MXA WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: SLICE OF THE MOTO LIFE
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2016 WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY AT GLEN HELEN
MTA has really upped the ante for this year’s MTA World Two-Stroke Championships on Saturday, March 26.
(1) There will be $10,000 in purse money for the Pro classes from L.A. Sleeve.
(2) Glen Helen enlisted AMA National & USGP track designer Jody Weisel to build a radically new design—and it will be used for Thursday’s practice, Friday’s 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. two-stroke-only practice (for riders who are entered in Saturday’s event only) and, of course, for Saturday’s World Two-Stroke race. It is so new that no one will lay rubber to dirt on it until it opens on Thursday (from 8:00 a.m. to dusk).
(3) MTA will give-away a tricked-out Yamaha YZ125 to an entered rider (above).
(4) There will be Monster Energy Freestyle Shows at 9:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
(5) The 125 Pro class will be held separate from the Open Pro race to allow riders to race both Pro class. Additionally, under established World Two-Stroke rules you can race either a 125cc or 150cc two-stroke.
(6) Team Husqvarna is going to send former 250 GP winner Zach Osborne, former AMA 125 National Champion Mike Brown, former World Two-Stroke Champion Austin Howell and Husky team manager Tim Weigand to race the white bikes. Last year’s Champions, Mike Sleeter (250) and Johnny Jelderda (125), will be back to defend their crowns.
(7) FMF will give free event T-shirts to the first 150 riders at sign-up (even pre-entered riders must go to sign-up to get their transponders).
(8) Entries are accepted online. Amateur entries are $40, with Pro entries at $85. Gates open Saturday at 6:00 a.m., with practice at 8:00 a.m. and racing at 9:00 a.m. To pre-enter click here, but you can post-enter at the track. There are classes from Pee-Wee through Over-60 years old.
WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONS (2010-2015)
2010 …Bobby Garrison (Hus)
2011 …Austin Howell (Yam)
2012 …Michael Leib (Hon)
2013 …Sean Collier (Yam)
2014 …Sean Collier (Yam)
2015 …Mike Sleeter (KTM)
ARENACROSS “RACE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP” FIELD SET FOR APRIL FOOL’S DAY
The final 5 rounds of the 2016 Amsoil Arenacross season starts at Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, California, on April 1. All the races before this have been thrown out and the top ten riders have been handed miniscule points (based on where they were in the race standings leading up to the final five races). This artificial points chase means that the top 10 riders are only separated by 6 points. The final round of the 5-race showdown is in Las Vegas on May 6. This NASCAR-borrowed concept may not be to the liking of hard-core motocross fans, but it is being considered as a possible Supercross format in the future—unless someone comes to their senses.
RACE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Gavin Faith…6
2. Travis Sewell…5
3. Jacob Hayes…4
4. Chris Blose…4
5. Ben Lamay…3
6. Jace Owen…3
7. Gared Steinke…2
8. Kyle Regal…2
9. Daniel Herrlein…1
10. Cody VanBuskirk…1
BRETT METCALFE TO RACE AUSTRALIAN AND CANADIAN NATIONALS—BONGO BONGO NEXT
Aussie Brett Metcalfe has inked to race the first four Australian National for the SD3 Husqvarna team before returning to Canada to race for the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha team in the 2016 CMRC Canadian Nationals this summer. Brett Metcalfe said, “I’m excited about it and also happy that I’ll get to bring my wife and my two boys down to enjoy a little Australian lifestyle and visit my family. I’ve been training and riding since January so I hope to be up to speed quickly once I arrive in Australia for the SD3 Husqvarna team this weekend. The field in the 450 class is going to be intense. The list of riders is long and it’s great to see it finally build up. I have a feeling the racing is going to be amazing for the fans in both classes. I’ve already spent good time with my new Teammate Luke Arbon and his chief mechanic Andy Pringle in the past month here in California, so I know the SD3 Husqvarna team is prepared and ready to compete.”
