Hunter Hangs Tough

Hunter Lawrence strikes in Atlanta 250SX Showdown

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 Post: Alex Gobert

Regional points-leaders Craig and Jett Lawrence also on the podium.

Image: Octopi Media.

Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence was the big winner in the first 250SX East/West Showdown of the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross Championship in Atlanta.

Everybody wanted to see a duel between the points-leaders from each region and, in the end, both Christian Craig (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) and Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) were on the podium.

But ahead of them, it was Hunter Lawrence who rose to the occasion and claimed one of the biggest wins of his career – four seconds up on the field as the checkered flag flew.

Up-front early was Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) as he led the opening three laps, then Hunter Lawrence took charge and controlled the remaining laps from there. Craig, meanwhile, was P4 on lap one and made his way into second by lap five, but a mishap on lap nine ended his hopes of truly challenging for victory from that point.

Despite being 15th at the conclusion of the opening lap from a mistake of his own, Jett Lawrence worked his way into podium position with two to go, denying Shimoda a place on the box and that’s how the pair would finish, with top qualifier Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) taking fifth.

Finishing sixth was Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas), followed by Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) after he too went down, RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Mitchell Oldenburg (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MCR Honda) and Pierce Brown (TLD Red Bull GasGas).

The 250SX West standings see Craig lead Hunter Lawrence by 23 points, with Jett Lawrence atop 250SX East by 47 points entering Foxborough next weekend.

Anderson Wins 450

Atlanta sees Anderson back on top in 450SX main event

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 Post: Alex Gobert

Fourth victory of 2022 marks return to form for title challenger.

Image: Octopi Media.

Weather in the area didn’t dampen the return of Monster Energy Supercross to the Atlanta Motor Speedway today, as Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson ended up back on top in another intriguing 450SX main event.

A return to winning form saw Anderson stand on top of the podium for the first time in seven races, marking his fourth win of the season.

It was Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) who took the holeshot and led the opening lap, until top qualifier Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) made his move, almost directly followed by Anderson into position.

Then, Sexton washed the front and went out of the lead, allowing Anderson to slot into P1, while behind him, Barcia was next to fall while in second, which bumped defending champion Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) up on his return until Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) eventually made his move into the runner-up spot.

In the end, Anderson held strong to win, with Tomac second from Sexton, who managed to overcome Webb for the final podium position with a few laps left to run and that’s where they remained.

Fifth came Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), with Barcia recovering to salvage sixth, followed by Justin Brayton (Smartop Bullfrog Spas MCR Honda), Kyle Chisholm (Yamaha), Brandon Hartranft (Twisted Tea Suzuki) and Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM), who crashed early and worked his way forward from the rear of the field.

It’s still Tomac who comfortably leads the championship, 53 points ahead of Anderson with three rounds left to run. Next stop in the series is next Saturday in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Glen Helen ALL NEW MOTOCROSS FOR SOCAL

On Apr 4, 2022 Last updated Apr 5, 2022

“Let’s get together in that fast right hander before the tabletop.” Sean Lipanovich (505), Griffin Dexter (206), Kiwi Josiah Natzke (533) and Josh Mosiman (77). Photo: Debbi Tamietti

PHOTOS BY DEBBI TAMIETTI & DAN ALAMANGOS

This past Saturday, the first “Saturday at the Glen” motocross race was held on what was formerly the REM stomping grounds, but with REM promoters Frank and Myra Thomason retiring, Glen Helen stepped in to fill what would have created a big void in SoCal racing. Many of Glen Helen’s Saturday race crowd had experience dating back to the 1980s when they raced the famous “Saddleback Saturday” races at the long-closed Orange County track.

The transition to a new promoter was not traumatic because Glen Helen stepped in to pick-up the races—and were lucky to keep the same crew that worked for Frank and Myra on board to handle the interaction with the racers. Except for the big sign on the scoring tower that announced Saturday at Glen Helen MX, it was a seamless transition.

