RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: THE SUPERCROSS WAIT IS OVER, BUT WHEN DO THE NATIONALS START?

• KEN ROCZEN GETS TEAMMATES AT THE PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE SUZUKI TEAM—SUZUKI NOW HAS THREE TEAMS

Ken Roczen won’t get lonely in the new Progressive Insurance truck.

Everybody knows about Ken Roczen’s move to the Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki team for the 2023 season, but lesser known is the fact that the Progressive Suzuki team will also field two riders in the 250 East/West Supercross series. They are Dilan Schwartz and Marshal Weltin.

Dilan Schwart put a Suzuki RM-Z250 into the top ten in 2021 AMA 250 National Points.

Schwartz had taken his BarX RM-Z 250 to the top ten in the 2021 AMA 250 Nationals and is moving over to Progressive Suzuki squad with team manager Larry Brooks.

Marshall Weltin has turned last year’s fill-in ride at Twisted Tea Suzuki into a full-time gig on the Progressive Insurance Suzuki team.

Marshal Weltin had served as a fill-in rider for the Twisted Tea Suzuki team when their riders were injured in 2022 and will now move over to the Progressive Insurance team in the 250 class for Supercross and the 450 class for the Nationals. Schwartz is expected to race the 250 West, with Weltin in the 250 East.

Shane McElrath (12) will spearhead the 2023 Twisted Tea Suzuki team.

Brandon Hartranft was injured in a pre-season accident, but Twisted Tea is keeping his spot on the team ready.

Suzuki will field three teams for the 2023 season: The Ken Roczen-led Progressive Insurance squad will have its own truck and be separate from the other two teams. The Twisted Tea team is Kyle Chisholm, Shane McElrath and Brandon Hartranft (when he recovers from pre-season injuries).

Robbie Wageman (59) is part of the four-man BarX Suzuki team.

The third team is the Buddy Antunez-managed Bar-X 250 team of Derek Drake, Carson Mumford, Robbie Wageman and Ty Masterpool.

• CLASSIC MXA PHOTOS: MAGOO SAILING DOWN BANZAI HILL

Do you remember when Danny “Magoo” Chandler raced a YZ125? Do you know where Banzai Hill was located? Can you recognize the rider crashing to Magoo’s right? Answers at the bottom of the page.

• 2023 ANAHEIM 1 SUPERCROSS TRACK MAP

The 2023 Anaheim 1 Supercross track layout consists of a split start with an over/under jump going over the middle of the starting gate. The track has one main whoop section with a small whoop section after the table-top that jumps onto the start. 

• 2023 ANAHEIM 1 SUPERCROSS FAN FEST 

The fan fest doors open the pits at 12:00 p.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Opening ceremonies starts at 6:30 p.m. and the night show starts at 7:00 p.m. 

• SUPERCROSS INJURY LIST NUMBER ONE

BRANDON HARTRANFT | BACK, RIBS, HIP, SHOULDER

Brandon Hartranft’s offseason injury was the most severe and he is still in the recovery process from multiple fractures to the lumbar spine, ribs, and shoulder, as well as a hip displacement. 

Brandon Hartranft posted via instagram: “Tuesday I was training and did this rhythm. It was a 3-3-3-on off. Well the middle of the 3 triple my bike cut out and I landed head first which caused L1-L2 endplate fractures, L3-L4 transverse process fractures, L1-L3 spinous process fractures, left hip dislocation, right rib fractures 5-7, right scapular fracture, and right hemothorax with chest tube placement.”

Brandon Hartranft’s spot on the Twisted Tea HEP Suzuki team has been replaced by Shane McElrath.

JEREMY MARTIN | INJURED LEG (WILL RACE EAST COAST)

Jeremy Martin’s debut with the ClubMX Mic-Off Yamaha team will be delayed until the East Coast regional Supercross series kicks off in February after a big practice crash at the ClubMX Training Facility. Click here to watch the ClubMX vlog video.

Jeremy Martin. 

CARSON MUMFORD | BROKEN WRIST

BarX Suzuki rider, Carson Mumford, broke his wrist during pre-season testing.

