GP's Set To Start...In Qatar

Motocross GP of Qatar Preview - Lights, camera, action

2014-02-25 16:21
For the second year running, the night sky around the Losail Motocross track, Doha, will be illuminated for the season-opening Motocross GP of Qatar on 28 February – 1 March.

The only night race on the calendar of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the event is also significant in being the first Grand Prix for the newly renamed Team HRC, the Honda works MXGP team formally announced on 7 February 2014 as the next chapter in Honda’s increasing support of world motocross.

As was the case with last season’s opener, the inaugural Motocross GP of Qatar, racing will again take place on Saturday night under the floodlights, as opposed to the usual Sunday afternoon slot. In under a month, Losail will also play host to the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship where the factory Honda team will be flying the Honda and HRC flags as reigning World Champions.

Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev ran well at the sandy Losail circuit last time around, finishing an overall fifth, although teammate Max Nagl’s illness hampered him from the start before a first lap collision restricted him to an 11th place Honda debut.

Bobryshev and Nagl have both enjoyed successful and fruitful off-season programmes with Team HRC in 2014, including extensive testing and development of the 2014 CRF450RW and fitness training at Team GB’s Olympic training base before Christmas.

After a string of podiums last year, including three from the last four rounds for Bobryshev and fourth for Nagl at the Motocross of Nations, the 2014 season is being started from a solid foundation.

Evgeny Bobryshev
"I really like the Qatar track and its design. The ground is good and it's a fun place to ride. I'm excited about the first race because, like the other riders, you don't really know where everyone is with performance until you get to Qatar and start the season. I'm going out a little early to do some training and get used to the hot conditions. The competition will be strong but we've had good preparation over the winter so it'll be interesting. After two months as Team HRC we have a good feeling, a lot of good support and one mission this season."

Max Nagl
“Testing has been very good, we’ve been improving every week, so I’m really pumped for the season and looking forward to going to Qatar. Last year it was a new experience riding under the floodlights, which was a bit difficult, but the biggest problem was the food poisoning I got that really wiped me out. So this season I’ve taken steps to make sure it’s a different situation. I’m feeling good and strong, my training has been good, and the team is working well so I’m feeling positive about Qatar and looking forward to getting the season started.”

Roger Harvey
“The season kicks off early in the year again which has given us a short lead to get everything ready, especially as it’s been a busy period of intense testing and development of the CRF450RWs with the increased support of Honda and Honda Racing Corporation. At this point though you always just look forward to getting started and putting all that testing into practice. Particularly this year too, with the Qatar GP being the first race for Team HRC. Although the true test comes when the racing starts, the early signs of performance from testing have been positive, Max and Bobby are looking strong, and we’ve all gelled well as a team with the arrival of several new engineers from HRC.”

Source: Team HRC

Fox Head Names CEO

Orange County Business Journal

Kari Hamanaka Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Irvine-based Fox Head Inc. tapped a former executive at DC Shoes for the top spot at the motocross apparel maker.

Nick Adcock, who has been serving as a nonexecutive Fox Head board member since 2010, was named chief executive of the company.

Fox Head makes apparel, shoes and accessories targeted to fans of motocross, BMX and other sports.

Adcock replaces Pete Fox, who resigned, according to a company press release.

Adcock is a former global president of DC Shoes, part of Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver Inc.

Fox Head also has offices in Barcelona, Spain, and Morgan Hill, where the company was previously headquartered until its move to an office campus at 16752 Armstrong Ave. in 2012.

The company has estimated annual sales of $200 million.

New motocross track in works

The Record-Courier  Carson Velley, NV

By Kurt Hildebrand

 

  

The 80-acre lower Clear Creek parcel belonging to the Washoe Tribe is proposed as the site of a motocross track.

Negotiations are under way to establish a new motocross track on Washoe tribal land across Vista Grande from the Topsy Walmart.

Former Nevada Motocross Track operator Steve Brown said he and the tribe are in talks for the site, which overlooks Clear Creek Canyon.

“We’re very hopeful everything will work out,” Brown said. “It’s a dream come true.”

The Washoe Tribal Council passed a resolution in January to develop a Washoe motocross center on 80 acres of the tribe’s lower Clear Creek parcel.

