Old School Moto - Australian Style

Dirt Track News - KTM's Jeff Leisk Joins The Legends At Bayliss Classic

KTM Australia General Manager Jeff Leisk has swapped the suit for a set of leathers and slipped quietly out the back door of the office to join an impressive list of legends taking part in this weekend’s Troy Bayliss Classic at Old Bar, Taree.

During his professional career in the eighties and early nineties, Leisk was Australia’s most successful motocross export, earning factory contracts in the US and at Grand Prix level in Europe. The two-time Aussie Mister Motocross finished as Vice Champion in the premier 500cc class of the World Motocross Championships at his first attempt in 1989, before retiring from international motocross at the end of 1990. This weekend’s event, hosted by three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss assembles a star-studded lineup of the biggest names in Aussie road racing, motocross, speedway, enduro and dirt track for a day of fun, laughs, and of course, elbows out racing. The Old Bar circuit is one of the few remaining oil tracks, a surface which in the right conditions, and to a slick-shod, loaded up and crossed up dirt tracker, approximates the grip level of tar. Leisk will take a 450SX-F into the event, while KTM Off-Road Team heroToby Price will make his second appearance at the classic on his 350EXC-F. “I’ve had a couple of days to get some practice, both on a kart track and on a motocross track; it’s not bad planning a day of just going riding!" Leisk explaind. "The idea is to enjoy myself but it’s better to get your eye in and enjoy it more. "I’ve always liked dirt track events like King of the Mountain in Toowoomba and what was probably Australia’s first Supermoto event at Eastern Creek in the early 90s and won them both so it’s a style I like. "I think it’s great what Troy’s doing, he’s putting a lot back into the sport and it’s good to be able to support him and catch up with some mates and have fun as well. I rode with him the other day and he goes extremely hard - completely sideways everywhere and he’s a bit of a character," Leisk continued. "Troy’s on a KTM, and we’ll be supporting Toby Price, Jason Crump, Angus Reekie - who should go well - and the likes of Antony Gunter in the Legends class. "My 450 SX-F is awesome; Al Reekie prepared it for me. We’ve kept it pretty simple but it’s easily good enough for the rider! I’m feeling pretty excited, mixed in with some anxiety about the first corner, but hey, someone’s got to get in there first," he added. KTM-backed Three-time Speedway World ChampionJason Crump and 6-time national Supermoto champ Angus Reekie will also further boost stocks in the orange camp on a pair of 450SX-Fs. Also KTM mounted on the day will be the likes of Garry McCoy, Jack Miller, Stu Bennett, Dave Armstrong,Shayne King and Vaughan Style. “The event has become bigger than I imagined and probably bigger than Troy ever did." Crump commented. "I reckon it’s the biggest dirt track meeting we’ve ever seen in Australia and the support from the industry and the riders shows the level of respect we all have for him - and how much fun we all had last year. "The racing will be hard and aggressive, but my aim is to have fun and for everyone to come away in one piece. It will be heaps of fun just hanging out with everyone and being a part of it and I really want to thank KTM for this support that enables me to compete.” Angus Reekie is looking forward to his first racing experience on an oiled track. “This will be my first time on an oil track and I’m really, really looking forward to it. The lineup is incredible. I can’t believe how many talented riders will be in the same place! "I’ve been motocrossing a fair bit for training and fitness, so we’ll see how we go. We’ll give it heaps, then go have a good time with the boss.” Reekie commented. Price can't wait to be back on track with so many of Australia's past champions from all different disiplines off motorcycle racing and will certainly be aiming to beat his boss when racing gets underway. “It’s gonna be good fun to be there with so many great champions, it will be cool to see." Price stated. "I hear there’s this bloke called The Flying Freckle (Leisk) so I’ll see if I can fix that guy up. "Geez I’d better - if the boss beats me I might not have a job come Monday! For me it’s just a fun event; I’ll be running my 350SX-F and I just want to bang some bars with Leisky and have a good time.”

Behind The Scene With Team Honda HRC - 2014 Dakar

Behind The Scenes with Team HRC - 2014 Dakar Stage 3 a Motocross video by hondaeurope

40 Years of Supercross

By Keith Lair, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Early riders, promoters, technology helped transform the sport

 

If three-time reigning Monster Energy supercross series champion Ryan Villopoto put his motorcycle in Dr. Emmett Brown’s DeLorean, dialed it in for 1974 and landed at the L.A. Coliseum for the first supercross race, he would win every time.

“Jump-wise there is a lot more double and triple jumps,” said three-time 1970s supercross series champion Bob Hannah, comparing the years. “Those courses would be easier now than when we rode them because of the development of bikes. If you took a modern-day bike on an old course, it would be pretty easy.”

