2022 Two-Stroke MX World Championships Set for April 16

 2022 Two-Stroke MX World Championships Set for April 16

Press Release | March 2, 2022

The 12th Annual Wiseco Two-Stroke MX World Championships hosted by Fasthouse will return Saturday, April 16th. Pre-entries are open.

Watch highlights from the 2021 Wiseco Two-Stroke MX World Championships Hosted by Fasthouse:

Register now and improve your gate pick, since Moto 1 will be in the order of entry submissions.

Glen Helen is proud to be hosting this event with sponsors Wiseco, Fasthouse and Pasha Racing. Hold onto your helmets, because the pro purse is expected to be over $20,000 this year.

Lucrative World Supercross team ownership model uncovered

Unprecedented financial support and development resources announced.

Image: Foremost Media.

New FIM Supercross World Championship rights-holder SX Global has uncovered a lucrative independent team ownership model that will see competitors receive more than $50-million over the next five years through Emirati investor, Mubadala Capital.

The involvement of Mubadala Capital brings an unprecedented level of financial support and resources to the international series, including a wealth of experience in funding the development of global business and sports ventures.

Mubadala Capital is the asset management arm of the Abu Dhabi government-owned Mubadala Investment Company – a sovereign investor with $243-billion in assets under management. It will prove instrumental in SX Global aiming to establish supercross events on a global scale.

A guaranteed $250,000 prize pool will be awarded per event, making it the richest series purse in the sport’s history, with only 10 team licenses available to independent owners. It’s unclear what calibre teams and riders will be involved, or whether organizers are primarily targeting those from the United States or Europe.

Each licensed team is expected to enter a pair of riders in the premier WSX (450cc) category, as well as the SX2 (250cc) class, plus two wildcard entries will be permitted per event in order to provide opportunities for local riders and sponsor-driven exemptions.

The 2022 season will span five rounds from September through November, introduced as a ‘pilot’ campaign before plans include expanding to a minimum of 10 rounds in 2023 and beyond. It’s understood that races being considered across multiple continents include locations in Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, as well as the Middle East.

This year’s championship won’t clash with either Monster Energy Supercross or the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in the United States, however, from next year World Supercross will commence in June and overlap with the US outdoors. Notably, MXGP’s world championship schedule extends into September.

Incoming promoter SX Global has been quietly working in the background since earning the rights for at least the next decade, taking over from American promoter Feld Entertainment, which has opted to focus on operating a standalone AMA series following almost 20 years of holding the world championship rights in a combined effort with the FIM.

“There is a massive fanbase and untapped demand for supercross outside the United States and, backed by the financial support and significant resource of Mubadala Capital, we intend to feed that, bringing the sport to new regions through the most exciting and lucrative world championship series in the history of the sport,” commented Tony Cochrane, president of SX Global.

“We have created an entirely new model for supercross – one that emphasizes expanded financial support and opportunities for riders and teams, expanded opportunities for sponsorship and an elevated experience for fans.”

Cochrane spearheaded the development and success of V8 Supercars, an Australian-based auto racing series that became one of Australia’s most successful motorsports, eventually expanding with events in Shanghai, the United States, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and New Zealand.

In addition, proven supercross event promoters Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson have been the driving force behind Australia’s highest-profile offering, the AUS-X Open. The duo has promoted five years of consecutive sold out AUS-X Open events in Sydney (2015-2018) and Melbourne (2019), along with successful FIM Oceania events in Auckland, New Zealand, during 2018 and 2019.

“Our entire careers have been driven by a passion for motorsport and entertainment, and our motivations are as pure as they come – to continue to evolve and elevate our sport and its incredible athletes to new levels of global relevance and success,” stated Sanderson, managing director, commercial, for SX Global. “Our aim is to take the amazing sport of supercross global and reveal its greatness to millions of new fans all over the world.”

SX Global’s board also includes British-based Rush Sport & Entertainment CEO Tom Potter and American entrepreneur Tavo Hellmund, who has immense background in Formula 1 projects. Management recently met in Los Angeles while attending the San Diego and Anaheim 2 rounds of Monster Energy Supercross, featuring a team of highly-qualified motorsports and entertainment executives.

