MXA Mid-Week Report: Team News, MX Heroes New & Old, New Products and MX History

On Jan 2, 2008 Last updated Mar 6, 2018

MXA WEEKEND WEATHER REPORT: Sure, the Rose Parade may have gone off under beautiful weather conditions, unfortunately, the Golden State might not be so “golden” this weekend for the 2008 AMA/Monster Supercross opener at Anaheim Stadium.ÿWith AN 80% chance of showers on Saturday, our advice for racers and spectators alike, is to bringÿthe best rain prep you can. For more weather info, Click Here.

MXA CROSS-TRAINING: Seven

Seven Bicycles is one of America’s preeminent custom frame builders. Although they made their name building titanium frames, they too have merged into the world of carbon fiber. Like all Seven bikes, theV-11is available with almost every conceivable custom option and in very frame size possible. The frame sells for $4395 with complete bikes selling between $7,000-$14,000. Take it from your friends at MXA’s sister-‘zine Road Bike Action, Seven’s are among the finest bikes built in the world. For more info, Click Here.

PRESS RELEASE: RXR & Rookstool Hook-Up

After signing up David Vuillemin, RXR Protect has added Team ProRide.com/Empire Race Team rider Kevin Rookstool to their 2008 rider roster.

“We are very proud to announce our partnership with Kevin” said RXR Protect Chris Favro “We worked shortly with him during the 2007 SX series and he was definitely one of those athletes we wanted to pursue for the upcoming season. After following his preparation and spending time talking with ?Rookie’ I believe that he is a very good rider and will surprise many this season. Kevin has picked up lots of speed, fitness and determination and has the right back up thanks to all the guys at Team ProRide.com and Empire Race Team. He also has the maturity that we are looking for in riders, which will make him a good work partner, so that he gives us the right feedback and make sure we develop our products accordingly.” Kevin (AMA #94) will use his customized-graphics V1.0 Pro model with custom graphics at A1. Keep an eye on #94 for us. Forÿ more info,ÿClick Here.

ROCKY MEETS MOTO-X FOX?

PASTRANA & REED GO BIG IN YOUR ROOM? Click Here.

MXA MINI-VIEW: Mike Alessi

MXA: Overall, how has testing been going – can you share any (comparative) lap times on the Suzuki track?
Mike: Testing has been going very well. I haven’t been down to the Suzuki track since it’s been changed. I have been riding a lot in the high desert (near my house) so unfortunately I don’t know what my lap times are on the new track.

MXA: At Las Vegas Roger said there would be a chance to work the EFI bike into the season if it wasn’t ready in time – do you plan to be on the EFI bike for A1?
Mike: I am on the EFI bike now and it’s awesome. I will be racing it at A1.

MXA: How would you describe the difference in ride quality between the KTM and Suzuki?
Mike: It’s hard to compare because the bikes are completely different from one another, but I am happy with the Suzuki.ÿ

MXA: Is there a big difference (in atmosphere/team dynamics) to working out of the two different team trucks?
Mike: I think the Suzuki is very professional and they want to see results. I am happy to be a part of the team this year.

MXA: Last year you said that if you won the 450ÿMX title that you would reward yourself with a house on Catalina Island – is the house in Catalina still a goal in winning a championship this year?
Mike: Yes for sure Catalina is still a goal. I love it over there because it’s so relaxing and peaceful.

MXA: James Stewart continues to be the rider everybody gives the automatic nod to for winning – do you enter 2008 with goals to win or first to finish behind Stewart?
Mike: I definitely would like to see myself up there and I have set some goals for myself. I just plan on riding to the best of my ability and that’s where I will finish.

