by Davey Coombs
Racerhead #32
Friday, August 12, 2011 | 6:10 PMHonda is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, and the undisputed leader in motorcycle technology. More motocross riders have won titles on Hondas than on any other bike. When you’re serious about winning, Honda is the machine for you.
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
PrintFinally, after two long weekends off with no professional motocross, the American Motocross tour is back on track tomorrow at Unadilla, the most famous track on the circuit. The Robinson family has been hosting pro motocross races since 1970, with the first race being a Trans-AMA (I believe it was won by Dave Nicoll, Kurt Nicoll's dad and now an official on the Grand Prix tour). They have also held Inter-Am races, the old 250cc U.S. Grand Prix, the '87 Motocross des Nations, and of course Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross.
Unadilla used to be known for its rocks and ruts. Not anymore. The facility has undergone a huge makeover in the last couple of years, with a brand new three-story announcers’ tower, a two-story team managers’ viewing tower, new tunnels for infield fan access, and tons and tons of new dirt. After I walked around the track this morning for the Racer X iLap, I saw Jill and Greg Robinson, the second generation of track owners here, and told them that Tim and Amy Ritchie had better check over their shoulders. As far as U.S. motocross facilities go, Unadilla is right there with RedBud.
For a virtual lap around the track, check out these photos from earlier today:
Who's ready for UNADILLA?
Photo: DC
They are expecting great weather and a massive crowd, and the first motos will be shown live on Fuel TV, plus the second 450 moto will air live on NBC.... Well, live everywhere but the Seattle area, as a big MLS soccer game on the local NBC affiliate bumped the motocross race, unfortunately. Stay tuned tomorrow starting early than normal: 12:30 p.m. ET (and yes, it will air live on www.allisports.com).
When we last left the tour, we had a new 450 Class points leaders in Ryan Villopoto, after Chad Reed's big crash in Spring Creek and the lingering effects at Washougal. Ryan Dungey also got past Reed, setting up an excellent three-way battle for this title with four rounds to go. It's hard to tell who has the momentum, as Reed was rolling before his crash and Dungey has a couple of recent wins, but RV just keeps on trucking. They've each had bad motos, and with eight to go, it's anyone's championship!
In the 250 Class, it's anyone on a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s title, basically. Dean Wilson continues to hold the point, even though he has yet to win a race. The mercurial Blake Baggett and the ever-steady Tyla Rattray have won all of the races. The PC guys are so far ahead right now that GEICO Honda has loaned Justin Barcia to Team Honda to rill in for the injured Trey Canard.
Who can stop Deano, Tyla, and BB? No idea. But with Marvin Musquin getting up to speed, Eli Tomac long overdue, the newly married Broc Tickle wanting to catch up with his teammates.... They are all long shots, as those three out front are really going fast, and they have a lot at stake.
Blake Baggett actually just came into the MX Sports' trailer to discuss a possible trip to France next month—the announcement for Team USA will be tomorrow—and he said he really thought he was lost on his way down Route 8 from Utica. “I called my old mechanic and I was like, ‘This can't be right!’ But it was,” Baggett laughed. “Now I'm out here and see the place and it's like ... wow.”
In other news, Kyle Regal is back at the outdoors with the BBMX team, now riding a Suzuki. Ryan Morais is back after a long time off for an injury. Justin Bogle, the AMA's Horizon Award winner at Loretta Lynn's, will make his pro debut tomorrow. We still don't know what bike Dungey will be on next year, or James Stewart for the matter, but it should all be coming together pretty soon. Oh, and Team Kawasaki will roll out on the 2012 450s tomorrow. According to Jeff Emig, the bike underwent some major improvements, and it was pretty good to start with!
Kyle Regal is back.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
As I mentioned last week, I was at Loretta Lynn's for the better part of the last two weeks. There was so much going on down there it's hard to sum up, but here are some films from the 2011 Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships:
Team Green and Loretta Lynn's (by Rich Van Every):
Loretta Lynn's Photo Gallery on Vurb.
We have a big team managers' meeting, both privateer and factory, here at five in one of the new towers to discuss a whole range of pro motocross matters with the men and women vested in the series. We will be discussing next year's schedule, class structure, safety, and more. We will also be asking for their input and suggestions on the tracks, the TV coverage, the rules, the bikes, and more (and yes, I’m sure two-stroke 250s in the 250 Class will be discussed, though I know what the consensus is as far as pro motocross goes). So let me turn this over here to Jason Weigandt:
I spent 18 days on the road between Washougal, X Games, and Loretta's. That's a long trip, but I never lost motivation. I had a light at the end of the tunnel, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Was it returning home to see my one-year-old baby girl? No. Was it seeing my wife and finding out she was indeed not going to divorce me (at least until the next long trip...hello Daytona Bike Week 2012). Getting back to the family was nice, indeed, but my real motivation to press on regardless comes today.
