Weymouth Beach Race 2018 Seniors

Ironman Steward Baylor Wins final GNCC of 2018

Steward Baylor wins Ironman GNCC final round in Indiana, Ben Kelley clinches XC2 250 Pro National Championship.

The AMSOIL Ironman GNCC brought an end of the 2018 season Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series on Sunday in the woods in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Taking the win at the 24th annual Ironman event was Steward Baylor Jr., his first overall win of the season ahead of Josh Strang and Trevor Bollinger.

XC1 Pro Open class

Ryan Sipes grabbed the early lead and the $250 XC1 Wiseco Holeshot Award but a crash on the first lap dropped him to 11th after lap one – ultimately Sipes would end his day early after pulling off during the second lap. 

It was Trevor Bollinger who held the lead early in the race, battling at the front hopeful to earn his first win. Bollinger would battle with Baylor Jr. throughout the race, while Josh Strang made his way through the pack after starting in sixth. 

As the white flag came out, Strang had his sights set on Bollinger and made the pass stick before the chequered flag flew. With Baylor Jr. taking the win that moved him into third place in the final National Championship points standings.

 

 

Ricky Russell ran second and third for the first part of the race, but on lap four he dropped to fourth which is where he finished. Grant Baylor found himself running third early in the race but would eventually fall back to sixth place before making the pass stick on Layne Michael to reclaim fifth at the flag. 

Michael did not get the start he wanted, running in the seventh for majority of the race, he battled with Pascal Rauchenecker to eventually secure sixth place. Michael would make the move past Rauchenecker when the white flag came out on lap five, securing his sixth place finish with Rauchenecker placing seventh in the XC1 Open Pro class.

Beta USA’s Jordan Ashburn came through in the eighth place position to end the season, while Factory GasGas/FAR’s Andrew Delong and Solid Performance KTM/Fly Racing’s Jesse Groemm rounded out the XC1 Open Pro top ten.

Taku Izumi wins Hidaka Rocks – Japan’s own Erzberg

Prologue onboard with Taku Izumi

Hard enduro “freaks” gathered at Japan’s very own iron mountain for the brand new extreme event, Hidaka Rocks – Taku Izumi wins overall.

MX World

Webb Wins Donner Ski Ranch

Cody Webb Wins West Hare Scramble at Donner Ski Ranch

 

Cody Webb capped off the 2018 AMA KENDA SRT West Hare Scramble Championship with a win at the Donner Ski Ranch – Trystan Hart takes overall championship.

The second annual U.S Army Donner Hare Scramble at the stunning Donner ski ranch in Northern California delivered a “wild” season-ending race at the weekend which saw Cody Webb hot-foot across from Denver EnduroCross to take the win.

It was Brandon Magaan who got the holeshot but was quickly overtaken by FMF KTM rider Webb who went on to take the overall Pro win by nearly five minutes ahead of second place rider, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Dalton Shirey. 

 

 

Championship leader, Trystan Hart, was out with injury meaning the 2018 championship could go to either Factory Beta's Max Gerston, who sat second just 20 points down from Hart or RPM Racing's Dante Oliveira who was third, just four points behind Gerston going in to the final round. 

As the race would play out Oliveira would fight his way from fourth to second place behind Webb only to have bike problems, causing him to DNF the race on the last lap. This would then put Gerston in third place and in possible championship position but he also had mechanical troubles of his own, leaving the championship to Team SRT Husqvarna's Trystan Hart. With the points tallied, Oliveira and Devan Bolin tied on 126 points but Oliveira takes second on tie-break.

On the day Dalton Shirey who reclaimed second place at Donner and Jacob Argubright was able to capitalize for third spot on the podium.

 

WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP IS TWO WEEKS AWAY: ARE YOU READY?

 

The World Vet Motocross Championship celebrates its 34th year at Glen Helen Raceway on November 3-4, but it is really a four-day festival of speed—because there are two days of practice before the weekend races.

There is a big story behind Dubya’s sponsorship of the World Vet Motocross Championship. Tom White, who owned White Brothers back in the day, sponsored the first World Vet in 1984. Tom actually founded the event and sponsored it for the first 26 years. After selling the White Brothers, the new owners gave up the sponsorship of the race, but Tom wanted to keep the race moving forward, so he had his daughter and son-in-law’s company, Dubya USA wheels, become the title sponsor in 2014. And they are for still sponsoring it for 2018 (which is the 31st year of the White family’s involvement — Even though Tom White passed away a year ago).

Here is the schedule of events for the most important Vet race in the world—start making plans now.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1: Thursday will feature an open practice. The cost is $30 per bike. The 2018 Dubya World Vet Motocross Championship wants to give out-of-state and out-of-country riders as many chances as possible to adapt to the track — while riding on Thursday with AMA National Pros and 16-year-old kids. It’s a wild day. Smart World Vet racers skip riding on Thursday and stand back and watch the mayhem. Many long-time World Vet racers skip both Thursday and Friday practices to save themselves for the actual races. Thursday Open Practice: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ($25 per bike).

