Dean Wilson a lot of highs and a few lows

Looking back on 2010 it would be really tough to talk about people that made news in Canada this past year without mentioning Dean Wilson and the type of year he had. Dean Wilson had a lot of highs and a few lows. The highs were obviously winning some Nationals motos and overalls in the US, but his lowest of the lowest point of 2010 unfortunately happened on Canadian soil, specifically Lester B. Pearson International Airport.


Deano laying it flat after winning in Edmonton in 2009.

Dean Wilson’s story is a very unique one, he spent his early years growing up in Scotland until his family decided to relocate to Canada is search of the Canadian way of life. Being Canadian, it’s hard to argue with that. But, like most people that are born in a Country with as much history and pride as Scotland, your body may leave there, but your heart and mind never do.  So after the Wilson’s moved to Canada and settled in Alberta, Dean began his journey to the top of the motocross mountain. He paid his dues in Alberta, raced a little in the US and won some Walton Trans Can titles; everything was going according to plan.

Dean would eventually land a coveted spot on the very competitive Kawasaki Team Green program under the watchful eye of fellow Canadian Dave Gowland. Over the next few years Dean would reward Kawasaki with numerous Amateur titles and when it came time to turn pro in2010, Mitch Payton and the Pro Circuit were waiting with open arms.

With a great team behind and a great bike underneath him, Dean’s 2010 campaign began just as it was supposed to, he got on the podium a few times in SX, almost won a few mains and he was showing a remarkable consistency that very few rookies do. But, after another solid race in Toronto Dean got stopped going through US customs in Toronto with improper paper work.  Imagine being an 18 year old kid, in a championship battle, with the weight of the world on your shoulders, being told that you weren’t allowed to enter the Country you lived and worked in.  Well, as we all know, Dean would eventually get all the paper work sorted and was free to enter the USA, but it took almost three weeks and in those three weeks, he would miss two rounds on the SX series and drop out of the point’s race.


Here Dean Wilson rides to a solid 4th place finish at the Rogers Center downtown Toronto.
Little did he know that a world of problems were about to start...

This could have potentially ruined his season, but he regrouped and came out swinging in the outdoors, he almost won in Texas, he found himself on the podium numerous times, and when the Series came to an end in September, Dean had won two overalls and finished an impressive 4th overall in the Series. Dean Wilson had arrived!

As much as Dean embraces the Country where he was born, as he did in September when he rode for Team Great Britain at the MXoN. He is immensely proud of his Canadian roots and knows he wouldn’t be where he is now without this great Country to which most of us call home. But we all know full well, that when we are searching for the ultimate motocross glory at the pinnacle of our sport, we must head south.

Dean is part Canadian and that is why he is one of DMX’s Canadian motocross newsmakers of 2010. I will end this with Dean’s words on his 2010 season.“ My season was pretty good, I had some highs in Budds Creek and Pala, and some lows in Texas and Steel City. But, I stayed consistent and learned a lot. Hopefully I can stay healthy and bring home two titles in 2011.  My bikes are amazing so far and testing has gone great, I am really looking forward to SX”.

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Dirt Bike Gear Techniques

The best thing I ever did to improve my riding was ask for advice about Dirt Bike Gear Techniques from more experienced riders.And if your riding ability isn't where you want it to be... then this will be one of the best things you can do too, to improve your skills and ability on the track or trail.

I've been advised by much better riders than myself to concentrate on my technique rather than speed. If you get the technique right, the speed will come naturally. And you'll be much faster than you otherwise would've been... and safer!

There are so many small things that the pros do that make them so incredibly quick and smooth. I'm not going to pretend I know what they all are, but I will share some fundamental dirt bike riding tips that I have learned from experienced riders and motocross schools... beginning with your standing position.

Your body position on your bike is the first thing you need to get right.

When I started riding, I used to sit down a lot with my elbows dropped and I'd get nailed over rough ground. You see these poor twits around occasionally - getting thrown around like rag-dolls.

Most of your riding (esp. over rough, hard terrain) should be done in the standing position. Just watch the pros and you'll see why.

To do this...

• Have the foot pegs in the middle of your feet for easy access and control of your foot levers.
• Grip the bike with your knees slightly bent near the bottom of the tank.
• Your back should be slightly arched with your bum towards the rear. Keep your arms up, and elbows forward with your head over the handle bars.
• Try and keep either 1 or 2 fingers on the clutch and brake levers as much as possible.
• Practice riding like this over rough terrain and watch your speed, control and enjoyment increase!

When riding in the sand or mud, your body position changes.Your weight should be to the back of the bike to prevent the front wheel from bogging and throwing you over the bars. This will also give you greater traction. You will need to be hard on the gas to keep the Dirt Bike Gear gliding over the sand.

Dirt Bike Gear Parts

Half the fun of Dirt bike Gear is buying a slightly clapped out old 250 and doing it up with new and second hand Dirt Bike Gear Parts until you’ve got as much performance and speed out of it as possible.Obviously, the nature of the Dirt Bike Gear beast is that you will suffer damage to your bike.A Motocross hurtling 30ft in the air and then crashing back down to earth will cause damage to most bikes.The advantage of Dirt Bike Gear is that the vehicles themselves are quite simple and you can pick up good parts for little money.

Be safe

As with any bike, you should always be careful when buying anything that you intend to trust with your life.Of course not all parts for your bike need to be about performance and the look of your pride and joy will probably be just as important to you as the performance.

Be frugal

The parts for your Dirt Bike Gear don’t need to cost you the earth, the advent of the Internet has brought with it masses of competition for all sorts of items and dirt bike parts are no exception.The problem with the advent of the internet has been the numerous sites that pertain to contain the information you want but are essentially banner farms leading to more banner farms. You should find yourself a trusted dealer, whether online or offline, and if they provide what you’re after then stick with them. Finding dealers you can rely on can be difficult but there are good and reliable sites you can keep using.

Seek help

It is important that if you don’t fully understand what you are doing or exactly the parts you are looking for that you get someone with that knowledge to help you. Incorrectly fitting parts or fitting incorrect parts can lead to a bad accident. There is no substitute for safety or knowledge.

Summary

A lot of the fun of Dirt Bike Gear is in the buying and modification of the bike itself.Hunting down second hand parts in good condition and fitting them to your bike.Gaining those extra couple of horse power and then,of course, putting all your hard work to good use.However, you should always be careful when modifying your bike; if you don’t have the necessary knowledge consult someone who does to ensure safety. Dirt Bike Gear Parts can be easy to come by, and shouldn’t cost you too much, but may make all the difference when you’re riding.

2010 Motocross of Nations DVD

The 64th running of the Motocross of Nations with Team USA’s victory was one of the most exciting accomplishments in the recent history of the series. Within the thin Rocky Mountain air teams from 30 different nations converged at Lakewood, Colorado with the goal of becoming the world’s best motocross team. USA approached the competition with a large target on its back after having claimed the last five titles, and in the beginning it appeared America’s dominance was on the verge of coming to an end. However, USA’s struggle would set the stage for a terrific comeback by Ryan Dungey, Andrew Short and Trey Canard. Those who were absent from the event missed out on some of the most adrenaline-filled, jaw-dropping motos in the sport. But there’s no need for alarm. All the stunning moments from the contest have been bundled into the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations 2010 DVD, which includes a full recap of the event in great detail for those who couldn’t make the trek to Thunder Valley Motocross Park.

