MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: ONE “SUPER” SERIES CRASHES & ONE “SUPER” SERIES SHINES

• THE FIM WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP CANCELS THREE MORE RACES

Ken Roczen was the only big-name rider who signed to race the WSX, but is his three-year sweetheart deal may now be in jeopardy.

In 2023 Supercross turned into to be a grudge match between the AMA and the FIM over the future of Supercross. The Hatfield-McCoy-style feud started when the AMA Supercross promoters, Feld Motorsports, dropped the FIM sanction for 2023. The angry FIM immediately asked for bids from interested promoters to host an all-new competing Supercross series, called the World Supercross Championship. They found a taker in Australian-based SX Global, who hatched a six-race 2023 World Supercross Championship (WSC) series.

This spurred the AMA Supercross series to come up with the AMA SuperMotocross Championship (SMX) and throw $10 million at it to buy the loyalty of the AMA Super stars and the American-based Supercross teams. According to insider reports, when the World Supercross promoters came calling in SoCal to woo the factory teams to their FIM series, they were arrogant blowhards, leading to all the experienced Supercross teams electing to side with the AMA SuperMotocross series—in no small part because Feld was willing to go on an unprecedented spending spree to buy the loyalty of the established Supercross teams and their high-profile talent.

Originally, the FIM’s World Supercross series (WSX) announced a six-race schedule in England, France, Singapore, Germany, Canada and Australia. But the WSX started falling apart immediately after the first round was completed, when the French round was cancelled and, in quick order, Singapore, Germany and Canada dropped out—leaving only Abu Dhabi (a race that was added to replace France) and Australia. Additionally, the WSX’s Middle-East-based Mubadala Capital backers dropped out and the series ownership was transferred to European soccer team owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori.

Is this the beginning of the end of the FIM’s World Supercross Championship? No, but it is now a wounded series with a tarnished reputation, a terrible website, a flawed race program and during their bad times, they answered back with silence. That’s chump stuff. Hopefully, the new investors will take a close look at why the WSX failed so suddenly and make some changes.

2023 WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
July 1…Birmingham, England (Held)
July 22….Lyon-Décines, France (Cancelled)
Sept. 30…Singapore, Rep. Singapore (Cancelled)
Oct. 14…Dusseldorf, Germany (Cancelled)
Oct. 28…Vancouver, Canada (Cancelled)
Nov, 4-5… Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nov. 24-25…Melbourne, Australia.

• TAKE A LAP OF SATURDAY’S CHICAGOLAND SUPERMOTOCROSS TRACK

• WORLD VET MX “CUP OF NATIONS” TEAM RACE: NOW IS THE TIME TO GET YOUR TEAM READY

The 39th Annual Dubya World Vet Motocross Championships is designed to bring the world’s best Vet riders together for a week of thrills, chills and big hills. Along with all the classes for individual racers, there is a three-man “World Cup of Nations” race where three teams of three can represent each home country. They not only get the honor of representing their country, but the winners get their countries name will engraved on the perpetual “World Cup of Nations” trophy

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to showcase your talent and national pride along side your countrymen. Gather your team, rally your fellow riders, and be in the starting line, wearing your country’s race bibs and making history at Glen Helen Raceway.

You must register your team before the September 30, 2023, deadline. So, line up your buddies and be a part of this incredible race. Register now to secure your spot in the World Vet MX “Cup of Nations” before it’s too late! The 2023 “World Cup of Nations” entry fee is $100 per three-man team and each team needs to be made up of riders from the Over-30, Over-40 and Over-50 age groups.  All you have to do is organize a team of riders from your home country and Click Here to register.

• NEW RULES DESIGNED TO RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE WORLD VET “CUP OF NATIONS”

Glen Helen owner Dr. Bud Feldkamp holds the World Vet Cup perpetual  trophy that has the name of each winning county engraved on it.

Glen Helen Raceway would like to thank everyone that participated in the 2022 World Vet Cup of Nations. It was a huge success and there were even tears of joy on the podium. Th”world Cup of Nations” is a special race, designed to highlight all of the nations that are represented at the Dubya World Vet Motocross Championship. It requires three riders from the same country on each World Vet Cup team. Unfortunately, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the borders were closed around the world, the rules were loosened to allow a foreign-born, passport-holding rider to borrow available riders from other countries to fill out that his World Vet Cup team. It was an emergency procedure to keep the World Vet Cup going—it was never planned to become a permanent fixture.

Glen Helen wants to World Vet Cup of Nations event to return to its original concept starting with the this year’s race. It is held for proud riders from Ireland, Germany, France, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Spain and the 15 other countries in attendance to represent their country…and fly their flag. Ringers will no longer be allowed!

The goal isn’t to write new rules for rules sake, but to return the “Cup of Nations” back the original rules to keep the international “spirit” of this race alive and to ensure it remains a prestigious race for many years to come.

