MOTOCROSS ACTION WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: COMING HOME TO ROOST

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HUSKY GP TEAM DECIMATED: NAGL OUT FOR TWO MORE RACES & TONKOV GONE

Nagl_MXGP_8_F_2015Max.

Husqvarna has confirmed that Max Nagl will be out of action for the next two GPs and Aleksandr Tonkov will be sidelined for the rest of the 2015 season. Nagl had returned to riding after having ankle surgery at the Halle Hospital in Germany. He hoped to race in Sweden this weekend, but the pain was too great. Max will skip Uddevalla and Latvia. Max Nagl said, “Words can’t describe just how disappointed I am about my MXGP championship campaign. But as everyone knows in motorsports, injuries can quickly change things. I am working hard so that when I return I will be able to give a strong end to the season. I really wanted to race in Sweden, but it is just too early.”

Tonkov_MXGP_4_TN_2015Alek.

As for Aleksandr Tonkov, his 250 Grand Prix campaign is over after the Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna rider recently underwent shoulder surgery following his crash at the German GP. Tonkov’s shoulder requires a significant rehabilitation period, Aleksandr’s priority is to spend the coming months working towards a full recovery before returning to competition in 2016.

WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO THIS WEEK

clouds1WEATHER: It never rains in SoCal, but it sure looks like it was going to at Glen Helen today. Clouds are not something that Southern Californians see very often.

_JUN1189GONE: John Basher, Daryl Ecklund (above) and Dennis Stapleton are riding in Costa Rica this week. Jody Weisel refused to go because he couldn’t get there on the 15 Freeway.

ktm450ortnerBUSY WORK: Jody stayed behind to run the dyno and test programs on MXA’s 2016 KTM 250SXF, 350SXF and 450SXF. Which means juggling the remaining riders, like Jon Ortner above, to run through gearing, mapping, suspension and exhaust settings.

genius1PROJECT: While we are waiting for the 2016 Yamaha YZ450F, which we get next Wednesday, we are trying an R&D Genius throttle body on our KTM 450 Factory Edition. To learn more about it go to www.r1dean.com.

CHAPARRAL TO SPONSOR UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

chapmoto USGPPosterGlenHelenChaparral Motorsports will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Monster Energy MXGP of USA at Glen Helen. Backed by more than 35 years in the powersports industry, a long history of racing, and staffed by enthusiasts, Chaparral Motorsports is one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in the country. It’s massive retail store measures in at more than 160,000 square-feet and is just 10 minutes from Glen Helen Raceway. The USGP will be held on September 18-20, 2015. Check at www.glenhelen.com or Click here to order tickets.

MXA’S 100,000 VIDEO CLUB: MXA’S MOST POPULAR VIDEOS THIS YEAR

CLUB100 100CLUB2These are the MXA videos that cracked 100,000 views or more over the last 12 months…most notable is the Sean Collier KX500 Versus KX450F video which broke 100,000 views in one week. To see these videos and many more, go to www.youtube.com/user/motocrossactionmagaz/featured

SWM’S NEW BIKES ARE READY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY NEW

SWM300RSWM RS300R: No motocross bikes at SWM and not headed for the USA.

SWM500SWM RS500R: The SWM does not use Husky’s ill-fated BMW/Chinese engine — thankfully.

The original SWM motorcycle company folded in 1984. Italian manufacturer SWM, which stands for “Speedy Working Motors,” had a reasonably long run starting back in 1971. It is back for 2015 with six new models slated for production this year.  The models range from enduros to dual sports to supermotos to cafe racers for 2016. Sorry no motocross bikes for now. The two enduro models of interest are the RS300R and RS500R four-strokes. SWM is expected to make 1000 bikes—which are based on pre-KTM Husqvarna designs. Why? Because SWM head honcho Ampelio Macchi is a former Husqvarna engineer.

DAN ALAMANGOS’ PHOTO OF THE WEEK

DANfotwFamous engine builder Terry Varner is a two-sport athlete — not only does he race every weekend, but he wields a mean hockey stick when it comes to flicking rocks off the track (in this case directly at Dan’s camera).

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MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO CIRCUIT’S NEW DUDS FOR SUMMER FUN

PCLITTELEshopThe Little Shop That Could.
PChirtMOTORPro Circuit Motor Department.

PCSHORTTEAMHigh-ResPro Circuit Team caricatures.

PCFRONTTEAMCLOSEClose-up of team caricatures.

Press release: Here at Pro Circuit, we believe you should look just as good off the track as you do on. We work hard to create quality apparel that you’ll be proud to wear wherever you go. That’s why we’re excited to release our newest collection of casual t-shirts, v-necks and 3/4 sleeve raglan shirts for men and women. Our newest shirts are as comfortable as they are stylish which makes them a must-have for any racer wanting to show their support and look cool at the same time while at the track or the movies or anytime. Men’s apparel available in sizes small through xx-large. Women’s apparel available in sizes small through large. Retail price: $21.95 at www.procircuit.com

2015 AMA NATIONALS AT A GLANCE: DRYING OUT FOR RED BUD

Pourcel-BuddsCreekChristophe Pourcel may be an enigma, but when he wants to go, he is hard to catch—just ask Ken Roczen.

