MXA MID-WEEK REPORT: J-Law & His New Pals, New Products, MXA Interviews A G.P. Winner, Unveiled – A Twin Cylinder 250F Killer? David Bailey’s Race Of Truth

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

DG/Sambo’s backed Jack Keese leads Czecho’s Antonin Barbarovsky and Bultaco mounted 661/Valencia Sport Group hero/industry leader and all-around nice guy Eddie Cole at the 1975 Mid-Ohio USGP.

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It looks like Jason has joined up with a new crowd – Click Here to find out who his new Facebook friends are.

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WHAT ABOUT DAVID BAILEY?ÿ KONA DEFINES THE CHAMP

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“The short answer is, I didn’t lose, I got beat,” an anguished Bailey said two days after the race.ÿ A bunch of things happened during the race that could add up to an excuse, but there are no excuses. I raced neck and neck with Jason Fowler and in the endÿhe had more gas in his tank. One of the positive take-aways is that Jason used to be a good motocross racer, he won a bunch of World Mini titles, and after he got hurt racing he called me up to get a bunch of advice on racing in a chair.

We raced neck and neck for about ten hours and neither of us left anything out there on the course. I really think that race helped us define each other. I tried my best and I actually think it was my best race ever, it just doesn’t look that way on the scoreboard.

In terms of a motorcycle parallel, this loss is a little bit like the time I lost my last Supercross title to Rick Johnson in 1986. That season started out well when I won at Anaheim and we battled through the series ? he won a few battles, but I really thought I would win the war.ÿ The difference is that I went on to whoop him in theÿ Nationals and at the Paris Supercross so I had a sense of redemption pretty quick. With Kona you have to chew on it for a whole year ? and I can tell you that it already tastes pretty bad.”

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MXA PRESS RELEASE: Injectioneeering & Rock’s Racing Team Upÿ

Injectioneering located in Torrance, CA recorded its first podium finish in Las Vegas at the 2009 US Open.ÿ Daniel Reardon rode his Geico Powersports Honda to third place overall for the weekend with Injectioneering’s throttle body re engineering.

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Injectioneering’s Wade Wilcox provides a variety of services including but not limited to injector testing, EFI development services, and throttle body modifications.ÿ Injectioneering is the latest company to be represented by Rock’s Racing Services.

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Rock’s Racing Services’ Michael “Rock” Rigdon provide a range of track support services and RRS is also a leading manufacturer’s rep organization for the latest in MX technology like the Nuetech Tubliss systems

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For more information on Injectioneering and/or any RRS companies please visit www.rocksracingservices.com or call 310.387.1889.

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The ultimate fan experience is back again for 2010! Register now for the SCOTT Supercross Experience for your chance to win a trip to the Monster Energy Supercross Finals in Las Vegas on May 8, 2010. The grand prize package includes airfare, hotel, a SCOTT merchandise prize pack, plus $150 spending cash all compliments of SCOTT and Monster Energy Supercross! Click Here.

MXA INTERVIEW: Tom Halverson – Another Old Guy Who Helped Make History

The name Tom Halverson probably doesn’t ring too many bells with modern age MX fans, but like so many other random names in the racing world that don’t rhyme with RC, McGrath or Stewart, Tom Halverson is nonetheless the stuff of not just MX lore, but more so, MX history.

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I first ran into Tom back in the early ’80’s, long before either of one us was capable of realizing what our respectiveÿfutures in the two-wheeled industry would bring. Over the years I would always run into him, and whether at a Supercross opener at Anaheim or a road race National at Road America, he would always be just as freindly as ever.ÿÿ

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Tom was another So Cal motocross grommet who grew up in the rich two-stroke/surfer van culture of the San Fernando Valley in the ’70’s. And like so many other young kids whose future would find them turning wrenches versus throttles, it was a bad crash that destined Tom to become a famous mechanic.

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Plucked from his high school welding class by former factory rider/MXA test rider/hop-up specialist Al Baker for a job welding pipes and sweeping the floors, Tom got thrown into one of the most ripe spots for late-70’s motocross culture and technology.