MXA FACTS, RUMORS & IDLE SPECULATION: Former privateer Cole Seibler has replaced the injured Josh Demuth on the Hart & Huntington squad and will be teamed with Troy Adams. Seibler had plan de to be racing under the Wonder Warthog tent but got the call last week and made the transfer. All Access Racing (who currently sponsor Supermoto rider Micky Dymond), announced today that they will be supporting the racing efforts of Tyler Keefe, during the 2008 AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series. This sponsorship begins in Anaheim California, when the supercross season kicks off at Angel Stadium, on Saturday January 5th. If you’re looking for a groomed track to ride in Southern Califonia on January 21, head up to the I-5MX track in Gorman CA. (north of Valencia) where AXO will be putting on aÿDemo Day event for the public to enjoy some free food and try out their new Prime boot. For more info,ÿClick Here.ÿ

PRESS RELEASE: Yamaha of Troy Meet & Greet
The Yamaha of Troy team (Jason Lawrence, Ryan Morais, plus new additions Tyler Bowers and Zach Osborne) will be making their first autograph appearance for Anaheim #1 at Del Amo Motorsports in Redondo Beach, California on Thursday, January 3rd from 6-7pm. Fly Racing is looking forward to another great season in 2008 with Yamaha of Troy in the Lites class. For more info, Click Here.

PRESS RELEASE: Renthal RC-1 Brake Pads

Renthal’s RC-1 Works Brake Pads are a premium high performance sintered metal brake pad designed specifically for motocross and off-road racing applications.ÿ These brake pads combine excellent wet and dry braking performance with maximum stopping power.ÿ A quick bed-in time and progressive feel will offer the user unparalleled brake feedback while in use. Features include:
-High performance sintered metal compound made from 9 different materials helps reduce brake fade
-Pad is specially formulated for quick bed-in time and immediate response
-Ceramic heat shield backing reduces overheating of the brake fluid
-Inter granular graphite structure helps prevent brake noise
-Vacuum Press Furnace production ensures a consistent density throughout the entire pad which helps maintain a high level of performance for the life of the pad.
-Available for most late model motocross models
-Made in England
Retail: $34.95
For more info, Click Here.

PRESS RELEASE: First Endurance Pre Race

First Endurance continues to stay at the forefront of endurance nutrition by developing PreRace, a revolutionary new pre-exercise supplement that provides endurance athletes with a potent mental and cardiac jump-start prior to a race or workout. Like all First Endurance products, PreRace is
legal and uses clinically effective doses of nutrients, making it the most effective pre-exercise supplement on the market. Many sponsored athletes including the Priority Healthy professional cycling team, the Gerolsteiner professional cycling team, Dave Zabriskie (Slipstream), Tina Pic (4-time National Criterium Champion), pro triathletes, runners and swimmers tested prototypes through the spring months. 20 servings per container. $39.95. For more info, Click Here.

PRESS RELEASE: Aprilia SL720 Shiver

ÿAmerican sport bike enthusiasts who refuse to sacrifice rideability and comfort for spirited performance and aggressive good looks have a tempting new solution ? Aprilia’s first-ever middleweight sport bike, the SL 750 Shiver. Among the many innovations that distinguish the Shiver is an industry-first ride-by-wire engine technology, an innovative electronic accelerator management system that optimizes the opening of the two throttle bodies according to multiple parameters, including engine speed, gear selection, throttle movement speed, temperature and atmospheric pressure. As a result, the engine always operates at peak efficiency, blending strong performance with the lowest possible fuel consumption for a fluid, fuel efficient ride even during warm-up and low or medium speeds.ÿ

To celebrate the Shiver’s arrival and high-tech DNA, Aprilia USA is adding one piece of unique “standard equipment” for a limited time ? an Aprilia AlpinestarTechno riding jacket, crafted to the same high standard as an Aprilia motorcycle. This bonus is available to enthusiasts who reserve their Shiver with a $500 deposit prior to February 29, 2008 and take delivery prior to March 31, 2008. The 95 horsepower Aprilia SL750 Shiver has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $8,999.00.ÿ Color choices for U.S. riders include Fever Silver and Code Orange. For info,ÿClick Here.ÿ

MXA MINI-VIEW: Dave Eropkin

If you were a 125 Pro back in the day of late 70’s So. Cal. moto wars, Dave Eropkin was a name that would always raise the competitive hairs on your neck. Eropkin was in the class of other lightning fast up & comers who competed for the local renown on all the celebrated racetracks that made up the CMC circuit. Like so many other MX children of the 70’s, the 50 year old Eropkin is still an active racer and runs his own pool cleaning company when he’s not out twisting throttles.