THE WAY WE WERE: THIS WEEK’S MOTO-CHALLENGE
This factory racer signed a big bucks deal to wear Wheels of Man motocross gear. Can you name him? The answer is on the bottom of the page.
THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: THE O’SHOW, BAM-BAM & BOWERS
Mar. 24…Steve McQueen 1930
Mar. 24…Davide Guarneri 1985
Mar. 25…Johnny O’Mara 1961
Mar. 25…Justin Barcia 1992
Mar. 25…Dave Osterman
Mar. 26…Dr. John Bodnar
Mar. 26…Gautier Paulin 1990
Mar. 26…Mike Jones 1966
Mar. 27…Jimmy Gaddis
Mar. 27…Jeff Alessi 1989
Mar. 29…Tyler Bowers 1991
Mar. 29…Nate Adams 1984
DAN ALAMANGOS’ “SLICE OF THE REM LIFE” PHOTO GALLERY
High on a hill overlooking the REM track is the Glen Helen sign. There are actually two giant signs—one of the AMA National track and one on the REM track.
Old friends get to meet and greet at REM. It’s not like these two former Indian Dunes heroes haven’t seen each other in a long time, since Willy Simons and Jon Ortner race against each other almost every week. They are just happy to be back at the track.
Only a motocross racer is smiling when he shows off the roost damage to his hand.
Saving parking spots in the pits is an art at REM. Everybody has their place. For example, Irish rider David O’Connor parks in the “Irish Car Park.” We think that is supposed to be a shamrock.
There is nothing more embarrassing than showing up in your brand-spanking-new gear only to have your buddy show up in the exact same gear.
“Flying Mike Brown” of NMA, World Mini and Indian motorcycle fame shows off a photo of Jo Jo Keller (51), Danny Magoo Chandler (314) and himself (47) lined up at an AMA 500 National.
Two different size boots aren’t uncommon after a broken ankle—two different brands are.
When the shock spring was too stiff, this rider donned a scuba diving weight belt to get the correct sag. Did it work? No because the weight belt bounced around over the jumps and bruised his hips.
When your truck is in the shop and you want to race, you make it happen.
This is a graphic depiction of how many MXA test riders are going to race MXA’s 450SXF Factory Edition. Each practice sticker represents a different test rider. This is how you get a year’s worth of racing on a test bike in less than two months.
These are the winner’s of last week’s REM beard and mustache contest. David Cincotta (left) sports a Fu Manchu with a Van Dyke, while Pasha Afshar (right) went for a John Quincy Adams.
Rumors that Yamaha is working on air forks have been confirmed. Insiders say that they will be available on the new YZ’s right after the press intro in 1976. Those REM guys are a gag a minute.
Some times you don’t have time to duck.
REM has more foreign riders per weekend than any track in America. The Kuwaitti team are regulars.
Somewhere there is a flower show in SoCal, but the wives of the REM racers aren’t there.
Former GP rider, ISDT Gold Medallist and ATK, AMP, Scott and KTM designer Horst Leitner (righ) is amused by the vintage ATK that son Harry is sitting on.
When your dad is the most famous tuner in the sport, you are naturally drawn to working on bikes—as young Master Payton exhibits here.
When Jon Ortner complained that lappers were getting in his way, his buddies got him his own personal blue flag.
The REM track is watered by fire hoses. Every now and then a hose bursts. Here, Jody uses the double-fold method to stop the water until the valve can be shut off.
Printed T-shirts are expensive, but you can root for your favorite rider with a piece of paper, Magic Marker and some packing tape for a lot less.
This Spanish racer flew in, went through the MXA workshop, picked out a bike, borrowed a helmet and showed up at REM ready to race. Kim Sunol is a plastic surgeon in Barcelona—when it doesn’t interfere with his racing career.
Son and dad spend the afternoon together in the Emergency Room, after spending the morning together racing at REM. Josh Fout (left) waited to race his second moto before going to check on dear old dad’s broken tib/fib. That may seem cruel, but that’s how motocross racers do it.
