This Week in Powersports - The week of January 23, 2023

RACING

Tomac Makes It Two-for-Two in Title Chase with San Diego Supercross Win

San Diego, Calif., (January 21, 2023) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Eli Tomac grabbed his second victory of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season in front of a sold-out crowd inside Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. Red Bull KTM's Cooper Webb also replicated his Round 1 finish and earned second place at Round 3, although the race was only the second time the riders have faced off in 2023. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing's Justin Barcia held off pressure right until the checkers to take the final podium spot at the first Supercross event held inside the new stadium.

Opening Ceremonies for the Inaugural Supercross at Snapdragon Stadium, Marking 40 Years of Racing in San Diego After Visiting Jack Murphy Stadium/Qualcomm Stadium and Petco Park. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

In Western Regional 250SX Class racing, Team Honda HRC's Jett Lawrence also repeated his opening round win with a nearly flawless ride. Tomac and Lawrence extended their points lead in the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season as well as toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship of 2023.

Just as at the previous round, Team Honda HRC's Colt Nichols got through the first corner ahead of 21 other racers to nab the 450SX Class Main Event Holeshot. Monster Energy Kawasaki's Adam Cianciarulo was quickly into the lead for the opening laps of the 20-minute plus one lap race. The racers who share the past four championships, Webb and Tomac, battled each other as they closed on the leader. Webb took over the front spot two and a half minutes into the race; Tomac also got around Cianciarulo and four minutes after the gate had dropped Tomac made the pass on Webb for the lead. Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jason Anderson pushed forward into third place as a battle brewed between Barcia and Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki's Ken Roczen for fourth.

Just past the race's halfway point Anderson crashed in a turn, turning the battle between Barcia and Roczen into a podium position fight. Team Honda HRC's Chase Sexton was right behind and the three riders circled the track within a breath of each other. In the final laps Webb pulled close to Tomac's rear fender, knocking the Yamaha rider's lead down to just 1.4 seconds. Tomac held strong for the win, his second of the two races run so far this season.

When the gate dropped for the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event, Jett Lawrence darted to the lead ahead of Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha's Enzo Lopes, Smartop MotoConcepts Racing Honda's Mitchell Oldenburg, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's RJ Hampshire. Contact in the tight opening lap pushed Hampshire back but he quickly worked his way back to sixth and started picking off the riders ahead of him. Teammates Lopes and Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha's Phil Nicoletti scrapped over second while McAdoo and Hampshire slowly pushed forward. Five minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race McAdoo put his Kawasaki into second and matched lap times with Lawrence, just two seconds ahead. Two minutes later Hampshire reached third. From there Lawrence pulled out some breathing room. As the race clock neared :30 remaining Hampshire cut under McAdoo to match his Round 1 performance and earn second place points.

The series travels back up the California coast to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for a race that pays points to both the Monster Energy Supercross season and the SuperMotocross World Championship series. Monster Energy AMA Supercross Round 2 was postponed due to area flooding and has found its new place on the schedule; the racers will battle at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California on February 18th. The Oakland Supercross will go into the record books as Round 2 of the 2023 season but will sit just after Round 6 on the calendar.

2023 is already proving to be a thrilling season on the track as well as off with the formation of the SuperMotocross World Championship. The new World Championship League brings champions and contenders of both the technical Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, and the wide-open AMA Pro Motocross season together for two exciting Playoff races and one Final race in October to crown a single champion in each class. The 450 Class winner will pocket a one million dollar win bonus and the 250 Class champ will take home $500,000.

From January through October all 31 SuperMotocross World Championship rounds are available live on PeacockTV. Select rounds will be broadcast domestically on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. SuperMotocross.tv provides international coverage of the events.  

Nothing matches the thrill of seeing the action live. Tickets are on sale now for all remaining Monster Energy AMA Supercross events. For tickets, race results, feature stories, and airtimes on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, and CNBC please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class Results

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM

3. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS

4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki

5. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda

6. Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha

7. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki

8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki

9. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM

10. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (52)

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (46)

3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (39)

4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (37)

5. Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (36)

6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (33)

7. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (32)

8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (29)

9. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (29)

10. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (28)

Western Regional 250SX Class Results

1. Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna

3. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki

4. Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha

5. Pierce Brown, Sandy, Utah, GASGAS

6. Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Yamaha

7. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda

8. Phillip Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., Yamaha

9. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM

10. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha

Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda (52)

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (46)

3. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (42)

4. Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha (36)

5. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (35)

6. Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Yamaha (31)

7. Phillip Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., Yamaha (30)

8. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (27)

9. Dylan Walsh, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki (24)

10. Cole Thompson, Brigden, Ont., Yamaha (23)

SAN DIEGO 450SX PODIUM MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW FOR RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING'S WEBB

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Two-time 450SX champion Cooper Webb has made it two podiums in a row to commence the 2023 AMA Supercross Championship, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider claiming a convincing runner-up result in San Diego riding the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Premier class teammate Aaron Plessinger charged to ninth position in the Main Event, recovering from a difficult start to salvage a top-10 finish.

