FMF Factory | Inside Look

FMF Factory the Inside Look. Donny Emler talks about the pioneer company FMF.

John Surtees...A Legend Passes RIP

Formula 1 and motorcycle world champion and racing legend John Surtees has died, March 10.

Photo Credit: Supermac1961

 

Formula 1 and motorcycle world champion and racing legend John Surtees has died, March 10.

It is with great sadness to report that 83-year-old British motorsport icon John Surtees has passed away following a short illness.

Surtees is the only person to have won world championships on both two and four wheels. 

He is a four-time 500cc motorcycle world champion — 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960. He then became a Formula One World Champion in 1964.

He began his racing career off-road in his early teens before going on to become a true legend of motor racing.

In a statement issued on formula1.com his family report Surtees was admitted to a London hospital with an existing respiratory condition 

“We deeply mourn the loss of such an incredible, kind and loving man as well as celebrate his amazing life,” they said in a statement. “He has set a very real example of someone who kept pushing himself at his peak and one who continued fighting until the very end.”

Chad Reed Prepped and Ready For Daytona SX

Reed Carrying Momentum Into Daytona

March 09, 2017 By Casey Davis

  

Yamaha Factory Supercross Rider Reed Is Ready To Catch Some Big Waves At Daytona Supercross

Cypress, CA – March 9, 2017 – The Daytona Supercross is this Saturday, and the surf’s up for Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral/Yamaha Financial Services/Yamaha Factory Racing Team as Chad Reed hopes to continue riding the wave of momentum that he’s been on in the past couple of rounds of the AMA Supercross Championship.

Winning the 73rd heat race of his career and finishing just off the podium in fourth in this past weekend’s 450SX main event has got Chad stoked for the Daytona Supercross. “After a solid day and night in Toronto, I’m excited to be heading to one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, races of the year,” he said. “Daytona is a challenging race weekend. You have to figure out how to make your bike handle like a motocross bike in the tough, gnarly sections, while handling like a supercross bike through the whoops and clay sections. I’m up for the challenge and looking forward to getting my first win of the season.”

As was previously announced, Chad’s Monster Energy/Yamalube/Chaparral/Yamaha Financial Services/Yamaha Factory Racing teammate Cooper Webb will miss this Saturday’s Daytona Supercross as he continues to recover from the shoulder injury he sustained last month at the Minneapolis Supercross.

Ryan Villopoto Talks Atlas Brace

Part 2/3 - Start now. There is no better time to be prepared, than right now.We talk with Multi-Time SX and MX Champion Ryan Villopoto about why an Atlas Brace is must have, young or old, and that is no better time to start wearing one, than right now.

Daytona 2017

Daytona SX – Facts

Daytona International Speedway hosted the first ever Monster Energy Supercross race in 1974 and is the only venue still present since the inception of the championship. It has been a part of all 44 supercross seasons, the only facility to hold that distinction.

Daytona actually predates the supercross championship, hosting its first Trans-AMA race in 1971 before being integrated into the first two seasons of the AMA Motocross Championship in 1972 & 1973.

Daytona is the only stop on the Monster Energy Supercross schedule that does not take place in a stadium. Instead it utilizes the racetrack’s massive tri-oval infield to create what riders often consider the most physically demanding track in the championship.

The Daytona Supercross is arguably the showcase spectacle of Daytona Bike Week, taking place alongside the legendary Daytona 200 road race in addition to several other racing and motorcycle celebration events throughout Daytona Beach.

450SX Class Stats: Daytona

2016 Podium:

1. Eli Tomac
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Marvin Musquin

The first-ever supercross race in history was at Daytona on March 9, 1974. Pierre Karsmakers won on a Yamaha for his one and only 450SX Class win. He would become the inaugural Monster Energy Supercross Champion.

Over the 43 seasons of racing at Daytona there have been 22 different 450SX Class winners. Ricky Carmichael is the winningest rider in Daytona history with five wins.

In the four-plus decades that Daytona has hosted supercross there have been just three riders that have managed to take wins in both the 450SX and 250SX Class – Carmichael, Chad Reed, and James Stewart.

Honda is the winningest brand in Daytona history, capturing 16 wins in the 450SX Class. Although the brand hasn’t won since the 2008 season, holds a record-setting run of 11 straight wins from 1982-1992.

Kawasaki has been the most dominant brand of the current era at Daytona, winning six of the past 10 seasons, including four wins in five years with Ryan Villopoto from 2010-2014. Eli Tomac will chase back-to-back wins on Saturday.

