10 Things to Watch For at Washougal
Friday, July 22, 2011 | 4:55 PM
Atlas Brace Technologies was founded in 2011 and is the home of the first racer designed, racer tested next generation neck brace, the Atlas Brace™. The Atlas Brace™ was uniquely designed and engineered to be only of the highest level of safety, comfort, mobility, and forward thinking ideas.
Tweet
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Share
Comment
Email
Print
10. The Look: Okay, we’ve all gone to motocross races in some-out-of-the-way, hole-in-the-wall spots where there’s nothing redeeming about the area except the fact that it allows you to ride a dirt bikes. Then there’s Washougal, which would be a fun place to visit even if dirt bikes weren’t involved. This is probably the prettiest place on the 12-race tour, and yet, the track’s visuals pale in comparison to what’s around it. Make sure you visit the Columbia River gorge while you’re out here—it’s a short drive and it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. And if you’re saying, “I’m not planning on going out there,” well, you’ve made a big mistake.
9. Live: Every single 250 and 450 moto this weekend will air live on TV here in the U.S. Think about that. Four hours of live motocross coverage—the first motos on FUEL TV, and second ones on SPEED. This is not just unprecedented for the sport, its the equivalent to putting a man on the moon compared to where the TV coverage for this series was just a few years ago. You know how this week, when the last shuttle landed, everyone dredged up the “you remember where you were when man first landed on the moon” talk? Yeah, well in our little niche, this is a big TV deal, too. So don’t forget it.
8. Tired Choices: Yeah so, the secret is out. By now everyone has heard that while Washougal’s dirt looks like it would have tons of traction, it doesn’t. This much is known and understood, and yet still the teams will be asking the tire guys for something with a little more glue-like compound even knowing full well that it’s the dirt side of the tire-to-tack connection that’s causing the problems.
Baggett is nursing an injured shoulder.
Photo: Simon Cudby
7. The Difference: But while everyone knows the Washougal slickness will be similar to previous years, the bigger difference may be in how different it is from the last few weeks on the tour. RedBud? Deep sand with a heaping helping of Friday rain to make things even deeper. Millville? Deep sand with a heaping helping of Friday rain to make things even deeper. Washougal? Not a hint of sand, and from what we can tell, not a hint of rain. The bumps will form differently, the soil won’t bog down the motors, things will be much different this weekend.
6. Baggett’s Bones: The thing about Blake Baggett’s ridiculous speed is that it’s ridiculous to believe he could go that fast all the time without something going wrong, right? He’s made a few mistakes this year, like a whopper of a fifth-gear (!) crash in Freestone, and a crash while practicing two weeks ago that left him bruised for Milllville, preventing him from showing all of that speed. His sore collarbone will probably still be sore for this one, so will we see Chupacabra sneaking up on the competition here, or just another 3-3 day of salvaging points?
5. Marv Attack: Think Chupacarba sightings are rare? Well this weekend we’ll finally get to see Marvin the Martian. The French MX2 Champ (two times running) looked pretty darned good at the opener for this series. Then at round two, he was about one inch away from taking the lead in the first moto at round two before Justin Barcia’s tire sent Marv’s thumb pointing in the wrong direction. He still managed to hitchhike to the pits, but he hasn’t raced since. We don’t know how the layoff has affected him. We’re not even sure what he had under the hood in the first place—but from the brief glimpse we had, it seems like he could be a spoiler to the Kawi party.
Musquin returns.
Photo: Simon Cudby
4. The 12-foot Kawasaki: Two weeks ago we made some predictions on our site about the 250 class, with most thinking Tyla Rattray had strength, but not speed, on his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammates. Well, we were splitting hairs. If Rattray is slowest of the three, it’s only by a tiny margin. Really tiny. We’ve seen a lot of motos this year with Rattray and Dean Wilson pretty much deadlocked on speed, including both motos last weekend. Don’t be surprised to see them battling it out again this weekend, almost locked into each other up front.