From the beginning the DVD does an awesome job of setting the stage for viewers. Through an introductory lap with Josh Coppins and his helmet-mounted camera viewers are given a glimpse of how Colorado’s thin mountain air wreaked havoc on both riders and their machines. Prior to each moto the DVD reveals brief team introductions and includes footage of the random drawing process for gate picks during qualifying. The DVD has a good pace prior to the main races without getting bogged down in details. Along the way snippets are shown of top riders and their recent accomplishments, including riders like Marvin Musquin and Antonio Cairoli among many others.

After showing the highlights of qualifying the DVD really kicks off with memorable moments from each moto. The coverage included is great and covers just what a fan would want to see. While the narration is detailed, it lacks enthusiasm at times and is not up to par with the amazing trackside visuals. A timer in the top left corner reveals the progress of each moto and also serves to let viewers know when footage skips ahead.

With USA trailing Germany prior to the final race, and Belgium and Britain both in contention for the podium there was a lot at stake coming into the final event. The DVD adequately captures this tension by shifting the focus between multiple teams and their progress. In the end USA’s stunning victory is captured in a highlight reel from the final moto. Everything from team preparations up to the spraying of champagne is celebrated in this review of the 2010 event. Since most couldn’t attend, the DVD offers a great visual summary of the competition and is a valuable piece of history for any fan to own.

Dirt Bike Gear Asterisk Cell Knee Braces

When I first hurt my knee in 1989 I've been wearing Dirt Bike Gear knee braces  and since that have been saved many times, I'm sure, from further damage by this preventive measure. For the last few years I've been a big fan of the Asterisk Cell. It fit better than even my custom braces, and the kneecap protection was the best I'd found. I really had no issues with these braces...till I tried the new Asterisks.

The biggest renovation, in my opinion, is the new strapping on the back of the brace. Asterisk unified the previous two attachment pads on the back into one big pad with four drawstrings to better grip the back of the leg. The revised model settles on the knee better because the new rear section cups the bending knee and holds the brace tight in a V. It is now almost impossible for the brace to slip when properly fit.

Asterisk is even prouder of a new attachment that goes from the front lower bar of the brace and attaches, with a clip, to your boot. (You have to drill a small hole, install the other half of the strap-attached clip to your boot, plus cut a small hole in your pant leg.) When you do this, the boot and knee brace are united into a much more twist-resistant package, making a knee-twisting injury less likely. You really do feel the increased resistance to corkscrewing. I was skeptical till the first time my toes caught the ground. My knee is usually the first thing to yelp, "Pain!" but with the new setup, my foot got kicked off the peg instead of rotating outward. It worked. And now when I don't clip the strap, I don't feel as protected.

The padding got a little help in some areas, and the attachment clips underwent a redesign, making them easier to unbuckle. A few riders who tried the brace felt some pinching or poking, but these incidents occurred under unique situations that could have been easily remedied with some additional padding or more time spent in setting up the very adjustable strapping and attachment points. Until I went back to my old braces, I didn't realize how these small improvements made the new Cell so much better. At $599 a set, it is cheaper than an MRI-and a lot more fun. It would have ranked even higher for me in our September Dirt Bike Gear knee brace comparison, especially in the confidence rating.

Dirt Bike Gear designed for off road tracks

Designed for off road tracks Dirt bike Gear are motorcycle built in spare parts with specialized functions to carry on difficult roads. One of the most common dirt bikes that you can find is the motocross bike which is off road in nature. With challenging and difficult tracks, safety is something that should not be compromised. Before kicking on the ignition, there are just a few things you need to be equipped with. You might be enjoying dirt bike rides in mountainous and up climbing race tracks, but there's more to dirt biking than extreme adrenaline rush. As fun and nerve racking the dirt biking experience could go, it can be very dangerous. There are a few things that you could do to keep yourself protected from the impending dangers. Be equipped with safety gear.

At least wear a helmet. This is the most important gear perhaps. Because it protects the head which is something you wouldn't want to get messed with. Head injuries are fatal. At least with a helmet on, you're a step ahead to survival in case, by any chance, your motorcycle skids off or meets a collision. The number one reason why people are not yet convinced to wear helmets is its weight, which apparently can cause strain in the neck muscles. The visor can sometimes alter the quality of visibility. However, there are options. There are other types of helmets which do not cover the entire head, there's the half shell and three quarter shell helmets. Though they do not provide a hundred percent protection, it's better to have these on than nothing at all. Before purchasing one though, be a little meticulous about how snug it fits and be keenly observant on cracks or defects.

Other dirt bike equipment would include the gloves, the elbow and knee gear, and boots. Well, do not take these equipment for granted because you'll never know how much you'd be needing these until something unlikely happens. Your boots may save you from losing a leg, your elbow and knee pads could just save you from sustaining a fracture. There are could be countless of circumstances which could have been devastating if it were not for these equipment. So before hitting the road, try to picture the worst scenario. With life's endless possibilities, keep yourself guarded.

Your life may just depend on how much accountability and responsibility you invest on it. So if it matters to you, protect it.

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High-tech Dirt Bike Gear

Nor try to evaluate the latest color-coordinated,high-tech Dirt Bike Gear on how well it’s protecting, comforting and wicking sweat from my skin. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it serves as the ultimate gear test. I like to look as good as the next guy, but ultimately, when I’m out with buddies and the only trophy on the line is a post-ride beer, I’m more concerned with comfort, function and performance, so I’ll mix and match outfits like a trailer-park bride at Goodwill.Free riding in the magazine world it’s when we’re allowed to ride purely for fun, without the concern of having to look good in front of a camera.

I’ve got an entire garage to choose from, and these are the items I find myself returning too. Click on the hyperlinked text to purchase them yourself - because i'm sure as hell not giving mine away.

Thor Ride Jacket – The only think keeping this from being the perfect jacket is that the sleeves don’t zip off. I love riding with a vest and the Thor jacket would be a great conversion with all its ample storage. Even still, considering the massive vents that run from wrist-to-waist on each side, I usually opt for the Thor even when it’s borderline temperatures. It’s a close battle with my esteemed Alloy outerwear which is convertible, but the extra pockets put it over the top.

Blur B-1 Goggles. – Lightweight, comfortable and perfectly sized. I keep these in my gearbag at all times as a backup. The brown/orange/white plaid looks good and goes well with almost any helmet or gear. I keep waiting for the lens to get hammered, and I don’t baby it, but it has resisted scratching for over a year. These are my underrated faves.

Sidi Crossfire TA Boots – Tried and true. These are my favorite high-end boots to date. I’ve had the privilege of wearing Gaerne SG12, Alpinestars Tech 10, Scott Genius and AXO Prime boots, plus many lower-level options. I’m saving my new pair of Sidis for a good photo opportunity, but the old ones still get as much use as I can muster. The SRS version is cool with its easily replaceable sole, but I like the feel of the TA model. Combined I have four pairs in the rotation, and there’s a reason…

Acerbis Fanny Pack – I don’t like moving my tools and supplies from one pack to another. They get lost, mixed up and I constantly have to relearn where I stashed that particular tool. The Acerbis pack is bulletproof and familiar, plus the rain guard is a nice touch. It doesn’t do anything for keeping water out, but it blocks the hell out of mud and that’s good enough for me. I've been running this same pack since 2006. (Read my original review.)

