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5/13/2014
Location
Edmond, OK
US
After looking at the Supermini 1 & 2 results it looks like Ty Masterpool is the fastest there. If he is able to grab a championship would this be the first for TM at Loretta's? I checked the vault and it looks like it would be. Just checking on here to see if anyone else nows something.
a young guy by the name of Jett Burgess-Stevens from Tasmania Australia is riding one over there this week in 2 classes and pulled a decent holeshot in one of his races and also suffered some bad luck in another moto but that is racing.
The Shop
Seeing as they don't sell much units their budget would be pretty much non existent and they also don't import the minimum requirement of 400 units in order for them to be homologated. It sucks that it's the way the rules are written because I personally would love to see TM out there.
They can't even support a guy like Steinke on a 125 because the bike is not on the list of approved models.
They'd need a "sugar daddy" of a sponsor, like KTM have had with Red Bull, to do more racing than they do now.
They've survived very well, over quite a few years, as a tiny manufacturer, - trying to go 'big(er)', could bring them more problems than benefits.
I for one love that a small family owned Manufacturer can exist and, relatively, thrive in this World, still.
Those TM 85's and 100's are really cool if you get a chance to look one over. Aluminum frames, a massive clutch for a little bike (if I remember hearing correctly it is the same as the 125), and a lot of little things you just don't see on a mini bike. Maybe Derek Harris can chime in and shed some light to how much, or little, was put into that engine. Ty had been running the stock 100 up until a few weeks ago.
It's probably worth a cost analysis if you are building supermini's for junior. A 100cc that's really reliable for 6500, or a kx or ktm.
Seriously think about it.
I believe MXA had something to do with sneaking one into a National in the mid 90s at Glen Helen. Tech just thought it was a KTM.
I don't expect them to ever have the money for a major team in the US but it would be awesome to see a solid Amateur effort. Mx needs 2 strokes and there's a need for more than just orange or white Austrian bikes.
What surprises me the most isn't that the TM is so competitive....but that there's a kid capable of winning who hasn't been wrapped up by Team Green or The Orange brigade yet... unfortunately I would not expect any kid that podiums this year to be on a TM next year. But hopefully their presence can continue to grow and we'll see more blue Italian bikes at the races.
Pit Row
Mod classes are not subject to the same standards.
Special Note: The American Motorcyclist Association doesn't inspect vehicles in AMA-sanctioned competition. Participants are solely responsible for the condition of their vehicles and their competence to operate them.
A. Approval of Motorcycles/Minicycles
1. Next year model machines are not eligible in any class at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships.
2. 0-112cc 2-stroke/150cc 4-stroke Limited Class
a. To be approved for AMA-sanctioned competition, minicycles (engines and frames) must be available through retail distributors.
b. For a minicycle to be homologated, the manufacturer must apply to the AMA, register the machine's specifications, provide photographs, OEM parts list, provide 10 identical machines of the same year and model for AMA Inspection and an additional 65 identical machines of the same year and model are manufactured and available for sale to the general public through a distributor network by April 15th of the current model year.
c. Manufacturers and distributors must have a sufficient quantity of spare parts to meet customer demand for a minimum of the current model year being approved.
d. Superseded or redesigned parts must be submitted to AMA Racing for review and approval before their use in competition. These parts must be listed in the current OEM parts list supplied to AMA Racing.
e. The AMA may require one unit of each approved model and/or superseded or redesigned part(s) to be provided for long-term parts comparison.
f. Only after the homologation paperwork has been verified and approved by AMA Racing will the minicycle be added to the approved for AMA competition list.
g. Homologation will last until such time as the motorcycle no longer conforms to the current limited class rules.
h. Homologation is required each year for new models even if that model hasn't changed from the previous year homologation.
i. AMA Racing will provide a list of homologated minicycles. This list may be updated at any time.
j. If at any time it is discovered that the manufacturer hasn't met the requirements or falsified any information during the homologation process, the manufacturer may be fined up to $10,000 and may
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be placed on probation or suspension from AMA competition for up to five years.
k. Minicycles will be approved at the sole discretion of AMA Racing.
3. 113cc 2-stroke/151 4-stroke and up Limited Class
a. To be approved for AMA-sanctioned competition, motorcycles (engines and frames) must be available through retail distributors.
b. A new manufacturer may be required to complete an approval application on initial request for approval for a new model or any time the AMA deems necessary.
c. Motorcycles will be approved at the sole discretion of AMA Racing.
B. Limited Class Equipment Standards
1. To be eligible for a LIMITED CLASS, the following ARE NOT PERMITTED to be changed or modified:
Air Box
Air Box Vent Tube
Air Filter Screen
Air Intake Boot
Axle
Brake Rotor Size (thickness/diameter)
Brake Master Cylinder
Carburetor (including any parts with exception to jets) Clutch (any part including clutch cover) 2
Crankshaft Stroke Length
Cylinder Bore Size 1
EFI Throttle Body 5
Electronics 5
Exhaust Control Valve (ECV)
Exhaust Pipe (any part)
Frame 3
Front Forks 4
Front Fork Caps
Intake Spacer
Internal Engine Components (blue printing is not allowed) 2 Lower Triple Clamp
Oil Injection System (only oil may be in system) 6
Rear Shock 4
Reed Valve Assembly (any part)
Rim Size
Silencer (tip may be modified to accept spark arrestor) Subframe 3
Swingarm 3
Transmission (any internal part)
Yamaha PW50 Start/Run/Off Switch
Water Pump Assembly (any part except the cover) Wheel Hubs
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MOTOCROSS 1.2
2. To be eligible for the LIMITED CLASS, the following ARE NOT PERMITTED to be added:
Adjustable Leak Jet
Bark Busters (closed end or wrap-around metal hand guards) Fork Brace
Radiator Fan
3. The following notes are exceptions to the items listed above:
a. 1 Cylinder re-plating is allowed by the original manufacturer’s bore must be retained.
b. 2 Clutch plates, pistons, and piston rings may be aftermarket as long as they maintain the stock shape, design, and material of the OEM parts. High compression pistons are not allowed.
c. 3 Material may be added to the production frame or swingarm for strength, including welding. These changes shall not affect frame geometry.
d. 4 OEM front and rear suspension can be altered with internal modifications only. Shock linkage and suspension spring rates may be changed to any commercially available part.
e. 5 Programming or mapping changes to the stock OEM ECU unit are permitted.
f. 6 To be eligible for limited classes that use oil- injection systems, the system must be fully functional and only oil may be put in the reservoir. Pre-mix gasoline is not allowed in the oil-injection system.
Why can't we have those minimal amount of units for the pro level? If TM only had to bring in 50-100 units maybe we would see them support a couple privateers and support a small team. Asking to bring in a minimum of 400 units is just not doable for a small company.
That rule needs to change.
What I wish they would do is base the homologation number off of a percentage of previous years units. Pick whatever percentage. 5% for example. If you sold 1,000 250f's in the U.S. you would need 50 to meet homologation for the next model to be legal to race. It's fair for every manufacturer regardless of production ability and gives small manufacturers a realistic chance.
You'll see more on the professional side of things in the next couple years.
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