RV Busts Out A Few Laps!

Villopoto surprises MotoWest crowd by competing

More than 330 riders competed Saturday at the Pacific Racing Organization's Northwest National MX competition at the MotoWest track near the Bremerton airport. (Contributed photo)

By Austin Miller, amiller@kitsapsun.com

BREMERTON — A familiar name stole the show for the 2,000 fans Saturday at the Northwest Motocross Series' stop at MotoWest.

Six-time Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto made a surprise return at the first motocross event in Bremerton in 35 years, winning two races in the 450 cc pro division.

Villopoto, a Poulsbo native, planned to attend the event, but didn't decide to race until a few days ago. Once he was announced, the crowd gathered near the finish line cheered in excitement.

"I was going to be out here anyway, so why not," Villopoto said. "A lot of people were excited about it and really enjoyed it, so that was cool."

This event was different than an Supercross event, with fans standing feet away from the race track instead of sitting in the stands. It gave those in attendance the opportunity to see their local hero up close.

Villopoto moved back after retiring from professional motocross in 2015. His wife, Kristen, opened Urban City Brew, a coffee shop in Silverdale. He spends some time pouring cement for his friend's construction company in Kingston.

After traveling across the country and the world, Saturday's event marked the closest to home has Villopoto has raced. The MotoWest track opened near Bremerton National Airport in 2015.

He said he and his brother Tyler had to make an hour and a half trip to Port Angeles whenever they wanted to ride as kids.

"To have this 20 minutes from where I'm at, or another track on this side of the water, is huge," he said.

Tyler Villopoto competed in the same two races as his older brother, finishing in second and third. Those two races were the first time they had raced together behind a gate in 15 years.

Brian Nilsen, co-owner of MotoWest, called Saturday's races a "massive success" and said he was humbled by the smiles he saw on people's faces as they watched the more than 330 riders.

"My dream was to have a place where people could go and race locally and in Kitsap County there was nothing for 35 years," Nilsen said. "That's what feels so good for me, to give people a place where they can come and race and practice."

Villopoto and Nilsen hope the track can allow more people to get into motocross.

Nilsen said nearly 40 percent of the riders that practice at the track during the week are young boys and girls.

"If we would have had a track when Ryan and Tyler were growing up that would have been fantastic," he said. "There might be more Ryans and Tylers out there and now they only have to go 10 or 15 minutes to practice. The chance of growing more professional riders is very good for this area."

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Chad Chats From Italy

Pit Chat with Chad Reed FULLBACK MXGP of Lombardia - Italy 2016

 

MX Nation...Fathers and Sons

Former phenom Adam Cianciarulo and top rookie Austin Forkner both enter the 2016 outdoor season with much to prove, but race day doesn’t always go according to plan. Austin learns what it means to be a pro, while Adam and his father butt heads.

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Glen Helen Never Looked So Tough

It was a hot one at Glen Helen Raceway hovering around 100 degrees but that just added to the challenge for some of the best technical enduro racers in the world! Presented by Prairie Dogs MC, filmed and edited by Beau Cotington. Be sure to check out the FULL 40+ MINUTE UNCUT full length video available for all devices exclusively at www.beaucottington.com

57-year-old motocross racer Cathy McMaster competes against riders that are half her age

Cathy McMaster flies through the air at age 57 as the oldest women's motocross racer in the are

Cathy McMaster admits she's always been "kind of a crazy person."

At 57, she is 30 years older than the next oldest woman competing in area motocross circuits. Most of her competitors are 14- and 15-year-old girls. The oldest woman in her class is 27. In her first full season of racing in the Oshawa Competition Motorcycle Club McMaster, who first tried the sport at 55, finished third in the ladies B division.

"I'll try anything," said McMaster. "It was really scary in the beginning. You're going off jumps four and five feet in the air and I'm no spring chicken."

The adrenaline rush, she says, is worth the risk. So far, her worst injury is a broken thumb caused when another rider collied with her. She's had several spills.

"As they say, if you haven't crashed, you're not going fast enough," she said.