MSR Velocity X Helmet – You’d think I have one helmet in particular that I adore, but really I bounce around with the head protection more than any other gear choice. The one I settle on most often is MSR Racing’s 250-dollar Velocity X. At first my only complaint was the small visor, and I still don’t like it, but riding for fun usually doesn’t involve eating a ton of roost, and on those dusty days when the sun is low, I leave it at home. (Read my original review.)

Acerbis Wave MX10 Gear – It’s kinda funny, the last set of gear that I really fell in love with was also bright orange, but it was the Moose XCR line.The MX10 from Acerbis is my current choice. This stuff fits me so well I can hardly believe it. Doing reviews on gear usually brings out little to say about the gloves and jersey, most of the focus going toward the pants. That isn’t the case with the Acerbis Wave set. Don’t get me wrong, the pants are amazing, but the jersey is unique with its rubber logo up top and the gloves are virtually perfect all around. (Read my original review.) Some people don’t like the bright color, but this stuff could be pink with rainbow print and I’d still wear it - it feels racy and snug all around. But, if I want to carry stuff with me on a ride, I grab the Klim Chinook pants for added storage and traditional inside-the-boot cuffs.

Ogio 9800 Gearbag – I’ve got a lot of crap to haul around. The cinch straps help keep things tight for the bastards at TSA, but even when I’m not wheeling through airports, the 9800 gets thrown mercilessly into the back of my truck, wedged between muddy tires, slicing metal ramps and shredding footpegs. The fabric is durable. The tweed hides dirt and scuffs. The hard plastic bottom is rigid and holds its shape. And, the wheels are burly enough to roll over dirt and rocks at my favorite unload spots. Plus, a multitude of pockets keep everything where it’s supposed to be, making life much easier when I roll through the gate 20 minutes before Moto 1.

Dirt Bike Gear on sales

Some top Dirt Bike Gear name brand apparel and accessories will be at huge discounts this saturday.

Save 20% off the already discounted In-Stock clearance items including Motorcycle and ATV helmets, Jackets, Motocross Jerseys, Pants, Gloves, Hats, Hoodies and more. If you see it on the clearance rack and it has been marked down take an additional 20% off the discounted price. This is a one day sale and is limited to in stock items only. Hurry in on Saturday and save.

All Motorcycle and ATV accessories are 15% off for one day. This sale also includes items we do not have in stock, so if there is something you have been wanting to purchase for your motorcycle or ATV then this is the weekend to purchase. This sale includes Luggage racks, backrests, windshields for Cruisers and Sportbikes from brands like Zero Gravity – Memphis Shades – National Cycle and even OEM accessories from Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. if it’s an accessory its 15% off. This sale does not include accessories already on sale and does not include Tires.

All long sleeve and short sleeve Men’s, Women’s and Kids T-Shirts are on sale Buy 2 at regular price and get 1 free. This sale does not include Hoodies.

Also for this weekend we have a few other select items on sale including the popular Deltran Battery Tender JR on sale at $29.99 – In stock Curve Sunglasses on sale at 30% off and Warn Winches are 15% off.

Again this is an in-store only sale and only good on Saturday Jan 16th from 9am to 4:30 pm. For more details call our parts department at 402-556-3333

Sale is at the Dillon Brothers MotorSports store on 174th and Maple in Omaha, Ne this sale is in conjunction with the Cabin Fever Poker Run.

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Dirt Bikes Gear for Kids

Would you like to turn your love of riding into an outdoor adventure for the whole family?Dirt Bikes Gear for Kids are an excellent choice to pass down the love of riding to the child in your life.

Mini Bikes for the Child in your Life

Mini Dirt Bikes Mini dirtbikes are a safe and wonderful way to introduce your child to the world of riding. Nothing builds a stronger bond between children and their families than quality time spent together. If you enjoy outdoor adventure, passing that knowledge down to your child can be among the most memorable joys in your life.

Is it Safe?

Today's mini dirt bikes and children's ATV's have safety features that make teaching your child to ride them both easy and safer. What do we mean by safer? As with any activity a child might participate in, there are chances of falling or getting hurt. What child hasn't skinned their knee riding a bike, or bumped an elbow playing tag?

If you've done your homework on riding and made certain proper safety procedures are followed, dirt bikes are no more dangerous than these activities.

Many models today come equipped with features such as a speed governor, which allows the adult to set a top speed at which the bike will go. The exhaust pipes are positioned so that the child can't have contact with any of the parts that get hot during the course of riding. Training wheels can be installed to help your child learn to balance and gain confidence before riding solo.

So, is it safe? Yes, if proper protective gear is worn and safety procedures are followed, this can be a safe activity for your child to learn and enjoy.

Where to Ride

Riding has become a popular activity for both boys and girls. First, check with your local town hall or state agency to find legal requirements for riding before purchasing your bike. Requirements may vary from state to state so it’s always best to check on your own. They can point you to areas which are designated for riding.

Forest preserve paths are a good place to start, many areas have them specifically designated for dirt bikes and there may be one in the vicinity of where you’re riding.

Another great place to find venues for riding is the merchant you buy the gear and bike from; they always have the most recent information about the sport and activities for riders.

Cheap mini dirt bike

Mini dirt bike for sale ad's are in auction sites and other specialised motocross stores. A cheap mini dirt bike can be found when sales are on, or part-exchange models are being offered for sale. There are so many models of dirt pocket bike you can feel overwhelmed but have a look at the dirt bikes pics in the advert, and study the various models and engines before you buy so you know exactly what you require.

dirt pocket bike Mini moto x rides are cheap as are mini moto spares and mini moto tyres. Not only the pursuit of sport moto kids, but dirt mini moto adults as well.

A number of dirt bike club moto tracks offer a special day for the mini moto motor bike fans, and have race tuned mini moto events.

The mini moto engine has come a long way baby, plus your moto minimoto can be packed away in a regular car at the end of the day, no trailers or specialized hitches.

The cheap mini moto is here to stay, and with spares such as mini moto exhausts and air filter mini moto parts, being low-priced a bike mini moto shop is doing a roaring trade. Take a look at these great bike dirt mini moto videos and motorcycles moto movies. No need for an x moto download just click play!

Buying a Used Dirt Bike Gear

It can be a bit of a gamble when you decides to buy a used Dirt Bike Gear.But, if you're not fortunate enough to be able to afford a brand spanker - or your other half will leave you if you fork out ten grand - then make sure you give the potential new family member a thorough inspection before buying it.

It is always a smart idea to have someone who has mechanical knowledge to come with you.

I've owned three secondhand bikes in my riding career. When I was 14 I slaved my guts out all holidays to save for a RM80. After paying $2100 of hard-earned cash to a prominent motorcycle dealership, I walked away with my first ever motocross bike... Two hours of riding later, the piston blew and my new-found joy had seized. Have you ever heard a 14 year old boys heart tear in half?