Suspensions, traction, tires, power; it all adds up.

“You can’t compare,” Villopoto said on the fortnight of the 40th anniversary of the series. “Bikes have changed; the sport has changed. The amount of riders who can win races; that has changed. It was not even like that when Ricky (Carmichael) was racing or (Jeremy McGrath) was racing.

“But every one of those top guys way back when built the sport to what it is now.”

Supercross made its debut as an AMA series on March 10, 1974 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. There were only three races, the final one two months later at the L.A. Coliseum.

The fifth decade of supercross begins Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

“So many things have changed,” series vice president Todd Jendro said. “It’s changed tremendously in just my 18 years in the sport.”

Hannah, nicknamed “Hurricane,” was one of the pioneers of the sport, which has grown into an industry that generates millions of dollars. The Lancaster native won three consecutive series titles, from 1977 through ‘79, capturing 18 of the 33 races in those three years. A water skiing accident derailed his racing career. He won nine more races after the 1979 Colorado River accident. He then took up flying and eventually competed in the National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno, Nev. He operates an airplane sales business out of his Caldwell, Idaho home. 

His old Yamaha bike, Hannah said, could not handle the courses built today.

“The bikes are light years of difference,” said Tom White, who operates the The Early Years of Motocross Museum, a private collection in Villa Park. “There have been a lot of changes. When Doug Henry rode the first four-stroke in 1997, it really changed the sport. It made for huge jumps. Those old bikes just could not do these jumps.”

AMA sanctioned a motocross race inside Daytona International Speedway in 1971, but the race was more of a traditional motocross track and it had two 45-minute motos. Concert promoter Mike Goodwin took the concept a step further a year later, putting motocross in the Coliseum. Goodwin, who was convicted in a Pasadena court for murdering fellow promoter Mickey Thompson and his wife, Trudy, called the event the “Super Bowl of Motocross,” which eventually just became supercross. 

“He’s the architect of supercross,” White said of Goodwin. “He thought it up and designed it.”

But there were no pre-race fireworks, no booming voice-overs, no theatrics before Marty Tripes won that Coliseum event or Pierre Karsmakers of The Netherlands won the first supercross series race and the 250cc series title in that first series-sanctioned year, 1974.

That first season had only three races; Daytona, the Houston Astrodome and the Coliseum. The second season added only one more date, the old Texas Stadium. Both 250cc and 500cc bikes raced, but the major champion came from the 250cc class.

“Obviously they have come a long way since Goodwin started it,” Hannah said. “There are a lot bigger sponsorships and a lot more money.”

Now, there are 17 events and each one is televised live.

“We drew 68,000, 70,000 then and stadium sizes have not changed, so the crowds are not any bigger,” Hannah said. “But it is TV that has made the sport pretty famous. We had very little TV. But once it got on TV, it got pretty popular.”

Before the races, there are fireworks, lasers and videos.

“It is a spectacle,” Jendro said. “It’s true entertainment and a well-rounded motor sports package.

“We put on a gigantic atmosphere to put a personality on these athletes, so they are not a robot. They’re great personalities and we’re trying to expose that on TV and at the stadium.”

Hannah said he watches the races on television and attends one or two events a year, usually the April race in Seattle. He will likely be in Southern California on Jan. 18 for Anaheim 2, when the series holds a ‘74 throwback race. In the meantime, he sells airplanes, from Piper Cubs to bush planes to Lear jets out of his home office, which overlooks a stream, pistol and rifle range and a grass airstrip.

He no longer races drag boats or airplanes. He rides his bicycle, something he did before turning to motorcycles as a youth at Soledad Sands in Acton, on trails nearly every day.

“I have a cushy job now,” he said. “I do not miss it.”

It’s the body, the 57-year-old said of why the sport is a young man’s game.

“Once I started to (race), it was in me to win,” he said. “You have to have the ego to do that stuff. And some talent and some heart. You have to have all three. But really, you need heart to win races.

“You have to be a kid to do that. I never missed it after I quit. When you’re young it’s the greatest thing to be at the top of a world-class event, but it beats the tar out of you. After 10 years, you’re beat up pretty good.”

Last season, Villopoto passed Hannah and Ricky Johnson for supercross wins. His 34 series victories ranks fifth. McGrath, Ricky Stewart, James Stewart and Chad Reeds have more.

“A lot more stuff is going on with lights and big screens,” Hannah said. “It was purely racing then.”

Colorado Boy Workin Hard!

Tomac preparing for new season

Cortez native moving up to 450cc

By Ian MacLaren Journal staff writer

 

Courtesy Photo/Simon Cudby

Eli Tomac catches air during a Monster Energy Supercross race in 2013.

