Big Buck Full Gas Sprint Enduro

Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Ryan Sipes was impressive en route to a decisive win over SRT Racing’s Steward Baylor at this weekend’s Big Buck Full Gas Sprint Enduro in Union, South Carolina. 

However, with his runner-up finish, Baylor clinched the 2017 Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro championship by 12 points over Beta USA’s Jordan Ashburn, capping off a competitive year between the two off-road stars. 

Photographer Shan Moore was on hand to bring us a photo essay of the event.

Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Ryan Sipes hangs off the side of his FX350 en route to the win in the first Cross Test of the day. Sipes won all six Cross Tests on the weekend.

Steward Baylor was fast all weekend in the Enduro test, but slowly got up to speed in the Cross test.

Brett Metcalfe Signs With Honda Racing To Spear Head Australian 450 Campaign

Brett Metcalfe Signs With Honda Racing To Spear Head Australian 450 Campaign

Brett Metcalfe needs no introduction following his creditable achievements competing against some of the best riders in the world throughout his international career in America.

He is no stranger to racing on a Honda either, with some of those greatest achievements tied to the mighty CRF.

“I finished the best overall I have finished with Honda in America, in 2009 I was third in the 250 class AMA Motocross Championship and in 2010 I took 6 podium finishes on my way to 2nd overall to Ryan Dungey in the 450 class after taking 3rd overall in the East Coast SX Lites Championship.” Metcalfe said.

With consistent top 5 overall positions in both the 450 and 250 class throughout his time competing in the US, Metcalfe is now looking forward to chasing another dream down under.

“I want to win an Australian Motocross Championship in the MX1 class, it’s something I always promised myself I would try and do before I finished racing professionally.” Said Metcalfe.

That dream is looking more achievable now that Metcalfe has signed on with Honda in Australia for 2018, after already working with Honda in the US earlier this month.

“I came back to America following a trying year in Australia to prepare for next year. I had my first race on the Honda and went 1-1 in the World Vet Championships. It’s a nice way to start the relationship and I am definitely looking forward to working with the Honda Racing Team in Australia next year.” Metcalfe finished.

Honda Racing’s Brand and Motorsport Manager Glyn Griffiths is pleased to announce this first bit of news as part of a bigger 2018 racing plan.

“Since Brett’s departure from Australia in 2002, you quickly realise how much he has actually achieved. I think people forget his race winning qualifier at the MXON in 2013 against the best riders in the world and we are really excited to form this new relationship with one of the world’s most established racers.” Griffiths said.

Honda will make further announcements regarding their racing commitments for 2018 shortly.

All Things Considered...MXoN

Here’s a brief look at DC’s latest on Team USA:

Something is obviously not working for Team USA at the annual Motocross of Nations. After winning the race seven straight times from 2005 through 2011, the Americans have now lost the race the last six years in a row. And at this most recent MXoN, we weren’t even close, save for a middle-moto third-place finish (the top-250 performance in that race) by Rockstar Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne. Of course, the weather in Great Britain was a mess, Cole Seely’s rear shock failed twice, Thomas Covington tore a ligament in his knee during Saturday practice .... In the end, we came home with ninth-place finish, matching Team USA’s worst result in history.

How did this happen? Why does it continue to happen? What has caused the world’s greatest motocross racing nation to suddenly slip below the waves of mediocrity when it comes to international racing? That’s the gist of my feature “All Things Considered” in the latest print issue of Racer X Illustrated. It’s a deep-dive into all that’s not working for Team USA at the MXoN and what team manager Roger DeCoster is up against more and more: difficult scheduling, conflicting contract obligations, decimation of the ranks due to injury, and general indifference from many top riders. It’s not a laundry list of excuses for The Man and Team USA, but rather a 30,000-foot view of what’s keeping top AMA-based riders—and not just Americans—from participating in the annual Olympics of Motocross.

While Team USA has struggled the past half-dozen years, France has risen to the top of the moto hierarchy. For the last four years, the French have won this event—this past time in dominant fashion. While their three riders—Gautier Paulin, Romain Febvre, and Christophe Charlier—didn’t win a moto, let alone a class overall, they rode with a Three Musketeers concept of all for one and one for all. What they do to prepare is worth looking at for Team USA as we try to get back to where we belonged.

