The AMA National Class that could have been
Due to extraneous circumstances in the motorcycling industry MX Sports has been unable to get the 250cc ruling for the AMA Nationals for 2009.
This is the letter that I received from Davey Coombs;
John,
We have been trying our hardest, on both this and the television front
(we’re good there) but right now the entire motorcycle industry is focused
on fighting the CPSIA “lead law” that is just killing the dealers and the
sport. To ask them to make a change at this 11th hour in their plans and add
or redevelop two-strokes does not seem like the best use of their time and
resources. Every conversation, every hour, every dollar is being directed at
overturning the law or at least gaining an exemption, as it has cut their
business by almost 30% already.That said, I will keep trying, if not for 2009, then for 2010. And if I
can’t get it done, at least a two-stroke support class in the meantime is on
the idea table.
DC
Over at Transworld Motocross Online they posted the following along with a video which includes Jason Lawrence and Travis Baker comparing a 250 two stroke against the 250F. This is a must see video!
On the heels of MX Sport’s recent announcement that after careful deliberation, 250cc two-strokes will not be allowed to compete in this summer’s 250cc National Championship Series against 250cc four-strokes, we bring you this interesting video about what could have been.
Though the rule will be revisited in the future, once the CPSIA Lead Ban crisis is resolved, we can’t help but wonder what could have been this summer, had the rule been enacted.
Naturally, we filmed this video and worked on the content for a magazine feature when things looked good for the rule, and the information that lies in this video and in the magazine feature that will hit newsstands next month is both interesting and intriguing. Look to the May issue of TransWorld Motocross for tons of comparative information, including lap times from our test riders, Jason Lawrence and Travis Baker, as well as dynamometer readings, price comparisons, etc.
For now, though, enjoy the video; complete with the sweet ring-a-ding sound of a two-stroke 250 at full chat.
Please support both of these magazines by writing thank you letters to the editors and subscribing to them.
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Comments
By bleake637 on March 5th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
WHHYYYYYYYY! TOTAL BUMMER.
By 2smoker on March 5th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I am totally fed up with the sport right now. Can’t stand the new 4 stroke scene anymore..Are they waiting for the 2 stroke to be totally extincted to establish a fair rule or what? I would pay big money to fly to the USA to see J-LAW riding a 2 stroke in the lite class….I don’t know why, us as riders don’t do much about it. Piss off.It is funny to see the new generation of riders thinking that 4 stroke motocross is motocross!
By The General on March 6th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Yes this news is frustrating. The only way to combat this is to continue to write to the magazines, manufacturers and promoters letting them know how you feel.
Personally I will not attend any Pro National race unless their is at least one two stroke racing. At least a two stroke support class or an Invitational like at Glen Helen. Otherwise the racing is just not interesting to me.
As for local racing, some areas in the US already have the 250cc rule in place already. So you can race a 250cc two stroke against a 250 four stroke. But unfortunately they have virtually eliminated the 125 cc class.
What we did here in our local area is approached a track owner and asked for a 125cc two stroke only class for one day. We are now trying to get as many two stroke racers as possible to attend this one-off event. With any luck we will have a great turnout and maybe get some traction to add the class permanently.
This seems like the only viable option open to us at this time.
The only other option would be to create a two stroke series, similar to what they have in the UK.
Do you have a positive suggestion on how to bring back the two stroke? Please let us hear it.
By Mick on March 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
“To ask them to make a change at this 11th hour in their plans and add
or redevelop two-strokes does not seem like the best use of their time and
resources.”
-WRONG!!! We’re not asking Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki to spin up production of two strokes again. That hopefully would have just been a biproduct of increased public interest. The rule ONLY stood to benefit Yamaha and KTM who already produce two strokes to begin with. The others are just shit out of luck! And they need not “redevelop” any of them. They’re already superior as is. Again, R&D may come after time. This answer makes sense when we talk about bumping the 450 class down to 350, but we’re not. The 250 two strokes already exist. And if they aren’t currently in production, then I guess the rule has no effect on them anyway then does it?!?! The three manufacturers that don’t produce two strokes are scared shitless. That’s all there is to it.