"Conquering the fear is a big thing for me. Getting yourself up in the air is scary and when you actually do it it's like 'Wow, I actually accomplished it.' It's a total adrenaline rush."

McMaster has seen children barely old enough to walk on bikes so she's aware of how late a bloomer she is, but she says she's been accepted by the youngsters.

"They're really great kids. Very different from your average kids. They kind of respect anybody who will give it a go," McMaster said. "They're very helpful. I've learned so much from them. Watching them is very inspirational. They're fearless."

McMaster and her partner Christina, moved to Bridgenorth from Ajax last year after retiring as TTC drivers. They've owned a trailer in Omemee for 11 years and liked the area.

McMaster has ridden road bikes all her life but bought her first dirt bike at age 52 and road on area trails. Two years ago, she joined the OCMC and now that she's retired she has the time to run the full series. She also races at the Burnt River Offroad Facility once a month and in the Maguire's Motocross Racing Series which travels around Eastern Ontario.

Riding a motorcycle, she said, doesn't necessarily prepare you one for motocross.

"The only things the same about a motocross bike and road bike is they have gears and two tires," she said. "Everything else is totally different. When I got on the dirt bike it was so different.

"There is more to it than I ever would have imagined. There is so much to learn and so much technique. I used to think you just get on the bike and ride."

Christina helps in the pits and is her biggest fan after some early trepidation.

"At first I was worried about her crashing and hurting herself," said Christina. "She had just retired and I thought 'Oh, my god.' But she's very safety conscious. I'm really excited for her and I'll support her in anything she wants to do. We've been together for 29 years so I'm kind of used to her now."

Cathy does have one regret.

"I wish there were more women my age who did it. Then the competition would be more equal for me. These kids, well, you know how much energy a kid has. On the other hand, they do push me to go faster."

mdavies@postmedia.com

Valentino Rossi....Motocrosser?

‘The Ranch’ is a source of inspiration, motivation and high-speed adrenaline for Valentino Rossi. At this private facility just outside his hometown of Tavullia the Italian has prolonged his love of motorcycles, his passion for competition and laid the foundations for an even longer legacy in the sport of MotoGP. Granted exclusive and special access this is a unique insight and glimpse into the dirt track facility and the

Fly Racing's Josh Strang Wins Tomahawk!

Strang Wins After Dramatic Last Lap GNCC Clash

Dramatic last lap clash sees GNCC point’s race turn on its head as Josh Strang claims the win

The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, continued today, June 12, with the Second Annual Dunlop Tomahawk GNCC. Racers and fans from across the world converged in Odessa, New York to witness Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray's Josh Strang claim the coveted win.

When the green flag waved SRT/KTM/Kenda Tires' Cory Buttrick found himself getting a quick jump off the line and earning the $250 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award, but it wouldn't take long for Strang to transition in the lead as they entered the woods.

Meanwhile, FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Kailub Russell and Westfield Powersports KTM Presented by Moose Racing's Jordan Ashburn both struggled to get off the start and were buried toward the back of the pack.

Strang continued to hold onto the lead as they checked through timing and scoring for the first time after a quick lap. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team's Thad Duvall and FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Russell Bobbitt trailed in second and third.

The dusty conditions began to take their toll when Duvall faced an unfortunate situation in an open field section when he was clotheslined by a string that was marking a turn. This incident put Duvall back into eleventh.

Russell slowly started reeling in Strang around the halfway point of the race where he was only fifteen seconds behind. N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha' Grant Baylor and Ashburn also settled into a battle in the latter half of the race for the last podium position. After switching back-and-forth multiple times Baylor was able to hold the position once lapped riders came between them.

Once the white flag came out it was an all-out battle between Strang and Russell with only six seconds separating the pair. Russell was able to work his way around Strang, but not even a mile later Strang was eager to get back in the lead. 

The two came together during the pass ultimately taking both of them out. While Strang was able to quickly recover, Russell faced a mechanical issue which left the defending champion unable to finish the race.

