Luke Clout To Remain In US

Luke Clout To Skip MX Nationals and Continue to Focus on U.S Assault

Author: Aaryn Minerds

 

Australian Luke Clout will continue to focus on the U.S Supercross championship further nto 2020: Photo credit – Michael Antonovich

Luke Clout is waving the Australian flag high on the world stage of Supercross, the young New South Wales rider continues to impress his peers as he moves up the leader board.

Originally looking at racing the opening six rounds of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, a run of great form including a top five main event result at the 5th round of the West Coast 250 championship followed by another impressive sixth place result this weekend at round six, elevating him into 7th position in the championship standings, Clout and his Australian Penrite Honda team have re-evaluated his 2020 plans.

“He is doing a really great job, each week we learn more and we are maintaining our commitment to our end goal,” Yarrive Konsky, director of Penrite Honda Racing commented. “It makes sense to leave Luke in America, he’s getting more comfortable each week on the 250, he is committed to the program here and we hope the momentum will pay off.

"We have a strong local program back in Australia with Brett Metcalfe and Kyle Webster for motocross and will announce our full supercross program in the coming months,” Konsky added.

Luke Clout couldn’t be happier with the opportunity Penrite Honda are providing.

“I am still learning and improving each week." Clout stated. " We were closer to the fastest guys in some areas this week, which is a real positive. I do need to string it all together. It really is another level over here. I am measuring myself against the other Australian’s and the fastest guys in the world and I feel as though we are making serious progress."

“I didn’t know how this would go down. I was originally doing 3 to 4 rounds out of a van. We seriously set up and full professional program in America. Yarrive doesn’t like doing things by halves and he has really given us the greatest opportunity to prove ourselves. To Tony Hinton, Honda Australia, Toby Dymond and Penrite I must say thank you. This is my dream and I believe we will only get better. I will be home later this year to race the Australian supercross championship.” Clout added.

General Manager of Honda Motorcycles, Tony Hinton is pleased Clout will continue to fly the flag for Honda Australia over in the USA.
“Luke’s progressive results have attracted a lot of attention, he’s exciting to watch and we are very pleased he is representing Honda. He is determined to win and that’s what we like to see and encourage in our riders, whether competing in Australia or overseas.” Hinton said.

Suzuki PH president reconnects with local motocross legend after 30 years

More often than not, motoring journalists are always hesitant to start a conversation with Japanese motorcycle company executives during events. We believe the language barrier has got something to do with this, and it happens usually when they are just newly acquainted with us locals.

What many of our fellowmen do not know is that Japanese people are very warm and conversational once the ball starts rolling. But during the recognition day for the 2019 Suzuki Team riders, Suzuki Philippines president Akira Utsumi proved he was the exception. To my surprise, he fired the first shot.

“Do you know Butch Chase?” he asked Moto Sapiens in a low, courteous tone. (Chase is the guy on the left in the photo above.) Honestly, I was initially thinking Utsumi-san’s opening salvo would be about Suzuki Team’s momentous accomplishments in 2019.

“Well, yes. Everyone in the motorcycle community—especially the old ones—know Butch Chase,” I replied. Utsumi’s face brightened up even more. “I heard he’s a very nice guy!” I added.

It turned out that Utsumi and Chase met three decades ago, at the height of motocross racing in the Philippines. Back then, the yellow-colored Suzuki RM motocross machines were lording over the dirt tracks.

Filipinos loved motocross racing in the ’80s so much that dirt tracks were seen in every corner of the country, including Metro Manila. It’s the most attended motorsport, particularly during town fiestas and election periods.

It was in this period when the name ‘Butch Chase’ became legendary. The same goes for Suzuki motorbikes. During that glorious era, Utsumi was assigned as a representative for the Japanese motorcycle maker. It was then that he got the chance to meet with Chase.

Of course, I did not allow Utsumi to do all the talking. He was surprised to know that Butch Chase is a rock star to Pinoy riders. In fact, he was the same guy who whispered to President Duterte that the Republic Act 11235 (Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act) is discriminatory to the 18 million riders here. This prompted Duterte to suspend its implementation until amendments are done to this controversial law.

Being apolitical in nature, Utsumi would not touch the issue with a 10-foot pole.

Rather, he proceeded with his stories about Chase.  The former motocross champ even invited the Japanese exec to his popular bar in Puerto Princesa City named ‘Kinabuchs’, where the two exchanged notes.