“My daddy races motocross and Aunt Lovely Louella knitted my hat,” Sloane Becker.
REM has a very strict “hands-off” policy. If you touch another rider in anger, you could be banned. This leads to some creative, no contact arguing after a crash.
Greg Groom grabs some Z’s so that his mind will be fresh when it comes time to cut the track. Ever since they started handing out the “Greg Groom Creative Line Award,” Greg stayed on the track, but so have the other riders. He’s a public servant.
The worst thing you can do is fall asleep in the pits when someone has a camera. Here, ESR suspension tuner Earl Shuler nods off, while son Ron poses for photos.
Brian Martin isn’t sleeping, he is thinking inscrutable thoughts.
Although not an advertisement for a job well done, this flagman turned a chain link fence into hammock.
THE CURRENT TOP TEN: HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND OFF
Malcolm Stewart (50) has the 250 East points lead by 7 points, with 5 race to go.
2015 AMA 250 EAST POINT STANDINGS
(After 4 of 9 races)
1. Malcolm Stewart…80
2. Jeremy Martin…73
3. Aaron Plessinger… 67
4. Justin Hill…63
5. Martin Davalos…61
6. Tyler Bowers…53
7. R.J. Hampshire…44
8. Matthew Bisceglia…41
9. Jesse Wentland…41
10. Gannon Audette…41
Joey Savatgy (37) can still win the 250 West. He is 11 points behind Cooper Webb with two races left.
2015 AMA 250 WEST POINT STANDINGS
(After 7 of 9 races)
1. Cooper Webb…145
2. Joey Savatgy…134
3. Christian Craig…129
4. Colt Nichols…117
5. Zach Osborne…110
6. Jimmy Decotis…99
7. Mitch Oldenburg…97
8. Kyle Peters…87
9. Kyle Cunningham…69
10. Jordon Smith…63
Chad Reed has slipped back in the 450 points.
2015 AMA 450 POINT STANDING
(After 11 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Dungey…253
2. Ken Roczen… 214
3. Jason Anderson…200
4. Eli Tomac…186
5. Marvin Musquin…178
6. Cole Seely..173
7. Chad Reed..160
8. Justin Brayton…128
9. David Millsaps…105
10. Trey Canard…104
2016 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Jason Anderson (21) got the Detroit win after Ryan Dungey was penalized two places (5 points) for jumping on the Red Cross flag.
Date Venue 450 250
Jan. 9…….Anaheim……………….Jason Anderson….Cooper Webb
Jan. 16……San Diego……………..Ryan Dungey………Cooper Webb
Jan. 23……Anaheim II……………Ryan Dungey………Cooper Webb
Jan. 30……Oakland……………….Ryan Dungey………Joey Savatgy
Feb. 6…….Phoenix…………………Ken Roczen………..Christian Craig
Feb. 13……San Diego II…………..Ryan Dungey………Joey Savatgy
Feb. 20……Dallas…………………..Ken Roczen………..Cooper Webb
Feb. 27……Atlanta………………….Ryan Dungey………Martin Davalos
March 5……Daytona……………….Eli Tomac…………..Jeremy Martin
March 12…Toronto…………………Ken Roczen………..Justin Hill
March 19…Detroit…………………Jason Anderson. …Malcolm Stewart
March 26…No race………………
April 2……..Santa Clara…………
April 9……..Indianapolis…………
April 16……St. Louis……………..
April 23……Boston………………..
April 30……New York…………….
May 7……..Las Vegas……………
450 Points leader…Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 West points leader…Cooper Webb (Yam)
250 East points leader…Malcolm Stewart (Hon)
HOW MANY RACES BEHIND DUNGEY IS THE 450 PACK?
Marvin Musquin (25) has been doing great over the last three races, but he isn’t going to win the title this year. He looks like a contender in 2017.