Sean Lipanovich (505) took the 450 Pro win with a 1-2. Photo: Jon Ortner

Of course there were changes, but most importantly Glen Helen lowered the gate fee, which had been $30 per bike, to $10 per person. They also dropped the race entry fees from $50 to $30 for riders who pre-entered (and $40 for post entry). Most significantly, Glen Helen owner Dr. Bud Feldkap promised to keep the spirit of the original races alive. This was important to the regular racers because the upper track at Glen Helen, where the “Saturday at the Glen” race will continue to be held, is the last pure motocross tracks left in SoCal.

MXA’s Josh Mosiman brought his GasGas MC 250 to test before the World Two-Stroke Championship in two weeks. He went 3-1 for second overall in the 450 Pros. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Glen Helen did try a few experiments, the biggest one being the idea of a parade lap before each first moto. It didn’t take long to see that the riders didn’t want a parade lap. For the first race of the day only half of the field went out for the parade lap and, in the subsequent motos, more and more riders said, “No,” when told to take a parade lap. Their way of voting was to sit on the starting line and wait for the actual race.

Todd Sibell (829) went 2-3 for third, but fought hard in both 450 Pro motos. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

The track was exciting as it had hard-pack, loam and sand mixed into a layout with big uphills, steep downhills, a safe first turn and enough technical sections to keep everyone on their toes. In the morning the track was muddy out back, but after Pro practice that issue solved itself. Every Glen Helen regular was overjoyed that Glen Helen stepped up to insure the races that they had been going to for 30 years would not disappear or, worse yet, be turned in another track with a jump every 50-feet like most of the SoCal race tracks.

Another MXA guy, Ezra Lewis (830) was fourth in the 450 Pro class. Ezra was another two-stroke rider getting ready for the two-stroke race. Photo: Debbi Tamietti

Best of all, for those of you in Europe, the other 49 states and parts unknown, ace photographers Debbi Tamietti and Dan Alamangos were there to document the first-ever “Saturday at the Glen” motocross. Sit back and enjoy what “Saturday at the Glen” looked like—and maybe make plans to race here in the future.

Legendary Motojournalist Mark Kariya Needs Our Help

Our friend could use some assistance after suffering a heart attack.

By Andrew Oldar

March 31, 2022

Legendary motojournalist, long-time Dirt Rider contributor, and all-around great guy Mark “Kato” Kariya suffered a heart attack yesterday while shooting a bike test in the high desert of Southern California. Mark was held overnight in the hospital, where surgeons put two stents in his heart. If you can help our friend offset some of his medical costs by donating to the GoFundMe link here and help spread the word, we would highly appreciate it. We’re all here for you, Kato!

Legendary motojournalist Mark Kariya suffered a heart attack while shooting photos for a bike test yesterday and could use some help offsetting medical costs. Please donate to his GoFundMe if you can.Dirt Rider Archives

Bill Buffington Stylin At LA OTMX

HARD ENDURO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF TOMORROW!

The 2022 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship gets underway this week with the Minus 400 in Israel. The opening round of an eight-race series, it’s shaping up to be an exciting one as Hard Enduro visits the Dead Sea region for the first time.

With a unique mid-week format, three days of racing await the world’s best Hard Enduro riders over terrain that is unlike anything they’ve raced before. Situated 400 metres below sea level – hence the name Minus 400 – the desert region of the Dead Sea offers a testing mix of dry and dusty terrain, combined with some big climbs, tricky descents, a wealth of natural Hard Enduro obstacles, plus even a little urban action.

MARIO ROMAN WINS MINUS 400 HARD ENDURO

Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman has hit the ground running at the opening round of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, winning the Minus 400. Continually at the front during the first two days of competition in Israel, the Spaniard raced his way to the overall win on the third and final day in the Minus 400 Main Event.

 

Billy Bolt had a good opener, but could not hold off the charge from Sherco’s Roman.