American Motocross is back this week at Unadilla.
Photo: DC
Last week at Loretta's, I was standing in line buying lunch with DMXS Radio's Kevin Kelly when a kid behind us on the lunch line asked for my autograph. Usually, after I sign these, the fan gives a strange look and then says "Wait, I thought you were Jeff Emig!" But this kid was different. He had something to offer, and not just great taste in autographs. His accent made it obvious that he hails from New York, so I asked him if he was coming to Unadilla. He explained that he could not go, because he was working at his family's diner in Binghamton. Whoa. Diner in Binghamton? Well, kid, it just so happens that I am flying into Binghamton this weekend. Perhaps I could stop in for a bite?
The kid explained that his name is Anthony (of course) and his dad's name is Tony (of course) and they own a placed named Broadway Diner (of course). If you didn't grow up in the Northeast like I did, this might not mean much to you, but let me tell you, when a guy named Tony and his son named Anthony invite you to their diner, you do it. Fugheteboutdit!
So I'm stopping by this afternoon. Better yet, with Josh Strang racing this weekend, the GNCC TV crew is following him all weekend, so I'll have the TV peeps at my disposal (and that crew consists of producer Jason Hooper and his fiance Krista. That's the whole crew). The goal here is to mount some GoPros on the plates and silverware and give a real first-hand account of lunch at the greasy spoon. Look out, Guy Fieri and Anthony Bourdain!
When it's all done I'll print out a photo, sign it, and mail it to the diner. Next time you're dining in this area of the country, check out the walls above the cash register. Whenever celebrities stop in, they leave an autographed photo behind. I have finally arrived.
(As for the rest of the racing this weekend, just watch the darned shows on Fuel TV, NBC and Speed. Or check out the Racer X Motocross show tomorrow morning. Listen, I'm busy trying to eat here. Fughedeboudit!)
Here's Steve Matthes:
Well, after what seems like an eternity, the 2011 AMA Motocross series picks up this weekend in historic Unadilla, New York, for Round 9 of the series. It’s such a go-go-GO mentality in this sport whether you’re racing in it, working in it, or even covering it for a living that when you have two weeks off, it just seems like forever. And I even went to Belgium for one week and saw a GP. So we’ll pick it up at ‘Dilla and see what we got.
When we last left you, Chad Reed had his worst race of the series and lost the points lead to Ryan Villopoto—and to make matters worse for Reed, Ryan Dungey also passed him! According to Reed’s BFF Jason Thomas, Reed’s 100 percent and ready to get back at it. He’s less than ten points down to RV so nothing is over, as the great John Rambo once said.
It’s a little curious to see Villopoto get caught and run down in the second moto at the last two races. It’s either Ryan Dungey riding amazing (likely) or something wrong with Villopoto (unlikely) or a combination of both (most likely). I can tell you one thing, Team Monster Energy Kawasaki doesn’t like what they’re seeing, and they have gone out and gotten the 2012 KX450F homologated and ready for RV to race.
Now, normally, when a team comes out with a new model three-quarters of the way through the racing season, they’re just bolting on the new bodywork onto the current year bike. But in this case, the ’12 plastics won’t fit on the ’11, so this is indeed a brand new bike for RV and his teammate Jake Weimer. This isn’t that new of an idea—remember Grant Langston getting on the 2008 Yamaha YZ450F and tracking down points leader Tim Ferry late in the season to win the 2007 title?
Villopoto will be riding the 2012 KX450F at Unadilla.
Photo: John Wolven
I will now light myself on fire.
Anyway, I spoke to RV about the switch and he reports that although he was happy with his 2011, he did feel a lot of the tracks’ bumps through his body. With some geometry changes and frame changes, he says the 2012 is a lot better. The bike itself is 4mm thinner (something Weimer noticed right away) and feels more like a 250F out on the track. The rear suspension works a lot better with all the changes Kawasaki has done, and both riders are very happy with the new setup.
You scoff at 4mm thinner? Well let me tell you that riders at this level can indeed tell that sort of change. I can remember at Yamaha lowering the motor mounts 2.5 mm and having every rider love the change. We then went to 4mm and every rider didn’t know what we did but did report that they hated it.
So this will be interesting to watch for guys like myself, to see if this bike swap helps Jake and Ryan out on the rough and tough Unadilla track.
