Baggett’s injury, however, may be the most costly. Blake had a solid 2015 season as a first-year full-timer on the 450, and though he didn’t win any races, he showed steady gains, oftentimes riding on his own since Stewart was in time-out. All the while, Baggett had been investing and working on a practice facility for himself in Florida. He had been doing some sessions with the likes of RCH Racing’s Ken Roczen and Red Bull KTM’s Dean Wilson, as well as Rockstar Husqvarna’s Christophe Pourcel, Martin Davalos, Eric Grondahl—even Brian Deegan and his boys have spent time the past few months there riding and preparing to be more competitive in 2016. Now comes this brutal crash, and Blake is out indefinitely.

“It’s a real shame because he was so far ahead of where he was at this point last year, but dealing with injuries is a part of the sport,” said Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mike Webb in the press release on the injury. “Blake had worked really hard training for this season, had put on muscle and hours of hard work on the track and it was showing. On the positive side Blake was getting so strong physically that we believe that it will help him come back quickly from this injury.”

We hope so too. Baggett was fifth in 450SX, and with the team back at full force with Stewart’s return, he was bound to do better. Get well soon, Blake.

GOOD NEWS FOR SUZUKI (DC)

The news about Blake Baggett was bad, but Suzuki had some other good news recently. First there was the announcement of our pal “Top” Jimmy Albertson was going to lead a new 250cc effort called Motorcycle Superstore Suzuki. The brand has been practically nonexistent the past couple of years in 250SX, so Jimmy and his teammates Kyle Cunningham, Mark Worth, and Josh Osby will definitely add some bright color to the West Region mains. And then there was the announcement this week that after a few years on the sidelines, Suzuki will have six factory-supported riders in amateur motocross in 2016.

“We are proud to announce our six new Team Suzuki members,” said Pat Alexander, Suzuki’s race support manager, in a press release, “four who will ride the RM85, and two who will ride both the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450.”

The team will consist of RM85 riders Crockett Myers and Nicholas (Nikko) Capps, who will focus on the 85cc classes. Casey Cochran will compete in the 65cc division in 2016 while developing his skills on the RM85 in preparation for his transition to the 85cc class. TJ Rios will contest in the Super-Mini divisions aboard an RM85, and racing in the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 will be Ashton Hayes and Richard Taylor.

Suzuki has a long history in supporting amateur riders, especially with their RM80 and RM85 line: George Holland, Shaun Kalos, Mike Healey, Larry Brooks, Buddy Antunez, Ezra Lusk, Jeff Dement, Branden Jesseman, Travis Pastrana, Broc Hepler, Eli Tomac, Jason Lawrence, Nico Izzi, Jason Anderson, and even Ken Roczen over in Germany—all of them and more grew up racing yellow 80s as kids. They often had superb engines as well, built by R&D Racing’s Rudy and Dean Dickenson. Unfortunately, the great recession all but ended Suzuki’s amateur efforts, so it’s great to see then coming back strong once again.

And speaking of amateurs, some of you may have spotted the AMA’s announcement that they will begin enforcing a minimum age restriction of 250cc and 450cc motorcycles for amateur competition beginning in 2017. The rules will prevent kids younger than fourteen from racing 250cc motorcycles and kids younger than sixteen from racing 450cc motorcycles. Hopefully that will add some more emphasis on Super-Mini and 125cc racing for younger riders and prevent them from jumping up to bigger bikes before they are ready. It will definitely shake things up at the major AMA amateur races across the country.

MXGP Calendar Changes (Chase Stallo)

The ever-evolving MXGP calendar underwent more changes earlier this week as the FIM and Youthstream announced that the inaugural Malaysian GP at Sepang (at a motosport race track that hosts a MotoGP) has been cancelled. According to On Track Off Road’s Adam Wheeler, “the reason for the fixture dropping away was to do with local organisers dealing with the popular Formula One and MotoGP facility and where MXGP would have profited from the permanent infrastructure with a temporary course.” Check out the entire article.

In the same announcement, the May 29 TBA has been filled with Talavera de la Reina, Spain. With the subtraction in Malaysia, the series will now be just eighteen rounds instead of nineteen, unless another is added or dropped, which very well could be the case. The series kicks off under the lights in Qatar at Losail on February 27 before heading to Thailand and finally European soil for the first time at Valkenswaard on March 28.