"I got off to a quick lead and I think the dust helped me get a gap," said Strang. "Kailub started to catch me on the last two laps and then was right on me on the last lap. Around the six mile marker we had different lines and he came up next to me and we rubbed and I backed off and he passed me. 

“Then about a half mile later the same opportunity came up where I was able to get up next to him and we both came together and got tangled. He hit a tree and then I hit the next tree in line. I'm not a dirty rider but that's racing. We both want to win, and it's unfortunate that it had to be this way."

Ashburn stayed consistent and kept charging in an attempt to catch back up to Baylor. A mere second would separate them as they crossed the finish line in second and third. Both riders have had their fair share of issues this season, but proved today that they will be overall contenders for the remaining five races.

"I've struggled big time in the GNCC series all year long," said Baylor. "Ever since I sunk my bike in Florida it's went downhill from there. I'm still trying to bounce back from both my injuries this year. It feels great to be back on the podium where I know I belong, but I wish I could have been up in the front battling for the lead instead of third. I came out with second so I can't really complain because it feels like a win after how this season has been going. I'm really happy with today's results.”

"It's been a struggle this year and I've just had some stuff happen that I wasn't sure how it even happened," said Ashburn. "It's been a learning year and we are still learning and every race we just keep progressing and working our way to be on the podium week-in and week-out."

MCS Racing Suzuki/Obermeyer/Kenda/MX Tech/Fly Racing's Ricky Russell hung right with the top racers today finishing just off the podium in fifth overall and fourth in XC1 Pro. Bobbitt followed in fifth and eighth overall.

In the XC2 Pro Lites division Coastal Racing/Husqvarna/MSR's Craig Delong grabbed yet another $100 Hot Cams XC2 Holeshot Award with his teammate Layne Michael right behind him. The lead position continued to be exchanged between Michael, Delong and Solid Performance KTM's Jesse Groemm.

However, JCR Honda/FLY Racing's Trevor Bollinger had to work his way through nearly the entire class to take home his sixth win of the season. Groemm and Michael crossed the line in second and third, and Delong would finish just off the podium in fourth. Trail Jesters Racing's Josh Toth finished in a solid fifth place.

"I had to kick my bike seven times on the start before it would start," said Bollinger. "It was tough to make up that much time. The woods were good, but the fields were super dusty. You just had to be smart on the first few laps. Once I got with Craig we were rolling pretty well and eventually  I was able to bring it on in."

Chris Venditti took home the $125 American Kargo Top Amateur Award with his 23rd overall finish. Zack Nolan and Loic Leonard rounded out the amateur overall podium.

After a rough couple of races FLY Racing/Yamaha's Becca Sheets came out on top in the 10 a.m. race with the overall and WXC victory. FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Kacy Martinez followed in second overall and 125 B/C competitor Haden VanCuren rounded out the 10 a.m. overall podium and earned the overall amateur honors with his seventh place finish. Bonzi/Yamaha's Brooke Cosner placed third in the WXC class.

The two-wheel racing action kicked off bright and early this morning with the 8 a.m. youth race. After starting on the second row, Zack Davidson rode an impressive race earning not only the Super Mini Jr. (12-13) division win but also the overall on adjusted time. Hunter Riemer and Benjamin Wright followed in second and third.

The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series continues with round nine on June 25 and 26 with the popular AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC held at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia.

The Birth of Motocross

 

With the Grand Prix of Great Britain just around the corner and the Matterley Basin circuit a stones throw from the original birth place of Motocross/Scrambles, we thought it might be a good idea to look back in time, when our beloved sport was just a baby.

Motocross was first known as a British off-road event called Scrambles, which were themselves an evolution of Trials events popular in northern Britain.

The first known Scramble took place at Camberley, Surrey in 1924. European motorcyclists adopted the event and gave it a slight makeover, shortening the tracks and adding laps and a few man-made obstacles like jumps.