Webb qualified third fastest on combined times during the afternoon and carried that form to earn fifth place in his Heat, but it was the Main Event where he brought it all together in the second stop of the new SuperMotocross World Championship. The 27-year-old made a strong start into P2 during the early laps, before making his way into the lead by the end of lap four. He was bumped back a place on the following lap and that's where he would remain, with second repeating his result from Anaheim's opener two weeks prior.

Cooper Webb: “Tonight was good, I got off the start strong and that was key in the way the track developed. I was able to lead some laps, which was cool, but the pace was pretty strong and I made a few mistakes in the middle of the race. The lapped riders helped me in the end to edge closer to Eli [Tomac] and it was pretty hectic with all that going on, so it was a tight finish, but overall I'm happy with how the season has started and am looking to push forward from here. It was positive for me to see what it takes to win at this point of the year, being so close tonight, so we'll learn from the few mistakes and keep fighting on."

Also equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Plessinger only managed to qualify in 14th, before quickly turning that around in his Heat race for sixth position despite being caught up in an early incident. The opening lap of the Main Event saw him positioned outside of the top 15 in the early stages, however, he put his head down and made a series of critical passes from there. In the end, Plessinger made his way into ninth place to take home important championship points two rounds into the new season.

Aaron Plessinger: “San Diego was a challenging day for me, even if the result was close to round one. Although practice didn't go as planned, I was riding good in the Heat race, got a pretty good start, and then got caught up in a crash that I couldn't avoid, so came from dead last to sixth in that. In the Main Event, I got a horrible start and worked my way back to ninth, which is not what we wanted, but we'll get better as we go. I have to focus on starts this week and come out swinging when we head back to Anaheim.”

The third of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's regular 450SX contenders, Marvin Musquin, was ruled out of the San Diego round following an untimely mid-week practice crash that resulted in a wrist injury.

Unfortunately for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 250SX West rider Maximus Vohland, mishaps in both his Heat race and the Last Chance Qualifier meant he was unable to transfer through to the Main Event. Vohland qualified in eighth position during the afternoon, before a first turn incident upon the restarted first Heat saw him cross the line in 13th place. From there, he recovered from a poor start in the LCQ to make his way into a transfer position, only to go down in the final laps and finish in P8 onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Now 12th in the point standings, Vohland will look to return stronger next weekend at Anaheim 2.

Maximus Vohland: “Timed qualifying went well, being inside the top eight. In the first Heat race I had a very bad start, made my way up to sixth, and then the red flag came out. On the restart I crashed in the first turn and, with only two laps to go, I was outside of the top nine and had to go to the LCQ. In the last chance, I worked my way up to a qualifying position, but then made a mistake on the last lap and went down, unfortunately putting me out of the main. Of course, I’m very disappointed, but I’m healthy and will be back at A2"

Next Race: January 28 – Anaheim, California

Results 450SX Class – San Diego

1. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha, 25 laps

2. Cooper Webb (USA), KTM, +1.148

3. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS, +10.251

OTHER KTM

9. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM

13. Justin Hill (USA), KTM

Standings 450SX Class 2023 after 2 of 17 rounds

1. Eli Tomac, 52 points

2. Cooper Webb, 46

3. Chase Sexton, 39

OTHER KTM

9. Aaron Plessinger, 29

13. Justin Hill, 18

16. Marvin Musquin, 11

Results 250SX West Class – San Diego

1. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 19 laps

2. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, +3.613

3. Cameron McAdoo (USA), Kawasaki, +4.871s

OTHER KTM

9. Derek Kelley (USA), KTM

12. Joshua Varize (USA), KTM

DNS. Maximus Vohland (USA), KTM

Standings 250SX West Class 2023 after 2 of 9 rounds

1. Jett Lawrence, 52 points

2. RJ Hampshire, 46

3. Cameron Mcadoo, 42

OTHER KTM

8. Derek Kelley, 27

12. Maximus Vohland, 18

18. Joshua Varize, 11

JUSTIN BARCIA BATTLES TO HIS FIRST PODIUM OF ‘23!

The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team nearly scored podium finishes in both classes.

• Justin Barcia grabbed his first podium of the ’23 season.
• Pierce Brown got to showcase his true speed after a rough start at A1.

450SX

A third-place finish in his heat race showed that Justin Barcia was ready to battle for a podium spot by the end of the night. When the gate dropped in the main event, Barcia was in sixth place early on aboard his MC 450F Factory Edition before working his way into the top three at the three-quarter mark.

Justin Barcia: "In the heat race I was hitting the whoops really well, and staying with Eli, which was sick. Towards the end I had a few mistakes and Anderson got around me good, which was a bummer. But I ended up third and got a solid gate pick. In the main event, I got off to a good start. There was a lot of pressure, and some awesome battles. It was super-gnarly and the track broke down a lot, but I ended up third. I had a lot of fun, and I’m stoked to regroup before heading into Anaheim 2."

