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• COLTON AECK BENEFIT RIDE DAY AT LACR

Colton raced the first three rounds in the 250 West and then moved to the 450 class at Phoenix.

By Jon Ortner

In our sport of motocross, each one of us faces the reality that in a single instant, our lives could be radically altered. In the case of AMA Supercross racer Colton Aeck, his accident where another racer landed on top of him at the Dallas Supercross was one of those moments. The violent crash left Colton with broken ribs, a broken shoulder, and worst of all, broken vertebras. In the first hours after the accident, Colton had no feelings from the waist down. Everyone close to Colton held their breath waiting for a more detailed report to come in from the hospital in Texas.

A fabulous looking LACR corner.

Keith O’Neal and Colton Aeck.

Zaca Station’s Tami Creese and friend.

Colton’s doctors stabilized his back by inserting rods and slowly the feeling began returning to his legs and feet. A short two months later, and an eternity to Colton and his family, Colton is walking with slow, cautious steps while patiently rehabilitating from his injuries! The ride day at LACR was as much a celebration for Colton, as his grandfather Harold Aeck, who during Colton’s surgery in Texas, himself underwent open heart surgery here in California.

The peanut gallery.

Colton’s mechanic is Bradley Denton, who is also a Pro racer.

Willy Simons and Duane Kubes.

Colton’s dad Jeff.

As the entire Aeck family can breathe a sigh of relief and gratitude knowing that things are on the upswing for both Colton and Harold. Friday’s benefit ride day at LACR was truly an important day. With many months of rehab in front of Colton, and insurance only covering a small part of the healing process. Road2Recovery has been fantastic in supporting Colton with advice and funding during his down time. Additional donations are truly appreciated and incredibly helpful. Please feel comfortable in contributing anything you can to: Colton Aeck.Road2Recovery Foundation at www.road2recovery.com

• THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: BUDDY ANTUNEZ IS 44

April 14…Buddy Antunez 1973
April 16…Keith R. Johnson 1979

April 16…Branden Jesseman 1982
April 16…Shaun Kalos 1971

April 16…Damien Plotts 1974
April 18…Colt Humphrey 1983

April 18…Jim Holley 1961


April 19…Larry Ward 1970

WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY: REVISITING LAST YEAR’S RACE

Last year at the 2016 World Two-Stroke Championships Zach Osborne, Mike Alessi and Scott Champion stood on the podium.

Last year the first turn was redesigned to turn 240-degrees. For 2017 it will make a 90-degree turn and goes up a hill off the starts. Here,  Zach Osborne (16), Mike Alessi (800) and Sean Collier (207) lead the 2016 pack. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Mike Alessi (800), Dennis Stapleton (49), Zach Osborne (16) and R.J. Wageman (621) wait for the starting bell exactly 12 months ago. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Fresh off his 2016 World SuperEnduro Championship, Colton Haacker (10) had the speed to run at the front, but his starts were terrible. His 9-7 left him 8th overall in 2016. Here, he chases R.J. Wageman (621). Photo: Dan Alamangos

Killy Rusk (67) came close to winning the MTA World Two-Stroke Championship in 2015, but he wasn’t as close in 2016. Killy’s 10-10 was good enough for, what else, tenth place. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Always the sentimental favorite at Glen Helen, Doug Dubach’s hometrack advantage didn’t help him in 2016. At 54-year-old, now 55, Doug can hold his head up high as he did better than half of the much younger field. Plus, when Doug goes home after a race, he is still one of only a handful of AMA Supercross winners.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

In a cool moment, Debbi Tamietti captured this shot of Steve Lawler’s daughter running along side of him every time he came through the sand hairpin turn. She would wait for Dad on the slowest part of the track and then chase after him by running on the infield next to the track.  Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Although Robbie Wageman and Justin Hoeft probably didn’t realize it, former AMA 125 National  Champion Mike Brown (3) was old enough to have raced against their AMA Pro fathers, Darrin Hoeft and Russ Wageman. 44-year-old Brown battled with the kids all day long and went 4-4. Photo: Dan Alamangos

Mike Alessi was the 2016 World Two-Stroke Champion. Unfortunately, he broken his collarbone two weeks ago and will miss Saturday’s race. Photo: Dan Alamangos

2016 WORLD TWO-STROKE RESULTS: OPEN CLASS
1. Mike Alessi…Suz
2. Scott Champion…Yam
3. Zach Osborne…Hus
4. Ryan Surratt…Yam
5. R.J. Wageman…Yam
6. Sean Collier…Kaw
7. Austin Howell…Hus
8. Colton Haacker…Hus
9. Stuart Edmonds…TM
10. Killy Rusk…Yam
Other notables: 11. Mike Sleeter; 12. Arik Swan; 13. Doug Dubach; 18. Dennis Stapleton; 21. Arnaud Wauters.