Motocross bikes don't come with a warranty, especially used ones. So, if you're not sure what to look for, here's a USED DIRT BIKE Gear CHECKLIST to help. Some of these things don't cost much to replace. But if the bike has a lot of small faults, the $$ can quickly add up.

Carefully consider what type of riding you will mostly be doing before you rush out and buy a bike. There are a wide range of used dirt bikes available these days, and they are designed for different purposes.

    * There are purpose built motocross bikes - two strokes and four strokes.
    * Trail and enduro bikes for bush, trail and long distance riding.
    * And on/off road dirt bikes as well.

Avoid buying a Dirt Bike Gear that is too powerful for you. This will actually slow you down because of the lack of control you will have. It will also tire you out faster and consequently become quite dangerous for you to ride.

If you are mostly hitting the sand, go for a bike with plenty of grunt. Soft sand will slow your bike down and make it work twice as hard to get the same kind of speed as you would get on dirt. For someone weighing over 70kgs (154 pounds) I would suggest a 250cc two stroke or something of equivalent power... or more.

Trey Canard asked to fill in for an injured Andrew Short

The Oklahoma native  Trey Canard received the opportunity of a lifetime when he was asked to fill in for an injured Andrew Short while on hiatus from the AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship.Trey Canard made his debut in the premier AMA Supercross class in Indianapolis and after six races, posted five podium finishes to prove he has the ability to succeed in the elite division.

Canard raced a limited 2010 season in the premier AMA Supercross class, filling in for injured Factory Honda rider Andrew Short.As a result of his stellar substitute performances, Canard’s service at Factory Honda also served as a tryout for the team heading into the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season when the 2008 AMA Supercross Lites East Region Champion was slated to make his move into the premier class. He further proved his maturity and composure as a rider by staging an incredible come-from-behind performance to claim his first national title in AMA Motocross this past summer.


“The Lites class is an entirely different ball game when it comes to racing,” said Canard. “But having such strong performances in the premier class helped give me a little more confidence (outdoors). The motocross championship has been huge (for me), but ultimately I’m the same guy. A lot of positives came out of that title.”

When the offseason began, Canard knew almost immediately where he was headed, giving him a slight advantage over his many counterparts who were still solidifying their deals for the 2011 season.
“I was very thankful,” he added. “I know a lot of guys stress about where they’re going to end up, but American Honda is an amazing team.”

With a breakthrough season under his belt, Canard arguably has the most momentum heading into his rookie campaign other than reigning premier class champion Ryan Dungey. Despite coming up short in his bid for the 2010 AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship, the level in which he rode in the premier class turned heads and effectively put Canard in the conversation for title contenders in 2011.

“I really just want to be prepared,” said Canard. “I want to come in ready, learn, and do the very best I can do. That’s all I can ask (of myself).”

While longtime Factory Honda riders Andrew Short and Davi Millsaps have both moved on, Canard will welcome 2009 Anaheim 1 race winner Josh Grant as his teammate. Grant, who rode Hondas throughout the early portion of his career, has considerable speed and talent and will be a good motivator for Canard under the Honda tent.

“I really like Josh,” explained Canard. “I think he’s a great guy with a huge amount of talent. I think we should (be able) to elevate each other’s riding this whole year.”

Perhaps the best thing for Canard heading into 2011 is his continued relationship with Honda. The red riders have supported the fourth-year rider throughout his young career, giving him the opportunity that led to his ride for 2011. Having already established a working relationship with the Factory Honda crew in addition to bringing his mechanic Brent Presnell along with him, Canard looks to have all the tools necessary to make a title run and follow in the footsteps of the current champion and longtime rival Dungey.

“To have a team and a company like Honda behind me has been huge,” said Canard. “The fact that I’m used to the bike and don’t have to go through a whole learning curve is awesome.”

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com.

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Bike Cosworth agreed terms with the rising Swiss star Arnaud Tonus for 2011

The 19 year-old rider Arnaud Tonus  was very happy after testing the bike of Zach Osborne and visiting the workshop in England, and quickly a deal was concluded to partner Zach in the World MX2 category for 2011.

After a string of good results this year and a podium at the last GP in Italy, Tonus finished 7th in the 2010 World Championship just 7 points behind 4th place Zach Osborne.

Steve Dixon said “I had a phone call from Laurens KleinKoerkamp of Yamaha Europe about the opportunity to take on Tonus and a collaboration between Yamaha Europe, Yamaha UK, Yamaha Switzerland and myself suddenly saw a test and a deal put together for Tonus within days.

I spoke to Cosworth about the project and they were excited at the prospect of two top riders battling for the World championship podiums and agreed on all the extra parts needed to take on the factory teams.
For me in the MX2 (and 125) class I have taken Paul Malin, Carl Nunn, Brian Jorgensen, Andrew McFarlane, Billy Mackenzie and Zach Osborne to their first GP victory and I am sure in 2011 I can add Tonus to that list.

It gives us a good solid base as a team and I think it will take a little pressure off Zach in the World championships.

I believe we can achieve a good balance of team moral just like in Formula One teams with two top riders battling together. We are learning such a lot from Cosworth who have such a huge amount of experience at top level in racing not just in engineering but in everything we do as a team”

Aside from Zach and Tonus I am really conscious about the lack of British MX1 riders doing the World championship so after a year competing the ACU British MX1 championships for us this year I am putting Jason Dougan in the World Championships for 2011 and it is great that he lives only 15 minutes from the workshop, Jason is only just 23 and I believe could surprise a few people, he had some good GP results in 2008 with CCM and he is working very hard together with Zach.

After an injury struck 2010 season I will put young Ed Allingham in the seven rounds of the 2010 EMX2 series.
I think having the seven round European championship series together at the same time and venue as the GP is a perfect stepping stone to GP’s, it is such a big step from a National championship to GP’s that this was badly needed. Before the championship was at different venues and dates so logistically for us we could not do the series.

So that’s is us for 2011 a four man team covering all the classes.

I also want to take this opportunity to wish Mel Pocock every success with his new British Championship ride at TAS Suzuki. It will be a shame not to see Mel at the GP’s or Europeans but he will be fighting for podiums at the British with our guys.

For me 2011 is my 22nd year in GP’s year and I could not have stayed at the top without all of my great and loyal sponsors so together with you I hope we can add the World title to the trophy cabinet.

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2011 Valence Moto Club in France

The Valence Moto Club will organize his International Motocross on the third weekend of February as usual since many years now.Most of the top teams already agree to be in France on 19th and 20th of February, and the first list of riders is impressive!

For the first time another race is scheduled on the same date in Italy, but the president Lebrun was pleased to see the reaction of many teams and riders. “It’s never good to have two races at the same date; as we said a long time ago we always organize on the third weekend of February and we have no other choice to keep this date for our partners and spectators.  All the teams and top riders didn’t confirm their decision yet, but we have already some strong contracts signed and the lineup will be once more great in Valence” he said.

