EP.8 | Behind the Gate | Rollercoaster

Wilson Dominates In Japan

Japanese 250 motocross champion Jay Wilson of the Yamaha Factory Innovation team has pulled off yet another victory in the All Japanese championship, but having move up from the 250cc class to the 450cc class, he is still in total control.

Wilson, a former Grand Prix racer with the Steve Dixon team has won all four rounds of the championship, taking his fourth victory of the year last weekend in Hiroshima, Japan. After dominating the 250cc class in 2022, it was his 11th straight win in Japan.

“This was my first-time racing at this venue and it’s the first time we have done the traditional two, thirty-minute motos this year,” Wilson said. “Probably been the hottest day we have had racing this year as well, so it was a good test of fitness and durability on boh me and the bike. The weekend went well, and the track was a lot of fun to ride. It had a heap of jumps and was almost like a fast supercross track, so it was a lot of fun to ride.

After not racing for a couple of weeks, the Aussie gains a lot of energy from the rest and came into last weekend with all guns blazing and produced his typical Japanese magic.

“I had a quiet couple of weeks leading into this race as I wasn’t well but feeling good now and back to working hard with Yamaha and the team during the week to be ready for upcoming events we have planned. Thanks to all the team supporters and look forward to seeing everyone at round five.”

Sexton in for Red Bud!

Team Honda HRC is very happy to confirm the reigning 450SX champ’s return to @promotocross this weekend. Chase missed three rounds due to concussion but is once again ready to compete as the series heads to the legendary @redbudmx—-his home race and the same place he helped bring Team USA to victory just last fall. Welcome back, Champ! #RideRed @hondaracingcorporation"

Where's Cooper Going in 2024?

Strong rumors he is headed to Star Yamaha. Does that mean Eli is headed to the couch? Is Sexton taking his spot at KTM? Is Dungey making another comeback? Is Herlings coming to America? Who knows? Silly season is in full swing.

Does Works Connection Know Hole Shots?

These Champions all use the WC Pro Launch Device. Maybe you should think about that!

Check'em out at www.worksconnection.com

Embrace The Unknown | Vital MX Editorial...Lewis Phillips

 

SX Global, promoters of the FIM World Supercross Championship, leapt beneath the microscope with little trepidation. No athlete, team or spectator has ever complained that there are not enough events and yet SX Global entered the crowded market with lofty expectations. WSX has existed in some form for eighteen months now – the first announcement was released in the December of 2021 – yet there have only been two events.

The lack of on-track action has not resulted in a battle for notoriety though, because the concept has remained a hot topic for a multitude of reasons. The aforementioned expectations were a catalyst for that. It is fair to state that SX Global's message was not delivered in the most elegant fashion to begin with and that has made their bid for legitimacy even more difficult. To their credit though, changes in personnel were made to move away from the aggressive stance that was occupied previously.

Anyway, their first true championship (presuming that we are recognizing their pilot season as nothing more than that) is days away and there is a burning question that is truly subjective. What would make the 2023 FIM World Supercross Championship a success? To confirm, there is no real answer and SX Global will have a completely different opinion to the riders or fans. There are some realistic goals to strive for in the coming months though.

Not to start on a negative point, but the racing will not be the narrative. The depth of the WSX division pales in comparison to that of Monster Energy Supercross, Pro Motocross or the FIM Motocross World Championship. It would be truly shocking if Ken Roczen fails to execute a championship-winning term and that'll take something away from the rest of the action, similar to when Marvin Musquin has swept every single session at the annual Paris Supercross (France being another topical point).

The prospect of witnessing Roczen domination is not quite as tantalizing as what British fans had on the menu in Cardiff last October and the crowd may suffer as a result. The problem is that British fans, as well as those in mainland Europe, are spoilt for choice. There is little in the way of supercross, sure, but fans will not fill those seats simply because a track has been placed inside of a stadium. A sporting event lives or dies based on the entry list. This humble scribe truly believes that.

WSX's Grand Prix of France will be cancelled in the not-too-distant future and it's heavily rumored that lacklustre ticket sales are the root of that issue. This perfectly encapsulates the previous point. Infront Moto Racing host multiple races in France each year and the attendance never suffers, simply because the fans are invested in those athletes. Lyon would be a guaranteed success, if the entry list resembled that of a Monster Energy Supercross round. French fans have an option to be selective.

Not everyone is so fortunate, obviously, and the nations that are in desperate need of their motocross fix are where SX Global have a chance to stand up and make a statement. Singapore has potential to be their first 'win' as it is realistic that they could execute the first race on Asian soil with no negatives. The Indonesian Grands Prix that Infront Moto Racing run tend to drown in controversy, simply because those in the sport refuse to look favorably on the sparse entry list.

The number of entrants will not be a problem when the FIM World Supercross Championship lands in Singapore, simply because the teams have no choice but to run four stars, but there are so many fans who will be unaware of the procedure and applaud SX Global for running a race on the continent that has no glaring issues. Will the spectators come out? Previous Asian fixtures indicate that would be no problem, but there is one concern.