Carson posted via instagram: “Man yesterday is just one of those days I wished never happened. Was riding so well and feeling so great on the bike and unfortunately had a rare malfunction in one of the rhythms which sent me over the bars. I landed straight on my back and first thing I thought was oh no my season was over. Right away @bradleytaft_ was standing over me asking if I was ok, I showed him my wrist and said call an ambulance. Such a bummer for me and my team I feel like this year I worked on all my weaknesses so much and went the extra mile with everything and I have nothing to show for it .I know @twisteddevelopmentracing does everything possible to make our bikes great and safe unfortunately sometimes in our sport things just happen. As of now I’ll be getting surgery tomorrow and trying to get back to what I love! Thanks to everyone who reached out to me it really means a lot to see how many people actually care”

GARRETT MARCHBANKS | WRIST (WILL RACE EAST COAST)

Garrett Marchbanks was planning to race the 250 West Coast series, but he broke his wrist while training. 

• 2023 AMA SUPERCROSS RACE SCHEDULE

• BARX SUZUKI TEAM IS READY FOR THE 2023 CAMPAIGN

The BarX Suzuki RM-Z250. They are sponsored by Answer, Bell Helmets, Alpinestars boots, Scott goggles, Pro Taper, Twisted Development, Tucker, Gro lubricants, Dunlop, AHM suspension, Galfer, ProX, Works Connection, Hinson, FMF and FuelMe.

Suzuki has announce its continued support for the BarX Suzuki 250 race team. The BarX Suzuki team is ready to attack the 2023 Supercross season with several new and returning riders for the 2023 season. Derek Drake and Carson Mumford return to BarX Suzuki for 2023 and are joined by two new teammates, Robbie Wageman and Ty Masterpool.

Carson Mumford.

Both Drake and Mumford are looking to push their Suzuki RM-Z250s toward the top of the standings. Unfortunately Carson Mumford broke his wrist was practicing and will be out for at least two months. Mumford, from Simi Valley , California, competed in the 2022 Supercross 250 West championship, finishing 12th. Drake, hailing from San Luis Obispo, California, finished tenth in the Supercross 250 West championship in 2022.

Derek Drake

Ty Masterpool

Newcomers to the BarX team are Wageman and Masterpool who are both showing great potential aboard the Suzuki RM-Z250 in pre-season testing. Wageman, from Newhall, California, finished ninth in the 450 Supercross championship last season and is looking to break into the top tier of the championship. Masterpool, from Paradise, Texas, in only his second season in Supercross is excited to put more RM-Zs in competition.

Robbie Wageman.

Team manager Buddy Antunez.

BarX has also announced Buddy Antunez as their new Team Manager, replacing Larry Brooks, who moved to the Twisted Tea/Progressive Insurance Suzuki team. Buddy said, “I’m excited to be a part of the BarX Suzuki program. I believe with our team and rider lineup; we will be battling for top spots this coming season. Let’s go!”

• 2023 SUPERCROSS BROADCAST SCHEDULE: IT ALL PEACOCK, ALL THE TIME

There are a few races you can see on TV for free, and reruns on CNBC, but it’s Peacock, Peacock,Peacock, Peacock, Peacock, Peacock, Peacock, Peacock…

• MXA TEAM TESTED: PRO CIRCUIT 2022 KAWASAKI KX112 PIPE/SILENCER

The 2022 KX112 is an all-new model for Kawasaki, built to race in the Supermini class and based on the previous KX100 two-stroke. To work with the new KX112 engine, Pro Circuit has developed a new Platinum pipe and Works R-304 shorty silencer to boost power on Little Johnny’s new Supermini.

KX112. New for 2022, Kawasaki introduced a Supermini-specific, KX112, big-wheeled two-stroke. The Supermini class has a displacement limit of 112cc, and to compete at the highest levels, KTM, Husky, GasGas, Yamaha, (and previously Kawasaki) owners had to modify their 85cc (or 100cc) engines to get maximum displacement. Kawasaki’s newest model is one step closer to being ready to race off the showroom floor, but it still needs some work. The Pro Circuit pipe and silencer were created to easily replace the stock pipe and silencer to boost power immediately.

Platinum pipe. The Pro Circuit Platinum pipe offers the same performance gains as the popular Pro Circuit Works pipe, but it utilizes a platinum plating on the body (rather than an unplated oiled metal finish) to protect it from everyday elements. The Platinum pipe is a unique fusion of power, elegance and utility that offers improved performance and durability with its electro-less nickel-plating finish.