Date             Venue                                        450                                    250
May 16…..Hangtown, CA………….Eli Tomac…….….Jeremy Martin
May 23…Glen Helen, CA………….Eli Tomac…….….Marvin Musquin
May 30…Thunder Valley, CO……Ryan Dungey……Jeremy Martin
June 6…Muddy Creek, TN………..Ryan Dungey……Jeremy Martin
June 13…Mt. Morris, PA…………..Ken Roczen….….Marvin Musquin
June 27…Budds Creek, MD………Justin Barcia…….Marvin Musquin
July 4…Red Bud, MI
July 18…Millville, MN
July 25…Washougal, WA
Aug.t 8…Unadilla, NY
Aug. 15…Miller Motorsports, UT
Aug. 22 …Crawfordsville, IN
450 Points Leader…Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 Points Leaders…Marvin Musquin (Yam)

Dungey-BuddsBACKLiving the clean life obviously pays big dividends on the karma scale. Dungey had a terrible day in Maryland, yet came out smelling like a rose.

2015 AMA 450 NATIONAL POINTS STANDING
(After 6 of 12 races)
1. Ryan Dungey…256
2. Ken Roczen…219
3. Justin Barcia…193
4. Blake Baggett…185
5. Jason Anderson…178
6. Broc Tickle…158
7. Christophe Pourcel…157
8. Weston Peick…129
9. Phil Nicoletti…132
10. Eli Tomac…125

Musquin-BuddsCreek45Marvin Musquin is one of the nicest guys on the AMA circuit. He is also the guy leading the AMA 250 Nationals, so he has no reason to be angry.

2015 AMA 250 NATIONAL POINTS STANDING
(After 6 of 12 races)
1. Marvin Musquin…258
2. Jeremy Martin…248
3. Adam Cianciarulo…178
4. Joey Savatgy…173
5. Zach Osborne…165
6. Jessy Nelson…164
7. Alex Martin…154
8. Matt Biscelgia…124
9. Shane McElrath…121
10. Aaron Plessinger…118

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USED IT, ABUSED IT, TESTED IT M.PAC PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER

mpac097The PolarPack foam bricks are frozen and then packed around the 18-volt fan.

It’s hot out there and it is going to get hotter. There is a solution. The M.Pac is a small, lightweight, air conditioning unit that runs off battery power and uses frozen PolarPack foam bricks to keep a rider cool after a moto. Weighing just under 11 pounds, the M.Pac is designed to sit on the rider’s lap, on the tailgate of his truck or on the handlebars on the starting line. Once you are ready for a blast of cool air, just flip the switch. The difference in temperature between a hot SoCal summer day and the PolarPack-cooled air was in the neighborhood of 15 degrees. And, the hotter the day the cooler the air felt. Some MXA test riders even held a spray bottle full of ice water and misted it into the M.Pac’s breeze for more cooling.

mpac092
It can be used on the starting line, in the pits or to dry your helmet.

MPACroadrace
Christophe Pourcel uses his own version of the M.Pac fan on the starting line…as do several road racers.

Powered by a supplied Black & Decker power tool battery, the M.Pac Portable Air Conditioner retails for $220.00 (plus shipping) and comes with the cooler case, battery pack, charger, battery and five PolarPacks foam bricks. For more info go to Facebook and search “M.PAC portable air conditioner” or just click here www.facebook.com/pages/MPAC-Portable-Air-Conditioner/644440695645624.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: BAD BRAD IS 62

222stackable
July 3…Steve Stackable
July 3…Paul Carpenter 1981

DEANFerris-SanDiego
July 4…Dean Ferris 1990
July 4…Mark Phares

Billymackenz
July 4…Billy Mackenzie 1984
July 5…Kyle Cunningham 1989

LARSLARSSSONBDAY
July 5…Lars Larsson 1941
July 6…Heikki Mikkola 1945

rickyjohnsonBDAY1990
July 6…Rick Johnson 1964
July 7…Jim Chester
July 7…Steven Clarke 1990

lackeyBDAY
July 8…Brad Lackey 1953

maxnaglBDAY
July 8…Max Nagl 1987
July 9…Michael White 1986

YOUR FUTURE IS SET: MARK YOUR CALENDAR

REMJULY4REM returns to the big track on Saturday, July 4th at Glen Helen.