Also this weekend, GNCC champion Josh Strang will suit up on a Suzuki RM-Z450. Hopefully for his and team manager Mike Webb’s sake, he stays healthy and upright out there. With no mishaps, I think Strang is in the fifteenth-place range and maybe even higher!
In silly season news, it appears that Josh Hansen has indeed signed up with the Hart & Huntington team for next year to ride in the 450 Class.
Did you hear Justin Barcia is racing the 450 Class this weekend? That should be interesting, and I bet he does pretty good. That sucks for GEICO Honda because … well, never mind.
In case you missed it, Barcia will be on the 450 this weekend.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
Some of you may remember that I’ve posted some dirt on the actual series tracks’ dirt in recent weeks. Well, the soil guy is at it again and sent me this to explain Unadilla and why it is the way it is. Take it away, Soilguy:
Thanks, Steve, Unadilla comes from an Iroquois word meaning "place of meeting". Follow my logic here; since sometimes folks get a little hammered when they get together, it only goes without saying that some Iroquois chief also used the word to mean "totally hammered", which is what this track is. Need proof? Go to the photos.
Soil Color can actually tell you a lot about the nature of the soil. Many of the soil physical and chemical properties are linked to minerals and structure that can be seen. In general, when you see light pale color it means lack of organic matter. Why should a motocross rider care? Organic matter means that the soil typically has good pore space, limited compaction, granular structure, moisture holding capacity, and lots of other desirable properties. Bleached out soil is generally lesser quality, whether you're growing stuff or riding on it. You can easily see the difference in topsoil vs. subsoil. In all cases, the best soil is always the stuff nearest the top, with the soil getting worse as you move down. That's why simply plowing and ripping doesn't always work. Once you rip into inferior lower layers, you're done, and there is no fix other than removing and replacing, or tilling in amendments like woodchips, manure, sand etc. to try and bring the soil back around.
Technical (geek speak)
In the United States soils are classified in groups of characteristics and similarities called a "series". There are three soil series mapped at Unadilla. Chenango, a Loamy-skeletal Mixed Superactive Mesic Typic Dystrudept, Valois, a Coarse-loamy Mixed Superactive Mesic Typic Dystrudept, and Atherton, a Fine-loamy Mixed Active Nonacid Mesic Aeric Endoaquept.
Breakdown
The three soil series dominant at the track all share a few key factors. They are some of the most used soils in the United States in terms of our national age, but they are all geologically very young. These soils have been used for agriculture since the founding fathers, but they are all very recently deposited by massive glaciers, meaning that they have had limited time for soil forming processes to occur. Believe it or not, if you stuck a motocross track in the center of Central Park you'd probably get a similar soil type. These are primarily Silt Loam and Loamy-skeletal soils that have large amounts of rock and stone supported in them. You get anywhere from 10 to 30 inches of soil that has 5 to 20 percent pebbles, stone and cobbles, then the rock fragments ramp up to as much as 60 percent pebbles and small rocks where the subsoil is either exposed or mixed with the topsoil. Since the glacial deposits get progressively stony and dense with depth, more tillage and use either degrades the racing surface or requires the incorporation of topsoil and/or amendments from another location.
The Dirt
The Unadilla circuit is an American classic, but like a lot of classics it's high mileage and high maintenance. Some other tracks on the circuit, like Redbud, have an almost limitless supply deep quality dirt. That is not the case here. This track has a thin topsoil that grades into a pebble filled media blaster, courtesy of the guy in front of you. Washougal's roost is made up of chunks of the heavy, hard clayey soil. At Unadilla, the soil will be light and loamier, and very pliable in the darker topsoil, but the soil will become compacted and the roost like buckshot when the bikes dig down to the pebble filled base.
Sounds like fun, count me in. As always, wear you're Fly Racing roost deflector, your EKS Brand Goggles, and after the race cover your pummeled head with a flat brim H&H hat...
Nephi (El Guapo) - PulpMX minion, Soil Guy
Still with us? Now you know!
Hey, tune in to The Pulpmx Show presented by BTOSports.com on Mondays for a unique look at the sport from all angles. Myself and Kenny Watson usually try to talk about the sport but you just never know what you’re going to get when you tune in at 6:00 Pacific Monday nights.
Thanks for coming out. See you guys on the hillside.
Here are some miscellaneous items:
Racer X is hosting a Ride Day at Southwick Moto-X 338 on Sunday, August 28! Ride with special guests: John Dowd, Jeff Emig, Doug Henry, and the GEICO Honda Team. Current subscribers ride for FREE. New subscribers ride for $20. Click here for all the details.