250SX West

Coming off a tough start to the season at A1, the unexpected weekend off was well-timed for Pierce Brown as he scored some extra time to rebound. As usual, he showed serious speed after qualifying in third spot, while also finishing second in his heat race aboard his MC 250F Factory Edition. In the main event, he came home with a solid night, finishing in fifth.`

Pierce Brown: “We have a lot to build from. I got third in qualifying, second in the heat, and then fifth in the main. I need to clean a bunch of stuff up to get closer to that front group and fight for some wins. But we made it out alive, so we're going to get back to work this week and hopefully bounce back and build off of it next weekend."

Next Event (Round 4): January 28, 2023 – Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California

Results – 2023 AMA Supercross Championship, Round 3

250SX West – Main Event

1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 19 laps; 2. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) +03.613; 3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki) +04.871… 5. Pierce Brown (GASGAS) +34.393; 18. Geran Stapleton (GASGAS); 20. Dylan Woodcock (GASGAS); 22. Mitchell Harrison (GASGAS)

450SX – Main Event

1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 25 laps; 2. Cooper Webb (KTM) +01.148; 3. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) +10.251 … 20. Justin Starling (GASGAS)

250SX West Rider Point Standings

1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 52pts; 2. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 46; 3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki) 42 … 11. Pierce Brown (GASGAS) 18; 23. Geran Stapleton (GASGAS) 5; 24. Jerry Robin (GASGAS) 5; 26. Dylan Woodcock (GASGAS) 3; 29. Mitchell Harrison (GASGAS) 1

450SX Rider Point Standings

1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 52pts; 2. Cooper Webb (KTM) 46; 3. Chase Sexton (Honda) 39 … 6. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 33; 18. Justin Starling (GASGAS) 7

Monster Energy?/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo Secures Second Consecutive Podium Finish in San Diego

Following the rescheduling of Round 2 due to inclement weather, the Monster Energy? AMA Supercross Championship resumed this weekend for Round 3 in San Diego, California. A new venue to the series proved advantageous for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, as Cameron McAdoo achieved his second consecutive podium finish in the 250SX Western Regional Championship with a strong third place performance in front of a sold-out crowd at Snapdragon Stadium. In the 450SX Class, Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates Jason Anderson and Adam Cianciarulo navigated the technical track layout among the best and for a period of time at the front of the field, finishing seventh and eighth place, respectively.

With eagerness to return to the track after a weekend off, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's McAdoo quickly established that his podium performance at Round 1 in Anaheim was no fluke by setting one of the fastest lap times in practice. Throughout the morning sessions, McAdoo consistently demonstrated his skill by stringing together impressive laps and finished qualifying in sixth with a lap time of 51.732.

In the 250SX Heat 1, McAdoo reached the first turn running near the back of the field but quickly advanced with calculated passes on the opening lap. A red flag caused by a downed rider, resulted in a restart, during which McAdoo made quick work of his competition to secure a fifth-place finish and a direct transfer to the 250SX Main Event.

At the gate drop of the 250SX Western Regional Main Event, McAdoo had a much better start, reaching the first turn inside the top-five. A strong start aboard his KX?250 proved beneficial as McAdoo secured third place early in the race and began his charge for second. After a multi-lap battle for second, McAdoo secured the runner-up position just before the halfway mark. However, a small mistake by the Iowa born rider opened the door for his competition and he dropped to third place. Determined to regain his position, McAdoo rode strong and ultimately finished the race in third place, securing his second consecutive podium finish of the season.

“Racing at Snapdragon Stadium was a refreshing experience, I enjoyed being at a new venue and learning the new layout. The night began with an eventful Heat Race, but I was pleased to transfer directly to the Main Event. I had a much better start in the Main Event, which allowed me to move into second place early. However, there are areas of my performance that I still need to improve, which cost me the runner-up finish. Nonetheless, there's still plenty of racing left in the season and we will keep our goal of winning the 250SX Western Regional Championship in mind, and work on improving during the week in practice before returning to Anaheim next weekend."

- Cameron McAdoo

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Anderson and Cianciarulo took on the technical track layout from the very beginning of day by being the first riders out onto the race track during 450SX qualifying sessions. This strategy allowed both riders to be the first to experiment with different line selection before setting out to record a fast lap. The No.21 KX?450SR rider proved to have the better line choice of them all as he set the fastest lap in the first qualifying session of the morning with a 50.639. Meanwhile, Cianciarulo clocked in a 51.723 for ninth quickest. When both qualification sessions concluded, Anderson had the sixth fastest lap (50.587), and Cianciarulo had logged the seventh fastest time (50.821).

In the first 450SX Heat Race of the night, Anderson launched from the gate into fourth place. He quickly took control of third by the end of the opening lap and remained comfortably in the position for most of the race. As the laps wound down, Anderson closed in on second place and made a thrilling last-lap pass to finish second.

In the second 450SX Heat Race, Cianciarulo had an excellent start off the gate, reaching the first turn in second place. The Florida-native stayed close behind two-time Pro Motocross champion Ken Roczen, studying his lines, and waiting for an opportunity to strike. However, Cianciarulo would fall victim to a hard-charging rider in third, who passed both him and the leader on the last lap, resulting in Cianciarulo finishing third in the Heat Race.

