Cobra Riders Claim Titles at Mini O?s

HILLSDALE, Mich., (Dec. 2, 2011) ? The annual Thanksgiving trek down to Gainesville, Fla., for the nation?s top amateur motocross racers again paid big-time dividends for the world?s leading manufacturer of podium-driven competition mini cycles ? Michigan-based Cobra Moto.

The 40th annual Thor Winter National Olympics, presented by Pro Circuit ? better known as the ?Mini Os? ? crowned two 50cc class Cobra Nation riders with the coveted ?Olympiad? title for their combined MX/SX efforts at Gatorback Cycle Park. Georgia?s Gage Linville (7-8 class) and Nevada?s Reed Cooper (4-6 class), names certainly destine to be reckoned with in the future (see Cobra?s: Millsaps, Alessi, Canard, Bowers, Stroupe, Izzi & Cianciarulo), raced to overall combined class victories on one of America?s key proving grounds for competition mini cycle brands.

In addition, the overall 2011 Loretta Lynn?s 50cc class 7-8 podium, including Reed and two of Cobra?s Bakersfield (Calif.) Boyz ? Ryder Di Francesco and Jett Reynolds ? made up the entire 7-8 50cc class Olympiad podium at the Mini Os, the first time in memory that that?s occurred.

?Just a great competition week down in Florida. Cobra kids showed up in full force and again had a decided impact on the 50cc class championships, while Cobra Nation racers continued to make successful inroads into the 65cc class? top five overall results with our American-made CX65,? said Sean Hilbert, President of Cobra Motorcycles. ?Congrats to Gage and ?Reedy? on their Olympiad titles, and to all the other Cobra Nation members that made the trip this year to Gatorback.?

Standing out amongst the usual titles for Cobra at the Mini Os was the fact that a high number of Cobra-backed riders will return to contest their same class for 2012. Linville, Di Francesco and 65cc class chargers Pierce Brown (Utah) and Tommy Rios (Florida) will all return as favorites in their respective classes beginning with the Amateur MX Nationals? season-openers this March.

Also noteworthy from Cobra at the Mini Os ?

· Maryland?s Jack Rogers was on it in the 65cc 7-9 class, piloting his Cobra CX 65 to a 2nd place podium finish in the SX division.

· Both Brown & Rogers raced pre-production 2012 CX65s with Cobra?s new, industry-exclusive electronic power valve. And how?d it perform? ?Really, really ? REALLY ? well,? beamed Phil McDowell, Cobra?s Chief Engineer, who was attending the Mini Os.

· Other Cobra Nation podium performances at the Mini Os were scored by: Pennsylvania?s Cameron Davis (2nd, 50cc SX 4-8 Stock) and Ohio?s Tanner Kemp (3rd, 50cc SX 4-8 Stock).

· 50cc class racer Branden Walther (Texas) won his first-ever major Amateur MX National overall, taking the 4-8 MX class championship at Gainesville.

· The UK?s Dylan Woodcock won the opening moto in the 10-11 65cc Stock class ? and was poised for an overall podium finish ? when he slowed up a bit to remove a tear-off and was plowed into by another racer, costing him that probable podium.

Cobra, founded in 1993, produces the most successful line of competition mini cycles and mini quads in the United States with more than 300 national titles in the last decade. Based out of Hillsdale, Mich., Cobra?s mission is to build premium products for the serious racer. For more information on Cobra products, please visit our website at www.cobramotorcycle.com .

High Profile Public Relations (HPPR), LLC, is a multi-faceted communications agency specializing in strategic media relations ? both industry and mainstream ? for the powersports and action sports communities. Dialed in with all forms of power and action sports, its participants, manufacturers and live event promoters, HPPR?s Pat Schutte can be reached at pat@highprofilepr.com.

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Source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000118407/news/cobra-riders-claim-titles-at-mini-os/

Craig Dack Roger De Coster Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria

OTSFF Sports Signs Richard Grey For 2012 MX Season

From OTSFF

OTSFF Sports Marketing Group is pleased to announce the signing of Richard Grey to their 2012 CMRC Nationals motocross team.