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“(Future factory wrench) Jim Felt worked at Baker’s and in 1977 he let me drive with him to the AMA National in San Antonio, Texas. That was the life I wanted so I was in heaven and when I spotted a crack on Broc Glover’s swingarm I think I gained some points as a mechanic. When we came back to California I ended up working for Kenny Zahrt and then Gary Semics on the Can-Am team. I have to say, Semics was really smart and had a good technical mind and I learned a lot from him. He’d be hacking up frames and moving shocks up in his backyard, just always trying to make the bikes better.ÿ

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In 1980 Al helped put together the full Mugen factory team with Hiro Honda. It was a ride for Gary Ogden, but Al really stuck his neck out and got Johnny O’Mara and I on the team too. Since Al lived in far-away Apple Valley, the team was kinda based out of Johnny’s garage in Van Nuys. The bike was really trick and of course we had our best day at the 125 GP in Mid-Ohio when Johnny won.
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In 1981 Johnny got hired by Honda, but I wasn’t brought along ? I was crushed! If there was any solace in Honda’s decision, the guy they chose only lasted a few races before he was replaced by Jim Felt. So I didn’t have a job and those were the years when I first met you when I was hanging out at allÿthe punk rock clubs in the Valley ? those were some crazy days huh? I went to the Supercross races and handed out resumes.

In 1982 Mark Blackwell hired me to work for Mark Barnett, Brian Myerscough and then George Holland who was still racing minibikes at the time. I was there for a few years before I moved to Kawasaki to work for Goat Breker and Jeff Ward. That lasted for two years until there were some big lay-offs so I was unemployed again.
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In 1987 I got a job with Yamaha’s support program and I worked for (future Superbike champ) Colin Edwards and Damon Bradshaw. It was a nice change to work with the kids. In 1988 Yamaha offered me the job of Team Manager with their road racing team that was affiliated with Vance & Hines. I had no clue about the sport, but when I asked if I had a choice, they said “No!”

The road racing world is so totally different from motocross. First of all we don’t have as many events, but we spend more time at the races and testing. Unlike a dirt bike, you can’t just take a road race bike out and ride them. There’s so much more to deal with, likeÿ the tires and electronics. You can’t duplicate the racing experience outside of racing, you have to get everything done on the race bike.”
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The 2009 season was a good one for Tom and Team Yamaha in America. Team riders Ben Bostrom, Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin and Tommy Acquino all made an impact in the results. When asked which sport he liked better and who is favorite rider was, Tom hesitated for fear of offending anyone.
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“In both sports there are so many eagle and really only a few turkeys. As far as road racers go, I’d say Eddie Lawson, Colin Edwards, Jamie James and Ben Bostrom, he’s a real gentleman. For motocross, I guess it would have to be O’Mara since I grew up with him and we won that GP together. He was always so graceful and stylish on the bike. I’d also have to mention Mark Barnett. No one had a work ethic like he did. I had heard stories about him, but eventually I got to see it ? he would ride his bikes into the ground, both his practice bikes and factory bikes! He wouldrun motos on his farm until they ran out of gas and wherever the bike stopped he would push it back to his garage with all his gear on! I never saw anybody work harder than Barnett.”ÿ

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The Rockstar/Hart & Huntington team is pleased and proud to announce that they have come to an agreement with 22-year old Chris Blose for the 2010 Supercross Season. Blose, a native of Phoenix Arizona, raced last year in the west coast Lites division and was the top placing privateer rider in that division with numerous top finishes. Blose will race the entire seventeen race 450 series for the Rockstar/Hart & Huntington team and team manager Kenny Watson is looking forward to seeing what Chris can do on the bigger bike.

“We kept our eye on Chris last year and while my phone’s been blowing up with guys looking for rides, myself and Carey (Hart) feel that Chris’s youth and speed are a combination that will have us up front this supercross season” says Watson “He did well last season, he’s just getting faster and figuring things out on the racetrack.”

Blose will join the teams other remaining rider from 2009, Matt Boni. Twenty-one year old Boni, from Geneva Florida, was the top placing privateer rider in last year’s series and the Rockstar/Hart & Huntington team is set for 2010. Just like last year when the Rockstar H&H pits were the place to be, look for more of the same as the team plans some exciting new looks for the team and the machines at each race. Come by, grab yourself a Rockstar and an autograph and we’ll see you at the stadiums across America next year!

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MXA PRESS RELEASE: Bel-Ray Looks For Riders

Bel-Ray Company, the industry leader in Total Performance Lubricants, is now accepting resumes for Rider Support for the 2010 racing season. Resumes will be accepted until December 1, 2009. For over 40 years, Bel-Ray has been providing racers the best protection for their engines, chains, cables and all other parts of their bike that require proper lubrication. So if you have the results that speak for themselves and want to represent the best aftermarket oil company in the world, email a one page resume along with one photo to:
[email protected].
You may also mail in your info for review to:
Bel-Ray Company, Inc.
Attn: Rider Support
PO Box 526
Farmingdale, NJ 07727

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MXA REMINDER: Bob Hannah Returns!