In the 450SX Main Event, Cianciarulo launched out to another top-two start with Anderson close behind in fourth. The No.9 brought the crowd to their feet as he completed the pass for the lead on the former two-time supercross champion Cooper Webb before the end of Lap 1. Cianciarulo held on strong to the lead during the opening laps meanwhile, Anderson maintained a strong fourth place position. As the race progressed, Anderson was able to make a pass into third. However, a small mistake by Anderson at the halfway mark resulted in a tip over and pushed him outside the top-10. Despite the setback, Anderson was able to quickly regain his pace and make a charge towards the front and ultimately finished in seventh place. Cianciarulo rode consistently up front with the championship contenders and ultimately secured an eighth-place finish, earning Kawasaki two top-10 finishes.

“I had a positive start to the day, setting the fastest lap time in the first qualifying session. However, the starts proved crucial tonight on the technical track layout, forcing me to work my way back through the pack in both my heat and Main Event races. Still, I felt comfortable with the KX450SR as the night progressed, but unfortunately a small mistake during the Main Event cost me a podium position. I am confident in the performance of my race bike and my training and will keep grinding this week to improve and be more competitive next weekend.”

- Jason Anderson

“Overall, I’m pleased with my performance tonight, particularly my strong starts and ability to contend with the lead group in the Main Event. There certainly is still room for improvement but, I believe tonight marked a step forward from my previous race. I will keep working hard week by week and with the support from the fans and the team at Monster Energy Kawasaki, aim for an even better race next weekend.” 

- Adam Cianciarulo

Jett Lawrence Lands Another 250SX West Win

Following an unexpected week off, AMA Supercross returned to action at a new venue—San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium—where Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence was once again flawless in the 250SX West class, dominating all 19 laps and taking the win aboard his CRF250R. After scoring the holeshot, the Australian managed his lead, riding within himself but turning up the pace whenever the gap started to shrink. In the end, his winning margin was 3.6 seconds, capping off a perfect day on which he had also been the top qualifier and a heat-race winner.

The 450 class was more about damage control for the squad, as Chase Sexton suffered a heat-race crash and was forced to advance to the main event via the last-chance qualifier. Colt Nichols took the main-event holeshot on his CRF450R, and Sexton—despite being saddled with a poor start position—was fifth out of turn 1. Lap 2 saw Sexton get knocked to the ground by another rider and complete the next lap in ninth place. He advanced to sixth by lap 9, then took another position on lap 15, and that’s where he stayed for the final 10 laps. Meanwhile, Nichols struggled following his stellar start and ended the day in 12th.

NOTES

• Rain has been an issue in Southern California for much of the new year, so in an effort to find good dirt for testing during the week leading up to race day, Team Honda HRC spent time at a pair of private tracks—Carson Mumford’s on Tuesday and Derek Kelley’s on Wednesday. Press day was canceled on Friday in order to give Dirt Wurx more time to prepare the track, which was good for Saturday.
• Race day itself featured dry weather, though evening temperatures were chilly—50o Fahrenheit and 77% humidity for both main events.
• Jett Lawrence was perfect in 250SX West daytime qualifying, topping both timed sessions and turning a best lap that was .262 seconds better than the next-best rider. Chase Sexton was second-best in 450 qualifying, with Colt Nichols eighth.
• Lawrence also topped his 250SX West heat race, finishing over five seconds ahead of second place. Other Red Riders to advance from the heats included SmarTops/MotoConcepts Racing’s Mitchell Oldenburg and Anthony Rodriguez, as well as Fire Power Honda’s Wilson Todd.
• Sexton’s 450 heat race didn’t go as planned, as he went down at the end of the whoop section, then had his bike run into and damaged. He dominated the last-chance qualifier, but was stuck with a poor gate pick. Nichols finished fourth in heat 1, and Fire Power Honda’s Dean Wilson was eighth in heat 2.
• Both main-event holeshots went to Red Riders—Lawrence and Nichols in 250SX West and 450SX, respectively.
• Lawrence’s San Diego success marked the ninth 250SX main-event win of his career, and the 16th podium.
• Following the race, Lawrence took part in the official press conference.
• Through two rounds, Lawrence has a maximum 52 points—six ahead of his closest competitor in the 250SX West title chase. Sexton is third in the 450SX points battle, 13 behind the leader. Nichols sits 10th in the premier division.
• Next, Team Honda HRC returns to Anaheim for the year’s third AMA Supercross round, on January 28. It will be the season’s second stop at Angel Stadium, and its first Triple Crown.

Chase Sexton 23

“San Diego was a little bit eventful for me. I qualified second but had a big crash in the heat race and had to DNF. I went to my first LCQ ever but was able to get through there. I made the main event and was riding good but got taken down by another rider and fell back to 10th. I made my way back to fifth, but it was definitely a mediocre night. At least we’re healthy and we can try to come out swinging for A2.”

Colt Nichols 45

“The night was difficult, to say the least. Once again, I got off the gate really well. I have a lot of confidence with this bike getting off the gate, which is reassuring, and something good I’ll take from tonight. After that, there weren't a whole lot of positives. I just didn’t really have much intensity. I felt like I was just riding around, not really racing the track. I just need to be a little smarter, get some time under our belt. Overall, we live to fight another day—on to Anaheim."

