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With cool, overcast weather that kept moisture in the soil and a USGP preview layout, the Glen Helen circuit at The MTA World Two-Stroke Motocross Championship race was a treat for all in attendance. Austin Howell, who took the lion’s share of the pro purse in commanding fashion probably, had the best day of all. At the race, we talked to Austin about his two-stroke ride and his career plans.
MXA: Tell us about coming out to race the Two-Stroke World Championships.
Austin: It’s so fun coming out here to race it. I did it last year and I want to do it every year. Last year I had some bad luck but this year I turned it around. My first moto went great, I kind of spun off the start and came around in third. I tried to work through as fast as I could and got to the front by the first lap. I pushed all the way until the halfway point and put it on cruise control. The second moto was about the same.
Tell us about your two-stroke ride this year?
It’s good. It’s my Uncle Willy's from bike. L.A. Sleeve hooked it up with the motor. It’s working great.
We're sorry we couldn't capture the sounds and smells with our two-stroke photos.
How much practice have you had on the bike?
I practiced two days, on Thursday and Saturday. The main thing was dialing the motor on the first day, making sure everything was all tight and ready to go, then we worked on suspension. Enzo has done a great job with all my stuff, ever since I started working with them, so I’m really happy.
Tell us about your Pro Season this year and Supercross.
My pro season hasn’t gone very good at all. At A1 I just couldn’t get a start. I went to the LCQ and came up short on a triple and hurt my wrist. At Anaheim 2 I had another crash and got hurt, so I just said "enough." I canned the Supercross series, and just started focusing on the outdoors and coming in strong. We’ll see what I can do.
What have you been doing to prepare for outdoors?
As soon as I could get on the bike I started riding, and I have been doing a lot of training. I’ve been losing weight. I’ve lost about 20 pounds so far. Training is the main thing I’ve been doing. I’m not stopping, so at Hangtown I’m going to be 100 percent strong and ready to win.
Two-strokes are so fun, they make Austin want to kick-up his heels.
Do you have a ride for the AMA Nationals?
Right now I have nothing. I’m going to start getting my Suzuki RM-Z250s ready and just go out there as a privateer and see if I can dice with those guys.
Is racing a two-stroke good practice?
It’s really good practice. There are things you pick up and learn from it, like corner speed. You have to be able to control your speed on the slick and hard pack. I’ve always run two-strokes and I think they are great for training on.
If you could run a 250 two-stroke in the 250F class, would you?
Yeah, definitely, we have actually been talking about it because there has been talk of the AMA passing a rule that you can ride a 250 two-stroke in the 250F class. I would definitely do it, it would be fun. I’d like to thank Uncle Willy with Lightspeed for putting this bike together. A big thank to L.A. Sleeve, the motor is running awesome, Enzo suspension, Pro Circuit pipes, my mom and dad for getting me to the races and that’s about it.
(Uncle) Willy Amaradio of Lightspeed carbon fiber products talks about the bike:
Willy: I chose L.A. Sleeve's big-bore YZ265 kit because it’s not too much bigger than stock, so you get the same power characteristics of a 250. I wanted to get a little bit more bottom and middle without losing any of the top end that the 250 has. That way you can short shift it and on the big hills, the bike will pull it. You don’t want to go too big, but with a 250 you want a little more power, especially going up against 450s. Then, at this 250 race you have an advantage because it’s all two-strokes. The combination is just perfect. We did reed testing, ignition testing, flywheel testing and Pro Circuit pipe testing. Actually with the 265 we ended up running the stock reed. The V-Force added bottom, but took away on top, so we used the stock reed without the spacer plate. A lot of time went into it. Plus, we installed Lightspeed Louvers to let air into the airbox and a lot of other little things. The bike sounds good too.
It would be very simple, and very cool to have a 125 class as a sideshow...one moto, free entry, open to Pro, A and B class riders. Announce it today and give the guys a few weeks to scrape an old 125 together. You'd have the gate full in a hurry.
It's too cool to ever happen.
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This is all within the last few days, so if it's BS we'll find out soon. That's really all I know at this point.
Also, would ya believe that someone like Davey may have a few "internal" battles to fight to make this happen?
MX Sports is made up of quite a few smart and well experienced people (In race creation, promotion and management) ...some of whom aren't convinced that they need to add a class at a set of events that already have a very meticulous and busy schedule...in...ONE day of operations...this would require some "Sponsorship", Promotion, Mgmt and Resources...that...
Don't appear to be there.
Yet.
Still, I'd like to see it.
Ya it was the second largest class at LTM , missed number one by 1 person if i remember right, my son got second on his (gasp!) Husky CR125. The 125 class in IL is almost always in the top 3 of the biggest classes at every race. Usually a mix of all brands with years from mid 90's to brand new bikes. Always a great show with several riders really making the small bikes talk. At the LL Qualifier this past weekend at LTM i believe there was 38 bikes at the gate for schoolboy class , all 125s....
If the starting gate is packed with 125s at every LL Qualifier i think its absurd to believe theres no interest for a 125 national class.....
Btw, Emler (Big D) already said he's "In".
Pit Row
Yamaha
KTM
Husky
TM
Do all of these meet the Homologation Req's?
We could proll'y get Gary Jones' kid...he's fast as hell.
Although, I am not sure what the rules would entail, since it would actually be a non pro event. I'd guess run what you brung 125cc would apply, but I don't know since it is really just a hypothical race anyways.
it was one of those 70 degree days with 20+ dry winds. but most of the track looked pretty good.....
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