The Glen Helen National track is always mellowed out for the World Vet, per orders from founder Tom White, but don’t think for a minute that the lack of big doubles makes it an easy track. No one will see the full 2018 World Vet layout until the REM Octobercross the weekend before the big race.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2: Friday offers a special practice, limited to riders who have pre-entered the 2018 Dubya World Vet Championship. This practice costs $30 per bike. On this day the vendors will be setting up shop and the Glen Helen/Troy Lee Museum will be open in the afternoon. Sign-up for the weekend is open from Noon to 5:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3: Saturday, November 3, is essentially a warm-up race to lessen the advantage that Glen Helen locals have. It is no surprise that foreign and out-of-state riders need time to get used to the roughness, elevation and size of Glen Helen—it is a tough track that gets rougher with each lap and each day. Only the Over-40 Pros are racing for a World Vet Championship crown on Saturday, November 4th. Gates open: 5:30 a.m., Practice: 7:00 a.m., Racing: 8:30 a.m., All Classes +25 and up, Feature Purse Race: Over-40 Pro.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4: Sunday, November 4, 2018, is the official World Veteran Motocross Championships day. All the same classes that ran on Saturday will race again on Sunday — only this time it is for all the marbles. The exception is the Over-40 Pro class (who named their Champion on Saturday, but still have a class on Sunday). The big classes on Sunday are the Over-30 Pros and Over-50 Pros. Gates open 5:30 a.m., Practice: 7:00 a.m., Racing: 8:30 a.m..Feature Purse Race: +30 Pro, Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award: 12:30 p.m. (in museum)

SUNDAY AT NOON: THE EDISON DYE MOTOCROSS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: On Sunday at noon the Edison Dye Motocross Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented for the 21st time. Initiated to honor individuals who have made a positive contribution to our sport, the award has been received by Edison Dye, Roger DeCoster, Jeff Ward, Joel Robert, Torsten Hallman, Bruce Brown, Feets Minert, John DeSoto, Lars Larsson and many others. Each inducted rider gets a marker on the Glen Helen Walk of Fame (see Bob Hannah’s below).

Bob Hannah received the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award 11 years ago from World Vet founder Tom White.

Jody Weisel...Lifetime Achievement!

2018 Edison Dye Motocross Achievement Award to Jody Weisel

Motocross ActionEditor Honored

October 18, 2018 By Donn Maeda

   

Bud Feldkamp and Kristin Anderson are excited and proud to announce that the recipient of the 2018 Edison Dye Motocross Lifetime Achievement Award will be none other than long-time moto journalist Jody Weisel!

Jody is one of the true pioneers of American motocross. Originally a road racer back in the 1960's in Texas, he began his moto career by switching to motocross racing to enable him to race on a weekly basis. There just were not enough road races to satisfy his racing needs! He soon discovered he could compete more economically by using his skills as a writer and rider, creating motocross machine evaluations and test reports.

In the early 70s, he was a regular at Cycle News, now earning a living as one of the original "test riders."  In 1976, he went to work at Motocross Action Magazine, and has been there now for over 42 years! In addition to his tenure as probably the longest moto journalist still active, Jody serves as a track designer for Glen Helen Raceway, moto consultant for many industry entities, and a mentor to countless motocross racers over the years.

Jody will be honored during day two, November 4th, of the 34^thannual Dubya World Vet MX Vet Championships with a ceremony beginning around noon. Many of Jody's contemporaries will be interviewed as well as an Early Years of Motocross/Glen Helen produced video highlighting Jody's exemplary career. The ceremony will be held in the Glen Helen Museum, so plan on getting there early for the best seats!

After the presentation, there will be an autograph signing session featuring Jody, Lars Larsson, Chuck Sun, Gary Jones, Doug Dubach, and others from past Edison Dye recipients and Hall of Fame members.

A special, limited edition collectable poster signifying Jody's achievement will be given to the first 100 fans in the autograph line! This all happens at the 34^th Annual Dubya World Vet Motocross Championships at Glen Helen Raceway, November 3rd and 4th! For more information on the Dubya World Vet event, visit glenhelen.com. Congratulations, Jody, for being the next member of the Glen Helen Walk of Fame, and the 2018 recipient of the Edison Dye Motocross Lifetime Achievement Award!

Statement From The Family of Tyler Evans

We recently received this letter from Tyler Evans' sister Candace. Tyler, a former top privateer in supercross, passed away on September 15, 2018.

Below is her letter in full.