Jett Lawrence 18

“This track was much more predictable compared to Anaheim; it was more racing this week compared to the last race, where we were more trail riding, and I had a blast being back at normal speed. My biggest thing is putting myself in a good position to podium or win every round—just going the smarter route, trying to make it through the night.”

Lars Lindstrom

Team Manager

“It was nice to have a dry race even after all the rain. Jett rode awesome all day, being fastest in both qualifiers and winning both the heat and the main; he was in total control. The 450 heat race was pretty scary, with Chase having a good get-off and a DNF. Luckily, he was okay and was able to win the LCQ. In the main event, both riders got good starts. Colt wasn’t aggressive enough in the first couple of laps, which he’s working on. Another rider took Chase out, and we can’t be in a position to let that happen. It’s a decent result for the night for what it could’ve been, but we need to be better.”

Vance & Hines Shakes Up NHRA PSM Team

Vance & Hines today announced the members of the Vance & Hines/Mission/Suzuki NHRA ProStock Motorcycle (PSM) Team, which will feature four-time champion Eddie Krawiec and 29-year-old Gaige Herrera competing for the 2023 championship. The riders will be aboard Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycles. Six-time champion Andrew Hines returns as crew chief in 2023.

Gaige Herrera is a fourth-generation racer who has had success in XDA’s Pro Street and Outlaw racing classes, with race wins in both classes earned over the past several years. Herrera is no stranger to fast bikes, having numerous runs in the 6.30’s over 200 MPH. He is a long time Suzuki rider, holding the record for the fastest Nitrous Suzuki Hayabusa in the country. He’s also familiar with great equipment, since he’s been a customer of Vance & Hines for the past five years.

In 2022, Herrera competed in six NHRA events, his first taste of NHRA PSM racing. He qualified in four of the six races he entered. Herrera impressed the Vance & Hines team when he rode Eddie Krawiec’s Suzuki in a test following the Las Vegas round in October.

“This is such a tremendous opportunity,” said Herrera. “I never expected to get a call with an invitation to join the Vance & Hines team, and when I told my dad (long time drag racing fixture Augustine Herrera), he was as excited as me.”

“We love finding and supporting talented riders,” said Terry Vance, co-founder of Vance & Hines. “We have another guy on the team that we hired before he had ever qualified for an NHRA PSM race. That worked out really well.”

Eddie Krawiec’s success in PSM is unquestioned. A member of the Vance & Hines team since 2007, Krawiec has accumulated 49 NHRA PSM wins and four championships (2008, 2011, 2012, 2017). He was the first member of the team to enter the Denso 200 MPH Club with a current top speed of 203.49 MPH.

“This will be my second year on the Suzuki Hayabusa and I’m ready for a big year for me and for the team,” said Krawiec.

Andrew Hines, a six-time NHRA PSM champion, leads the team as Crew Chief again this year. Andrew is the son of Vance & Hines co-founder Byron Hines and has notched 56 race wins in the PSM class.

“I watched Gaige’s first run at the US Nationals and immediately knew this guy was something special, he’s a long-time Suzuki rider and it was easy to see how confident he was on the bike,” said Andrew Hines. “I can’t wait to help him develop into a championship level rider in PSM on one of our bikes.”

Suzuki continues its partnership with the Vance & Hines team and will have a significant presence at several of the stops on the 2023 schedule. The Suzuki display will host rider autograph signings at most races and Suzuki’s 2023 motorcycles will be on display for race attendees.

“We’re happy to continue our relationship with the Vance & Hines squad for 2023,” said Kerry Graeber, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Suzuki. “We look to continue our shared history of success in NHRA drag racing and welcome Gaige to the team to pilot the legendary Hayabusa ProStock motorcycle alongside Eddie and crew chief Andrew.”

The 2022 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season begins at the Gatornationals in Gainesville FL March 9-13, 2023. The PSM schedule includes 15 stops in 2023 with the finale at the In-N-Out Burger Finals in Pomona, California.

BUSINESS

Demo Days on the Show Floor Selected for Nearly 20 E-Bike Brands

Two-wheel test rides are returning to AIMExpo next month and they'll be right on the show floor, not far from the main stage inside the Las Vegas Convention Center. E-bike demos will be offered to attendees on all three days of the trade-only powersports show.

Wednesday, February 15, will be an exclusive day for Tucker Powersport brands, including Bluetran, Cannondale, Evolve, Fantic, Land, Rambo, Rovoron, Segway, and UBCO.

Thursday, February 16, and Friday, February 17, will be for all brands, including Bianchi, DōST, Greenger, HOVSCO, QuietKat, Rawrr, Yamaha, and Zooz.

The nation's e-bike business is estimated to grow from $49.7 billion in 2022 to $80.6 billion by 2027, according to MarketsandMarkets.

"To help support this growth and integration into the powersports industry, AIMExpo will feature many e-bikes on the show floor," said Andre Albert, AIMExpo director of sales and marketing. "Our e-bike pavilion, indoor demo course, and even live presentations on-stage at New Product Central will showcase the expansion of this market and opportunities for dealerships. More and more e-bikes are out there on city streets and off-road trails across America and it's understandable. They appeal to both motorcyclists and cyclists and they're inviting for all sorts of new consumers, too."