Representing Mubadala Capital on the SX Global board of directors will be Matt Kim and Russ Pillar, who collectively bring decades of experience backing and leading global sports, media and entertainment companies.

“Our commitment to SX Global and the FIM Supercross World Championship builds on our strategy and track record of selectively investing in premier content properties with strong global appeal,” said Adib Martin Mattar, head of private equity at Mubadala Capital.

“We expect that our investment in SX Global will introduce the exciting sport of professional supercross to a global audience and build lasting value by delivering an authentic, exciting and fan-centric experience.”

The plan is to deliver an elevated experience for fans through unique race formats, broadcast innovations and in-stadium attractions that elevate the overall entertainment experience. Broadcasts could include live onboard cameras, plus potential radio communications between riders and teams to appeal to viewers at home, while the stadium experience will be created to captivate fans on location.

While the AMA Supercross series in the US currently operated by Feld Motor Sports has firmly established itself as the preeminent platform for the sport, there has yet to be a definitive global series to lay claim to a true FIM-sanctioned world championship.

Highly-successful events are held throughout Europe and Australia in the latter stages of every year, however, these events are not currently linked by any official FIM championship status and remain a significant untapped opportunity for the sport’s ongoing credibility and evolution. It’s also a significant opportunity for riders and teams to expand their influence and financial prospects.

“Over the years, there have been various attempts to build a true world championship series for supercross, but none of them have succeeded due to deficiencies in funding and resource, lack of global and regional relationships and a variety of other factors,” explained Bailey. “Our team possess the necessary supercross and international event background, relationships and expertise, and the funding to make this world championship a reality.”

Anderson rues costly ‘mistake’ in clashing with Stewart

Post: Alex Gobert

Pair of race wins keep podium run intact for former champion.

Image: Octopi Media.

Form Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson has rued his costly ‘mistake’ in clashing with Malcolm Stewart at Arlington, rider error on his behalf taking them both down and denying Anderson of the Triple Crown overall.

Stewart had been leading the first of three races when Anderson made contact and took both riders down, enabling defending champion Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) to go on and claim his first win of the year.

Behind him, Stewart remounted to salvage fifth position, directly ahead of Anderson in sixth, before the 2018 450SX champion managed to rebound and win the remaining pair of finals to earn second on the podium. Stewart, meanwhile, went on to collect 6-3 finishes for P5 on the night.

“That’s the goal, but I just didn’t accomplish that one time tonight,” Anderson reflected. “It was a mistake on my part. It’s tough because you get so antsy to get by guys and it was a mistake, but at the same time, I’m just trying my hardest and trying to get by guys. That cost me the win tonight overall, so it was a mistake.

Anderson attempted to speak to Stewart – the rider who filled his seat at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna in the off-season – but to no avail. Instead, it was a case of turning his mindset to the final pair of races, which he went on to win and continue his challenge for another premier class title.

“I tried to say something to him, but he was really heated,” he added. “I was like, I landed off that triple and I gassed it, and as soon as I gassed it, I was like, ‘I’m going too fast’. I really didn’t try and turn – I was trying to just stop. Once I made contact with him, it was over. I apologized to him, but he was kind of heated. That’s understandable… I just tried to brush it off and try and ride my race and move onto the next two.”

AUSTIN FORKNER BROKEN COLLARBONE: OUT FOR SX SEASON

 

Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner has had a rough couple year since turning Professional, the 250 east coast SX class has chewed him up and spit him out. Suffering injury after injury and on Saturday night with the entire world watching it happened all over again. While battling with Red Bull Honda rider Jett Lawrence for the lead the two riders came together over the finish line when their lines crossed in the air. Both riders went down hard. Forkner has now confirmed he suffered a broken collarbone in the crash and will likely miss the remaining east coast SX rounds. Below is a social media post directly from Austin Forkner himself:

“Well, collarbone is broke.. but after watching how hard I hit I’m lucky it wasn’t worse. Same one from last year just broke around the plate and through a couple screws. I knew it was broken as soon as I got up. I’ve just been dreading making the post about it, but I guess here it is. You know, I really was trying to make changes this year to my riding and my mentality to be ok with not being the fastest guy at every race, or settling for a 3rd or a 5th at times so I would be at every race and make it to the end of the season. And if that left me with a championship then great, but if not then so be it. But that’s why this sport is so damn tough because sometimes none of that matters and things just

happen. Anyways, it is what it is. I do really appreciate all the support from everyone, it means a lot. I’ll be back.”