Infront Moto Racing travel to extremely small Indonesian islands and the locals flock to the events, no matter if they are informed or not. Those who are local to Singapore have more options in motorsport and will not feel as privileged to see a world championship in town. The welcome may not be as warm and unique as what is seen elsewhere on the continent, for that reason, but the attraction of something new should make it successful. It would be a shock if it does not represent a milestone for WSX.

Beyond that, the race in Australia will be an obvious success as the spectators in Oceania feel a sense of pride in what SX Global are achieving from their portion of the world. One would think that Germany will be a hit – it will be the first time that Roczen has raced at home in just over ten years. There is a little scepticism there though, one could state, as the Motocross of Nations is set to be run just before and the first SMX concept (run in Germany) was an absolute disaster in the October of 2016.

This will be another pilot season for WSX, in a sense. There are countless unknowns that will result in positives and negatives. Simply completing the six-round calendar with some consistency and a sense of direction would be marvellous for all involved. There are no queries about whether or not the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross series will be a success, because Feld's brand and product is proven. WSX is in the "show me" phase even though, yes, that position must frustrate them beyond belief.

Accepting such a role is crucial though, as many have mentioned that SX Global elected to run before walking under previous management. Take pride in being so green and take spectators along for that turbulent journey. Claim to be the best and any errors will be deemed unacceptable. Spin that around, share the uncertainty and little mistakes will be better received.

Star Racing Smith Sidelined

Star Racing rider targeting return at 100 percent for the SMX playoffs.

A wrist sprain and UCL injury sustained while practicing has ruled Jordon Smith out of the upcoming 2023 Pro Motocross races, as the goal of the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider is to be back to 100 percent for the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season.

Smith is currently 11th in the 250MX standings with his best motos of the season coming at Thunder Valley where he was P6 in both outings, but is unsure exactly at this point when he will be able to get back on the bike after the practice fall.

“Well not the news I am wanting to share today,” said Smith. “I had a crash while practicing last week that resulted in a wrist sprain and an injury to my UCL in my thumb. One of my main goals for this outdoor season was to be there for every single moto so this is a big disappointment.

“Not exactly sure the timetable to be back on the bike at this time but I will definitely be missing the next few rounds of Pro Motocross. The goal at this point is to be back to 100 percent for the SuperMotocross playoff races and make a run at that. Thanks to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for having my back! We will be back soon.”

The Pro Motocross Championship continues this Saturday with round five at RedBud and runs through to round 11 at Ironman Raceway on 26 August.

The SMX play-offs commence on 9 September at zMax Dragway where crucially the top 20 riders combined from Supercross and Pro Motocross standings will be seeded automatically. Smith is currently fifth in the 250SMX standings.

#22 New Gig!

Chad Reed’s got himself a new job! The multi-time SX and MX champ was hired by the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) guys to do some TV work as well as be an advisor to the series. With the series kicking off this weekend in the UK, we had Reed on the Pulpmx Show last Monday to tell us a little more about it.

Racer X Online: You got yourself a job. What made you want to do it? You raced it last year until you crashed. You’re a fan of the series. I get it, but what made you want to commit more time and energy and travel and all of that?
Chad Reed: I’m a fan of supercross and always have been. Growing up in Australia, racing supercross at twelve years old, chasing the dream, racing in the U.S. and everything like that. Supercross will just always be. In my opinion, it’s the elite of our sport. Two wheels off-road racing at the highest level is supercross. For whatever reason, I fell in love with it when I was about nine years old, and I’ve just loved it. So, just wanting to be a part of it, the goal, the vision. As a rider, I always kind of loved and shared that vision of wanting to go bigger and better and go global.

 We initially started to scratch the surface with that in 2002 going to Switzerland and to Holland. It just didn’t really work out for whatever reason, and then here we are. We’ve got a new group that’s kind of sharing and chasing that same dream as well. Love to be a part of it. I’ve been in both on so many different things. The athlete side of it, the team owner side of it, and then obviously into the 2009, 2010, 2011, I was the co-promoter of Australian supercross. So, definitely seen it different side of the world from the promoter side of it. So, just that perspective and understanding all the different outlets and seeing how that experience works, because I can help them better ammunition going forward, I guess.

You’re going to help out in the TV booth. It says you’re an advisor, as well. Does an advisor kind of mean, like, “Chad, you got any ideas about anything?” Are there parameters for this or is it basically like, “Hey, Chad, tell us what you think or what you see or what we can do better?”
I think consultant would be a better word. Basically, my contract that I signed had consultant on it. That obviously involves advising. Looking over the schedule and the races and how they do them. Diving into different and new things. I think that when the FIM and the AMA were here, they kind of co-existed but didn’t really. I think there was a little influence from the FIM, but mainly we kept it in the window of what we were used to with the AMA side of it. The AMA and the FIM do things quite differently. Some negative and some positive on both sides.

 So, try to make some better common ground there with the ruling and some of the things. Maybe the GP's and the FIM, what’s important to them, maybe it doesn’t necessarily have to be so important or in our wheelhouse of supercross. Just little things like that. Really there’s no limit. Just the whole program, the goal. How can I consult or advise a better way forward.

