RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: THE BIG NEWS THIS WEEK IS FROM GLEN HELEN

• 2024 DUBYA WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP WILL “STREAM LIVE” ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3!

Get ready for one of the biggest events in veteran motocross – the 2024 World Vet Motocross Championship! We’re excited to invite you to join us LIVE as we broadcast from Glen Helen Raceway on Sunday, November 3rd, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific time.

All you have to do is go to www.motocrossactionmag.com or go to YouTube and type in “2024 World Vet Championship live stream.”

This is your chance to watch elite veteran riders from around the world as they compete for glory on one of the most demanding motocross tracks out there. Tune in for four hours of intense racing, rider insights, and behind-the-scenes interviews that make this event a fan favorite year after year.

EVENT DETAILS
📅 Date: November 3, 2024
⏰ Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  (Pacific Time)
📍 Location: Glen Helen Raceway, CA (Broadcast Online)
Classes Covered: 30 Pro – Moto 1 & 2 / 50 Pro – Moto 2 / World Cup – Moto 1 & 2

🔴 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss a moment of the live action.

• 2024 DUBYA WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP IS TWO DAYS AWAY

For more information or to pre-enter the World Vet, go to www.glenhelen.com

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO LAUNCH START DEVICE NOW AVAILABLE IN GREY, KASH, BLUE, PURPLE, RED AND ORANGE

Works Connection’ Pro Launch holeshot device is now available in six different colors. It features a spring-less design that delivers positive engagement and consistent release. It also has an easy to set start trigger, a custom drill guide template, supplied countersinking tool and detailed mounting installation instructions large step-by-step photos.

The Pro Launch is CNC machined from aircraft grade aluminum and weighs only 50 grams. Engineered, manufactured and assembled in the USA, it comes with a laser-etched logo. It comes as a complete kit or a trigger assembly only. The retail price is $139.95 (Complete Kit), $69.95 (Trigger Assembly only), $159.95 for the Purple Limited Edition. or $89.95 for purple Limited Edition trigger Assembly only.

For more info go to www.worksconnection.com

• MXA VIDEO: MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2025 450 SHOOTOUT

Glen Helen is famous for its big uphills, ultra fast downhills, deeply banked first turn and long start, but ask anyone who has raced the World Vet and they will tell you that the big take-away from Glen Helen are the bumps. Here, Ryan Morais (116) picks his poison.

For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250F FIRST RIDE

The 2025 Yamaha YZ250F is officially here and the MXA wrecking crew spent multiple days testing on it to give you this Tested video. The main focus for 2025 was the suspension, the YZ250F has revised settings with an updated rear linkage, new valving front and rear, along with a lighter spring rate on the rear shock and new delta-shaped piston shims in the fork for enhanced stability, traction and a more planted front-end feel. The other updates are harder to notice, but the new model does come with a new map switch, a new throttle tube, and new foot peg mounts. Retailing for $8899, the 2025 YZ250F is always a force to be reckoned with in the 250 class.

• JODY’S ROMANTIC ODE TO THE WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP

By Jody Weisel

I’ve never been the fastest guy. Most of what I achieved on a motorcycle I did with determination, fitness, stupidity or blind luck. Oh,  I have a 1976 Closed Course World Land Speed Record, was the CMC number one Vet Pro in 1984, finished second in the Over-40 Expert class at the 1988 World Vet Championship, won the REM number-one plate in 1994, rammed Freddy Spencer 100 feet into the 1975 Austin Aquafest road race, been featured on the cover of Cycle News and got the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. If I dig deeper into my resume, I could dredge up a third in the 1979 Mexican Supercross Championships and a handful of series wins. Not a great career, but the best I could do with my limited talent.

Lars Larsson (13) and Jody Weisel (192) were inseparable on the track, but not on the podium—which Lars went to six times (2001, 2011, 2012, 2021, 2022 and 2023).

“MY BIGGEST REGRET? I ALWAYS WANTED TO WIN THE WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP. WELL, NOT ALWAYS, BUT ONCE I BECAME
TOO OLD TO WIN ANYTHING GRANDER.”