Larry Wosick's Honey Lake Motocross track is for sale. The track, which has been noted as one of the best in California, is located in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. Wosick posted some information about why he and his family have decided to is sell, as well as some of opportunities that a new buyer can pursue with the facility on his website. This is one of the more unique and well respected tracks in the country. For more information on the facility and the possible sale, check out the tracks website, which can be found here.
Check out this cool cover of the late Adolf Weil on the cover of Cross Magazin.
A happy birthday goes out to John Dowd, who turned 46 this week on August 10. To celebrate his B-day in style, the Junkyard Dog will be racing this weekend at the Rockstar Energy Unadilla National, as well as the next round at Southwick. His son Ryan will be racing the Unadilla amateur day as well. For you guys who like trivia, Dowd graduated from high school in 1983, raced his first national in 1987, and is still going (very fast) and strong. Good luck this weekend, Dowdy, and keep those records coming!
Stop by the Racer X booth on Vendor Row at Unadilla to pick up your free event sticker featuring Marty Smith, and subscribe or renew with one of these special offers!
For only $35, you'll get 13 issues of Racer X and an all-day pit pass, good from 9-5 on Saturday. Supplies are limited so don't miss your chance to have all-day access to the pits!
Want a comfortable seat alongside the race track? We’re also offering 13 issues of Racer X and a Motosport camping chair for only $20!
While you're there, check out the clothing line from Racer X Brand and a get free Racer X cup with a clothing purchase of $20 or more.
Michael Stusiak sent us a YouTube channel where "lfoxracer" posted some old Super-8 movies from some classic races: the '79 USGP at Unadilla, the '78 AMA Motocross National in Rhode Island, Southwick '76, the old Florida Winter-AMA races from Gainesville and St. Petersburg, and much, much more. By the numbers count alongside them, it seems like very few people have seen some of these gems. You have to see these rare old movies.
Jeff Emig was at Loretta Lynn's for much of the championship week, working with Shift and Fox Racing. He also helped out at riders’ meeting and held court a time or two in the beer tent. Jeff's on the "billboard of fame" that shows many of the top graduates from Loretta Lynn's over the years, and sometimes folks forget that before he become a TV color analyst for SX/MX, he was a very good factory rider with four major championships. And before that he was an excellent young amateur prospect. Which brings us to this cool old video from the 1985 Golden States races at Carlsbad, which was posted by MX255 on Vital MX. It shows Emig on a KX80, along with future heroes Jimmy Button, Jimmy Gaddis, Chad Pederson and more. It's good weekend viewing.
And finally, here's a cool video from the Surfercross earlier this week:
Sorry it's short, but it's been a busy week! Enjoy tomorrow's races on TV, and let's hope it's a big, safe, and very close race! Thanks for reading Racerhead. See you at the races.
Share this article:
Did you like this article?
Check out WHEN DAYLIGHT BREAKS
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
When the lights go off on supercross and racing hits the daylight with the launch of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, everyone gets to start over. Page 110.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
Hoooole shooot
Bangin the holey....BRaaaaaap!
Dangit...He musta had a 4 stroke
RV's bike looks pretty sick!!!..A little Green and Red fade into the Red on the plates and Red at the helm!!! If the bike feels better than his 2011, than that can only be good news for RV and bad news for the others...If it feels more like a 250, then we all know what RV can do on one of those!!!
Should be awesome racing....thanks for the track pics RacerX....I wish i was there!!
Keep banging Jason C. Since your behind me don't be trying to bany my holey . Seriously Where is PING!
Uh, Maybe take a photo of RV's bike without the sun "white out" effect in the back ground......jeez.....amateur!!!
Should be a great racing weekend. Let's not kid ourselves with the picture of the man made step up and saying "this is American motocross".. That jump does not belong on the sacred ground we know as Unadilla! Take a look at fox racers you tube from '79. 45+2 on a rougher track than most of today's riders have ever seen. Shame the track is a shadow of it's former self. All dressed up nice for tv, but way too smooth with manmade jumps.
Holeshot!
I've been saying this all summer long, but whateva.. RV's streak starts here lol Seriously though if that 2012 kxf rides like a 250 he should kill it! Anyway DC how come hardly no mention of the MXdN??? Only just over a month away!
They just as well change the name . They got rid of the track. Unadilla used to seperate the men from the boys. Hannah loved Unadilla as he could start last and grind them into the ground.45 minutes plus 2 laps Our last natural track has change into another generic smooth the bumps out dozer track. They used to just reseed until next year. When the U.S . riders all become whoosies the Europeans will kick our butt. Someday motos will be like supercross , about 14 minutes and holeshot wins it all. The winner will say," I did the penta jump and passed everybody and boy at the 7 minute mark I was really tired but held on". Carmichael hated the grass track old U but not sure why. Usually he liked the rougher the better . Made his job easier. Maybe it was the rocks.
