT IS IT?

“Put a little luck on your side.” This slogan, along with the memorable four-leaf clover insignia were hallmarks of the Spanish Ossa brand. Ossa got its start in 1924, making cinematographic equipment (mostly film projectors) under the name Orpheo Sincronia Sociedad Anomina (OSSA). Ossa’s famous four-leaf clover emblem isn’t actually a four-leaf clover, but instead the escapement mechanism of a film projector.

Ossa founder Manuel Giro was the Spanish sidecar champion along with his co-pilot Francisco Bulto (who would later found Bultaco). After World War II, with improved two-stroke engine technology obtained by the Allies from DKW in Germany, Ossa began producing two-stroke motorcycles. Ossa’s first mass produced model was introduced in 1949.

THE OFFICIAL 2013 DAY IN THE DIRT HELMET

The trick new DITD helmet.

Every year Troy Lee custom paints signature helmets for the Day in the Dirt. It is limited-edition helmet and is destined to become a valued by collectors. For more info about this year’s Day In The Dirt race, which starts next Friday, go to www.adayinthedirt.com.

DAY IN THE DIRT RACE SCHEDULE

FRIDAY
   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon?Troy Lee Happy Hour Practice
    12:30 p.m.?SoCal Reunion Race

SATURDAY
   8:00 a.m.?Vintage Grand Prix
   8:30 a.m.?FMF 2 Stroke Revival Race
   8:30 a.m.?TT Scrambles Track: Mini Race
   9:00 a.m.?65cc/85cc/150R Mini Grand Prix
   9:00 a.m.? Women’s Grand Prix
   9:30 a.m.?Stunt Grand Prix
   11:00 a.m.?Beginner/Novice Grand Prix
   12:00 noon?Bossa Nova Grand Prix three-Man Team Race
   1:00 p.m.?Vet Classic Grand Prix
   1:45 a.m.?Pro/Am Grand Prix

SUNDAY
   8:00 A.M.?65cc/85cc/150R Mini Grand Prix
   8:00 A.M.?Women’s Grand Prix
   8:00 A.M.?TT Scrambles Track: Mini Race
   8:30 a.m.?Senior Vet (40, 45, 50) Grand Prix
   9:00 a.m.? Pro/Am Grand Prix
   9:30 a.m.Beginner/Novice Grand Prix
   9:45 A.M.?TT Scrambles Track: 14 and under Wild Child Team Race
   10:30 A.M.?Moto-a-GoGo GP Team Race
   12:30- P.M.?Coup De Grace GP Survival Race


START MAKING PLANS! MXA’S GUIDE TO THE 2014 SEASON

Glen Helen.

The big news for the 2014 racing season is that the AMA Nationals will return to Glen Helen after a four-year break. Glen Helen will also host the NMA World Mini GP, World Two-Stroke Championship, two Lucas Oil Offroad Truck Championship races and the World Vet Championship.

2014 AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES
January 4……………Anaheim, CA
January 11………….Phoenix, AZ
January 18………….Anaheim, CA
January 25………….Oakland, CA
February 1………….Anaheim, CA
February 8………….San Diego, CA
February 15………..Arlington, TX
February 22………..Atlanta, GA
March 1……………..Indianapolis, IN
March 8……………..Daytona Beach, FL
March 15……………Detroit, MI
March 22……………Toronto, CAN
March 29……………St. Louis, MO
April 5……………….Houston, TX
April 12……………..Seattle, WA
April 26……………..East Rutherford, NJ
May 3………………..Las Vegas, NV

2014 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS SCHEDULE
May 24………Glen Helen…San Bernardino, CA
May 31………Hangtown….Sacramento, CA
June 7……….Thunder Valley…Lakewood, CO
June 14………High Point…Mt. Morris, PA
June 28………Muddy Creek…Blountville, TN
July 5…………Red Bud…Buchanan, MI
July 12……….Budds Creek…Mechanicsville, MD
July 19……….Spring Creek…Millville, MN
July 26……….Washougal…Washougal, WA
August 9……..Unadilla…New Berlin, NY
August 16……Indiana…Crawfordsville, IN
August 23……Miller Motorsports…Tooele, UT

2014 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
January 3-5……………………Worcester, MA
January 10-12…………………Baltimore, MD
January 18-19…………………Louisville, KY
January 25-26…………………Greensboro, NC
January 31-Feb. 2…………….Milwaukee, WI
February 7-9……………………Sacramento, CA
February 14-16………………..Nampa, ID
February 21-23………………..Reno, NV
March 1-2……………………….Tulsa, OK
March 7-9………………………..Albuquerque, NM
March 14-16…………………….Hidalgo, TX
March 29-30 ……………………Salt Lake City, UT