I would be just as pleased if not more so to see a two stroke only series like the UK has spun up. Then I would have no reason to go and suffer through another boring AMA national.
Mick
By 87cr500rider on March 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I can’t say I’m the least bit surprised. Of course the factories don’t believe the hype that a 4 stroke is better and know that if faced with having to run against bikes of equal displacement (yes, even their own), will make their 4 strokes as obsolete as an XR75 was in the 80 class.
By andymoto on March 18th, 2009 at 5:18 am
I wrote MX Sports about my disappointment, but asked them to consider having 4 regional two stroke races and take the top ten from each to make a final event either like Washougal or Southwick; even meet in the mid-North. Anywhere.
Most Nationals also have the WMA races also as the Glen Helen event does. Kind of fills the plate, but we all want to watch as much racing and less of the fluff.
My understanding with the current Fed govt is of a much less tolerance to “pollution belching” two strokes; like leaf blower, etc that get used much on a daily basis country wide, while most that ride/race the current two strokes are either amateurs or enthusiast that are a very small minority of the current population and market of just this country alone.
Why in the dickens Yamaha, who already has DI two stroke tech in their boat motors doesn’t try like KTM apparently has in using development dollars to create a MX equivilent; OEMs just see dollars that every moving part the thumpers make them.
This year in California, a DI two stroke motor again was awarded by CARB top billing for lowest small engine emissions. This tech has been awarded top honors first in believe ‘04 or ‘05 and every year after in the toughest emission state.
Motocrossers usually like things technically new and “fresh”.
Take the ‘73 125 Elsinores. ‘77-’80 Yamaha monos; ‘81 RM watercooler w/Full Floater susp…..mean there are numbers of examples of two stroke tech that the public bought into in droves.
DI technology continues to proves it passes the most stringent pollution standards that California has in the country declared by the California Air Resources Board or(CARB).
Be nice if(IMO big if) KTM mass produces DI engine technology dirtbikes that prove to stay competitive with current thumper chumper bikes.
That would excite the motocross world to have this cutting edge stuff without Big Brother hassling those who ride them since they pass the most stringent pollution guidelines along with reduced noise; another issue yet..
I’m not sold on an electric bike that KTM “apparently” has been testing as others have. Can’t see real racing electric machines that wouldn’t cost an arm and leg MSRP and the upkeep of battery power; take years to still test for reliability purposes.
The past few years, I’ve heard numerous riders that owned 250/450Fs go back to their two stroke counterpart; much happier are they now; in riding and maintenance.
Not just one or two; a whole lot.
Hope just ONE; one OEM brings DI technology to fruition and see if the rest come scrambling to bring on their own version if the first models prove very successful; a high bar to clear, but see no reason it couldn’t be.
Just want one of them to try. Bet it will be popular; new and fresh as dirtbikers like. Even if it were to cost a grand or more that current four strokers; you will save that in the longrun easily.
AM
By brapper125 on February 13th, 2010 at 1:06 am
I hate the AMA and the way they have killed, or tried to kill the two stroke from national pro-level competition. I hope they realize by sights like this that they have betrayed a whole leigon of two stroke enthusists. If they ever expect me to renew my membership and support them again they will undo the wrong they have done and allow 250 two strokes to race in the lites (I hate that term) class. What is the AMA afraid of? If they do that then I will again attend outdoor nationals and maybe even some super, I mean stupid-cross events. I will never forgive them for what sadly appeares killing the 125 from any type of national pro level competition. Until then all the two-stoke invitationals and related races will have my attention and dollars to watch and participate in. I am really looking forward to the two stroke race at Glen Helen this April. Love live pre-mix and expansion chambers!!!!!!!
By brapper125 on February 13th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Damn it, my last sentence should have read, long live pre-mix and expansion chambers!!!