RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: "SUPERMOUTH" HAS GONE SILENT & JETT IS OUT OF ACTION

07/04/2024 12:00 PM

•  JETT LAWRENCE’S 2024 AMA 450 CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE IS OVER

Say it isn’t so! Jett’s string of AMA Nationlal Championships comes to an end, but he hopes to be back for the SuperMotocross Playoffs is September.

Can you guess what kind of injury forced him out of the AMA Nationals? What else could it be but a thumb. Jett was injured on Tuesday, July 2, at the “Dog Pound” (the Lawrence family’s private training facility in Florida). He will undergo a procedure sometime this week. As a result, Jett will sit out the remainder of the 2024 AMA 450 Pro Motocross Championship series.

The fall took place on Tuesday, July 2, at the “Dog Pound” (the Lawrence family’s private training facility in Florida). Later the same day, Jett underwent X-ray and MRI scans, and it was determined that he had a torn ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL. That means that he suffered a proximal thumb avulsion fracture at the insertion of the UCL, a sprain of that same ligament, and an avulsive ligamentous tear of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) volar plate from its metacarpal attachment. Jett is scheduled to undergo a procedure on Thursday, July 4, at the Steadman Clinic in Colorado, after which he will focus on making a return in time for the SuperMotocross opener on September 7 in Concord, North Carolina.

Jett going 1-1 at the Mt. Morris National a couple weeks ago.

Jett Lawrence said, “It’s obviously a bummer, but it’s part of our sport. It was honestly a pretty small crash, but it is what it is. I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries in my career so far, so I guess it’s just my turn. I was happy with the progress we’ve made in the championship since my setback at Hangtown, and I was excited to try to keep my championship. That obviously won’t happen now, but I have a good team around me and will focus on getting healthy again and coming back at 100 percent. I look forward to cheering on Hunter and doing whatever I can to help him the rest of the series.”

Honda team manager Lars Lindstrom with Jett.

Honda team manager Lars Lindstrom said, “We’re fully behind Jett and will support him through his recovery. It’s pretty crazy that three of the 450 Championship’s top riders have now been sidelined with the same injury, especially one that’s typically pretty rare. Of course it’s disappointing, but Hunter Lawrence is currently leading the 450 points chase, I like our chances of keeping the AMA Pro Motocross 450 Championship with Honda, and we look forward to working on that this weekend at Red Bud!”

•  GODSPEED! LARRY HUFFMAN (1941-2024)

A young Larry Huffman in his signature white tuxedo interviewing equally young three-time AMA National Motocross Champion Kent Howerton at the Superbowl of Motocross.

Larry Huffman was without a doubt the greatest race announcer in the sport’s history—and in the formative years of big-time motocross and Supercross he was exactly what the sport needed.. His bombastic approach to calling the action on the track was unknown until Larry burst on the scene. The motocross community adopted him as “Supermouth” for his 300 word-per-minute vocal delivery. Larry combined an early career as a disc jockey and his passion for motorcycle racing into something special in the world of race announcers.

During his long career, highlighted by the Superbowl of Motocross, Costa Mesa Speedway, public appearances and TV commercial, his voice was instantly recognizable the moment you heard it.
Huffman was the announcer at the first Superbowl of Motocross at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1972, and he is credited with being an integral part of the early Supercross experience—amplifying the excitement on the track with his colorful phrases. He was the original “Voice of Supercross.” His one-liners included “Tougher than a $2 steak,” “He is on him like a Hare Krishna on an airport traveler,” “He’s riding like Charlie Manson,” and “Wham Bam, Thank you Mam.”

This is a much older Larry Huffman, over 40 years later, interviewing an equally older Jody Weisel at the 2018 Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Awards —Jody accepted his award in his gear because his second World Vet Championship moto was on the starting line.

But Larry Huffman was more than just the voice of racing, he created, produced, worked on lots of outside projects. Not only do he do the Jeep commercials on TV for years, but he co-produced the motion picture “On Any Sunday II,” and was constantly in demand for TV shows like “Charlie’s Angels,” “CHiPs,” “Miami Vice,” “Fantasy Island” and “Knight Rider.” He was the color commentator for most of the live action racing events on ABC, CBS, NBC, TNN, ESPN and Speedvision.

He not only worked on his craft, but he volunteered his time to help the young stars of motocross and Supercross learn how to improve their television interview skills .He would bring them into his studio and teach them how to “project” their voices, put in pauses at the proper moments, enunciate their words to work with the sound system and keep the flow going when on the podium.

Larry Huffman was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2008, but would always be available to lend his voice to a good cause. In his later years, he suffered a serious infection in his foot that the doctors could not cure even after multiple surgeries and it was reportedly the eventual cause of his death at 83 years old.

• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CR250 FIRST TEST

The 2025 Honda CRF250 is already here and MXA’s Josh Mosiman, Dennis Stapleton and Justin Lee spent day one of the 2025 Honda test regimen comparing it to the 2024 Honda CRF250. They disseced the differences between the chassis and engine. In this video, Josh explains how it works on the track, and dives into lots of details that you might otherwise have missed.

• KAWASAKI TEST RIDER BROC TICKLE RETURNS TO AMA PRO MOTOCROSS

Broc Tickle will be on a Busman’s Holiday at Red Bud—he’ll be racing for all he’s worth, but testing the 2025 Kawasaki KX450SR at the same time.

Kawasaki test rider Broc Tickle will participate in select rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship starting this weekend in his home state when he races the Red Bud National in Buchanan, Michigan.

Earlier in season, Broc won the “StopWatch National” at Glen Helen Raceway, which was a $10,000 warm-up race leading up to the start of the 2024 AMA Nationals. He announced after that race that that once the testing season slowed down, he would like to race a couple AMA Nationals for Kawasaki.

Broc Tickle’s former National number 20 is no longer available to him, so he will hit Red Bud on Saturday as number 938—his old amateur number.

Broc said, “I’ve been testing for Monster Energy Kawasaki for the last few years. The team is always working hard to find the best settings for the KX450SR and we are elevating our testing by lining up on the starting gate. The team is dedicated to getting the most out of our race bikes and this is just another step in that commitment to excellence.”

• JUSTIN BARCIA TO MISS THE NEXT THREE AMA 450 NATIONALS

Justin Barcia.

Following the last Saturday’s Southwick National Justin Barcia said, “Today was an eventful day, a lot of stuff going on! I qualified P7, which was pretty good, and the motos were decent for where we’re at. I was sixth in Moto 1 and then had a first turn crash in the second moto, but made a hard charge to 11th. Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with some knee injuries since about the week before Salt Lake City, and I’ve been pushing through it. One knee has a torn/sprained MCL, and my other knee had bursitis, with a little bit of a tear in the meniscus – not too bad, nothing that requires surgery. Because of the swelling, two of my tendons finally let go at High Point, but the good thing is that technically they will just scar up and be fine.”

” I haven’t been riding during the week at all, just been trying to race on the weekends for my fans and the crew, but it’s got to the point now that we have a really good bike, my riding is really good, and these knees are holding us back. We want to be better than fifth-to-eighth, so we are going to take some time off. I will still be able to train quite a bit, do PT on the knees, and see what we can do to get better. All in all, they just need some time to heal up, so the goal right now, I would say, is to come back for Unadilla. I won’t miss too many races if everything works out, which I believe it will, and then we’ll come back swinging!”

ARE YOU READY FOR RED BUD? YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET JETT & BARCIA OFF YOUR MXA FANTASY LEAGUE PICKS

We are headed into motocross for the continuation of the 2024 season. With all new prizes, play weekly for a chance to win.

Apple app download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mxa-fantasy-league/id6473468112

Dive into an unparalleled motocross Fantasy experience with MXA’s cutting-edge app, meticulously crafted to deliver all the action directly to your fingertips. Our sophisticated, seamless, and completely free platform allows you to engage in intense competitions, even if you join mid-season. With opportunities to win prizes every weekend based on the most points gained from each race, you’re never out of the running. The season is already in full swing, but you can still challenge your friends, create groups, and immerse yourself in the competition by joining private parties. Enter at any point in the 2024 Supercross series, and stay tuned for our 2024 AMA Motocross Fantasy game. If you’re using Apple click here and if you’re on Android click here

• TURNING THE 2024-’25 KAWASAKI KX450 FROM A GOOD BIKE INTO A GREAT BIKE

The 2024 Kawasaki KX450 is an all-new model and that means it got some extra attention this year from the MXA wrecking crew as we learn the ins and outs of the bike. MXA’s Josh Fout is a Vet Intermediate rider and experience desert racer, who splits his time between motocross and Grand Prix-style off-road races. In this video, Josh and Josh talk about the mods MXA made to this bike and how they affected it on the track.

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: TM DESIGNWORKS 2023 YAMAHA YZ450F FACTORY EDITION CHAIN GUIDE

The 2023 Yamaha YZ450F Factory Edition chain guide was redesigned for 2023. It uses TM Designworks advance plastic formula “RMS” (Return Memory System)—that absorbs impacts and returns to center.

The TM Designworks Factory Edition chain guide works with all standard and sealed chains and come with new mounting hardware. This chain guide is made in the USA and used by Championship winning teams in Supercross, motocross, off-road and enduro racing.

The Factory Edition chain guide is offered in black or blue. The retail price is $99.95. For more information go to www.tmdesignworks.com

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BLUD RACING LUBRICANTS

Blud Racing lubricants offer superior ability to handle heat and humidity. They are developed using a proprietary blend of top-grade base oils and additives to ensure maximum performance and protection. The Bludline Additive System is the result of years of testing and helps Blud Racing oils keep their protective qualities under the severest of operating conditions.