Damn! Should have got the other side of RV's bike. I wanted to see the pipe. And, although i like barcia, for some reason the 17 looks weird on that bike. I dont know why, but yeah. Can't wait to him in action, along with Regal and Bogle in the lites. Gonna be an awesome weekend.
That would be straight up stupid to allow 250 2stokes run with 250 4 stroke.Then the 250 2s would have the advantage that 250 4stokr have over 125 2 strokes.Then the 250 2 stroke would kill the sale of 250 4strokes.That whats wrong with the AMA.Their stupid.I think they should let 175 to 200cc 2 strokes run against 250 four strokes.I can't even believe they are having that discussion again.Lets come up with some rules where 2 stokes can compete equally in both classes.175 cc in 250 400 in 450.F-ing retarted.You should know better than this Davey Coombs.I'm starting to think you've lost your way.While I'm crying here.Why don't you do something about this stupid crappy tv coverage.It's my understanding that MX Sports has to pay for its tv time.Instead of paying to have it shown in Brazil,Aulstrial,Spain and places like that.Take that money and put this stuff live on Speed or maybe 2hr delay so MX Sports can have time repair the track between motos.Quite wasting money on this shotgun approach you are taking and spend your money on your core group of US fans here.Get TV suscessful here first before you start wasteing money on the rest of the world.Maybe do a pay for view thing for europe like the GP's do.Its just retarded to have to watch the racing on three different channels.Quite worring about CBS and put it on one channel like Speed or do a pay for view thing on the internet for all 4 motos here.
Like the magazine cover with Adolf Weil!!!! Also, knowing Larry Wosick and what he has done to his Motocross heaven, it should be fairly easy for a group of Off-Road die hards to keep his Motocross park open and expand upon what he has already built. Maybe someday this place can hold a National!! Larry sure has come a long ways from the days when he and I used trail ride at Hollister Hills Off-Road park..... Unadilla should be the start of a GREAT battle for the rest of the 450 season...
fred shut up and stop crying your just mad cause you spent 10 grand on your new fuel injected 250f and your going to have people pulling up next to you on the line with a bike 10 years older than yours spanking your butt. the 250 vs 250f is plenty fair each one has there pros and cons. it should have been that way from the beginning. if the rule is changed i dont see everyone switching back to 2 strokes and them dominate the sport again but it will give some struggling privateer that can ride a 2 stroke better on a low budget a chance to hang with the big teams cause he dont have 10 grand to put into his 250f motor like pro circuit does and he would be able to save that money from the 2 stroke to make it to every race in the whole series insyead of just select races. if every one would open there eyes they would see this this would be so good for our sport and i believe would bring more money into it from it being more diverse. the big 4 is so afraid of losing money because of this rule change but thats not the case most of your 2 and 4 stroke riders are on the bike of there choice already 4 stroke sales will not drop all this will do is bring up the 2 stroke sales and make more money for the factories cause there will be more r&d in them and the riders would sell there old 05 yz250 for a new one but right now there is no point there just going to hang on to that 05 cause the only difference in it and the 12 is graphics. the way i look at it is motocrossers are a big family and we look out for eachother but by the factories killing there 2 strokes there turning ther back on some of there family members
@villo-moto "mom come bring me some chezzy puffs and take the white out of this picture waaaaaaa, jeeeeez. @laker23 sorry boss it is Unadilla and it is american motocross and 45+2 days we didn't have tapped out waist deep whoops and the hi-speed of today. I'm sure its equally as hard and every bit as dangerous. Looks like the old 40+ track got some love ...I'm sure it will be PLENTY nasty before the days over. Love this place . Go RV2 Go big bore BAM BAMM! Baggett will eat up the pack....
I went to the usgp in 82 and 85 and the track was rougher.The uphills were covered with what looked like 3 foot moguls,it was nasty.but even now with a few man made jumps it will roughen up and the classic layout is still there.It is still an awsome track.
Barcia will panic rev that 450 like CRAZY.
But as far as top two, I am thinking Dungey and Villo. Agreements/disagreements?
And Matthes said that he was going to light himself on fire. If so, the flame should be seen for miles! Get it?
