Homegrown Worth Another Look!

"Growing up, I wasn't the most talented… I wasn't on the best bikes"

Ryan Dungey

Barry Nobles: My 9 To 5 (X-Games Boise, Idaho)

Rusty Butcher, Barry Nobles and friends stopped in Boise for the X-Games Flat Track qualifier in June, but made a quick pit stop at the FLY Racing headquarters to rip our track with some heavy bikes.

Sturgis offers new MX Class!

Motocross rider enters new class

• By Jason Gross Black Hills Pioneer

STURGIS — Motocross fans are familiar with classifications such as 65, 125, 250, and 450. However, few may have heard of the Workingman class.

James Pinckard was one of those racing in that class Sunday at the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club grounds at Sturgis. “This is my first time riding that class,” the 54-year-old from Decatur, Ill., said. 

“I think it’s just a class for people that have to go to work on Monday,” Pinckard added. He said the class is more fun than it is competitive.

He uses a Suzuki 450 for racing. It is a factory bike that has some modifications.

“I just want to have some fun and finish the race as good as I can do, and be able to drive home all the way to Illinois,” he said. 

Pinckard is a 30-year motocross veteran. He lived in Kansas City at the time and saw newspaper coverage for a race. 

“That just sparked my interest,” he recalled. “Of course, everybody’s interest back then was Evel Knievel. It just kind of put fuel to the fire, and it never went away.”

The sense of family in the motocross community provides Pinckard with some of his fondest memories.

“It’s a great family sport,” Pinckard said. “My son raced, and my grandsons are going to race.”

Travel, different tracks, successes, and defeats are also fondly remembered.

Pinckard earned some track championships during his career and competed in a pro race. He said he was able to meet every racing goal he had.

“The industry is a pretty close-knit group,” Pinckard said. “We’re from Illinois, so we come out here, and it seems like you’re still kind of home. Everybody’s friendly, and you get to ride different tracks.”

He is not sure whether to classify motocross as a love or an addiction. However, that feeling has been present ever since he began.

Having time to stay physically fit gives Pinckard the biggest challenge. The different tracks are also challenging, with his not being as fond of jumps as he once was.

“The reason you started was the fun of riding a dirt bike,” he said. “If you never lose focus of the fact that it’s fun to ride for all ages, you’ll never have a bad day at the track.”

This is Pinckard’s first trip to Sturgis. A friend who was here last year convinced Pinckard to come out in 2018.

Other plans for this week include street bike riding, seeing the flat track races, and other types of racing. The group also plans to hang out and have fun.

Pinckard said the Jackpine Gypsies offers different races and events that riders can try. He cited hillclimb, vertacross, flat track, and dirt drags.

Family plays a role in determining how much longer Pinckard will race. He has two grandsons, and one is a 3-year-old who just started to ride.

“My goal is to have my son, myself, and my grandson all race on the same day,” Pinckard said. “I think I’m good after that.”

Dean Ferris and Yamaha make it a MX Nationals Threepeat

 

Dean Ferris successfully defended his number 1 plate to make it 3 championships in a row. Photo: Supplied

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team star, Dean Ferris, has made it three MX Nationals championships in a row after claiming his third crown in the premier MX1 class, in dominating fashion, at round nine of the championship in Gladstone.

The Ferris- CDR Yamaha partnership has proven to be almost unbeatable since Ferris returned from Europe at the end of the 2015 season and has dominated the domestic motocross scene, no more evident than on the weekend when Ferris put together the perfect weekend to stamp his authority on the championship and claim it with one round to spare.

Holding over a 100 point lead coming into round nine, Ferris could be excused for putting things into ‘championship mode’ and just riding around to get the job done, but that is not in the 28 year old’s DNA.

For the first time in several rounds, he won the Superpole event with the fastest qualifying lap and a strong performance was all that was required to keep the number 1 firmly bolted to his YZ450F. But he exploded from the gates in race one, demanded the lead to take control of the race and despite being kept honest by Brett Metcalfe, he won the race and raised his arm in victory as the championship was secure in his possession once again.