2014 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
March 30………….Broadford, Vic
April 13……………Appin, NSW
April 27……………Wonthaggi, Vic
May 18…………….Murray Bridge, SA
May 25…………….Waneroo, WA
June 29…………….Conondale, QLD
July 13…………….Swan Hill, VIC
August 3…………..Raymond Terrace, NSW
August 24…………Gladstone, QLD
August 31…………Coolum, QLD

2014 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
March 1…….Qatar (Women support)
March 9……..Thailand
March 30…..Brazil
April 13……..Italy (Women & 125 support)
April 20……..TBA (250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
May 4……….Holland (Women, 125 & 150 support)
May 11………TBA (250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
May 25………England (250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
June 1……….France (Women & 125 support)
June 15……..Italy (250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
June 22……..Germany (Women, 125 & 150 support)
July 6………..Sweden (Vets, 250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
July 13………Finland (65, 85, 250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
July 27……….Czech Republic (Women, 125 & 150 support).
August 3…….Belgium (125, 250EMX & 300 two-strokes)
August 17……Ukraine (125 & 250 EMX)
Sept. 7……….Brazil (was originally on August 31)
Sept. 15……..Mexico (was originally on September 7)

2014 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
September 28….Kegums, Latvia

WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW WAS UP TO THIS WEEK

Have you ever been out at your local track spinning laps when your buddy pulls up next to you and starts goofing around. If so you know how John Basher felt when his buddy, X Games Gold Medalist Lance Coury, started playing games next to him at Glen Helen.

MXA test rider Austin Politelli is looking for a Supercross ride for 2014, but took a break to come out and spend some time testing MXA’s KTM 300SX kit bike. Austin is the current Canadian 250 National Champion.

Jody Weisel has spent the last few race weekend’s testing different forks settings on MXA’s 2014 Suzuki RM-Z450. Test riders don’t always get to pick the bikes they race and at the World Vet Championship Jody raced three different bikes.

While Jody has been on Suzuki duty, Dennis Stapleton has been working on KTM suspension systems. He must be making some progress because even though he has Showa A-kit stuff for MXA’s KTM 450SXF, he has been running revalved stock WP forks.

After spending the last couple months globe-trotting, Daryl Ecklund was able to come back the States for a few weeks before heading to Alabama’s Monster Mountain track last week for the YZ250F test. He doesn’t get much seat time at the imposing MXA towers, because he’s busy doing saddle time on the 2014 250s for the upcoming 250 Shootout.

BASHER AND ECKLUND AT MONSTER MOUNTAIN WITH THE 2014 YZ250F

IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T FIGURE IT OUT?THERE IS NO SUCH THINGS AS A “NEW STROKE HYBRID”

KTM’S “New Stroke Hybrid” which was billed as part electric, part two-stroke and both fuel- and oil-injected was really a long-running hoax that Damon Moran created using KTM’s press publicity art format. So don’t hold you breath waiting for an inverted, 125cc, half-electric, half-two stroke, dual fuel-injected bike because no such thing exists.

GODSPEED! ANDREW CHARLES RENSHAW (1949 – 2013)

Andrew Renshaw and Henry Rosenthal.

Renthal co-founder, Andrew Renshaw, passed away peacefully on October 27, after a long battle with cancer. Together with his lifelong friend, Henry Rosenthal, Andrew established Renthal in 1969. The “Ren” from Renshaw and the “thal” from Rosenthal make up the world famous Renthal brand name, synonymous with the revolution of aluminum handlebars. Many of Andrew’s innovative products carry patents and all remain core the of Renthal’s product portfolio today. Our sympathy and condolences to his wife Claudine and their three sons, Edward, James and Mark.

FREE ADMISSION FOR VETERANS AT PRO MOTOCROSS EVENTS

The 2014 AMA National Motoceross Championships will donated 50 General Admission tickets for each of the 12 rounds of the AMA Nationals via the Vet Tix foundation. Vet Tix is a national nonprofit organization based in Phoenix that provides free tickets to veterans and active-duty members of the military and their families. The concept of Vet Tix was developed in 2008 by U.S. Navy veteran Michael Focareto. Since then, the organization has given away more than 725,000 tickets to veterans nationwide.

All active and retired military veterans can create an account on www.VetTix.org to receive emails and reminders about when Lucas Oil Pro Motocross tickets become available. Tickets will be available to all military veterans three weeks prior to each event through www.VetTix.org.

DAVIDE GUARNERI SIGNS WITH TM FOR 2014

David Guarneri.

Tanel Leok has already re-signed to race for the TM team in 2014 and now will be joined in the 450 class by David Guarneri. Guarneri said, “It is a great honour for me to wear the shirt of TM Racing, and also go back to my first official career team ride. It is a combination of everything that makes me Italian ?orgolioso.’ I immediately liked the bike from the first test. Starting tomorrow we will be working to increase further the benefits I have already found riding this machine which is already good for me.”