I have owned several bikes over the past few years including 450's, 250f's, 125's, 250 two strokes , one 500 two stroke , a 150sx and a 200xc so I think I am a good authority on this. The two strokes have such a short power spread and the four strokes such a long one that there is no advantage on certain tracks. Ride a 35 horsepower bike against however much a 50 hp Ktm would make on really tight or slick track and I would chose the four stroke all day. I usually get my two strokes ported and then add a flywheel to try and smooth the power out to make it more like a four stroke. A P.C. bike is already making 47 to 48 hp. The 250 two strokes are not dominating in any other country that allows them to race together or at Am. nationals. The 450 class should allow 500's. Any advantage is killed because if you have ever ridden a 500 you know that all the guys on them would not be able to ride them as hard for 35 minutes as a 450. The cr500 I had would literally vibrate all the bolts out of it.
@g.man776, a stock KTM makes 50 hp and is probably 10-15 lbs lighter than a 4stroke 250.I assure you if they let 250 2 strokes in the lites class that class will change drasticly.I'm all about the 2 stroke but it needs to 175 to 200 cc.
Where is the Ask Ping column?
Interesting to hear Matt Lemoine on DMXS this week....and his comments about how the purse structure at the Nationals doesn't really help a privateer effort like his....the US loves to point how there is no purse at the GPs (which, I agree, isn't good) but listening to Lemoine, I could actually understand for the first time why some racers financially concentrate on supercross.
With all the new sponsors and TV, I would have thought that the prize money would be increasing for everyone in the motos but that interview makes it seem that it isn't doing so at any rate that helps the non-factory guys. It would be a shame to not have such a talented rider like Lemoine at the races and he is already talking about having skip some of the last nationals.
It was a good interview.
@ fred sorry for jumping your case man i was just kinda worked up. the 175 or 200 would probably be ok but wouldnt work for the rule change cause none of the factories have purpose built machines for it and there not going to build them just for the racing in america there going to change the rules to bikes they already have in production. i totaly agree with denn700 what he said is true horse power isnt everything and it takes a certain person to control it if the rule is changed and the 2 strokes are allowed i dont believe they will take over or even with a championship because the big 4 will continue to run 4 strokes but the rule chance to 2 strokes sure would help alot of privateers that are struggling and could help them even get notices by a bigger team and get a better ride cause of it. everyone has there own opinion and i respect everyones but i dont see in any way how this could harm our sport or make it unfair
Thank you lfoxracer whoever you are. Great footage of Unadilla before it turned into a freeway.
Holeshot!!
i still do not understand why fuel cannot air the whole race live??,,damn we need to split it up through 3 diff channels?,,the cams and trucks are there with the live feed,,does fuel really have anything else goin on besides 08 re-run crap and old kung fu movies???,,oh and replayin the daily habit 15x a day
If you want to see classic Unadilla loam and how rough it was vs. today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2prToIcX2bk&feature=related
It's going to be a thrilla. Tomorrow will be a great race and thats all there is to it. Hannah's #6 helmet is pretty snazzy. 1983 or 1984; I don't know man but it sure was nice living in the west Texas desert back then. All of the riding that a young thrilla could handle.
New Kawasaki bikes. Watch out!! In addition to a better bike, this could mean an psychological advantage. The other brands should have been on this.
I am thinking that Villo could do some major damage in the 450s like a 1,1. Dungey better bring his A game and Reedy needs to get his back together. We all know what the Kawasaki bikes have been doing in the 250 class ....
oh my goodness - contradicting the soilguy with tales of flame throwing indians who like to ride in boats. That joshalessi is out of hand.
Thanks Soilguy for setting us straight on the word "Unadilla." Mathes, Soilguy, you two gentlemen are - the best.
Unadilla - its not a monster that indigenous cultures prayed to. Its a description. I bet that there is not even such a thing as the Hoboken tribe. You guys need to accept that Steve Mathes is a top notch professional.
I Got Stones in my pocket liturally cuz i fell off my dirt bike in cargo pants!
Is Ping working for Larry Brooks?
Hey, Matthes, how do you like the pic's of the Freestone TX, MX track touched up a bit with some computer photo shop work I am sure, in the racerhead post today? You know a few hills here and there, all green in the backround, nice stuff. But the freeway smooth track not only give's it away that it is not Unadilla, as the grass would be as tall as the handgrips on the bikes before practice if it were, and the natural bumps would be more obvious to the naked eye. The prepped track photo's I have just seen on racerhead make the Unadilla I have loved and known all my life, look like nothing it ever was before! get your cookie cutter's out promoters, you now can do this anywhere if you have enough money to buy your own Nat'l race or are in the needed demographic area, near an interstate HWY. However I must say if this is the way it is, I have had a great run in my life with the old unadilla track and I am sure the racing will still be fantastic tomorrow!
