Hangtown..."Girly Mud"

Tomorrow's races at Hangtown will be muddy but will they be really muddy? In the words of our resident moto man #33 " it will be girly muddy"  the real mud race was 1991. He should know he was there. When all the factory stars sat under their giant umbrellas hoping the race would be cancelled the Dirt Diggers asked #33 if he could ride the track. Despite the flowing river through the middle of the track Eric successfully blasted through the mud and water and all thoughts of cancellation were put to rest. What followed was one of the most epic Hangtown races of all time.

If memory serves me well the Old Timers race mentioned in this video was won by local riders Terry Sage with Larry Hartnett a close second. The old guys had hundreds of laps on the Prairie City track and knew how to get around the water proving experience counts.

Gajser Goes 1-1 in Portugal

HRC factory rider Tim Gajser made good of his poor performance in Mantova last week with a perfect 1-1 in Portugal today. The two time World champion scored his 17^th GP victory of his career and closed up the points lead by Antonio Cairoli, who went 2-2 this weekend.

“I am really happy,” Gajser said. “I was enjoying the whole weekend. We had a solid start and then Tony made a mistake, and I won the race. Last weekend we were struggling and didn’t ride well and this week we regrouped and I want to thank my team and all the fans and everyone around me."

"Yes,” Cairoli said. “Not so happy of course, but its part of racing. First moto I stalled my bike and then I was struggling to pass Desalle and I had arm pump and I passed him, but then I made a small mistake and he passed me. I had to work back to second and it isn’t what you expect after Mantova, but Tim was very strong today and I am holding control for the championship."

Desalle in the lead of the second MXGP moto, and then Cairoli, Tonus, Paulin, Lupino, Gajser, Seewer, Lieber, Jonass and Coldenhoff. Gajser nearly down in a while mistake but kept his position.

Been a while since Desalle led a Sunday and he looked sharp in first. After a lap it was Desalle, Cairoli, Tonus, Gajser, Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Jonass, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek 10^th.

Gajser into third place and four Yamahas of Tonus, Seewer, Paulin and Febvre in chase. Simpson 12^th and Searle 13^th.

Gajser moving fast and onto Cairoli for second place. Nice to see Desalle and Cairoli battling again, wasn’t sure we would see this in 2019. Seewer went past Tonus, and Jasikonis up to 16^th place.

Cairoli really pushing the Belgian for the lead and Gajser fighting hard to stay with them. Nice move by Cairoli to take the lead and Gajser also went past into second place. Gajser wants this GP, but at the moment they are equal on points.

Cairoli went down in a corner and dropped back to fourth place. Gajser now looking likely to win the GP. After nine laps it was Gajser, Desalle, Tonus, Cairoli, Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Jonass, Coldenhoff and Lieber 10^th.

After 12 laps Cairoli making no impression on Desalle and Tonus and Gajser was long gone. A nice 10 second lead to the HRC rider on lap 12. Tonus into second and Cairoli also goes past Desalle.

Cairoli into second place, but with a lead of 10 second Gajsers race and GP victory is secure. Gajser wins it from Cairoli and Tonus.

MXGP - GP Classification

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 33 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 29 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 28 p.; 7. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 28 p.; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 22 p.; 11. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 20 p.; 12. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 18 p.; 13. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KAW), 18 p.; 14. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 16 p.; 15. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 12 p.; 16. Benoit Paturel (FRA, KAW), 8 p.; 17. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 6 p.; 18. Tanel Leok (EST, HUS), 6 p.; 19. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 5 p.; 20. Petar Petrov (BUL, KTM), 4 p.; 21. Anton Gole (SWE, YAM), 1 p.; 22. Brian Bogers (NED, HON), 1 p.; 23. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 0 p.; 24. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, YAM), 0 p.; 25. Sandro Peixe (POR, SUZ), 0 p.; 26. Artem Guryev (RUS, HUS), 0 p.; 27. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, YAM), 0 p.; 28. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, YAM), 0 p.; 29. Jeffrey Dewulf (BEL, KTM), 0 p.; 30. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, YAM), 0 p.; 31. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 0 p.; 32. Ander Valentin (ESP, HUS), 0 p.; 

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 285 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 251 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 197 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 175 p.; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 166 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 153 p.; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 137 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 136 p.; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 122 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 120 p.