I’m guessing you’re going to talk to the guys that are racing. This is part of it. If you see me in the pits, if Colt Nichols or Shane McElrath see you in the pits, come up to me. Let’s talk about it.
Yeah. I think that’s the position that many times has been considered or talked about, whether it be Kevin Windham, Mike LaRocco, myself. Kind of once you get a certain age, you’re considered old or the vet of the series. People tend to want to tell you things or vent to you because you have… I’ve never been shy or being afraid to go to the powers that be to try to make things better. If I genuinely believed in what the rider or the team or whoever it was that was sharing that information, I was always willing and able to go to said person to get it in front of them. Did they always listen? Not always. But at least I had that opportunity. When the shoe is on my foot, and those guys are confiding in me and sharing that information, then my goal is that I can take it to the right people, and I can implement change as quick as possible.

Anderson Back for Red Bud

Finally some good news on the injury front. Monster Energy Kawasaki 450 racer Jason Anderson is set to return to action this weekend for the RedBud National, after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his neck during the Nashville Supercross on April 29th. Anderson returned to riding the week before the High Point National, and hinted on Monday that if he felt good this week, he'd race RedBud. On Tuesday night, Kawasaki confirmed on social media that Anderson would indeed return to racing this weekend.

Also, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki 250 racer Seth Hammaker, who has missed the full 2023 season with a badly-broken arm/wrist, will return at RedBud as well, also confirmed by Kawasaki.

Both riders will be chasing points for the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), which is the name of the new playoff series that begins in September. Anderson, thanks to his Monster Energy Supercross points, still sits eighth in the  SMX 450 standings (which combines supercross and motocross points together) but would like to move further up to improve his seeding when the playoffs begin. Riders begin the playoffs with extra points based on seeding.

Red Bud...50th!

Festivities Abound as Legendary RedBud MX Celebrates its 50th Anniversary at FMF RedBud National

Retro-Themed Event Set to Kick Off Independence Day Weekend

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – With the first month of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, complete, the industry will shift its focus to one of the most storied traditions in American motocross, the Independence Day holiday and RedBud MX. Always one of the focal points of the summer season, this year’s FMF RedBud National, presented by INTENSE Cycles, will carry even more significance as the iconic Michigan venue celebrates its 50th anniversary and five memorable decades of moto on Saturday, July 1. To commemorate this landmark moment in RedBud’s history, the National will feature a retro theme, which will serve as one of the finishing touches of a weekend loaded with festivities both on and off the track.

“Few events embody the history, fanfare, excitement, and overall sense of passion that defines the Pro Motocross Championship more than the RedBud National,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “While its position on the calendar around 4th of July certainly adds a layer of enthusiasm, the raucous crowd, near-perfect summer weather, and one of the most renowned track layouts on the planet define the sense of Americana that surrounds this captivating series. RedBud’s indelible legacy coincides with that of the championship, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary one year ago, and we look forward to reveling in a half century of world class racing on these hallowed grounds. The Ritchie family has been a pillar of American motocross since its inception and this celebration is as much about their contributions to the sport as the event itself.”

Kicking off the weekend on Thursday, June 29, will be amateur practice, followed by the start of amateur racing on Friday, June 30. The eve of the National will also offer a sneak peek of Saturday’s action through “Media Day,” with an exclusive riding session featuring some of the championship’s biggest names and a contingent of local pros. Friday will also signify the first gathering of the 2023 MX Sports Pro Racing Scouting Moto Combine, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, which will provide a showcase of the country’s top amateur prospects poised to make the transition to the pro ranks. Night-time festivities on Friday will consist of amateur racing at RedBud’s night track and a fireworks display to bring the evening to a close.

Following the action of the National on Saturday, amateur racing will continue under the lights at the night track, followed by another fireworks display. The weekend will draw to a close on Sunday, July 2, with a full slate of amateur racing on the same pro track the stars of American motocross waged battle on the day before.

No landmark celebration would be complete without the presence of some of the biggest names of motocross’ past. Local legends like six-time AMA National Champion Jeff Stanton, LaRocco’s Leap namesake Mike LaRocco, and Larry Witmer will be joined by pride of Michigan riders like Todd DeHoop and Nick Wey, while “The Bomber” himself, Mark Barnett, a two-time winner of the RedBud National, will make his first appearance at the track since his last race at “America’s Motocross Track” during the 1985 season. All of these riders cut their teeth at RedBud, from their mini-bike days all the way through the pro ranks, and became giants amongst this incredibly passionate and influential region of enthusiasts. Not to be outdone, a who’s who of fellow racing icons will join the celebration, including Roger DeCoster, Broc Glover, Gunnar Lindstrom and Johnny O’Mara, in addition to recent stars like Trey Canard and Ryan Dungey. Rick Walsworth, the actual poster boy of the first RedBud National in 1974 will be in attendance, as will the 500cc winner from that inaugural event, Mike Hartwig.

Additional details surrounding all the festivities scheduled for RedBud’s 50th anniversary celebration, in addition to tickets to the RedBud National, can be found by visiting the track’s website at www.RedBudMX.com.