The #2 is back on blue and it just looks, right? Michael LindsaySimilar to Tomac, Webb is running X-Trig triple clamps and KYB's LSF hybrid fork. Michael LindsayAlex Campbell, who has wrenched for Dylan Ferrandis since arriving at Star Racing, has moved over to Cooper Webb for the future. Michael LindsayThe classic moto gloves for autograph signing. Michael LindsaySome speculated that Webb might be a on a hydraulic clutch after years aboard them at KTM. Nope, he's a cable clutch guy. Michael LindsayCooper Webb had two Monster Energy helmets ready for the weekend. One with a nod to his hometown. Webb has raced for Monster Energy before, 2017-2018, and has raced with Red Bull and Rockstar as well. He's won titles as a Red Bull and Rockstar athlete, but not with Monster...yet? Michael LindsayA sight we will only see for two more races, as Dylan Ferrandis will depart Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing after the LA round of SuperMotocross. Funny enough, Yamaha's 450 program will have #3 of Tomac, #2 of Webb, and the #32 of Cooper in 2024 (funny number alignment). Michael LindsaySince Unadilla, Ferrandis has been racing on a set of spring forks a production KYB shock tuned by Factory Connection. It's been quite the saga for FC this year, having worked with Ken Roczen shortly, assisting Max Anstie to a 250 Supercross win, and now Dylan Ferrandis as he has had his best performances of the year. Michael LindsayWe noticed a lot of riders jumped back on their Supercross setups, regardless of what they tried in outdoors. In this case, we're referencing Haiden Deegan who made the move back to KYB PSF1 air forks for Charlotte (which he ran in SX), while he had started running KYB spring forks at round two of Pro Motocross. Michael LindsayWhat's the extra transponder for? The leader light system we saw tested in Supercross with Feld and Phil Nicoletti. The system was made mandatory for SMX and according to quite a few upset mechanics, they weren't informed until Friday morning. Michael Lindsay
The leader lights were on some bikes and not on others for Friday, as many were not about running them with no testing for electrical interference on their own bikes. Ultimately, everyone was required to run them on Saturday. Michael LindsayJade Dungey came up with a unique solution of where to locate his leader lights, so they didn't interfere with fork swaps. While we applaud the series for trying new things, at times everyone should be in on the discussion and find the best solutions. A common complaint amongst the mid and smaller-sized teams in our sport. Michael LindsayHmmm, after racing all of Pro Motocross on the production 48mm air fork, Aaron Plessinger was back on spring forks. Unlike the 52mm works spring forks he ran in SX though, he was now on a set of 48mm kit spring forks like any joe blow can purchase. With production upper tubes though, not the Pro Component kit tubes. Michael LindsayTruck drivers are ALWAYS working! Here, Cory Flewellen transfers fuel from his larger tractor tanks to his generator tank on his trailelr. Michael LindsayEverything is polished on this rig, even the things that don't see the light of day very often... Michael LindsayFrankie has traded carrying T-handles in for carrying around paperwork. Team Coordinator life at its finest. Time sheets? Technical documents? Flight info? Maybe a lunch menu? The world may never know... Michael LindsayA good ole mud scrape for Philthy's bike between practices. Michael LindsaySpeaking of the angriest man in motocross, check out his latest FTA gearset. Michael LindsayNicoletti ran PSF1 air forks in Pro Motocross, but was back on his spring fork setup from Supercross for Charlotte. He's one of a few riders that told us he'd probably bring a set of Supercross and motocross suspension to Chicago for Friday practice. Michael Lindsay
Marchbanks sticks with the traditional cable clutch on the '23 YZ450F
while Nicoletti opts for the GYTR hydraulic unit.
Marchbanks had this trick carbon fiber airbox lid from P3 for the new YZ450F. Michael LindsaySpeaking of riders switching suspension, after racing High Point aboard a KYB PSF1 air fork, Roczen was back on A-kit Showa suspension for Charlotte (similar to what he raced in Supercross). We've seen him doing a lot of KYB testing as of late and still think he'll make the full-time switch for 2024. If we're the betting kind. Michael Lindsay
Chisholm and Noren were on KYB front and rear.
We believe one was air and the other spring, or both air.
Ken Roczen also had something new in the wheel department. Michael Lindsay
While the rest of the team uses stock hubs, Kenny has swapped to Haan hubs for durability reasons.
Dubya USA put them together with D.I.D. rims for Roczen.
While we've seen Cianciarulo race in Fox's new V3RS helmet, this was Kenny's first public outing in the helmet that release in a couple weeks. Michael LindsayDeano picked up a new sponsor for SMX and potentially for 2024 as well, as Off-Road Warehouse picked up the most premium sponsorship location outside of helmets, the butt patch. The brand has supported teams like FXR/Chaparral Honda in the past and currently works with Nicoletti and ClubMX as well. Michael LindsayPEP handles the Vortex ECU tuning for the Firepower Honda team of Dean Wilson and Max Anstie. Michael LindsayPro Circuit has slightly changed the mounting and location of the electric water pump, choosing to now let it just float between two radiator hoses, instead of hard mounting it. They mentioned that hard mounting it had created durability issues with some pumps but allowing it to float has reduced or eliminated those problems. Michael LindsayJason Anderson was another rider who went back to certain SX components, such as a traditional shock (instead of the BFRC he ran in Pro Motocross), along with standard engine mounts instead of the cutout ones we saw during the later stages of motocross. Michael LindsayAnderson usually never runs ribs on his seat cover, so seeing one with ribs all the way down the side was a surprise. We're guessing the team was expecting potential rain and mud in the first moto. Michael LindsayWhen truck driving just becomes too hard, you trade the big rig in for a RV. Welcome back Jerry, who's now driving Barcia's RV for SMX. Michael LindsayIt looks like Ty Masterpool will be staying with HBI Racing in 2024. Michael LindsayAlong with Caden Braswell. Michael LindsayJerry Robin was one of a few van faring privateers that opted into SMX. Michael LindsayColt Nichols partnered up with Bubba Pauli's Madd Parts Kawasaki team for the three SMX races, with some support from Rick Ware Racing and Pro Circuit. Michael LindsayThey just can't stay away...Derek Rankin returns to the pits as the crew chief in SMX and 2024 for Madd Parts Kawasaki. Welcome back Derek. Michael Lindsay
The Tedder's had two different colored machines under their tents, as the Hills each chose to ride the bikes they'd been racing recently instead of the team's usual KTMs. Maybe this will continue into 2024?
Haiden Deegan getting a serious adjustment after a big get-off early into Saturday... Guys like Dr. Steve Navarro (pictured) and Dr. G (Rey Gubernick not pictured) have been hitting the races for years and years to take care of the sport's biggest stars. Michael LindsayThat's a heck of a lineup. Michael LindsayWe're about done cleaning the red clay off our shoes and we're onto Chicago! Michael Lindsay
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