Silencer. The Pro Circuit R-304 silencer was developed as a full-race two-stroke silencer, and it’s available for full-race YZ125s and 250SX engines, as well as mini machines such as the KX65 and KX112. The compact design of the short aluminum canister offers optimum performance gains and is recommended for closed-course racing only. Hex-head screws are used to secure the inlet cap and can be removed easily for quick re-packing of the silencer.

Stock power. The stock KX112 is quick but not KTM quick. Off the bottom, it loses slightly to the KTM, but the biggest difference between the KTM and the Kawasaki is between 9000 and 12,000 rpm. At peak horsepower, the KTM is 1-1/2-horsepower stronger than the Kawasaki. In stock form, the KX112 peaks at 24.96 horsepower and 11.6 foot-pounds of torque.

Pro Circuit power. With the Pro Circuit pipe and silencer, the dyno numbers confirmed our mini test riders’ track-tested opinions. The bottom end of the KX112 wasn’t affected by the bolt-on Pro Circuit exhaust, but the mid and top were significantly improved. Our test riders mentioned that the bike felt crisper off the bottom…but not any faster. But, once the KX112 hits 8000 rpm, the Pro Circuit Platinum pipe and R-304 silencer begin doing their best work. The Pro Circuit-equipped KX112 pulls stronger through the midrange to its 11,600 rpm peak where it hits 25.9 horsepower, 1.5 horses stronger than stock. The Supermini also gained more torque as well, bumping it to 11.9 foot-pounds.

DIGITS: $323.95 (platinum pipe), $171.95 (R-304 silencer)— www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050.

MXA RATING: The Pro Circuit KX112 Platinum pipe and R-304 silencer are both made in the USA and perform as advertised. They offer more horsepower in the mid-and-up ranges. There are two types of riders who need this exhaust system. First, fast mini racers who are getting the most out of the KX112 and want more. Second, anyone else, regardless of how fast they are, who wants that distinct factory Pro Circuit sound that comes with an R-304 silencer.

• THE FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE OF MXA IS ON ITS WAY! SUBSCRIBE AND YOU WON’T MISS A THING

On The Cover: This all-orange KTM 150SX project bikes is one of three two-strokes that MXA tested. The threeengines were sent out to different tuners to see which one could build the best 150cc two-stroke engine.

Did you know that you can subscribe to MXA at virtually no cost to you—because when you subscribe you receive a Rocky Mountain ATV/MC credit for $25 towards anything in their massive inventory. Plus, you will get all the content in the 12 monthly issues of Motocross Action magazine—from four-stroke tests, two-stroke tests, retro tests, race coverage, new tech to product tests….most of which never appear on the internet. And, don’t forget, that $25 credit from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC that will more than cover the cost of your subscription. To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here

• MXA’S AD OF THE WEEK: THE BIKE THAT CHANGED THE MINICYCLE WORLD

The 1971 Yamaha Mini-Enduro had a 60cc rotary valve engine, 16mm carburetor, only one spring (in the right fork leg), produced 4.5 hp, sold for under $300 and looked like a miniature Yamaha DT-1 250. It’s Yamaha designation was JT-1. The big news? “There’s even a special kill button to use for emergency stops.”

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: FOUR NEW MXA TRUCKER HATS

MOTOCROSS ACTION RETRO TRUCK HAT (RED)—$25,00

MOTOCROSS ACTION RETRO TRUCK HAT (BROWN/KHAKI)—$25,00

MOTOCROSS ACTION RETRO TRUCK HAT (KHAKI)—$25,00

MOTOCROSS ACTION RETRO TRUCK HAT (BLACK/WHITE)—$25,00
To see more hats or to order Click Here

• GLEN HELEN HONORS THE OLD ARROYO CYCLE PARK

The new/old Arroyo Vet track from above.

Back in the 1970s, the land that Glen Helen Raceway now sits on was once called Arroyo Cycle Park. It was, as you would imagine, a racetrack with lots of elevation changes, and was located one canyon over from what is now the iconic Glen Helen National track. Arroyo’s biggest claim to fame was the 1973 125 National Motocross Championship event held there in July of 1973. It was won by Ray Lopez on an FMF Penton, with Marty Smith second on a Monark. This was not an AMA sanctioned event because the AMA did not recognize 125cc bikes until after the Arroyo race had forced them to. The AMA decided to add a 125cc National class to its program, albeit just four rounds, in 1974. It was won by Marty Smith on a Honda. The FIM didn’t have a 125 World Championship until 1975.