Other than taking care of his bar, we know Chase is already in retired. Although we heard that he still does consultancy jobs for motocross events—designing motorcycle race tracks, usually. 

And here’s where my nose for news smells something. Is Suzuki Philippines cooking up something big and off-road-related, where Butch Chase might play a significant role in the near future?

Well, your guess is as good as ours.

Geezer Reunion!

Last week a bunch of old friends met at MMX in Marysville, CA to do a little sand riding and catch up on old times.  Eric McKenna, Mark Kastner, Terry Sage, Larry Hartnet, Mike Harper, Pat Smith, Doug McCaleb, Buck Gerolamy, Bill Evans and several others showed up to get muddy. It was great fun telling lots of old stories with many embellishments. This is an area we all used to ride in before organized track days. There was some real work going on as Bucky from Suspension By Buck was working with Eric #33 to try to get his Yamaha suspension to match Mark's high dollar Ohlins set up. By the end of the day we were all tired and Eric felt Bucky had almost matched the Olins performance for a lot less money. Somertimes it's hard to beat a day at the track with old friends.

DB Talks With ANDREW SHORT AFTER DAKAR

Dirt Bike: How did you get involved with rally?
Andrew Short: I got involved because it looked like a good time, it was different and I love trail riding. I was working for Honda and I wanted to try the Sonora Rally down south. I went there for vacation and learn something new and have an adventure.

DB: How did the Rockstar Husqvarna team come into the picture?
AS: My team manager Pela Renet is a past off-road champion. He rode on a rally team and was injured at the Aatacama rally in Chile. I got in touch with the team and it came together really quickly. The next thing I knew I was off to Morocco. I was at a point where I didn’t know what was next. I’m very thankful that the opportunity arose. Now I get to work with Pala who I replaced.

DB: You won the Rally du Moroc last year. Did that take you by surprise?
AS: I think it took everyone by surprise. It was my third time at that event and I had come a long way. This time I was well prepared. The round before that at Silkway I showed up and had some success. I finished second overall and Moroc is the last race before Dakar and everyone shows up ready to go. For me, I knew I could do well, but to think you can win a rally when you haven’t won one before is optimism. But I rode well and had good navigation and also I had fun.It was a good build-up forDakar and gave me a lot of confidence. 

DB: How do you like the navigation aspect?
AS: That’s half the fun. In MX, you work on your technique, but in rally, that’s just one small part of it. You have to think, be smart and understand many different elements. These are things I really enjoy. Navigation is really tough, but what I really underestimated is learning how to read the desert. That’s something I’m still working on. Motocross and supercross guys wouldn’t understand how hard it is. It’s second nature for kids who grew up in the desert, I have a real appreciation for it now.

DB: How much raw speed do you have in reserve?
AS: I’m at my limit almost all the time. Sometimes you have to have slow down your riding speed to check the roadbook, but your brain is still working at a high rate, so you’re at a level where its 100 percent. Sometimes it’s all about the terrain, but other times it’s half about  riding and half about navigation.

DB: This year, you lost some time in the initial stages. What happened?.
AS: For me, my chances were out the window on day two. I had a blown fork seal and I was riding a little too fast, and I saw the danger ahead and couldn’t get stopped. It was my fault for  not backing it down. It was the Supermarathon phase where you have only 10 minutes to work on your bike at the end of the day. So when I crashed I smashed my towner. The tower is what holds the road book and the instruments. So when I got to the parc ferme, they were not going to let me race any more like that. I could quit or take a penalty to fix my bike. The next day, obviously I took the penalty. I rolled across the start line and I brought parts, which was against the rules, and that’s why I got the penalty. This year it wasn’t my race. 

DB: What happened with Toby Price and his wheel?
AS: On day six I came up on Toby Price who needed a wheel, and my race was already over, so I decided to give him mine. It’s a thing where I hope it comes back around to me. If the tables were turned and I was minutes from the lead and someone had the opportunity to help, I would hope he would do the right thing as well. This is how rally works. I made a quick decision.