Kawasaki will be strong in Valence, as the three teams representing the brand in the MX1 and MX2 World Championships confirmed their entry. It will be the first time since his move in the USA that Ben Townley will race in Europe, and everyone is waiting his comeback in Valence where he won in 2005. CLS Pro Circuit riders Tommy Searle and Max Anstie will be alongside their prestigious teammate, while team KRT will enter his three factory riders – Xavier Boog, Jonathan Barragan and Sébastien Pourcel – who just spent two weeks in Spain to test their new bikes. The biggest line-up will come from team Bud Racing, with five riders behind the grid: David Guarneri, Gregory Aranda, Livia Lancelot, Dylan Ferrandis and Pierrick Roncin, the 2010 French national champion.

The prestigious Suzuki team of Sylvain Geboers also confirmed that the ‘yellow boys’ will be in Valence, with Clement Desalle and Steve Ramon on their 450, while Valentin Teillet will do his first race aboard the 250 Suzuki. Also coming with his new team HDI Nicolas Aubin will be back on a KTM; he will not be the single ‘orange rider’ as Jacky Martens entered his full team with Joel Roelants, Jordi Tixier and Yentel Martens, while Women World Champion Steffie Laier will be there for another duel with Livia Lancelot.
If you add to this provisional list the names of the new Rinaldi Yamaha rider Steven Frossard, the new Honda LS rider Shaun Simpson you have already a strong field of riders who will battle for the first 2011 win of the season. And stay tuned, some other names will be confirmed in the following weeks for this opening round of another exciting year!
 www.mx-valence.com

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Summer's National series

I thought I'd take a look through my photos from this summer's National series and try and pick just one photo from each round that caught my eye. Something that told the story that I think of when I think of that race, or was just really cool, or whatever made me pause on it as I scrolled through my archives.

I just love the lines, the aggressiveness of Colt's body positioning, Kornel Nemeth out of focus in the background. So many things catch my eye about this photo. Plus, to me, the big story coming into Kamloops was whether anyone could stop Colton's recent dominance of the Canadian series and we certainly got our answer by the time the final checkered flag of the day flew: no. Only Colt himself would be able to beat him and unfortunately, he did just that a few rounds later but that day was pure poetry as he cruised to big leads in both motos.EdmontonMX2 Champion, Teddy Maier, had a terrible start to his title defense at Kamloops.

He suffered a flat tire in the first moto and started the season with a sizable points deficit. He needed to bounce back with a statement race at the next round in Edmonton and he did just that. He took both holeshots and led every lap of both motos to take the win and prove that he wasn't going to let go of his number one plate without a fight.

When I think of Calgary, the first thing I think about is how the Wild Rose track is right in the heart of the city. The background of skyscrapers in many of my images is unique in this sport that is usually defined by tracks that are far out in the country and something that I doubt I'll ever see again anywhere else. Very cool and always a highlight of the season.

To me, when I think of this year's Morden national, the sight of a battered and broken Colton Facciotti taking the win immediately comes to mind. After his horrific Calgary crash no one expected the Champ to be on the line the next weekend in Manitoba but in a last minute decision he elected to line up and try and score a few points to stay in the title fight before the series took a three week break that would allow him to heal up a bit. Well, damned if he didn't go out and win both motos while looking like he lost a fight with a grizzly bear. This shot of him wincing in pain on the podium after his first moto win is what I'll always remember about this day.

Gopher DunesThere's not really a great story about this photo. I just really like it, the action is cool and I love the early morning light at Gopher Dunes, first practice at Gopher is always one of my favorite times to shoot. Probably cause it's so flat out there in SWO, the sunlight can skip along a lot of the atmosphere before it hits that track. I also like the photo because it was Richard Grey's first pro national and he put on an impressive showing in the first moto, grabbing fifth. Second moto didn't go so hot, as he fell, took off his helmet trying to start his bike and got DQ'd but hey, he's young. He'll figure it out.Ste. JulieI didn't even have to look through my archives when it came to the Ste. Julie round. This photo of Kaven Benoit was in my head right from the get go. Man, Kaven winning his home round was such a huge story. He started off his year with a strong showing out west, shifted into another gear starting with his podium at Gopher Dunes and then held off Teddy Maier to win his first national at Ste. Julie. He capped off his dream season with another podium at Sand Del Lee, an appearance on Team Canada at the Motocross Des Nations and took the MX2 win at the Montreal Supercross. The Quebecois faithful have been searching for a new hero since JSR retired and it looks like they've found it. I can't wait to see what 2011 brings. 

MonctonHonestly, I just really like the light in this photo of Tyler Medaglia. I'm always looking for interesting light and it was definitely catching my eye as the MX2 riders lined up for practice. Plus, the Riverglade track is always so dusty that making quality action shots after the first lap or two is extremely challenging. The MX2 championship was really starting to come down to the wire between Medaglia and Teddy Maier and after suffering a mechanical DNF the week before at Ste Julie, Tyler needed to bounce back and he did just that with the overall win at Moncton. 

Sand Del LeeThis photo stands out for me for two reasons. First, after dodging sketchy weather forecasts all season the rain finally caught up with us at Sand Del Lee and we had the first mud race of the season. Plus, secondly, there was a lot of talk coming into the season about whether or not Kornel Nemeth would be the rider to knock off Colton Facciotti as he had shown some serious speed in his select appearances the season before. With Nemeth signed to race the entire series many had him pegged as a favorite but he hadn't quite lived up to expectations. Finally, at Sand Del Lee, the Hungarian got his first Canadian National win after slogging through the mud in the final moto to take the win. 

To me, this photo shows the Dusty Klatt that I know. The super talented kid from Campbell River who when he's relaxed and goofing around, throwing one leggers in practice and having fun, is one of the fastest riders to ever come out of our country. But sometimes the weight of expectation can weigh a person down and with so much pressure on him since his dominant 2006 win it didn't seem like we were seeing the same Dusty Klatt anymore. Unfortunately, Colton had to get hurt but watching Dusty come back from his double DNF's at Edmonton to take the championship with a round to spare was inspiring. His first moto dominance at Ste Julie was a vintage Klatt performance and by the time the checkered flag flew on the final moto at Walton it seemed as if some of the old mojo was back. And fittingly, he took his goon riding to new levels with this epic victory salute.

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Mitch Payton one of the honorees in Las Vegas

Four people who have made great contributions to the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship over the years were among the honorees when the 2010 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductees were enshrined on Friday evening in Las Vegas .Pro Circuit founder Mitch Payton, JT Racing founders John and Rita Gregory, and Eyvind Boyesen, the man behind Boyesen Engineering, were all honored in the ceremony at the Red Rocks Resort for their work in and around American Motocross.

MX Sports Pro Racing, organizers of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as well as our partners at Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, and the 12 race promoters that make up the National Promoters Group (NPG), wish to congratulate Payton, the Gregorys, and the entire Boyesen family on their respective honors.

Mitch Payton's success in the motorcycle industry is a testament not only to his work ethic and perseverance, but also that of his family, his staff at Pro Circuit, and all of the racers and mechanics and team sponsors that have participated in his program over the years. Payton was an aspiring racer himself until a desert-racing accident left him in a wheelchair at 17 years of age. He then went into the aftermarket business, taking a small bike shop in Anaheim, Calif., and building it into the global motocross power that is Pro Circuit, now based in Corona, Calif. Along the way he has won numerous races and titles with lineups that have included the likes of Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, Mickael Pichon, Grant Langston, Ivan Tedesco, Mike Brown and more.