All-Time Wins by Brand in Daytona (Last Win)

Honda: 16 (2008)

Kawasaki: 13 (2016)

Yamaha: 8 (2012)

Suzuki: 4 (2009)

Can-Am: 1 (1975)

KTM: 1 (2015)

All-Time Wins in Daytona (Wins)

Ricky Carmichael (5)

Jeff Stanton (4)

Ryan Villopoto (4)

Bob Hannah (3)

Mike Kiedrowski (3)

Jeremy McGrath (3)

Chad Reed (3)

Rick Johnson (2)

Darrell Shultz (2)

James Stewart (2)

AM PRO YAMAHA Ep1 - "Blue is What We Do"

very great team has great leadership, and the Am Pro Yamaha team is no different. In episode one Randy Hawkins talks about what has brought the team to where it is today.

Will Dungey Still Win It All?

Why Ryan Dungey Will Likely Win the '17 SX Title

Midway through the series, the Red Bull KTM superstar's grasp is tightening on his fourth SX title.

 

      

By Aaron Hansel on 28 February 2017

They call Ryan Dungey "The Diesel," but when he gets a points lead they might as well call him "The Boa Constrictor." Once established, his grip on a title only seems to get tighter and tighter with each passing race until he’s completely choked the life out of the competition’s title hopes. Though Marvin Musquin and Eli Tomac have each proven worthy competition, if this season follows normal trends, it is Dungey’s to lose.

 

        

"The Diesel" © Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool 

Death grip, engage

A quick glance at the points shows Dungey leading, and he has only relinquished a 450SX points lead once (early in 2012) since joining the premier class in 2010. Plus, nobody not named Ryan has won a 450SX title since 2009, and since Ryan Villopoto is now retired, things are looking pretty good for Dungey.

Consistency for days

Dungey has been described as a racer who will "podium you to death," and for good reason. His ability to avoid bad nights and constantly perform at, or very near, his maximum level is uncanny. "The Diesel" even holds the record for longest 450SX podium streak with 31 consecutive visits to the box, which only ended last year when Dungey took fourth in New Jersey to clinch the title. Since then he hasn’t missed another podium. Unless you’re winning, he’s probably scoring all over you.

 

        

Dungey en route to victory in Atlanta © Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool 

Faltering competition

Last year Dungey schooled what was considered the deepest field in history on his way to his third career 450SX title, winning nine of 17 races and earning 391 of 425 (92 percent!) possible points. Clearly, he doesn’t need his competition to stumble in order to win. Of course, it doesn’t hurt either, and many of his closest title rivals have already done just that in 2017. Ken Roczen crashed out of the series spectacularly at round three, Jason Anderson missed a race (and a bunch of points) after being disqualified for slapping Vince Friese in the head, and Tomac gave up a ton of points by struggling at the first three rounds. Don’t give Dungey an inch because he’ll quickly stretch it into a mile.

 

 

Dungey charging in Oakland © Garth Milan / Red Bull Content Pool

He's nearly indestructible

Dungey is about as close as it gets to being bulletproof in a sport that’s incredibly dangerous. Since entering the 450SX Class in 2010, he’s only suffered one injury, a broken collarbone in 2012, that caused him to miss action in Supercross. Even then he only missed five races and finished third overall! A record that close to perfect suggests Dungey will be in the game all season, fighting for his fourth career 450SX championship.

RV Talks Atlas Brace!

Atlas Brace Presents “What If?”

Hindsight is always 20/20. When the risk factor is high, it’s much easier to be prepared for the worse.

We talk with Multi-Time SX and MX Champion Ryan Villopoto about why an Atlas Brace is a must have for anyone in the business of taking risks.

About: Atlas Brace Technologies is based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, and Valencia, California. Founded in 2011, Atlas is the home of the first racer designed and racer tested next generation neck braces and body protection. The entire product line is uniquely designed and of the highest level of safety, comfort, and mobility. For more information on Atlas Brace Technologies, please visit www.atlasbrace.com

MXGP...What a Mess!

Indonesia – Race Report

Due to the extreme weather conditions at the MXGP of Indonesia the Event Management came to a decision to end the MX2 race 2 prematurely and cancel the MXGP race 2.

For the overall of MX2 – counting both Race 1 and Race 2 results – Suzuki World MX2 Team’s Jeremy Seewer came out victorious followed by TM Racing’s Samuele Bernardini and LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber. In MXGP race 1 results were used for overall classification, this secured the win for Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Shaun Simpson, second for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff, while Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle rounded out the podium.