Defending FIM Hard Enduro World Champion Billy Bolt made good his start to the 2022 season with the Husqvarna Factory Racing rider placing second. Coming off the injury bench with a bang, Graham Jarvis brought his own Jarvis Racing Team Husqvarna home in third.

Graham Jarvis is running his own HQV Jarvis Racing team and took the final podium spot at his first race back after knee surgery.

The final key sections would prove decisive in the outcome of the podium. A highly technical boulder garden, made even harder by the furnace-like heat baking the rocks, was where Roman made his move. Taking control of the race lead, he managed to put a gap into his rivals and from there to the finish line was never challenged, claiming a seven-minute margin of victory.

World SX Expands New Team

World Supercross management team expands

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 Post: Troy Guenther

COO and head of televsion and broadcast appointed.

Image: Supplied.

SX Global has announced the expansion of the FIM World Supercross Championship management team, appointing Stephen Rogers as chief operating officer and Nathan Prendergast as head of television and broadcast.

Both Rogers and Prendergast are motorsports and entertainment veterans, bringing over 30 years of experience in executing premier international events.

“In order to build a successful global world championship series, it’s imperative that we have the experience of those who have been there and done it before, and that’s exactly what we have with Steve and Nathan,” explained SX Global president Tony Cochrane.

“Steve brings incredible operational experience and legal expertise in the development, management and licensing of global sports and entertainment entities, and there’s no one on the planet that carries more experience in leading world-class motorsports broadcasts than Nathan.

“We could not be more thrilled to have them on board, as we push toward the first preeminent global championship for the sport of supercross.”

Notably, Rogers has worked with Nitro Circus in the past as head of operations and business affairs, where his legal and operation expertise was pivotal in its continued expansion and diversification.

“I’m delighted to join such an incredibly passionate and experienced team of sports and entertainment executives, each with their own proven track records and impressive backgrounds, but united by the common vision and drive to elevate supercross globally,” stated Rogers.

“I too share in this vision and I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to establish the FIM Supercross World Championship as a leading global motorsport and entertainment property.”

Prendergrast has led production across a range of sporting events, namely the V8 Supercars Championship, AUS-X Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix.

“I’ve lived and breathed motorsports my entire life and to have this opportunity to build a broadcast operation from the ground up, and shape and deliver the viewing experience for the first true global supercross championships series, is nothing short of thrilling for me,” explained Prendergast.

“Having worked with Ryan and Adam [Bailey] on the AUS-X Open for several years, and Tony on the V8 Supercar Championships, there’s a heightened level of comfort and confidence knowing how qualified this entire team is to deliver the successful series we’ve all envisioned and take this sport to the next level.”

The pair join V8 Supercars visionary Tony Cochrane, and supercross veterans Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson on the FIM World Supercross Championship senior leadership team.

The FIM Supercross World Championship will annually take place in the second half of the year, including five events in 2022, from September through November.

2022 will serve as a ‘pilot’ season, allowing the series to establish itself and build momentum. 2023, and subsequent years, will see the series expand annually between June and November

Matthes On Silly Season

Matthes Answers: Silly season opens

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 Post: Troy Guenther

You ask, PulpMX's Steve Matthes answers in monthly column.

In this month’s instalment of Matthes Answers, led by PulpMX’s Steve Matthes, get his take on the current AMA silly season, who’s going where and potential surprise entries for the fast-approaching Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. If you want to send him a question, simply get in touch via the @motoonline socials and we’ll pass on the most timely questions each month.

Image: Octopi Media.

Christian Craig and Rockstar Husky… tell us more and would it be a good fit for him?

