Jay Wilson Wins Again In All-Japanese Motocross Championship

Jay Wilson took three race wins from three starts and continuing his impressive form

Jay Wilson has racked up his sixth race win of the 2023 season and dominating round two of the All-Japanese Motocross Championship at the Tokyo Off Road Village circuit.

After dominating round one and his first event in the IA1 (450cc) class, Wilson kept the momentum going at round two taking another three race wins from three starts and continuing his impressive form.

The only blemish in a near perfect weekend from Wilson was when he shot off the track on the opening lap of race two after misreading the grip levels due to some rain and watering. He re-entered the track back in fifth place and worked his way to the front before the halfway stage.

Jay Wilson in Tokyo.

Wilson has extended his lead in the championship after two rounds but is determined to keep the gas on as the rounds unfold in the future.

“Another great weekend for myself and the team with a Yamaha 1-2 in the IA2 class. My starts were good today and this track reminds me a lot of Moree back at home as the soil is similar and there are plenty of jumps here as well, so I felt right at home,” Wilson said.

“It was awesome to get another win and keep the results coming. The new YZ450F is so good to ride and is so adaptable to so many tracks. We barely changed a thing since round one and it worked well all weekend,” Wilson concluded.

Round three of the championship moves to Miyagi on June 4.

Mystery Man?

Who Is This Masked Man?

Well it didn't take long to unmask our mystery man. Pat Smith nailed it, that's John Volk on his vintage YZ.

Next wave of talent announced for 2023 World Supercross series

"Be interesting to see what this series brings to the sport. Is it the Triple A of Supercross or a legimate top shelf series? Certainly a way to extend some careers that appeared over. I think it will be good for the sport."

MX43

The 2023 FIM World Supercross Championship has continued to expand its global contingent of star athletes, announcing Colt Nichols, Justin Brayton, Vince Friese, Enzo Lopes, Chris Blose, and Kyle Peters, who have all been added to the six-round championship season.

With global sensation Ken Roczen recently announcing his return to WSX competition, SX Global CEO Adam Bailey said Roczen’s commitment and the growing list of international stars add further anticipation and excitement for fans attending this year’s events around the world.

“We’re building the World Supercross Championship for the fans first and foremost, and they are our motivation. There’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing their enjoyment when they experience WSX racing for the first time and get to see their heroes in action first-hand.

“You can feel the energy building for the season opener in Birmingham. If you’re a hardcore supercross fan or just looking to experience the most entertaining motorsport on the planet, you have to be at Villa Park on the first of July.”

“It’s fantastic to see so many of the top riders from 2022 returning and new faces joining WSX for our first official season. It’s been an enormous amount of work, but the increased depth of talent in 2023 proves we’re building a product that the world’s best athletes want to win, and I’m proud of that,” said Bailey.

2021 AMA 250SX East Region Champion Nichols makes the move to the World Supercross Championship for the first time. He joins Rick Ware Racing and is eager to test his mettle against the best riders in the world after a breakout season in the US domestic championship.

Henry Miller returns to Rick Ware Racing for a second season of international competition alongside defending SX2 World Champion Shane McElrath.

Debuting for the Honda NILS team is 2022 SX2 3^rd place getter Chris Blose. Blose will be joined by World Supercross Championship newcomer and four-time AMA Arenacross Champion Kyle Peters, who will also compete in the SX2 class for Honda NILS.

MotoConcepts’ mainstay Vince Friese, who finished 3^rd on the podium in the WSX class in 2022 after a controversial finish, will be joined by seasoned AMA 250cc and 450cc winner Cole Seely, who is stepping up to the premier WSX class.

In SX2, Mitchell Oldenburg also returns to the MotoConcepts squad alongside veteran racer Michael Alessi, who will make his return to supercross competition.

The Yarrive Konsky-led Fire Power Honda team further strengthens its competitive lineup with international supercross specialist and AMA 450cc race winner Justin Brayton joining teammates Max Anstie and Dean Wilson.

Justin Brayton has experienced great success under Konsky’s management in the Australian and AMA Supercross Championships. He moves across to Konsky’s WSX team to compete on the Fire Power Honda-built Honda CRF450R.

Having had a breakout season in this year’s AMA Supercross 250cc West Coast Championship, Enzo Lopes will give the Brazilian fans a reason to cheer. He’s returning to the Club MX FXR team and competing in the SX2 class.

Canadian Cole Thompson will join Lopes in SX2, while Matt Moss (making a recent switch from MDK Motorsports) and Luke Neese will represent the team in the WSX class.

The MDK Motorsports squad will see former AMA 250cc East Coast Champion and fan favourite Justin Bogle return to the team to contest the SX2 class and welcome newcomer Cade Clason, who will race in the WSX class.

Tickets for the 2023 FIM World Supercross Championship season-opening rounds are on sale now. Visit the WSX Championship website to find out more.