My biggest regret? I always wanted to win the World Vet Championship. Well, not always, but once I became too old to win anything grander. I love the World Vet Motocross Championship—perhaps because it came into being at a time when motocross racers used to be put out to pasture. It saved thousands of racers from spending their golden years mowing the yard on Sunday and turning their garages into storage for their wive’s pottery collections. With the explosion of Vet racing, not only did old guys like me get new life breathed into their racing, the sport got a boost that has kept it alive during the lean times.

I don’t find it too much of stretch to see motocross bikes becoming very much like hot rods. Whenever you see a ’47 Ford Woodie or ’57 Chevy Apache pickup truck tooling down the highway, the guy behind the wheel always has white hair (if he has hair at all). Strangely, hot rods were once the entry-level bastion of teenagers who couldn’t afford a Fairlane or Roadmaster. Today, only old coots can afford to tuck a small-block 327 into a ’32 T-Bucket. It’s not a stretch to see that the future of motocross will be dominated by old guys with the money to build the trickest bikes and the free time to race them.

I am one of a very small handful of riders who have raced every World Vet Championship since it was founded in 1985 (largely because Tom White, Alan Olson and I brainstormed the idea of a Championship race just for riders over 30 and put it in motion). We came up with this idea because all three of us were well over 30. I have raced in the Over-30, Over-40, Over-50, Over-60 and Over-70 classes to no avail. Over the years, I’ve had good days and bad days. I even came close to winning, lo those many years ago, when I was a much younger man.

In 1988, in the Over-40 World Vet Championship, I finished second overall to nine-time World Vet Champion Alan Olson. In 1990, I finished fourth in the Over-40 Championship, behind Tom White, Gary Peak and Alan Kent, and 25 years ago I was sixth in the 1997 Over-50 World Vet Championship. Since then, zilch!

Except for my one trip to the podium 35 years ago, I’ve watched from down the leaderboard as Gary Jones, Alan Olson, Tom White, Kent Howerton, Rich Thorwaldson, Zoli Berenyi, Lars Larsson, Eyvind Boyesen, J.N. Roberts, Hans Hanssen, Thorlief Hanssen, Hideaki Suzuki, Ike De Jager, Jim O’Neal and Brent Wallingsford beat me.

1988 World Vet Motocross Championship results

I’m not angry that they beat me. They were faster and deserved it. I’m more familiar with losing motorcycle races than I am with winning them. I’m proud to have shared the track with these greats—even if I still had a few corners to go when they were popping the champagne cork. It should be noted that I never expected to get younger or faster the longer I raced. I accept my increasing decrepitude as part of the cycle of moto life. I still feel good racing my bike, but not so much when I am trying to swing my leg over the rear fender to get on. I’m still like to think that I am racing hard. I’m still taking chances. I’m still fighting for my place in the pack, but now my place in the pack is near the back. Que sera!

For me, racing has always been about the camaraderie of competition. There is something special about hanging out with a group of like-minded racers who share your passion. They speak the language of motocross. Better yet, their experiences, cultural references and sports knowledge are all in sync. We have a collective consciousness of Mantle and Maris, Heikki and Ake, and Nixon and Carter. We lived through the transition from the telegram to carbon paper to rotary phones to mimeographs to ticker tape to FAX machines to email. Yet, we all know the true meaning of “down for low.” We race because it is what we did when we were young and I see no reason to stop now (although Lovely Louella does).

Best of all, Vet racers are ears-out as opposed to ears-in.

This is the cover of the December 2024 issue of MXA. It features a detailed 2025 MXA 450 Shootout, an indepth interviews with Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton, coverage of Team USA at the FIM Junior World Championships for 65cc, 85cc and 125cc machines of the 2025 KTM 250SXFa full test of the the 2025 Yamaha YZ450F and an actual up-to-date test of the 2025 Suzuki RM-Z450. We even went back in time a decade to test Jason Anderson’s 2015 factory Husqvarna FC450 and even farther back to take a close-up look at Marty Smith’s 1976 Honda RC125M.