MXA: Can you give us a quick primer on your racing background?
Dave: I started racing in 1968 when I was 12 years old. My first bike was a Kawasaki Green Streak, but after my first race I knew I needed a more serious bike so I got a Bultaco 125. I was racing at Saddleback and Carlsbad and I made Pro on the Bultaco, but then the Elsinore came out and I had to get oneÿ of them. My first Pro race was at Ascot Raceway and I was scared to death! I probably got last, but built up my confidence and worked my way up into the top three at the CMC.

MXA: Who were some of the guys you raced against?
Dave: Ray Lopez, Mark Tyer, Tim Lunde and Bruce McDougal. The CMC races were the scene back then and they were all I lived for. Everybody would show up and we’d have gates of 40 riders battling it out every weekend. I had a ride with D&G with guys like Bob Hannah, Gary Denton and Dave Williams. Back then all the local shops were really into tracing as well and I also rode for Pasadena Honda and Whittier Honda with another fast guy, Billy Glore. I pretty much stayed in the 125 class and got beat out of the CMC #1 plate by Mike Bell one year.

MXA: Did you ever race the Nationals?
Dave: I was really more of a local guy. I did ride Hangtown once and it was a whole different world. At the time I guess you could say I started to get more interested in girls so I never did much training. I remember when Broc Glover wanted to race the national, but he was only 15 so he wanted to use my license to race. Probably the highlight of my career was racing the High School MX race at the Anaheim Supercross. I was riding on the PK Honda team with Bobby Jones and Jim Holly and Broc won that and I got second.

MXA: How do you compare the old days to now?
Dave: You know, back then it wasn’t so much about chasing the money or spending it. The tracks were simpler and I think more like authentic MX tracks.ÿ There also used to be so much land around that we had local practice tracks that were as big as the tracks we raced on. They’re all covered up with houses now! Between the night races (Ascot, Irwindale, and OCIR) and day tracks you could also race five times a week if you wanted to.

MXA: How did you get back into racing?
Dave: I quit making money at racing around 1980 and started to just ride instead for about six years then quit riding. Years later someone called me out of the blue and asked me to ride a vintage race. It had been over 10 years since I’d last ridden and it was really fun. Then I rode a modern bike and couldn’t believe how good it worked.

A BRIEF PICTORAL GUIDE TO THE HONDA CR125 ELSINORE

There were plenty of great bikes in the ’70’s, some even attaining “ground breaking” status. However, no bike had the impact on the sport that the Honda Elsinore CR125 and 250 did. Theÿlightweight, dependable two-strokes were to the the early days of American motocross what Yamaha’sÿYZ400F four strokeÿbecame more thanÿtwo decades later – revolutionary.ÿAlthough the bikesÿwere rocketships in stock form, they were a boon to the aftermarket market which added so much to the industry in terms of new technology.

A modern day repli-racer based on the factory RC Honda ridden by Marty Smith.

This is the real deal – the factory Honda tuned by Dave Arnold with devastating results.

A stock 1976 Elsinore of which Honda assuredly sold thousands of.

Remember the front fender mud flaps?

Craig and his ’76 Elsinore with key “go-fast” acccessories of the the age: a DG pipe, Preston Petty fenders and foam fork protectors

A near stock 1979 CR125 with Fox air shocks.

A 1976 Elsinore with laid down shocks, a very rare Simons fork, Gunnar Gasser throttle, Cross-Up aluminum swingarm, Preston Petty Mudder front fenderÿand a red pipe ala the FMF race bikes of the time.

Saving the best for last…maybe this is where Yamaha got the idea for their purple frames?

2008 TEAM NEWS

Team Hooters

After merging their two teams, the Moto XXX and Tamer Racing squads will come out swinging with support from new title sponsors, Hooters. The teamÿhas solidified their line-up for the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series. The first round of the series will take place this coming weekend at theÿAnaheim opener. The team will field five riders throughout the Supercross series including: Eric Sorby andÿAntonio Balbi Jr. in the Supercross class, and Ryan Grantomÿfor the west coast 250 class and Vernon McKiddie and Mitch Dougherty in the east coast 250 class. Hooters Restaurant will be the title sponsor of the team with major support from Cumberland Companies, Perfex Corp, Akrapovic Exhausts and American Honda.