The seven-time Canadian National Amateur Champion will join the team as Bobby Kiniry?s new teammate. Grey will campaign the MX2 class while Kiniry returns for his third season in the MX1 class, OTSFF?s Andre Laurin said.

?We?re excited to have Richard join our team because we believe he is at the forefront of a new generation of up-and-coming Canadian pro riders,? Laurin said. ?We?ve kept an eye on him for the past couple of years and have been impressed by his results as well as his professionalism on and off the track.?

Despite campaigning only the eastern leg of the MX2 Nationals in 2011, Grey garnered an 18th place ranking, with his best result being recorded at the final round of the season in Walton. On the strength of 9-3 motos, Grey hammered down third overall in the nearly impossible racing conditions on the rain and mud soaked Walton Raceway track.

The 18-year-old Keswick, ON native, who turned pro this year, has also won a truckload of Ontario Provincial Championships as well as placing top-five, including two moto wins, at Loretta Lynn?s in the U.S.

?I?m super pumped to be joining the OTSFF program and super excited to get the 2012 season going,? Grey said. ?This being my first major team, it?s a huge step for me to be taking and I know I?m in for a huge learning experience. I also know that I?m going to have to put all my effort forth to confirm the confidence Andre has shown in me.?

Source: http://imxmag.blogspot.com/2011/11/otsff-sports-signs-richard-grey-for.html

John Dowd John Draper Doug Dubach Ryan Dungey

ODI / TLD ?Dear Santa? Daily Giveaway

December 1, 2011 ? Corona, CA-Tis? the season of giving, and ODI is going to do just that. Every day leading up to Christmas, ODI is going to give away one pair of TLD / ODI MX Grips and one pair of TLD / ODI MTB Grips to two lucky Facebook fans!

In order to be eligible to win, you must first go to ODI?s Facebook page and ?Like? them.

To enter the day?s contest for the MX Grips, simply comment on ODI?s post about the giveaway with the sentence ?Dear Santa, all I want for XMAS is a set of (which ever color you want to win) MX TLD ODI grips!?

To enter the day?s contest for the MTB Grips, use the sentence ?Dear Santa, all I want for XMAS is a set of (which ever color you want to win) MTB TLD ODI grips!?

Two daily winners will be chosen to receive their pair of the best grips around! Winners will be announced on both the ODI and TLD Facebook pages.

The giveaway starts today, so keep your eye on the ODI Facebook page for your first opportunity to enter!

ODI?s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ODIGrips

TLD would like to thank all of our team sponsors: Lucas Oil, American Honda, PPG, Red Bull, SillyBrandz Global, Adidas, Specialized, BioLytical Labs, Dunlop, McQueen Racing, VQ OrthoCare, Shock Doctor, Skullcandy, Renthal, Oakley, Alpinestars, Pro Circuit, Primm MX Collection, Couts Heating & Cooling, Selle Italia, N-Style, VP Racing Fuels, Boyesen, ODI, DID, Rossignol, Pacific Collision Centers, Muc-Off, Kasey Kahne, Elrod Racing, New Era, Leatt, Cycra, Hammerhead, Hinson, Light Speed, Moto Tassinari, Twin Air, Dubya USA, and Talon.

About ODI:
This is not just a slogan to us. Over the past 25 years, we have dedicated ourselves to providing the best there is to offer in our products. This includes our proprietary compounds which have been extensively researched and tested by top athletes around the world to ensure that they provide the highest level of comfort and longevity possible. We are also the innovators of the Lock-On Grip system, which innovated the way in which grips are installed and secured to the handlebars and still remains the worldwide standard for grips. This is also the reason that we have chosen to continue producing our products exclusively in the USA in our own facility. While other manufacturers are scurrying to the lowest
possible cost producer overseas, we remain dedicated to maintaining the
highest possible product quality facilitated by our long term relationships
we have developed with our suppliers.