“I was not looking for my individual result but that of the team,” said the veteran Gautier Paulin, a member of Team France for the last nine years. “When you don't have a good team, you can look individually, but we are very strong, and the French Federation give us the power to succeed. We were acting and thinking together.”

Before this four-year winning streak started, France had only won the Motocross of Nations once, in 2001, when Team USA and several others pulled out in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks. Now they are the prohibitive favorite each year, and French riders are quick to volunteer for service. During their four-year streak, Team France has not had the same lineup twice. Says Paulin, “In France, we have so many good riders, so to be selected for the Motocross of Nations is the bonus of a good season, and with many different riders we have been winning, so this means we are strong.”

  

The weather can make you look like either a genius or a fool. The fact that the French chose an enduro rider as their third man after both Dylan Ferrandis and Benoit Paturel were injured seemed desperate at first, but as soon as the forecast took a turn for the worse, that choice appeared to be brilliant.

“I stopped motocross last year, but to have a good race like that was a lot of fun,” Charlier said after doing more than enough in MX2 to help France stay on top. “The team and staff did an excellent job. With the enduro season, I progressed in the mud. I think it is good to do a lot of things like enduro and motocross.”

Check this out: a couple of years ago, when the race was held in France, the French went so far as to have a trial-run weekend where they went through a model of what the whole Motocross of Nations at Ernee would be like, staying at the same hotel where they would be for the real MXoN and then going there and doing practice and motos according to the exact clock they would be on for the real race. It was cumbersome off-weekend from MXGP, but it was also a great team-building exercise that helped them deliver in front of their partisan fans.

The French collective seems at odds with how Team USA has approached this event in recent years, without a lot of camaraderie or even time spent together. Our guys seem to be competing in an individual race where they will simply add up the scores at the end. Part of that is due to the rigors of traveling and racing abroad, where you pit under the truck of the brand you’re on and not just under a pure “Team USA” tent. The whole weekend format also seems to have an effect on us, as it takes mental and physical adjustments to find your comfort zone on a foreign track, in a foreign land, under a foreign format, and challenged by tens of thousands of foreign fans.

  

Think about this: next year, the last round of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross will take place in Indiana in late August, there is no MXGP of the USA in early September, and the Monster Energy Cup will take place after the 2018 Motocross of Nations runs on October 6-7. Why not do like the French did a couple years ago (and, to a lesser extent, third-place Great Britain did this year at Matterley Basin) and hold a big dry run at RedBud in September where Roger takes the boys—and hopefully it’s our very best boys—to Buchanan, Michigan, for a weekend of training, talking, testing, and just getting a feel for what they will be up against in 2018? It’s not against the rules, and we have all that downtime between races. Why not take advantage and build some team spirit and be ready to take on France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and the rest on home soil? 

That’s just one suggestion, and there are more in “All Things Considered” in the latest issue of Racer X Illustrated, on newsstands now. Pick up a copy—or better yet, SUBSCRIBE NOW—and see if you have any ideas, suggestions, or observations for turning Team USA’s fortunes around.

Team USA has never lost the Motocross of Nations when it was held in the United States—not in 1987 (Unadilla), 2007 (Budds Creek), or 2011 (Thunder Valley). Let’s do all we can to make sure it doesn’t happen in 2018.

Babinda to Glen Helen...Quite a Trip for a Moto

Far North motocross champion savours fairytale victory

Samuel Davis, Motocross, The Cairns Post

November 13, 2017

A BROKEN foot has failed to stop Babinda motocross racer Aaron Hunt from winning his age division at the World Vets Championships in Glen Helen, California.

The full-time earthmover claimed top spot in the expert class for 40-45 year olds featuring competitors from across the world.

But Hunt, who finished third at the event in 2016, said he nearly threw it all away after shattering his foot in six places in March.

“I got back on the bike three months before I headed over,” he said.

“I didn’t know what to expect but I’m probably riding the best I ever have.

“It was always going to be a great story if I could do it. It’s a bit of a fairytale now, I guess.”

Motocross racer Aaron Hunt competing at the World Vets Championships in Glen Helen, California this month. 

Hunt now trains four days a week, including pool, bicycle and gym sessions, starting as early as 4.30am before a full day’s work at the office.

