The Notebook: Anaheim 1
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 | 1:50 PM
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PrintWe've already covered the big stories and the race winners. Check out the notebook to see who else made some news over the weekend.
By Chase Stallo and Aaron Hansel
- On opening night in Anaheim, you might expect top racers to be hanging out inside their motor homes or having serious last minute discussions with team managers or mechanics before heading into the stadium. That was not the case in the Red Bull KTM pits. With literally less than five minutes remaining before opening ceremonies, Ryan Dungey was outside leaned over a table autographing a stack of posters for future distribution. Had he won the race, perhaps this would have become his new pre-race ritual!
- In the rider's meeting, AMA Race Director John Gallagher said that this year the tracks would be designed in part to lower top speeds in an effort to improve safety. With the best lap times ranging in the 55 to 57 second range, it appears as though Dirt Wurx was successful in this endeavor at A1.
- Before you criticize Justin Brayton for not qualifying right out of his heat race, know that he injured his left thumb during a crash in practice. The injury required Brayton's mechanic, Patrick Barker, to make an interesting modification to the Brayton's grip. Despite the setback, Brayton was able to win the LCQ and finish in ninth place.
Aaron Hansel photo
- Always forward thinkers when it comes to the fan experience at the races, the Dodge/Sycuan RCH Suzuki team unveiled their newest form of pit entertainment at A1. They strapped a 450 to a dyno and let fans have at it! If you are at a round of Monster Energy Supercross this year, be sure to stop by the RCH pits and check it out!
- Terrible night for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Martin Davalos was looking to shed his "win the heat, DNF the main" reputation, but he made it through one corner of the main event before getting his bike mangled in the Jessy Nelson inspired first turn melee. Heat race win to DNF it was. Blake Baggett had it even worse, as his hand/wrist was bashed in the first turn stack up. We're hearing rumors of a broken hand for Baggett. Stay tuned.
- After getting together with Max Anstie early in the race, Kyle Cunningham was forced to finish the remaining laps without the use of his front brake lever. Despite that and a hurt wrist, Cunningham managed to pull off an eleventh place. X-rays don't show any broken bones, and Cunningham should be back on the line when the gate drops in Phoenix.
- Team Yamaha was back! At least it looked that way when the old factory Yamaha semi, which served duty for Valli/Star Yamaha last year, rolled into the pits with the old Yamaha graphics back on it. Travis Baker, lone racer for Valli right now, was the exclusive rider for this rig. Star Racing and Valli have split, so Star is back to having its own semi.
Max Anstie is back for a few 250SX West Region rounds.
Simon Cudby photo
- Rockstar Energy Racing's Jason Anderson is off to a career-best start after a fourth place finish at Anaheim. Anderson had finished seventh in his two previous season openers. Combine his fourth with teammate Ryan Sipes sixth, and the 450SX win for Davi Millsaps, and Rockstar Energy Racing had quite the night!
- Also off to a career-best start is J-Star JDR KTM's Malcolm Stewart after a fifth in the opener.
- J-Star JDR KTM's Joey Savatgy and Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda's Jessy Nelson became the only rookies in the 2013 class to make the main at Anaheim after finishing eighth and second in their heat races, respectively. Nelson suffered a big crash after snagging the holeshot in the main, leading to an 18th place finish. Savatgy finished 13th in his debut.
- Britain's Max Anstie, recently signed by Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe this off-season, is back to contest a number of 250SX West Region races, before returning to Europe to contest the FIM World Motocross Championships. The former Star Racing Yamaha rider finished ninth at the opener.
- JAB Motorsports' Matt Lemoine made his 450SX debut at Anaheim. The Texan, by way of Louisiana, finished 15th in his debut.
Matt Lemoine finished 15th in his 450SX debut.
Simon Cudby photo
- South Carolina native, and 2008 AMA Horizon Award winner, PJ Larsen made his 450SX debut Saturday night. The 2010 Australian MX and SX Champion, and current Rocket Exhaust rider, failed to qualify for the main at Anaheim.
- Other notables that failed to qualify for the 450SX main event included: Josh Hansen, Kyle Partridge, Chris Blose, Phil Nicoletti, Tevin Tapia, Les Smith and Ben LaMay.
- Notables that failed to qualify in the 250SX main included: Ricky Dietrich, Australians Kade Mosig and Josh Cachia, Dakota Tedder, Chris Plouffe, Nick Paluzzi, “Driven to Ride” Derek Anderson, rookie Dillan Epstein and Scott Champion.
