Click on images to enlarge

• SUPERCROSS ISN’T OVER YET, BUT FOR MOST OF THE RIDERS IT’S ALL ABOUT THE NATIONALS NOW

Regardless of what happens in the remaining six Supercross rounds, Eli Tomac heads into the AMA outdoor Nationals as the favorite. Tomac has been the best on the rougher Supercross tracks, and dominated Daytona, which is always a precursor of who will be hot outdoors. Photo: Brian Converse

Ryan Dungey is smooth, consistent and smart. Ryan doesn’t always beat you, but he’s always there when you to beat yourself. He has led the Supercross series since Ken Roczen bailed off. A while Tomac has been on a win streak, he still hasn’t caught Ryan in the points chase. Ryan’s experience makes him Tomac’s closest competitor. Photo: Brian Converse

Cole Seely may be third in the 450 Supercross points chase, but his outdoor credentials aren’t as solid. Photo: Brian Converse

Marvin Musquin has been both blazing fast and frustratingly inconsistent so far in 2017. To win outdoors he needs to get good starts and avoid the problems he’s had in the stadiums. Photo: Brian Converse

Chad Reed’s 2017 season will be over on May 6 when the Supercross season ends. Unless he plans to race the World Vet Championship, he’s on vacation. Photo: Brian Converse

Blake Baggett (4) is an outdoor specialist. His Supercross game is vastly improved, but he’s always been better in the daylight. He has to be on the short list of 450 possibles. 

Cooper Webb got shuffled out of the pack when he got hurt and was MIA for several races. His Supercross hopes may have vanished with his shoulder injury, but based on his handful of 450 rides in Japan, USGP and MXDN he has to be included in the big picture.

As a former 450 National Champion Ken Roczen’s name would be at the head of the list if he hadn’t been bucked off in Supercross at round three. There doesn’t seem to be any way that he will be ready for the 450 Nationals in 2017.

Jason Anderson has the speed to win, but he needs to approach the races with more a tactical and less flat-out strategy. Good finishes are erased by bad ones. That has been his pattern in the 2017 Supercross series.

• COLTON AECK BENEFIT RIDE DAY ON APRIL 7 AT LACR

 

• MAGGIORA GRAND PRIX CANCELED: NEW TRACK NAMED

The June 25, 2017, Italian Grand Prix has been canceled. Why? The track owners violated an environmental green space to enlarge the facility. The Italian government took a dim view of this and shut them down. The June 25 race, which is actually one of two Italian GPs, will be moved to the Ottobiano track in Northern Italy on June 25.

• THIS WEEKEND’S DETROIT SUPERCROSS TRACK LAYOUT

• TV ALERT: THE DETROIT SUPERCROSS IS ON FOX SPORTS 1

Note that this race is on Fox. The network not the sports channels. Check your local listing for times in your region. Set your DVR accordingly.

• TONY CAIROLI GETS PART-TIME JOB SELLING PASTA

This was the butt-patch that Tony Cairoli sported at last week’s Grand Prix.

• THE PARIS SUPERCROSS IS BACK IN PARIS

The 33-year-old Paris Supercross will be back in the French capital this winter after moving to the city of Lille when the traditional Bercy Stadium was closed for renovation. After three years in Lille, the Paris Supercross will move to the brand new U-Arena. This ultra-modern stadium is located at Nanterre La Defense (in the Paris business district). The U-Arena seats 24000 spectators and has a larger floor area than Lille or Bercy. The 2017 Paris Supercross will be held on November 18-19, 2017.

• “REUNITED WITH THE ONE I LOVE” BY TOM WHITE

Tom White at the 1975 Ascot TT National when both the leather and the rider were young.

“This is probably not appropriate for a motocross website, but it was really fun to get my old dirt track leathers back after 41 years. About eight months ago a fellow worker at Orange County Cycle, where I worked from 1969 to 1975, asked if I would like to have my AMA dirt track leathers back. I sold them to him in 1975 for $45.00. I took my old leathers to Bates Leathers, formerly ABC Leathers, to have them renovated (the guy I sold them to had taken off most of the name/number/sponsor stuff). Dawn and Dana at Bates did a great job. I think that Bates is the only American company still making leather racing suits for road race and dirt track. People can reach them at www.batesleathers.com.” Tom

Dana, Tom and Dawn with his newly renovated 41 year old ABC leathers.

• ASHLEY FIOLEK ADDS HUSQVARNA BRAND AMBASSADOR TO HER CREDENTIALS

Ashley Fiolek on a TC125.

Ashley Fiolek is Husqvarna’s most recent brand ambassador. Ashley, multiple-time WMX National Motocross Champion, has been busy teaching motocross schools since retiring from the Women’s Nationals. Although most closely associated with Honda during her racing career, Fiolek said about Husqvarna, “I have been riding their motorcycles for a few years now and love them. I believe in the brands work to encourage women to get out and ride and I am very happy to be a part of that growth.”

FLASHBACK TO MOTOCROSS ADS

Marty Tripes signed a big bucks deal to wear Wheels of Man motocross gear in 1975. It never caught on.

• TIM OLSON LEAVES SUZUKI, HEADS TO MAZDA

MXA’s John Basher, Daryl Ecklund and Tim Olson ice racing together on a frozen lake —a few thousands miles from Beverly Hills.