2016 WORLD TWO-STROKE RESULTS: 125 CLASS
1. Ryan Surratt…Yam
2. Justin Hoeft…Yam
3. Robbie Wageman…Yam
4. Mike Brown…Hus
5. Timmy Weigand…Hus
6. Michael Blose…Suz
7. Kris Palm…Suz
8. Shaun Rhinehart…Yam
9. Matt Smith…Kaw
10. Casey Casper…KTM
Other notables: 11. Chris See; 12. Brian Medeiros; 13. Andy Daggett; 14. Johnny Jelderda; 15, Mike Alessi.

• MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE:  HOMETOWN HERO RETURNS

   
After Ricky Johnson retired from motocross, he took up offroad truck racing. The AMA Supercross promoters invited him to bring his truck to Jack Murphy Stadium and drive it around at half-time of the San Diego Supercross. No one expected him to break out a double over the finish line jump. Photo by REM’s Frank Thomason.

• NEXT WEEKEND’S SALT LAKE CITY SUPERCROSS TRACK LAYOUT

• TV ALERT: THE SALT LAKE CITY SUPERCROSS IS ON FOX

Note that this race is on Fox, not Fox Sports 1 or 2.  Check your local listing for times in your region. Set your DVR accordingly.

• 2017 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE

Jimmy Decotis (57) got the holeshot, but Aaron Plessinger would go on to get his first 250 West win of 2017. Photo: Scott Mallonee

Date                   Venue                                     450                                 250
Jan. 7……..Anaheim, CA………….Ken Roczen………..Shane McElrath
Jan. 14……San Diego, CA…………Ken Roczen………..Shane McElrath
Jan. 21……Anaheim, CA………….Ryan Dungey………Justin Hill
Jan. 28……Glendale, AZ………….Eli Tomac…………..Justin Hill
Feb. 4………Oakland, CA………….Eli Tomac…………..Justin Hill
Feb. 11……..Arlington, TX……….Marvin Muquin……Justin Hill
Feb. 18……..Minneapolis, MN….Eli Tomac……………Joey Savatgy
Feb. 25……..Atlanta, GA………….Ryan Dungey………..Zach Osborne
Feb. 25……..Atlanta, GA………….Ryan Dungey……….Zach Osborne
Mar. 4……….Toronto, ON………..Eli Tomac……………Zach Osborne
Mar. 11………Daytona, FL………..Eli Tomac……………Adam Cianciarulo
Mar. 18………Indianapolis, IN….Eli Tomac……………Joey Savatgy
Mar. 25………Detroit, MI…………Eli Tomac……………Jordon Smith
Apr. 1………….St. Louis, MO…….Eli Tomac……………Jordon Smith
Apr. 8…………Seattle, WA……….Marvin Muquin……Aaron Plessinger
Apr 22………..Salt Lake City, UT
Apr. 29………..New York, NY
May 6………….Las Vegas, NV
450 Points leader...Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 West points leader…Justin Hill (Kaw)
250 East points leader…Joey Savatgy (Kaw)

• THE CURRENT TOP TEN HEADING TO SLC ON THE APRIL 22

Cole Seely hurt his lge in practice in Seattle and couldn’t race. Depending on how it heals, he may not be in Salt Lake City next Saturday.

2017 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 14 of 17 races)
1. Eli Tomac (Kaw)…294
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)…294
3. Marvin Musquin (KTM)…252
4. Cole Seely (Hon)…211
5. Jason Anderson (Hus)…208
6. Blake Baggett (KTM)…177
7. Davi Millsaps (KTM)…176
8. Broc Tickle (Suz)…158
9. Dean Wilson (Hus)…147
10. Chad Reed (Yam)…143

2017 250 WEST POINTS STANDINGS
(after 7 of 9 events)
1. Justin Hill (Kaw)…160
2. Aaron Plessinger (Yam)…142
3. Shane McElrath (KTM)…129
4. Martin Davalos (Hus)…124
5. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)…106
6. Austin Forkner, (Kaw)…90
7. Dan Reardon (Yam)…82
8. Kyle Chisholm (Hon)…73
9. Cole Martinez (Yam)…64
10.  Jeremy Martin (Hon)…55

AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(after 7 of 9 events)
1. Joey Savatgy (Kaw)…146
2. Jordon Smith (KTM)…140
3. Zach Osborne (Hus)…134
4. Adam Cianciarulo, (Kaw)…128
5. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam)…104
6. Christian Craig (Hon) …81
7. Luke Renzland (Yam)…70
8. Anthony Rodriguez (Yam)…69
9. Mitchell Harrison (Yam)…66
10. Kyle Cunningham  (Suz)…62

49TH ANNUAL HANGTOWN CLASSIC AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS

For more info to go www.hangtownmx.com

• 2017 PACIFIC NORTHWEST VINTAGE SERIES AT TIETON ON APRIL 22

You missed the first round in Boise, but they just keep coming. For more info go to www.pnwvmx.org

• MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING ON SATURDAY

Just in case you need a little extra time to get your trusty, but rusty, two-stroke ready to race, the 2017 MTA World Two-Stroke Championship is 10 days away. It will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017.