But after some short celebrations with the team, racer mode was again selected for race two and Ferris was back on the job and laying it on the line taking a wire to wire win and making it nine row victories in a row and one of the most commanding championship surges Australian motocross as seen.

 

Dean Ferris celebrates with his partner Renae and daughter after claiming the 2018 MX1 championship. Photo: Supplied

“As I said earlier in the week, my plan was to just keep doing things as I had been doing them and nothing really changed despite the fact there was a championship on the line,” Ferris said calmly at the conclusion of racing. “Maybe the biggest thing for me today was that I actually won Superpole, as I have been pretty ordinary in those things this year, so it was good to get a good lap in and get a little boost going into the first moto.

“But overall, this year has been a dream for me and It’s been awesome to work with some great people and companies that support me. It’s also good to have plenty of friends and family who made the trip up from Kyogle to be here for me means a lot.

“My partner Renae has to put up with a lot as I can get pretty intense at times and she does a great job looking after our little family. I love that she is a part of my life.

“The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team are the best in the business and everyone works so hard and are so determined to succeed that it motivates me to work with them. Thank you to everyone on the team and are loyal sponsors who also provide us with what we need.

“Now, with the championship out of the way, I’m looking forward to going to Coolum and just enjoying the weekend. My first championship in 2016 was all pressure with three of us going for the win and last year also had plenty riding on it, so to roll in this year with the pressure off and just for the love of racing is good. I can’t wait!”

Ferris threepeat now makes that eight MX1 Championships for the powerhouse CDR Yamaha team in an 11-year period. Jay Marmont, Josh Coppins and now Dean Ferris have all played a huge part in the dynasty the Yamaha team has produced over the years’ but the success is never taken for granted by team owner, Craig Dack.

“I have had the pleasure to work with some true professionals of the sport over my time in the past 27 years and Dean is rated right up there with the best of them,” Dack explained. “He is a pleasure to work with and has become a great role model and ambassador for not just Yamaha, but for our sport and I hope that plenty of the young riders starting out in the sport want to be like Dean Ferris.

“Three years in a row is special for the team and eight in eleven is also a great reward. It also shows the commitment my staff and our team sponsors have in meeting and striving for our goals. Our success is due to many factors but none more than the relationship we have with Yamaha and their continued supported is the key to our success. The Yamaha product is the best on the market and the working relationship between Yamaha and CDR continues to flourish.

“Thank you to all our other partners, many have been with us for over two decades. Dunlop. Fox, Pro Circuit have been there since day one and this year we were joined by Monster Energy and Go Pro who have both become integral to our program.

“Winning this championship means every bit as much to me as winning our first one and I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve,” Dack concluded.

On hand to witness Ferris and CDR Yamaha winning their third consecutive championship was Yamaha’s Motorsport Manager, Ray Howard, who expressed his thanks on behalf of Yamaha Motor Australia.

“We congratulate Dean, Craig and his entire CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team on another job well done. Winning one championship is difficult enough but to maintain the level of performance they have been able to achieve over the last decade is amazing and Yamaha are proud to play our part.

“Well done to Dean, Renae, his family and supporters on a fantastic season and the way he as conducted himself throughout the year. He thoroughly deserves all the success that comes his way,” Howard ends.

Amongst all the championship commotion, teammate Dylan long has moved to fourth place in the championship with just one round remaining. Long was ultra-consistent at Gladstone taking 5-5 results in the two races and now is in a three-way battle for fourth place in the championship.

“The track was tough today with the deep ruts and hard pack clay and I didn’t really feel 100% out there but I was able to keep things moving along and pick up a couple of top five results. It obviously wasn’t as good as the last round where I was on the podium but to finish fifth when things were going great isn’t too bad.

“Coolum is a bit of a favourite track of mine so I’m really looking forward to next weekend and positive to finish the motocross season of strongly,” Long said.

