Vital MX Pit Bits: 2023 San Diego Supercross 2

Welcome back to another solid week here in Pit Bits! We've got another two-parter for you. Dive into the pre-race action from the 2023 San Diego Supercross and tune in on Monday for even more tech, helmets, gear and more.

Cooper Webb's Red Bull KTM was the subject of this week's in-depth 

GPS sensor stashed behind Cooper Webb's front number plate.

Webb's mechanic, Carlos, mentioned that Cooper HAS to run his throttle housing rotated all the way forward, nearly into the brake cap.

Akrapovic maximizes the volume of their Austrian model exhaust cans, to the point they have to add a small indent to clear the rear brake caliper when the rear shock is compressed.

As usual, the KTM crew keeps a close eye on the suspension travel data from their 450 riders. Running reels on the forks and a rod to measure shock travel.

You'll find three switches aboard most of the Austrian 450s. A kill switch, a start switch, and a button to activate the start map.

When you mess around, you find out. Frankie won this round against Jade.

At A1, we showed you the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's new pit carts, which were based on these KTM units. However, the KTM ones are a bit older and still use toolboxes placed on top...instead of built-in drawers, with tools, like the Husky versions.

What's hidden inside the KTM pit carts? Wheels, lots of wheels.

Quite a few teams have switched to Starlink for their internet needs at the races.

Teammates last year, still friends this year.

Griffman is on the loose!

Tssk, tssk, tssk... Tape your rims people, so the Dunlop guys don't have to.

Sometimes you just need a helping hand. Or a stool.

KTM bought Felt bicycles a little over a year ago. The brand, originally started by ex-factory mechanic Jim Felt, will continue on but we're not too sure what KTM's plans are for them.

Factory Connection had technicians on hand as Ken Roczen chose to make the switch between A1 and San Diego. He's still on Showa A-kit components, but tuned by FC instead of the team's in-house suspension technician.

With the HEP squad owning all their Showa A-kit outright, they have total say over who tunes them. Oddly enough, we also heard that Kenny was interested in testing KYB components...and that Chisholm is also looking to use a private tuner.

Dixxon flannels is a part of both the Twisted Tea and Progressive Insurance Suzuki teams for 2023. Look for official team merchandise from the brand soon.

Best... Pits... Ever...

No indication yet of when we'll see Marvin Musquin back in action, but this didn't seem too promising.

Want a good giveaway that Eli Tomac is in fact on a 2023 frame? The 2022 cradle is a lot different than this and Eli's perfectly matches his teammate's machine in the photo below.

Ferrandis' machine for example.

Even though the new generation YZ450F has lower and further back foot pegs than its' predecessor, Tomac still went a bit lower on his foot peg mounts. Note his titanium peg mounts vs Ferrandis stock steel ones.

 Cute.

Whatever gets the job done and gets the helmets dry.

The HEP teams utilize gold DID rims but on stock hubs. No works Suzuki hubs or goodies here.

Jeremy "Twitch: Stenberg's DBK brand has a bit of an official setup off the back of the BarX pits.

Even though San Diego wasn't officially Military Appreciation night this year (there's one later in the season), some teams still went hard for this round.

A hot sauce company title sponsoring a team wasn't something we expected to see.

A little military theme on the Solitaire team's Leatt helmets.

Works Connection is known as the go-to holeshot company, but they're almost as well known for their high quality clutch perch.

The Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha 250 team also received an updated design, to go along with the new global Monster/Yamaha look.

Nope, no StegPegz for Kitchen in Supercross, and also no frame grip tape. However, he's got a very aggressive batch of gripper material on his fuel tank and a little on his side plate.

While Stilez Robertson's machine has frame grip tape (from Anchor Tape) and a bit all over his side plates and tank.

Does this look familiar? AFAM is making a comeback in the US. This year they're with the AEO KTM team as their sprocket sponsor and we expect to see them grow to a few more outfits in 2024.

After years with Addidas, the TLD crew made the switch to Puma right before Pro Motocross last year.

Umm...how many pairs of gloves does one need?

Phil, does a seat bump even do anything this far back?

Here's the yearly reminder that yes, Star Racing 250s are still on KYB PSF1 air forks. Growing strong since 2013!

Ryan Cox was the HRC Honda 250 engine guy and is still very close with the Lawrences.

The MCR team has a new sponsor...the Hitch Hotel! 

An expandable camp trailer with a motorcycle hitch.

When your generator breaks down and you're desperate...

Check out San Diego Pit Bits part 2 on Monday...