• HARRY TAYLOR CUP FOR HODAKAS ONLY ON APRIL 28-30

• OLD SCHOOL SCRAMBLES ON GLEN HELEN’S OFFROAD TRUCK TRACK

Gary Jones will be designing a special Old School Scrambles track on Glen Helen’s Lucas Oil Offroad Truck track for a race on July 23, 2017. For more info go www.oldschoolscramblesracing.com.

• THE PARIS SUPERCROSS ON NOVEMBER 18-19

The 2017 Paris Supercross will move to the brand new U-Arena in the Paris business district. The U-Arena seats 24,000 spectators and has a larger floor area than Lille or Bercy. The 2017 Paris Supercross will be held on November 18-19, 2017.

• LISTA DE HONOR: 2017 GRAND PRIX WINNERS AT A GLANCE

Jeremy Seewer leads the 250 World Championships after the four fly-away rounds.

Date                   Venue                                     450                                 250
Feb. 25………..Qatar…………….Tony Cairoli…………..Pauls Jonas
Mar. 5…………Indonesia………Shaun Simpson………Jeremy Seewer
Mar. 19……….Argentina……….Tim Gajser…………….Pauls Jonas
Apr. 2…………Mexico……………Tim Gajser…………….Thomas Covington
Apr. 16………..Italy
Apr. 23……….Holland
May 7………….Latvia
May 21……….Germany
May 28……….France
June 11……….Russia
June 25……….Italy
July 2…………Portugal
July 23……….Czech Republic
Aug. 6…………Belgium
Aug. 13……….Switzerland
Aug. 20……….Sweden
Sept. 3………..USA
Sept. 10……….Holland
Sept. 17……….France
450 points leader…Tim Gajser (Hon)
250 points leader…Jeremy Seewer (Suz)

• CLASSIC MOTOCROSS ADS FROM THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Do you remember when every Japanese manufacturers made a 60cc motocross bike?

• HOW TO SUBSCRIBE & GET MXA FOR FREE: ACTUALLY, WE PAY YOU

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 right now you can get 12 issues for $15.95 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: https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action/

• HOW IS YOUR TWITTER GAME GOING? UP IT BY FOLLOWING MXA

Follow us to see fresh content every day at www.twitter.com/MXAction or on twitter at “MXAction”

• 2017 MOTOCROSS SCHEDULES: WHERE TO BE & WHEN TO BE THERE

This weekend there is no AMA Supercross, but there is an Italian GP in Trentino and the MTA Two-Stroke Championship at Glen Helen.

2017 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7…………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14………………………San Diego, CA
Jan. 21………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 28………………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 4……………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 11………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 18………………………Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25………………………Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4………………………Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………………………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………………………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1…………………………St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8………………………..Seattle, WA
Apr. 22……………………….Salt Lake City, UT
Apr. 29……………………….New York, NY
May 6………………………….Las Vegas, NV

2017 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7-8…………………….Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 13-15…………………Grand Rapids, MI
Jan. 20-22…………………Baltimore, MD
Jan. 28-29…………………Nashville, TN.
Feb. 4-5…………………….Louisville, KY
Feb. 18-19…………………Kansas City, MO
Feb.y 25-26……………….Tampa, FL
Mar. 3-5…………………….Southaven, MS
Mar. 11-12…………………New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18-19…………………Portland, OR
Mar. 24-26…………………Reno, NV
April 1-2…………………….Sacramento, CA
April 21-23…………………Denver, CO
May 5-7…………………….Las Vegas, NV

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 25…………………….Qatar (Saturday)
Mar. 5………………………Indonesia
Mar. 19…………………….Argentina
Apr. 2………………………Mexico
Apr. 16……………………..Italy
Apr. 23…………………….Holland
May 7………………………Latvia
May 21…………………….Germany
May 28…………………….France
June 11…………………….Russia
June 25……………………Italy
July 2……………………….Portugal
July 9……………………….San Marino (Canceled)
July 23……………………..Czech Republic
Aug. 6……………………..Belgium
Aug. 13…………………….Switzerland
Aug. 20…………………….Sweden
Sept. 3………………………TBA
Sept. 10……………………Holland
Sept. 17…………………….France

