Moto News Wrap for December 29 – by Darren Smart
Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Evel Knievel’s Harley Up for Auction
Evel Knievel’s custom ‘Viva Knievel!’ Harley-Davidson XL1000 is going up for auction in Las Vegas on January 7 as part of the Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction.
Australasian News
Monster Speedway Season Coming Up!
The 2016 Australian Speedway season is about to kick off with 29 major events across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory and it starts with the four round Australian Senior Solo Championships on January the 1st before the Under 21 and Under 16 solo riders get their annual championships underway while the sidecar racers have plenty to look forward to including the 2016 FIM Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup at Gillman on March 26.
2016 Australian Speedway Senior Solo Championships
- Rd 1: Jan 1-2 – Kurri Kurri, NSW
- Rd 2: Jan 6 – Undera – VIC
- Rd 3: Jan 8 – Gillman Speedway – SA
- Rd 4: Jan 10 – Mildura – VIC
- Jan 2 – Victorian Sidecar Championships – Mildura – Vic
- Jan 6 – Gillman Solo Championship – Gillman – SA
- Jan 9 – Rob Woffinden Classic – Pinjar Park – Neerabup – Perth – WA
- Jan 16 – Side Car Stampeded – Pinjar Park – Neerabup – Perth – WA
- Jan 21-22 – Australian Under 16 125cc Solo and Team Championships – Wingfield – SA
- Jan 23 – Australian Under 21 Solo Championship – Gillman – SA
- Jan 23 – Australian Under 16 250cc Championship – Gillman – SA
- Jan 24 – Jason Lyons Solo Trophy – Mildura – Vic
- Feb 6 – D-Dub #43 Cup – North Brisbane Junior Motorcycle Club
- Feb 14 – State of Origin Sidecar Cup – Mildura – Vic
- Feb 13-14 – Darren Winkler Classis – Solos/Sidecars – Action Park – Maryborough – Qld
- Feb 18 – NSW Sidecar Championships – Oakburn Park – Tamworth
- Feb 20 – Sidecar Feature – Gillman – SA
- Feb 20 – Jeff Gittus Sidecar Memorial – Pinjar Park – Neerabup – Perth – WA
- Feb 27 – Dudley Bradshaw Sidecar Spectacular – Muldura – Vic
- Feb 27 – Solo and Sidecar – PinjarPark – Neerabup – Perth – WA
- March 5 – Gordon Rowlands Memorial (Solo and Sidecar) – Pinjar Park – Neerabup – Perth – WA
- March 5 – South Australian Sidecar Championship – Gillman – SA
- March 5-6 – Australian ATV Speedway Championships – Arunga Park – NT
- March 19 – Presidents Trophy Meet – Solo and Sidecar – Gilman – SA
- March 26 – 2016 FIM Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup – Gillman – SA
2016 Oceanic Sidecar Championships
- Rd 1: March 27 – Gillman – SA
- Rd 2: April 2 – Mildura – Vic
- Rd 3: TBA
April 8-9 – 2016 Australian Sidecar Championships – Mildura – Vic
Troy Bayliss Classic News
The 2016 Troy Bayliss Classic is looking to be a cracker at Taree Motorcycle Club’s completely resurfaced track on Saturday, January 16 and this year’s international rider line-up includes four-time Long Track World Champion Joonas Kylmakorpi, British Supermoto Champion Chris Hodgson, Japanese Flat-Track Champion Masotoshi Ohmori and America’s top AMA Pro Flat Track racers Brad Baker, Sammy Halbert, Jared Mees, Henry Wiles and Jake Johnson so 2016 could well see another international taking the title after Mees took the win in 2015.
BUT, of the Australian riders confirmed for the event we have Michael Kirkness, Troy Bayliss or Paul Caslick lining up in hot form and young Jared Brook is on fire right now while Troy Herfoss and Ant West have been putting the hours in on the dirt and are reportedly flying.
With so much talent on show the racing will be as close as it can get. “This event continues to grow and improve year-on-year and the 2016 event is shaping to be the biggest one yet,” Bayliss said. “International interest in the Troy Bayliss Classic is gaining momentum, evident by the fact we have eight incredible racers from four countries, coming to take on a stellar line-up of some of Australia’s best motorcycle racers.”
Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic – All Stars: Brad Baker (USA). Sammy Halbert (USA). Jared Mees (USA). Jake Johnson (USA). Henry Wiles (USA). Chris Hodgson (UK). Masatoshi Ohmori (JAP). Troy Herfoss (AUS). Troy Bayliss (AUS). Paul Caslick (AUS). Matt Davies (AUS). Chris Hollis (AUS). Josh Hook (AUS). Michael Kirkness (AUS). Marty McNamara (AUS). Jared Oram (AUS). Broc Parkes (AUS). Luke Richards (AUS). Anthony West (AUS). Damian Cudlin (AUS). Alex Cudlin (AUS). Robbie Menzies (AUS). Jared Brook (AUS).
Motul Pirelli Troy Bayliss Classic – Legends: Joonas Kylmakorpi (SWE). Damon Buckmaster (AUS). Jason Crump (AUS). Shawn Giles (AUS). Anthony Gunter (AUS). Kevin Horten (AUS). Phil Lovett (AUS). Vaughan Style (AUS). Chris Watson (AUS). Stephen Gall (AUS).
Dobson Stays with Husqvarna
Husqvarna Australia has announced that it has again signed 18-year-old Sunshine Coast racer Jesse Dobson to its Factory Support program for the 2016 Australian motocross and supercross season.
In 2015 Dobson took six MX Nationals top-five finishes with a best result of fourth, became the first Husqvarna pilot to qualify for an MX Nationals SuperPole, ran sixth in the championship at the mid-way point, and was still credited with 10th overall despite missing the final two rounds through injury.
Jesse Dobson – “It feels great to be on board once again, I’m really confident in Husky and I’m pumped to be on board with a great brand. I think with the new bike, and a little more support, we can definitely get some podiums and look towards that top step. I was pretty disappointed that I missed out on seeing a podium this year, and to have my year cut short with injury, but next year I know that I’m going to be 110% going into it.”
American News
Rockstar Energy Drink Husqvarna Factory Racing Arenacross Team
Rockstar Energy Drink and FMC are excited to announce the forming of a partnership with Husqvarna Motorcycles USA to campaign the 14-round 2016 AMSOIL Arenacross season which kicks off on January the 9th in Cincinnati, OH and wraps up in Las Vegas, NV on the weekend of May 6/7.
The team will be managed and operated by former Illinois-based Junior Jackson while 2015 Arenacross Champion Kyle Regal will spearhead the team with Gared Steinke and Kyle Bitterman as his teammates.
“I feel like we’ve assembled a very strong team for the 2016 AMSOIL Arenacross series and we’re ready to go racing. Obviously we have the number one guy in Kyle Regal, but we have two other riders that can podium weekly as well. Add into the mix what I consider the best 250F dirt bike on the market and you’ve got a combination that’s second to none,” said Junior Jackson.
Star Yamaha Racing Team to Use Rekluse Clutches
Star Racing Yamaha riders Jeremy Martin, Cooper Webb, Alex Martin, Aaron Plessinger and Mitchell Harrison have selected Rekluse’s proprietary TorqDrive technology as their preferred clutch for the 2016 and 2017 AMA Motocross and Supercross season.
“After testing with Rekluse earlier this fall, we found the TorqDrive clutch provided obvious advantages,” said Brad Hoffman, Star Racing’s Team Manager. “We noticed improved performance all over the track, especially on the start gate and in the whoop sections. It is clear Rekluse and their engineering team is dedicated to crafting clutch technology that pushes the boundaries of what people think a clutch can do. We look forward to partnering with them.”
TorqDrive systems allow for improved oil flow, greater torque capacity, faster power transfer, and dramatically reduced clutch fade and it is these unique features that will allow the team’s riders to get off the line faster and enjoy an incredibly responsive ride throughout the entire race.
The 2016 supercross season kicks off on January 9 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA.
YP.com Nuclear Blast KTM
Nuclear Blast Records, one of the world’s largest heavy metal record labels, has agreed to terms with Slaton Racing for the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross season.
Independently owned for twenty-eight years and counting, Nuclear Blast Records is synonymous with the worldwide advancement of heavy metal, extreme music, and hard rock. Founded in Donzdorf, Germany, in 1987 by Markus Staiger, Nuclear Blast boasts a roster of over 100 bands including Slayer, Meshuggah, Exodus, Testament, Nightwish, Carcass, and many others; representing eighteen different countries.
“Nuclear Blast Records is extremely excited about the partnership with YP.com Nuclear Blast KTM for the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Season”, commented Nuclear Blast’s general manager, Gerardo Martinez. “Growing up a huge moto fan and being able to help one of the more important and up and coming teams is a great deal; we get to work again with our long-time friend and former racer himself, Ryan Clark. We can’t wait for the season to start, Zac Commans and Cole Thompson have a lot of potential and the label and team can’t wait to see them out there. As usual, we are planning some cool things for the pits bringing together the two scenes.”