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Source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000118546/news/odi-tld-dear-santa-daily-giveaway/

Mark Barnett Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer

KTM Canada adds National #2 Dusty Klatt to powerful MX1 Team

From KTM Canada

Just weeks after the announcement that National #1 Colton Facciotti would join the orange squad, KTM Canada is excited to report the signing of National #2 Dusty Klatt. With this 1-2 duo headlining the KTM MX1 squad, the team looks forward to battling for moto wins and ultimately working hard to earn KTM Canada their first Canadian MX1 Championship.

Dusty is a proven champion in Canada. ?I feel he has what it takes to win again in 2012. I am sure at round #1 Dusty will be ready to put that 450 SX-F on the podium,? said KTM Racing Manager Andy White.

As a two-time Canadian National MX1 Champion and a former two-time MX2 West title holder, Klatt knows what it takes to win. With a new bike and a new set of challenges ahead, the Campbell River, BC native is more motivated than ever to reach the top step of the podium this season.

?I?m excited about riding and learning a new bike and I?m looking forward to all the challenges ahead of me,? said Klatt. ?It?s going to be fun. It?s like getting a fresh start. I am looking forward to testing and getting the bike dialed in and ready for the season.?

Klatt?s signing reinforces KTM Canada?s continued commitment to racing, and ultimately, to winning. With a MX1 championship team now assembled, the entire KTM squad is ready to put in the hard work needed to compete at the highest level this summer.

Source: http://imxmag.blogspot.com/2011/12/ktm-canada-adds-national-2-dusty-klatt.html

Jaroslav Falta Claudio Federici Tim Ferry Ashley Fiolek

2012 Yamaha R1 Traction Control | Review

Click the images below for bigger versions:

2012 Yamaha R1 Traction Control

Valentino Rossi once described the Yamaha's inline four-cylinder motor developed for their M1 MotoGP race machine as the ?sweet motor'. The smooth but dramatic low-down torque is thanks to its unique cross-plane crankshaft design that gives an off-beat firing order, and the engine actually sounds and behaves a lot like a typical V-four. Yamaha have fitted this technology to their R1 superbike flagship and the result has (easily) been the best-selling liter-bike in the US. No big surprise there.

Riding the R1, the low-droning engine note is very deceptive and I am constantly surprised to glance at the tach and discover the motor spinning much faster than my ears lead me to believe. However, although the remarkable-and very useable-low down grunt is delivered progressively, it is still necessary to be highly respectful of the throttle when exiting corners, especially on unpredictable street surfaces. On the track, the motor's engine note is so deceptive it is easy to get greedy with the throttle and cause a highside.

Fortunately, Yamaha's considerable MotoGP experience has led it to develop a quietly spectacular traction control system, and that too has now trickled down to the street machine we can buy. In essence, it works by detecting any difference between the wheels' speeds, and if the rear is spinning faster than the front, it backs the power down just enough to avoid excessive loss of traction at the rear.

For any rider, the key to any TC system is how smoothly (and therefore transparently) it accomplishes the task-as you might imagine, it's no good if the power drop is too abrupt and unsettles the chassis. The R1's system works by adjusting a combination of the ride-by-wire throttle valve, fuel injection, and ignition timing in tiny increments, and in normal circumstances it does it with perfect transparency.

The other key to rider confidence in TC is its adjustability, so you can walk the tightrope between enough interference to save you from disaster yet not so much that you feel the power is being overly diluted. It's a tricky balancing act to pull off. The Yamaha's seven-stage system can be changed on-the-fly in single increments, decreasing from Level 6 (maximum interference) down to Level 1. A progress bar-type indicator on the LED instruments is easy to see which level is set; the seventh option is off, but the R1 has to be stationary to access it. As the TC activates, an easy to see yellow light flashes on the instrument pod.

The Yamaha R1's enormous power is controlled by their ride-by-wire Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), and that engine management system has three changeable on-the-fly, ?Drive Modes'. All of them allow full power, but ?A' offers 30% quicker throttle response over Standard for the first half of the throttle range, whereas ?B' softens it by 30% throughout the entire throttle range. I find ?A' mode a tad too aggressive for the street, but the other two modes allow for fast, elegant riding.