Nobody is racing on the same race as Ryan Dungey—which means he can DNF a race and still maintain his Supercross points lead. The AMA pays 25 points to the winner of every race, and once a rider gets more than 25 points ahead of his competition, he has a one-race safety net, 50 points is a two-race safety net, 75 points is a three-race safety net and so on.
The closest: Ken Roczen (94) is 34 points back. which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF one race (25 points), and still lead by 9 points.
Second closest: Jason Anderson (21) is 58-points behind, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF two races, and still lead by 8 points.
Eli Tomac is 63 points adrift, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF two races and still lead by 13 points.
Cole Seely is 70 points back, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF two races, and still lead by 20 points.
Marvin Musquin is 77 points back, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF three races, and still lead by 2 points.
Chad Reed is 91 points behind, which means that Ryan Dungey could DNF three races, and still lead by 16 points.
Justin Brayton is 125 points behind, which is exactly 5 races behind Dungey in points (with 7 races to go).
Everyone else is 5 or more races behind Ryan Dungey in the points chase.
Eliminated: Any rider who has fallen 175 or more points behind Ryan Dungey is already eliminated from even the remotest mathematical chance of winning the 450 title. These riders, through injury or other issues, are out of the running: Wil Hahn, Vince Friese, Justin Bogle, Blake Baggett, Phil Nicoletti, Broc Tickle, Justin Barcia, Andrew Short and James Stewart
2016 GRAND PRIX WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Jeffrey Herlings (84) is off to the same start as usual. He just needs to avoid the big mistakes that cost him the 250 title in 2014 ad 2015.
Date Venue 450 250
Feb. 27…. Qatar…………………..Tim Gajser…………..Jeffrey Herlings
Mar. 6…..Thailand……………….Romain Febvre…….Jeffrey Herlings
Mar. 28…Holland…………………..
April 10….Argentina………………
April 17….Mexico………………
May 1…… Latvia………………
May 8……Germany………………
May 15….Italy………………
May 29….Spain………………
June 5……France………………
June 19….Great Britain………………
June 26….Italy………………
July 24…..Czech Republic………………
July 31…..Belgium………………
Aug. 7……Switzerland………………
Aug. 28….Holland………………
Sept. 3…..Charlotte, USA………………
Sept.11…..Glen Helen, USA………………
450 Points leader…Romain Febrve (Yam)
250 West points leader…Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
UPCOMING RACES: WHO, WHAT, WHY & WHERE
2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 26…………………..No race
April 2………………..….Santa Clara, CA
April 9………………..….Indianapolis, IN
April 16………………….St. Louis, MO
2016 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
April 1-3…………………..Ontario, CA
April 9-10…………………Salinas, CA
April 16-17………………..Tacoma, WA
2016 REM MOTOCROSS
April 2……………………..Glen Helen, CA
April 9……………………..Glen Helen, CA
2016 KTM JUNIOR SUPERCROSS CHALLENGE
April 9………………………Indianapolis
April 16……………………..St. Louis
May 7……………………….Las Vegas
MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mar. 26……………………..Glen Helen, CA
2016 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 28……………………..Valkenswaard, Holland (Monday)
April 10……………………..Neuquen, Argentina
April 17……………………..Leon, Mexico
2016 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 3………………………Horsham, VIC
2016 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 10……………………..Landrake
UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
Sept. 10-11………….…….Glen Helen, USA
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MXA AND MAKE MONEY
You probably haven’t seen the April 2016 issue of MXA yet, but if you subscribed it would be in the trusty hands of a uniformed agent of the U.S. Government on its way to your mailbox right now. Or, you can wait for the product reviews, KTM 450SXF Factory Edition test and tech features to appear on the internet…in a couple months. Your choice.
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. Better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ for $9.99 a year. The MXA test riders prefer the print version and not just because it is delivered by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government, but because for only $15.99 you get 12 issues and a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. That means that 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/
Answer: The rider is Marty Tripes.
Photos: Dan Alamangos, Kyoshi Becker, John Basher, Brian Converse, Debbi Tamietti, Massimo Zanzani, MXA
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