2015 REM 4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR
July 4…………………….…Glen Helen, CA

2015 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
July 3-4…………….….Denver, CO

2015 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 4…………………Red Bud, MI
July 18………..……..Millville, MN

2015 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
July 5…………………..Uddevalla, Sweden
July 12…………………Kegums, Latvia

2015 WORLD SIDECAR CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
July 5………………..……..France
July 12………………..……Belgium
July 19……………………..Germany

2015 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 5 ……………………….Raymond Terrace, NSW
July 19 ………..……Shepparton, Vic

2015 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 12………………………Gopher Dunes
July 19………………………Sand Del Lee

2015 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 19……………………..Foxhill

2015 DUTCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 19…………………………Markelo

2015 GERMAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 19………………………….Tensfeld

2015 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
July 26-Aug. 1………………..Hurricane Mills, TN

MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE

REXSTATEN46nRocket Rex Staten (46) on a Harley-Davidson MX250 equipped with “speedo and tach” Kayaba air forks leads three-time 250 National Champion Tony DiStefano (1).

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USED IT, ABUSED IT, TESTED IT: MOTION PRO TITAN THROTTLE TUBE


Motion Pro tested many different materials by hitting them with hammers and dropping weights on them before a deciding on the exact recipe for the Titan’s plastic. The secret formula had the right combination of strength and flexibility, plus low-friction properties for easy twisting.

VERDICT: Motion Pro didn’t want to settle for a better-than-stock throttle tube, they wanted to build the most crash resistant throttle tube on the market. How can a piece of plastic be more durable than a CNC’ed piece of aluminum? If aluminum is bent or dented in a crash it will deform and not return to it’s original shape. The Titan Tube is more rigid than OEM plastic throttle tubes, but more flexible than aluminum. That flexibility may make a material seem weak, but it adds resilience. The result is an amazingly durable throttle tube. $24.99 —  www.motionpro.com or (650) 594-9600.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT A GLANCE: WHO’S LEFT?

Gajser_MXGP_10_D_2015Tim Gajser has won two 250 GPs so far in 2015.

WHO’S WON WHAT, WHEN THEY DID IT AND  WHERE
Date             Venue                              450                                    250
Feb. 28……Qatar………….Max Nagl……………Jeffrey Herlings
March 8..…Thailand……..Ryan Villopoto………Jeffrey Herlings
March 29…Argentina……Max Nagl……………..Dylan Ferrandis
April 19……Italy…………..Max Nagl……………Tim Gajser
April 26……Holland……..Gautier Paulin…….…Jeffrey Herlings
May 10…….Spain…………Tony Cairoli…………Valentin Guillod
May 24…….England….…Tony Cairoli……………Valentin Guillod
May 31….…France……….Romain Febvre……….Jeffrey Herlings
June 14……Italy…………..Romain Febvre………Tim Gajser
June 21…..Germany…..….Romain Febvre……….Tim Gajser
July 5………Sweden……..
July 12…….Latvia………..
July 26……Czech Rep….
Aug 2……..Belgium……..
Aug 23……Italy………….
Aug 30……Holland………
Sept. 13….Mexico………..
Sept. 20…Glen Helen….
450 Points Leader…Romain Febvre (Hus)
250 Points Leaders…Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: MARTY SMITH: AMERICAN MOTOCROSS LEGEND DVD

Marty Smith is the man who popularized motocross in America in the 1970s. The three-time AMA motocross champion has documented his amazing career as a rider in his own DVD.The film includes never before seen race footage from some of the most intense races of the 1970’s. See exclusive interviews with Dave Arnold, Tommy Croft and Bob Hannah. The film also features a once in a lifetime interview between Smith and Hannah ? the only time the two have ever been on camera together. Get ready to experience motocross like you have never seen before! $29.95 (plus S&H) at www.martysmithmotocross.com/dvd.php

MOTORCYCLE AD OF THE WEEK: BIG SHOES TO FILL

hallmandecosterThis is what Roger wore. the Roger DeCoster signature boot was sold by Torsten Hallman Racing, but would later go on to fame as the Hi-Point Champion. It is still available today as the Alpinestars Super Victory boot.

SUBSCRIBE TO MXA AND MAKE MONEY

AUGUST2015coverDon’t miss your chance to get the August issue of MXA hand delivered to you by a uniformed agent of the United States Government. Plus, subscribers get a $25 Rocky Mountain gift card which pays for their subscription and then some.

Do you subscribe to MXA? You should. We know that you think that print magazines are dead and that the internet will fill the void, but most of the stuff in the current issue of MXA won’t appear on the web for several months, if at all. Luckily, you can get all of MXA on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google play, but better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ or click on the link below to get the print version delivered to your door for only $19.99 (plus you get a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC just for subscribing). There is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: http://hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-motocross-action-magazine/

DEBBI TAMIETTI’S PHOTO OF THE WEEK

DEBBIvetranoScalvini exhaust importer Pete Vetrano hanging it out…albeit the wrong way.

 

Photos by Kawasaki, John Basher, KTM, Massimo Zanzani, SWM, Husqvarna, Honda. Dan Alamangos, MXA and Debbi Tamietti

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