Private Ride Days.....Great Fun!

Private Ride Day

One of the benefits of the preponderance of practice tracks is the ability of groups to rent a track for their own private use. There is great fun to be had being able to use a track without having to worry about a 9 year old on a KTM 65 jumping over the top of you on what you thought was two single jumps. You can ride with your buds in your own private duel or you can actually practice riding techniques. Private ride days are just a lot of fun but of course you have to get an invite to one of these ride days to enjoy the ride. Unless you have money to burn, are a factory rider, or know someone that owns a track you may have to search far and wide to find one of these days. I recently was lucky to get an invite to the Sierra MC Private Ride Day at the MMX sand track in Marysville, CA. What a Blast! The track was an old school sand track and all of the invited riders were vets. You could ride as long as you wanted and I wore myself out. The track was in great shape, never crowded.  It was a perfect day made better by the fact that the club threw in a hot lunch and a nice raffle. I saw a couple of guys go home with new Works Connection bike stands. Yeah think about it…..a groomed track, no crowds, no mini bikes, a hot lunch and freebies. I think I like this private ride day concept. I’ll be watching for the next Sierra MC ride day. Keep your eye out for a private ride day in your area.

2013 World 2 Stroke Championship

The sounds alone tell the story!

World 2 Stroke Championships

 

Eric McKenna demonstrates how an old YZ250 can still roost! Photo by Dirt Bike's Ron Lawson.

This weekend Glen Helen will fill with the smell of pre mix and rasp of 2 strokes. Listen to what Lori Bryant, Glen Helen manager has to say about the event.

GLEN HELEN’S LORI BRYANT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Talladega first turn is the biggest, fastest, widest and most steeply banked first turn in motocross.

While the MXA gang was at Glen Helen on Thursday testing pipes with Daryl Ecklund, Dennis Stapleton and Austin Politelli, we talked to Glen Helen general manager Lori Bryant about the upcoming World Two-Stroke race.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP?
"We think that it is important that the sport put more emphasis on two-strokes because it leads to affordable bikes, less expensive racing and bikes that can be worked on by the riders themselves. We have seen lots of local riders give up their four-strokes, go out and buy a used two-stroke (for anywhere from $1000 to $3000) and do just as well as they were doing on their $9000 four-strokes. Motocross needs two-strokes and to get more young people and families involved. Glen Helen wants to help bring back the grass roots feel that made motocross what it is today."


Lori Bryant.

SPEAKING OF COSTS, WHAT DOES THE WORLD TWO-STROKE COST TO RACE?
"We want to keep the entry fees as low as possible—if you enter online the entry is only $30 (and $35 on race day). Plus, a second class is only $20. The Pro class entry will be $40. We will have transponder scoring, but Glen Helen does not charge an extra fee for transponders and we don’t require any kind of membership. This race is open to everyone with a two-stroke."

WHAT ARE THE CLASSES?
"We will have classes for all ages, all skill levels and all bikes sizes, from 50cc on up. During the warm-up races last month our biggest class was the Over-50 Experts."

WHAT ABOUT THE PRO RACES?
"There are two Pro classes—the Husqvarna 125 Challenge and the 250 Pro class (which is open to any size two-stroke)."

HOW BIG IS THE PURSE?
"The combined purse is $9500 between the two classes. The winner of the 250 class will earned $2000, while the 125 winner will get $1000—plus a brand-new Husqvarna CR125 (even if he won the 125 race on a Yamaha or KTM)."

HOW LONG ARE THE MOTOS?
"Every moto will be run on time, not laps. The two Pro classes will race for 20 minutes plus two laps, while the amateurs will go 15 minutes."


The view from the top.

WILL THE TRACK BE THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN?
"No. We will build a new track for the MTA World Two-Stroke Championship. The track will have more ups and downs and it will include some new features plus Talladega, Shoei Hill and Mt. Saint Helen. We want a fun track that will challenge all the different classes from Novice to Pro."