John and Rita Gregory founded JT Racing together as motocross in Southern California was just taking off some 40 years ago. Together they built a riding-gear empire, leading the way in motocross fashion for nearly two decades. Along the way they worked with a long line of AMA Motocross Champions and future Hall of Famers, including Marty Smith, Bob Hannah, Broc Glover, Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Donnie Hansen, David Bailey, Rick Johnson, Ron Lechien and more. In fact, many of those riders were in attendance at the ceremony, including Glover, who came out dressed in the exact same JT Racing gear he wore in the mid-eighties to introduce John and Rita into the Hall of Fame.

Eyvind Boyesen has long been one of the most respected men in motocross. A former racer from Norway, he emigrated to America in the 1960s to work on rocket engines for NASA, then started his own namesake company, Boyesen Engineering, in 1972. Based in Lenhartsville, Pa., Boyesen's innovations include reed valves, carburetion, two-stroke and four-stroke engines, water pumps, and more. Boyesen held more than 40 patents in the motorcycle aftermarket industry. He continued to be an active racer himself until this past year, as well as a sponsor of countless motorcycle racers. Sadly, Eyvind Boyesen passed away on the eve of his induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame after a long battle with leukemia. He was 68 years old.

MX Sports Pro Racing, Alli Sports, and the NPG all wish to congratulate Mitch Payton, John and Rita Gregory, and everyone in the Boyesen family on the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame. Congratulations also go out to dirt-track racer Don Castro, sidecar road-racing champion Larry Coleman, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde, and desert racing legend and team manager Bruce Ogilvie were also part of the Class of 2010 for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
 
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Kevin Windham is back for his 17th year of professional racing

GEICO Powersports Honda's Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., is back for his 17th year of professional racing after matching a career-best second place finish in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship,standings last year. 

At 30 years old, Windham says age doesn't matter in a sport dominated by youth.

"At this point, no matter my age or the competition, it's all about staying with what works," said Windham. "The seasons are always long and all we can do is be patient and see how the year unfolds."

While much of the attention is focused on the three AMA Supercross champions - James Stewart, Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey - competing for this year's title, Windham, who has 18 AMA Supercross class victories and sits ninth on the all-time win list, hopes to fly under the radar and challenge for some wins.

"There needs to be a lot of attention on those guys, but I also think there's going to be some people this year that creep up from the shadows," he added. "It's going to be an exciting season and it's my job to be one of the guys making things exciting."


This year's competition goes beyond the veterans in the AMA Supercross class as three AMA Supercross Lites champions graduate into the premier class - Trey Canard, Christophe Pourcel and Jake Weimer.

Dungey became only the second rookie to win the AMA Supercross title and, en route, paved the way for the next generation of racers to run up front.

"You never know what to expect from the younger guys coming up," said Windham. "Historically they go fast but they have a tendency to crash. Dungey definitely broke that mold."

In 1996, Windham, who also has 12 career AMA Supercross Lites class wins, claimed the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship and has finished runner-up in the AMA Supercross class championship on three occasions. The oldest competitor in the series has won an AMA Supercross class race in eight different seasons and three different decades. He's been there and done that, and experience will be critical over the course of 17 races.

"My experience has exposed me to almost every situation there is in racing," he adds. "However, there's always things that can easily catch you if you have your guard down during a 17-race championship. I feel I'm really strong closing out the series but I need to find real consistency during this 2011 season. I'm training hard now to be ready for that challenge."

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2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Official Video Game

The video game giant THQ Inc. will return in 2011 as the Official Video Game of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season marks the seventh year THQ has been a sponsor of the championship.

Over the past seven years, Monster Energy AMA Supercross has served as a key marketing platform for THQ's widely popular MX vs. ATV(r) video game franchise. Dating back to THQ's initial Monster Energy AMA Supercross sponsorship in 2004, MX vs. ATV has been exposed to more than five million fans at supercross races alone. In the upcoming MX vs. ATV game, to be announced at the start of the season, THQ has been granted licensing rights to use the AMA Supercross logo.

"Partnering with Monster Energy AMA Supercross has always allowed us to connect with race fans on a unique level," said Michael Lustenberger, Vice President of Global Brand Management - Online, THQ.  "The upcoming 2011 season is no exception as we will reveal the next MX vs. ATV game at the first race and allow Monster Energy AMA Supercross fans to be the first to see it."

In addition to the online and in-stadium branding at Monster Energy AMA Supercross, THQ will receive space in the Pit Party for activation, providing fans the opportunity to be the first to play the next MX vs. ATV later in the season.

THQ will also receive commercial advertising units in CBS Sports network broadcasts of Monster Energy AMA Supercross and will have the opportunity to conduct focus groups during pit parties at select races. The focus groups will allow fans to critique the current game and will also give them a chance to share their thoughts on the approaching game.

"Feld Entertainment is thrilled to continue our outstanding and long-term partnership with THQ Inc. for the upcoming Supercross season," said Charlie Mancuso, President, Feld Motor Sports. "It has been a pleasure to work with such an innovative and engaging partner that continues to show its commitment to the sport, and we are excited about the growth and results the relationship will continue to produce."

The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and THQ sponsorship initiatives kick-off Saturday, January 8 with the opening round of the season from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam(r), Monster Energy(r) Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz?, and IHRA(r) Nitro Jam(r).  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit http://www.feldentertainment.com/.

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The Legend of Bob "Hurricane" Hannah

When Bob "Hurricane" Hannah was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, he had seven AMA national championships to his credit, and was one of only two riders in the history of AMA racing to win championships in 125cc motocross, 250cc motocross and Supercross. Hannah easily ranks as the most versatile motocross racer of his era, and perhaps of all time. During his 15-year racing career, Hannah won Nationals in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories as well as Supercross and Trans-AMA. When he retired from racing, Hannah held the record for the most career wins in both AMA Supercross and AMA 250cc National motocross.

Hannah was born in 1956 in Lancaster, Calif. He grew up riding in the rugged Southern California deserts with his father and got his first bike, a customized Honda 55, when he was 7 years old. The one thing Hannah didn't do in those early years was race.


"My father was against racing,” Hannah explains. “He did not mind me riding, but at the same time he didn’t want me getting hurt. So I never raced until I was 18 years old and living on my own."

By the time Hannah hit the motocross tracks of Southern California, he was more than ready. Even though he didn’t have racing experience, he had practically lived on a motorcycle since grade school and likely had more hours on a bike than any of his fellow competitors. Hannah won his first and only race in the amateur ranks. After his dominating debut, local racing officials told the young Hannah he would have to move up to the expert ranks.

In 1975, his first full year as an expert, Hannah rode in just two AMA Nationals. His best finish was sixth overall in the AMA 125cc National in San Antonio, Texas. Not bad for a rider with less than a year’s racing experience under his belt. A Saddleback racetrack announcer called him "Hurricane" Hannah, and the moniker stuck: He was forever to be known as Bob "Hurricane" Hannah.