Garcia Tops A Wet And Wild Trèfle Lozérien AMV Day One

   

 Josep Garcia has performed best on the wet, grassy special tests of the Trèfle Lozérien AMV to claim victory on day one . Photo: Future7Media

At round two of the World Enduro Super Series Spain’s Josep Garcia has performed best on the wet, grassy special tests of the Trèfle Lozérien AMV to claim victory on day one. With heavy rain greeting competitors on the opening day of racing, Garcia secured a 20-second winning margin over Brit Nathan Watson, with Yamaha Outsiders’ Jamie McCanney completing the top three.
After last weekend’s Hard Enduro opener in Portugal, the second stop of the 2019 series saw riders click into Classic Enduro mode. For day one of the Trèfle Lozérien AMV, the 600-plus entry were faced with over 200 kilometres of riding and five timed special tests. After a cold and damp start to the day, the forecasted rain arrived, ensuring a testing wet, muddy and slippery day in the saddle for all.

At the head of the field it was McCanney who led the way after the opening special test with Watson, Jeremy Tarroux and Garcia in tow.

McCanney put in a strong performance on day one for third . Photo: Future7Media

On the second special test Garcia hit his stride. Topping the time sheets, he took over control of the race lead and was never headed. Sweeping the remaining three tests, the Spaniard ended day one with a 20-second lead.

“That was about as good of a day as I could have in these conditions," Garcia said. "Having an early start number this year certainly made a big difference in how I could ride the tests and I felt like I was able to show my real speed. The wet grass was slippery, but I never made any major errors and pretty much stayed on two wheels all day. I’ve a good lead ending today but I know that could change with one mistake tomorrow so there’s no reason to let off the gas just yet.”

 Behind Garcia the battle for the remainder of the top three was close. Showing that consistency pays off, Watson held firm and second, edging out McCanney by less than three seconds. Despite focused on Rally for 2019, Yamaha mounted McCanney showed he’s lost none of the speed that took him to the runner-up position in the 2018 Enduro World Championship, slotting into third. “It’s been a good start to the weekend," Watson enthused. "I got one of the fastest times in the first test and that put me in a good mood for the rest of the day despite the rain and cold. The weather made things hard out there - especially in knowing where there was lots of grip and where there was none. Josep was on a mission today and will take some stopping, but I’m enjoying it and keen to up things for Saturday.”

McCanney syaing, “Yeah I’m happy with the start I made today in what were slippery conditions due to the rain. I was fastest in the first test, but then lost the front end on the second test and had a crash. With the rain starting to fall it was hard to judge the grip levels and I just pushed a bit too hard. It took a few tests to regroup and find my groove again, but third fastest today is good. To be honest, I’ve been out of the Classic Enduro game for nearly eight months racing Rally, so in this company it’s good to see my pace is still strong.”

Less than two seconds behind McCanney, Tarroux - the 2017 event winner - is right in the hunt of things ending day one fourth overall. Yamaha's Julien Gauthier rounded out the top five.

For day two, riders will face yet another gruelling 200-plus kilometre day of riding with four new specials tests before ending with a repeat of today’s fifth test.

Results: WESS Round 2 - Trèfle Lozérien AMV, Day 1
1. Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) 21:45.147
2. Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) 22:05.711 +20.564
3. Jamie McCanney (Yamaha – GB) 22:08.315 +23.168
4. Jeremy Tarroux (Sherco – FRA) 22:10.928 +25.781
5. Julien Gauthier (Yamaha – FRA) 22:14.218 29.071
6. Jeremy Miroir (Sherco – FRA) 22:27.361 +42.214
7. Theo Espinasse (Sherco – FRA) 22:33.546 48.399
8. Emmanuel Albepart (Yamaha – FRA) 22:34.284 +49.137
9. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas – FRA) 22:37.079 +51.932
10. Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) 22:40.582 +55.435

Gajser wins Sensational moto

HRC rider Tim Gajser won a sensational opening MXGP moto in Portugal as the former champion put together his quickest lap of the race on the final lap, just beating Antonio Cairoli by half a second. Third was Arnaud Tonus.

“It was an amazing race. I was second and following Tony and trying to find nice lines and he made a mistake and I passed him and then we both pushed really hard. I am looking forward to the second one.”

Cairoli led from Gajser, Tonus, Desalle, Lupino, Lieber, Searle, Paulin, Jonass and Seewer 10^th. Van Horebeek and Anstie both well back at the back of the pack. Paulin also down and in last position.