Mathys Boisrame to Fill In for Jeffrey Herlings at Red Bull KTM

Former European Champion and MX2 Grand Prix podium finisher, Mathys Boisrame, will step-in to Red Bull KTM colors for the first and second rounds of the imminent 2022 FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship in the UK and Italy.

The Frenchman completed several testing days with the defending MXGP World Champions and will now steer the factory KTM 450 SX-F in the absence of #1 Jeffrey Herlings as the 2021 title winner continues to recover from surgery on his left heel.

Boisrame will take a place under the awning and next to countryman Tom Vialle (racing the KTM 250 SX-F in MX2) for the re-arranged British Grand Prix at Matterley Basin this Saturday and Sunday and the Grand Prix of Lombardia at Mantova the following weekend. The 23-year-old made his debut in the MXGP category in the final five rounds of 2021 and posted four top ten moto results. Boisrame won the 2018 EMX250 European crown and contested two and a half seasons in MX2 where he graduated to the front of the pack.

Joel Smets, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager:

“When they postponed the British Grand Prix another week this gave us and Mathys a little more time to do some riding and further testing and it became clear that we could bring him into the team already for the first round. Jeffrey is unique: it’s impossible to find another rider like him but we can appreciate Mathys’ speed and his determination. He has already shown that he can run fast and strong at Grand Prix level. It’s a good chance for him and some important track miles for us.”

Davidson County neighbors concerned new motocross track would ‘completely destroy’ way of life

DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A quiet country road in Davidson County could soon be filled with the sound of revving engines.

Right now the loudest sound you might hear near Surratt Road just outside of Denton is a tractor or a piece of farm equipment.

Neighbors like it that way.

“It’s great, just the quietness, just being in the country and we’re not far from town, but it’s nice we like the lifestyle,” said Tim Miller.

Miller has lived in the area for 56 years and was startled to find out who his new neighbors could be.

A motocross training facility.

“We didn’t like it,” said Miller.  “We knew if it came it would completely destroy our way of life down here.”

Ryan and Amanda Pope purchased a large piece of land on Surratt Road and applied for a special use permit to turn it into a place for kids to learn how to ride and race motocross.

According to the Davidson County planning director, they also want to host races on 20 weekends out of the year.

Neighbors went to the planning board and protested, worrying about the sound and other impacts to their property.

To try and ease neighbor concerns, the owners promised a sound buffer around the property, a fence to keep people inside motocross areas and mufflers on bikes to try and quiet the sound.

All three terms are agreed to in the special use permit.

“People have concerns and we understand that, and that’s Ryan’s other main objective is he’s always wanted to be not only a good citizen to bring these recreational opportunities to the county but also wanted to be a good neighbor,” said Joel Bondurant, attorney for the landowners.

After some confusion over the updated way planning boards in North Carolina vote on special use permits and a trip to the Davidson County court of appeals, the Popes got the greenlight for motocross.

According to Bondurant, the pair is hoping to bring new economic opportunities to the area.

Now, neighbors are appealing the decision, taking their case to a three-judge panel in Raleigh.

“There’s a time and a place for everything I’m sure, but I don’t think this is the place for it,” said Miller.

Bondurant doesn’t anticipate any movement on the appeal for another year because of scheduling.

He tells FOX8 he needs to get more information from a judge on whether or not they can start construction while they wait for the appeal.

