While the MXA gang was at Glen Helen on Thursday testing pipes with Daryl Ecklund, Dennis Stapleton and Austin Politelli, we talked to Glen Helen general manager Lori Bryant about the upcoming World Two-Stroke race.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP?
"We think that it is important that the sport put more emphasis on two-strokes because it leads to affordable bikes, less expensive racing and bikes that can be worked on by the riders themselves. We have seen lots of local riders give up their four-strokes, go out and buy a used two-stroke (for anywhere from $1000 to $3000) and do just as well as they were doing on their $9000 four-strokes. Motocross needs two-strokes and to get more young people and families involved. Glen Helen wants to help bring back the grass roots feel that made motocross what it is today."
Lori Bryant.
SPEAKING OF COSTS, WHAT DOES THE WORLD TWO-STROKE COST TO RACE?
"We want to keep the entry fees as low as possible?if you enter online the entry is only $30 (and $35 on race day). Plus, a second class is only $20. The Pro class entry will be $40. We will have transponder scoring, but Glen Helen does not charge an extra fee for transponders and we don?t require any kind of membership. This race is open to everyone with a two-stroke."
WHAT ARE THE CLASSES?
"We will have classes for all ages, all skill levels and all bikes sizes, from 50cc on up. During the warm-up races last month our biggest class was the Over-50 Experts."
WHAT ABOUT THE PRO RACES?
"There are two Pro classes?the Husqvarna 125 Challenge and the 250 Pro class (which is open to any size two-stroke)."
HOW BIG IS THE PURSE?
"The combined purse is $9500 between the two classes. The winner of the 250 class will earned $2000, while the 125 winner will get $1000?plus a brand-new Husqvarna CR125 (even if he won the 125 race on a Yamaha or KTM)."
HOW LONG ARE THE MOTOS?
"Every moto will be run on time, not laps. The two Pro classes will race for 20 minutes plus two laps, while the amateurs will go 15 minutes."
The view from the top.
WILL THE TRACK BE THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN?
"No. We will build a new track for the MTA World Two-Stroke Championship. The track will have more ups and downs and it will include some new features plus Talladega, Shoei Hill and Mt. Saint Helen. We want a fun track that will challenge all the different classes from Novice to Pro."
ANYTHING ELSE?
"The April 6-7 weekend will be a big party. On Saturday we will open the two-stroke track (on the USGP track) for practice from 8:00 to 2:00pm. And, for riders who want a warm-up race, Troy Lee is holding a special 15th Anniversary REM race on the back track on Saturday. There will be a Pro purse for the Over-40 Experts, Over-50 Experts, 250 Pros and 450 Pros. Plus, Troy is bringing his complete team, semi truck and sponsors out. Then on Sunday, we will open the gates at 6:00 a.m. for the World Two-Stroke Championships (and there will be an ARX vintage race on the REM track also)."
WORLD TWO-STROKE PURSE BREAKDOWN
250/Open class:
1. $2000
2. $1250
3. $910
4. $585
5. $455
6. $390
7. $325
8. $260
9. $195
10. $130
Total $6500
125 Class:
1. $1000 (plus 2013 Husky CR125)
2. $500
3. $420
4. $270
5. $210
6. $180
7. $150
8. $120
9. $90
10. $60
Total $2620 (plus the brand new bike)
