RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS THE BUSY TIME FOR RACING

Today at 06:30 AM

• LONG LOST PHOTOS OF ROGER DECOSTER DURING HIS CZ DAYS

Roger relaxing in the sun, while his Czech mechanic tightens Roger’s front axle clamp.

Moto-photographer Justyn Norek, who captured the GP scene in the East Bloc countries in the 1970s, always surprises us with the photos that he finds in his negatives from 50 years ago. Today, he sent us five Roger DeCoster photos shot before Roger had won any of his five FIM 500cc World Motocross Championships.

Roger got a CZ factory ride in 1967 and finished fifth in the 250 World Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1969.

After the 1970 season on CZ, where he finished third behind the Suzukis of Joel Robert and Sylvain Geboers in the 250 series. Roger switched to the 500 class and to Suzuki.

Roger said the the CZ’s Jikov carb was good when brand new, but it wore out very quickly because it was made from cheap metal.

Roger said that in 1970, “CZ made me a lot of promises to support me and provide me with bikes, mechanic and parts. They also agreed to pay me $5000. I’m still waiting for that check.”

• REMEMBER THESE CRAZY MOTOCROSS ADS?

• THE STORY BEHIND THE PITCH

Every new model year begins with more than updated machinery, new clothing designs and bigger contingency programs. The selling season traditionally kicks-off with an advertising barrage aimed directly at you. If an ad hits its target, you’ll be jumping in your pickup and heading down to the nearest motorcycle emporium faster than you can say “no money down, no interest and no payments until March.”

MXA takes a look behind the scenes at a few of the most original and entertaining advertisements to grace our pages back in the late 1990s.

• KAWASAKI’S BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Ricky Carmichael’s breakfast of champions. 

Kawasaki wants to make sure that you know their company offers the complete motocross package. What is their package? Kawasaki’s triple crown includes competitive race bikes, a giant race contingency program and the industry’s leading amateur racing support program (Team Green). Kawasaki’s creative guys got together (maybe at a breakfast meeting) and conceived the Kawasaki Brand Winning breakfast cereal campaign.

The idea clicked because they had the perfect athlete to put on their box. Ricky Carmichael was the logical choice because of his annihilation of the 125 Nationals (again). With their star athlete chosen, the real fun began.

The box was designed by a professional packaging expert and no detail was thought to be too small to receive the Kawasaki touch. Looking closely at the box’s copy reveals proof of purchase coupons that read, “Every KX purchased entitles you to track side support at most major amateur motocross, GNCC, hare scrambles and desert events.” Vets will be bummed to read the expiration date that explains, “Best if used before your hair turns gray.” And there are call-outs like “Team Green helps racers grow stronger,” and “100% daily allowance of track side support,” and “Now with the great taste of victory.”

The crew didn’t stop at the box. The cereal inside had to include Green Sweeties. A model maker was given the task of carving tiny helmets, wrenches, knobbies and dollar bills into what looked like green Lucky Charms. The wrench represents Team Green, the dollar bill the contingency program, the helmet represents the rider and the tire is the bike.

Finally, there is a ride to win game on the back of the box and a suggestion that you “Collect all three”–Kawasaki’s KX250, KX125 and the all-new KX65. Overall, the ad makes us hungry…to go riding.

THE FAMOUS HONDA RED DOG AD

In 1990 Honda unleashed a whole new breed of CR and had this remarkably symbolic ad to illustrate it.

• INTERNATIONAL MAN OF HISTORY–YAMAHA’S NOT SO SECRET AGENT

Jeremy McGrath and his…robot friends. 

Yamaha has consistently come up with the most entertaining new model introduction ad campaigns. Remember the comic book, Damon Bradshaw’s shaved head, the technicians dressed like punk rockers and the shootout at the OK Corral? Of course you do, and that has been the magic of Yamaha’s advertisements. They hoped to do it again with the International Man of History.

They had plenty of stars in their advertisement. First, they had Jeremy McGrath, who won the 1999 Supercross Championship and extended his all-time win record into the stratosphere. Then, there were the YZ80, YZ125, YZ250 and YZ426, all all-star performers. Finally, they could talk about their contingency program and the zero down/zero payments/zero-interest-until-March 2000 payment program. The hard part was agreeing on an idea.

Are those his real teeth?

The ad’s concept was born when the phrase, International Man of History, was mentioned. Everyone could envision Jeremy McGrath in bell bottoms and fake teeth.

