BAD NEWS FROM DEAN WILSON FOLLOWING HIS INDY CRASH
WHAT MXA WAS WORKING ON THIS WEEK?
Daryl Eklund on our CRF270 big-bore project bike. Photo by Mark Chilson
MXA's Factory Services KTM 350SXF project bike—basically a works engine for the masses. Photo by John Basher
After last weekend's activities we took Monday and Tuesday to catch up on office work before getting back to the fun part. On Wednesday Jody dyno'ed five different YZ250 exhaust pipes, plus a CRF450 single-sided exhaust, while John Basher and Daryl Eklund went to Piru to meet the Honda guys for some hop-ups tips.
Dennis Stapleton testing two-stroke pipes on MXA's 2013 Yamaha YZ250 for an upcoming issue. This is the Scalvini pipe. Photo by Mark Chilson
On Thursday, the whole gang (Jody, Basher, Stapleton and Eklund with Ernie Becker and Dan Alamangos coming along to help) met at Glen Helen, but immediately split into separate test groups. Three MXA test riders spent six hours rotating back and forth between five different YZ250 two-stroke exhaust pipes, while Darryl Eklund worked on some mods that we made to our Honda CRF270 project bike and Basher shot the photos for a story on our KTM 350SXF with a KTM Factory Services engine kit (it is basically the same engine that Ken Roczen raced at Daytona).
Helpful hands from the men in red. When MXA needs technical support, there are talented men ready to pitch in on our CRF250.
As for the weekend, most of the gang went to the REM race to test our week's handiwork, but John Basher remains on baby watch...this week is the due date for the lovely Hope Basher.
THIS ISN’T MOTOCROSS, BUT IT IS CLASSIC TADDY VERSUS KNIGHTER AT THE WORLD SUPERENDURO CHAMPIONSHIPS
YAMAHA SUPERCROSS SWEEPSTAKES: YOU CAN WIN FREE STUFF FOR FREE
It's not too late to register for the “Family Pack” sweepstakes prize Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is giving away at the end of the 2013 Supercross season. Worth more than $18,000 and including some of its most popular products for motorsports enthusiasts, the contest is being promoted at all 2013 Supercross events.
The “Yamaha Supercross Sweepstakes” runs through May 2, 2013, and will award one lucky family a prize package including one of each of the following from Yamaha:
YZ450F: Featuring the revolutionary rearward slanted cylinder for superior handling and cornering.
Raptor 250: The only 250-class machine that can honestly call itself a sport ATV with 5-speed transmission and long-travel suspension.
PW50: The bike that started many professional riders' careers.
EF2000iS: A powerful, portable, quiet and lightweight generator at 44 pounds.
$2,500 Yamaha genuine accessories coupon.
For complete rules, dates and entry forms please go to: www.yamahayz.com
LAPS LED SO FAR THIS SUPERCROSS SEASON
The king of laps—Ryan Villopoto.
Laps led is an interesting stat, but it doesn’t always mean much. In the 450 class Ryan Villopoto has led twice as many laps as anyone else in the class, but his points lead is only 2 points. Meanwhile in combined 250 East/West laps led, the leader is Eli Tomac, who is not leading the points out West.
450 Class
Ryan Villopoto......82
Davi Millsaps........37
James Stewart......29
Justin Barcia.........20
Ryan Dungey........19
Trey Canard...........7
Ken Roczen.......... 3
Mike Alessi.............2
Jake Weimer..........1
250 Classes
Eli Tomac...............39
Wil Hahn................30
Cole Seely..............21
Ken Roczen...........19
Marvin Musquin.....15
Dean Wilson...........15
Martin Davalos........7
Jason Anderson..... 4
ASK THE MXPERTS: HOW ARE CLOSE RACES CALLED?
All the signage, fireworks and finish line structures don't mean a thing if no one really knows where the finish line is.
Dear MXA,
Last week was the second time I've seen Weston Peick involved in close battles where the transponder wire is suppose to determine the winner. Where is the transponder wire and why does it cause so much consternation?
The main point to consider is that professional motorcycle racing is a spectator sport. Thus, the finish line should always be where the fans can see it. Which means that it can't be buried in the ground on the face of the finish line jump. In our opinion, wherever the man with the flag is standing, that should be the finish line. Transponder wires are buried down in the dirt at a spot where the motorcycle is pressed against the ground to keep it close to the electro-field. If it was at the top of the jump it is possible that a rider could pre-jump or seat bounce the jump and get too high above the transponder wire to be scored. So, the transponder wire is not under the banner or at the flagman's feet but a couple feet lower. It is senseless to score the races based on a misplaced wire that no one can see. The fans deserve to be able to judge for themselves who won and the rider's need a target to race to. Thus, the man with the flag should always be the finish line. Case closed.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A PRO IN NEW ZEALAND
450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Our favorite Russian is in eighth place.
(After 2 of 18 races)
1. Tony Cairoli..............95
2. Clement Desalle..... 87
3. Gautier Paulin...........78
4. Ken De Dycker........70
5. Tommy Searle.........64
6. Kevin Strijbos...........55
7. Rui Goncalves.........52
8. Evgeny Bobryshev...47
9. Steven Frossard......47
10. Xavier Boog...........41
250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Jeffrey Herlings and friend.