During the 1930s, the sport grew in popularity, especially in Britain where teams from BSA, Norton, Matchless, Rudge, and AJS competed in the events. Off-road bikes from that era differed little from those used on the street. Intense competition over rugged terrain led to technical improvements in motorcycles.

Rigid frames gave way to suspensions by the early 1930s, and swinging arm suspension appeared by the early 1950s, several years before it was incorporated on production street machines. The period after the Second World War was dominated by BSA which had become the largest motorcycle company in the world. BSA riders dominated international competitions throughout the 1950s.

In 1952 the FIM, motorcycling’s international governing body, created an individual European Championship using a 500cc engine displacement formula. In 1957, it was upgraded it to World Championship status.

In 1962, a 250cc world championship was created. It was in the smaller 250cc category that companies with two-stroke motorcycles came into their own. Companies such as Husqvarna from Sweden, CZ from Czechoslovakia and Greeves from Britain, became popular due to their lightness and agility.

By the 1960s, advancements in two-stroke engine technology meant that the heavier, four-stroke machines were relegated to niche competitions. Riders from Belgium and Sweden began to dominate the sport during this period.

By the late 1960s, Japanese motorcycle companies began challenging the European factories for supremacy of the motocross world. Suzuki claimed the first world championship for a Japanese factory when it won the 1970 250cc crown.

Motocross also began to grow in popularity in the United States during this period, which fueled an explosive growth in the sport. The first stadium motocross event was held in 1972 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. In 1975, a 125cc world championship was introduced. European riders continued to dominate motocross throughout the 1970s but, by the 1980s, American riders had caught up and began winning international competitions.

During the early 1980s, Japanese factories presided over a technology boom in motocross. The typically two-stroke air cooled, twin shock rear suspension machines gave way to machines that were water cooled and fitted with monoshock rear suspension.

By the 1990s, increasingly stringent environmental laws forced manufacturers to develop environmentally friendly four-stroke technology. At the turn of the century, all the major manufacturers have begun competing with four-stroke machines. European firms also experienced a resurgence with Husqvarna, Husaberg and KTM winning world championships with four-stroke machinery.

The sport has evolved with sub-disciplines such as stadium events known as Supercross and Arenacross held in indoor arenas. Freestyle (or FMX) events where riders are judged on their jumping and aerial acrobatic skills have gained popularity, as well as Supermoto (Motocross machines racing on both tarmac and off road).

Vintage motocross events have also become popular with riders competing on bikes usually pre-dating the 1975 model year.

Reprint from MXLarge

Canadian Motocross Nationals...Nanaimo

On a rider friendly, cool, dry day in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Round 2 of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan saw both the MX1 and MX2 red plates pass into the hands of different riders, as the series leaves the west coast and begins its summer long trip east.

 Canadian hero Honda Canada Racing Fox GDR’s Colton Facciotti finished 2-2 and stood on top of the MX1 podium in Nanaimo, grabbing the series lead and the red plate that goes with it, heading into Round 3. Fellow Canadian KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Cole Thompson put on a clinic at the Wastelands while finishing 1-1 in the MX2 class, and in the process begins to put some distance between himself and the rest of the riders.

The Wastelands in Nanaimo is a huge, outdoor, spectator friendly supercross track, cut into the side of a mountain with elevation changes and a hard packed, shale based soil. It also has a unique concrete starting pad like the one we will see next weekend at the Wild Rose MX Park in Calgary at Round 3.

2016 Nanaimo MX1 | Race Results

KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Davi Millsaps had a nearly perfect day; he led all but one lap of the entire 2 motos after getting good starts and making aggressive passes early in both races. Unfortunately for Davi, he was penalized 10 positions in the first moto after video evidence showed him jumping on a Red Cross flag. Fellow competitor Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke suffered the same fate after finishing third in the first moto. Goerke ended up 13-4 on the day, which put him in sixth overall. Millsaps was on fire today and was clearly the fastest man on the track. With the penalty Davi finished 11-1, for fourth overall, and was very gracious on the podium after the second moto where he apologized for missing the flag.