DB: After Paulo Goncalves’s accident, could you set that aside and concentrate on the task at hand?
AS: No. It was something I thought about every day after that. Especially because the terrain in the first half was nice and beautiful, and the road book had a nice mix of technical riding. The second week had a lot of fast, sandy valleys that were all off-piste. You’re not on a road just on a compass heading so they can’t mark all the dangers. This is how Paulo got hurt and how the majority of the second week was. It was hard to get that out of my head.  This was a difficult part of the race and makes you think about the risks you’re taking.

DB: Now that you’re a rally veteran, what did you think of Saudi Arabia?
AS: Going in I had a lot of questions. But the race in general was much better than I thought; the terrain was a nice nice mix of sandy, technical riding. I really enjoyed that. The second week I didn’t enjoy as much. What shocked me the most was how many Americans there were, working in the towns and airports, and now friendly the people were. I felt like our country has a lot invested over there. It was much different from what the news conveys. 

Tickle Returning?

Spied: Broc Tickle Testing JGR/Yoshimura Factory Suzuki

28 hours ago | by: Jason Weigandt

While visiting the Joe Gibbs Racing/Yoshimura Factory Suzuki Racing test track in North Carolina this week, Racer X saw Broc Tickle logging laps on the team's RM-Z450. Tickle, the 2011 250SX Western Regional Champion, is slated to return to racing at the Tampa Supercross on February 15. Tickle spent the off-season putting together his own privateer effort on Husqvarnas, with support from AEO Powersports.

JGR and Suzuki are in need of a 450 rider with both Joey Savatgy and Fredrik Noren out with injuries. We've reached out to the team regarding Tickle and they could only confirm that they have been testing with him, but nothing has been signed. Tickle told us he felt comfortable on the Suzuki after spending many years on an RM-Z450 with the RCH Suzuki team. No word from either side on when or if this deal might become official, however.

Tickle last raced at the Seattle Supercross on April 7, 2018. The following week, he was notified by the FIM that he had been provisionally suspended from competition following an adverse finding of 5-methylhexan-2-amine, a specified substance under Section 6 (Stimulants) of the 2018 FIM Prohibited List, in a urine sample collected from him at the San Diego supercross on February 10, 2018. The Red Bull KTM team parted ways with him on May 15, 2018. Tickle then spent a lengthy time in limbo waiting for information on when he would be eligible to return. He was finally notified in May of 2019, more than a year after he was told he failed the test, that his suspension would last two years from the date of his original test. That makes him eligible to return on February 10. The Tampa event on February 15^th is the closest race to that date.

Tickle explained during his suspension that he feels 99% of the comments he has heard from fans has been positive. He could provide a shot in the arm for a team that won’t even compete in the 450 class this weekend in Oakland, California.

Legends and Heroes Tour to Honor Motocross Legend Dave Coupé at the Oakland Supercross

OAKLAND, CA – January 30, 2020 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Where history takes the lead. The Legends and Heroes Tour Traveling Moto Museum is happy to announce that they will again take part in the pit party activation in the Fan Fest activation at round three of the 2020 season in Oakland, Ca. The tour is now in its 11th season of celebrating the sport of supercross and motocross. In addition to their display of vintage machines and memorabilia from local enthusiasts, the tour will honor legendary motocross racer, Dave Coupé, during opening ceremonies.

About Dave Coupé- 

Dave’s love of dirt bikes came at the ripe old age of 7 when his Dad brought home a Honda Z50 on Mother’s Day! The remainder of the year found him riding his “Mother’s Day” gift in the field next to his parents’ house in Yuba City, CA.

In 1969 he moved up to a Honda CT70 and then onto a Honda SL70. He started racing five years later in 1973. In his first race, he finished 2nd behind fellow Legends and Heroes Honoree Donnie Cantaloupe. He was hooked from that point on, and now nearly 50 years later, he continues to compete.

Dave turned Pro in 1976, and he began riding the MX Nationals in 1979 aboard a Suzuki RM125. His first big win as a Pro came in 1980 when he won the ITT President’s GP Cup at Indian Dunes, CA. That win no doubt led to a team ride in 1981 with Maico USA alongside teammates Alan King, Carlos Serrano, and Eric Eaton. That year he traveled the US in a box van with his mechanic Bob May riding the 250 National Series, where he finished 22nd overall and was awarded a National #66 for the 1982 racing season.

Some of Dave’s more memorable accomplishments include 1st in the Nor-Cal Blue Plate Series in 1983; 1st place in the CMC Nor-Cal #1 Plate series in 1992; 3rd overall in the 4-Stroke World Championship at Perris in 1994; and 1st place in the 40+ Pro Class at Mammoth Mountain MX in 2002.