2016 AMA Womens Motocross
The 2016 AMA Womens Motocross Cup (WMC) will once again meet at the epicentre of the United States in Wortham, Texas at Freestone Raceway on March 15th-19th. The Women’s Cup is featured during the James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship and WMX Pro event and offers the same format.
The classes for the 2016 Women’s Cup have continue to evolve for girls and women in providing the most competitive divisions possible in amateur motocross. While the ladies are offered their own set of classes, there is no shortage of seat time. These same riders have the opportunity to ride all the other classes offered at the JS7 Spring Championship in front of the industry top brass.
- Girls 51cc (6-9) Limited
- Girls 65cc (7-11)
- Girls Jr (9-13)
- Girls Sr (12-16)
- Schoolgirl (12-16)
- Collegegirl (16-24)
- Womens (14+) Amateur
- WMX Pro
- Womens Vet
Euro News
2016 Dakar News
We are just hours away from the start of the 2016 Dakar Rally and this year we will see a new era in the bike section following multi winners Cyril Despres and Marc Coma’s decision to not compete and pursue new challenges – here is the program for the 2016 Dakar:
- 31/12 and 01/01: Administrative and technical checks
- 02/01: Start podium in Buenos Aires / Prologue / Liaison to Bivouac “0” close to Rosario
- 03/01: Buenos Aires – Villa Carlos Paz
- 04/01: Villa Carlos Paz – Termas de Río Hondo
- 05/01: Termas de Río Hondo – Jujuy
- 06/01: Jujuy – Jujuy
- 07/01: Jujuy – Uyuni
- 08/01: Uyuni – Uyuni
- 09/01: Uyuni – Salta
- 10/01: Rest day in Salta
- 11/01: Salta – Belén
- 12/01: Belén – Belén
- 13/01: Belén – La Rioja
- 14/01: La Rioja – San Juan
- 15/01: San Juan – Villa Carlos Paz
- 16/01: Villa Carlos Paz – Rosario
Euro Motocross Pre-Season
Every year we look forward to seeing riders in their new gear and/or riding for their new team in the pre-season races leading up to the opening round of the World Motocross Championships and there is a lot to look forward to in 2016 – here is the Pre-Season Calendar for next year:
- January 31 International Italian Championship – Alghero, Sardinia
- February 7 International Italian championship – Lamezia Terme, Italy
- February 7 – Hawkstone Park International – Hawkstone Park, UK
- February 14 International Italian Championship – Ottobiano, Italy
- February 14 Valence International Motocross – Valence, France
Last Weekend’s Racing
Jason Crump Invitational – Kurri Kurri Speedway
Rohan Tungate has won the 2015 Jason Crump Invitational held at Kurri Kurri last weekend and it puts the former dirt track champion in good shape as our best speedway racers land in Kurri Kurri for the opening round of the 2016 Australian Senior Solo Championships that starts on January the 1st.
Jason Crump Invitational Final
- 1st Rohan Tungate
- 2nd Justin Sedgmen
- 3rd Max Fricke
- 4th Jack Holder
250 Support Class
- 1st Mathew Gilmore
- 2nd Isaac Hawes
- 3rd Mitch Cluff
- 4th Declan Kennedy
2015 – EVERY Champion!