- Reigning Canadian MX Nationals Champion Matt Goerke is back in the States full-time under the BTOSports KTM tent. Goerke finished 12th in the 450SX class Saturday.
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We're going to see a lot of "known" riders not making the main this year due to the depth of talent. I think keeping speeds down (by Dirt Wurx design) is a good idea.
Talk about stiring the pot !! The photo is worth a million bad post CP 377
I couldn't help from thinking that the first 450 heat race looked more like the main event, yes there is some depth this year.
@Phoenix1
Not sure exactly what you mean so I may be in the wrong here...
but I am pretty sure that pic is of Lemoine, not Pourcel
@Kxpwr18: You're correct. The main photo is of Lemoine, not Pourcel.
add Akira Narita to the list that did not qualify for the 450's
Kxpwr18
Sorry about that I TAKE IT BACK..............
I dont see why thats not being talked about at all the guy is the reigning japanese champion and showed up to race and couldnt qualify for the main and it doesnt even get mentioned?
http://www.racerxonline.com/2013/01/04/japanese-champion-narita-to-race-a1
@jeramey - its only tuesday so maybe they will still cover it. But I agree that Narita should at least be mentioned
I would have thought someone in the comments section would have been all over it but maybe im the only one who expected him to atleast qualify lol that to me would be like cairolli not even qualifying while i wouldnt pick them to win id expect them to be good enough to qualify
maybe with all the drama they forgot he was even there haha
The slow track design was obvious given the momentum killing jumps into the sand and prior to the start straight. The whoops were pretty tame too. I think slower and more technical is a good thing.
texag I agree when you have them still racing for 1st on lap 19 it was a success
So, I guess the C.P. to BTO-KTM rumor was a bust. With him signing up, it would've added even more to a looking-to-be great year of racing.
Too bad that guy can't get it together.
What's that knob on under Brayton's steering stem? A ball knocker? Rev light? Some pics of the JGR stuff would be nice, they have some of the trickest-looking bikes out there.
Yep, I really liked how long the main took. I didnt realize it was by design though. Good job.
But now instead of making amatures race arenacross before SX, just add an AM class to kill some of this dead air time. How about a +35 2 stroke class? Semi retired pros come on down! No points, just a decent purse. Definately need one more class, and I dont want minis. 125's might not have enough juice to be safe. C'mon guys, make it happen!
anyone else see philthy nicoletti get completely cleaned out by hanson in the LCQ only for hanson to eat it later on in the moto?
As for one more class to fill dead time, I suggest letting the top ten 450 and 250 riders who did not qualify, mix it up together in an 6 or 8 lap race. They are already there, have fans in the stands supporting them, local sponsors and obviously need more time on a supercross track...It would also give the fans great perspective on just how talented and fast the top riders are...
I wish we could all could get rid of 'filthy' Phil, it's not an amusing or appreciative nick name for a good, clean rider like Nicoletti. How about "fabulous" or "famous', Weege, I'll leave this one for you to figure out, but we need to show this guy more respect..
After watching the race on speed on Saterday and watching a couple of supercross races live last season I think they should do teh following...1 As BD suggested add a non qualifying mixed 250/450 race to the programme ,2 Add "floater style jumps"and longer deep sand sections to slow down the laps and add a motocross element to the race i think this will hopefully save the injuries like last year and give more results like Anaheim1 ,the past supercross tracks as perfected by Jeremy Mac has become painfuuly fast and predicatble ...just look at what sand and peristile jumps can do to add a bit of flavour ...alla des nations!
Yes the sand sections can be a good way to slow things down...Go to youtube and watch the 93 Orlando supercross ..couple real sand sections very technical
I wouldnt mind the guys already there racing, its just that they need time between motos and thats why we have the dead time already. If they could figure it out it'd sure be appreciated.
I what to know what is happening with honda's team manager Kehoe is he out for good or is there a temp manager in place while things get sorted out.
xxktm At the races that they do not do the KTM 65 races they could use that time for the 450/250 non-qualifiers 6 laps and the races they do the KTM 65 race the NQ riders could be on the gate and ready to go right after ward and they could just have them go 5 laps ...It will only take 10 minutes and would mean a lot to the riders having those who support them see them on the track...
Ha. I thought that was Pourcel too..back when he still had the "eye of the tiger" flowin.