MXA’S WEEKEND NEW ROUND-UP: DAYTONA WILL BE THE CRUX MOVE

• THE AMA FINALLY CRACKS DOWN ON “GHOST RIDING” WITH A WEAK WARNING

Haiden Deegan’s YZ250F being ghost ridden down the track after his first-ever AMA 250 East victory in Arlington.

Due to a spate of riders “ghost riding” their bikes down the tracks, the AMA has finally decided to do something about what could become a very dangerous stunt by over-exuberant riders. However, the AMA’s tepid response was just a written warning to Haiden Deegan for holding the throttle on and stepping off the back of his bike after winning the 250 West in Arlington.  The AMA has turned a blind eye towards riders launching their bikes down the track after a win . And, in normal AMA fashion, they did nothing when Chase Sexton, Aaron Plessinger, Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence did it.

Brian Deegan ghost riding his RM125 at  the 1987 L.A. Coliseum. 

This whole thing was originally mishandled.back in 1987 when Brian Deegan ghost rode his bike over the finish line in the AMA 125 West race in the L.A. Coliseum. Brian Deegan said of the incident, “My mechanic Kenny Watson was running up the finish line as I was finishing, and the bike almost T-boned him. It is true that we did a lot of things that you would not get away with today.” But they are getting away with it and since ghost riding has suddenly come in vogue, sooner or later some AMA official, photographer, flagger or medic is going to be cleaned out by some copy-cat rider trying to act like a pampered star.

The AMA needs to hire officials who have read the AMA rulebook, because even back in 1987, there was Rule 2.9c, which reads, “No rider may ride or operate any vehicle in such a manner as to endanger life or limb of other riders, crew members, officials or the public.” And this rule has been used in the past, most famously when Gary Ogden was disqualified for stopping before the finish line to let his mechanic ride across the finish line on the back of his bike with him. Ogden was disqualified for endangering a crew member, officials and the public.  It is hard to believe that it would have been all right for Gary to ghost ride his bike across the finish line.

Before someone gets hurt, the AMA needs to immediately send out a Competition Bulletin informing the teams and riders that “ghost riding” is against the rules and will be punished by a hefty fine and the loss of AMA points. If you think no one could get hurt then you;ve never seen what a loose motorcycle can do on its own.

• 2024 TRIUMPH TF250-X YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLET

• MXA VIDEO: 2024 TRIUMPH TF250-X TEST

• HUSQVARNA’S GUILLEM FARRES BREAKS FEMUR IN PRACTICE CRASH

Guillem Farres.

Husqvarna’s Guillem Farres sustained a broken femur in a crash while training in Florida on Tuesday, requiring surgery and the unfortunate end to his 2024 250 East Supercross season. The young Spanish rider finished 8th at opening round of the 250 East in Detroit and backed that up with a 9th in Arlington.

Farres first arrived in the U.S. during the 2022 outdoor season, riding for Star Yamaha, but suffered a broken arm last year in a Thunder Valley crash. He was nor picked up by Star for 2024, but Rockstar Husqvarna added him to their 2024 team.

Husqvarna team manager Nathan Ramsey said, “Guillem is one of the most liked riders in the industry that I have ever worked with. I am completely gutted that he had an unfortunate crash while testing at the Baker’s Factory. He is not only tough, but he is strong, and we will support him in every way to get him back at the races doing what he loves.”

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: NIHILO 2023-2024 KTM/GASGAS/HUSKY 65 JET KIT

The Nihilo jet kit for the Austrian trio of 65cc Junior Cycles consists of two main jets (a 210 and 220) and a 17.5 pilots jet. It retails for $21.5 at www.nihiloconcepts.com.

Nihilo also has jet kits for KTM/GasGas/Husky 85s (from 2018 to 2024) and also a KTM 50SX Dell’orto PHBG JET kit

• EVERY 2024 AMA SUPERCROSS WINNER AT A GLANCE

Venue                                                                                       450                                             250
Jan. 6…Anaheim, CA………………………….Jett Lawrence (Hon)…………..R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
Jam. 13…San Francisco………………………Chase Sexton (KTM)………..Jordon Smith (Yam)
Jan. 20…San Diego, CA………………………Aaron Plessinger (KTM)……Nate Thrasher (Yam)
Jan.27…Anaheim 2, CA………………………Cooper Webb (Yam)………….Levi KItchen (Kaw)
Feb. 3…Detroit, MI……………………………..Jett Lawrence (Hon)……………Austin Forkner (Kaw)
Feb. 10…Glendale, AZ………………………..Ken Roczen (Suz)…………………R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
Feb. 24…Arlington, TX……………………….CooperWebb (Yam)…………….Haiden Deegan (Yam)
.Mar. 2…Daytona Beach, FL……………..Jett Lawrence (Hon)……………Haiden Deegan (Yam)
Mar. 9…Birmingham, AL………………………
Mar. 16…Indianapolis, IN……………………..
Mar. 23…Seattle, WA………………………….
Mar. 30…St. Louis, MO……………………….
Apr. 13…Foxborough, MA…………………..
Apr. 20…Nashville, TN……………………….
Apr. 27…Philadelphia, PA…………………..
May 4…Denver, CO………………………….
May 11…Salt Lake City, UT……………….
450 Points leader………………………………Jett Lawrence
250 West Points leader…………………….Levi Kitchen
250 East points leader………………………Max Anstie