On our street test, the R1 was wearing its original equipment Dunlop Q2s, and in Standard mode the TC level was set to 6 (maximum). Incidentally, Level 6 and 5 on the TC also inhibit wheelies; it's not true wheelie control per se, but the intrusion level is enough that as the front wheel comes up a speed mismatch is detected and the power is rapidly pulled back. The system is so sensitive and reacts so quickly, that even with the front tire just skimming the road the power is tempered enough to prevent any real lift-off.

Highway 74 from Indian Wells is a twisting, slow-ish road full of hairpins and ample opportunity to sample the R1's Traction Control. The tarmac surface is frankly appalling, and the thousands of slippery bitumen snakes across the surface make an inadequate attempt to cover the cracks in the road surface. Unfortunately, the Dunlop Q2s on the R1 gripped the surface incredibly well, and try as I might, I simply could not get the TC light to even flicker-much less feel any ?traction control'-and this was on the Level 6 most intrusive setting!

Flipping the Drive Mode to the most aggressive ?A' setting I continued to try and find a limit to the R1's traction... however it simply made no difference. I'm prepared to admit that perhaps I didn't notice the yellow light, but I do feel as though I was watching out for it-and I really didn't see it. To be fair, traction control n the street is more about insurance in the event of an unexpected change in conditions-diesel spills, minor gravel etc on the surface, so I didn't judge the TC too harshly for not making its presence known; clearly street speeds in normal conditions are simply not enough to really break a quality tire's traction.

The track test at Chuckwalla Raceway however was a different story altogether, proving the huge difference in speed from the street. The Q2s were swapped out for Michelin's excellent Power Pilot race tires; the TC was again set to Level 6 and the Drive Mode to Standard. Heading out on to the track I was amazed to see the traction control light begin flickering immediately; granted the tires were relatively cold, but the TC kept flickering even after a couple of laps when the tires were clearly fully warmed up. The TC light didn't stop making its presence known until-after several sessions-I had the confidence to dial the TC down to level 2. I wasn't power-sliding out of turns like Casey Stoner, but I could definitely feel the rear starting to side on the exit of certain corners; however (and very impressively) it never got anywhere near alarming or out of control. It was impossible to tell if I was finessing the throttle like an alien or if it was the Yamaha TC system; however, much as I'd like to think it was me, truth is, it was the R1's remarkable electronics merely doing precisely what they were designed for-and totally transparently.

The most remarkable thing about the Yamaha system is how invisible it is. If it hadn't been for the tell-tale flickering yellow light I simply wouldn't have been aware that the power was being controlled, in fact at one point I joked with Yamaha staffers that it was just a flashing yellow light hooked up to the throttle. In a crude attempt to feel some interference from the system I purposely rode through one wide corner in a low gear and-making sure I had plenty of room on the exit-I accelerated hard enough to make the tell-light flicker, and then quickly lifted the bike upright as much as possible. The exhaust note immediately changed and the power rushed in-smoothly but dramatically-almost as if a turbo had just come on line. It was the only time I truly managed to feel the system at work, but the fact that I had to go to such extreme lengths to prove it to myself, showed its worth.

Yamaha's 2012 version of the R1 also has a few tweaks to the styling that make it just a touch more aggressive looking. Included are minor changes to the front lights, redesigned muffler heat shields and exhaust end caps, and a mega-cool looking top triple-clamp-that is presumably a little lighter, inspired by the M1 racebike.

Other minor changes include a new rear shock spring rate that is stiffer at the start of the stroke and softer at the end; this helps with bump absorption and ultimately gives more traction at the rear.
The R1 is available with the usual Yamaha blue/white and Raven Black color options; an exuberant Pearl White with a Candy Red highlight and black Japanese motif on the fairing sides is slightly more expensive. For a further $500 the 50th Anniversary (Yamaha made their racing debut in 1961) Limited Edition is a replica of the gorgeous Red/White speedblock design used at certain races on this year's MotoGP calendar. It should probably be labeled the ?Ben Spies' replica design as he took his maiden victory at Silverstone riding those colors. At any rate, the 50th Anniversary Edition gets a numbered plate atop the gas tank (only 2,000 will be produced worldwide), a special Anniversary Emblem also on the tank, and gold Yamaha tuning fork logos around the bike.