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Back in the mid-’70’s, the hardcore SoCal motocross experience was defined by the weekly racing promoted by the Continental Motosports Club.ÿThe CMC was run by early American MX pioneer Stu Peters and his Aussie partner Kelvin Franks. When Kel wasn’t helping out at the races, he was an aspiring mad MX scientist designing some of the most radical motocross bikes ever.ÿ From his super fast 125 two strokes to the big Open class thumpers he built, a ride for Kelvin Franks was one of the more sought after back in the day. I remember leaning up against the fence at Carlsbad one Sundayÿnext toÿKelvin and just about wetting myself when he said he was getting tired of sponsoring Pro riders and that he was thinking about helping out an Intermediate class rider which I was one of many at the time.ÿUnfortunatley, the only Mexican to get a covetedÿFranks ride was future CMC # 1 Tony Gomez.ÿ Here’s a shot that Mike Bell sentÿme that brought back a lot of memories for both of us.

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MXA: Mike I was there at Irwindale the night you tried racing the twin. I remember hearing the screaming revs on the start line..what was all that about?

Mike: It was an experimental Franks Yamaha TA125 twin that Kelvin had me race at Irwindale Raceway circa, 1976. The motor snapped a rod heading for the big jump that night, throwing me over the bars in a hurry! It was tough to get that thing off the corner but when it hit the sweet spot of the power band it was a rocket ship. Fun and scary!”

MXA: Was that your only race on it?ÿ

Mike: ÿYes, that was my one and only race, but we tested it a few times at Saddleback.

MXA: Did Kel surprise you with the bike?ÿ

Mike: ÿNo, it was something he was working on in his shop andÿI saw it one day when I stopped by. I suggested that I give it a test ride. It sounded so cool and it was fun to ride.ÿ
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MXA: You said it blew up, but was it the least bit competitive? What frame did it use?
Mike: I thought I could hang at a night race based on my test rides at Saddleback but the fact that it was so hard to get off the corner and starting line made it less than competitive. I believe it was the same basic frame as a Franks/Honda chassis.

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MXA: What about the # 6 bike?
Mike:ÿ That bike was really sweet. That chassis and set-up took the CR125 Elsinore/engine to another level. The Franks was light, fast and easy to ride. Look closely at the photo to see some of the trick components and endless attention to detail.

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Mike: Heÿwas pretty intense and he liked to win which worked fine for me. I liked winning too! In my opinionÿthe best part about riding for Kelvin was that his bikes were well prepared, fast and handled really well.ÿI think it was an honor to ride for KF because he didn’t seemÿinterested in just putting a warm body on his bikes. Like I said earlier, he wanted to win races. I also seem to remember that when a fast rider wasn’t available to ride his bike, he left it at the shop!ÿ

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MXA: Did you ride any other crazy bikes back then – how about any of his four strokes?

Mike: No, I never rode any of his 4-Stroke creations. My Dad’s stuff was the best and it was an honor to ride his “pride & joy”. In addition, I think a lot of what Kelvin did with his 4-Strokes (at least engine wise) was based on knowledge from my Dad. He liked Kelvin and there was obviously mutual respect so my Dad would have shared “some” of his 4-Stroke magic with him.ÿI guess you could say my Dad’s 4-Stroke Honda’s were quite different for the times. I won the CMC Night NationalÿOpen Championship, 4-Stroke World Championships, Mammoth Motocross/Open Pro and a ton of local events on that Bill BellÿHonda inÿ1976.ÿYou know I asked my Dad for years to “please” let me ride his 4-Stroke Honda. The answer was always the same, “No, but maybe someday”. When he finally asked if I wanted to race hisÿmotorcycleÿit was big deal. Another magical moment in my “dream come true” motocross career.

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Fly Racing now has an interactive Facebook Fan page. Facebook users who become a Fan of Fly Racing can now stay up to date on the latest product info and news, along with post photos and videos of themselves riding or racing in their favorite Fly Racing products. To become a Fan of Fly Racing on Facebook, go to Fly Racing and click on the “Find us on Facebook” icon. (Located in the upper right corner of the Fly Racing homepage.)

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