2017 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 20……………………Hangtown, CA
May 27.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 3..………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 17..…………………Mt Morris, PA
June 24.………………….Muddy Creek, TN
July 1.…………………….Red Bud, MI
July 8..……………………Southwick, MA​
July 22.…………………..Millville, MN​
July 29.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 12..………………….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 19..………………….Budds Creek, MD​
Aug. 26.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN

2017 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 1…………………..Matterley Basin, Great Britain

RICKY CARMICHAEL AMATEUR DAYTONA SUPERCROSS
Mar. 12-13…………….Daytona, FL

MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 15…………………..Glen Helen, CA

2017 TRAVIS PASTRANA’S NITRO WORLD GAMES
June 24……………….Salt Lake City, UT

2017 AMA LORETTA LYNN AMATEUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 31-Aug. 5…..…Hurricane Mills, TN

2017 WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 13…………………….Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 25……………………Wortham, TX
Apr. 9………………………San Diego, CA
May 5………………………Las Vegas, NV
May 18-19………………..Hangtown, CA
June 2…………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 16……………………Mt. Morris, PA
Aug. 5……………………..Hurricane Mills, TN

2017 WORLD OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP (WORCS)
Jan. 6-8…………………….Taft, CA
Jan. 27-29…………………Primm, NV
Feb. 17-19………………….Taft, CA
Mar. 10-12…………………Lake Havasu, AZ
Apr. 1-2…………………….Las Vegas, NV
Apr. 21-23…………………Hurricane, UT
May. 19-21…………………Cedar City, UT
Jun. 16-17…………………Glen Helen, CA
Sept. 8-10…………………Glen Helen, CA
Oct. 6-8…………………….Adelanta, CA

2017 ITALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 29…………..………..Riola Sardo
Feb. 5………………………Malagrotta
Feb.12………………..……Ottobiano

2017 MAXXIS BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 9………………………Lyng
Apr. 30…………………….Canada Heights
May 14……………………Hawkstone Park
June 18……………………Desertmartin
July 9………………………Sherwood
July 16…………………….Blaxhall
July 30…………………….Preston Docks
Aug 27……………………..Foxhill

2017 BELGIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12……………………Moerbeke-Waas
Mar. 26……………………Kruishoutem
Apr. 2……………………..Genk
Apr 10…………………….Mons
Apr. 18……………………Axel
Apr. 30……………………Wuustwezel
June 11…………………..Comines
June 18………………….Genk
July 22……………………Axel
July 23…………………..Hasselt
July 30…………………..Gooik
Aug. 15…………………..Balen
Aug. 20………………….Wachtebeke
Aug. 27………………….Orp le Grand

2017 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
June 4……………………Whispering Pines, BC
June 11………………….Blackwater, BC
June 18………………….Wild Rose, AB
June 25………………….Moto Valley, SK
July 9…………………….Gopher Dunes, ON
July 16…………………..Ulverton, QC
July 23…………………..Pleasant Valley, NS
July 30…………………..Riverglade, NB
Aug. 6…………………….Deschambault, QC
Aug. 13………………….RJ Motosport, ON

2017 DUTCH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 26…………………..Oss
Apr. 9th…………………..Harfsen
May 14……………………Emmen
July 15-16……………….Lichtenvoorde

2017 ADAC GERMAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 9……………………….Muhlberg
Apr. 30…………………….Jauer
May 14…………………….Molln
June 18……………………Bielstein
July 16…………………….Tensfeld
Aug. 27……………………Gaildorf
Sept. 24…………………..Holzgerlingen

2017 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 2……………………..Wonthaggi, Victoria
April 23…………………..Appin, New South Wales
May 7……………………..Connondale, Queensland
May 21……………………Horsham, Victoria
May 28……………………Murray Bridge, South Australia
July 3……………………..Nowra, New South Wales
July 16……………………Shepparton, Victoria
July 30……………………Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Aug. 13…………………..Toowooba, Queensland
Aug. 20……………………Coolum, Queensland

2017 AUSTRALIAN SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 9…………………..Queensland
Sept. 23…………………Queensland
Oct. 14…………………..TBA
Oct. 26…………………..South Australia
Nov. 4…………………….Victoria
Nov. 11-12……………..New South Wales

Photos: Brian Converse, Justyn Norek, Scott Mallonee, Jody Weisel, Daryl Ecklund, Dan Alamangos, John Kerr, Massimo Zanzani, MXA, KTM, Honda.