Hooters Texas Wings Inc. is the Texas-based operator and franchisee associated with over 435 Hooters restaurant locations in 44 states and 20 Countries. “It is awesome to have Hooters involved with our organization. They bring some serious fun to the Supercross Series. I really want to thank Tracey and Tanya Mock and Texas Wings Inc. for their instrumental roles in bringing the Hooters deal to life,” said Kevin Maret.

New to the team for 2008 is Cumberland Companies. Cumberland is one of the largest pharmaceutical distribution companies in the United Sates for both generic and branded chronic care medications. From behind the counter to the front of the store, Cumberland supplies Rx brands, generic brands and consumer products to retail, medical professionals, and managed care providers.

After joining the team in 2007, Perfex Corporation is back supporting the team for 2008. Originating in Brooklyn and located in upstate New York, Perfex Corp. was founded in 1924. It is a family run business now in their third generation under the watchful eye of Michael E. Kubick. Mike grew up in New York and is an avid motorcycle enthusiast.

American Honda will be providing the team with the potent 2008 Honda CRF450R and the powerful CRF250R. Moto XXX Performance will handle engine development in conjunction with Race Tech who will handle suspension and chassis.

Team Hooters Sponors include: Cumberland, Moto XXX, Tamer Racing, Perfex Corp, Akrapovic, American Honda Motor Co., Race Tech Suspension, Pirelli tires, Wiseco, Sidi Boots, O’Neal MX, Motion Pro, Ti Lube, Moto XXX Performance, Honda GParts, Pro Honda Oils & Chemicals, Enjoy Graphics, Deluge Sport, Vortex Sprockets and Bars, JD Jetting, Excel A60 Wheel Sets, RK Chains, Tamer Billet Starting Devices, Mock Racing, ARC Levers, Honda Rider’s Club of AmericCometic Gaskets, Crower Power, Group D Pit Wear, Interlakes Sport Center, KGClutch Factory, Polisport Plastics, Ready Filter, VP Fuels, Vortex Ignitions, Scott USA, Ogio, Carbon Fiber Works, Clutch Wipes Hand Cleaner, and Metaltek.

Cernic’s Kawasaki
The Cernics Kawasaki Supercross Team is heading into the 2008 racing season with a winning attitude. Team riders Jeff Gibson, Dusty Klatt and Kyle Mace will compete in the premiere Supercross class of the AMA Supercross Series. The team will then head up to Canada to defend the team’s MX1 Class Championship in the CMRC Canadian Motocross Championships as the Monster Cernics Kawasaki Team.

Jeff Gibson is the returning rider after a successful 2007 season with a World Supercross GP Series top ten performance and a third place finish in the Canadian Motocross Championship. Dusty Klatt is joining the team and looking to a successful return to the premiere class. Unfortunately, Klatt was injured while testing in the off-season and will be temporarily replaced by Kyle Mace. Derek Sorenson continues as the team manager and Kelly Zawyrucha returns as the team transport driver. Josh Wiesnor will be working on Jeff Gibson’s KX450F and Glenn Hobson will be the mechanic for Klatt and Mace.ÿ

“Last year was great for our team and I’m looking forward to the 2008 racing season,” explained team owner Billy Whitley. “Our team will be strong again and our hope is to win another championship. Our staff and our sponsors are a vital part of our program and it takes a team of dedicated people to make a successful program. We have that here and we are excited about 2008 and beyond”.

During the 2008 season, Cernics and Kawasaki will return as the team’s primary sponsors for the AMA Supercross Series beginning with the Anaheim Supercross on January 5. Monster Energy Drink will return to the team in May to join Cernics and Kawasaki for the Canadian Motocross Championships. New team sponsors for our 2008 racing campaign are SHIFT, TCX Boots, M2R, Polisport, Vans, Regina and Pro Wheel.ÿ Additionally, Pro Circuit, Pirelli, Athena, Silkolene, Spy Optics, Motion Pro, American Racing, EBC, Hinson Clutch Components, Ogio, VP Fuels, N-Style, Uni, Fast 50 and Sunline return as associate sponsors.