Vital MX Pit Bits: Loretta's 2 6

Ready for some epic mud wrestling? Let's do this version of Pit Bits.

GuyB

8/25/2020 8:15am

As we dive into this week's Pit Bits, let's take a minute to check out some of the ways that the JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing squad is using RP (Rapid Prototype) 3D printed parts around their bikes. There are these master cylinder protectors...

...and these covers for the bottom of the radiators to try and keep heat from the exhaust away from them.

Then there are the kill switch protectors...

...and ignition box covers. These are all done in a carbon-based material. They've got another additional piece or two sprinkled around the bike, but we'll have to watch for it in an exposed moment.

The JGR guys also have a very simple oil cooler setup mounted behind the radiator.

Let's do some Before and After. Before the rain came after practice, the track started out in even better shape than last week's race.

A huge amount of handwork is done with steel wool and Scotch-Brite pads.

Carlos was working outside cleaning parts, while Frankie was sorting parts and building in the rig Red Bull KTM rig.

Before? Check the extra ribs on the seat cover that the Team Honda HRC guys use for mud races.

After? More Scotch-Brite, and a thorough wipe-down.

Before? Spotless and ready to go.

After? A big pile of parts and pieces, and an engine ready to ship back for a weekly freshening.

Before. (Note the chrome Red Bull logos that made one appearance during the SX season, and are now a regular part of the package.)

After. Stripped to the bare frames.

Before. Zach Osborne's bike with the points leader plates.

During. A hugely scary moment for the points leader when his bike died before the start of his practice. With the program reduced to a single practice and no consolation races due to the weather, the race was on to try and get it done in time so he could go out in the B practice and get in at least one timed lap.

After. Despite qualifying tenth, Zach actually ended up with a pretty good gate pick for moto one. He had to charge from the back of the pack after a goggle problem halted his progress after the start, but he hustled back for a fifth in moto one.

Before. When it was time to hand out the awards in the 250 class, Dylan Ferrandis was told that he'd won. His response: "I did?" Actually, he still has the points lead, but he was second overall for the day.

Once the scoring was sorted out, Dylan and Jeremy swapped trophies and redid the podium shots. Jeremy (understandably) looks a lot happier here than in the previous shot.

Yeah, it was that kind of day for GuyB.

How sticky and heavy was the mud out there? Check out the radiator louvers on Adam Cianciarulo's bike.

How about the accumulation of mud around Fredrik Noren's goggles?

While a lot of the track was heavy sticky mud during the 450 motos, the start straight remained coated with a large amount of standing water. It was a sprint not so much to the first corner, but to the water to try and not get ruined.

The cover for the rear of the Monster Energy/Yamaha Factory Racing pit cart came in handy.

Dave Dye filling up Max Anstie's bike with foam chunks before hitting the track. Max had a great second moto, leading a good portion of it before slipping to third.

Even the KTM rig was Ready For Rain.

Of course, the weather was a huge factor on Sunday. Roy Jansen spent much of the day (and we'd guess the night before) watching his iPad to keep an eye on what it was doing.

Yep, the mud rotors came out for the Team Honda HRC guys.

Dean Wilson's helmet equipped with the Alpinestars super-visor that they use for mud races.

We're not sure if they rolled to the gate this way, but the H.E.P. Motorsports guys had these Acerbis tire covers on their bikes.

Everyone was liberally spraying their bikes with lube to try and keep the mud from sticking. We suspect you could have coated them with ten pounds of lard, and it wouldn't have helped.

While they were covered with Pro Taper grip covers in the pits, Derik Dwyer and Jeremy Martin had a rather unique setup for his grips.

The JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing guys were ready for their guys if they needed a new set of goggles. We have to say, that's a rather unique goggle holder.

Want to make a bunch of mechanics and officials unhappy? Speed into and out of the pit lane for a goggle change, and douse them with muddy water.

Max Anstie and Adam Cianciarulo made contact in moto one, with Max going down afterward.

Getting the bike off the top of the jump where he landed, and back upright was a rather titanic struggle.

Just how sticky was the mud during moto two? Chase Sexton needed help to extricate his Honda from this corner.

Bikes were being towed out throughout the day, including Mathias Jorgensen during practice. He missed the cut on time, and had to sit out this week's motos.

Ben LaMay getting a mid-moto steam treatment.

Did Sunday's 9-24 day stick a fork in Eli Tomac's chances of taking a fourth straight title? Well, it certainly didn't help. Check out the accumulation of mud on his bike and helmet.

The GEICO Honda guys did everything they could to try and keep their bikes cool during the motos, including using a fire extinguisher to spray the radiators when their guys would come in for new goggles.

Unfortunately, Jett Lawrence suffered DNFs in both motos. He was pushing his bike back when he got offered a Gatorade from a fan.

They also gave him a bottle of water to try and help cool the bike. After taking some time to cool, it did re-fire, and he and his mechanic rode back to the pits. We talked to a mechanic (who will remain nameless) that was building his bike on Monday, and he said that nearly everything that touched the engine on his bike was melting. Radiator hoses, gaskets, and wiring around it.

Between the Amateur National and the two pro Nationals, Paul Delaurier's Rockstar Energy Racing Husqvarna rig had been parked at Loretta's for nearly a month. You can see where they'd picked up the flooring, and also where the grass had grown up under the trailer.

Check out this set of wheel spacers that the Team Honda HRC guys use when they're cleaning wheels.

Jay Burgess driving home a new steering head bearing race on Brandon Hartranft's bike during Monday's build. It was a hot and sweaty one for those teams who were building outside.

Cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. Jordan Troxell putting in extra hours getting Christian Craig's bike dialed.

If you go by the first lap timing and scoring (which is what we use for our Movers and Shakers feature each week), Mitchell Harrison had an impressive charge from 22nd to tenth in moto two. Even more impressive was that on lap two he was actually 38th. (Hat Tip to one of our Vital readers for pointing that out.)

Nick Gaines' 3D Yamaha.

John Kuzo shows off a selection of personalized stickers for some of 100%'s riders. Originally these were going to be used to ID each rider's goggle case, but each guy also got a batch for their personal use.

Justin Bogle getting in his morning warm-up.

Derek Drake finished 12th overall, and likely would have had a much better day without his crash at the start of moto one.

Gared Steinke is back, but on a four-stroke this season. "I want to give myself a chance." He's got some backing from Lonesome Camel CBD, but showed some love for a couple brands of beer. There was this Pabst version...

...and Lite in moto two. He made a big charge from 32nd to tenth in moto one. Not bad for his first National of the season.

One advantage of "virtual" tech inspection is that you see some leeway in jersey names.

Gared is also using one of those impossibly light-looking Dirt Tricks rear sprockets. He said they're also really strong.

The cleanest 250 points leader, Dylan Ferrandis', bike would be all weekend.

J'wanna know how we know we were in the South?

How sloppy was the start straight during the first practice? Just ask Lance Kobusch. When the flag waved to start the 250A practice, a pair of GEICO Honda and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders sat for at least half a lap to give themselves a gap in front for when they hit the track.

Josh Varize scored his first points of the season in moto two, with a 16th-place finish.

The Rekluse gang didn't waste any time getting Broc Tickle's bike personalized. His fourth-place overall finish (and Justin Barcia's moto win), were huge steps forward for the Monster Energy/Yamaha Factory Racing team.

Mathilde Musquin working on her line selection skills. Even navigating the infield was a challenge. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we get some dry races ahead.