FXR Racing Presents the Mid-Week Report With Andy White

Another week closer to winter and most of us in the east are still able to get out and ride with just our gear layer on. This is my favourite time of the year. The dirt is still moist and the temperature is not too hot. I really hope this weather sticks around for another couple of weeks. This past Saturday I had a chance to check out the Red Bull Rhythm from Pomona, California. This is the third time they have held this event and I feel it’s getting better each year. I like that the track was a little easier and there were no killer whoop sections like in previous years. I also thought it was cool that they introduced the two-stroke class this time around. You have to love hearing those 250cc two-strokes rev to the moon. The riders they invited made it pretty interesting as well, but it’s a shame Chad Reed injured himself in practice. I feel he would have been a favourite. I was a little surprised that RV got smoked by Stank Dog, but when you think about it, RV has not really raced much supercross lately and he has never raced a two-stroke on a supercross track before. I was happy to see Mike Brown make the top 8 from qualifying earlier in the day to the night program. We made some special FXR stars and stripes gear for him and the comments he received were very positive. It’s also really cool to see Mike race the Straight Rhythm after racing the Loretta Lynn Vet classes and cleaning up there. He also raced at RJ’s for the CMRC Rockstar Energy Drink MX National and finished top 10. Not bad for a guy that just turned 46-years-old. I believe he is off to Sweden today for a 3 hour world championship off-road event and then he flies back to California to compete at the Dubya Vet National at Glen Helen next week.

The Loretta Lynn’s National, the final round of our CMRC Nationals, and last week’s Red Bull Straight Rhythm, even at 46 years old Mike Brown just keeps rolling along. Photo by Frank Hoppen

This past week we were introduced to the new Supercross format for 2018. I personally like the changes, it adds new excitement to the long running program. I like the extra east/ west round at Indy. We get to see the best 250F riders compete against each other for a second time. The new triple crown format at three rounds will be the same format as they do at the Monster Cup. That will be fun to see who has the sprint speed and endurance. Then there are the four amateur supercross rounds. This is very exciting for the upcoming kids. How cool will it be to race A2 on the same track that your hero raced the night before? Unfortunately, there will not be many of these kids make it to the big show. I remember when they had this program back in the day and it was very popular.

Future West had their first round last weekend in BC with lots of great action again. The MX101 teammates, Maffenbeier and Pettis, put on a good show by swapping out wins. Carson Brown on a Kawasaki from Washington was the surprise of the night with two wins in the Lites class. I see the pro turn out was pretty good for the first round, Jeremy Medaglia was there, Davey Fraser flew in from Halifax to compete and there were also a few Americans that made the trip up from the north west. Round two of the series is in a month’s time at the Chilliwack Heritage Park on Nov 24/25 weekend.

Last year’s defending Canadian AX champion Jess Pettis came out swinging in Armstrong a week ago at Round 1. Photo by Courtney Bowman

It seems every other day we read of a new signing in the US. It’s pretty exciting to see where everyone will end up or come up short with no ride. Jimmy Decotis signed with Factory Suzuki for JGR, and will team up with the west coast Lites Supercross Champ, Josh Hill. I didn’t see that one coming but good for JGR. I am surprised Chad Reed has not sent out an official PR on his new team. Is he really going to ride a Husky? He has ridden everything but a KTM or Husky right now. Will Ken Roczen really be on the line for A1? That’s going to be interesting. He does look good on the videos but he is a long way from the level he needs to be at to win a supercross race. Marvin is the guy to beat right now after his big win at the Monster Cup and the Red Bull Rhythm event. Time will tell very soon, we are just a mere 9 weeks away from A1.