(After 2 of 18 races)
1. Jeffrey Herlings..........100
2. Romain Febvre.........82
3. Dean Ferris...............69
4. Christophe Charlier...65
5. Glenn Coldenhoff......63
6. Jose Butron...............60
7. Jordi Tixier.................57
8. Alessandro Lupino...56
9. Julien Lieber.............47
10. Jake Nicholls..........26
THIS WEEK IN SUPERCROSS: THE INDY TRACK MAP
AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS
Eli Tomac is racing the 450 class in his weeks, make that months, off from the 250 West.
(After 11 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kaw).........227
2. Davi Millsaps (Suz).............218
3. Ryan Dungey (KTM)...........210
4. Chad Reed (Hon)...............168
5. Justin Barcia (Hon...............152
6. Trey Canard (Hon)..............165
7. James Stewart (Suz)..........155
8. Andrew Short (KTM)...........136
9. Justin Brayton (Yam)...........112
10. Broc Tickle (Suz)................109
Other notables: 12. Mike Alessi (83); 14. Weston peick (56); 15. Eli Tomac (52); 22. Josh Hill (29); 23. Kevin Windgam (21).
AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS
Wil Hahn has shocked everyone with his performances, but mostly he has shocked Dean Wilson.
(After 5 of 8 races)
1. Wil Hahn (Hon).....................112
2. Marvin Musquin (KTM).........103
3. Blake Wharton (Suz)............88
4. Dean Wilson (Kaw)..............87
5. Kyle Peters (Hon).................67
6. Justin Hill (Kaw)....................67
7. Vince Friese (Hon)...............65
8. Jeremy Martin (Yam)............53
9. Gavin Faith (Hon)..................53
9. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)............52
AMA 250 WEST SUPERCROSS POINTS
Ken Roczen has a 17- point lead in the West.
(After 6 of 9 races)
1. Ken Roczen (KTM)..............138
2. Eli Tomac (Hon)...................121
3. Cole Seely (Hon)..................95
4. Jason Anderson (Suz)..........88
5. Kyle Cunningham (Yam).......83
6. Martin Davalos (Kaw)............82
7. Zach Osborne (Hon)..............82
8. Joey Savatgy (KTM)..............62
9. Christian Craig (Hon).............62
10. Jessy Nelson (Hon)..............60
RONNIE RENNER GOES TWO-STROKING AT OCOTILLO WELLS IN SOCAL
2013 SUPERCROSS TV SCHEDULE: NEXT WEEK IS CANADA...OH CANADA!
Date............Event......................TV network............Time
Mar.23....Toronto..............Speed................8:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 4......Houston............Speed................9:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 14....Minneapolis.......CBS/Speed.......12:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 21....Seattle...............CBS/Speed.......12:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Apr. 27....Salt Lake...........Speed................9:30 p.m. (Eastern)
May 4......Las Vegas.........Speed...............10:00 p.m. (Eastern)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RICKY CARMICHAEL DAYTONA AMATEUR SUPERCROSS
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAY BOYS: THREE WORLD CHAMPIONS THIS WEEK (CAN YOU FIND THEM)
Mar. 16...Pete Fox
Mar. 16...Pat Schutte
Mar. 16...Stephane Roncada
Mar. 17...Jacob Marsack
Mar. 17...Alessio Chiodi
Mar. 17...Pat Barton
Mar. 18...Tim Ferry
Mar. 19...John Gregory
Mar. 20...Erick Vallejo
Mar. 20...Ray Conway
Mar. 21...Paul Friedrichs
Mar. 21...Bruce Hendel
Mar. 21...Andre Malherbe
NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: ROUND THREE FROM PUKEKOHE
2013 AMA SUPERCROSS SCOREBOARD
DATE CITY 450SX 250SX
Jan. 5 – Anaheim 1...........Davi Millsaps........Eli Tomac
Jan. 12 – Phoenix.............Justin Barcia.........Eli Tomac
Jan. 19 – Anaheim II.........Ryan Villopoto......Eli Tomac
Jan. 26 – Oakland.............Ryan Villopoto......Ken Roczen
Feb. 2 – Anaheim III..........Ryan Dungey........Ken Roczen
Feb. 9 – San Diego...........Davi Millsaps........Eli Tomac
Feb. 16 – Arlington............Ryan Villopoto......Dean Wilson
Feb. 23 – Atlanta...............James Stewart.....Wil Hahn
Mar. 2 – St. Louis..............Ryan Villopoto......Wil Hahn
Mar. 9 – Daytona...............Ryan Villopoto......Marvin Musquin
Mar. 16 – Indianapolis.......Ryan Villopoto......Marvin Musquin
Mar. 23 – Toronto..............??
Apr. 6 – Houston...............??
Apr. 13 – Minneapolis.......??
Apr. 20 – Seattle...............??
Apr. 27 – Salt Lake...........??
May 4 – Las Vegas...........??
Points leaders: 450–Ryan Villopoto, 250 West–Ken Roczen, 250 East–Wil Hahn
Yamaha Motorcycle tests
|
|