Honda to make organizational changes, accelerate electrification

From Powersports Business -

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it will make organizational and operational changes effective April 1. These changes will allow Honda to continue working toward the fulfillment of its vision to serve people worldwide with the "joy of expanding their life's potential" in the areas of mobility and people's daily lives.

With this year's changes, Honda will further solidify the direction of the organizational changes made last year with an eye toward the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050. Specifically, Honda will strive to further accelerate its electrification business and create new value by leveraging its broad and expanding range of mobility products and services.

Key points of the organizational changes include the creation of Electrification Business Development Operations, the reorganization of Regional Operations and the reorganization of Corporate Functions.

Read the entire post HERE - https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-stories/2023/01/25/honda-to-make-organizational-changes-accelerate-electrification/https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-stories/2023/01/25/honda-to-make-organizational-changes-accelerate-electrification/

Breaking Records and Breaking Stereotypes NHRA Champ, Keynote Speaker Angelle Sampey to share How To Win It All

She’s 5’1”, 115 pounds and manages a 500-pound, 400-horsepower motorcycle at 200 miles per hour. Angelle Sampey, the winningest female racer in NHRA history, will join Kerry Graeber of Suzuki Motor USA to talk about grit, tenacity, and how to use the unexpected to break down barriers and achieve success in life and business. She’ll be on the main stage Wednesday, February 15, as AIMExpo’s keynote speaker.

“My life, my career has always been about never giving up and never giving in,” said Sampey, the latest addition to AIMExpo’s educational lineup. “Being a woman drag-racing motorcycles has taught me that there are no barriers you can’t overcome and that you have the power to change people’s minds. I hope that by sharing my story, I can help the powersports community realize just how much influence they have, especially as we work to bring more people into our awesome community.”

“Angelle is a legend, with unparalleled success in the highly charged world of professional drag racing,” said Graeber, senior vice president, division manager of sales and marketing at Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. “While our industry works hard to reach beyond our traditional customers, I’m eager to hear insights Angelle may have to help us inspire more people to ride. Angelle doesn’t fit the traditional expectations many have about motorcyclists in general and her story will force us to rethink long-held, and outdated, perceptions about who our customers are.”

Sampey began her professional racing career in 1996, and after just four entries, she won her first race in Reading, Pennsylvania. Not only did she win, she was also the number one qualifier and reset the National E.T. record. By 2001, Sampey became the winningest female racer and continues to hold that title with 46 wins and three NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world championships. But after the 2008 season, at age 38, she retired from drag racing to pursue another goal — starting a family. Little did she know, her racing career was far from over.

“It was scary to leave racing behind. It’s what I knew, what I loved,” Sampey said. “What I never imagined was how, by doing something different, I was able to achieve all my dreams and find even more success.”

In 2014, Sampey received a call from a former team asking her to fill in after their rider had left. “I wasn’t sure about it at first,” Sampey said. “I was a mother now and didn’t know if I still had the competitive fire in me. Boy was I wrong! But I have to thank the team for their open hearts and open minds, and their belief that a 40-something-year-old mother could be a fierce racer.”

“They showed me again that we always have to look beyond the surface,” she said. “We know that the powersports community is embracing and generous, but to many outside, we probably seem a bit intimidating. I want to explore how we can make our industry more approachable, and how all of you out there, especially at the dealerships, are the true ambassadors, you are the faces of powersports and you have the power to grow our community.”

For a complete list of AIMExpo’s 2023 educational offerings, go to www.AIMExpoUSA.com.

Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties hires dual sales representative

Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties has announced the addition of Trey Crouch, the newest dual sales rep, to its team. He will cover the Central region, including Iowa and South Dakota.

Crouch’s industry experience includes parts and sales representation at the dealer level. He is also an avid Harley-Davidson rider, and dirt bike trail rides in the summer and mountain snowmobiles in the winter.       

In his spare time, Crouch enjoys hunting, fishing and trail riding horses. 

Landmaster Reveals New Upgrades to their Model Year 2023 UTVs

Landmaster, American-made UTV manufacturer, has released a mid-model year upgrade to the 2023 UTVs. The new changes involve new improved engines, redesigning of the throttle and brake pedals, and new graphics to the outside of their vehicles. You can see all the changes by watching the video below.

The L5 and L7 models are now built with more powerful, higher-torque engines from Vanguard, a leader in the commercial engine sector. Additionally, the L5 and L7 now come standard with power steering (EPS). Having EPS makes steering your vehicle a smoother, more enjoyable experience, similar to your automobile.

The L5 is getting a huge upgrade from a 479cc carb engine to the more powerful 570cc Vanguard engine. This increase in power gives you roughly 18% more torque and more acceleration off the starting line. “Side-by-side to previous L5 with the 479cc engine, you’ll notice a huge improvement and increase in power that the Vanguard 570cc engine gives you. That increase in punch of acceleration makes this a nice riding machine.” says Bryan King, Product Engineer for Landmaster.