“Last year, I got to see how hard other people trained and it made me realise how much work you have to put in,” he said.

“There were guys throwing their bikes on the ground after they finished. It’s a really competitive sport.”

Considered one of the most dangerous and physically demanding sports in the world, the father-of-two said the Glen Helen track was among the toughest he had traversed in his career.

“It was pretty gnarly. They were massive tracks and the hills were so much steeper than anything you’d race on in Queensland,” he said.

“You’re probably doing 90km going into the first corner and then as it gets a lot rougher, you get slower and slower.

“It was exhausting. I was riding tracks that I’d never been on and you’re racing locals who ride the tracks all the time. It’s rough as guts.”

Hunt’s wife, Jolie, said while she was proud of his win, the sport had taken a significant toll on her husband’s body.

“It really has taken so much work to get this far,” she said. “He’s broken more bones than I can count, including both his collarbones, along the way.”

Is RC Ready for WWE?

Well, this didn't disappoint! Ronnie Mac VS. Ricky Carmichael. Looks like the G.O.A.T. left all his talking on the track...

Dull Day at the Office

Meet the Egyptian Motorcyclist Ali Abdo who broke Guinness World Record in Motocross

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Taha Sakr

November 12, 2017
4:14 pm

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A new world record for the longest distance crossed on a motocross bike in one day was achieved by the Egyptian motorcyclist Ali Abdo who managed to break the Guinness World Record.

By crossing 613.59 km (381.27 miles) which is the longest distance crossed on a motorbike in 24 hours, Ali was able to break the Guinness World Record in Egypt’s coastal city of Gouna.

The 34 years-old Egyptian motorcyclist Ali Abdo applied at the end of 2016 to the Guinness World Record aiming to achieve a World Record.

“Through off-road track and a Honda Tornado 250 cc motorbike, I have engaged in the implementation of the World Record operation in June 2016 in a track located inside Egypt’s coastal city of Gouna” Ali told Egypt Independent.

He further noted that after ending the trial inside the track by lapping around the Motorclub Egypt track 510 times, he awaited the final ratification of his world record from the international Guinness World Record.

“The ratification on my record from Guinness arrived last week, last time when similar world record took place was in 2013 in England” he said.

Ali explained that his goal was to attract the world’s attention towards Egypt as a touristic destination and appropriate environment for similar types of the motorbike sport.

In 2013, Abdo launched his own initiative “Around Egypt on a Motorcycle” that aimed to encourage adventure traveling, explore the beauty of Egyptian locations, and increase the motorcycle riding culture in Egypt.

Since the start of the initiative, Ali has attracted local and international attention from various media outlets.

In 2016, Ali achieved a world record when he crossed the longest distance touring Egypt on a motorcycle in 7 days. He traveled across the country to photograph his adventure and the hidden gems of Egypt.

Ali, who is also a senior system engineer at IBM, is currently working on an electronic encyclopedia to include his trips around Egypt. This encyclopedia will act as a complete guide to the destinations and services that people might need on their trips.

Anderson Tops AUS-X

Anderson captures 2017 AUS-X Open Sydney crown

 

All-international podium sees Brayton increase AUS Supercross advantage.

Image: AUS-X Open.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jason Anderson is the 2017 Monster Energy AUS-X Open champion after soaring to a commanding victory by the end of Sunday’s SX1 main event in Sydney.

Earlier, headline American Anderson was untouched in a relatively uneventful opening SX1 heat, jumping out of the gates to lead and crossing the line with a sizeable 7.3s advantage following eight laps.

Anderson dominated from Dan Reardon (Mega Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki) – also going into the main event – a couple of seconds up on Geico Honda’s RJ Hampshire, who in turn edged out Nick Schmidt (Wilson Coolair Motul Suzuki) for position.

Opening night winner Dean Wilson rode his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna to another win in the second 450 heat of Sunday, leading the duration for a 1.8s victory over current AUS Supercross number one plate-holder Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing), who posted the quickest lap of the round so far at 31.246s.

Brayton capitalised on an error of Kade Mosig (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) in the whoops, however the latter recovered to cross the line in P3 but unable to match the outright lap pace of the imports.

CDR Yamaha talent Dylan Long impressed by taking out the first of the SX1 semis, starting out from and staying there for the entire six laps. He finished 1.9s ahead of Hampshire, while fellow American Schmidt trailed him again – all three going through to the final.