Under the resolution, Brown will develop the track, manage it and provide the working capital.

The resolution foresees having the track ready by April, but Brown said it would take 60 days to construct a track.

“It’s been a pleasure working with the tribe,” he said.

He said the Washoe toured the 240-acre Pala Tribe motocross track in Southern California, which was built in 2009.

Brown operated the Nevada Motocross Track on Dump Road next door to the Douglas County Animal Shelter in 2009 and 2010.

Ruhenstroth residents opposed the track and in 2010 county commissioners refused to extend the track’s lease for another two years.

In the intervening time, Brown said he has been looking for a new location for the track.

He said the site behind the Walmart is ideal.

“When we open, we want to open full throttle,” he said.

#33 Is Back

Some of you have noticed the absence of our erstwhile "moto bum" Eric Mckenna #33. We have had many questions from readers around the world about where he has been. Several have guessed him to be off riding on some exotic trail in some secret paradise. He does ride all over the western US, moto wherever he finds it, trails of all kinds. He's been known to ride dual sport one day and short track the next. He's anchored the winning 50+ team three years in a row for the Score Baja series but alas sometimes Baja bites.

The 2013 Baja 1000 was not kind to Eric and he is now in the process of mending. Click on his blog for much more detail. He will be back soon.

See some of the Baja ride here in this article.

"Sometimes Baja Bites"

Mike Brown A True Ambassador

Published by FullNoise.com.au  2/14/2014
EnduroCross News
Mike Brown Excited Ahead of Sydney Enduro-X

Husqvarna-backed extreme enduro racing specialist and former AMA motocross champion Mike Brown has touched down in Australia in preparation for this weekend’s KTM Enduro-X Nationals round at Parramatta.

Brown will share pit space alongside the brand new Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team of Glenn Kearney, Scott Keegan, Lachy Stanford and Damian Smith as it makes its debut appearance on Australian soil, and his presence is sure to bring extra firepower to Husqvarna’s table.

The 41-year-old American boasts a career like few others, having won an AMA motocross title, finished third in the World 125cc Motocross Championship on three occasions, turned to off-road racing and won a WORCS championship, and more recently, finished first or second in all three X-Games Moto-X Enduro events since their inception in 2011.

With enduro-cross now as his main focus, Brown signed with Husqvarna for season 2014 and will ride the brand new FC350 in Australia, in what is his first race for the new sponsor, and his first down under since the Perth Supercross in 1991.

“I arrived this morning and I’m really looking forward to the race,” said Brown at Sydney airport yesterday morning. “I’ve known Toby Price since the ISDE three years ago and last year when he was over for the Baja 1000 he was telling me about this series and I said I’d love to come over.

"I love the travelling and seeing everything and it’s good to come here and do both. I’ve just been in California doing my base training and riding and getting used to the new bike.

“This will be my first race for the year, I’m riding the 350 here and it’s an awesome bike. It’s a big thing just to be involved with Husqvarna - the name has been around forever and I’m excited to be a part of it, I really hope it grows just like KTM has."

Brown has been in the country less than a day but in the company of Aussie Husqvarna Team Manager Glenn Kearney and Price, he is already enjoying the local dirt bike culture and attitudes.

“It’s totally different to the US. It’s so serious there. Here everybody wants to have a good time and enjoy themselves as well as race the bikes. It’s more fun.

“Toby’s already talking a lot of crap about Saturday,” joked Brown. “I don’t even know where I’m staying yet, I’m with Toby, so wherever he goes. He’s saying we’re staying in a swag, whatever that is, probably out in the bush or something!”

Mr. & Mrs. Reed...A Racer Family!

Chad's crash in San Diego has certainly lit up the media. He has always been tough but now you get a look at where some of the strength comes from. If you want a good look at the story go to this link for details; Read the full article here.

Central CA Needs A MX Track!

Do you live in central CA? You might have an interest in finding a new track to ride. Here is what some people in Paso Robles think. There is more to fun than the latest Pinot Noir!

Paso Robles Daily News

It’s time for a motocross park in Paso Robles 

Posted: 8:26 am, February 10, 2014 by Guest Contributor

Opinion of Andrea Garcia

Photo from Andrea Garcia.

Ok, I’m going to flat out start something that I hope will get out to not only Paso Robles, but all of San Luis Obispo County!