RANDEL FOUT “A CELEBRATION OF LIFE” ON MARCH 16

There will be a memorial celebration for Randel Fout on March 16, 2024, at Oceanside Harbor Beach from 2:00p.m. to sunset. Motocross Action has never had a test rider die in a racing incident and we are devastated by the passing of one of our best test riders and closest friends. Randel Fout fell to his death when his bike went over the edge of a ridge during an SRA cross-country race at Glen Helen on Sunday, February 25, 2024.  Randel leaves behind three sons, Jake, Josh and 11-year old Logan. MXA is devastated by the passing of one of the nicest guys in the sport. He was an incredible person and our prayers go out to his family and friends. A Go Fund Me account has been set-up for his young son Logan . All the donations will go to the aid and support of Logan Fout. If you’d like to donate to help his young son, please Click Here.

• MXA VIDEO: THE 2024 BETA 450RX TEST

• 2024-1/2 KTM 450SXF FACTORY EDITION YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLET

• MXA VIDEO: 2024-1/2 KTM 450SXF FACTORY EDITION TEST

• THE GREATEST DEAL IN MOTOCROSS! SUBSCRIBE TO MXA & GET $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREDIT & A YEAR OF MX FUN

This is the cover of the March 2024 issue of MXA

Did you know that you can subscribe to MXA at absolutely no cost to you—because when you subscribe you receive a Rocky Mountain ATV/MC credit for $25 towards anything in their massive inventory. Plus, you will get all the content in the 12 monthly issues of Motocross Action magazine delivered to your home by a uniformed U.S. government employee. The March 2024 issue includes a full test of the 2024 Kawasaki KX450, a 14-page 2014 MXA 450 Shootout that goes in-depth on all seven machines (with dyno runs, weights, prices, torque readings and detailed analysis of what’s good, what’s bad and what needs to be fixed on every bike) and we go to the race that is a party (or is that the party that is a race)—Day in the Dirt. Plus, Troll Training with Alex Martin, Twisted Development with Jamie Ellis and Suspesnion Simplified with REP/AEO’s Mark Johnson, These experts give you the inside scoop on stuff you need to know. And we can’t forget the complete 2024 Pro Circuit catalog full of engine, suspension, pipe, hop-up & gear offerings. And, don’t forget, the $25 credit from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC that will more than cover the cost of your subscription. To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here

• WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP WARM-UP RACE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024

Pasha Afshar wants to give every two-stroke racer a warm-up race two weeks before the 2024 World Two-Stroke Championship. On Saturday, March 16, Glen Helen will host two-stroke classes at the “Saturday At the Glen” races on the Glen Helen National track. Not only is it a chance to make sure you have your machine properly tuned, but it’s a chance to race your bike on the same dirt, hills and start as the World Two-Stroke Championship on Saturday, March 30. For more info got to www.glenhelen.com

• MXA VIDEO: 2024 HONDA CRF450 WORKS EDITION TEST

• 2024 250 SHOOTOUT YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLETS

• MXA VIDEO: 2024 MXA 250 SHOOTOUT: ALL THE COLORS IN THE RAINBOW

• 2024 TV SCHEDULE: AMA 250 EAST/WEST SUPERCROSS & 450 SUPERCROSS

The AMA Supercross series heads to Daytona on Saturday, March 2, for round 8 of the 17-race series.

• MXA VIDEO: 2024 YAMAHA YZ450FX OFF-ROAD TEST

• 2024 WISECO/FASTHOUSE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TWO WEEKS

The Wiseco World Two-Stroke Championship returns to Glen Helen Raceway on March 30, 2024. You can secure your spot early and enjoy substantial savings with Pre-Entry fees were set at $60 for the first class and $50 for the second class up until March 1. However, after March 1, the entries will increase to $80 for your first class before going to $100 for Post-entry on the weekend of the race. To pre-enterfor  the 2024 World Two-Stroke Championship and save money Click Here.

• EVERY WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPION (2010-2023)

Off-road star Bobby Garrison (928) won the first World Two-Stroke Championship race 14 years ago. It took nerve to tackle this downhill at speed.

EVERY WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPION (2010-2023)
2010…Bobby Garrison (Hus)
2011…Austin Howell (Yam)
2012…Michael Leib (Hon)
2013…Sean Collier (Yam)
2014…Sean Collier (Yam)
2015…Mike Sleeter (KTM)
2016…Mike Alessi (Suz)
2017…Ryan Surratt (Hon)
2018…Zach Bell (Hus)
2019…Robbie Wageman (Yam)
2020…Mike Alessi (Yam)
2021…Robbie Wageman (Yam)
2022…Trevor Stewart (Yam)
2023…Carson Brown (Yam)

• 2024 KAWASAKI KX250 YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLETS

• MXA VIDEO: 2024 KAWASAKI KX250 VIDEO TEST

• 2024 TV SCHEDULE: AMA 250/450 NATIONALS AND THE THREE-ROUND SMX PLAYOFFSEndless ruts are a common theme at the AMA 250/450 Nationals. Here, Justin Cooper finds a smooth line on the outside..