Arroyo Cycle Park didn’t disappear overnight, it hung around for a few years on Glen Helen’s land, but then one day it was gone. Well, it was still there, but nobody raced on it until REM Motocross moved from Carlsbad Raceway to Glen Helen in 1998 and had the Arroyo track completely renovated. For the next 23 years the track was called the “REM track,” until 2022, when REM promoters Frank and Myra Thomason decided to retire from race promotion. Glen Helen took over the task of holding their “Saturday at the Glen” races on the track, which now had the relatively mundane name of “Vet Track.”

Jody Weisel (71) and Lars Larsson (171) are two guys who raced at the old Arroyo Cycle Park who are still racing at the new Arroyo track.

It didn’t seem fitting that a track with so much history, built right next to a track with even more history, wasn’t connecting to its glorious past. So, in December of 2022, Glen Helen’s Bud Feldkamp decided to honor the old track’s 50 years of motocross history by renaming it the “Arroyo Track.”  However, there were some concerns that the name change might cause confusion between “Glen Helen” and “Arroyo.” The solution was to keep “Vet Track” in the name and call it the “Arroyo Vet Track.”

Technically, it is the “Arroyo Track at Glen Helen Raceway.” For  the MXA guys who raced at Arroyo Cycle Park, before there was a Glen Helen, it is sweet to see their old stomping grounds recognized. If you’d like to see what Arroyo Cycle Park looked like back in its hey-day watch the video below.

• WHAT GLEN HELEN LOOK LIKE 50 YEARS AGO WHEN IT WAS ARROYO

• MXA BIKE TEST VIDEO LIBRARY: THE 2023 BIKES YOU WANT KNOW ABOUT

MXA’S 2023 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT

MXA’S 2023 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT

2023 KTM 300SX VS HUSQVARNA TC250 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT

2023 GASGAS MC125 TWO STROKE VIDEO TEST

2023 SUZUKI RM-Z450 VIDEO TEST

2023 KAWASAKI KX450 VIDEO TEST

2023 GASGAS MC350F VIDEO TEST

2023 HONDA CRF450 VIDEO TEST

2023 KTM FREERIDE E-XC ELECTRIC VIDEO TEST

2023 GASGAS MC250 VIDEO TEST

WE RIDE TONY CAIROLI’S AMA NATIONAL KTM 450SXF

2023 HUSQVARNA FC250 VIDEO TEST

2023 HONDA TRAIL 125 VIDEO TEST (WITH BONES BACON)

2023 KTM 300SX TWO-STROKE VIDEO TEST

2023 GASGAS MC450F VIDEO TEST

2023 KTM 250SXFVIDEO TEST

2023 KAWASAKI KX250 VIDEO TEST

2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250 VIDEO TEST

2023 YAMAHA YZ450F VIDEO TEST

2023 HONDA CRF250 VIDEO TEST

• 2023 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE SCHEDULE

• 2023 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS RACE SCHEDULE 

• 2023 WORLD SUPERCROSS (WSX) DATES ANNOUNCED—ALL SIX OF THEM

The 2023 FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) will be six races long with events in France, Germany, Canada, Australia, England and round is Southeast Asia to be announced at a later date. It is not the blockbuster race schedule that everyone expected to compete against the 17-round AMA Supercross Championship. The WSX does not start until after the AMA series is over, and in fact, WSX starts after four AMA outdoor Nationals have been concluded. There are two dates that compete directly against the  2023 AMA Nationals (July at Red Bud and July 22 atWashougal). But there is conflicts between the AMA SuperMotocross Playoffs because SuperMotocross has only confirmed one date for their three-race play-offs and it it is on the same day as the Dusseeldorf, Germay WSX round.