The L7 gets a huge expansion shifting from the Kohler EFI engine to the Vanguard 627cc EFI engine. Drivers will get 8% more torque to help with larger loads and hill climbs. Additionally, the Vanguard engine produces more top end speeds of 35mph+. Depending on your overall payload you could see speeds in the high 30’s. “This is a great shift from Kohler to Vanguard. Vanguard has been a solid producer of quality engines for us across all our models. When we had dealers test drive models with the new Vanguard EFI engine, they immediately noticed the increase in power and acceleration.” Comments Bryan King.

Another big change in the new 2023 models are the improved gas and brake pedal design. The pedals are now designed to provide added comfort for all types of passenger heights and sizes. Additionally, the new design is more comfortable when the driver needs to push the throttle pedal down for long periods of time, for example, when driving on long country roads.

Last, but not least, the Landmaster UTVs have been given a fresh, new look, inside and out, with their modern style badging. The new reflective decals for the model’s name and branding elements are fixed to all sides of the vehicle, providing a modern sleek look and also aiding as a safety device at night. Additionally, the Landmasters are badged with an aluminum, American flag plate on the driver side, giving drivers a way to proudly show off their USA-made workhorse. The front emblem has been upgraded to a heavier-duty, automotive-grade molded emblem, giving the vehicle a nice professional first impression. And finally, driving the vehicle, you will notice new branding elements on the interior that give the Landmaster a nice finishing touch. “Quality is a huge focus for us at Landmaster, especially being an American made product. The branding of the vehicle serves as a catalyst to draw users in, and build their confidence in our quality. The new branding is bolder, purposeful, and all sourced domestically.” states David Piercy, Marketing and Creative Director for Landmaster.

Learn more about Landmaster: www.Landmaster.com

Zero Motorcycles Announces Exclusive “Go Electric” Incentive

Zero Motorcycles, the worldwide leader in electric motorcycles and powertrains, today announced a new incentive program to entice riders to make the change to electric. The “Go Electric” incentive program is a limited-time offer that allows buyers to receive an instant incentive of up to $4,250 on the purchase of a 2022 showroom model. As the leading brand in electric motorcycles, Zero Motorcycles is dedicated to delivering a truly transformative riding experience and is proud to make the experience more attainable than ever through this incentive.

The “Go Electric” program offers a rare opportunity for buyers to own a premium electric motorcycle at an unprecedented price point, as Zero Motorcycles are rarely available at a discount. The program is designed to encourage EV motorcycle adoption and make it more accessible for riders to join the rapidly growing EV revolution.

“Despite the current absence of federal tax incentives, Zero is making it easier than ever to switch to electric with an instant incentive on our latest showroom models,” said Bill Stone, Zero Motorcycles National Sales Director. “Zero is dedicated to encouraging more EV adoption, and our program offers another opportunity to join the movement at a great price. Zero Motorcycles is more than a mode of transportation, it’s a lifestyle choice for the forward-thinking individual who wants to make a difference in the world.”

Zero Motorcycles was founded in 2006, operates in over 40 countries and has 10 full-sized consumer models built on three different platforms for both street and dual-sport use. Zero is proud to be the choice of tens-of-thousands of riders and hundreds of fleets and agency fleet operators all over the world. For complete details on the Instant Incentive or any other promotions, visit the Zero Motorcycles Promotions Page.

Polaris & Troy Lee Designs Combine Legendary Styling and Unparalleled Performance with All-New, Limited Edition RZR Pro R and RZR 200 Models

Polaris Off Road, the leader in off-road vehicle innovation, today unleashed two show-stopping limited edition offerings in partnership with iconic motocross, mountain bike and action sports brand Troy Lee Designs (TLD) – the 2023 Polaris RZR Pro R Troy Lee Designs Edition and matching RZR 200 EFI Troy Lee Designs Edition. While the RZR 200 EFI Troy Lee Designs Edition marks Polaris’ first ever limited edition RZR 200, both limited edition models carry the vivid, race-inspired design aesthetic that has become the calling card for TLD for nearly 40 years.

The Polaris-TLD collaboration leverages the powerful influence of two industry leaders, combining the legendary artistry of Troy Lee with the performance-engineering prowess of Polaris. This is the second time the two brands have come together to deliver a dynamic limited edition offering, previously collaborating on a limited edition Polaris GENERAL in 2022.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Troy Lee Designs, offering two limited edition RZRs that powerfully demonstrate our shared passion for off-roading and our commitment to premium style, performance and safety,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President, Polaris Off Road Recreation. “This year, we selected the RZR Pro R and RZR 200 models for the simple fact that they are at the top of their class – the Pro R for its unmatched power and strength, and the RZR 200 for its unique blend of performance and safety features, ideal for unlocking the excitement of off-roading for the next generation of riders.”

Since his early days painting helmets for professional motocross riders in the 1980s, Troy Lee has influenced generations of two-wheel off-road enthusiasts across the motocross and mountain biking industries. His use of bold, vivid colors and design motifs have shaped motocross and mountain bike style and elevated self-expression for riders at every level. Now with these new limited edition RZR models, TLD and Polaris are elevating self-expression for side-by-side drivers who live for the adrenaline rush and excitement of off-roading, whether out in the dunes or on the trails.