The race bibs come in national colors with the proper flag. The color of the upper portion of the bib indicates the age group of the rider. Each age group starts the World Vet Cup motos in its own wave off the start and is scored separately from the other age groups.

HERE ARE THE UPDATED RULES FOR THE 2023 WORLD VET CUP OF NATIONS

(1) Passports or birth certificates: To be deemed a valid representative of a country, the rider must possess and present an official birth certificate or passport from the country being represented. The hope is to have teams made up of proud racers representing their nation—not ringers from America.

(2) Filling a spot: All three riders should be from the nation they are representing, however, in special circumstances, a minimum of two riders on the team must meet the criteria of rule #1. If 1 of the riders is not from the country they are representing or cannot provide an official birth certificate or passport, there will be a 5-point penalty assessed to that rider’s overall finish points for each moto.

(3) Scoring system: World Vet Cup racing consists of two motos, The first moto is on Saturday and the second moto is on Sunday. Points are scored based on the finishing positions within each age group. A country whose team finished 1st in the Over-30, 1st in the Over-40 and 1st in the Over-50 classes would have a team total of 3 points for that day’s motos. The national team with the lowest score for both days combined will be the overall World Vet “Cup of Nations” Championship team.

(4) Class ages: Each national team will consist of three riders who meet the age requirements to participate in the Over-30, Over-40, and Over-50 classes. Any rider over 30 years of age can fill the Over-30 spot on a team. Only riders 40years old or older can fill the Over-40 spot on the team and only riders over 50 years old can fill the Over-50 spot on the team. Paradoxically, riders over 50 years old can fill any spot in the Over-30, Over-40 and Over-50 classes.

(5) Race bib mandate. National race bibs, with that nations flag on it, will be provided to each rider of the country being represented. Failure to wear your bib will result in a 5-point penalty for your team.

It is best to start forming your national team as soon as possible, with back-up riders if necessary. Each nation is allowed to field as many as three separate teams! The World Vet Cup of Nation application forms are available now. Click Here to register. Don’t delay.

• MXA COVER OF THE WEEK: “HOW TO ACHIEVE TWO-STROKE BLISS”

Ten years ago, the cover of the September 2013 issue of MXA featured Honda-mounted Justin Barcia flying at Muddy Creek for John Basher’s lens. Inside were first looks at the 2014 Yamahas and Kawasakis, full tests of the 2014 KTM 350SXF, 2014 KTM 250SXF and the CV4 CRF450. There was also a scathing expose on the changes Giuseppe Luongo’s wanted to make to Grand Prix motocross (all bad). Plus, the most read, “20 Ways To Make Your 2013 YZ250 Two-Stroke Better.”

• FOR OUR MAMMOTH KTM 65SX MOTOCROSSER WE SOUGHT OUT THE MOST COMPETENT HELP

• GREG BLACKWELL IS THE NEW VP OF SSR MOTORSPORTS

William Li and Greg Blackwell in the SSR warehouse.

Greg Blackwell has been hired as SSR Motorsports’ new vice president of sales and marketing. Greg Blackwell, the brother of AMA 500 National Champion Mark Blackwell, was a motocross racer before working in the powersports industry, with positions at KTM North America, LeMans Corporation, Parts Unlimited and Metzeler tires and Hisun Motors. At SSRr, staff. Support of the current dealer network will be complemented with new dealer appointments in open markets.

SSR’s founder William Li said, “Greg brings exceptional knowledge and powersports experience to this important leadership role based on his strong dealer and interpersonal relationships, and the fact that he is, at his core, a true powersports enthusiast. He will hit the ground running and have an immediate impact.”

Greg Blackwell has held executive positions at some of America’s most powerful companies.

Blackwell will be responsible for leading the national team of district sales managers and marketing SSR has boosted its marketing efforts with the production of numerous advertisements on both wholesale and retail levels promoting the SSR motorcycles, QJ motorcycles, and SSR’s Bison UTVs.

Dennis Kanegae  at speed in the good old days.

MXA was also surprised to find that SSR’s Promotion Manager is Dennis Kanegae, who during his Grand National days was best known at Ascot Raceway as “Banzai Kanegae.”

• “THIS WEEK IN MXA WITH JOSH MOSIMAN:” SUPERMOTOCROSS WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

• CRAZY MOMENTS YOU’LL NEVER SEE AGAIN. DUNGEY SHIFTS BY HAND

Ryan Dungey  had just left Suzuki to join Roger DeCoster at KTM. Ryan had no plans to race the 2012 Monster Energy Cup because he didn’t have very much time on his new KTM 450SXF, but at the last minute he decided to race. By the end of the night Ryan had finished second overall behind Justin Barcia’s 2-1-2 score, but the real story was that in the third moto Ryan hit a Tuff Block and bent the shifter on his KTM. He was stuck in second gear, but in one of the most amazing moments in motocross history, Ryan would reach down with with left hand and shift the bike over the big jump every lap and managed to finished third in the final moto to make the podium thanks to his brave actions. In this photo you can see Ryan, with Mike Alessi next to him, reaching for his bent shift lever.