2023 WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
July 1…Birmingham, England
July 22….Lyon-Décines, France
Sept. 30…TBD (Southeast Asia)
Oct. 14…Dusseldorf, Germany
Oct. 28…Vancouver, Canada
Nov. 24-25…Melbourne, Australia

• OLD SCHOOL TT SCRAMBLES 2023 SEASON OPENER ON FEB 4-5

For more info on the Saturday practice and 2-22 Awards Ceremony and Sunday’s opening round at Glen Helen go to www.ossrg.org

• 2023 SOBOBA TRAIL RIDE WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 26, 2023

There will be no post-entries for this year’s Soboba Trail ride—everyone must pre-enter. For more info go to www.sobobarides.biz/home

• THE FUTURE IS NOW: 2023 RACE SCHEDULES

2023 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7…Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14…Oakland, CA
Jan. 21…San Diego, CA
Jan. 28…Anaheim, CA
Feb. 4…Houston, TX
Feb. 11…Tampa, FL
Feb. 25…Arlington, TX
Mar. 4…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 11…Indianapolis, IN, MI
Mar. 18…Detroit, MI
Mar. 25…Seattle, WA
Apr. 8…Glendale AZ
Apr. 15…Atlanta, GA
Apr. 22…East Rutherford, NJ
Apr. 29…Nashville, TN
May 6…Denver, CO
May 13…Salt Lake City, UT

2023 SUPERMOTOCROSS PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Sept. 9…TBA
Date TBA…TBA
Oct. 14: Los Angeles, CA

2023 AMA ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 18…Albany, GA
Nov. 25…Albany, NY
Jan. 6…Loveland, CO
Jan.13…Prescott, AZ
Jan. 20…Guthrie, OK
Jan. 27….Guthrie, OK
Feb. 3…Reno, NV
Feb. 10…Denver, CO
Feb. 24…Hobbs, NM
Mar. 3…Amarillo, TX
Mar. 10…Tulsa, OK
Mar. 17…Salem, VA
Mar. 24…Little Rock, AR
Mar. 31…Lexington, KY

2023 2023 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 12…Argentina
Mar. 26…TBA
Apr. 10…TBA
Apr. 16…Italy
Apr. 30…Portugal
May 7…Spain
May 21…France
Jun. 4…Latvia
Jun. 11…Germany
Jun. 25…Indonesia
July 2…Indonesia
July 16…Czech Rep.
July 23…Belgium
Aug. 6…Finland
Aug. 13…Sweden
Aug. 20…Holland
Sept. 3…Turkey
Sept. 17…Vietnam
Oct. 1…TBA
Oct. 15…England

2023 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 27…Pala, CA
June 3…Hangtown, CA
June 10…Thunder Valley, CO
June 17…Mt. Morris, PA
July 1…Red Bud, MI
July 8…Southwick, MA
July 15…Millville, MN
July 22…Washougal, WA
Aug. 11…Unadilla, NY
Aug. 19…Budds Creek, MD
Aug. 26…Crawfordsville, IN

2023 WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
July 1…Birmingham, England
July 22….Lyon-Décines, France
Sept. 30…TBD (Southeast Asia)
Oct. 14…Dusseldorf, Germany
Oct. 28…Vancouver, Canada
Nov. 24-25…Melbourne, Australia

2023 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” SCHEDULE
Jan. 14…Winter Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
Jan. 21…Winter Series #2 (National track)
Feb. 4…Winter Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Feb. 11…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Feb. 25…Winter Series #5 (National track)
Mar. 18…Spring Series #1& Pasha 125 Open (National track)
Mar. 25…Spring Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
Apr. 15…Spring Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Apr. 22…Spring Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
May 13…Spring Series #5 (National track)
June 3…Summer Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
June 17…Summer Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
June 24…Summer Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
July 15…Summer Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
July 29….Summer Series #5 (National track)
Aug. 19…Fall Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
Aug. 26…Fall Series #2 (Arroyo Vet track)
Sept. 16…Fall Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Sept. 23…Fall Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Sept. 30…Fall Series #5 (National track)
Oct. 21…Winter Series #1 (Arroyo Vet track)
Oct. 28…Winter Series #2 (National track)
Nov.3-5…World Vet Championship (National track)
Nov. 18..Winter Series #3 (Arroyo Vet track)
Dec. 9…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Dec. 16..Winter Series #5 (National track)

2023 WORLD TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 8…Glen Helen, CA

2023 VET MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Aug. 24-28…Foxhill, GB

2023 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 22…Ernee, France

2023 WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 3-5…Glen Helen, CA

2023 RED BULL DAY IN THE DIRT
Nov. 24-26…Glen Helen, CA

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• TALK MOTO WITH ON MXA’S FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT

RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: THE SUPERCROSS WAIT IS OVER, BUT WHEN DO THE NATIONALS START? Motocross Action Magazine.