Was Jeremy into the idea? “The four babes didn’t hurt,” laughed a Yamaha spokesman, but Jeremy was down with the idea from the beginning. He even showed up for the commercial’s photo shoot with four different sets of false teeth. The mood was kept fun during the photo session by blasting ‘60’s music and there was a tailor fitting Jeremy in clothing that Jack McGrath (Jeremy’s dad) would have loved to wear to his high school graduation.

The psychedelic colors (and the return of Yamaha’s tuning fork logo) make the ad jump off the page. The same image will jump into your face on your next visit to a Yamaha dealership. Life-size Jeremy McGrath cut-outs were sent to every Yamaha dealership.

• HOUSE HOPPING–IT IS THE REAL THING

Seth Enslow jumps over a house. Or is he? No, it is Mike Cinqmars.

Shift had a tough act to follow after their two page advertisement of Seth Enslow’s front end going chopper off a giant jump, but it turned out the Seth’s ad was just an opening act for the clothing company. They had another image that would blow that one away.

The new Shift ad had what appears to be an impossibly high Shift rider clearing a nouveau riche mansion. Was it real or was it trick photography?

Most people remember Seth from this crash. 

Shift rider Mike Cinqmars set-up the jump for the MTV show, “Don’t Try This At Home, Senseless Acts of Video.” The mansion was his parent’s home. Micky Dymond’s ASC company designed and built the ramps for the jump attempt.

Another jumper, Flying Mike Brown, had lost a leg and almost his life just prior to the jump, and that weighed heavily on Cinqmars mind. He borrowed a few acres worth of hay bales and stacked them on both sides and in front of his landing ramp–just in case Micky’s calculations were a few inches off.

Shift explains that they were blown away when they saw the photos. “We tried the advertisement two ways,” explains a Shift creative director. “We did one where it was just Mike at the highest part of the jump and the other, that we ended up using, with Mike at the top of the jump and ghost images of him on each side so the reader could follow his trajectory. Either way, we knew people wouldn’t think it was real. It was such an amazing jump and the response has been tremendous.”

• LEAVING HOME–SAILING AWAY

Travis is still up to no good to this day.

Fox planned to use the ESPN Xtreme Games in San Francisco and Travis Pastrana for their latest clothing ad. The day of the event, Fox was faced with a tough decision when their rider showed-up in Fox clothing, but with No Fear stickers all over his bike.

Fox had sponsored Travis since he was nine-years-old and always enjoyed working with the young racer. When Travis first started wearing No Fear casual clothing, it was not a big conflict for Fox because No Fear didn’t make motocross clothing. But, after No Fear introduced riding gear, the co-sponsorship deal was not a great mix. Travis decided to end the conflict by signing to wear No Fear both on and off the track starting in 2000.

“We were bummed to see all the No Fear stickers on the bike,” explained Greg Fox, “but we still like Travis and were proud to be working with him at the Xtreme Games. His plan was to jump into the bay on his last jump and swim to a waiting boat. I was really worried about the jump because he was wearing all his heavy motocross gear. I told him he had to wear a life vest under his jersey! I didn’t care who he was riding for next year, I didn’t want him to drown.”

Travis did jump into the San Francisco bay and ESPN immediately washed their hands of any involvement after environmental groups assailed the network for polluting the bay (incidentally, the bay has seen full freighter ships sink below its surface). To think that ESPN had no prior knowledge of the stunt is unimaginable, especially since photos of Travis speaking to ESPN officials just prior to his jump have been published. ESPN stripped Travis of his prize money, but Fox didn’t. He made a nice bonus from his former sponsor for the risk he took.

• MXA’S 2025 COLLECTION OF IN DEPTH 2025 VIDEO TESTS

• MXA VIDEO: MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2025 450 SHOOTOUT

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250FX FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX250 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CR450 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CRF250 WORKS EDITION FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ450 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250F FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250FX CROSS-COUNTRY FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 150SX TWO-STROKE FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX450 FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 450SXF FIRST RIDE

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 250SXF FIRST RIDE

• THE GREATEST DEAL IN MOTOCROSS: REAL WORDS, LARGE PHOTOS, MORE TECH, STUFF NO ONE ELSE TELLS YOU & YOU GET A $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREDIT

This is the cover of the December 2024 issue of MXA. It features a detailed 2025 MXA 450 Shootout, an indepth interviews with Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton, coverage of Team USA at the FIM Junior World Championships for 65cc, 85cc and 125cc machines of the 2025 KTM 250SXFa full test of the the 2025 Yamaha YZ450F and an actual up-to-date test of the 2025 Suzuki RM-Z450. We even went back in time a decade to test Jason Anderson’s 2015 factory Husqvarna FC450 and even farther back to take a close-up look at Marty Smith’s 1976 Honda RC125M.