1000s of riders have endured a season of gruelling hard fought competition so now is as good a time as any to check out who were the championship winners across the globe in 2015:
America
- Ryan Dungey – Monster Energy Supercross – 450
- Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Supercross – West Region – 250
- Marvin Musquin – Monster Energy Supercross – East Region – 250
- Ryan Dungey – Lucas Oil Pro Motocross – 450
- Jeremy Martin – Lucas Oil Pro Motocross – 250
- James Stewart – Red Bull Straight Rhythm Champion – 450
- Malcolm Stewart – Red Bull Straight Rhythm Champion – 250
- Kyle Regal – Amsoil Arenacross – Arenacross Class
- Daniel Blair – Amsoil Arenacross – Lites West
- Dave Ginolfi – Amsoil Arenacross – Lites East
- Kylie Fasnacht – Women’s Motocross – WMX Class
- Cody Webb – GEICO EnduroCross – Pro Class
- Kailub Russell – Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Champion
- Kailub Russell – National Enduro Champion
- Kailub Russell – Grand National Cross Country – XC1
- Jason Thomas – Grand National Cross Country – XC2
- Ivan Ramirez – National Hare and Hound Champion
- Cody Webb – GEICO AMA EnduroCross Champion
- Kurt Caselli – WORCS Champion
- Colton Udall/Mark Samuels/Justin Jones – Baja 1000 Champions
Europe
- Romain Febvre – FIM World Motocross – MXGP
- Tim Gajser – FIM World Motocross – MX2
- Jeremy Van Horebeek – Belgium Motocross – MX1
- Brent Van Doninck – Belgium Motocross – MX2
- Shaun Simpson – Maxxis British Motocross – MX1
- Steven Lenoir – Maxxis British Motocross – MX2
- William Saris – Dutch Motocross – MX1
- Damon Graulus – Dutch Motocross – MX2
- Glenn Coldenhoff – German ADAC MX Masters – Masters Class
- Brian Hsu – German ADAC MX Masters – Youth Cup
- Jesper Jonsson – Swedish Motocross – MX1
- Colton Moore – Red Bull X-Fighters
- Toni Bou – Trial World Champion
- Eero Remes – FIM World Enduro Champion – E1 Class
- Antoine Meo – FIM World Enduro Champion – E2 Class
- Mathias Bellino – FIM World Enduro Champion – E3 Class
- Jamie McCanney – FIM World Enduro Champion – EJ Class
- Tai Woffinden – Speedway World Champion
- Weston Peick – King of Lille (Bercy) Supercross
- Justin Brayton – King of Genova Supercross
- Justin Brayton – King of Sofia Supercross
- France – Motocross of Nations
- Sweden – Speedway World Cup
- Australia – ISDE – Senior Trophy
- Australia – ISDE – Junior Trophy
- Australia – ISDE – Women’s Trophy
Australia
- Kirk Gibbs – Australian Motocross – MX1
- Jay Wilson – Australian Motocross – MX2
- Daniel Reardon – Australian Supercross Series – SX1
- Jimmy Decotis – Australian Supercross Series – SX2
- Kade Mosig – Mountain Man Motocross Champion – Toowoomba, Qld
- Kirk Gibbs – Manjimup 15000 Champion – WA
- Dean Porter – King of the Cross Champion – WA
- Darryl King – Conondale Classic – Qld
- Daniel Reardon – KTM Conondale Cup – Qld
- Daniel Milner – A4DE
- Toby Price – AORC
- Toby Price – Finke Desert Race – NT
- Toby Price – Hattah Desert Race – SA
- Daniel Sanders – Wild Rock Extreme Champion – Vic
- Justin Parker – Capel Enduro Champion – WA
- Justin Parker – Harvey Enduro Champion – WA
- Justin Parker – Busselton Enduro Champion – WA
- Justin Parker – Walpole Enduro Champion – WA
- Ashley Day – Bonnie Doon 3 Hour Champion – Vic
- Beau Ralston – QMP MotoFest EnduroX Champion – Qld
- Jason Doyle – Australian Speedway Champion
- Max Fricke – Australian Under-21 Speedway Champion
- Kyle Middleton – Australian Trial Champion
- Jarred Mees – Troy Bayliss Classic
- Lachlan Ellis – King of Nepean
- Luke Richards – Australian Dirt Track Champion – Pro Open
- Luke Richards – Australian Dirt Track Champion – Pro 250
- Troy Bayliss – Australian Dirt Track Champion – MX Open
- Troy Bayliss – Australian Dirt Track Champion – Pro 450
- Matthew Griffiths – Australian Dirt Track Champion – ATV
- Jarred Brook – Australian Long Track Champion – Pro Open
- Jarred Brook – Australian Long Track Champion – Pro 250
- Jarred Brook – Australian Long Track Champion – Pro 450
- Jarred Brook – North Brisbane Cup Dirt Track Champion
- Michael Kirkness – Australian Long Track Champion – Unlimited 2-Stroke
- Rohan Tungate – Jason Crump Invitational Champion
- Christopher Bosnakis – Australian ATV Motocross Champion – NT
Canada
- Matt Goerke – Rockstar Canadian Motocross – MX1
- Kaven Benoit – Rockstar Canadian Motocross – MX2
- Jacob Hayes – Canadian Arenacross Tour – Pro Lites
- Jacob Hayes – Canadian Arenacross Tour – AX Pro
- Jacob Hayes – Canadian Arenacross Tour – Dash for Cash
Japan
- Yohei Kojima – MJF All Japan National MX – 450
- Toshiki Tomita – MJF All Japan National MX – 250
- Tomoyuki Ogawa – All Japan Trials Champion