BLUD PRO ELITE SERIES 15W50

Blud Moto Racing Engine Oils are ultra premium mPAO-based fluids designed for the most extreme stresses of racing. These oils will give the racer protection and performance during a race that will allow them to focus on winning. They are 100% Synthetic mPAO-based Red Racing Oil designed for four-stroke engines or two-stroke transmissions and wet clutches.

BLUD PRO SERIES 2 STROKE RACING PRE-MIX

It is a 100% synthetic two-stroke red racing oil that is formulated for all two-stroke gasoline engines. Designed for high-performance racing, but still safe enough to be used at any OEM recommended ratio. Blud Racing Pro Series two-stroke pre-mix oil offers outstanding wear protection and improved throttle response.

BLUD PRO SERIES CHAIN LUBE

Available in both wet and dry formulas, Blud Racing Pro Series chain lube resists dirt, while not flinging off at speed. It comes in 12-ounce spray-on cans or in 4 ounce squeeze bottles. For more information go to www.bludlubricants.com

•MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: WORKS CONNECTION 2023 YAMAHA YZ450F RADIATOR BRACES

Silver radiator braces.

Works Conection’s all-new 2023 Yamaha YZ450F radiator bBraces for the available now in Silver (raw) or Black (powder coated). They are cheap insurance in protecting your radiators from damage due to a crash or impact. Made from Aircraft grade aluminum,Works Connection’s braces utilize rubber vibration isolators so flex characteristics of the bike are unaffected.

Black Anodized radiator braces.

All necessary hardware is included for easy installation. Made in the USA! Designed, manufactured, packaged and shipped from our headquarters in Cameron Park, CA. The retail price is $124.95 (silver) and $149.95 (black anodized) For more info or to order go to www.worksconnection.com.

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: MXA’S OG LOGO TRUCKERS HAT

Elevate your status as a classic motocross fan with MXA’s OG Logo Truckers Hat in Black, Red, Khaki, Black/White and other colors.  The retail price is $25. See more color options or order by Clicking Here.

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: MOOSE RACING SX-1 COMPLETE WHEEL SET

Moose Racing has released their new SX-1 Complete Wheels. The rims are made from extruded 7000 series aluminum, and the hubs are a forged 6061 T6 aluminum with a non-fading anodized finish. All rims undergo a 3-stage heat treatment process. They come laced and trued with T3002H stainless steel polished spokes.

The SX-1 wheels come with a black rim and a color matched hub to the bike manufacturer. Wheels are available in 18”, 19”, and 21” for late model bikes. Also, available in 14”, 16”, 17”, and 19” for both standard and big wheel 80/85cc fitments.

Wheels will come complete with spacers for convenience. The retail price ranges from from $333.95 to $487.95. To find out more go to to www.mooseracing.com

• THIS WEEK IN MXA: MARVIN MUSQUIN, KTM 125SX, GLEN HELEN & THE MXA WRECKING CREW

This Week in MXA, episode 185, presented by O’Neal, is all about Marvin Musquin and his personal KTM 125SX two-stroke that the built with help from KTM and David Vuillemin. MXA had Glen Helen all to ourselves, and they said we could do whatever we wanted while they were prepping the track with some perfect “dozer berms,” great for going wide open on this fuel-injected 125 two-stroke.

This is the cover of the August 2024 issue of MXA. It features our exclusive test of the three brand-new Honda motocross bikes—a CR125, CR250 and CR500. However they didn’t come from Honda, they were built in Indiana. Additionally, we have no illusions that the Surron Ultra Bee & Stormm Bee that we tested in this issue are full-on motocross bikes, but they are excellent play bikes, trail bike and backyard bikes Also in this issue we had Hawaiian motocrossw racer tell us exactly how he prepped his Suzuki RM-Z450 for the AMA 450 Nationals. You won’t want to miss the comparison test between the KTM 250SX Two-stroke and KTM 300SX two-stroke  or our 60 horsepower shootout between a KTM 450SXF and a KTM 350SXF—both tuned to  to produce exactly 60 horrsepower by Twosted Development.

Did you know that you 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. Plus, you will get all the content in the 12 monthly issues of Motocross Action magazine delivered to your home by a uniformed U.S. government employee. And that isn’t all that is in the August 2024 Issue of MXA, but we have to leave some surprises left for when your new issue hits your mailbox. Don’t forget, the $25 credit from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC means that you get a subscription for MXA at a giant discount. Are you smart enough to recognize a great deal when you see it? To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or ClickHere

One thing about Glen Helen motocross racers, they will race in the heat. And, of course it’s going to be hot, it’s July 6th. Come back in September when it will be 110-degrees. For more info or to pre-register (so you can race for only $30), go to www.glenhelen.com.

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