MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT BY DARYL ECKLUND
FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
This CRF250 that was converted into a CR125 with dual exhaust was one of our biggest Facebook hits so far. Why? Because it’s possible, of course.
#MXATALKSINSTAGRAM
Davi Millsaps and his teammate Wil Hahn have been getting mighty close.
Who has better style? AC or…….
Levi Sherwood has the right idea.
That is going to leave a mark in 3-2-1…
MXA GOES TO JAPAN WITH THE YAMAHA STAR RACING TEAM
To make a long story short, I got the opportunity to go to Japan for MXA with the Star Racing Yamaha team. Why? Yamaha Japan wanted Cooper Webb and Jeremy Martian to race the last Japanese National to give them the opportunity to experience the Japanese culture. Obviously, Jeremy could not go due to the broken foot from the Motocross des Nations. So, it was just Cooper along with his entire Star Racing entourage and myself. I will admit, Yamaha Japan treated us like kings. Not only did we go racing, but we experienced everything Japan had to offer. Thank you Yamaha for the amazing opportunity. Here is what happened in a series of photos I shoot throughout the three day event:
This is the beautiful view from the Sugo track on top of one of the elevation changes.
Everyone had to where helmet, including the paramedics.
Another shot from the upper level of the Sugo track. Directly ahead is a series of 17 whoops.
This view is from the starting line of the Sugo track. As you can see there were a lot of elevation changes.
This was right before the start of moto 1. Cooper Webb started right next to the 10 time Japanese Champion Akira Narita.
All the fans flocked to Cooper. He was very popular even before his 1-1 finish.
The Star racing team shipped Cooper’s YZ450F over from the States.
The apple cider was everywhere! No champagne used here.
Cooper with some leg swag while leading moto two.
Star racing mechanic Eric Gass changes a clutch after moto one. He had lots of help from the Yamaha Japan mechanics throughout the weekend. Rumor has it, Cooper is quite hard on clutches.
On the last lap Eric had our Japanese interrupter write “good job” on the pit board in Japanese for his overall win.
Akira Narita (right) was all business when he realized Cooper (left) was a serious threat to get beat him on his home turf.
This shot is right before Cooper Webb (117) took the lead from Akria in moto one. Cooper then pulled more than a 20 second lead in both motos.
Akira was caught looking back numerous times in moto one looking to see where Cooper Webb was. Cooper caught Akira within the first few laps and made the pass.
Cooper getting the crowd excited in opening ceremonies.
Start of moto one. Cooper got a mediocre start, but charger to the lead quickly.
Cooper with some style coming out of a deep Sugo rut.
MXA PHOTO BLAST FROM THE YAMAHA MUSEUM IN JAPAN
This is the first Yamaha motorcycle ever produced in 1955, the 125cc YA-1.
This is the bike that started the four-stroke revolution. Doug Henry’s first YZ400 prototype.
TRICK BIKES AND PARTS FROM JAPAN THAT WE MIGHT SEE IN THE FUTURE
We caught eye of Dunlop tires we have never seen before!
The Japanese Yamaha factory bikes run their own special exhausts.
These foot pegs were ridiculously sharp!
This exhaust might look stock, but small modifications have been made. Japan Yamaha tests some future OEM parts by racing them.
The Factory Yamaha’s had carbon fiber radiator wings.
We thought the Dunlop MX71 was long gone. Here is an updated version in production that we found in Japan.
Akira Narita had one of the coolest shock bodies we have ever seen. Looks like Showa has some stuff in the works.
Another Dunlop front tire America has never seen.
A picture of the landscape from Japan had to be shown. It is a gorgeous county to say the least.
All the factory teams had their own pressure washer setups. Honda’s had dual engines going.
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