ANYTHING ELSE?
"The April 6-7 weekend will be a big party. On Saturday we will open the two-stroke track (on the USGP track) for practice from 8:00 to 2:00pm. And, for riders who want a warm-up race, Troy Lee is holding a special 15th Anniversary REM race on the back track on Saturday. There will be a Pro purse for the Over-40 Experts, Over-50 Experts, 250 Pros and 450 Pros. Plus, Troy is bringing his complete team, semi truck and sponsors out. Then on Sunday, we will open the gates at 6:00 a.m. for the World Two-Stroke Championships (and there will be an ARX vintage race on the REM track also)."

Reprint from MXA Website

2013 WORCS...Lake Havasu, AZ

MXGP of Thailand

MXGP has been on a worldwide expansion this season. Here is some footage of the new track in Thailand. How new? Well the track was created just for this GP. This short video was sent by a friend of a friend who was at the race track while it was being built. He lives half the year over there. His words below......

JUST A MONTH BEFORE IT WAS AN OPEN FIELD WITH A BUNCH OF ROCKS.THE WEEK BEFORE WE WERE OUT PICKING ROCKS OFF THE TRACK.WOW DID THEY DO GREAT JOB IN THE LAST WEEK! HERES SOME OF THE ACTION..JACK

Return of the 2-Stroke!

New Beta 250 Two Stroke

Here is a neat video of the new Beta 250 two stroke. The rider jumping thru the tree is our own #33 putting the Beta and his new Fly gear to the test. Both the gear and the bike look great. We will have more on the bike later.

Saddle Soap.....Mink Oil ?????

Recently I received a note from a friend who was passing along an e mail he had received from his buddy Dave Holeman. Many of you may remember Dave and his writing style from the heyday of motorcycle publications, he wrote for many. I had a hard time controlling my laughter as I read this. I completely understood. Some of the modern day vets will not remember Hi-Point but the concept of change applies to all of us. Enjoy Dave's perspective.

Saddle Soap

I've been after my son David to 'clean up and take care of his (expensive, leather) FootJoy golf shoes'. To no avail. "What do I clean'em with dad? Dish soap and water?" Me gray matter went into reverse and I tho, "Hmmm, Holyman, how'd we take care of all those leather boots back in the day? Sear's lace-up 'Linesmen Boots', AXOs, Full Bores, Alpinstars and, my fav, Hi-Points."

In his 'wood shop' they use a fair amount of "linseed oil" to finish, protect lumber projects...something I used gallons of in the Corps on M-1 and M-14 wooden stocks. And I remember all the stuff I used on my dirt bike, street too, boots to keep'em in good shape, clean, waterproof, snow proof. "David, I'll get you some 'Saddle Soap' to clean and protect those golf shoes, okay?" The obvious reply was, "Huh? Saddle Soap? What's that? Never heard of such a thing, are you kidding me, dad?"

I thought I had some Kiwi Saddle Soap 'round here, but found none. The other day I drop into the much vaunted "Sports Chalet #1" store in hi-zoot La Cañada, my neighbor. "Where's the Saddle Soap, please? I ask the 3 early-20s kids at the entry...greeters of sorts. "Ah, er, what's that again?" I repeat, slowly, "Saadddlle Soooaapp". A fascinating look of bewilderment comes across the faces of these three (2 boys, 1 girl) college grads. 

Okay, I'll give'm a hint: "You know, a dressing for care and cleaning of leather boots for example." The 'cool' blond lad walked me over to the Chalet's huge shoes department...10,000 tennies of all types. And hiking boots with a synthetic mountain to practice climbing on. Two sales guys there. "Saddle Soap? Never heard of that. What's it for?....Oh, over there on aisle-13." On 13 there's a small collection of spray cans, squeeze bottles and canisters for waterproofing (wax) re snow and sundry dumbshit crap priced for politicians to buy...on their expense account. Nothing for"leather care".

 My young guide looks and reads and is numb about what'n Hades there and what my request is. You know, at this moment, I felt both 'old' and 'smart as Einstein'. The lad looks at me, and complete sincerity says, "Sir, I just have no idea what Saddle Soap is and what you need. Sorry."

 It's at these moments I pray David will not be as useless and stupid and uninformed and without wit. I thought and didn't wanna insult this Cal Tech grad working a retail counter for minimum wage who's hard-on is smarter than both his hemispheres. So, back to basics: "What do you think Saddle Soap would mean, son?" The kid hadn't a phukking clue and we walked back to the entrance. I said, "Well, what are saddles made of, covered with?" Now there's a toughie! He didn't know!!! I suggested, "Leather?", and his eyes popped open..."Oh, I didn't think of that!" I said it's not a 'trick' question.