To fans that have followed pro motocross star Eli Tomac over the last decade, the 21-year-old’s quick ascension to the top of his sport has hardly been surprising.

 

After all, Cortez’s youngest superstar has always had a knack for speed.

Fresh off a 2013 season that saw him win the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in the 250cc class, Tomac is currently preparing to kick off the 2014 season competing in the 450cc class.

Tomac will begin the year racing in Anaheim on Jan. 4 for the first round of the seventeen round AMA Supercross Series.

“(Moving to the 450) class is a pretty big step, but I’ll try to make it as small as I can,” said Tomac, discussing his upcoming season. “I’ve spent the past two months on the 450 full time, so that has been nice.”

Among the many challenges that will confront Tomac in motocross’s elite class, handling the bigger bike, competing against the sport’s top talented and a demanding seventeen-race schedule will be the most daunting.

“The biggest challenge for us will be racing the seventeen rounds of Supercross,” said Tomac.

Even with the challenges however, Tomac remains confident in his ability to enjoy success against the sport’s best.

“I would like to say that I could get a few wins,” said Tomac. “The goal would be a few wins and as many podiums as I can get.”

To accomplish those goals, Tomac will rely heavily on his GEICO-Honda team, as well as a level of fitness developed after months of hard work during the offseason.

“I ride mountain bikes and road bikes,” said Tomac, a McElmo Canyon native. “I go to the gym.”

Among Tomac’s many races during the Supercross season, events in Phoenix (Jan. 12) and Salt Lack City (April 27) will be the closest to the Cortez area.

Thus, while it may be hard for local fans to watch Tomac in person, those interested in watching Tomac race can generally tune in to Supercross races on Fox Sports Networks.

With any luck, fans tuning in will have the opportunity to watch Cortez’s most famous professional athlete serve his hometown proud.

Got an Extra $100k Layin Around?

Steve McQueen Husqvarna motocross bike to go up for auction

by Tom Walsh

Motorbike enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on some unique memorabilia as Steve McQueen's motocross bike is due to go up for auction in California.

The famous movie star, and renowned motorbike lover, was the proud owner of a 1971 Husqvarna Moto-Cross 250, which will go under the hammer at the Profiles in History offices in Calabasas.

McQueen's model comes with an invoice date of 19 October 1971 and states that Solar Productions, McQueen's production company, was the buyer of the vehicle.

When the movie star first purchased this motocross bike it cost just $898 (£543) but this figure is expected to soar given its prominence within the biking community.

Profiles in History stated: "This Husqvarna 250 Cross is just like the bike McQueen rode at Lake Elsinore when he competed and raced in 1970 and 1971 in 'expert' class.

"The motorcycle has been restored; with the exception of some paint loss on the front fender, it remains in excellent running condition."

It is not the first bike to be owned by McQueen that has gone under the hammer. In 2011, a 1971 Husqvarna 500 Cross model set a new world record after it was sold for $144,500.

#33 Pre Run Baja 1000

There are lots of good Baja riding videos but very few that allow you to actually see and hear what riding Baja is all about. This short video allows you to ride along with Eric and see exactly what he sees. This is his last pre run before the 2013 Baja 1000 race. The Liquid Image Impact goggles he wears allows him to clearly comment as he rides at speed. The difference between practice speed and race speed is also clearly demonstrated.

 

Honda Racing Searching for the Best Performance!

 Have you ever wondered how world class athletes continue to get better? One way is the constant search for improvment...Better Never Stops! This short video will give you some insight.

Better Never Stops: Honda Racing @ The English Institute of Sport a Motocross video by hondaeurope

LAKE ELSINORE: Dispute shuts down motocross track

  /FILE PHOTO

Fans watch as off road racers take a jump during the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore in October.

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BY MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS

December 23, 2013; 05:05 PM

A highly popular off-road motorcycle track in Lake Elsinore recently closed its gates to the public amid a legal dispute and its future is in doubt, the operator said Monday, Dec. 23.

Giovanni Nanci, whose company Vision Quest Enterprises runs the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, said he doesn’t know if the venue will be reopened for public activity after it shut down in October.

“It’s up in the air; it’s pending a lawsuit,” he said. “I filed a lawsuit against the property owner and we’ve been in a long battle for almost a year.”

The park still intends to fulfill its contract to hold previously scheduled national off-road racing events sponsored by Lucas Oil in 2014, Nanci said. But the closure of the section that had been open daily to riders for an admission fee is a blow to followers of the sport in this region.

“It's an unfortunate set of circumstances,” said motocross enthusiast and videographer Randy Roberts of Canyon Lake. “A lot of locals that live in the area benefitted from the track being open because it was so close. Now, they have to drive out of the area.”