Tyler Evans was many things to many people. He was the bad boy of motocross. He was the "bombastic" top privateer. He was loved by some and envied by others. To some of you he was "One Punch", to some he was Tyler or Ty, but to me... he was my heart. He was my baby brother and my tribe. He was a son, a brother, and a father to a daughter that he loved more than mere words ever expressed. My mom, Tyler and me were the three little Indians. Our tribe was small and loyal to each other. We had our own code. No matter what, we always came back together. People saw the giant chip on his shoulder but that chip was only to camouflage his giant heart. He would give the shirt off his back to the guy who was down and out on the street. He lived many lifetimes in his 38 years but the things that really were in his heart were his mom, his sister and his daughter. He lost many "friends" along the way. Losing his father first to a traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle accident, then seeing my dad struggling for years, and finally my dad's passing recently was more than he could navigate in this life. So please, in these times, instead of vilifying people for their private struggles, people should look inward and be compassionate... for you truly never know what battles a person is fighting. For all the public perceptions of him, he was a very private person. He loved hard and with everything he had in him. In the end he battled with himself and ran out of track. He always gravitated to broken people thinking they could mend each other. Our tribe is forever broken. Our shattered hearts can never be repaired. But I know right now... I know we are exactly the broken hearts he would be trying to mend.

Thank you so much,
Candace Evans

Power Off at Alta Motors

Report: Alta Motors Halts Operations

 

A news report surfaced this morning from asphaltandrubber.com stating that Alta Motors has ceased operations, which will potentially allow it time to stay afloat internally while it looks for new investors or a complete sale to another company outright.

The U.S. engineered and manufactured electric dirt bike has been well-received by those who have ridden it, but all start up companies are expensive operations that often take years, or even decades, of investment before they become profitable. A made-in-California electric dirt bike is probably no different.

Racer X checked with some other sources in the industry who believe these rumors to be true.

This doesn't mean Alta is actually done permanently, though. Per the report.

Now with Alta’s business operations shuttered, the company has effectively ended its burn-rate of capital, which allows Alta Motors time to field serious offers of investment and acquisition.

This plan could very well payoff, as Alta Motors was in the midst of a stellar year, showing 50% growth quarter-to-quarter in 2018, with roughly 1,000 units sold to customers this year so far, and a backlog of 300 units or so still to work through.

Harley-Davidson recently pulled out of an investment arrangement with Alta, instead choosing to go on its own with a new facility in the San Francisco/Silicon Valley area, which is also where Alta is based.

From that point forward, Alta Motors has been in talks with other investors, including at least one deal that would have seen Alta Motors acquired outright.

Asphalt & Rubber understands that Alta Motors turned down one offer for acquisition, and was in the process of accepting a second proposal, which also fell through at the “11th hour” for the San Francisco startup.

What's next? Will Alta find new investors and crank back into production? Will it find a new owner. Is this merely a hiccup? Stay tuned.

Kailub Russell Earns Sixth GNCC Championship

Duvall wins in muddy Ohio but Russell bags second for his sixth straight GNCC title at penultimate round in 2018.

St. Clairsville, Ohio Powerline Park hosted its 18th Annual GNCC race at the weekend and saw FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell secure his sixth-consecutive GNCC XC1 National Championship. 

As the green flag fell for round 12 of the 2018 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series Sunday, Kailub Russell got the All Balls Racing Holeshot Award. But a mistake at the FMF PowerPoint cost Russell meant he would come around mid-pack on the first lap gifting Energy Racing/KTM’s Steward Baylor Jr. the lead, followed by KR4/Husqvarna’s Layne Michael in second as they came through timing and scoring after completing lap one.

 

 

As the XC1 Open Pro class made their way on the second lap, the Powerline mudhole jump would prove to be one of the toughest obstacles of the day. Despite a dramatic first corner crash, Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Thad Duvall had made his way from third to first during the second lap, with Baylor Jr. and K. Russell seconds behind him. The top three were ready to push each other for the penultimate round win.

Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Josh Strang was having problems of his own during the second lap, ultimately stopping in his pits for a new rear brake system. Tely Energy Racing/KTM’s Grant Baylor did not get the start he wanted, but was busy working his way back up to the front of the pack hoping to battle for a podium position.

Duvall continued to lead the way at the halfway point, followed by K. Russell both of them stopping for a splash of gas, fresh goggles and hydration. Baylor Jr. would opt out of a pit stop and made the pass for second in pro row. 

 

 

Steward Baylor looking to put the pressure on Duvall at the front instead get caught out by the Powerline mudhole! He made the jump but tipped over in the muddy mess and needed help from the GNCC “mud fleas” to get going again.

Grant Baylor would hold on to the last podium spot with a third, followed by Steward Baylor and Strang rounding out the top five in XC1 Open Pro. JCR/Honda’s Trevor Bollinger battled throughout the race to hold onto a sixth place finish in XC1 and an eighth overall. Ashburn followed Bollinger in seventh, while AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell secured eighth place from 11th on the second lap.

Michael would also face misfortune after running at the front of the pack early on in the race, ultimately finishing in the ninth place position followed by Factory GasGas/FAR’s Andrew Delong rounding out the top 10 in the XC1 Open Pro class. Solid Performance KTM/ Fly Racing’s Jesse Groemm would complete five laps for an 11th place, while Ohio native KR4/Husqvarna’s Cory Buttrick suffered some bad luck only completing three laps.