Tim Gajser On The Mend

Team HRC superstar and reigning MXGP champion, Tim Gajser, has provided an update on his condition, with him excitingly stating that he’ll be back on the bike soon. Having been in full recovery mode since his devastating broken femur at Trentino in an Italian International Championship pre-season race in February, it’ll be great to see him back on the gate even if that still appears a little way off.

“Obviously I really want to be racing now and I’m really missing going to the GPs and seeing everyone and being behind the gate, but at the same time, I don’t want to rush back too early and start competing when I’m not 100% fit,” he insisted on the HRC website.

“I’m close to getting back on the bike and riding, and I’m really looking forward to that as it’s something I’ve done ever since I was a kid and it’s a massive part of my life so to be three months without it is really difficult. Once I’m riding, it’ll be much easier to gauge how I’m doing and from there, I’ll have a better idea of my return and when I’ll next be at an MXGP event but I definitely appreciate all the support I’ve received and I hope to see everyone at the races soon.”

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Nichols ends HRC deal as 450SX rookie of the year

Future plans yet to be confirmed for former 250SX champion.

Image: Octopi Media.

The time of Colt Nichols at Team Honda HRC officially came to an end following Salt Lake City in what what a Supercross-only deal, claiming 450SX rookie of the year honors despite having to sit out the final round.

Former 250SX East champion Nichols finished 14th in the 450SX standings after missing a total of five rounds throughout the series, including the Monster Energy Supercross finals.

“Well, I’m pretty bummed to not be racing tonight, but this was a cool little surprise,” Nichols said on Saturday. “I am all good, just tweaked my knee up a little last weekend on the crash and we decided not to risk damaging it more.

“Pretty cool to win rookie of the year and super thankful for the opportunity to race for Team Honda HRC. This team has been nothing short of top tier – we’ve had some ups and downs as expected, but we all kept working and I’m proud of that!”

Nichols finished inside the top 10 in five races, including a 450SX career-best coming at round 15 in Nashville, where the Honda rider finished fourth in the main event, only 4.618 seconds behind third-place finisher Ken Roczen (Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki).

With the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship set to commence on 27 May at Fox Raceway, Jett Lawrence will step up to the premier class at Team Honda HRC to pair with 450SX champion Chase Sexton, while Nichols is tipped to be heading to World Supercross in the second half of the year.

Dunlop Proving Grounds

Walkthrough of Dunlop Proving Grounds Test Facility

Racer X test guru Kris Keefer recently headed to Alabama to check out the Dunlop Proving Grounds Test Facility. Tour the facility and see behind the scenes what Dunlop has been up to lately with developing new tire models as well as fine tuning their current lineup. Keefer also catches up with former pro Jesse Wentland who is now the lead tester for Dunlop at the facility.

Speedway Polish GP

Fredrik Lindgren Storms To Speedway GP Of Poland Win Ahead Of Jack Holder

Fredrik Lindgren greets the chequered flag first at the FIM Speedway GP of Poland. Photo: SpeedwayGP

Swedish star Fredrik Lindgren admitted “I am just grateful to be healthy again” after storming to a “very emotional” Orlen FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw win on Saturday.

The world No.4 won his first Speedway GP since 2020 FIM Gorzow Speedway GP round four after triumphing in a restarted final ahead of Aussie racer Jack Holder in second and Zmarzlik in third, with Aussie star Jason Doyle disqualified after crashing as he dueled with Zmarzlik in the first staging of the race.

Lindgren also topped the podium in the 2017 Warsaw event and has now reached the rostrum on an incredible five straight visits to PGE Narodowy.

The victory in front of almost 45,000 fans comes as a real boost to a rider who has endured a huge battle with the effects of long Covid, suffered since he was first infected with the virus in March 2020 and again the following winter. After enduring breathing difficulties and other symptoms which impacted his training, Lindgren was elated to celebrate his sixth Speedway GP win.

“I am just grateful to be healthy again. I don’t think many people understand how hard I have had it for the last three years – only my nearest family and mechanics,” Lindgren said.

“The win feels great. I am very happy. It’s very emotional to win a GP; I haven’t done it for a long time. This is my sixth GP win tonight. I’ve had a fair few attempts, so it doesn’t come easy.

“My wife also came here with my daughter and our friends and family. I haven’t seen my daughter, Millie-Li, too much since February, apart from a couple of days now and then, so it was great to see her this weekend to have her and her Mummy here as well.”

Lindgren is now level on 36 points with Zmarzlik at the top of the Speedway GP standings, with the Pole placed higher only by virtue of his superior FIM ranking. The pair continue their battle at the Prague FIM Speedway GP of the Czech Republic on June 3.