The park has been a cog in the promotion by city officials and business leaders of Lake Elsinore as a mecca for outdoor action sports.

Lake Elsinore City Councilman Bob Magee, also a motorsports fan, said the city has been supportive of the park and he remains hopeful something can be worked out enabling it to reopen.

“I get a call every week asking when the track’s going to open back up and I’d love to say, ‘Tomorrow,’ but I can’t yet,” Magee said.

Nanci contends in his complaint filed in Superior Court that the property owner, Keeton Holdings, broke its promise to finance more than $2 million worth of improvements within the 93-acre motorsports park and an adjacent 80 acres paved for parking and other activities.

“We brought in an investor to help us expand the venue and in turn he wants to sell the property to a housing developer,” Nanci said. “So, it’s put everything on hold for now.”

Keeton Holdings proprietor Bruce Keeton and his attorney, Fletcher Paddison, could not be reached by phone for an interview Monday.

In the attorney’s response to the lawsuit, Keeton denied Vision Quest’s allegations. Keeton said the company paid $1.35 million to Vision Quest for site improvements that were not worth nearly that much and that the latter had agreed to terminate its lease of the property at the end of last year.

There is no mention in the court filings of what Keeton wants to do with the park property. The case has been set by the court for binding arbitration on Feb. 10.

Keeton Holdings entered the picture in mid-2012 after Vision Quest renovated the motocross park and reopened it in December 2011. The facility was closed about a year after a previous operator’s lease ran out while unsuccessfully attempting to navigate a conflict with the city over permit requirements.

While working on the park’s rehabilitation, Vision Quest began looking for an investor. Keeton Holdings came forward to buy the land and form a partnership with Vision Quest, known as Lake Elsinore Entertainment Center. The agreement, however, quickly began to unravel, according to the allegations in both sides’ court filings.

“When you get into litigation like this it puts a damper on everything,” Nanci said. “It destroys your reputation. It destroys your family’s reputation. It destroys everything. For what? So we could build some … houses over there?... It’s sad.”

MOTORSPORTS PARK CLOSED

Property off Corydon Street in southern Lake Elsinore has been the site of a motocross track for more than a decade.

After renovating the facility, new proprietors reopened the track in December 2011, rechristening it the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, with much acclaim from the off-road racing road.

Annual national off-road truck and kart races conducted by Lucas Oil in 2012 and 2013 escalated the park’s reputation.

A legal dispute and accompanying financial issues led to the motocross track’s closure to the public in mid-October, with no reopening date set.

Arbitration scheduled Feb. 10.

Yamaha USA Raises $100,500 for Feed the Children Charity Day

Yamaha Racing Champions at Seventh Annual Feed the Children Charity Day

With support from some of its most famous motorcycle racers, Yamaha U.S.A.  presented a $100,500 check to Feed the Children for its Seventh Annual Feed The Children Charity Day.

Joining the employees of Yamaha U.S.A. were 2013 AMA Pro SuperBike Champion Josh Herrin, 2013 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion Cameron Beaubier, 2013 Women’s Pro Motocross Triple Crown Champion Jessica Patterson, 2012/2013 AMA Pro ATV Motocross Champion Chad Wienen, as well as Yamaha legends Kenny Roberts and Gary Jones.

In addition, four-time XDL Street Freestyle Champion Bill Dixon entertained the employees and other attendees with a high-energy stunt show filled with stoppies, burnouts, and backwards wheelies.

The record funds raised for Feed the Children this year came from employee donations plus two special promotions that contributed to the 2013 donation: a charity auction held during Yamaha’s dealer meeting this summer in Las Vegas that raised approximately $60,000 and an “Assembled in U.S.A.” Sweepstakes that helped contribute another $5,500.

After the check presentation ceremony by Toshi Kato, President of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., the Star Touring and Riding Association helped deliver additional donated food and hygiene supplies to the local Feed the Children office for further distribution.

Bob Starr (General Manager of National Communications for Yamaha’s Motorsports Group) says: “Yamaha is proud to continue its work with Feed the Children, and to have so many of our employees, dealers, and friends join together in helping to make this a very special year for families across the country. Thanks to all of the great Yamaha racers and the Star Touring and Riding Association for their support and participation in today’s Charity Day.”

Yamaha has worked with Feed the Children for nearly 20 years, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and feeding tens of thousands of children. Feed the Children is an international and nonprofit relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities to individuals, children, and families who lack those essentials.

For more Yamaha news, results, and other team info, be sure to check out Yamaha’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @YamahaMotorUSA.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!!

We hope everyone is Happy, Healthy and ready to Ride into 2014!

The MX43.com Team

Art & Marti                                               Joe

                                    Eric #33 & Cheryl