Early in 1976, Hannah won the prestigious 500cc Florida Winter-AMA Series. Then Yamaha took a chance on the 19-year-old phenom, who was largely unknown outside of the local Southern California motocross circles.

Yamaha signed Hannah to race the 125cc outdoor AMA Nationals. He started out the year with some success on a 250cc machine in the AMA Supercross Series, but his real strength was on the 125cc bikes at the outdoor motocross circuits.

The AMA 125cc National Motocross Championships were only two years old when Hannah launched into his first full season. Honda and its rider, Marty Smith, had dominated the 125cc Nationals for the first two years. Smith was gunning for his third-straight title and was the heavy favorite coming into the '76 season.

At the first round of the series at the famous Hangtown Nationals in Plymouth, Calif., Smith made the early laps of the first moto look like a replay of 1974 and '75. Eight laps into the relatively dull race the crowd came to its feet when Hannah, on his No. 39 Yamaha, came bouncing through the field to grab second. Hannah had picked off 21 other riders in his charge. On the next lap, Hannah took over the lead from Smith, leaving the tens of thousands of Northern California fans stunned. Smith tried to get back past Hannah, but fell in the process and finished a distant second. Hannah came back to win the second moto in an even more decisive fashion.

It was one of the most stunning debuts for a factory rider in the history of AMA racing. Hannah proved that his 1976 opening round victory was no fluke, and stormed ahead to win five of the eight 125cc nationals that year en route to the championship.

In 1977, Hannah hopped aboard a stock production Yamaha 250 and won the Florida Winter-AMA Series and the AMA Supercross Championship in impressive fashion, taking six of the 10 rounds. By the end of the AMA Nationals season, he was in contention for the 125cc, 250cc and Open Class titles -- becoming the first rider to win races in all three classes in just one season.

Hannah would go on to win the AMA Supercross title for three straight years. Known for his tireless training regimen and fierce demeanor on race day, his tell-it-like-it-is, never-say-die attitude toward racing endeared him to hundreds of thousands of fans, and he became the first genuine superstar of Supercross racing.

In 1978, Hannah moved up to the 250cc ranks in the outdoor Nationals with devastating results for his competition. Hannah's riding was nearly flawless. He won a record eight consecutive 250 outdoor events, a record that still stood at the time of Hannah’s 1999 Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction. He continued his impressive streak in the fall Trans-AMA Series, winning four nationals in that series and winning the championship to become the first American to win the Trans-AMA Series.

In 1979, he came back and dominated the 250 outdoor Nationals again, handily winning the title by earning victories in six of the 10 events. By the late 1970s, Hannah’s career was at its zenith, and he was clearly in a class of his own.

Even though Hannah had numerous attractive offers to race in world championship motocross, he never seriously considered it. Displaying classic Hannah dry humor, he quipped that the main reason he didn’t want to race overseas was that the Europeans “served their drinks without ice.” Even though he preferred racing close to home, Hannah did represent his country three times in the prestigious Motocross des Nations team competition, and was part of the victorious 1987 team when the international event was held at his favorite racetrack, Unadilla, in New York state.

Hannah’s training methods were uncommon for the era. In addition to riding countless practice laps on motocross tracks, he went back to his roots and trained by riding in the desert. He was obsessed with winning and trained every day, but purposely downplayed his training regimen to maintain a psychological edge over his competitors.

"There’s no better place to practice than out in the desert,” he told British journalist Chris Carter in 1981. “I ride there anytime I can. Out there the unexpected happens quickly and you have to sharpen your reactions to stay on the bike."

Water sports were the recreation that Hannah chose for relaxation. A water skiing accident in the Colorado River at the end of 1979 nearly cost Hannah his career, and the near amputation of his right leg. Hannah’s leg was broken in 12 places when he hit a submerged rock and was catapulted onto the riverbank. Doctors initially told Hannah he would never be able to race again. He was forced to sit out the entire 1980 season while recuperating. During his recovery, Hannah earned his pilot license and for the first time in his adult life found interests outside of motorcycle racing.

Whether it was his injured leg or other seemingly endless injuries that Hannah suffered during the early 1980s, or perhaps the loss of his one-time single-minded approach to racing, Hannah was never quite able to harness the magic needed to capture another championship. Yet he was still a formidable force to be reckoned with, and he won 20 more Nationals during the 1980s. His best results were a second-place finish in the 250 outdoor AMA National series in 1981, and, following a switch from Yamaha to Honda, third in the same series in 1983.

Hannah’s final win came in the 250 outdoor National held in Millville, Minn., on Aug. 11, 1985. He continued to race part-time with Suzuki from 1986 until his retirement in 1989.

In his 15-year career, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah had become the all-time win leader in AMA motocross/Supercross history, having won 70 AMA Nationals during his career. That record would stand until fellow Hall of Famer Jeremy McGrath broke Hannah’s overall win record in 1999. Hannah’s record of 27 250cc National wins still stood when he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

"He was a rider of tremendous determination,” said multitime world champion, Hall of Famer, and Hannah’s team manager for the winning 1987 U.S. Motocross des Nations team, Roger DeCoster. “Sort of a tough guy, like John Wayne. He didn’t make excuses and he had a good rapport with the public,” an understatement given Hannah’s deep devotion to his fans.

After retiring from racing, Hannah continued to be a test rider and consultant for Suzuki and later, for Yamaha, through the early 1990s. His knowledge, skill and work ethic made him a valuable bridge between racing generations, competing with the earliest AMA motocross stars and then the even bigger stars of the 1980s.

Hannah continued to seek the adrenalin rush even after his motorcycle-racing career ended. For almost a decade, he raced a highly modified P-51 Mustang at speeds close to 500 mph, 30-50 feet of the ground, in the Unlimited Gold Class at the Reno Air Races.


Bob “Hurricane” Hannah was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, and is currently living near Boise, Idaho, where he owns an aircraft sales company.

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Signing off the 2010 Dirt Bike Season

Here at MOTO Magazine, we’re signing off the 2010 Dirt Bike season with the biggest and best issue of the year, a massive 180 pages absolutely packed with the finest features to keep you entertained through the Christmas period.

Not only have we complied the biggest ever motocross test undertaken in the UK to deliver you the all important verdict on every four-stroke MX machine available, we’ve also swung our leg over some of the finest factory bikes on the planet too, bringing you exclusive tests of the potent Teka Suzukis and Monster Yamahas, as well as Antoine Meo’s WEC winning Husky.

We’ve been pounding the air miles for your entertainment too, visiting Florida to deliver the most intimate profile of AMA record breaker Ryan Dungey you’ve ever seen before crossing the channel to get the inside scoop on the bruising Bercy SX. We even braved sub-zero temperatures in the Scottish highlands to get the exclusive story on the year’s strangest race between David Knight and mountain bike legend Gee Atherton.
And because we are generous sorts, we’ve even put you some free stickers in with the issue too.Santa’s got nothing on us.

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Trey Canard asked to fill in for an injured Andrew Short

Factory Honda rookie Trey Canard received the opportunity of a lifetime when he was asked to fill in for an injured Andrew Short while on hiatus from the AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship. The Oklahoma native made his debut in the premier AMA Supercross class in Indianapolis and after six races, posted five podium finishes to prove he has the ability to succeed in the elite division.