Jonass a nice move as he passed Lupino, and Febvre and Coldenhoff move into the top ten. Gajser not letting Cairoli get too far away early on. Lupino dropped to 10^th place as Coldenhoff went 8^th and Febvre 9^th.

After a lap it was Cairoli, Gajser, Seewer and Tonus up front. Van Horebeek and Anstie both flying as they moved into 15^th and 18^th respectively. Seewer nearly down as he is pushing really hard behind Gajser.

After four laps the lead was a second with Cairoli just ahead of Gajser, then Seewer third a couple of seconds further back, followed by Tonus, Lieber, Desalle, Jonass, Febvre, Coldenhoff and Lupino 10^th.

Jasikonis went past Leok and moved up on Searle for 13^th place. Simpson just ahead of them in 12^th place. Van Horebeek also past Leok for 15^th place.

10 laps in and the lead was still just a second, and not a lot happening with Gajser second, Tonus third, then Seewer, Lieber, Desalle, Jonass, Febvre, Coldenhoff, and Lupino.

Gajser into the lead on lap 12 as Cairoli stalled his bike and the HRC rider moved past. Cairoli though will never give up and this race looked like it would go down to the wire.

Gajser and Cairoli both battling hard for the lead and with three laps remaining it was anyones race. Tonus just five second back in third and also riding well. The remaining top ten was Seewer, Lieber, Desalle, Jonass, Coldenhoff, Febvre and Lupino.

Last lap and the two leaders came across lappers and Gajser maybe got the upper hand due to the slower riders. Both right on the limit as they push for the win. Cairoli went for an inside pass but didn’t get it, then tried the outside. Cairoli made a mistake and the win went to Gajser.

Endurofest Flapjack Traffic Jam

Get onboard with Cody Webb on a hell of a hill at Endurofest 2019 – when the route is blocked with riders and rocks what are you gonna do?

Vegas heartbreak adds to Cianciarulo’s outdoor title motivation

This is one lesson in riding enduro up gnarly and rocky hills at the one of the toughest hard enduro on the US West Coast. 

Endurofest 2019 saw Cody Webb dominating the field this past Saturday, May 4 at Reno Tahoe and part of the AMA Nevada Extreme Off-Road Championship was also a qualifier for the Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro. 

The racing was divided into three races, the Baka Hard Enduro, Extreme Moto 1 and Extreme Moto 2. The Baka consisted in a three-mile extreme enduro loop that riders had to go through for two hours while the Extreme Moto 1 and 2 races featured a 1-mile-long course that riders had to tackle for 20 minutes. The Moto 2 race also ran the race course backwards. 

Cody Webb put a stellar ride and went to win every race at the Endurofest. The KTM rider gave no chance to his rivals and pulled out a clear win in all the three races achieving a total of 75 points. After him, Trystan Hart, had a consistent weekend finishing every race runner up to Cody and ended up Endurofest with a second place. Max Gerston made the third spot of the podium his and after stepping on it at every race but one he was third in the points also. 

Top 10 results from Endurofest 2019:

1. Cody Webb 75 points
2. Trystan Hart 66 points
3. Max Gerston 58 points  
4. Ty Tremaine 53 points
5. Dustin McCarthy 49 points
6. Mitch Carvolth 43 points
7. Rich Larsen 39 points
8. James Flynn 37 points
9. Quinn Wentzel 36 points
10. Will Riordan 36 points

Hangtown National - History

As much as many of us here prefer the FIM World motocross championship and see it as the strongest and of course the most historical motocross series in the World, you can't deny, the AMA Nationals is a great series, with a bunch of very good riders and beautifully prepared circuits.

This weekend the opening round of the Lucas Oils AMA Nationals will commence at the history riddled circuit of Hangtown. Here is some information about the grand old lady of American motocross.

Founded in March 1968, the Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club (DDNMC) embarked on a plan to present a motocross competition that would bring top riders to Northern California. As a result, the Hangtown Motocross Classic was born.

The story actually starts in 1967, when a group of local motorcycle enthusiasts met at Marion Pyle's bike shop, the Orangevale Motorcycle Center. They hoped to bring big-time motorcycle racing to the area, and that meeting set the stage for the creation of the DDNMC. From the beginning, the founders-Ed Clark, Carl Cranke, Dave Duarte, Don Fallon, Don Fischer, Bill Groom, Kurt McKimmy, Gene Nunes, Ray Nelson, Bill Onga, Joe Pyle, and Roy Tillus-wanted to stage their own race, and a big one at that!