Did you know that it couldn’t be easier or cheaper to subscribe to MXA than it is right now—because when you subscribe you receive a Rocky Mountain ATV/MC credit for $25 towards anything in their massive inventory, all at no cost to you. 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. Are you smart enough to recognize a great deal when you see it? To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here

• EDISON DYE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

EDISON DYE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS (1997-2024)
1997 …Roger DeCoster
1998 …Rick Johnson
1999 …Edison Dye
2000 …Torsten Hallman
2001 …Bruce Brown
2002 …1981 MX Des Nations Team:
(Sun, LaPorte, O’Mara, Hansen)
2003 …Gary Jones
2004 …Jeff Ward
2005 …Stu Peters
2006 …Joel Robert
2007 …Bob Hannah
2008 …Brad Lackey
2009 …Tony DiStefano
2010 …Broc Glover
2011 …David Bailey
2012 …Marty Smith
2013 …John DeSoto
2014 …Feets Minert
2015 …Dave McCoy
2016 …Lars Larsson
2017 …Malcolm Smith
2018 …Jody Weisel
2019 …Mitch Payton
2020 …Rex Staten
2021 …Mark Blackwell
2022 …Jeremy McGrath
2023 …Troy Lee
2024 … Doug Dubach

Doug “Doctor D” Dubach will be racing on Sunday in the Over-60 Expert class.

The 2024 Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to 28-time World Vet Champion, 1991 San Jose Supercross winner and the Yamaha test rider responsible for the 1998 Yamaha YZ400 four-stroke—Doug Dubach. Doug will be honored with a Trevor Nelson video, trophy, marble placque and autograph signing on Saturday , November 2, at 4:00 p.m. in the Glen Helen Museum. His marble placque will be installed on the “Glen Helen Walk of Fame” next to the other 30 men who are occasionally walked on, but still honored.

• ACTIVE PRO RACERS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP

Although there are an Over-25 classes at the World Vet, they are not recognized as an official World Vet Championships. You have to be over the age of 30 to race the World Vet, and they will check your drivers license and passport at sign-up to make sure you are eligible. Being older is a sign of honor at this race, because even the race itself is pushing 40 years old.

If Jeffrey Herlings is looking for something to do this weekend, he is old enough to sign up for the 2024 World Vet Championship—where he could race against Ken Roczen, Dylan Ferrandis, Glenn Coldenhoff,. Romain Febvre, Malcom Stewart, Eli Tomac, Jason Anderson and Justin Barcia!

PRO RIDERS OVER 30 YEARS OLD
Mar. 10…Cole Seely 1990
Mar. 26…Gautier Paulin 1990
April 4…Jake Nicholls 1990
April 7…Dean Ferris 1990
June 13…Tommy Searle 1990
June 20…Nick Schmidt 1990
Oct. 19…Vince Friese 1990
Jan. 15…Alessandro Lupino 1991
Jan. 17…Loic Larrieu 1991
Jan. 27…Jose Butron 1991
Feb. 13…Glenn Coldenhoff 1991
April 29…Tyler Bowers 1991
June 17…Arnaud Tonus 1991
July 19…Christian Craig 1991
Dec. 18…Kei Yamamoto 1991
Dec. 26…Luke Styke 1991
Dec. 28…Dean Wilson 1991
Dec. 31…Romain Febvre 1991
Mar. 1…Harry Kullas 1992
Mar. 23…Fredrik Noren 1992
Mar. 25…Justin Barcia 1992
July 19…Mel Pocock 1992
Oct. 27…Malcolm Stewart 1992
Nov. 2…Jordi Tixier 1992
Nov. 14…Eli Tomac 1992
Dec. 18…Valentin Guillod 1992
Jan. 31…Blake Baggett 1992
Feb. 17…Jason Anderson 1993
Mar. 23…Justin Bogle 1993
April 8…Kyle Peters 1993
April 25…Max Anstie 1993
May 11…Jeremy Martin 1993
June 6…A. J. Cantazaro 1993
July 27…Aleksandr Tonkov 1993
Aug. 17…Dennis Ullrich 1993
Sept. 1…Jens Getteman 1993
Dec. 3…Maxime Desprey 1993
July 27…Aleksandr Tonkov 1993
Aug. 17…Dennis Ullrich 1993
Sept. 1…Jens Getteman 1993
Dec. 3…Maxime Desprey 1993
Feb. 19…Joey Savatgy 1994
April 11…Jessy Nelson 1994
April 29…Ken Roczen 1994
May 31…Dylan Ferrandis 1994
June 15…Julien Lieber 1994
July 18…Jeremy Seewer 1994
July 24…Petar Petrov 1994
Aug. 11…Shane McElrath 1994
Sept. 12…Jeffrey Herlings 1994
Sept. 20…Dillan Epstein 1994
Nov. 25…Zach Bell 1994
Dec. 7…Benoit Paturel 1994