“The RZR Pro R and RZR 200 are both an incredible design canvas. The Pro R has power for days, suspension that delivers a ridiculously smooth ride, and strength to manage anything thrown its way, while the RZR 200 gives the next generation of rider the confidence to tackle the trails,” said Troy Lee. “It’s truly an honor to design our very own RZR Pro R and RZR 200, the ultimate proof points for Polaris’ engineering prowess and commitment to driving the side-by-side industry forward.”

Starting with the top-tier Ultimate trim, the RZR Pro R Troy Lee Designs Edition combines this artistic vision with the power, strength and control of the most revolutionary side-by-side on the market.

Featuring an industry-leading 2.0L four-cylinder engine that delivers an astonishing 225 horsepower, a welded one-piece cage, solid box chassis and stronger driveline, plus the adaptive DYNAMIX DV, and all-new Max-Link suspension, the Pro R was built to take drivers further and faster than ever before.

For the young, aspiring riders, Polaris is offering the RZR 200 EFI Troy Lee Designs Edition. Designed for children 10 years or older, the youth side-by-side packs industry-leading safety features, kid-friendly performance, and adjustability to allow the young rider to grow with their machine. Simply put, the RZR 200 EFI Troy Lee Designs Edition combines race-inspired styling, with kid-friendly performance that empowers young drivers to get out and ride.

2023 RZR Pro R Troy Lee Designs Edition $44,999 MSRP

2023 RZR Pro R 4 Troy Lee Designs Edition $49,999 MSRP

With approximately 1,000 units of each model available worldwide, the limited-edition RZR Pro R Troy Lee Designs Edition includes:

• Custom Troy Lee Designs? Styling and Graphics – Exclusive Troy Lee Designs? graphics with electric blue and orange retro-styling, including custom-embroidered seats and limited edition interior identification badging displaying the unit number. Each unit also showcases painted color-matched factory accessories including front and rear bumpers, rock sliders, A-Arms, trailing arms and springs.
• RIDE COMMAND+ – Coming factory installed, RIDE COMMAND+ delivers all the great features of RIDE COMMAND, including the industry-exclusive 7-inch glove-touch display powered, plus a whole new level of connectivity. The system includes remote vehicle location services, vehicle health monitoring, and over the air updates with new feature releases. GPS navigation and waypoints let riders save specific destinations and follow a guided route so they can find their way even outside of cell range.
• Rockford Fosgate? Stage 4 H.O. Audio – Upgraded from the stock Stage 2 audio package, the Rockford Fosgate? Stage 4 H.O. audio system turns it up a notch providing the most demanding rider with an off-road audio experience like no other. Delivering powerful and crystal clear sound through 100W speakers and a 10″ 400W subwoofer – the new stainless steel tweeters and rear speaker grills, along with the blue hue backlighting, makes the system look as good as it sounds.
• Pro Armor 5302 Beadlock Wheels and Maxxis Rampage Fury Tire – The Pro Armor wheels offer ultra-strong performance and undeniable style with a beadlock ring that seamlessly complements the look and style of this limited edition vehicle, while the 32×10-15 tires provide maximum amount of tread to grip rocks, sand and all other terrains with ease, offering optimal performance.
• RIGID SR-Series 32″ Combo LED Light Bar – To keep riders out longer and more confidently into the night, the added 32″ RIGID light bar features a powerful 20k lumen output and is integrated forward-facing on the roof.
• Storage Upgrades – Long days on the trail require additional supplies. With added Door Storage Bags, riders can keep their belongings secure and easy to access with these seamlessly fitting bags.
• Added Strength and Protection – Equipped with Front and Rear Pre Runner Bumpers and Low-Profile Rock Sliders, these Factory Accessories add additional toughness and protection to the Pro R.

2023 RZR 200 EFI Troy Lee Designs Edition $7,499 MSRP

With only approximately 1,000 units available worldwide, the limited edition RZR 200 EFI Troy Lee Designs Edition includes:

• Custom Troy Lee Designs? Styling and Graphics – Give the next generation of off-roader the most stylish ride with matching interior and exterior Troy Lee Designs? graphics and painted componentry, including ROPS and springs.
• Industry-Leading Safety Technology – Parents can still expect the same top-of-the-line safety features like RIDE CONTROL powered by RIDE COMMAND, which includes helmet-aware technology, pin code start, digital speed limiting and geofencing.
• Kid-Friendly Performance – With plenty of ground clearance and suspension travel, the RZR 200 has all the performance necessary to empower young off-roaders to ride confidently and tackle new terrain.
• Grow With Polaris – With 180cc EFI engine, adjustable seat and steering wheel and available accessories, this is the perfect vehicle for young riders to grow with their side-by-side.

To learn more about the new RZR Pro R Troy Lee Designs Edition and the RZR 200 Troy Lee Designs Edition visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/rzr/ or join the conversation and follow Polaris ORV on Facebook?, Instagram?, YouTube? and Twitter?.