While he’s keen to enjoy another golden moment in Warsaw before thinking about the next test, Lindgren pledged: “I am just going to give everything I have. That’s what I did today, and I was rewarded with a win, and I am very glad about that.”

Runner-up Holder reached his first-ever Speedway GP final and came within a lap of his first victory after taking a commanding lead in the first run of the final. The race was rerun following Doyle’s fall, denying Holder the top spot, but he said: “I am just stoked to be in the final.

“A dream nearly came true. I was in front, but that’s just speedway. How many times has a person been in front and then missed the start in the re-run? I am over the moon really. I have made some big steps in the right direction and had a good start to the season compared to last year. I am just really happy.”

Third-placed Zmarzlik admits he thrived on the energy of a partisan Warsaw crowd, especially after starting the night with a disqualification and then a third place in his second outing.

Having ended his wait for his first Warsaw final appearance, Zmarzlik said: “I am so happy that I have made this final today at the GP in Warsaw. I can say this adds some good points to the championship standings. After that start of mine today, I can say I am pretty happy to be on the podium.

“After my first two heats, my only thought was ‘okay, this is Warsaw. Keep calm.’ I did my best and I am very glad to have reached the final. I can say that all the fans were absolutely amazing today. I could feel their energy through the whole event.”

Big Money But Who Will Be on the Line to Start Season?

Manufacturers to Provide More Than $9 Million in Contingency for 2023 Season

OEM Contributions Strengthen Historic Purse Structure for Inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship Season

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – MX Sports Pro Racing has announced the invaluable financial contribution from the seven competing manufacturers contesting the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, as GASGAS, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, and Yamaha have combined to provide $9,483,725 in contingency for racers this summer. These resources further strengthen the historic level of financial commitment from the OEM’s and organizers for the inaugural season of the SuperMotocross World Championship, which boasts a historic purse structure across the respective seasons of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, the Pro Motocross Championship, and the first-ever SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs and Final.

“Without the unwavering commitment and invaluable investment of the seven manufacturers that help comprise the competitive foundation of the Pro Motocross Championship, our sport would not be in a position to enjoy the success and prominence it does as the preeminent global competition for off-road motorcycle racing,” said Roy Janson, Commissioner of Motocross, MX Sports Pro Racing. “This year signifies the beginning of a new era for Supercross and Pro Motocross with the establishment of the SuperMotocross World Championship, which has allowed organizers and manufacturers to come together and provide more financial resources than ever before for the very racers who lay it all on the line each and every time the gate drops. These athletes stand alone in the sporting world, both in fitness and skill, and the strengthening of purse money and contingency will remain paramount in the effort to showcase the finest motocross talent the world has to offer on the sport’s biggest stage.”

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Seven different manufacturers will contest the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship.Align Media

The seven manufacturers that will fill the starting gates for the 2023 season represent the impressive global footprint of American motocross, with representation from four different countries in Austria, Japan, Spain, and Sweden. Additionally, the impending addition of England’s decorated Triumph Motorcycles next year will serve to strengthen this presence even more with a record number of OEM’s in competition. The diverse collection of manufacturers is complemented by an even more widespread collection of international racers that represent upwards of 20 different countries. All told, this unique competitive assortment makes the Pro Motocross Championship one of the most globally diverse motorsports series on the planet, featuring world-class athletes from multiple countries all around the world.

The 2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by AMA Pro Racing, will commence on Saturday, May 27, from Southern California’s Fox Raceway. The 11-round campaign will travel to 10 different states, with visits to iconic venues like Hangtown, Thunder Valley Motocross Park, High Point Raceway, RedBud MX, The Wick 338, Spring Creek MX Park, Washougal MX Park, Unadilla MX, Budds Creek Motocross Park, and Ironman Raceway.

Husky & Stewart Extend Contract

Husqvarna extends Stewart contract for another two seasons

Set to continue in SMX championship through 2024 and 2025 on return.

Image: Octopi Media

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and Malcolm Stewart will continue together for a further two seasons through 2024 and 2025, the contract extension confirmed this morning.

Stewart, 30, will contest both Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross as part of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX). He finished third in his inaugural 450SX campaign with the brand last year.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Malcolm sign for two more years,” commented Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team manager. “It was clear to us before Malcolm’s injury that he was ready to win races and compete for the championship in 2023.

“Malcolm is not only a fan favorite, but also a pleasure to have as a part of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team, and we strongly believe that Malcolm will return to racing and be better than ever.”

In continuing to build upon that form earlier this year, Stewart displayed race-winning speed in the opening rounds of the new season – including leading laps at Anaheim 1 and then qualifying fastest and winning his heat race in San Diego – before he was unfortunately sidelined in late January and underwent knee surgery.

Stewart has since continued to go above and beyond with his rehab program, determined to reach 100 percent before getting back on the bike and making his competitive return, fully supported by the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team in his recovery.