On April 14, 2016, Suzuki hired former Yamaha PR manager, LifeProof product marketing manager and MXA test rider Tim Olson to be their Public Relations manager. Suzuki had gone without a motorcycle PR guy for a long-time until they brought Olson in. Now, a short 11 months later, Tim announced that he has left Suzuki to assume a public relations position with car maker Mazda at their Irvine, California, offices.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: THE “KING OF COOL” WOULD HAVE BEEN 87

Mar. 23…Justin Bogle 1993
Mar. 23…Fredrik Noren 1992
Mar. 24…Steve Lamson 1971

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

• 2017 PACIFIC NORTHWEST VINTAGE SERIES STARTS APRIL 1

There are nine rounds starting on April 1 and ending on October 7. For more info go to www.pnwvmx.org

• MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE & WHAT WE RODE

ATK was an American made dirt bike (although it used an Austrian engine and suspension). This 1989 ad was for the 406 two-stroke.

• NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

It’s a 1987 ATK 560…or is it?

Back in 1987 the MXA wrecking crew tested at Reche Canyon all the time. It was our second favorite place (after White Sands). Here, Craig Davis powers what looks like a 1987 ATK 560 four-stroke through a lush berm — with the canyon in the background. But, all is not as it seems. What Craig was riding for MXA that day was an ATK chassis with a Honda XR600 engine. ATK’s Horst Leitner was a former GP rider who raced in England and was familiar with the Rickman brothers Metisse frame kits. So, when Horst started ATK it seemed natural to build rolling ATK chassis that accepted Honda XR600 four-stroke engines. The buyer used his Honda engine, forks and wheels—ATK supplied everything else. The ATK chassis handled better and was a lot lighter than the typical XR600. The ATK kit cost $4400.

• THE CURRENT TOP TEN HEADING TO DETROIT

Chad Reed is seventh in points—only5 points out of sixth or 3 points out of eighth 450 Supercross points. Photo: Brian Converse

2017 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(after 10 of 17 events)
1. Ryan Dungey…214
2. Eli Tomac…197
3. Cole Seely…169
4. Marvin Musquin…163
5. Jason Anderson…143
6. Davi Millsaps…121
7. Chad Reed…116
8. Blake Baggett…113
9. Dean Wilson…105
10. Broc Tickle…103

It has been a long time between wins, but starting this week no one can say that again. Adam Cianciarulo dominated Daytona. Photo: Brian Converse

AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(after 4 of 9 events)
1. Zach Osborne…86
2. Joey Savatgy…80
3. Adam Cianciarulo…77
4. Jordon Smith…70
5. Dylan Ferrandis…54
6. Colt Nichols…49
7. Luke Renzland…43
8. Alex Martin…42
9. Kyle Peters…37
10. Christian Craig…36

Austin Forkner is sixth in 250 West points. The 250 West starts up again on April 8.

2017 250 WEST POINTS STANDINGS
(After 6 of 9 events)
1. Justin Hill (Kaw)…138
2. Aaron Plessinger (Yam)…117
3. Shane McElrath (KTM)…113
4. Martin Davalos (Hus)…106
5. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)…91
6. Austin Forkner (Kaw)…90
7. Dan Reardon (Yam)…72
8. Kyle Chisholm (Hon)…60
9. Jeremy Martin (Hon)…55
10. Phil Nicoletti (Suz)… 54

• MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING ON APRIL 15

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 a exactly three weeks 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 to www.oldschoolscrambles.com.

 2017 SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE

Ken Roczen has to watch the Championship that he was leading be battled out between Ryan Dungey and Eli Tomac. Photo: Brian Converse

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
Mar. 25………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1………….St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8…………Seattle, WA
Apr 22………..Salt Lake City, UT
450 Points leader...Ryan Dungey (KTM)
250 West points leader…Justin Hill (Kaw)
250 East points leader…Zach Osborne (Hus)

• CLASSIC MOTOCROSS ADS FROM THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Damon Bradshaw’s Scott sunglass ad.

• FOREIGN RIDERS WHO MADE THE MAINS IN INDY

Dean Wilson has been consistent since moving to the Rockstar Husqvarna team. Dean just needs more saddle time to get back to where he was before his knee injuries. Photo: Brian Converse

These are the top foreign riders who made the main events in Indianapolis last Saturday. They have come a long way to race in the USA and they deserve a round of cheers when they pass by. They are strangers in a strange land—although a few have been here long enough to lose their accents.

INDY 450 CLASS
Marvin Musquin (France)….2nd
Chad Reed (Australia)…7th
Dean Wilson (Scotland)……11th

INDY 250 EAST CLASS
Dylan Ferrandis (France)….7th
Anthony Rodriquez (Venezuela)…9th
Gradie Featherstone (England)…18th
Cole Thompson (Canada)…19th
Fredrik Noren (Sweden)…21st

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

The April 2017 issue of MXA is on the news stands now and includes the most asked about bike in motocross today— Sean Collier’s KX500 Beast. You should be reading MXA, and if you subscribe now you get a $25 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC which more than pays for your subscription.

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 an AMA Supercross, Arenacross and a Grand Prix in Argentina.

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. 9-11…………………..Adelanto, CA
Sept. 8-10…………………Glen Helen, CA
Oct 13-15…………………..TBA

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.