BEST WISHES TO ANDRAS (DC)

For the past couple of years we've been lucky to get contributions to Racerhead from Andras Hegyi, a journalist from Hungary who does a fantastic job of scouring the record books for trends, streaks, and other informative bits of information. But now Andras has been forced the sidelines with a wrist injury—and he wasn't even racing! Andras was ice skating when he fractured his left wrist, which will likely require surgery. That makes typing a bit of a chore, so we won't getting much from our man in Budapest for the next few weeks. Good luck, and here's to a full recovery, Andras. And thanks as always.

Is the 2016 Motocross of Nations in Jeopardy for Australia? (Chase Stallo)

Earlier this week, Australian website MotoOnline.com.au published a report that Australia’s international teams have been put into uncertainty for the 2016 season. Per the report, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the sport’s governing body, is seeking to revise its strategy following a “significant reduction in funding.” Funding from the ASC is expected to be reduced by $300,000 for next year, slashing MA’s budget from $400,000 to $100,000.

“MA definitely does want Australian teams to attend the ’16 MXoN and ISDE and I believe the board/CEO are looking into funding alternatives for future years to assist in meeting the costs involved,” MA high performance and events manager Bronwyn Sorensen told MotoOnline.com.au.

Sorensen went on to say: “MA used to meet all the large expense items and team-based expenses—flights, accommodation, transport—which was around $60k for the MXoN and around $160k for the ISDE. MA also sent teams each year for Trial des Nations (around $60k) and World Junior MX (around $55k) and funded the Australian Speedway team (around $60k).”

The news comes after Team Australia’s win at the 2015 Six Day Enduro (ISDE) in the World, Junior and Women’s Trophy classes. According to the report, MA has plans in place for 2017 and beyond, which could safeguard the future of Australia’s international competition.

“We regard these programs as essential, however we also recognise a new approach is needed to achieve a positive and sustainable outcome that delivers world-class results for both local and international participants,” stated acting MA CEO Jeremy Kann.

As we’ve mentioned before, the travel allotment from Youthstream is just over $2,000 for the entire team. So you can imagine how expensive (not to mention frustrating) it is for teams that have to travel overseas (including the USA and Canada) and be given the same amount of travel money as European countries that can drive there.

Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au and Racer X Online for more information in the coming weeks.

Hey, Watch It!

Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings has resumed riding activities after missing the latter portion of the 2015 FIM World Motocross Championship after dislocating his hip at the MXGP Czech Republic in qualifying. Motocrossplanet.com sent this video below of Herlings return to riding.

Episode 2 of our 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Preview Shows was released earlier this week.

Also, catch Episode 1

Check this sweet, intense training video:

NEVER FORGET

Ping got this cool letter and photo:

Head-Scratching Headline/s of the Week

PARKOUR IN CHERNOBYL: THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE OR A JOURNEY INTO MADNESS? - Vice.com

RANDOM NOTES

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship tickets are now on sale for 2016. Many of the Nationals are running holiday specials, including VIP ticket options. Purchase tickets today for yourself or as the best last minute holiday gift ever!

And speaking of last-minute gifts, Racer X Brand just received a new collection of hats this week. Flexfits, trucker hats, snapbacks, and plenty more apparel selections are available at the Racer X Brand site now. We guarantee same-day shipping on all non-holiday weekday orders, and you'll even receive free shipping if your order is over $50.

In the 1980s, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Rick Johnson and David Bailey were dominating AMA Motocross and Supercross racing for American Honda. That dominance is embodied in this original-condition 1986 Honda CR250R—a classic throwback to the heyday of the Big Red Machine.

Get a chance to win this bike with a $5 donation to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, or get five chances for a $20 donation.

The drawing will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016, at the AMA Championship Banquet in Columbus, Ohio. All proceeds for this drawing benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

For news from Canada, check out DMX Frid'Eh Update #51.

Since there wasn’t much for Racerhead, we’ll close with some of the moto-inspired Christmas cards we’ve received, both by email and something called “actual” mail. Thanks for checking out Racerhead, and good luck getting ready for your holidays. See you at the races.