But the big story on the 2012 Yamaha R1 is the inclusion of Traction Control. Take my advice and do not go faster to ?try it out', but you will find that on a track it will give more confidence-which may make you faster-and if/when you go too far past the rear tire's adhesion you will have a much better chance of surviving it than if the TC wasn't there. On the street, anti-lock braking is probably the most useful safety aid, but close behind that-at least on high-horsepower liter-bikes-is the need for traction control. Highsides are thankfully very rare, however there are so many variables affecting the road surface that you could be caught out when you least expect it. So bravo to Yamaha for passing on their multi-million dollar technology at a price we can afford-it will enhance our confidence on track, and our safety on the road.

Source: http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012-yamaha-r1-traction-control-review

Bengt Ã…berg Greg Albertyn Jeff Alessi Mike Alessi

Chad Reed to Compete at the 2011 Genoa Supercross

Chad Reed to compete in 2011 Genoa Supercross

Two-time Supercross champion Chad Reed will compete in Italy?s prestigious Superbowl of Supercross in Genoa on November 19th, 2011.

The event will provide a crucial shake down for Reed and his TwoTwo Motorsports team ahead of the opening round of the 2012 AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship in seven weeks time.

Source: http://www.supercross.com/news/chad-reed-to-compete-at-the-2011-genoa-supercross

Davide Guarneri Thomas Hahn Torsten Hallman Bob Hannah

ODI / TLD ?Dear Santa? Daily Giveaway

December 1, 2011 ? Corona, CA-Tis? the season of giving, and ODI is going to do just that. Every day leading up to Christmas, ODI is going to give away one pair of TLD / ODI MX Grips and one pair of TLD / ODI MTB Grips to two lucky Facebook fans!

In order to be eligible to win, you must first go to ODI?s Facebook page and ?Like? them.

To enter the day?s contest for the MX Grips, simply comment on ODI?s post about the giveaway with the sentence ?Dear Santa, all I want for XMAS is a set of (which ever color you want to win) MX TLD ODI grips!?

To enter the day?s contest for the MTB Grips, use the sentence ?Dear Santa, all I want for XMAS is a set of (which ever color you want to win) MTB TLD ODI grips!?

Two daily winners will be chosen to receive their pair of the best grips around! Winners will be announced on both the ODI and TLD Facebook pages.

The giveaway starts today, so keep your eye on the ODI Facebook page for your first opportunity to enter!

ODI?s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ODIGrips

TLD would like to thank all of our team sponsors: Lucas Oil, American Honda, PPG, Red Bull, SillyBrandz Global, Adidas, Specialized, BioLytical Labs, Dunlop, McQueen Racing, VQ OrthoCare, Shock Doctor, Skullcandy, Renthal, Oakley, Alpinestars, Pro Circuit, Primm MX Collection, Couts Heating & Cooling, Selle Italia, N-Style, VP Racing Fuels, Boyesen, ODI, DID, Rossignol, Pacific Collision Centers, Muc-Off, Kasey Kahne, Elrod Racing, New Era, Leatt, Cycra, Hammerhead, Hinson, Light Speed, Moto Tassinari, Twin Air, Dubya USA, and Talon.

About ODI:
This is not just a slogan to us. Over the past 25 years, we have dedicated ourselves to providing the best there is to offer in our products. This includes our proprietary compounds which have been extensively researched and tested by top athletes around the world to ensure that they provide the highest level of comfort and longevity possible. We are also the innovators of the Lock-On Grip system, which innovated the way in which grips are installed and secured to the handlebars and still remains the worldwide standard for grips. This is also the reason that we have chosen to continue producing our products exclusively in the USA in our own facility. While other manufacturers are scurrying to the lowest
possible cost producer overseas, we remain dedicated to maintaining the
highest possible product quality facilitated by our long term relationships
we have developed with our suppliers.

CATEGORIZED: News
TAGS: , ,

Source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000118546/news/odi-tld-dear-santa-daily-giveaway/

Trampas Parker Travis Pastrana Gautier Paulin David Philippaerts