I am an avid Motocross rider. I am not a thug, problem causing kid, or low life trying to cause havoc. I am a professional woman who enjoys the hobby of riding motocross. I have lived in Templeton my whole life, and it’s about time the county of San Luis Obispo, or may I say it Paso Robles sponsor and endorse a motocross track where responsible people like myself can go and have a good safe/legal time with friends and family!

I travel often two hours or more to ride at a track that is legal, and legitimate. These tracks are often such like those of Porterville Ohv Mx Track and Tulare Mx Cycle Park. What gets me is these tracks are owned and managed professionally and the country allows them to operate and function allowing people like myself to come and enjoy our hobby.

Paso Robles has a reputation for people often complaining about motocross riders disrupting neighborhoods, destroying plant life, and often trespassing. Why won’t they take this into consideration and look at a movement forward rather than back? Why not build a legal motocross park/track for these people to go and enjoy?

It would not only bring the chaos of the so called “havoc we cause” down and be a productive development for the city, but also bring money for the city, and allow people like myself who love this hobby to be able to enjoy it in our own community and promote positive awareness of responsible motocross riders?

What do you say Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo County? Lets get this ball rolling! I know there is so….many more people out there in our community that will support this! Please comment and share!

Thunder From Down Under - #22

Here is what the local papers are saying about tonight's SX battle in San Diego. This is a race Chad Reed has dominated in the past. The big question is can the tough Australian veteran continue his resurgence and land on the box again?

By Bill Center  U-T San Diego

Riders fight for a hole shot during the Monster Energy Supercross at Qualcomm Stadium Saturday night. — Earnie Grafton

Share Photo

• 
• 
• ✉

Riders fight for a hole shot during the Monster Energy Supercross at Qualcomm Stadium Saturday night. — Earnie Grafton

During his dozen seasons in Supercross, Chad Reed has raced against some of the top riders in the history of the sport.

Reed arrived from his native Australia at the end of Jeremy McGrath’s record-setting reign. The bulk of Reed’s career saw him dueling Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart for championships. At 31, Reed is still going strong against the generation featuring Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey.

Reed’s 43 race wins, two championships (2004 and 2009) and unprecedented consistency rank him among the elite in his sport.

But there is one spot where Reed has been “the” rider to beat over the years. And that place is Qualcomm Stadium.

Reed returns to Qualcomm Stadium Saturday night as the only six-time champion of the annual San Diego stop on the 17-race Monster Energy Supercross tour.

---

Reed chalks some of his San Diego success up to coincidence. But he thinks the track layout also has something to do with his local success.

“San Diego is always the last race on the West Coast and our first race of the season in a football stadium,” Reed said earlier this week. “I have a good vibe in San Diego. I’m not a big fan of the races in baseball stadiums.

“Football stadiums have a lot of longer segments and 180-degree turns. Good things happen in San Diego. It’s not that I feel great all the time, but I always seem to be in a good position. I’ve really been consistent in the San Diego races.”

Reed’s two favorite wins at Qualcomm Stadium came in 2005 and 2011.

“I got a bad start in the 2005 race,” he recalled. “I came up through the pack and passed Carmichael late in the race. Ricky and I had quite a battle for the lead. At the finish, we were only two seconds away from lapping the third-place rider.

“I won the 2011 race in the mud and it was my first win as a team owner.”

Reed also rode his Kawasaki to a win last week in Anaheim to move to within two points of series leader Villopoto, who is seeking to win his fourth straight season championship. Reed has two wins and two third-place finishes this season and is the only rider with four top-three finishes in the season’s first five races.

Saturday’s Supercross, which is the first ever Military Appreciation Race, opens with the first heats shortly after 7 p.m.

Reed prides himself for his consistency and passion as a rider.

“Supercross is not about winning one or two weeks in a row,” he said. “The sport is a grind. People think I should be fading at my age. But the secret to my longevity is my passion for the sport. I think I show up every week ready to go. I think that passion shows up in the results.”

Not only have the faces of the competition changed a lot over the last 12 years, the tracks have changed.

“When I started in the early 2000s, the tracks were more difficult and technical,” said Reed. “It took a lot of thinking to win. Now, the tracks are all out. They’re faster and edgier. Right now, I think we’re in a transition period. Track builders and promoters are trying to find a way to challenge us in a safe way.