Did you know that it couldn’t be easier or cheaper to subscribe to MXA than it is right now—because when you subscribe you receive a Rocky Mountain ATV/MC credit for $25 towards anything in their massive inventory, all at no cost to you.  Are you smart enough to recognize a great deal when you see it? To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or ClickHere

• MXA’S JOSH FOUT TAKES ON THE 2024 IRONMAN GNCC

MXA test rider Josh Fout took on the 2024 Ironman GNCC race with Yamaha’s new 2025 YZ250FX cross-country machine.The Ironman GNCC is always the biggest GNCC event of the year, and this year, guys like Ryan Villopoto, Marvin Musquin, Phil Nicoletti and Damon Bradshaw came out to race and experience the off-road version of Ironman with Josh Fout.

• TAKE THE MXA SURVEY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS INTENSE TAZER E-MOUNTAIN BIKE!

The Motocross Action reader survey is back for 2024, and this year we’re giving away an Intense Tazer E-MTB to one lucky participant. Our reader survey is here to help the MXA staff better understand our audience so that we can continue to provide beneficial motocross content focused on the most relevant and important products, dirt bikes, and stories that you (the reader) are interested in.

MXA READER SURVEY:

HOW: Simply complete the multiple-choice questionnaire and enter your correct name and email address to be entered to win the Intense Tazer E-MTB.
WHAT: Win the Intense Tazer MX Alloy Expert Electric Mountain bike, which retails for $4,999.
WHEN: The MXA survey will run for a couple of months and the winner will be announced at the end via email.
WHY: To help MXA learn more about you, the reader, to ensure we create the best possible content for you.

The new Intense Tazer MX Alloy Expert is equipped with DVO suspension, Shimono’s EP600 Motor, and 504Wh battery. This expert model features 160mm of front travel, 155mm of rear travel to tackle any terrain. The Tazer Alloy frame has been upgraded to the Universal Hanger (UDH) and SRAM T-Type compatibility. Learn more about the bike here.

TAKE THE MXA SURVEY HERE:

• 2025 MXA 450 FOUR-STROKE DYNO & TORQUE RUNS

MXA dynos all of our test bikes. We use the exact same dyno and same former factory mechanic to run all of our dyno tests. We choose to use Pro Circuit’s dyno (as we have for every MXA test dating back many years). For Shootouts we don’t rely on earlier dyno runs that we made during the initial testing of each indivdual bike—instead we dyno’ed all the bikes in our 2025 250 and 450 Shootout in quick succession on the same day, so that the results cann’t be skewed by temperature and humidity differences. To control as many variables as possible, we make sure every bike is well broken in and is running the same 91-octane pump gas before it hits the dyno.

• 2025 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE DYNO & TORQUE RUNS

• WORKS CONNECTION 2025 CRF250/ CRF450 RADIATOR BRACES

Works’ Connection 2025 Honda CRF radiator braces are formed from aircraft grade 5052 aluminum and available in raw silver or factory  black powder coating. A CNC’ed billet bracket system features  rubber vibration isolators to reinforces radiators to help prevent costly damage.

As seen in this transparent photo, the  radiator braces bolt on with all the mounting hardware included. The retail price is $124.95 (silver) or $149.95 (black powder coating) at www.worksconnection.com. 

• THE ALL-NEW DUNLOP “FACTORY SPEC” TIRES

MXA’s Josh Mosiman and Trevor Nelson flew out to Huntsville, Alabama, to visit the Dunlop test facility and compare the ‘factory spec’ tires, to the production MX34 tires. Josh rode the 2025 Husky FC450 with both sets of tires back-to-back to figure out the difference on the track, plus he talked to Chris Siebenhaar, Brian Fleck, and Ryan Dungey about the new rubber.

• THE WILD & CRAZY WORLD OF NO-FLAT INVENTIONS

Flat tires are a bummer, not just for your day of riding, but for your wallet and knuckles.