3. Dungey Vision: Ryan Dungey has stretched Oakley’s race budget by wasting packs of tear-offs chasing Chad Reed at close distance on these wet, sandy tracks. Dude has been in the firing line of Reed’s tire in about half the motos this year, and for about the entire moto each time. The difference in Washougal dirt may help him keep seeing, and with that vision he may see new lines. A downside to the rain at the last two races was a big pile of the mud getting pushed to the outside of the track. Dungey had nowhere to go to make a pass. Could be different here.
2. Return Serve: The Dunge did it at his home track, so now everyone looks to Ryan Villopoto to deliver a win at his home race this weekend. But here’s the strange part: Dungey actually has the better career record at this track, too. He won the 250 race in ’08 and ’09, and last year’s 450 race. And, oh yeah, Trey Canard’s resounding win in the 250s last year may have been his best race in a title-winning summer, so he likes Washougal, too. RV record here is filled with bad luck. Will it change?
Can RV get a win at Washougal?
Photo: Simon Cudby
1. Back To Reality, Oh, Here Comes Gravity: Chad Reed was charging for two titles this summer: AMA Pro Motocross Champion and People’s Champ. His big crash and survival last weekend only made him more loved by the fans, and while his points lead shrunk, it sure makes 2011 look like the year of destiny for Chad and his team. Are the moto Gods saving him for something very special at the end of round 12? Maybe, but destiny will collide with reality this weekend. Surely something is hurting on the guy right now. We’re just not sure if that really matters.
Bonus!: Yeah the three-rider packs are stealing the podiums, headlines, accolades and attention at these races. But that’s only masking how hard some of these other guys are riding. There’s a 450 chase pack with the likes of Brett Metcalfe, Mike Alessi, Jake Weimer, Tommy Hahn, Justin Brayton and others (but not Kevin Windham any longer, unfortunately), and the battles within this group are often better than anything else you’ll see all weekend. We’re telling you what to watch for, and it’s this.
Share this article:
Did you like this article?
Check out WHEN DAYLIGHT BREAKS
in our Latest issue of Racer X available now.
When the lights go off on supercross and racing hits the daylight with the launch of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, everyone gets to start over. Page 110.
Look for the verified symbol 
Impulse Studios
HOLESHOT!
In 10 years we'll look back at this year and go "Man was that a great year of racing".
Hope they all stay healthy and stay on it to the end.
Marvin hitchiking back to the pits, that's funny. Two thumbs up on that one.
I'm still pullin for Dungy for the title.
I am guessing the guy with the the most consistent rides here over the last few years will be Dunegy. I'm not sure if RV2 will fair well at his home track. Trey will suffer flashbacks when he broke his femur here. Chad has also had up and down rides here. Dungey is tasting his victory, just needs to show Reed that he has the ballz to pass him. Washougal has some great lines, so there should be so good racing here. I am still pulling for Reed, its kind of an old guy thing. After last weeks get off, I am not sure how hard will Reed push it. Anyways so much for my BS thoughts. Anyways its hot here in Sol Cal and tons of fun isgoing through beer and ice cream like crazy. And no Fred you can't have her! lol
I know tht the Villo and Reedy fans will disagree, but here is my prediction for Washington: Dungey = 1,1.
I saw him at Pala b4 his injury and wow most def 1 thump up
Dont forget Musquim got top 5 in his first Nat at Hangtown.
Not saying he can win yet but he and Roczen are the real deal. Watch.
JimM
Pala374
Ya good thought JImbo, we really haven't had the chance to see what Musquin is made of yet. Always great to see some fresh talent out there. Hopefully Marvin will gives us are moneys worth. As long as we never again in motocross history are being told "beleive the hype" we will be alright. ha ha ha
Ya good thought JImbo, we really haven't had the chance to see what Musquin is made of yet. Always great to see some fresh talent out there. Hopefully Marvin will gives us are moneys worth. As long as we never again in motocross history are being told "beleive the hype" we will be alright. ha ha ha
RacerX must be trying to brainwash us.The TV coverage is RIDICULOUS.They just need to put all four motos on speed.This is a big TV deal.It's straight up retarted.
It would be nice if.....Dungey,1 Reed 2 Viillopoto 3
@Fred- you have to keep in mind that Speed is heavily booked with poker tournament, celebrity bowling, carshows and some auto racing from a third world country that are using Model Ts still. Let alone trying to fit in some real racing from one of the best sports ever. Example@ 9:00 p.m. they be be hosting 300lber wet t-shirt contests. So if you live under a rock in some third country with no internet acess and pay TV then you're screwed!