All these folks making comments on smooth tracks and the pros not liking rough tracks, whats that make every other country that gets destroyeddddd by our 3 boys every bloodyyy year. Take a cruise on dilla after the race, try to tell me she is smooth
Laker 23 nailed it RE: Let's not kid ourselves with the picture of the man made step up and saying "this is American motocross".. That jump does not belong on the sacred ground we know as Unadilla! Take a look at fox racers you tube from '79. 45+2 on a rougher track than most of today's riders have ever seen. Shame the track is a shadow of it's former self. All dressed up nice for tv, but way too smooth with manmade jumps.
They're billing the Monster Vegas race as a hybrid sx/mx track and that it is something new. Might be new for SX but not for outdoor MX unfortunately but this is what the sport has evolved to....like it or not.
Nothing stays the same. The only constant is change.
My grandma could go fast at unidilla on her flat track bighorn. No wonder RC HATED that place for its freeway easy rider novice layout.
Fred, Down here in New Zealand we changed the rules to allow 250 2st in the same class as the 250f's about 2-3 years ago. A few of the top guys (manufacturer teams) here went and bought big money 250 2st motors etc from Pro Circuit and so on. They, and public opinion thought they were going to clean up.
What actually happened is by the 2nd round (mostly) and the 3rd round, they had all (very embarassingly for them) bailed on the 2 strokes and gone back to 4 strokes.
In actual racing, the 4 stroke (yes with less power and more weight) just KILLS the 2 stroke. At the top level anyway....
So stop fretting, it will all work out. The rider is way more important than the bike anyway....a midfield guy is going to be a midfield guy, a 2 stroke is NOT going to change that short of some strange circumstance.
@Fred as of last yr the 2 stroke 250 can race with 250F's at AMA. Riders just choose not to. Decoster should put Roczen on a KTM250 2 stroke and he may do something in the 250 class. But I will tell you 2 strokes are fun to ride but they mae you so tired. When I ride my RMZ450 for like an hr I feel still fresh where as am tired on my CR250 2 t after one hr. So yeah 4strokes conserve energy and are good for to keep up with competition
ok screw it I'll do an updated MXdN 5 week to go preview. Here's the teams as of 2day France - Frossard MX1, Musquin MX2 and Paulin MX3. Germany - Nagl MX1, Roczen MX2 and Schiffer MX3. England is Searle MX1, Wilson MX2 and Anderson MX3 (why Anstie isn't MX3 I don't know!) Belgium hasn't been announced but my guess is Desalle MX1, van Horebeek MX2 and with Ramon and now de Dyker both on the injury list my guess is they'll call in Kevin Stribos or Roelants for that MX3 spot. Italy have a tough decision to make with Philippaerts deciding to sit out the rest of the year, I think Monticelli will join the team takin the MX2 spot joinin Cairoli (MX1) and Guarneri (MX3). I haven't heard any word on Australia yet but Reed and Metcalf seem obvious picks to me, MX2 however will be the difficult choice but I think my money would be on Matt Moss. Holland have de Reuver, Herlings and again at a guess Herjan Brakke (thats if they decide to race this year!) And of course we all know the the good ole US of A will be sending Dungey, Bagget and RV. So lets recap.. MX1 riders - Dungey, Cairoli, Reed, Desalle, Nagl, Frossard, Searle. MX2 riders should be Roczen, Herlings, Musquin, Wilson, Bagget, van Horebeek. MX3 riders should be Villipoto, Paulin and well thats pretty much it for that class (if RV don't win that class something has gone seriously wrong!). Oh and theres also guys like Rattray, Bobryshev and Goncalves who I'm sure will be there who could suprise some people (especailly Bobby, dude has been killing it lately in the G.P.s). So yer, lol I think thats gonna make for some pretty amazing racing! Bring on the Nations!
emig in his hallman gear carlsbad was a concrete track hard and ruff.....the good old days
dgizzy you can race 250 2 in AMA amature[LL] not AMA pro.crfkiwi I have noticed that 250 2 stroke hasn't caught on like I though it would.My rant was about why the AMA waited for the 2 stroke extinct before doing anything.You take 2 equal pro riders and put one on the 250 two stroke he will turn into the dominate rider.Now if you put the average man on this site on 2 or 4 stroke,250 or 450 it doesn't matter our lap times would be very similar no matter which bike we rode.g.man 776,I have thick skin it doesn't bother me when someone jumps my case.I usually find it funny.When I jump someone's case or call them names on here I'm just messing for fun.That is me and most of my buddies talk to each other.It's really a lot of fun.