PRO RIDERS OVER-33 YEARS OLD
Jan. 15…Alessandro Lupino 1991
Jan. 17…Loic Larrieu 1991
Jan. 27…Jose Butron 1991
Feb. 13…Glenn Coldenhoff 1991
April 29…Tyler Bowers 1991
June 17…Arnaud Tonus 1991
July 19…Christian Craig 1991
Dec. 18…Kei Yamamoto 1991
Dec. 26…Luke Styke 1991
Dec. 28…Dean Wilson 1991
Dec. 31…Romain Febvre 1991

PRO RIDERS OVER-34 YEARS OLD
Mar. 10…Cole Seely 1990
Mar. 26…Gautier Paulin 1990
April 4…Jake Nicholls 1990
April 7…Dean Ferris 1990
June 13…Tommy Searle 1990
June 20…Nick Schmidt 1990
Oct. 19…Vince Friese 1990

Phil Nicoletti just retired from AMA Pro Racing at the young age of 35.

OLDEST ACTIVE PRO RIDERS
Mar. 4…Phil Nicoletti (35 years old)
May 19…Clement Desalle (35 years old)
May 24…Darryn Durham (35 years old)
July 30…Josh Hill (35 years old)
Sept. 25…Zach Osborne (35 years old)
Nov. 21…Brock Tickle (35 years old)
Nov. 28…Jeremy van Horebeek (35 years old)
Jan. 6…Matt Moss (36 years old)
Mar. 13…Shaun Simpson (36 years old)
May 19…Mike Alessi (36 years old)
Dec. 13…Chris Blose (37 years old)
Dec. 6…Kyle Chisholm (37 years old)
Feb. 16…Josh Hansen (40 years old)
Mar. 14…Justin Brayton (40 years old)
April 26…Taddy Blazusiak (41 years old)
Mar. 15…Chad Reed (42 years old)

• TWO SPECIAL 125 PRO TWO-STROKE CLASSES AT THE WORLD VET PAYING OVER $11,000

As part of the World Vet festivities, the Pasha Over-30 125 Pro class will pay the top three over-30 racers $2500 for first, $1500 for second and $1000 for third (20 entries minimum). The Pasha Over-50 125 Pro class will pay the top five racers $2000 for first, $1200 for second, $1000 for third, $500 for fourth and $300 for fifth. The maximum displacement in the Pasha 125 Pro classes is 150cc. Every podium finisher will also receive a Rackum holeshot device. To learn more or to sign-up go to www.glenhelen.com

• WERE YOU A SADDLEBACK SPECIALIST IN 1982? SEE WHO ELSE WAS

There is no time capsule as scary as a results sheet — like this one from Saddleback Park on February 2, 1982. That was 35 years ago. Look at it carefully to see these 12 pertinent facts.

(1) Tony Alessi was racing the Mini Junior class. Thayne Zito won.

(2) Mark Toyama won the Mini Intermediates in front of Steve Skibell.

(3) Paul Denis, Kurtie Henricksen and Todd Campbell were the Mini Experts that day.

(4) Did you see J. Bacon in the 125 Junior class. That’s Jim “Bones” Bacon. Also, the 19th place rider is former Yamaha team manager Jimmy Perry.

(5) The 125 Intermediate class was packed with Rob Engel, Michael Horton (now Michele Horton), Ty Swartz, Gary Renko and Jody Weisel (he was already 35-years-old back then).

(6) That’s Rusty Hannah winning the 250 Intermediates not Bob Hannah.

(7) Frank Thomason, the former REM promoter, was fifth in the 500 Junior class.

(8) The 125 Pro class was won by Mike Beier, Doug O’Donnell was third, Tony Gomez 11th, Ray Tetherton 12th and Doug Dubach 13th.

(9) Matt Tedder was third in the 250 Pro class with Steve Pfaff fourth, Glen Senecal 12th and Monte Roy 17th.

(10) Bruce McDougal won the 500 Pro class with Frank Steiner second, Jimmy Roy fourth (Jimmy and his brother Monte would go on to lasting fame as the Floyd Brothers in countless Jody’s Box columns), Carl Gazafy was fifth and Brian Fry seventh.