Musquin is a great talent, is he ready to go 30+2, not sure, but he is fast and a threat for sure to the Pro Circut boys. Somebody needs to get in front of a few of them. Rattray with his 10 years of pro motocross experience should be waxing the kids, I dont have a problem with him as a rider, I just feel he should have moved up about 5 years ago. Wilson is a favorite, I like the kid. He is flat out fast outside for sure.
In the 450's RV better bring his A-game, Dungey is riding with more confidence than I think he ever has, he was brave enough to shove that wheel in on RV, and then hauled the mail. He has beaten RV at Washougal before in the 250 class.
CZmark, tons of fun won't answer my call.I was haveing a hissie fit about Weeg calling BB Chupacabra.I get so mad about that stupid name I think that I scared her off.
@Fred, try tying a string around a twinkle and slowly reel it back in, that should do the job!
@CZMark,I'm all about that 300pound wet T contest.I just love those cones that are the size of my head.I didn't have a twinkie.Oh well,I think I'm going over to racerhead and start some rumors about Dungey and Honda.Have fun with tons of fun.
If Windham's out, that means Alessi can go 4-4...........OR win both motos going away.........................it could happen..........
czmark, you are an idiot. Motocross isn't "one of the best sports ever". It is THE best sport ever.
@Dak446= my bad and you're correct. The Best Sport Ever! And calling me an idiot is nicest thing anybody has said to me all week. Thanks!
Don't mention it.
Not a reed fan, yet still would like see him pull it off ,reed shake off that o-shit get off last week and haul the mail like you know how...........reed 450 champ 2011
Which will come first Rattray's 3 years in the 250s or him turning Vet pro?
@pcbagger, who cares how old he is.John Dowd was 25 years old when he started when he was 25.He was like a 102 when he got second in the 125 outdoors.I think he was 101 when he won the 125 supercross championship.
Goooooooo Marvin !
I hope Marvin will be able to show you his speed and consistence this week end, this kid gonna make you enjoy French top gun again (the last one didn't work great on this way...). For the ones who heard about JMB (ask your father), Marvin could be a remake, smooth, fast and nice ! For titles nothing is done of course, I'm sure and I hope that the US top gun don't plan to give him any chances ! Can't wait to see the fights !
Viily's luck gotta change on his own turf. Gonna be a wild one for sure!
Viily's luck gotta change on his own turf. Gonna be a wild one for sure!
@Texasthierry- lets hope that Marvelous Marvin can make it around the track without a BamBam or UFO sighting. It would be great to see what this kid could do.
@Fred- lets make sure we get the facts straight here. Dowd was buried in the 1890s, the his body was exhumed by Yamaha for a 125 factory pilot. It just doesn't get any older for the junkyard dog. ha ha
Marvin Musquin got 10th, not very marvelous. Can you say overrated?? And at 21 years old, he should be beating a bunch of rookies and 2nd year guys at 17 or 18 or 19 years old. Heck I think he is older the Canard and Dungey is only 21. Another Euro cherry picker.
Musquin the old man sand bagger got his Taste of what real speed is about today and this is our training class. Now all you Euro braggers tell us again how talented and fast he is ok. The Chupacabra ate that muskrats lunch today and even lapped him. So next time wait until the results are in before squawking or you will just keep on eating that Crow.
You right about waiting the result before screaming Victory but read my post and I was hoping about a good result...it didn't happen this time but it will before the end of the series. After the race he said he was nervous and wasn't able to ride at the level he expects. No stupid excuses, just the true from a kid who wasn't satisfy by himself ! A good start would have change completely his day, it didn't happen. He was 5th faster in practice and 1st in Hangtown and Freestone before his injury, not too bad for a little Euro ! Gareth Swanepoel who makes some good results (7/4 yesterday) wasn't in front in the world championship...stop thinking you are alone on this planet guy, go check around, open your mind...you will feel better !
Can't wait for Unadilla ! The orange color between the green on the podium gonna make a beautiful pic ! (I feel like I'm gonna be shoot...lol).