The 10th and final round of the championship will be at the Coolum Pines circuit this weekend with action on track both days.

 

The 2018 MX Champion. Photo: Supplied

MX1 Championshp Standings After Round Nine
1st Dean Ferris – 629 (Yamaha YZ450F) Champion!
2nd Mitch Evans – 507
3rd Luke Clout – 498
4th Dylan Long – 454
5th Brett Metcalfe – 454
6th Caleb Ward – 444
7th Rhys Carter – 417
8th Joel Wightman – 337
9th Kade Mosig – 321
10th Zak Small - 311

Herlings Stomps Lommel

 Herlings Goes 1 - 1

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings, despite crashing in both motos today, has again gone 1-1 and won his 11^th Grand Prix of the season and his 79^th GP victory of his career. The Dutchman was in total control all weekend in the deep, dark sand of Lommel, and on most occasions was probably riding 70% from his limit.

“We kept going and last lap I tried to pass my friend," Herlings said. "I tipped over, but still a 30 second win and happy with my day. Two good starts and the bike was perfect. Also the guys at WP suspension did a great job and I look forward to Switzerland now.”

Second overall was Antonio Cairoli with 2-2 results and third was Max Anstie with 4-4 results. The points lead by Herlings in the MXGP standings is now 33 points with five rounds go to.

Coldenhoff led the second MXGP moto early from Anstie, Herlings, Gajser, Cairoli, Seewer, Febvre, Guillod, Desalle and Bobryshev 10^th. Herlings into the lead after half a lap, and Cairoli went past Gajser.

Cairoli flying as he passed Anstie and went after Coldenhoff, and Febvre passed Gajser. Herlings is riding three seconds a lap quicker than his competition and even Cairoli in second is looking average, some 13 seconds back after four laps.

Febvre goes down, and drops back to sixth place, and after five laps its Herlings, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Anstie Gajser, Febvre, Seewer, Desalle, Bobryshev and Simpson.

Anstie closed in on Coldenhoff for third place, and after nine laps its Herlings with a 17 second lead to Cairoli, then Anstie in third, Coldenhoff, Febvre, Gajser, Seewer, Desalle, Bobryshev, and Van Horebeek 10^th.

Coldenhoff repassed Anstie and Febvre also joined the battle for third place. After 11 laps it was Herlings, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Anstie, Febvre, Seewer, Gajser, Desalle, Van Horebeek, and Bobryshev 10^th.

Herlings down in the final lap and struggling to get up, but Herlings wins it from Cairoli and Coldenhoff. Herlings lapped up to ninth place, and nearly passing Desalle in 8th.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 35:34.847; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:33.050; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:47.722; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:54.030; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +1:15.523; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:35.515; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +1:44.319; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +2:13.053; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), -1 lap(s); 11. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 12. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 13. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 14. Graeme Irwin (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 15. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 16. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), -1 lap(s); 17. Jeffrey Dewulf (BEL, KTM), -1 lap(s); 18. Harri Kullas (EST, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 19. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 20. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), -1 lap(s); 21. Todd Waters (AUS, Honda), -1 lap(s); 22. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), -1 lap(s); 23. Petar Petrov (BUL, Honda), -1 lap(s); 24. Lars van Berkel (NED, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 25. Matiss Karro (LAT, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 26. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), -2 lap(s); 27. Filip Bengtsson (SWE, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 28. Jonathan Bengtsson (SWE, KTM), -2 lap(s); 29. Menno Aussems (NED, Honda), -3 lap(s); 30. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), -4 lap(s); 31. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Yamaha), -8 lap(s); 32. Dietger Damiaens (BEL, KTM), -11 lap(s); 33. Yentel Martens (BEL, Husqvarna), -12 lap(s); 34. Gert Krestinov (EST, Honda), -13 lap(s); 35. Ander Valentin (ESP, Husqvarna), -13 lap(s); 36. Nathan Renkens (BEL, Honda), -13 lap(s);

MXGP - GP Classification

Champions Crowned: 2018 Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National

The third and final Championship motos being run and Amateur National Champions are being crowned at the 2018 Rocky Mountain ATV Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Here are the winners of the older classes. Many of you may have actually raced with some of these guys.

