Eli's Ready!

2022 WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP FLASHBACK

On Dec 31, 2022 Last updated Dec 31, 2022

 

The calm before the storm. The World Vet Championship featured a Friday practice day to help foreign and out-of-state riders get accustomed to Glen Helen’s unique conditions and learn the long track design that featured lap times between three minutes to four minutes depending on the rider’s skill level

THE IDEA: Over 38 years ago Tom White had the idea to host a race dedicated to riders over the age of 30. Think about that for a minute. The first Vet race was almost 40 years ago. To be eligible for that race, you had to be 30 years old. The riders who rode that first race would now be 68 years old. Amazingly, a large number of riders from year one showed up at year 38. 

Originally naming it the White Brothers World Vet Championship (because no other aftermarket company or manufacturer wanted to sponsor an event for old riders), Tom farmed sponsors from the ranks of the brands that the White Brothers distributing company carried. When Tom passed away from cancer in 2017, his daughter Kristin and son-in-law John Anderson tok the reins to sponsor the World Vet Championship through their Dubya USA wheel company.

 

The heavy hitters at Glen Helen were Jeremy McGrath (2) and Mike Brown (3). Both racers are over 50 years old, but both elected to race in the Over-40 Pro class and Over-50 Pasha 125 Pro class. Brown also raced the Over-30 Pro class and the Pasha Over-30 125 Pro class. He was a busy boy.

Check the rest of the story with great pictures at motocrossactionmag.com/2022-world-vet-flashback-time-flies-so-do-the-stars-of-the-past/

MXGP Teaser

Will Suzuki Be Roczen's Answer?

DAKAR 2023 PREVIEW

 

The 45th edition of the Dakar Rally starts tomorrow and Americans have become a serious threat to win. U.S. riders are also likely to have more riders in the top 10 than any other country. Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Mason Klein and Jacob Argubright are the most high profile, but there are a total of 11 Americans this year. Kyle McCoy, Paul Neff, David Pearson, James Pearson and Morrison Hart joined forces on the American Rally Original team. All will compete in the “Original By Motul” class, formerly known as Malle Moto, where the riders receive little to no outside assistance.

The event will be held over 14 stages of racing with competitors covering a total distance of over 8500 kilometers along the way. Around 4700 of those kilometers will be raced against the clock in timed specials and single prologue qualifier. Following the first eight full stages, riders will enjoy a rest day in Riyadh before taking on the final six stages leading to the rally finish at Dammam on January 15.

There are several significant rules changes for 2023. A system of time bonuses is now in place to reward the bikers who “open the road” on each stage. The bonus sections are in place during the first 200km of the timed special stage. It will be possible for a rider to have a total of five minutes deducted from their daily time if they lead the way throughout the opening 200km. It’s a huge prize to aim for, but also comes with a massive amount of risk – with no tracks to follow the chances of getting lost is bound to increase.

For the rest of the story go to www.dirtbikemagazine.com

Marvin Spins Laps On KTM 300...two stroke

Herlings outlines goals for the rest of his Motocross career

Jeffrey Herlings has revealed that he would like to race a few more years in the MXGP World Championship and then end his racing career by racing a year of AMA Nationals. The five time world champion has been linked to racing the AMA Motocross season before but bar a one off race at Ironman he’s not raced a full championship. However, it’s something he’d like to do in his last year as a professional racer.

With Eli Tomac likely to focus on Supercross for the rest of his career, Herlings wouldn’t race him with he’d likely go up against the likes of Chase Sexton and the Lawrence Brothers.

Speaking to Geoff Meyer at MXLarge, Herlings said his ultimate goal is to finish his career racing in America.

“My ultimate goal would be to do a few more seasons here in Europe and then end my career racing a year in America. I would love to finish my career with one year of outdoors. It is a short series, and just one day and I am a big fan of that. It is a pity by then Eli (Tomac) will probably be finished racing, but at the same time there will be some new guys coming in”, Herlings told MXLarge. 

Herlings hasn’t had an easy time with injuries throughout his career missing the entire 2022 season through injury after his impressive 2021 world title but let’s hope he can stay injury free the next couple of years so fans around the world can enjoy the last few years of his career.

The 2023 season will also be Herlings last year on his current Factory KTM contract so he’ll be eager to get that extended to allow him to continue racing with the brand he’s been with his whole career. Being with KTM would also make it easier for him to end his career racing in America like what we saw with Antonio Cairoli this year.

You can read the full interview with Herlings in the link below as he discusses his injuries, progress – he’s now been back on the bike for a month and more.

Source: MXLarge

Image: Ray Archer

Hunter Talks Future with Vitalmx

Team Honda HRC's Hunter Lawrence talks with us about his off-season, cars, how his dad is still so involved in his and his brother's program, and his 450 transition plans.

Old School Style...Rodney Smith

Triumph MX 2024

With the news of Triumph putting together a race team for 2024 to race in the USA, Donnie Southers grabbed Editorial Director Jason Weigandt and Online Content Editor Kellen Brauer to discuss the impact of this news for the sport, the direction Triumph is headed with their entry into racing in the USA, and how impactful some of these new hires can be.