 

2024 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 6…Anaheim, CA
Jan. 13…San Francisco, CA
Jan. 20…San Diego, CA
Jan. 27, Anaheim, CA
Feb. 3…Detroit, MI
Feb. 10…Glendale, AZ
Feb. 24…Arlington, TX
Mar. 2…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 9…Birmingham, AL
Mar. 16…Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 23…Seattle, WA
Mar. 30…St. Louis, MO
Apr. 13…Foxborough, MA
Apr. 20…Nashville, TN
Apr. 27…Philadelphia, PA
May 4…Denver, CO
May 11…Salt Lake City, UT

2024 SUPERMOTOCROSS (SMX) PLAY-OFFS
Sept. 7…Concord, NC
Sept. 14…Fort Worth, TX
Sept. 21…Las Vegas, NV

2024 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 25…Pala, CA
June 1…Hangtown, CA
June 8…Thunder Valley, CO
June 15…Mount Morris, PA
June 29…Southwick, MA
July 6…Red Bud, MI
July 13…Millville, MN
July 20…Washougal, WA
August 10…Unadilla, NY
August 17…Budds Creek, MD
August 24…Crawfordsville, IN

2024 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 10…Argentina
Mar. 24…TBA
Apr. 7…Sardinia
Apr. 14…Italy #1
May 5…Portugal
May 12…Spain
May 19…France
Jun. 2…Germany
Jun. 9…Latvia
June 16…Italy #2
June 30…Indonesia #1
July 7…Indonesia #2
July 21…Czech Republic
July. 28..Belgium
Aug. 11…Sweden
Aug. 18…Holland
Aug 25…Switzerland
Sept. 8… Turkey
Sept. 16…China
Sept. 29….Italy #3

2024 WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 30-31…Glen Helen, CA

LORETTA LYNN NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Jul. 29-Aug. 3…Hurricane Mills, TN

2024 MOTOCROSS DES NATION
Oct. 6…Matterley Basin, UK

2024 WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 2-3…Glen Helen, CA

2024 GNCC CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 17-18… Union, SC
Mar. 2-3…Palatka, FL
Mar.23-24…Society Hills, SC
Apr. 13-14…Monterey, TN
Apr. 27-28…Crawfordsville, IN
May 11-12…St. Clairsville, OH
June 1-2…Mt. Morris, PA
June 22-23…Snowden, WV
Aug. 31/Sept.1…Newburg, WV
Sept. 14-15…Beckley, WV
Sept. 28-29…Millfield, OH
Oct. 26-27…Crawfordsville, IN

2024 WORCS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 5-7…Taft, CA
Jan. 26-28…Glen Helen, CA
Feb 23-25…Marysville, CA
Mar. 15-17…Lake Havasu, AZ
Apr. 12-14…Blythe, CA
May 17-19…Cedar City, UT
Sept. 6-7…Glen Helen, CA
Oct. 4-6…Mesquite, NV
Nov. 1-3…Primm, NV

2024 DUTCH MASTERS OF MOTOCROSS
Mar. 17…Harfsen
Apr. 4…Oldebroek
Apr. 21…Markelo

2024 ADAC MX MASTERS
Apr. 21…Princely Drehna
Apr. 28th…Dreetz
May 26…Vellahn
Jun. 23…Bielstein
July 14,…Tensfeld
Aug. 4…Gaildorf
Sept. 1…TBA
Sept. 22…Holzgerlingen

2024 SATURDAY AT THE GLEN MOTOCROSS (UPDATED)
Jan. 13…Winter Series #1 (Arroyo track)
Jan. 20…Winter Series #2 (National track
Feb. 3…Winter Series #3 (Arroyo track)
Feb. 24…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo track)
Mar.16…Winter Series #5 (National track)
Mar. 23…Spring Series #1 (Arroyo track)
Apr. 13…Spring Series #2 (Arroyo track)
Apr. 20…Spring Series #3 (Arroyo track)
May 4…Spring Series #4 (National track)
May 11…Spring Series #5 (Arroyo track)
June 1…Summer Series #1 (Arroyo track)
June 15…Summer Series #2 (National track)
July 6…Summer Series #3 (Arroyo track)
July 20…Summer Series #4 (Arroyo track)
Aug. 3….Summer Series #5 (National track)
Aug. 24…Fall Series #1 (Arroyo track)
Aug. 31…Fall Series #2 (Arroyo track)
Sept. 14…Fall Series #3 (National track)
Oct. 5…Fall Series #4 (Arroyo track)
Oct. 19…Fall Series #5 (Arroyo track)
Oct. 26…Winter Series #1 (National track)
Nov. 16..Winter Series #2 (Arroyo track)
Nov. 23..Winter Series #3 (Arroyo track)
Dec. 7…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo track)
Dec. 21…Winter Series #5 (National track)

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Photos Credits:  Brian Converse, TM motorcycles, Trevor Nelson, Debbi Tamietti and MXA archive

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