I know in talking to Christian he told me he was going to go for a ‘factory’ 450 ride and that despite having the ability to race the 250 class again, it was time for him to move up. Which I agree with, but I have to admit that I was skeptical of his ability to find that factory ride with an OEM. I was thinking that the new entries next year in Triumph and Beta might be a good landing spot for him, but when I ran that by him earlier he said he doesn’t want to be a guy to develop a bike, which I also get. Enter the Husqvarna ride to be teammates with Malcolm Stewart next year on the 450 bike indoors and out… I like it, it’s a good fit, he’s a popular dude and capable of running inside the top five in SX and MX, so it all makes sense. The Husky guys are getting a rider that’s somehow just now in his later years is putting it all together, which is great. They’re getting Craig stock as it’s peaking or near peaking, he’ll be working with Aldon Baker as well down in Clermont and so that’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. Does he take another step forward like a lot of Baker newbies do? Shit, if he does that maybe my top-five ceiling should be raised to a win? Looks like the also-popular Dean Wilson will be out over there after a few years. Dean-O’s certainly had his share of injuries the last few years that have held him back and I would bet he might retire if he can’t get a ride with someone that has good equipment, but we’ll see how his outdoors goes.

With the first 250SX Showdown of the year coming up, what can we expect to play out in Atlanta?

Yeah, I’m excited for this! THE JETT versus ‘The Craig’ should be must-see TV for us in the sport, but here’s the thing, these things rarely play out with the top guys on each coast duking it out. Also, Craig’s got a nice points lead he needs to think about as well. The addition to this race on a speedway track also makes it exciting, right? I’m thinking it’ll be a good one, but I can see Craig just taking it easy out there and protecting what he’s got. If the win is there, he’ll take it, but he can let The Jett take off and who really cares – he’s just got to worry about Hunter Lawrence, really. I will say this, based on past experience of these races, the winner will be someone other than Jett Lawrence or Christian Craig. How’s that for a hot take?

Image: Supplied.

What’s the deal with this PulpMX Privateer Race we’ve heard about for Denver? You’re really getting your own race!?

Yeah, I can’t believe it either! But the guys at Feld have said that yes, I can have my own Pulpmx LCQ Challenge in Denver on Friday afternoon. I’m keeping track of the points accumulated in the 450SX LCQs and the top 17 in points, plus some wildcards get to line up for a six minutes plus one-lap race. All the money raised in the raffle goes to the riders, it should be awesome and I’m stoked. Go to www.pulpmx.com to buy tickets! It should be great to watch, we’ll get some video of it out there as well afterwards, so I’m looking forward to seeing the carnage and it’s awesome they’ve given me my own race. Kind of unbelievable, really.

How did Cooper Webb end up at the Baker’s Factory and is it the answer he’s looking for?

Also in the department of things we didn’t think we’d ever see happen… Both parties were not very stoked with one another by the end of the year and it seemed that Coop wanted some more freedom for his training and riding. He hired Michael Byrne, moved to the 83 Compound and then Supercross 2022 happened, the results weren’t there for Webb (you can debate on whether it was the all-new bike or the switch to the new program) and KTM basically told Webb that he needed to ditch his new program and get back to the old program. He’s also in talks for a new contract, so I’m sure that played a role into his decision to head back there. And KTM looks like geniuses for making Webb make this move because he immediately got better results, but as we know, has yet to get a win. A rather shocking turn of events for everyone I think and we’ll see how it goes from here, although Webb is a bit banged up from getting landed on by Chase Sexton a couple of weeks ago. He’s got five races left to get a win and to not have one in his title defence would make one of the worst ones in the history of the sport.

Do you think we see Jeffrey Herlings and/or Tony Cairoli here for Pro Motocross?

Herlings, I’m not sure. I know Lewis Phillips said he thinks it’s 50/50 on whether Jeffery comes over or not and I guess I’ll go with that. I do think we’ll see Tony Cairoli here for either the season or a few races since he’s always wanted to do that and so I think that happens at some point. I think there’s another bomb to drop here in regards to the 450MX class that I’m trying to nail down and that affects the 84’s decision to come here. Stay tuned, if we have both of those guys over here for the summer it’s going to be amazing.

Herlings injury update and doing AMA motocross?