There is nothing worse than a flat tire at a race. Most riders don’t know how to change a tire, so a flat often means the end of their day at the races or paying someone to fix it for you (if you have the correct tube with you). Thankfully, there is no shortage of no-flat concepts on the market to make flat tires an unlikely happenstance. Here are six ways to end flat-tire phobia.

The Hi-Point integrated tubeless tire uses a ply of the tire’s carcass as the tube.

• HI-POINT INTEGRATED TUBELESS TECHNOLOGY (ITT)

Most creative: Integrated Tubeless Technology (ITT) uses a vulcanized layer of nylon fabric to form a tubular air chamber inside the tire. In layman’s terms, Hi-Point takes 1 ply of the tire’s carcass and lets it hang down from the inside of the tire. It is vulcanized, essentially rubberized, so that this single ply can hold air. The single vulcanized ply completes the circle of the tire’s carcass so that the tire itself is the tube. The Hi-Point motocross tire is no longer available, but there is an Innova ITT mountain bike tire.

Nitromouse tubes comes in two different densities—12 psi and 8 psi.

You can’t lose air from a Nitromousee because it is encapsulated in tiny bubbles in the foam mixture.

• NITROMOUSSE ELASTOMER FOAM TUBES

Most used: Nitromousse gets its name because its foam mixture contains a high concentration of nitrogen in the micro-bubble matrix of the elastomer foam. This lessens the dead feel of a normal mousse. Nitromousse makes two different models. The standard Nitromousse mimics the 12 psi of the typical motocross setup. The Nitromoussee Soft version mimics 8 psi. The Soft version is designed for EnduroCross, rock-garden rides and muddy woods. No matter which Nitromousse model you choose, the best thing about a Nitromousse is that it can never go flat. www.nitromousse.com

The Tech 2 heavy-duty tubes offer three different options on tube thickness.The 2mm thick versus is best for motocross.

• STI TECH 2 HEAVY DUTY TUBES

Cheapest: Heavy-duty tubes are cheap protection, and STI makes three models. They make a 2mm-thick Heavy Duty tube, (which is what the MXA wrecking crew uses in our test bikes), a 3mm-thick Extreme Duty tube that is best suited to off-road bikes and adventure bikes, and finally they make a 4mm-thick Ultra-Heavy Duty tube for rally bikes and big four-stroke adventure bikes. Best of all, the STI Heavy Duty tube is cheaper than most regular tubes. www.stipowersports.com

The Tube Saddle’s foam liner cushions the tube against the rim to stop pinch flats.

• TUBE SADDLE NO-PINCH TIRE LINER

Anti-pinch: The Tube Saddle is a lightweight foam insert designed to prevent pinch flats. It requires no modification to the rim and installs essentially the same as an inner tube (although in addition to an inner tube). Think of a Tube Saddle as one-third of a mousse. It fits against the rim and up the sides of the tube to act as a cushion against having the rim pinch the tube on hard landings. With the Tube Saddle, the MXA wrecking crew was able to run rear tire pressures as low as 8 psi for added traction with no ill effects. www.tubesaddle.com

The red rubber bladder seals the tire beads together to form a tubeless tire.

• NUETECH DUAL-CHAMBER TUBLISS SYSTEM

Tubeless: There are no readily available tubeless motocross tires. Why not? They require special rims, rubber sealing bladders and messy sealants. Nuetech devised a way to turn a standard tire into a tubeless tire. Instead of trying to seal the rim to keep air in the tire, Nuetech seals the gap between the two tire beads with a special rubber inner liner, which is a fancy way of saying bicycle tire. By filling the gap between the tire’s beads with an inflatable rubber bladder, the tire becomes an airtight chamber. It isn’t exactly tubeless, though, as the rubber inner bladder holds 100 psi. www.tubliss.com

You can change the pressure in the TireBalls to fine-tune the feel.

• TIREBALLS &  MR. WOLF MOUSSE BALLS

More is better. The TireBalls High Performance Inflation System consists of multiple individual inflation cells inside your tire that replace the traditional tube. The puncture of a TireBall cell does not result in a flat tire, because it is only one cell out of 30. The TireBall cells are 10 times more puncture-resistant than a conventional heavy-duty tube. Available in motocross and off-road versions, TireBalls can be inflated to whatever pressure you want. www.tireballs.com

Mr. Wolf Mouse balls aren’t actually balls, they are segmented cross-profiles of the inside of the tire made out of mousse-like foam material.

