MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT BY DARYL ECKLUND

FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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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
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Davi Millsaps and his teammate Wil Hahn have been getting mighty close.

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Who has better style? AC or…….

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Kenny?

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Levi Sherwood has the right idea.

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Why worry? Just be happy.

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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:

_MG_5456This is the beautiful view from the Sugo track on top of one of the elevation changes.

_MG_5412Everyone had to where helmet, including the paramedics.

_MG_5406Another shot from the upper level of the Sugo track. Directly ahead is a series of 17 whoops.

_MG_5190This view is from the starting line of the Sugo track. As you can see there were a lot of elevation changes.

DCIM105MEDIAThis was right before the start of moto 1. Cooper Webb started right next to the 10 time Japanese Champion Akira Narita.

IMG_5694All the fans flocked to Cooper. He was very popular even before his 1-1 finish.

IMG_5175The Star racing team shipped Cooper’s YZ450F over from the States.

_MG_6054The apple cider was everywhere! No champagne used here.

_MG_5976Cooper with some leg swag while leading moto two.

_MG_5913Star 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.

_MG_5896On the last lap Eric had our Japanese interrupter write “good job” on the pit board in Japanese for his overall win.

_MG_5803Akira Narita (right) was all business when he realized Cooper (left) was a serious threat to get beat him on his home turf.

_MG_5866This 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.

_MG_5847Akira 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.

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_MG_5818Cooper getting the crowd excited in opening ceremonies.

_MG_5649Start of moto one. Cooper got a mediocre start, but charger to the lead quickly.

_MG_5566Cooper with some style coming out of a deep Sugo rut.

MXA PHOTO BLAST FROM THE YAMAHA MUSEUM IN JAPAN

_MG_6082This is the first Yamaha motorcycle ever produced in 1955, the 125cc YA-1.

_MG_6179 _MG_6168 _MG_6162 _MG_6157_MG_6146 _MG_6145 _MG_6140 _MG_6135 _MG_6131 _MG_6125 _MG_6124 _MG_6121 _MG_6105
This is the bike that started the four-stroke revolution. Doug Henry’s first YZ400 prototype.

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TRICK BIKES AND PARTS FROM JAPAN THAT WE MIGHT SEE IN THE FUTURE

_MG_5908We caught eye of Dunlop tires we have never seen before!

_MG_5794The Japanese Yamaha factory bikes run their own special exhausts.

_MG_5790These foot pegs were ridiculously sharp!

_MG_5788This exhaust might look stock, but small modifications have been made. Japan Yamaha tests some future OEM parts by racing them.

_MG_5744The Factory Yamaha’s had carbon fiber radiator wings.

_MG_5725We thought the Dunlop MX71 was long gone. Here is an updated version in production that we found in Japan.

_MG_5625Akira Narita had one of the coolest shock bodies we have ever seen. Looks like Showa has some stuff in the works.

_MG_5604Another Dunlop front tire America has never seen.

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_MG_5305A picture of the landscape from Japan had to be shown. It is a gorgeous county to say the least.

_MG_5276All the factory teams had their own pressure washer setups. Honda’s had dual engines going.

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_MG_5222Again with the hardhats….

_MG_5214The dirt at Sugo was like chocolate cake.

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