• THE KING’S KX125 GOING WIDE OPEN AT MAMMOTH

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

This is the cover of the October 2023 issue of  MXA. On the cover is a Trevor Nelson photo of Josh Mosiman flying MXA’s 2024 KTM 450SXF at Glen Helen.  Inside are full-length tests of Josh Mosiman’s Thunder Valley National Honda CRF450 Works Edition and Josh’s Hangtown National 2023-1/2 GasGas MC450F Factory Edition (complete with all the mods he made to make them AMA National ready). Additionally, there is a surprising interview with Don Kudalski covering his very interesting Pro career (including  his time on the Rokon 340 Cobra). There is so much more inside.  Plus, you can subscribe without it costing you a cent!

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 you home by a uniformed U.S. government employee. Don’t miss any more four-stroke tests, two-stroke tests, retro tests, race coverage, new tech or product tests….most of which never appear on the internet. 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 

• MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KTM 450SXF FOUR-STROKE

“SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” MOTOCROSS ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 16

For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

• FIRE POLICE “PENTACULAR” MOTOCROSS ON OCT. 9-10 AT LAKE ELSINORE

A Pentacular is 5 motos per class over two days. For more info go to www.firepolicemx.com

• WATCH MXA’S JOSH MOSIMAN RACE THE MEHRNBACH AUSTRIAN 450 NATIONAL

• 2023 DUBYA WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOVEMBER 3-5

The Grand Daddy race that spawned all the Johnny-Come-Lately Vet races was started in 1985 and will turn 40 years old next year. For more info or to pre-enter and save money, go to www.glenhelen.com

• MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HUSQVARNA FC450 FOUR-STROKE

• WHO’S WHO IN THE GRAND PRIX ZOO WITH TWO RACES LEFT

Roman Febvre (3) cut Jorge Prado’s lead in the 450 World Championship down to 67 points—with 100 points left in the MXGP{ title chase. They race in Italy this Sunday.

2023 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue                                                                                             450                                               250
Mar. 12…Argentina………………………..Ruben Fernandez (Hon)……………Jago Geerts (Yam)
Mar. 26…Sardinia………………………….Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)……………..Jago Geerts (Yam)
Apr. 10…Switzerland……………………..Maxime Renaux (Yam)………………Thibault Benistant (Yam)
Apr. 16…Trentino…………………………..Jorge Prado (Gas)……………………….Andrea Adamo (KTM)
Apr. 30…Portugal…………………………..Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)………………Jago Geerts (Yam)
May 7…Spain………………………………….Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)……………..Simon Laengenfelder (Gas)
May 21…France……………………………..Jeremy Seewer (Yam)………………..Thibault Benistant (Yam)
Jun. 4…Latvia…………………………………Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)………………Kay de Wolf (Hus)
Jun. 11…Germany…………………………..Jorge Prado (Gas)………………………Liam Everts (KTM)
Jun. 25…Indonesia #1……………………Romain Febvre (Kaw)………………. Lucas Coenen (Hus)
July 2…Indonesia #2……………………..Romain Febvre (Kaw)…………………Jago Geerts (Yam)
July 16…Czech Rep………………………..Romain Febvre (Kaw)………………..Jago Geerts (Yam)
July 23…Belgium……………………………Romain Febvre (Kaw)…………………Jago Geerts (Yam)
July 30…Finland……………………………..Romain Febvre (Kaw)…………………Simon Laengenfelder (Gas)
Aug. 13…Sweden……………………………Jeremy Seewer (Yam)………………..Simon Laengenfelder (Gas)
Aug. 20…Holland…………………………….Romain Febvre (Kaw)………………..Liam Everts (KTM)
Sept. 3…Turkey………………………………..Tim Gajser (Hon)………………………….Liam Everts (KTM)
Sept. 17…Italy
Oct. 1…England
450  GP points leader…..Jorge Prado (Gas)
250 GP points leader…..Andrea Adamo (Gas)

• MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KAWASAKI KX250

• 2023 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS WITH TWO RACES LEFT

Jorge Prado (61) finally had a bad weekend. In Turkey, Jorge crashed in the first turn of both motos and, in both motos, his GasGas MC450F was reluctant to restart, leaving him dead last. His 13-10 score still leaves him with a healthy 67-point lead with Italy and England to go. 