The first DDNMC race was held at Murray's Ranch outside of Placerville in 1969. The race took its name from the Gold Rush days, when Placerville was known as "Hangtown." With a turnout of about 150 sportsman riders and 30 pros, the event (with its $600 pro purse) set the stage for Hangtown's future. The day ended with Larry Mulock, Gary Bailey, and Dick Mann sharing the winner's podium.

DDNMC has hosted some of the wildest and most successful motorcycle events since the world of motocross came into being. However, the old days at the Placerville sand pit are now long gone, as are the hangovers and all-night parties. Also gone are "Bad" Brad Lackey hopping on the bulldozer to help build the track, the Saturday-night mechanics' races with 250cc Bultaco motors stuffed into minibike frames, and more of the good old days.

All this changed when the race outgrew the sleepy hillsides of Placerville, with its two-lane roads and the old-fashioned thinking of some local residents who didn't like the changes brought by the races (or their thousands of spectators). So in 1979, the Club and the Sacramento County Department of Parks and Recreation put together a permanent facility at the Prairie City OHV Park in Rancho Cordova, near Sacramento. Eventually, the State OHV Department took control of the park and, in conjunction with DDNMC, has provided permanent sprinklers, fencing, restrooms, running water, gazebos, a state-of-the-art announcing tower, and other facilities.

While Hangtown predates the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, a national series was the dream of the founders more than 40 years ago. The DDNMC is proud to own and produce the longest-running motocross national of all, the Hangtown Motocross Classic.

Today, the Hangtown Motocross Classic is big business. Almost three dozen members meet three to four times a month to prepare for the following year's race. Even though the club is comprised of volunteers, the members commit to full-time work assignments to get their jobs done. In addition to the weekly meetings, required rides, and individual work assignments, DDNMC members commit to a three-week period in May to take the Prairie City track from its normal state to one fit for an AMA Pro Motocross National. The club takes "possession" of the track in early May and brings together hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment to transform the track. The result is the continuation of a classic - the Hangtown Motocross Classic - at the only event on the schedule still run by a motorcycle club.

Vegas heartbreak adds to Cianciarulo’s outdoor title motivation

Competition Post: Jeremy Hammer

Kawasaki pilot targeting championship rebound in Pro Motocross.

Popular challenger Adam Cianciarulo says his heartbreak at Las Vegas’ Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship finale has added to his motivation to earn a maiden Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in the 250MX category.

Holding the points lead, the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki ace saw his 250SX West title hopes crushed in Vegas’ main event when he sustained bike damage following a heavy crash, allowing Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Star Racing) to emerge with the crown.

Injuries have prevented Cianciarulo from lining up in the outdoor series since 2017, where he concluded the season with a P3 ranking in the championship standings.

“After Vegas, it was a tough pill to swallow but it makes me even more motivated to go out and be successful during the motocross season,” said Cianciarulo. “This team deserves a championship and I would love to be able to bring that to them. It’s been a while since I’ve lined up for a motocross race, but I couldn’t be more excited about starting fresh.”

This weekend will see the 12-stop championship kick-off at Hangtown in California.

Ferris savouring Pro Motocross opportunity as debut looms

Multi-time Australian champion to make first AMA outdoor start at Hangtown.

Triple Australian motocross champion Dean Ferris is savouring the opportunity to contest the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as his debut in the series looms this weekend at Hangtown.

Ferris, who’ll sport number 103 this season, signed a deal with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing just two weeks ago following an eight-month ordeal in attempting to secure a ride in the American championship.

“I’m really stoked to get this opportunity with Monster Energy Yamaha,” Ferris stated. “It’s been a long eight months trying to secure a deal here in the US since I finished up in Australia – to pull it off is a dream come true.

“It’s also something I’ve been working towards for the last 10 years, to do the AMA outdoors and now it’s finally happening. I’m really looking forward to the whole season and really looking forward this weekend in Hangtown and getting the ball rolling.

“I have to give a huge thank you to everyone who got me to this point and I’ll be working as hard as I can to make everyone proud.”

The popular Queenslander, a former MXGP World Championship regular, previously raced in America during the 2014 supercross season with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, however a wrist injury saw him denied of making a start in Pro Motocross, and instead return to grand prix racing.

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Greatest Show In Town!