Now, says this ole Marine and dirt donker: "What do ya think saddle soap infers?" Again, as his walking pace slowed to a stop, "Ah, gee, I'm not sure." Now, how does one 'educate' young people with $250,000 college educations and degrees who are working in sporting goods stores, Subway, Target, Mickey Dees, etc. about, "What meanum...?"

"Hmm?" says I. So I ask if he knows what 'Kiwi shoe polish' is...never heard of it. Next, "Have you ever 'waxed and polished your dress shoes'?" We’re at the cash registers now, but it's 9:15 AM and the store's vacant. I asked the other two 'kids' at the counter..."Nah." Finally I asked, "How do you think world-class hikers, motorcycle racers, police, military and the like care for their leather boots and gear?" Silence. I've done it! How to "silence" teenagers who know everything.

I left actually depressed and humored. Brainiacs who can't tie their shoes. Billion dollar bridges in America built by our adversaries because we can't teach our kids how to weld...or clean & waterproof boots. Rosemont middle-school with the only "shop" class in Glendale Unified....Pasadena, Burbank and most all others in CA.

Somewhere in this mess of a house I know there's frigging Saddle Soap. Ah hah!!!!! In the hall closet, atop the shelf with the various small boxes (empty), there it is. Inside an old "Hi-Point Motocross Boot" cardboard box is my vintage supply of leather oils, medicines, potents and prescriptions for animal skin life and care. It was literally like opening a time capsule. I've lived here 26-1/2 years and 15 down in Montrose. Don't remember last time I looked in this box. The odor of waxes and chemicals was like walking past a bakery, donut shop...mind drifts back in time. Hundreds of images past. Honest to God! My Randsburg home...Baja...Cycle...Motorcyclist...Cycle Guide...Yamaha...Maico...Matchless...AJS...Greenhorn...Last Chance Enduro...Dirt Donks...Leo Lake...Braverman...Greenie...Noodleman...'Doon...JT...Schiller...Dale P. Boller...Donna...JC...Kem...virgin desert after a spring rain...endless dry lakes...downhills to die for...smokebombs...naked check points...hip-deep snow in the Mojave...broken bones...teens crippled...riders dead before their time...#1 in the world...hot wax and Xacto knives...DT-1...riding Bob Blair's 1st-Quacker...crashing...emergency rooms...casts...surgery...pain. Oh, now I remember why I quit that shit too.

Nonetheless, opened the box for David after school that day and had him stick his nose in it and see the "stuff" from back in the day. "Geese dad, what's all that stinky stuff for?  Smells awful." Opened one after another and had him sniff, touch and rub between his fingers. He was puzzled and fascinated. Explained what'n'hell "Saddlesoap" is and is for. But what still has him stumped are the Mink Oil containers. I told him way back in the day the rich would extract special oils from dead minks to make Mink Oil for their leather coats and shoes and things. "Dad, what's a mink?"

Before his start-of-the-season 'Toyota Tour Cup Qualifying School" next weekend down Elsinore way, he's gonna clean and treat his FootJoy size-13 golf shoes and find out what Saddle Soap and Hi-Point Mink Oil are. Sorry to be wordy...I kinda drifted back into a time warp at the smell of that Hi-Point boot box's contents.

Drop the banner, boys!

 Dave Holeman

Villopoto, Weimer, Why Atlas Brace

Bucket List

These days I often hear people talk about their bucket list. Maybe that's what happens as you get older. You start to look at the clock differently. Recently my friend Doug (21J) mentioned he wanted to race Baja, not just ride but race. One of those things that sometimes lands on a bucket list. Well sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. The challenge was Doug's age...70. Our own #33 quickly overcame that problem and found a 60 team in need of another rider. Doug raced the Baja 250 and held his own despite his lack of experience. Now he is an avid Baja trail rider. Baja racing ... well he's been there done that! Watch this short video of Doug's race for a look at Baja seldom seen. 

 Hats off to Doug for pursuing life with Gusto!

Trophy Truck 31 passes Bike #609 in Guatamote from zoomlenz4u.smugmug.com on Vimeo.