Why not let 250 2-strokes run in the 250 class? A 250 is a 250 is a 250... Are the manufacturers and other big teams afraid people will realize the 2-stroke is a far superior race machine, as well as cheaper to maintain?
BTW, I think Zach Osborne should be the MX2 rider on the MXdN team, if his shoulder is ready.
How old is Zach? Cos ya have to be under 23 to race a 250 at the Nations plus won't he be riding for Puerto Rico again? And I just got word that Hearlings will be racing in the open class for Holland and some kid who's been racing in the EMX-2 class this year (the class the kids in europe ride in just before they turn pro) will be racing a 250 for them and goes by the name of Donny (Holeshot???) Bastemijer and Marc De Reuver in MX1 makes for a pretty solid team.. Top 5..? Just maybe.
@ CR500AF That is motocross as I knew it even the local tracks got real rough. The A or expert classses still got at least 20 mnt motos still. At the bigger money outlaw races we got 30nts plus 1 lap.
I wish they would of shown the track before they started practice at that trans-am race.I would of been knee high in grass or weeds.That hill in the flim that is so rough.Thats the hill I was talking about a few weeks ago.Thats the hill that u go up and ten turn right and drop off down into the screw-u turn.Look how rough that hill is. Now it's just smooth like a free way.Plus the hill was steeper then.
@DGIZZY, the main reason why guys are NOT choosing tto race a 250 2-stroke in that class is most already owned a 250 4-stroke .. Most guys cant afford another bike, or they are racing a bike from thier sposer. Your only option to race a 2-stroke is buying a new KTM, or a "new" yamaha 250 2-stroke that is a 6 year old design. My son rode a 250 2-stroke at a local track, and after about an hour of riding and him getting used to the bike, turned a way faster alp time than on the 250 4-stroke he has ridden over a year. Face it, a 250 2-stroke is alot faster, if the guy learns how to ride it. Just most young guys havent raced them, ever. And they dont have much options to buy them now either.
In the '70-'80's there were two tracks that EVERYBODY knew about: Carlsbad in the west and Unadilla in the east. We all know what happened to the home of the 500cc U.S.G.P. and now it looks like the iconic track and traditional home of the 250cc U.S.G.P. has lost some of its luster.
Nobody likes rocks on the track (Mike Larocco being a notable exception), and I've had a finger broken from being roosted with said rocks but, ladies & gentlemen, this is Motocross. If you went to race the 500 U.S.G.P., you brought your best selection of hard track rubber and prepared to melt in the heat, if you raced 'Dilla you brought every piece of gear that had the name "protector" attached to it, dug out the "elephant ears" (or cut up milk jugs in a pinch) and armored your bike like a tank.
I get that things change and you're either in with the new or out with the old but, dang, it just seems like changing the layout (and soul) of an iconic track such as Unadilla just to keep up with the ADD version of what passes for a "modern" Motocross track nowadays is a shame, and I feel like something was lost in the translation.
250 2 stroke vs 250 4 stroke? Somebody with the overall health & growth of the sport in mind (as opposed to the MIC's lobbyists, keeping the status quo, not rocking the boat or lining their own pockets) should legislate them together, spec an acceptable fuel to them both and let the chips fall where they may. This is what's called "letting the cream rise to the top". Artificially engineering an outcome has become the norm with a frightening amount of regularity in many aspects of our lives, it shouldn't be like that in Motocross.
Welker & Fred - before practice that year (1976), the only way you "knew" there was a track was from the wooden stakes and Bel-Ray banners in the midst of tall green field grass.
Then the changes began. In the mid-70s, some of what is now the U2 amateur track was actually used for the Trans-Am track. Lap times were closer to 2:45. Over the years more and more of the track was trimmed to bring down lap times. Then the next step was to "straighten" many of the turns and speeds continued to get higher and higher. Not sure if that was an attempt to bring down lap times or if there was some other purpose in mind.
Then more changes with the back tabletop. While it produces some spectacular jumps, I've never really been a fan because speeds got even higher. I was waiting for the lane markers and reflectors to show up. But instead of doing that , they "flattened" the start straight. What's the point of that??
Yeah, I know, the older I get, the faster I was, but what price "progress"?
Where is Ping?
I have had thirteen 250 2 strokes and had a blast on all of them,but when I rode a 4 stroke 1 lap I put my number on it.After a couple weeks I was 5 sec. a lap faster on a 250f at a local track than my 250 2 stroke. I do think 2 strokes take more skill to ride.4 strokes are more user friendly and make new riders faster sooner.