Dave has spent most of his life involved in the motorcycle industry in one way or another. He recently retired after 20 years in outside sales with Parts Unlimited. In 1997 Dave tried his hand at promoting MX races at his favorite track, “E” Street in Marysville, CA. He continued promoting motocross races until 2003.

In September of 2016, Dave was honored to be invited and participate in the Vet Motocross des Nations at Farleigh Castle, England. He raced in the 50+ Pro Class and finished 2nd behind fellow American John Dowd. Dave and John were the only two Americans in the 65 rider field.

Dave has been active in the Vintage MX World for several years and has an impressive collection of over 100 Vintage and Post-Vintage bikes in a showroom at his home in Rio Oso, CA. His hobbies include vintage motorcycle restoration, playing with his new grandson, Rex, and riding one of his many motorcycles one to two times a week at the local tracks in Marysville, CA.

Oakland Track Walk

 MX43 test rider Pat Smith and his riding coach (Theresa) search for the fast line thru the Oakland whoops. Looks like a great day for racing.

 

Oakland...Calm Before the Storm

91 Hangtown...The Mud Race!!

Ed Santin remembers an epic day in Moto history.  1991 Hangtown National.. My first year as DDNMC Competition Director..Look close I'm directing traffic in the top river below oaktree hill.. Only one moto each format National ever. Event was saved by Eric Mckenna and Dave Coupe who when the pros wanted to cancel the event did one lap and showed they could race so the Vet Pro race went off first...

1991 Hangtown National on Vital MX

Penrite Honda continues to build in Oakland as a rider development coach is brought in

 

Mitchell Oldenburg finish a respectable sixth at Oakland. Photo: Michael Antonovich 

The Penrite Honda Racing team continue to build as Mitchell Oldenburg and Luke Clout finished 6th and 10th respectively in round 4 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship at Glendale, Arizona.

Although a top ten finish for both riders is respectable team's director Yarrive Konsky is not content with as he knows both riders are capable of more.

"There are many positives we can take from the first 4 rounds, both riders have had decent starts and they have both shown great promise, however we need to improve a little bit in most areas, and we have a plan to do that" said Konsky.

This is the team's first year racing in America and each race provides them with an opportunity to learn, assess and progress.

"We are competing against teams that are better prepared, we are using each and every round for testing and we are learning so much. The data we collect helps the riders, engineers and management. We are confident we will continue to improve" said Konsky.

One of the team's plans was to hire a rider development coach and they have. Buddy Antunez is no stranger to coaching. He has had great success with Eli Tomac, Weston Pieck and Justin Brayton. Buddy retired from racing in 2004 after winning 5 Arenacross Championships, and achieving 2nd and 3rd outright in the AMA Supercross Championship. Buddy is excited to be involved and believes in the team's potential.

"You need to consider how quickly this has come together. The team has already achieved two top three heat race finishes and six top 10 overalls. There is some real potential in both rider's, and I am excited to get to work" said Antunez.

The team now moves to 8th and 9th in the championship standings. Mitchell moved to 8th following his 6th place finish in round 4 and isn't satisfied, but understands it's a process.
"I got bad starts tonight and it hurt my overall chances. We have a lot of work ahead of us, I am still not 100% following my crash at A1 but I am feeling stronger and I can't wait to throw everything I have at it. I am excited to work with Buddy" said Oldenburg.

 

Despite breaking a toe on press day, Luke Clout still managed 10th and is now 9th in thee championship standings. Photo: Michael Antonovich

Luke Clout got better throughout the night. This is his third top 10 overall in a row and he now move's to 9th in the championship. The team are impressed with his gutsy ride as he broke his toe on Friday during the press call.

"I am bummed I crashed on Friday and broke my toe. My foot was extremely sore, I can't say it affected my riding but I was conscious of it. Another top 10 is good but I am not happy with these overalls. I know what I need to work on and I will continue to push forward, having Buddy will make a difference and everyone on team is working towards a common goal and I appreciate them"

Please note - SK Designs is donating $50 from each set of graphics / seat cover set sold this week to the bush fire charities and each complete kit comes with a cap.

The team will now focus on round 5, which is this coming weekend in Oakland.