Not round. Mr. Wolf’s Mousse Balls are a new take on mousse tire inserts for off-road riding. They nontraditional approach using mousse-like segments that fit into your tires. They can be customized for different types of terrain. The retail price is $189.99 per tire at www.innteck-usa.com

• GLEN HELEN PUTS UP HUGE MONEY FOR THE 2025 MOTOFEST

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ALPINESTARS RK-7 PLASMA KNEE BRACES

With a slim, ergonomic design offer- ing a high level of performance and comfort during dynamic movement, the RK-7 Plasma knee brace has been engineered to provide superior knee support while still being lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and protective. This knee brace features a free-floating Nucleon Plasma knee protector encased in an innovative, asymmetric, fiber-reinforced frame construction for enhanced levels of rigidity. The retail price is $449.95 atwww.alpinestars.comor your local dealer.

• MXA RACES THE LAKE HAVASU NGPC FINALE

• “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” MOTOCROSS ON SAT. NOVEMBER 16

For more info or to register go to www.glenhelen.com

• 2X MONSTER TRUCK TOUR ON SATURDAY AT 2:00 P.M.

For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

• SRA CROSS-COUNTRY GRAND PRIX ON SUNDAY, NOV. 17

For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

2025 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
May 24…Pala, CA
May 31…Hangtown, CA
June 7…Thunder Valley, CO
June 14…Mount Morris, PA
June 28…Southwick, MA
July 5…Red Bud, MI
July 12…Millville, MN
July 19…Washougal, WA
Aug. 9…Crawfordsville, IN
August 16…Unadilla, NY
August 23…Budds Creek, MD

• THE 2024-2025 AMA ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON NOV. 15-16 IN RENO

• DAY IN THE DIRT #27 IS COMING ON NOV. 29, 30 & DEC. 1 AT GLEN HELEN

• 11TH ANNUAL KURT CASELLI RIDE DAY SET FOR DECEMBER 7

The 11th Annual Kurt Caselli Ride Day is hosted by The Kurt Caselli Foundation, this highly anticipated event offers a full day of riding, community, and activities to celebrate the legacy of off-road racing legend Kurt Caselli, while raising funds to support off-road safety initiatives and educational scholarships. This event is open to everyone! Whether you’re a Pro rider, a first-timer, or a dedicated fan, this day has a wide range of activities and fun for all. Pre-sale tickets are available for $25 (kids 12 and under are free), with prices increasing to $30 on the day of the event. Take advantage of the pre-sale by November 30 to enjoy exclusive perks, including a $10 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Race Gas credit and $5 off each General Admission ticket.

RIDE DAY HIGHLIGHTS:
(1) Open Riding on multiple motocross tracks and an event exclusive off-road loop.
(2) USMCA Beginner Skills Classes: Free 2-hour workshop for novice riders, led by certified motorcycle coaches. Must register online
(3) Caselli Team Challenge Race: Team up with pro riders for this fun and competitive Pro-Am event, presented by our Challenge Sponsor, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.
(4) Meet Pro Riders: Get up close and personal with top Supercross, Motocross, and Off-Road racers, who will be attending, riding, and participating in the day’s events. It’s a great opportunity to meet the athletes, get autographs, and see them in action!
(5) Memorial Legend Lap: A slow, parade lap around the track in memory of Kurt Caselli.
(6) Silent Auction & Raffles: Exciting giveaways, including a chance to win a brand-new motorcycle of your choice from participating brands!
(7) Food and Drink: Satisfy your hunger with mouth-watering meals from Bonehead Burgers & Breakfast Club, voted San Diego’s Best Burger in 2022. A portion of all food sales will support The Kurt Caselli Foundation’s mission.
(8) Finish off your day with a refreshing 805 beer, with 100% of the beer proceeds going directly to the Foundation.

RIDE DAY DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Riding starts at 9:00 AM)
Location: Fox Raceway, 12799 California Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059
Tickets: $25 pre-sale, $30 day-of.
Kids 12 & under: Free
www.KurtCaselli.com/tickets

• WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR 2025 SEASON & WHAT’S LEFT IN 2024 

The post RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS THE BUSY TIME FOR RACING appeared first on Motocross Action Magazine.