Honda Canada Racing Fox GDR’s Colton Facciotti on the podium after the second moto described his performance today as “slow and steady.”  Colton ended up on top of the podium after finishing 2-2 on the day and briefly leading the second moto. He managed to keep Millsaps in his sights for most of Moto 2, but was never a threat to the front runner. “Colt 45” leaves Nanaimo with the series lead and the red plate on his bike, and is in a good position as we head east to win his fifth national title.

Monster Energy Alpinestar Kawasaki’s Mike Allesi rode well this weekend, and after Goerke made a mistake on the last lap of Moto 1, passed him to finish second. Mike ended up being declared the winner of Moto 1 after the penalties, and went on to finish fifth in Moto 2, for second overall. Allesi is sitting third in the standings and is only 12 points back of the series leader. Mike has not had the good starts we are used to seeing out of him thus far, but expect the talented US rider to get that worked out as we move to the next round.

Grabbing both Royal Distributing Holeshots this weekend was Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha’s Brett Metcalfe, who’s 3-3 moto finishes were good enough for third overall. Metcalfe admitted after the race that the Wastelands track is not one of his favourites and was happy with his third place finish. “I was surprised to grab two Holeshots,” Metty said on the podium after the race.

Rounding out the top 5 were Davi Millsaps 11-1, and Redemption Racing Big Steel Box KTM’s Cade Clason with 4-8 moto finishes. Clason is in sixth place in the series standings as we head to Round 3 next weekend.

Parts Canada Husqvarna’s Tyler Medaglia finished sixth in the second moto after suffering a mechanical issue in the first moto that forced him back to nineteenth. KTM Canada Thor Racing’s Rookie Kaven Benoit was running strongly in the first moto in fourth place until a broken chain forced him to retire. After a second moto start outside the top 15, Kaven could only manage to fight back to a seventh place finish. His 30-7 finishes cost him in the series standings, as he was pushed down to ninth position after doing well in the opening round in Kamloops.

70 Year Old Thunder From Down Under

Feilding granddad still tears up motocross track

PAUL MITCHEll

 

Seventy-year-old Feilding grandpa Gary Southee hopes to see more older people in motocross, and he's out there proving age is no barrier.

He may not have his original knees, but Feilding grandpa Gary Southee is going to keep competing in motocross for as long as he can still swing his leg over a bike.

At 70 years old, Southee is still regularly racing in the veterans class competitions, which start at 35 years old, and doing well to boot.

"I'm racing with jokers half my age and I'm still up amongst it."

 

Seventy-year-old Feilding grandpa Gary Southee, who still rides in motocross competitions, has a hoon at a Whanganui track.

He rode competitively for six years, back when he was one of those young jokers, but he gave it up for 40 years.

Then 4½ years ago, while waiting for knee surgery, he went to support his son Robert Southee at a Hawke's Bay motocross event.

He suddenly realised how much he missed motocross, and decided he'd get back into competition.

Southee said his son was sceptical about him racing again.

"He said 'Pa, you're too old, too fat and not fit'. So I proved him wrong."

He won bronze in the over-60 class in motocross at the 2015 New Zealand Masters Games, and narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2013 NZ Veteran Motocross Championship.

Every month he heads to Taupo with eight mates to hoon around on cross-country rides, up to 200 

"They're all a lot younger than me; they call me Pa or Granddad.

"They egg me on, saying 'come on old man' – it keeps me going."

It's a point of pride for Southee that he can still outlast younger riders in the longer races – the two-hour or four-hour events.

"All those 20- to 30-year-olds team it, they'll swap over, but I Ironman it and do it on my own."

But as much as he enjoys showing up the young ones, he hopes to encourage more old-timers to return to the sport.

"There's a few of us, but not many.

"I'm proving you can do it, that age is no barrier. It's only when you stop that you get old."

Southee said he wasn't planning on hanging up his helmet any time soon.

"I've had two total knee replacements, and a lot of bumps and bruises, but I'm not through riding. As long as I can throw my leg over a bike, I'll ride."