450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS AFTER TURKEY
(After 17 of 19 rounds)
1. Jorge Prado…841
2. Romain Febvre…774
3. Jeremy Seewer…676
4. Glenn Coldenhoff…628
5. Ruben Fernandez…570
6. Calvin Vlaanderen…532
7. Jeffrey Herlings…456
8. Alberti Forato…444
9. Valentin Guillod…310
10. Maxime Renaux…302

Liam Everts took the overall victory at the Turkish Grand Prix with a 3-2. Kevin Horgmo was second (6-1), Jago Geerts was third (2-4),  Simon Laegenfelder was fourth (1-6) and Andrea Adamo was fifth (10-5). 

Andrea Adamo has held the points lead in the 250 World Motocross Championship for most of the 2023 season and still leads the 250 World Championship by 48 point over Liam Everts with two GPs left. 

250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS AFTER TURKEY
(After 17 of 19 rounds)
1. Andrea Adamo…732
2. Liam Everts…684
3. Jago Geerts…650
4. Simon Laengenfelder…645
5. Lucas Coenen…520
6. Roan Van De Moosdijk…508
7. Kevin Horgmo…505
8. Kay de Wolf…501
9. Thibault Benistant…462
10. Rick Elzingar…352

• THE FUTURE IS NOW: 2023 RACE SCHEDULES

2023 2023 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12…Argentina
Mar. 26…Sardinia
Apr. 10…Switzerland
Apr. 16…Trentino, Italy
Apr. 30…Portugal
May 7…Spain
May 21…France
June. 4…Latvia
June 11…Germany
June 25…Indonesia #1
July 2…Indonesia #2
July 16…Czech Rep.
July 23…Belgium
July 30…Finland
Aug. 13…Sweden
Aug. 20…Holland
Sept. 3…Turkey
Sept. 17…Italy
Oct. 1……England

2023 WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
July 1…Birmingham, England (Held)
July 22….Lyon-Décines, France (Cancelled)
Sept. 30…Singapore, Rep. Singapore (Cancelled)
Oct. 14…Dusseldorf, Germany (Cancelled)
Oct. 28…Vancouver, Canada (Cancelled)
Nov, 4-5… Abu Dhabi, UAE 
Nov. 24-25…Melbourne, Australia

2023 SUPERMOTOCROSS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE (UPDATED)
Sept. 9…Concord, NC
Sept. 16…Joliet, Il
Sept. 23…Los Angeles, CA

2023 AMA ENDUROCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 7…Everett, WA
Oct. 21…Prescott Valley, AZ
Oct. 27-28…Idaho Falls, ID
Nov.11…Redmond, OR
Nov. 18…Reno, NV

2023 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Jul. 31-Aug. 5…Loretta Lynn, TN

2023 VET MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Aug. 24-28…Foxhill, GB

2023 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 8…Ernee, France 

2023 WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 3-5…Glen Helen, CA

2023 RED BULL DAY IN THE DIRT
Nov. 24-26…Glen Helen, CA

2024 AMA ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov.11-18…Madison, Wi
Dec.1-2…Boise, ID, NY
Jan. 5-6…Loveland, CO
Jan.12-13…Grand Island, NE
Jan. 19-20…Guthrie, OK
Jan. 26-27….Guthrie, OK
Feb. 2-3…Prescott, AZ
Feb. 9-10…TBA
Feb. 23-24…Mesquite, TX
Feb. 2-Mar.1…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 8…Fayetteville, NC
Mar. 15…Salem, VA
Mar. 22-23…Denver, CO
Mar. 29…Las Vegas, NV

2023 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” SCHEDULE
Jan. 14…Winter Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
Jan. 21…Winter Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
Feb. 4…Winter Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Feb. 11…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Mar. 18…Spring Series #1& Pasha 125 Open (National track)
Mar. 25…Spring Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
Apr. 15…Spring Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Apr. 22…Spring Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
May 13…Spring Series #5 (Arroyo Vet track)
June 3…Summer Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
June 17…Summer Series #2 (National track)
June 24…Summer Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
July 15…Summer Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
July 22…Summer Series #4 (National track)
Aug. 19…Fall Series #1 /w Pasha two-strokes (National track)
Aug. 26…Fall Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
Sept. 16…Fall Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Sept. 23…Fall Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Sept. 30…Fall Series #5 (National track)
Oct. 7…Winter Series #1 (National track)
Oct. 21…Winter Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
Nov. 3-5…World Vet Championship (National track)
Nov. 18…Winter Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Dec. 9…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Jan. 14…2024 Winter Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
Jan. 21…2024 Winter Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)

OLD SCHOOL TT SCRAMBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 5…Glen Helen (TT Scrambles)
Apr. 16…Glen Helen (TT Scrambles)
May 21…Glen Helen (Pasha GP /TT Scrambles)
Jun. 4…Glen Helen (TT Scrambles)
Jul. 23…Glen Helen (TT Scrambles) 
Oct. 29…Glen Helen (Oktobertfast GP/TT Scrambles
Dec. 17…Glen Helen (TT Scrambles)

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