Junior 25+   (1st) Mike Brown  (2nd) Ricky Renner

Senior 40+   (1st) Mike Brown   (2nd) Barry Carsten

Masters 50+ (1st) John Grewe   (2nd Barry Carsten

MXGP of Belgium - Qualifers

All of the action from Lommel

2019 Gas Gas ECR Ranger

The 2019 Gas Gas Enduro model launch brought changes to the EC and XC models and a brand new, every rider friendly, ECR ‘Ranger’ – a Gas Gas for the masses.

MXGP Qualifer

Herlings wins Qualifier

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has won the MXGP qualification race. His ninth of the season and the Dutchman was pretty much on cruise control, winning by 15 seconds. Second was Antonio Cairoli and Roman Febvre third.

“I know this track, I have been here a couple of times in my life. It was a good race, I had a good start and cruised, and I am looking forward to tomorrow. I hope to get two good starts and two wins.”

Febvre led into the first lap, but Herlings who started second was quickly into the lead, followed by Gajser, Cairoli, Anstie, Van Horebeek, Strijbos, Bobryshev, Desalle, and Seewer 10^th. The pass by Herlings was as always, impressive.

Cairoli worked into third place after passing Gasjer, and soon after Gajser went down. Febvre looked really fast, but still Herlings was moving away. Paulin was back in 18^th place, and his average season continued.

Simpson was working hard in ninth place and was all over Desalle, but then a small mistake cost him a little bit of time. After two laps it was Herlings with a four second lead over Febvre, then came Cairoli (eight seconds back after two laps), Anstie, Strijbos, Van Horebeek, Bobryshev, Desalle, Simpson, Gajser, Seewer, Coldenhoff, Butron, Tixier and Searle 15^th.

Gajser another mistake and down in 14^th place, with Paulin in 16^th, Irwin 19^th, Lieber 20^th, and Waters 24^th. Herlings clearly cruising as after six laps his lead was less than four seconds over Febvre, and 10 seconds over Cairoli in third.

Seewer and Simpson were in a great battle for 8^th place, and Desalle went down, with the two Yamaha riders nearly hit him in a blind jump. Simpson and Seewer were closing up on Bobryshev for seventh place.

Cairoli closed up on Febvre and passed for second. Herlings won it from Cairoli and Febvre.

Kalib Russell To Test AMA MX

GNCC Champion Kailub Russell to Race AMA Pro Motocross!

Photo: Simon Cudby

Five-time GNCC National Champion Kailub Russell will compete in the 450MX class for the last three rounds of the 2018 AMA Pro Motocross Championship beginning on Aug 11 with the Unadilla National in New Berlin, New York.

Russell, who currently leads the GNCC XC1 Open Pro Championship by 54 points, will continue to vie for his sixth-consecutive title when the cross-country racing series resumes from a two-month American summer break on Sept. 16.

In the meantime, Russell has been hard at work training and riding in Florida at the Baker’s Factory with some of the world’s most elite motocross athletes. With a break in the offroad schedule, Russell jumped at the well-timed opportunity to try his hand in the Pro Motocross Championship with full support from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. Russell’s mechanic will be Jade Dungey for the last three rounds.

"I'm really excited to have an opportunity to ride under Roger De Coster’s team. It's been a goal of mine to compete in AMA Pro Motocross for a long time and I hope I can put in some solid performances!” Russell said.

Roger DeCoster added, “As a multi-time offroad champion, I have a lot of respect for Kailub and his racing accomplishments. It’s been his dream to race a professional motocross event and it just so happens that we have an extra race bike prepared so it makes sense to take advantage of his open schedule and see what he can do at the last three rounds.”

The 2018 AMA Pro Motocross Championship resumes next Saturday, Aug. 11, with the Unadilla National in New Berlin, New Yor