“I liked the early 2000s more. It took a lot more skill and preparation between the rider, the team and the bike. Guys like McGrath were extremely talented on the technical end. Races were pretty to watch because of the demands on the rider and the skills developed to meet those demands.

“Today, the sport is a little NASCARish. In the early 2000s, only two or three riders had the skills to win. Today, there are seven to eight riders who can win every race. But the skills aren’t the same.”

World News From Honda

Honda President announces Team HRC World Motocross team in MXGP

2014-02-07 11:28
In his annual global motorsports address today, which outlined all of Honda’s factory motorsport programmes for 2014, Honda President Takanobu Ito announced that Honda is further increasing its support in the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The newly renamed Team HRC reflects the increased role of the factory in the championship’s premier MXGP category, and is the natural culmination of an increasing Honda presence in the sport over the last three years.

This is the latest chapter in a long and successful history in World Motocross, in which Honda have sealed a raft of 125, 250 and 500 MX world titles. It’s also a new chapter for HRC, which most recently sealed the FIM MotoGP World Championship title with the Repsol Honda Team last season.

The team retains last year’s rider line-up of Max Nagl and Evgeny Bobryshev, who will compete aboard works Honda CRF450RW machines.

Nagl and Bobryshev were present for the President’s address in Tokyo today, appearing alongside the likes of other works Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez (MotoGP), Joan Barreda (Dakar) and Honda’s drivers from the IndyCar Series and the World Touring Car Championship.

The team has been testing in Sardinia in January and competed in the opening round of the Italian MX Internazionali series to support their preparations for the start of the Grand Prix season, bringing home two podium finishes. The first Grand Prix is in Qatar at the Losail Motocross track on 28 February – 1 March.

Roger Harvey HRC General Manager - MXGP
“The 2014 season is an important milestone for Honda in the Motocross World Championship with the support of Honda Racing Corporation. Honda has a long history in Motocross with the Honda CRF, including multiple world 125, 250 and 500 titles throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and after more and more support over the last three years, the next logical step was for a full factory presence again with Team HRC.”

Max Nagl
“My Dad always said in the past that the biggest step you can make, and the dream to have, is riding for the Honda factory team because it was always the best – a step ahead of everyone. Now I’m so happy to be in Team HRC. It’s really a dream come true.

“I can feel the difference to last year because we’re working very closely with the factory and the Japanese engineers, we have more parts to test each time, and we’ve improved the bike a lot already. The experience and success of HRC brings so much to the team. Standing on the stage for the President’s motorsport announcement alongside riders like Pedrosa and Marquez – it really shows the importance of MXGP to Honda this season.”

Evgeny Bobryshev
“Representing Team HRC is a big honour for me. There is so much history and many motocross victories in the past, and recent World Championships in MotoGP for example, and now after a break it’s a great feeling that HRC is back in MXGP and to be a part of it.

“The whole team approach is so focused on the results this year, and pre-season testing has been very positive. Working directly with Honda in Japan means that changes are happening faster and we have even more support that has helped us already in taking another step, so I’m feeling strong for this season. I hope we can repeat history.”

Fly Racing Cold Weather Gear Review

Fly Racing

WINDPROOF TECHNICAL JERSEY

New from FLY Racing, the Windproof Technical Jersey is ideal for cooler weather, high intensity action sports. Front and arm panels provide protection from wind and water penetration in the comfort of a lightweight jersey. Breathable back and armpit panels provide heat exhaust and sublimated, high-def logos provide the highest quality and fade free graphic.

• Front and arm panels provide protection from wind and water penetration
  without the restriction of a jacket in the comfort of a lightweight jersey
• Breathable back and armpit panels provide heat exhaust
• Sublimated and hi def logos provide the highest quality and fade free graphic
• Ideal for cooler weather high intensity action sports 

Colors: Black, Blue or Red

Fly Racing Link

907 COLD WEATHER GLOVES

Fly Racing Link

• Ultra-flexible Cold Weather Glove – perfect for those colder days on the track or trail
• Embossed Neoprene Construction – for protection and warmth
• Single Layer Palm – provides optimal control and functionality
• Molded Wrist with Velcro® Closure