Current two-time MX Nationals champion, CDR Yamaha rider Dean Ferris, mirrored his team-mate’s result by winning his semi-final, 1.7s ahead of Nathan Crawford (Mega Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki) – who led five laps of last night’s main – and Mosig as all three went into the final.

The SX1 last-chance qualifier produced a few surprises, as FMX ace Robbie Marshall rode his privateer Honda to victory from Daniel Herrlein (KSF Racing Suzuki). Crankt Protein Honda Racing factory rider Todd Waters was out due to a crash, as was opening night standout Joel Wightman (Penrite CRF Honda Racing).

Pre-race favourite Anderson dominated the 20-lap SX1 main event to become this year’s AUS-X Open champion in what was another hard-fought affair for position in the 12-rider pack.

It was Ferris who led out of the first turn and the opening lap, however Anderson took full advantage of the Shannons Shortcut to seize the lead on lap two. Behind them, Wilson moved into P3 and then bypassed the whoops himself to close in on Ferris, who slid out before the whoop section – and went down again soon afterwards – and that put him out of contention.

Out front it was all Anderson though, slicing his way through lapped traffic to maintain an advantage over team-mate Wilson, again delivering a 1-2 for Husqvarna by 7.245s at race’s end.

Behind them it was eventually current AUS Supercross points leader Brayton who rounded out the all-international podium in P3, albeit over 30 seconds from Anderson at the front. Reardon was once again top of the Australians in fourth this time, edging ahead of rookie team-mate Crawford in another strong ride – the final rider on the lead lap.

Mosig went down in the first turn and could only recover to 10th, one place ahead of Ferris, which now sees Brayton hold an 18-point lead in the series from Reardon, who is a further two markers ahead of Ferris entering Jimboomba, Queensland’s final round next Saturday night.

Husky Returns to the Street!

Husqvarna Unveils Production VITPILEN 701 and SVARTPILEN 701 Concept

I admire motorcycle companies that are willing to take risks when it comes to design, and Husqvarna has certainly done that with the production VITPILEN 701 unveiled in Milan earlier this week. Prototypes have been displayed for quite some time, and the production machine follows earlier designs very closely. It also looks a lot like the production VITPILEN 401 introduced at EICMA last year.

While the Swedish design of the VITPILEN 701 might be polarizing, the concept is attractive. Strip the machine down to its essence, and power it with a single-cylinder engine. Simplicity with modern technology, including a claimed 75 horsepower — a massive power figure for a single.

The videos below talk about the design goals, which are principally centered on simplicity in a complex world. It is worth taking a look at those, as well as the following press release from Husky. The press release also discusses the prototype of the SVARTPILEN 701, a more upright, dirt-oriented machine powered by the same big 693cc single.

By the way, you can take a look at the full specifications for the VITPILEN 701, which reveals a claimed weight of 346 pounds (wet, without fuel). Husky says the VITPILEN 701 will be available for purchase in the United States beginning in the Summer of 2018.

Husqvarna Motorcycles is proud to unveil the production VITPILEN 701 machine, while also introducing the all-new SVARTPILEN 701 concept motorcycle at EICMA – the annual motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. With the historic brand continuing to take dynamic steps towards fulfilling their progressive vision of street motorcycling, both models will be on display for the duration of the show in Italy.

Forming new additions to Husqvarna’s exciting range of ‘Real Street’ motorcycles, these two new machines are powered by robust yet sophisticated single-cylinder motors that are housed within a minimalistic layout. Both motorcycles have been created to provide a genuine riding experience.

The all-new VITPILEN 701 machine represents a bold step into new territory for Husqvarna Motorcycles. Inspired by the same unique design approach that runs through the whole VITPILEN family, the VITPILEN 701 perfectly embodies Husqvarna’s progressive vision for innovative and accessible street motorcycles.

Simultaneously launched at this year’s EICMA show is the SVARTPILEN 701 concept machine. Inspired by the resurgence of the iconic flat track scene, the new SVARTPILEN 701 is a progressive single-cylinder motorcycle that is designed to deliver an authentic riding experience.