Roczen and Sexton on Dallas plus Lawrence on the crash with Forkner

The second AMA Supercross Triple Crown event of the season saw Team Honda HRC rider Jett Lawrence finish third overall in Arlington, Texas, helped by a first-place result in the second of three 250SX East Region races. In the 450SX class, Chase Sexton finished fourth overall, with 4-3-5 finishes, while teammate Roczen finished 13^th overall in the premier class.

Lawrence was impressive all day, topping daytime qualifying and charging hard in the night program. The young Australian grabbed the holeshot in the first 250SX East race before falling in the second corner, dropping him to the back of the field. He made an aggressive charge through the pack to finish fourth. In the second race, Lawrence was up front at the start and maintained the lead to take the checkered flag first. The final race saw Lawrence slide out in the first turn and again resume the race in last place. Determined for redemption, he made impressive passes and climbed as high as third before clipping a Tuffblox cushion on the face of the finish-line jump, sending him into the path of Austin Forkner, with both riders going down. Lawrence remounted to finish 10th for third overall.

In the first 450SX race, Sexton rode well after a bad start, overtaking much of the pack to finish fourth. Meanwhile, Roczen was held up by carnage in the field, then went down in the whoop section before the finish and turned in a 16^th-place result. Sexton took the holeshot in Race 2, but he slipped two positions in the race’s second half to take third. Roczen was ninth at the finish. In the final race, Sexton crashed late but secured fifth at the finish for fourth overall, while Roczen was involved in a first-turn crash and finished 16^th.

Jett Lawrence: I was feeling really good all day today for my second round. I really gelled with the track, and the bike was feeling awesome. I made a few stupid mistakes, and I’m really disappointed in myself; I’m not happy one bit. The only takeaway is that the bike has been great. I’m just very disappointed and looking forward to the next round. Thankfully I’m okay but very, very sorry. My riding was good and the track was awesome. I made too many mistakes, and if I didn’t make them, there wouldn’t have been carnage. Obviously the main topic from tonight was the [Austin] Forkner crash. I’m truly sick to my stomach that it happened. I’ve never intentionally wanted to take anyone out like that or hurt someone. I’m sorry to Austin, his girlfriend Rylee and the Forkner family. I’m truly, truly sorry. I have nothing much else to say besides that. The rest of the night was great. The bike is handling awesome, and the team was awesome. I just need to tidy up my mistakes if I want a chance at the title.”

Ken Roczen: “The race here in Dallas was a better start to the day. I felt a lot better about myself and was able to put in some good qualifying laps. I haven’t been that far up on the board in a long time, so overall this was probably the first race where I was actually having fun. Come the night show though, that all turned around because of how slick the track was – they watered pretty heavily. I was really struggling with the bike and with traction, resulting in a lot of crashes which is very unlike me. It was another very frustrating weekend. I’m looking forward to Daytona, as it usually changes things up and makes for a fun track.“

Chase Sexton: “Round 8 in Arlington I guess was okay. I finished fourth overall with 4-3-5 moto scores. It wasn’t ideal but I’m happy to be back racing after last weekend. I felt fine on the bike all day, but I didn’t really execute that well with my starts, which didn’t put me in a great position. In the second race, I didn’t ride that well. I’m excited for Daytona since it’s near home for me in Florida. It’s going to be nice being back in the warm weather, and it’s just time to get after it.”

Shane Drew: “Round 8 in Arlington was definitely a frustrating event. On a positive note, all the riders showed their speed in qualifying. Chance Hymas set the tone early with pole in the Futures race, then Jett added to it by going P1 in the 250 SX class. Ken just missed the 450 top spot by 0.03 seconds, with Chase right behind in third. As we know, the Triple Crown format can be unpredictable. Jett put himself in a tough spot by falling at the beginning of races 1 and 3, but he definitely added some excitement with his charges though the pack to get back on the overall podium. We were all happy to have Chase at the race after his hard crash at the previous event. Even with a couple of midpack starts, he was able to race up to the front with the lead group and ended fourth overall. After Ken’s great qualifying pace, it was a frustrating result for him. All the riders are healthy and ready for some warm Florida weather in Daytona next week.”

Image: Feld Entertainment Inc

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