(11) Recognize anyone else? We see Scott Slayton, Joe Melton and Art Oliver (dog not listed).

(12) Even though these results are 42 years old — here is a quick list of the 13 riders still racing today (5 of the 13 came from Saddleback’s 125 Intermediate class): Rob Engel, Steve Pfaff, Ty Swartz, Michael Horton,  Gary Renko, Jody Weisel, Frank Thomason, Doug Dubach, Matt Tedder, Carl Gazafy and Joe Melton.

• MXA’S 2025 COLLECTION OF IN DEPTH 2025 VIDEO TESTS

• MXA VIDEO: MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2025 450 SHOOTOUT

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX250 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CR450 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CRF250 WORKS EDITION FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ450 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250F FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250FX CROSS-COUNTRY FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 150SX TWO-STROKE FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX450 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 450SXF FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 250SXF FIRST RIDE

• TAKE THE MXA SURVEY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS INTENSE TAZER E-MOUNTAIN BIKE!

The Motocross Action reader survey is back for 2024, and this year we’re giving away an Intense Tazer E-MTB to one lucky participant. Our reader survey is here to help the MXA staff better understand our audience so that we can continue to provide beneficial motocross content focused on the most relevant and important products, dirt bikes, and stories that you (the reader) are interested in.

MXA READER SURVEY:

HOW: Simply complete the multiple-choice questionnaire and enter your correct name and email address to be entered to win the Intense Tazer E-MTB.
WHAT: Win the Intense Tazer MX Alloy Expert Electric Mountain bike, which retails for $4,999.
WHEN: The MXA survey will run for a couple of months and the winner will be announced at the end via email.
WHY: To help MXA learn more about you, the reader, to ensure we create the best possible content for you.

The new Intense Tazer MX Alloy Expert is equipped with DVO suspension, Shimono’s EP600 Motor, and 504Wh battery. This expert model features 160mm of front travel, 155mm of rear travel to tackle any terrain. The Tazer Alloy frame has been upgraded to the Universal Hanger (UDH) and SRAM T-Type compatibility. Learn more about the bike here.

TAKE THE MXA SURVEY HERE:

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: TM DESIGNWORKS 2025 SLIDE-N-GUIDE KIT

The TM Designworks Moto/SX Kit consists of Dirt Cross custom Slider with chain noise reducing Pat. Oil additive will reduce chain drag and wear. UV protected to prevent color fade and keep parts the chain guide flexible for long wear life. Choose from black or Honda OEM color. Available complete with new lightweight bolts and stock slider collars. You can purchase direct from www.tmdesignworks.com or at your friendly local dealer. The retail price is $154.95 at www.tmdesignworks.com

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ALPINESTARS RK-7 PLASMA KNEE BRACES

With a slim, ergonomic design offer- ing a high level of performance and comfort during dynamic movement, the RK-7 Plasma knee brace has been engineered to provide superior knee support while still being lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and protective. This knee brace features a free-floating Nucleon Plasma knee protector encased in an innovative, asymmetric, fiber-reinforced frame construction for enhanced levels of rigidity. The retail price is $449.95 at www.alpinestars.com or your local dealer.

• 2025 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE SCHEDULE

2025 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

May 24…Pala, CA
May 31…Hangtown, CA
June 7…Thunder Valley, CO
June 14…Mount Morris, PA
June 28…Southwick, MA
July 5…Red Bud, MI
July 12…Millville, MN
July 19…Washougal, WA
Aug. 9…Crawfordsville, IN
August 16…Unadilla, NY
August 23…Budds Creek, MD

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: SCOTT PROSPECT 2.0 GOGGLES

This is the second generation of Scott’s flagship goggles. It features Scott’s ground-breaking quick-release system, which allows users to unlock the four lens-locking pins instantly for a quick and easy lens change. It has a fresh and modern design, as well as other top performance features, such as NoSweat face foam, a maximum field of vision, articulating outriggers and more. The retail price is $109.95at www.scott-sports.com or your local dealer.

• THE 2024-2025 AMA ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON NOV. 15-16 IN RENO

• DAY IN THE DIRT #27 IS COMING ON NOV. 29, 30 & DEC. 1 AT GLEN HELEN

• WHAT’S LEFT OF THE 2025 SEASON & WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR 2025