VITPILEN 701

The VITPILEN 701 is the highlight of Husqvarna´s re-entry into the street motorcycling segment. Impressing both the media and the public during its first launch as a prototype in 2015, it has now reached production and is expected to be available in North America in summer of 2018.

Bringing about a new era of motorcycling for the sophisticated urban traveler, the VITPILEN 701 perfectly mixes enjoyable performance for novice and expert riders with a simple yet progressive design and a unique style.

Largely inspired by the brand’s Swedish heritage, the VITPILEN 701 is a modern motorcycle that features some of the most state-of-the-art technology available.

From the trellis frame to the powerful single cylinder motor or the standard WP suspension and Brembo brakes, this machine is bristling with premium components.

VITPILEN 701 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Simple yet progressive design
• Chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame
• 75 hp engine – the most advanced single cylinder available on the market
• High quality components and technology as standard
• Ride-by-wire throttle
• Cutting edge switchable ABS
• Slipper clutch
• Extensive range of Husqvarna accessories

Dramatic Saturday AUS-X Open win for Wilson on debut in Sydney

Championship tightens as Brayton battles to seventh in SX1 main event.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Dean Wilson made a glorious return to the top step of the podium in Saturday’s opening night of the 2017 Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney, round four of the Australian Supercross Championship.

The first time we saw the SX1 bikes on track tonight was in heat one, and Wilson worked his way by Dan Reardon (Mega Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki) early to go onto a 3.6s victory.

Former champion Reardon kept Dylan Long (CDR Yamaha) at bay for second, as Nick Schmidt (Wilson Coolair Motul Suzuki) and Todd Waters (Crankt Protein Honda Racing) were fourth and fifth respectively. Kade Mosig (DPH Motorsport Yamaha) recovered from an early fall in the tunnel for P7.

American duo Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) put on a show in SX1 heat two, but it was the headline guest Anderson who was able to fend number one plate-holder Brayton off for a 0.3s victory.

Behind them Jesse Dobson (Penrite Honda Racing) went third, with Nathan Crawford (Mega Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki) and FMX ace Robbie Marshall (Honda) the top five. Luke Clout (Crankt Protein Honda Racing crossed the line fifth despite a crash, while Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha) and RJ Hampshire (Geico Honda) both fell victim to falls on the first lap.

It was an entertaining fight for victory in the first SX1 semi-final, as Penrite CRF Honda Racing’s Joel Wightman rode a composed race to lead Long and Mosig across the line. Just 2.2s separated the top five, including Waters and Schmidt.

Out of the gates it was Clout who led the way, however he went down entering the tunnel and that saw Ferris take charge at the front. From there he stretched out a 1.4s lead, topping Crawford and Dobson. Hampshire also encountered troubles, dropping him well down the order and ultimately out of the race.

Out front in the SX1 LCQ main event was Waters and that’s where he stayed, trailed across the line by American rising talent Hampshire as those two made the main event later tonight. Behind them was Clout, who traded blows with Schmidt – the latter coming off second best but neither made it through in the end.

An intense SX1 class main event saw Wilson return to the top of the podium in a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna 1-2, but he had to work for it throughout the 20-lap final.

It was Australian rookie Crawford who took the hole-shot and led the opening five laps after capitalising on the Shannons Shortcut and stretching a lead, before teammate Reardon took charge on the sixth lap. He controlled the race for the next five laps, until Wilson made the pass directly after the whoops and that was where he remained.

From behind though, after going down in the first turn, Anderson charged to second after moving by Reardon in the closing laps. Behind the podium trio, Mosig put up a solid fight for fourth, while Ferris edged Crawford for fifth.

Next came Long in his first AUS-X Open appearance as the final rider to make the entire 20 laps. It was a difficult final for Brayton, who also went down in the first turn, eventually going a lap down and only crossing the line in P7. Still, in the standings, he leads by 10 points from Ferris, with Reardon a further six in arrears in third.

Night two of the 2017 Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney will mark the fifth and penultimate round of AUS Supercross, where Brayton will be eager to bounce back to solidify his place at the top of the 450 standings.

Twice Pipes CR500????

Sometimes you just have too much time on your hands but what fun this beast looks to be.

Dirt Bike Magazine's latest 2-Stroke project in the RAW! The AEO Powersports CR500AF with dual FMF exhaust ripping up some SoCal trails on it's maiden voyage.