As a result of his stellar substitute performances, Canard's service at Factory Honda also served as a tryout for the team heading into the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season when the 2008 AMA Supercross Lites East Region Champion was slated to make his move into the premier class. He further proved his maturity and composure as a rider by staging an incredible come-from-behind performance to claim his first national title in AMA Motocross this past summer.

"The Lites class is an entirely different ball game when it comes to racing," said Canard. "But having such strong performances in the premier class helped give me a little more confidence (outdoors). The motocross championship has been huge (for me), but ultimately I'm the same guy. A lot of positives came out of that title."

When the offseason began, Canard knew almost immediately where he was headed, giving him a slight advantage over his many counterparts who were still solidifying their deals for the 2011 season.
"I was very thankful," he added. "I know a lot of guys stress about where they're going to end up, but American Honda is an amazing team."

With a breakthrough season under his belt, Canard arguably has the most momentum heading into his rookie campaign other than reigning premier class champion Ryan Dungey. Despite coming up short in his bid for the 2010 AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship, the level in which he rode in the premier class turned heads and effectively put Canard in the conversation for title contenders in 2011.

"I really just want to be prepared," said Canard. "I want to come in ready, learn, and do the very best I can do. That's all I can ask (of myself)."

While longtime Factory Honda riders Andrew Short and Davi Millsaps have both moved on, Canard will welcome 2009 Anaheim 1 race winner Josh Grant as his teammate. Grant, who rode Hondas throughout the early portion of his career, has considerable speed and talent and will be a good motivator for Canard under the Honda tent.

"I really like Josh," explained Canard. "I think he's a great guy with a huge amount of talent. I think we should (be able) to elevate each other's riding this whole year."

Perhaps the best thing for Canard heading into 2011 is his continued relationship with Honda. The red riders have supported the fourth-year rider throughout his young career, giving him the opportunity that led to his ride for 2011. Having already established a working relationship with the Factory Honda crew in addition to bringing his mechanic Brent Presnell along with him, Canard looks to have all the tools necessary to make a title run and follow in the footsteps of the current champion and longtime rival Dungey.

"To have a team and a company like Honda behind me has been huge," said Canard. "The fact that I'm used to the bike and don't have to go through a whole learning curve is awesome."

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American Motocross New Season

MX Sports Pro Racing presents the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship schedule after a highly successful and historic season of competition, . The 2011 American Motocross schedule will consist of 12 rounds, with locations from California to New England. The series includes the best motocross riders from across the globe and is recognized as the most prestigious motocross championship on the planet.
The 2011 season kicks off on Saturday, May 21 with the historic Hangtown Motocross Classic, which is held at the Prairie City Off-Highway Vehicle Park in Sacramento, Calif. The series will once again travel the country and conclude on Saturday, September 10, at Pala Raceway, which is just north of San Diego.

"We're fortunate to boast the best motocross facilities in the world in the Lucas Oil Motocross Championship," said MX Sports Vice President Davey Coombs. "Several of our tracks have hosted national events for nearly four decades, including such legendary race tracks as RedBud, Unadilla, High Point and more, while our newer facilities present the vision of the future for American Motocross. The 2011 season - which will be the 40th year of this tour - is going to be another epic chapter in American Motocross.

"We have also been exploring several new facilities in the Southeast," added Coombs. "The area is one of the most popular regions of the country for off-road motorcycles, and it is the hope of MX Sports that we will be able to announce a new addition to the schedule for 2012."

Each stop of the 12-round championship will showcase the premier 450 Class, featuring reigning national champion Ryan Dungey, along with the 250 Class, which will crown a new champion in 2011 with the graduation of 2010 title holder Trey Canard into the premier division.

Additionally, the MotorcycleUSA.com Women's Motocross Championship will be included at eight rounds of the series - Hangtown, Freestone, Thunder Valley, RedBud, Spring Creek, Moto-X 338, Steel City, and Pala. Led by defending champion Jessica Patterson, who claimed her record sixth title last season, the nation's fastest females will add to the excitement of the 2011 championship series.

2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Schedule:

May 21               Hangtown Motocross Classic*                 Sacramento, Calif.
May 28               Freestone Raceway*                                  Wortham, Texas
June 11             High Point Raceway                                    Mt. Morris, Pa.
June 18             Budds Creek Motocross                             Mechanicsville, Md.
June 25             Thunder Valley Motocross*                        Lakewood, Colo.
July 2                  RedBud*                                                       Buchanan, Mich.
July 16                Spring Creek Motocross*                         Millville, Minn.
July 23                Washougal MX Park                                  Washougal, Wash.
August 13          Unadilla                                                        New Berlin, N.Y.
August 27          Moto-X 338*                                                 Southwick, Mass.
September 3     Steel City Raceway*                                  Delmont Pa.
September 10   Pala Raceway*                                           Pala, Calif.

*WMX events

2011 Ticket sales and pricing will be released shortly, with special early-bird discounts available on all advance purchase ticket sales. It's the perfect gift for the family moto enthusiast.

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Sixth Round of the Australia Super X Series

The Sixth Round of the Australia Super X Series was held at Parramatta Stadium in Parramatta, NSW. On top of that, we finally had some nice warm weather which kept me pumped for the weekend.

On race day, I was able to use the early practice session to my advantage to make some small changes to the bike that allowed me to be more comfortable on the track. At the end of timed qualifying I was second fastest behind Matt Moss.

This race was unique because we competed in a Manufacturer's challenge. It consisted of three riders from each bike brand going head to head in a relay race. Our JDR Motorsports/Motorex/KTM consisted of me, Tye Simmonds and Mike Alessi. We had a poor start but rode a smart race to take a big come from behind win. It was great to get that win before heading into the final races.

Next up were the heat races. I had a decent start in my heat and made a few quick passes in the first few corners to move into the lead. I rode a smooth race once out front and took the win.
The final rounds consisted of four 5-lap races which they called the survival format. After each race the bottom five places got dropped so it was all about making sure you stayed out of trouble and just made it down to the final five riders.

My plan was to ride a consistent race and try to avoid any crashes so I would make it to the final five. There was a maximum of 25 points for this round and I knew I just needed to make it to the final to stay in the championship hunt. I ended up placing 8th in the first final, 4th in the second and 2nd in the third to make the transfer into the final showdown.

When the gate dropped for the main event, I stopped riding cautious and decided I wanted to go for the win. I was pushing hard when I crashed in the rhythm section and was landed on my Cody Mackie. The impact broke my front wheel and I was forced to DNF. I was credited with 5th overall in the final.

I was pretty disappointed with my placement because now I am five points behind in the championship standings heading to the final race in Brisbane. We still have one more round left and 75 points up for grabs so you can bet I will be giving it everything I have to try and win this championship at the final round.
I would like to thank my sponsors: JDR Motorsports/Motorex/KTM, MxRad, Shift, Pirelli, FMF, Scott, my trainer Brad Johnson, my chiropractor Steve Navaro, Ryno Organics, and Dirt ID.


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