MXGP racing was demanding in Indonesia but Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Shaun Simpson handled it better than anyone and supplied an impressive win. He said, “It was good, I was able to make some good moves the first few laps and I was in the lead about halfway through the race!”

Simpson finished just over 7 seconds ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff. The Dutch rider rode a consistent race and maintained his speed lap after lap for his first podium of the year.

In third was Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle, who looked aggressive for the full race and in the end he was closing in finishing less than 5 seconds behind Coldenhoff.

Last week’s winner and red plate holder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, didn’t see the results of before but he managed to finish 4th overall and will continue to hold the red plate.

Finishing strong in the final spot of the top five was Husqvarna 8Biano Racing’s Rui Gonçalves.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre had a blistering start and came away with the Fox Holeshot, though later in the race he had issues and would place 15th overall.  Expect the former champ to show up at the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina determined to win along with the reigning champion and the last winner of the MXGP of Patagonia Argentina Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who finished a respectable 6^th place in Indonesia.

MXGP Race 1 Top Ten: 1. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 36:06.712; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:07.725; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:12.501; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:39.427; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, Husqvarna), +0:43.580; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:46.099; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:56.972; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), +1:06.817; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:14.269; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:16.505

MXGP Overall Top 10: 1. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 25 points; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 22 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 20 p.; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 18 p.; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, HUS), 16 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 15 p.; 7. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 14 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, HUS), 13 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 12 p.; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 11 p.

MXGP Championship Top 10: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 68 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 60 p.; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 56 p.; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 44 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 42 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 41 p.; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 39 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 36 p.; 9. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 34 p.; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 34 p.

MX2 Moto1

Seewer wins in mud

Possibly taking some advice from his team-owner (Stefan Everts), Jeremy Seewer had ridden a brilliant race, in muddy conditions to win the opening MX2 moto of the day.

The Suzuki factory rider, who had earlier in the moto also been caught in a massive mud hole that caught out several riders, passed everyone to win by seven seconds over early leader Davy Pootjes and Julien Lieber, who had started in last place after a poor gate pick (having not ridden yesterday determining timed qualification).

Pootjes took the holeshot and lead in the opening MX2 moto. Then came Jonass, Bernardini, Bogers, Sterry, Lawrence, Seewer, Cervellin, Vlaanderen, Watson, Paturel, Monticelli, Van Doninck, Olsen, Webster and Notsuki in 20^th. Lieber back in last place.

Bernardini made a pass on Jonass to move into second place, and Pootjes began to move away from the field. Jonass quickly got back around Bernardini, with Seewer passing Lawrence and both passing Sterry.

Bogers went down and handed Seewer fourth place and Lawrence moved into fifth. Lieber was well back after his poor gate pick, but had moved into ninth place on lap two. Olsen was also on the charge, moving into fourth place after passing both Seewer and Lawrence.

The top ten after three laps was Pootjes, with a two second lead, then Jonass, Bernardini, Olsen, Seewer, Lawrence, Sterry, Van Doninck, Lieber, and Ostlund. Bernardini began his slow drop in places, now in seventh as he begins to fade badly again.

Lawrence is riding amazing as he moves past both Olsen and Seewer to move into third place and Olsen drops back to fifth place. Lieber moves into 8^th place, and Watson is now 10^th.

Jonass passes Pootjes, and its Lawrences turn to make a mistake as he drops to 8^th place. Top ten after five laps is Jonass, Pootjes, Seewer, Sterry, Lieber, Van Doninck, Bernardini, Lawrence, Paturel, and Vaessen.

Lieber moves into fourth spot as he passes Sterry, who drops right out of the top 20.

After six laps its Jonass, Pootjes, Seewer, Lieber, Van Doninck, Lawrence, Paturel, Bernardini, Ostlund and Vaesson.

Seewer gets caught in a mud hole, that had claimed a lot of riders and Lawrence, is continues to impress moves into fourth place, after already passing Van Doninck. Lieber also impressing as he moves into third place.

Lawrence goes down in the same mud hole that caught out his team-mate Seewer, and Jonass also has trouble, dropping back to fifth. Seewer takes the lead ahead of Lieber and Pootjes. This race is just crazy.

Six or seven riders caught in the big mud hole, Jonass and Lawrence included as they drop out of the top 10. Lawrence way, way back and Jonass in 16^th place. Stefan Everts would have loved the mud hole, but a lot of riders having trouble with it.

Top ten after 13 laps is Seewer, Pootjes, Lieber, Van Doninck, Paturel, Olsen, Vlaanderen, Ward, Bernardini, and Watson.

Seewer wins it from Pootjes and Lieber.

Ray Archer image